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http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/11/print/20011126-1.html For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary November 26, 2001 President Welcomes Aid Workers Rescued from Afghanistan Remarks by the President in Welcoming to the White House the Aid Workers Rescued From Afghanistan The Rose Garden 10:35 A.M. EST Q -- suggesting very strongly that Afghanistan is only the first step. What would you say about Iraq, as you begin to look at the next steps in the campaign against global terrorism? What message would you like to send to them now? THE PRESIDENT: Well, my message is, is that if you harbor a terrorist, you're a terrorist. If you feed a terrorist, you're a terrorist. If you develop weapons of mass destruction that you want to terrorize the world, you'll be held accountable. And I also have said, as I recall at the White House, we're going to make sure that we accomplish each mission that we tackle. First things first. Now having said that, we, the coalition, has arrested over 300 people. I can't wait to thank my friend, President Aznar of Spain, for having arrested eight terrorists in Spain. In other words, there is an international drag -- international effort to bring people to justice. And over 300 people that have been involved with al Qaeda have been brought to justice. Terrorism is terrorism. In this country, we'll deal with it. ************ Q To follow up on Major's question. THE PRESIDENT: What was his question? Q Whether Iraq could be the next target of the anti-terror campaign. THE PRESIDENT: Oh, okay. Q Does Saddam Hussein have to agree to allow weapons inspectors back into Iraq? Is that an unconditional demand of yours? THE PRESIDENT: Saddam Hussein agreed to allow inspectors in his country. And in order to prove to the world he's not developing weapons of mass destruction, he ought to let the inspectors back in. Q And if he doesn't, sir? THE PRESIDENT: Yes? Q And if he does not do that, sir, what will be the consequence? If he does not do that, what will be the consequences? THE PRESIDENT: That's up for -- he'll find out. Q Sir, what is your thinking right now about taking the war to Iraq? You suggested that on Wednesday, when you said Afghanistan was just the beginning. THE PRESIDENT: I stand by those words. Afghanistan is still just the beginning. If anybody harbors a terrorist, they're a terrorist. If they fund a terrorist, they're a terrorist. If they house terrorists, they're terrorists. I mean, I can't make it any more clearly to other nations around the world. If they develop weapons of mass destruction that will be used to terrorize nations, they will be held accountable. And as for Mr. Saddam Hussein, he needs to let inspectors back in his country, to show us that he is not developing weapons of mass destruction. Q Mr. President, following up on that thought, when you initially made -- defined terrorism in your speech before Congress, you did not include them as weapons of mass destruction. Are you now extending this to countries like North Korea, other places where we have had evidence over the years that there's been development of such weapons? THE PRESIDENT: Well, clearly, in terms of North Korea, we want North Korea to allow inspectors in, to determine whether or not they are. We've had that discussion with North Korea. I made it very clear to North Korea that in order for us to have relations with them, that we want to know, are they developing weapons of mass destruction? And they ought to stop proliferating. So part of the war on terror is to deny terrorist weapons getting -- I mean, weapons to be used for means of terror getting in the hands of nations that will use them. And so I'm not quite sure of the -- Q I'm just asking if you've expanded your definition to countries who don't just harbor terrorists, but also develop such weapons. THE PRESIDENT: Have I expanded the definition? I've always had that definition, as far as I'm concerned. Nathaniel Hurd Associate Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) 162 Montague Street, 2nd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA Tel.: 718-237-9145, x 21 Fax: 718-237-9147 Mobile: 917-407-3389 Personal E-Fax: 707-221-7449 E-mail: nhurd@cesr.org Website: http://www.cesr.org/ Afghanistan Factsheets: http://www.cesr.org/Emergency%20Response/afghanfactsheets.htm *The contents of this message may contain personal views which are not the views of ISP, unless specifically stated* -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq For removal from list, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk CASI's website - www.casi.org.uk - includes an archive of all postings.