These
barbaric attacks occurred as world leaders gathered in Scotland for the
G8 summit. While terrorists were killing innocent men and women in
London, leaders at the G8 were discussing how free nations can combat
poverty and HIV/AIDS, create a cleaner environment, and improve the
lives of people everywhere. The contrast could not be more vivid between
the intentions and the hearts of those who care deeply about human
rights and human liberty, and the evil intentions and acts of those who
rejoice in the death and suffering of the innocent.
We experienced this evil in our own country on a clear September
morning in 2001. Since that day, terrorists have continued to kill and
maim -- in Bali, and Casablanca, Riyadh, Jakarta, Istanbul, Madrid,
Baghdad, London, and elsewhere. The terrorists believe that free
societies are essentially corrupt and decadent. They believe that with a
few hard blows, and the televised repetition of horrific images of
violence, they can force us to retreat. They are mistaken.
On the day of the London attacks, every world leader at the
G8 summit stood with Prime Minister Blair as he said: "Our
determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than
their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people."
The free world is united in its resolve: We will never yield to
terrorists and murderers. In the face of such adversaries, there is only
one course of action: We will continue to take the fight to the enemy,
and we will fight until the enemy is defeated.
We are now waging a global war on terror -- from the mountains of
Afghanistan to the border regions of Pakistan, to the Horn of Africa, to
the islands of the Philippines, to the plains of Iraq. We will stay on
the offense, fighting the terrorists abroad so we do not have to face
them at home. We will continue to deny the terrorists safe haven and the
support of rogue states. And at the same time, we will spread the
universal values of hope and freedom that will overwhelm their ideology
of tyranny and hate. The free world did not seek this conflict, yet we
will win it.
Here at home, federal, state, and local officials are doing
everything possible to protect us from another terrorist attack in
America. While we have no specific credible information suggesting an
imminent attack in the United States, in light of the bombings in
London, we have raised the threat level from elevated to high for our
passenger rail, subway, and bus systems. I urge all Americans to remain
alert, and to report any suspicious activity to your local authorities.
This week, there is great suffering in the city of London. Yet the
British people are resilient, and they have faced brutal enemies before.
The nation that survived the Nazi Blitz will not be intimidated by
terrorists. And just as America and Great Britain stood together to
defeat the murderous ideologies of the 20th century, we again stand
together to defeat the hateful ideologies of the 21st century.
The terrorists cannot shake our will. America and its allies will act
decisively, because we know that the future of civilization is at stake
in this struggle, and we know that the cause of freedom will prevail.
May God bless the people of Great Britain, and may He continue to
bless America.
Thank you for listening.