Speeches and Statements
Major Announcements and Briefings in the War Against Terrorism

President Bush and Russian President Putin hold a joint news conference

President Bush and Russian President Putin hold a joint news conference at the White House. Nov. 13, 2001.
Photos: Reuters © 2001

From the first hours after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, to the inception of the U.S.-led military assault against Afghanistan, U.S. and allied leaders offered expressions of solace, vows of retribution, statements of policy, answers to a tense nation's questions. Here are some key speeches and statements from President Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.


listenBush, Putin Talk Anti-Terrorism War, Arms Cuts
President Bush and Russian President Putin discuss the U.S.-Russia summit in a joint news conference. Nov. 13, 2001.

listenBush Calls on U.N. Allies for More Help in War on Terror
Addressing a United Nations audience that includes more than 40 world leaders, President Bush urges the world to join the United States in the battle against terrorism. Nov. 10, 2001.

listenPresident Bush's Address to Nation on Homeland Security
In a nationally televised speech Thursday night, President Bush urges Americans to help protect the United States against future terrorist attacks by volunteering for community services and watching for suspicious activities. Nov. 8, 2001.

listenSenate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's News Conference
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle announces that 31 people with access to his Capitol Hill office have tested positive for exposure to anthrax spores. Oct. 17, 2001.

listenHouse Speaker Dennis Hastert's News Conference
House Speaker Dennis Hastert announces the House will adjourn to allow offices to be checked for the presence of anthrax spores. Oct. 17, 2001.

listenNew York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's News Conference
New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani says a police officer and two lab technicians who handled the contaminated letter sent to NBC have tested positive for exposure to anthrax. Oct. 14, 2001.

listenNBC Employee Treated for Anthrax
The NBC broadcasting network says one of its New York employees has been exposed to cutaneous anthrax, but has been treated and is expected to recover. New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani addresses the anthrax issue at a news conference. Oct. 12, 2001.

listenPresident Updates Nation on Anti-Terrorism Campaign
On the one-month anniversary of the attacks against the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, President Bush reports the country is making substantial progress in its war on terrorism. Mr. Bush says he's pleased with the international coalition behind U.S. efforts so far, and reports that some $24 million in terrorist assets have been frozen around the world. Oct. 11, 2001.

listenWhite House Lists 'Most Wanted' Terrorists
President Bush unveils the names of 22 top terrorism suspects still at large and the State Department announces rewards for their capture. Osama bin Laden heads the list. Hear the news conference with Mr. Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Attorney General John Ashcroft. Oct. 10, 2001.
FBI Web site

listenTom Ridge Sworn In as Homeland Security Chief
Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge is sworn in as head of the new Office of Homeland Security in a White House ceremony. Oct. 8, 2001.
Read a profile

listenDefense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Briefing
Hours after the assault on Afghanistan began, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld briefs the nation on the operation. Rumsfeld says the military action is intended to defeat terrorists and those who house or harbor them. The goal, Rumsefld says, is to destroy Taliban and Afghan military aircraft and air defenses while strengthening opposition forces in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2001.

listenPrime Minister Tony Blair Addresses Britain
Prime Minister Tony Blair tells his nation that British forces are involved in the airstrikes against Afghanistan. Blair says not acting against such threats would harm the stability of the entire world. Oct. 7, 2001.

listenOsama bin Laden Responds
Osama bin Laden responds to the U.S.-led airstrikes on Afghanistan with a videotaped statement apparently made in advance of the onset of military action. Bin Laden says the United States' actions amounted to a "war on Islam" and the September 11th attacks are the result of America's policies toward Iraq and the Palestinians. Further, bin Laden warns there will be no peace for the American people until peace reigns in Palestine. Oct. 7, 2001.

listenPresident Bush: 'Now the Taliban Will Pay a Price'
President Bush addresses the nation following the onset of U.S.-led airstrikes on Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2001.
Read the transcript

listenPresident Bush: Economy 'Fundamentally Strong'
President Bush speaks to Americans about the economic damage done by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But he reassures them that the economy has many underlying strengths that would ensure its recovery. Sept. 22, 2001.

listenSenate Leaders Daschle and Lott react.
In a bipartisan broadcast following President Bush's speech, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Minority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi express their support. Sept. 20, 2001.

listenBush Addresses Congress, Nation
Addressing a nation preparing for war, President Bush tells Americans, "Justice will be done." The president vows in his speech before a joint session of Congress to use every necessary weapon in what is expected to be a lengthy and costly campaign against terrorism. Sept. 20, 2001.
Read the transcript

listenBush: A New Kind of Fight
In his radio address to the nation, President Bush warns that the fight against terrorism will be a different kind of conflict against a different kind of enemy. Sept. 15, 2001.

listenBush's Remarks at Washington National Cathedral
Listen to President Bush's remarks at Washington National Cathedral for the victims of the terrorist attacks, Sept. 14, 2001.

listenSecretary of State Powell's News Conference
Hear the news conference by Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, D.C. Sept. 13, 2001.

listenBush's Remarks Day After Attacks
Listen to President Bush's remarks made Wednesday morning at the White House. Sept. 12, 2001.

listenDefense Secretary Rumsfeld's News Conference
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld delivers a message urging preparedness to U.S. military personnel. Sept. 12, 2001.

listenAttorney General Ashcroft's News Conference
Listen to Attorney General John Ashcroft's news conference. Sept. 12, 2001.

listenBush's Address to the Nation Day of the Attacks
Listen to President Bush's address to the nation on the night of terrorist attacks. Sept. 11, 2001.