For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 11, 2001

Statement by the President in His Address to the Nation

8:30 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.

A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America -- with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C. to help with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight, and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business, as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've 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 the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

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. Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."

This is a day when all 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. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.

END 8:35 P.M. EDT

Kancelarija sekretara za štampu
11. septembar 2001.
20:35 EDT

OBRAĆANJE NACIJI PREDSEDNIKA BUSH-A

PREDSEDNIK: Dobro veče. Danas su se naši sugrađani, naš način života, sama naša sloboda, našli na udaru planiranih, smrtonosnih terorističkih napada. Žrtve su se nalazile u avionima, u svojim kancelarijama; sekretarice, poslovni ljudi i žene, službenici u vojsci i saveznim organima; majke i očevi, prijatelji i susedi. Hiljade života je naprasno prekinuto zločinačkim, prezira vrednim terorističkim akcijama.

Slike aviona koji se ruše na zgrade, požara, velikih zgrada koje nestaju, ispunile su nas nevericom, užasnom tugom, i nemim, ogromnim gnevom. Ova masovna ubistva su imala za cilj da zastraše našu naciju stvarajući haos i povlačenje. Ali nisu uspeli u tome; naša zemlja je jaka.

Sjajni ljudi su krenuli u odbranu velike nacije. Teroristički napadi mogu da uzdrmaju temelje naših najvećih zgrada, ali ne mogu da dopru do temelja Amerike. Ove terorističke akcije su smrskale čelik, ali ne mogu da utiču na čeličnu odlučnost Amerike.

Amerika je bila cilj napada jer mi smo svetionik slobode i mogućnosti u svetu. I taj svetionik niko ne može da zaustavi u njegovom sjaju.

Danas je naša nacija videla zlu, najgoru stranu ljudske prirode. I mi smo odgovorili onako kako Amerika najbolje ume – odvažnošću naših spasilaca, brigom stranaca i suseda koji su došli da daju krv i da ponude bezrezervnu pomoć.

Odmah nakon prvog napada, započeo sam sprovođenje planova naše vlade za hitne odgovore u kritičnim situacijama. Naša vojska je moćna i spremna. Naše ekipe su angažovane u Njujorku i Vašingtonu i učestvuju u lokalnim akcijama spašavanja.

Naš prvi prioritet je da pomognemo onima koji su povređeni i da preduzmemo sve mere predostrožnosti kako bismo zaštitili naše građane od novih napada u zemlji i širom sveta.

Naša vlada nastavlja da funkcioniše bez prekida. Savezne ustanove u Vašingtonu koje su danas bile evakuisane, večeras ponovo okupljaju neophodno osoblje, i sutra će početi sa radom. Naše finansijske institucije ostaju jake, i američka privreda takođe sutra počinje sa radom.

U toku je istraga koja će pokazati ko stoji iza ovih zločinačkih postupaka. Naredio sam da se angažuju sva raspoloživa sredstva u našim obaveštajnim službama i službama za sprovođenje zakona kako bi se pronašli oni koji su odgovorni i kako bi se oni izveli pred lice pravde. Nećemo praviti razliku između terorista koji su počinili ove zločine i onih koji im pomažu.

Zahvaljujem se članovima Kongresa koji su mi se pridružili u oštroj osudi ovih napada. U ime američkog naroda, zahvaljujem se svetskim državnicima koji su izrazili saučešce i ponudili pomoć.

Amerika i naši prijatelji i saveznici će se udružiti sa svima koji žele mir i bezbednost u svetu, i bićemo složni u naporima da pobedimo terorizam. Večeras, molim vas da se pomolite sa svima koji su u žalosti, za decu čiji su svetovi uništeni, za one čiji je osećaj bezbednosti i sigurnosti bio ugrožen. I molim se da budu utešeni snagom većom od svih nas, izgovaranu vekovima u Psalmu 23: “Iako hodam dolinom senki mrtvih, ne plašim se zla, jer Ti Gospode si uz mene”. 

Ovo je dan kada se svi Amerikanci ujedinjuju u odlučnom opredeljenju za pravdu i mir. Neprijatelji Amerike su ustupali i ranije, i mi ćemo se postarati da to učine i ovaj put. Niko od nas nikada neće zaboraviti ovaj dan. Mi idemo dalje u odbranu slobode i svega što je dobro i pravedno na ovom svetu.

Hvala vam. Laku noć. Gospode, blagoslovi Ameriku.