Bangkok Post : Bush: Terror war 'will define the century'

Bush: Terror war 'will define the century'

September 12, 2006

Washington (dpa) - US President George W Bush, marking the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, warned that the Middle East will be overrun by "terrorist states" if the United States and its allies do not prevail in the war on extremism.

"America did not ask for this war, and every American wishes it were over. So do I," Bush said.

"But the war is not over, and it will not be over until either we or the extremists emerge victorious. If we do not defeat these enemies now, we will leave our children to face a Middle East overrun by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons."

Bush commemorated the September 11 attacks by attending solemn ceremonies at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon outside Washington and a field in Pennsylvania where the fourth airliner crashed after passengers confronted the hijackers.

"We are in a war that will set the course for this new century - and determine the destiny of millions across the world," Bush said in his primetime televised address.

Bush reasserted the need to spread freedom and democratic change in the Middle East, portraying stability in the region as essential to US security.

"This struggle has been called a clash of civilizations. In truth, it is a struggle for civilization," Bush said.

"We look to the day when the nations of that region recognize that their greatest resource is not the oil in the ground but the talent and creativity of their people."

Bush's speech came amid slumping support for his policies in the war on terrorism and for the conflict in Iraq, two issues that could assist the opposition Democrats challenging his Republican Party's control of Congress in mid-term elections on November 7.

Bush painted Iraq as a confrontation between freedom and terrorists who wish to spread their Islamic extremist ideology and repress the people of the region.

"The war against this enemy is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century, and the calling of our generation," he said from the Oval Office.

Bush, despite public criticism of his policies in Iraq, insisted that US forces will remain until the Baghdad government is stabilized and the insurgents are defeated.

"Whatever mistakes have been made in Iraq, the worst mistake would be to think that if we pulled out, the terrorists would leave us alone. They will not leave us alone. They will follow us," he said.

The September 11 attacks dramatically altered the course of Bush's presidency less than seven months into his first term, resulting in two wars abroad for a president who came into office focusing on domestic politics.

"On 9/11, our nation saw the face of evil," Bush said.

He urged Americans - much like he did in the days following the attacks - to put aside their differences and rally to win the war on terrorism.

"Our nation has endured trials - and we face a difficult road ahead. Winning this war will require the determined efforts of a unified country," he said.

Earlier Monday, Bush led Americans in remembrance. At 8:46 am - the time the first jetliner hijacked by al-Qaeda operatives hit the World Trade Center's north tower - Bush joined families of the victims and rescue personnel in a moment of silence at the huge hole left by the destroyed Twin Towers.

It was the first highlight of an emotional day that also saw Bush attend ceremonies at the US Defence Department, struck by a third jetliner, and the field in Pennsylvania. He did not speak at the three ceremonies.

At the Pentagon, he wiped away tears as he embraced family members of victims. He laid a wreath at a limestone block that was charred by fire after the plane hit the building.

At the former World Trade Center site, New York police officers unfurled a tattered US flag recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center, a choir sang the US national anthem and a bell tolled.

"Five years have come and gone, and we still stand together as one," New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told the gathering.

Then, relatives of the attacks' victims began reading out the names of their loves ones, pausing briefly at 9:03 am to remember the moment a jetliner crashed into the second World Trade Center tower.