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America's New War: Countries Either With U.S. or With Terrorism

Aired September 21, 2001 - 05:09   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, either you are with the United States or you are with the terrorists, just one of the many stern statements coming from President Bush in his address to Congress and the people last night.

Here now, John King with the details.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESP. (voice-over): A defining moment for a country and its president, the badge of a fallen police officer his reminder to press on.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I will not forget the wound to our country and those who inflicted it. I will not yield. I will not rest. I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people.

KING: It was a rallying cry to the Congress and the country to wage war against an enemy that has no capital, no conventional army.

The president told Afghanistan's ruling Taliban to turn over Osama bin Laden and his associates, and to allow the United States access to all his camps.

BUSH: These demands are not open to negotiation or discussion.

(APPLAUSE)

The Taliban must act, and act immediately.

KING: Left unsaid in the 34-minute speech was just when the military campaign would begin. But there was no doubt there will be one.

BUSH: Americans should not expect on battle, but a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever seen.

KING: Also left unsaid was what it might cost in dollars and in lives. But Mr. Bush said whatever the price, it had to be paid.

BUSH: And in our grief and anger, we have found our mission and our moment. Freedom and fear are at war. KING: He saluted one steadfast ally: Great Britain, and bluntly framed the fight.

BUSH: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.

(APPLAUSE)

From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.

KING: It was a line designed to put Iran, Iraq, Syria, and others on notice. But again, just what he meant was left unsaid - to be defined in the diplomacy still ahead.

This hug of the Senate's top Democrat was just one sign of the remarkable unity of purpose.

The absence of the vice president from his traditional seat a security precaution and a sign of how dramatically and suddenly the times have changed.

It was a signature moment for the president, and he set high expectations - promising to win a difficult war and to right a listing economy. Yet even as he asked Americans to go about their daily routines, Mr. Bush knew the best he could hope for is a return to - quote - almost normal.

John King, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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