Lawrence Ari Fleischer

“ You've heard other people, Vice President Cheney, talk about the President -- the President talking about the prime suspect is Osama bin Laden, the al Queda organization. The challenge that the government always faces when you ask a question like that, provide the proof, is the means of providing the proof provides valuable information to those who are the objects of any potential action. ”

“ I think there is no question that when it is done, that the al Qaeda organization has been eliminated and they no longer have the global reach and the ability to carry out terrorism the way they have, there will be no doubt that it will be a marked improvement, that the American people will call a victory. ”

“ The objective, again, is to protect the American people and people from around the world from terrorism and from harm, so they can live without fear. That's the objective of the campaign and the President has made it very clear. As plans are put in place through the variety of means which I've identified before -- diplomatic, political, otherwise -- the United States, of course, will always keep an eye on issues involving stability. ”

“ The mission of the Governor, of Governor Ridge and this homeland office, homeland security, is to develop a coordinated, integrated and comprehensive national strategy to combat domestic terrorism, strengthening our homeland preparedness and security at all levels of government. And there are a lot of different agencies. His job will be to coordinate them in preparing for the homeland defense. It is not to replace the existing agencies that are doing their work in investigation. It is not to replace the Department of Defense, where it has taken the lead, of course, on things military. ”

“ Well, as I've been indicating on a regular basis, the President has said that the goals are broad, and that is to fight terrorism where terrorism continues, where terrorism persists, and where terrorism represents a threat to free people in the United States and everywhere. And, again, I just remind you that the al Queda organization is present in some 60 countries. And those who harbor and support terrorists are the targets of the President's action to protect our country. ”

“ No, it's a war to protect people around the world, so they can enjoy their freedom, and so freedom can defeat fear. I think what the purpose of the President doing that was, he wanted to share with the American people who it is who would engage in such an attack on the United States. The President has previously referred to al Queda organization and terrorists generally as they operate in the shadows. It's hard for Americans to relate to who they are and what they seek. ”

“ And as much as the President has indicated because of things operational that this is a different kind of war, it is also important to note that this will be the first war that will have begun when the United States government was in a position of surplus. All previous wars in which the United States engaged, our nation was in deficit. The surplus is the second-largest in history, and that does provide an important and helpful cushion. ”

“ And that's one of the reasons I indicated earlier that this will be a coalition where people contribute differently, and it will change over time. There will be moments where people contribute more, and then they'll contribute less. There will be moments where they contribute fully throughout. It will be a coalition with changing needs, with changing requirements. And the President will continue to work with all nations of the world to accept their contributions to helping defeat terrorism as those nations see fit. ”

“ The President and President Sezer affirmed their solidarity in the fight against terrorism and all those who support and harbor them. The President expressed his thanks to Turkey, a Muslim country, and NATO, that has long suffered from terrorism, for its strong support. The Presidents agree that Turkey and the United States will work together in the long struggle ahead. ”

“ Q You said the other day that the airline companies have a legitimate claim on the U.S. government for having their planes put down on the ground and some of the ensuing problems that have flowed from that. What about the airline workers? Do you feel that they, many of whom, tens of thousands of whom have lost their jobs in the last week or two, do they have a legitimate claim on the U.S. government? ”

“ And the message the President expects to hear from these leaders is that the insurance industry is very well capitalized and is prepared financially to respond fully to all concerns raised in the wake of this disaster, which is good news for all Americans. ”

“ Given the fact that war preparations continue, I think it's fair to say that nothing has changed. The Taliban have not agreed to the demands the President laid out, and therefore the President will continue to take every action necessary to protect this country. Q How solid do we feel we have the support in South Asia, the surrounding countries, so forth, for any action we take? ”

“ Well, but I think also the American people will recognize that over the course of this struggle, there are going to be many victories, many of which they will know and will be plain to see; many of which will be new -- things in the financial realm, that they will come to understand. ”

“ Both the Minority Leader and the President will talk about the economy and how we're going to work together to take actions to help strengthen the American economy. The President and Mrs. Bush will return to the White House on Sunday. On Monday, the President, as I indicated, will meet with the Prime Minister of Canada ”

“ And it will be a different type of war. But I think in the end, the American people will have a good grasp of what victory means. Q Ari, the President, the Secretary of State, others in the administration made clear that priority one is taking out al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. If that is successfully done, will the American people, should the American people feel that the level of security has been restored? ”

“ Q -- there is a -- every terrorist group of global reach. And this has been interpreted by some in one country who say that unless the administration has a global reach, they are free to carry on terrorist attacks on neighboring countries. ”

“ Attorney General Ashcroft and Director of the FBI Robert Mueller are in New York City today. General Ashcroft has announced $10 million in emergency assistance from the COPS program to assist the city of New York with its law enforcement needs. ”