American resolve not dented: Bush

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

NEW YORK, SEPT. 12. The U.S. President, Mr. George W. Bush, has vowed to ``find those responsible'' for the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and ``bring them to justice''.

On Wednesday morning, Mr. Bush toughened his stance and said the attacks amounted to ``an act of war'', adding that he was asking Congress for additional funds for recovery and enhanced security.

In a brief address from the Oval Office, he reminded the country that while the terrorist acts might have shattered steel, ``they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America.''

``The search is under way for those who are behind these evil acts. I have directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them.''

The President returned to the White House from a secure military base in Nebraska. He was in Florida when he was told of the attacks in New York and Washington. Air Force One first touched down at an Air Force Base in Louisiana, then at Nebraska and finally at Washington after the Secret Service said it was safe for the President to return.

Politically it was important for the President to return to the nation's capital and reassure Americans. This Mr. Bush did in an address that lasted less than five minutes - his second address to the nation. ``America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.''

``This is a day when Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time.''

It was the biggest crisis faced by Mr. Bush in his eight months in office, and what rattled many in the establishment was the manner in which the attacks were carried out against specific targets - the World Trade Centre, the symbol of financial strength of the U.S., and the Pentagon in Washington, the symbol of its military might.

If the President was seen to be on top of things wherever he was enroute from Florida, main actors in the National Security Council, such as the Vice-President, Mr. Dick Cheney, and the National Security Adviser, Dr. Condoleeza Rice, were said to have been in highly-secure locations in the White House complex itself. Earlier, reports on Tuesday said that Mr. Cheney had been moved to another location outside Washington.

The Attorney-General, Mr. John Ashcroft, briefed some 250 lawmakers on the status of the investigations. Several lawmakers said the attacks were an act of war that would have to be taken note of by way of retaliation. ``This is a war situation we are in,'' the Republican Senator, Mr. Charles Grassley, said.

Powell vows revenge

AP reports from Washington:

The Government went back to work amid the carnage, its political leaders, diplomats and soldiers leaving no doubt that the terrorist assault will be answered. ``We will go after them,'' the Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell vowed. ``We will not let up.''

``It's a war not just against the U.S., it's a war against civilisation,'' he said.

Gen. Powell, making the rounds of morning television talk shows, said the administration was ``far from selecting any particular military targets'' for retaliation against the attacks. ``I would not remove any of the options available to the President,'' he said. But ``we have to build the case first.''

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Section  : International
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