Did W Use Air Force One to Remove Bin Laden's Family During September 11th
This evening, President Obama addressed the Nation to announce that the U.s. has killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda. Watch his full remarks hither or read his full remarks beneath, and learn more from the transcript of the White Business firm conference phone call after.
Remarks by the President on Osama Bin Laden
Eastward Room
11:35 P.K. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Skillful evening. Tonight, I tin 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'due south responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.
It was nearly x years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/xi are seared into our national memory -- hijacked planes cut through a cloudless September heaven; the Twin Towers collapsing to the footing; blackness smoke billowing upward from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.
And even so 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 abound upwards without their mother or their male parent. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child's embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping pigsty in our hearts.
On September eleven, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. Nosotros offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our claret. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our honey of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God nosotros prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as i 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/xi attacks were carried out by al Qaeda -- an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly alleged state of war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and effectually the globe. And so we went to war confronting al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.
Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic piece of work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we've made great strides in that try. 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 condom haven and back up. And around the world, nosotros worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the ix/11 plot.
Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan edge into Islamic republic of pakistan. Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.
So shortly later on taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to brand the killing or capture of bin Laden the meridian priority of our war against al Qaeda, fifty-fifty as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.
So, last August, later on years of painstaking work past our intelligence customs, 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 data well-nigh the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that nosotros had enough intelligence to take activity, and authorized an operation to become Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.
Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation confronting that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the functioning with extraordinary backbone 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 2 decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has connected to plot attacks confronting our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the nearly significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda.
Withal his expiry does not mark the end of our attempt. At that place'south no dubiousness that al Qaeda will keep to pursue attacks confronting us. We must –- and nosotros volition -- remain vigilant at dwelling and away.
As we exercise, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at state of war with Islam. I've made articulate, but as President Bush did shortly after 9/eleven, that our war is non 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. And then his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human nobility.
Over the years, I've repeatedly made articulate that we would have action inside Pakistan if nosotros knew where bin Laden was. That is what nosotros've done. But information technology's of import 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 alleged war against Islamic republic of pakistan besides, 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 skilful and celebrated twenty-four hour period for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan go on 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, nosotros 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 unit that has lost a loved one, or look into the optics of a service member who'south been gravely wounded.
So Americans understand the costs of state of war. Yet as a state, we will never tolerate our security beingness threatened, nor stand idly by when our people accept been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. Nosotros volition exist true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights similar this i, nosotros can say to those families who take 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 attain this event. The American people practise not come across their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their piece of work and the consequence of their pursuit of justice.
Nosotros give thanks for the men who carried out this functioning, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled backbone 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 mean solar day.
Finally, allow 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 encounter that we do whatever it takes to prevent another set on on our shores.
And tonight, permit united states of america 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 decision of the American people.
The cause of securing our land is not complete. But this evening, we are again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it'due south the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand upwards for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.
Let us remember that we can practise these things not just because of wealth or power, simply because of who we are: i nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the U.s. of America.
Cease 11:44 P.Grand. EDT
Seated from left, James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, CIA Director Leon Panetta, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Articulation Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of Country Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Vice President Joe Biden mind equally President Barack Obama makes a statement on Osama Bin Laden in the East Room of the White House May i, 2011. (Official White Firm Photo by Pete Souza)
Source: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/05/02/osama-bin-laden-dead
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