Bush Renews Commitment to Win War on Terrorism

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, September 12, 2002

Bush Renews Commitment to Win War on Terrorism

US President George W. Bush on Tuesday renewed his commitment to win the war against terrorism at a Pentagon ceremony marking the anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks.

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US President George W. Bush on Tuesday renewed his commitment to win the war against terrorism at a Pentagon ceremony marking the anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks.

"Terrorists have failed to demoralize the country," a somber Bush said as he stood outside the rebuilt Pentagon.

The president said that since the war began, more than 2000 terrorists have been captured and millions of dollars in terms of assets have been frozen, but there is a great deal left to do.

He vowed that the United States would fight for "security of selves, friends and peace," saying the greatest tasks and dangers were born by the military.

"The murder of innocents cannot be explained, only endured," Bush told thousands of people gathered for the anniversary memorial ceremony, "Though they died in tragedy, they did not die in vain."

Bush said that terrorists chose the Pentagon as a target because it is a symbol of might and resolve of America and they hoped to demoralize the country.

"This nation honors all who died in our cause," Bush said of the 184 people who died at the Pentagon and nearly 3,000 elsewhereduring the terrorist attacks, "Here and in Pennsylvania and in NewYork, we honor each name and each life."

Members of Bush's Cabinet, congressional leaders, military officers and thousands of others attended the ceremony.

In an article published in The New York Times on Wednesday, Bush said the nation is prepared for what he described as a lengthy struggle against terrorism.

"America, along with our allies, is relentlessly pursuing terrorist networks in every part of the world to disrupt their planning, training and financing," Bush wrote, describing the defense of peace as a difficult struggle of uncertain duration.

"With our allies, we must also confront the growing threat of regimes that support terror, seek chemical, biological and nuclearweapons, and build ballistic missiles," Bush said, alluding to theUS desire to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

"On this issue, the consequences of inaction could be catastrophic," he added.

Bush was traveling later to New York and Pennsylvania as part of a day long remembrance of the worst terrorist attack in the nation's history.

Bush and his wife Laura Bush began the day of remembrance on the Sept. 11 anniversary with a private prayer service at the Saint John's Episcopal Church in Washington.

After the service, they were joined by White House personnel onthe White House Lawn for a minute of silence at 8:46 am (1246 GMT),the time the first aircraft smashed into New York's World Trade Center a year ago.

After a ceremony at a Pennsylvania field where Flight 93 crashed during last year's terrorist attacks, Bush will head for New York to lay a wreath at the Ground Zero site of the World Trade Center attacks.

On Wednesday night, Bush will address Americans again shaken bynew terror alerts issued by his own administration. The White House Tuesday raised its terror alert level from code yellow to orange, the second-highest level, signaling a high risk of attack.

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