<

Osama or Not, U.S. to Take Threat Seriously, Prez Says
(Cabinet Meeting Comments: 10:50 A.M. - 10:58 A.M. EST)
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

“We are looking at this latest tape. Our experts are analyzing the voice content. And we'll let them speak about whether it's him or not. Nevertheless, the contents of the tape, the message is a serious message. And it reminds -- should remind all of America, and remind our friends and allies, that there is an active enemy that continues to hate, is willing to use murder as a way to achieve their goals.



“Whoever put this tape out has put the world on notice yet again that we're at war, and that we need to take these messages very seriously, and we will. We'll take them seriously here at home by working with the appropriate authorities to deal with threats. And we'll take them seriously abroad by continuing our hunt. We'll chase these people down, one at a time. It doesn't matter how long it takes, we'll find them and bring them to justice.”
-- President George W. Bush



WASHINGTON -- AFIS
U.S. experts are studying a tape broadcast from Qatar that may have been made by Osama bin Laden.

The al Qaeda leader praised recent terrorist attacks in Bali, Indonesia, and Moscow and threatened more attacks against the United States and allies. It's the first hard evidence since last November that the terrorist leader is alive.

"We're looking at this latest tape. Our experts are analyzing the voice content, and we'll let them determine if it's him or not," President Bush said following a White House Cabinet meeting Nov. 13.

However, the tape's message is serious, the president stated. The tape, he said, should remind Americans and U.S. friends and allies that an active enemy continues to hate and to use murder to achieve its goals.

"Whoever put this tape out has put the world on notice yet again that we're at war," Bush said.

He has directed that the appropriate authorities take the tape seriously. U.S. officials will continue to deal with domestic vulnerabilities; overseas coalition allies will take the threats seriously by continuing the hunt.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

Related Story:
* Remarks by the President After Meeting with the Cabinet
White House -- The Cabinet Room
Wednesday, November 13, 2002

Dan