| Monday, November 12, 2001, updated at 08:45(GMT+8) |
Bush Warns U.N.: All Nations Are Targets |
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President Bush, in a warning to world leaders, said Saturday that all nations are possible targets of terrorism and must join with the United States in a campaign to prevent more attacks. "Each of us must answer for what we have done or what we have left undone," he said.
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President Bush, in a warning to world leaders, said Saturday that all nations are possible targets of terrorism and must join with the United States in a campaign to prevent more attacks. "Each of us must answer for what we have done or what we have left undone," he said.
In his first appearance before the General Assembly, Bush outlined specific tasks for member nations: crack down on financing for terrorists, deny them sanctuary, close their camps and seize the operators. "These obligations are urgent and they are binding on every nation with a place in this chamber," the president said.
"Every nation has a stake in this cause," Bush said. "As we meet, the terrorists are planning more murder, perhaps in my country �� or perhaps in yours." He warned that Osama bin Laden and his al-Qa'eda network would use nuclear, chemical and biological weapons as soon as they could. "No hint of conscience would prevent it," Bush said.
He spoke before a gathering of 40 world leaders and 100 foreign ministers a few miles from the site of the World Trade Center suicide attacks on Sept. 11. A long round of applause filled the cavernous hall at the conclusion of his remarks.
Bush came to the world body in a bid to strengthen his fragile anti-terrorism coalition. A gathering number of foreign leaders has expressed concern in recent days about the U.S.-led military action against bin Laden, his network and the Taliban regime.
Bush told the General Assembly that, "For every regime that sponsors terror, there is a price to be paid, and it will be paid. The allies of terror are equally guilty of murder and equally accountable to justice."
Bush said some nations want to play a part in the war against terror but claim they lack the means to enforce their laws and control their borders. "We stand ready to help," the president said.
"Some governments still turn a blind eye to the terrorists, hoping the threat will pass them by," he said. "They are mistaken.
"And some governments, while pledging to uphold the principles of the U.N., have cast their lot with the terrorists," Bush said. "They support them and harbor them and they will find that their welcome guests are parasites that will weaken them and eventually consume them."
He did not single out any nations but aides said he was referring to countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Iran when he warned against inaction.
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