Reprinted from BBC News (London UK), October 7, 2001
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
 

"On my orders, the United States military has begun
                  strikes against al-Qaeda terrorist training camps and
                  military installations of the Taleban regime in
                  Afghanistan.

                  These carefully targeted
                  actions are designed to
                  disrupt the use of
                  Afghanistan as a terrorist
                  base of operations and to
                  attack the military capability
                  of the Taleban regime.

                  We are joined in this operation by our staunch friend,
                  Great Britain.

                  Other close friends, including Canada, Australia,
                  Germany and France, have pledged forces as the
                  operation unfolds.

                  More than 40 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Europe
                  and across Asia have granted air transit or landing
                  rights. Many more have shared intelligence.

                  We are supported by the collective will of the world.

                  More than two weeks ago, I
                  gave Taleban leaders a
                  series of clear and specific
                  demands: Close terrorist
                  training camps, hand over
                  leaders of the al-Qaeda
                  network, and return all
                  foreign nationals, including
                  American citizens unjustly
                  detained in our country.

                  None of these demands
                  were met. And now, the
                  Taleban will pay a price.

                  By destroying camps and
                  disrupting communications, we will make it more difficult
                  for the terror network to train new recruits and
                  co-ordinate their evil plans.

                  Initially the terrorists may burrow deeper into caves and
                  other entrenched hiding places.

                  Our military action is also
                  designed to clear the way for
                  sustained, comprehensive
                  and relentless operations to
                  drive them out and bring
                  them to justice.

                  At the same time, the
                  oppressed people of
                  Afghanistan will know the
                  generosity of America and
                  our allies.

                  As we strike military targets,
                  we will also drop food, medicine and supplies to the
                  starving and suffering men and women and children of
                  Afghanistan.

                  The United States of America is a friend to the Afghan
                  people, and we are the friends of almost a billion
                  worldwide who practise the Islamic faith.

                  Another front

                  The United States of America is an enemy of those who
                  aid terrorists and of the barbaric criminals who profane
                  a great religion by committing murder in its name.

                  This military action is a part of our campaign against
                  terrorism, another front in a war that has already been
                  joined through diplomacy, intelligence, the freezing of
                  financial assets and the arrests of known terrorists by
                  law enforcement agents in 38 countries.

                  Given the nature and reach
                  of our enemies, we will win
                  this conflict by the patient
                  accumulation of successes,
                  by meeting a series of
                  challenges with
                  determination and will and
                  purpose.

                  Today we focus on
                  Afghanistan, but the battle
                  is broader.

                  Every nation has a choice to
                  make. In this conflict, there
                  is no neutral ground.

                  If any government sponsors the outlaws and killers of
                  innocents, they have become outlaws and murderers
                  themselves. And they will take that lonely path at their
                  own peril.

                  Working for peace

                  I'm speaking to you today from the Treaty Room of the
                  White House, a place where American presidents have
                  worked for peace.

                  We're a peaceful nation. Yet, as we have learned, so
                  suddenly and so tragically, there can be no peace in a
                  world of sudden terror.

                  In the face of today's new threat, the only way to
                  pursue peace is to pursue those who threaten it.

                  We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfil it.

                  The name of today's military
                  operation is Enduring
                  Freedom. We defend not
                  only our precious freedoms,
                  but also the freedom of
                  people everywhere to live
                  and raise their children free
                  from fear.

                  I know many Americans feel
                  fear today. And our
                  government is taking strong
                  precautions.

                  All law enforcement and
                  intelligence agencies are
                  working aggressively around
                  America, around the world and around the clock.

                  At my request, many governors have activated the
                  National Guard to strengthen airport security. We have
                  called up reserves to reinforce our military capability
                  and strengthen the protection of our homeland.

                  Patience

                  In the months ahead, our patience will be one of our
                  strengths - patience with the long waits that will result
                  from tighter security, patience and understanding that it
                  will take time to achieve our goals, patience in all the
                  sacrifices that may come.

                  Today, those sacrifices are being made by members of
                  our armed forces who now defend us so far from home,
                  and by their proud and worried families.

                  A commander-in-chief sends America's sons and
                  daughters into battle in a foreign land only after the
                  greatest care and a lot of prayer.

                  We ask a lot of those who wear our uniform.

                  We ask them to leave their loved ones, to travel great
                  distances, to risk injury, even to be prepared to make
                  the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

                  They are dedicated. They are honourable. They
                  represent the best of our country, and we are grateful.

                  To all the men and women
                  in our military, every sailor,
                  every soldier, every airman,
                  every Coast Guardsman,
                  every Marine, I say this:
                  Your mission is defined. The
                  objectives are clear. Your
                  goal is just. You have my
                  full confidence, and you will
                  have every tool you need to
                  carry out your duty.

                  I recently received a
                  touching letter that says a lot about the state of
                  America in these difficult times - a letter from a
                  fourth-grade girl with a father in the military.

                  "As much as I don't want my dad to fight," she wrote,
                  "I'm willing to give him to you."

                  This is a precious gift. The greatest she could give. This
                  young girl knows what America is all about.

                  Since 11 September, an entire generation of young
                  Americans has gained new understanding of the value
                  of freedom and its cost and duty and its sacrifice.

                  The battle is now joined on many fronts. We will not
                  waver, we will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not
                  fail.

                  Peace and freedom will prevail.

                  Thank you. May God continue to bless America."