US Armed Forces - "President Says It's War"

President Says It's War, And U.S. Will Be Victorious
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2001 -- "Now that war has been declared on us, we will lead (America) to victory," President Bush said following a conversation with New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani and New York Gov. George Pataki.

Bush spoke to the two about the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in the city and the current situation. He pledged all the resources of the federal government to help the city cope with the disaster.

As calls of support come to Washington from around the globe, Bush said, he and his security team are working on a campaign to win the war on terrorists. He told the governor and mayor that his resolve is "steady and strong about winning this war that has been declared on America."

Bush said the New York and Pentagon attacks begin a new kind of war and that the United States must adjust to these new realities. He said that stamping out terrorism would require cooperation around the world.

"This government will call others to join us, to make sure this act, these acts, the people who conducted these acts and those who harbor them, are held accountable for their actions," Bush said.

Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sept. 12 that Americans must understand that this war will not be quick strikes and over. It won't end with a single counterattack against one individual, he said.

"It's going to be a long-term conflict, and it's going to be fought on many fronts -- the military front, the intelligence front, the law enforcement front, the diplomatic front," Powell said.

At a Pentagon news conference Sept. 13, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz also stressed the campaign will be a long one.

"We're going to see how this unfolds, and it's going to unfold over time," Wolfowitz said. "I think one thing is clear -- that you don't do it with just a single military strike no matter how dramatic. It will be a campaign, not a single action. And we're going to keep after these people and the people who support them until this stops.

"I think the whole civilized world has been shocked by what's happened, and even some elements of the uncivilized world have begun to wonder whether maybe they're on the wrong side here."

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