Q Mr. President, at Fort Campbell, you said: across the world and
across the years, we will fight the evil ones, and we will win --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
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 Sir, you mentioned President Aznar of Spain. Spain says that they
don't want to extradite those people unless they can be tried under our
standard court system, and not by a military tribunal. Are you concerned
with the amount of dissent over your decision to establish military
tribunals?
THE PRESIDENT: Not the least bit concerned. I made the right
decision. A President must have the option of using a military tribunal in
times of war. I look forward to explaining to my friend, the President of
Spain, why I made that decision. It makes eminent sense to have the
military tribunal option available. It makes sense for national security
purposes, it makes sense for the protection of potential jurors. It makes
sense for homeland security. It is the right decision to make, and I will
explain that to any leader who asks.
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.
