09/16/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-10132

RUMSFELD AT PENTAGON

The terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington wanted September 11^th, 2001, to be a day when free people learned fear and self-doubt. But that didn’t happen. The American people, said U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, responded with "charity and courage, patience and perseverance."

Some ninety countries have joined in a worldwide coalition to fight terrorism. The Taleban regime no longer oppresses the Afghan people. Afghanistan is no longer a safe haven for al-Qaida terrorists. Afghanistan has been rescued and the Afghans have been liberated. Schools have reopened. A new government is in control. An Afghan national army is being trained. And the country’s infrastructure is being re-built.

"The road ahead," said Mr. Rumsfeld, "is long. But while we have not yet achieved victory, we know...that the terrorists who attacked us have already been defeated." They were defeated before the first shot was fired in Afghanistan. They lost because they failed to achieve their objective to demoralize America.

The al-Qaida terrorists wanted September 11^th to be a day when innocents died. "Instead," said Mr. Rumsfeld, "it was a day when heroes were born. The terrorists wanted September 11^th to be a day when hatred reigned. Instead it was a day when we witnessed love beyond measure."

Rescue workers rushed into burning buildings to save lives. The brave passengers on Flight ninety-three who learned what was happening decided it was better to fight and die in a grassy Pennsylvania field than allow the terrorists to reach Washington.

The war on terror may be a long war. But, as Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld put it, "We will win this war on terror. We will win, no matter how long or hard or difficult or costly it is."