Obama’s statement on bin Laden’s death:
‘A terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of
innocent men, women and children’
The full text of US President Barack Obama’s statement on Osama bin
Laden’s death:
“Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to
the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed
Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s
responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and
children.
“It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened
by the worst attack on the American people in our history.
The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory — hijacked
planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers
collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon;
the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the
actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.
“And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to
the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced
to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never
know the feeling of their child’s embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken
from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.
“On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people
came together. We offered our neighbours a hand, and we offered the
wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of
community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what
God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as
one American family.
“We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to
bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly
learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by Al-Qaeda — an
organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on
the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country
and around the globe. And so we went to war against Al-Qaeda to protect
our citizens, our friends, and our allies.
“Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of
our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we’ve made great
strides in that effort. We’ve disrupted terrorist attacks and
strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the
Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and Al-Qaeda safe haven
and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies
to capture or kill scores of Al-Qaeda terrorists, including several who
were a part of the 9/11 plot.
“Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan
border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda continued to operate from
along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.
“And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the
director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top
priority of our war against Al-Qaeda, even as we continued our broader
efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.
“Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our
intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden.
It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to
ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed
more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden
hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last
week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and
authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.
“Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted
operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of
Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and
capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian
casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took
custody of his body.
“For over two decades, bin Laden has been Al-Qaeda’s leader and
symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our
friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant
achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat Al-Qaeda.
“Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt
that Al-Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must — and
we will — remain vigilant at home and abroad.
“As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not — and
never will be — at war with Islam. I’ve made clear, just as President
Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin
Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.
Indeed, Al-Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries,
including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe
in peace and human dignity.
“Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take action
within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we’ve done.
But it’s important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with
Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was
hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and
ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.
“Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken
with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and
historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential
that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its
affiliates.
“The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our
shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After
nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the
costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as
Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a
loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely
wounded.
“So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will
never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our
people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our
citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that
make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those
families who have lost loved ones to Al-Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been
done.
“Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and
counterterrorism professionals who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this
outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their
names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the
result of their pursuit of justice.
“We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they
exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of
those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has
borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.
“Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that
we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see
that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.
“And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed
on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement
is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of
the American people.
“The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we
are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to.
That is the story of our history, whether it’s the pursuit of prosperity
for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our
commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make
the world a safer place.
“Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of
wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
“Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of
America.” |