Bush Promises Justice, Enjoys U.S. Support

By Lucy Maher

Friday September 21, 2001 08:24 AM EDT

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In a speech to Congress and the nation Thursday night, President Bush said that unless the Taliban hands Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda associates over to the U.S., they, and the Taliban, will be punished. "Deliver to United States authorities all the leaders of al Qaeda who hide in your land," Bush said. "Close immediately and permanently every terrorist camp in Afghanistan, and hand over every terrorist, and every person in their support structure, to appropriate authorities." He also warned other nations that house and abet international terrorism that they, too, could expect to be attacked by the U.S. and its allies. "Great harm has been done to us. But in our grief and anger, we have found our mission, and our moment," Bush said. "Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done." To an audience that included several New York City police officers and firefighters, as well as Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Gov. George Pataki, Bush demanded that the Taliban free American citizens it currently holds captive. He also warned Americans to respect those of different religious faiths and ethnic groups.