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 11th, 2001, in our time of grief, the American
people came together. We offered our neighbors 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 -- 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
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 Abad Abad,
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.
And 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 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.
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