|
On September the 11th, 2001, enemies of freedom made our country a battleground. Their method is the mass murder
of the innocent, and their goal is to make all Americans live in fear. Yet our Nation refuses to live in fear. And the best
way to overcome fear and to frustrate the plans of our enemies is to be prepared and resolute at home, and to take the offensive
abroad. President George W. Bush - October 1, 2003
Bush Administration efforts abroad:
Success against Al-Qaida.
Through swift military action, increased intelligence activities and relentless law enforcement work, the United States and
over 170 other countries participating in the war on terror have sent al-Qaida on the run, disrupting their networks and blocking
their funds. More than two-thirds of al-Qaidas most senior leaders have been either captured or killed.
Success in
Afghanistan. With the support of the Afghan people and 70 other nations, U.S. forces liberated Afghanistan, dismantled the
Taliban and destroyed al-Qaidas terrorist training camps.
Success in Iraq. The U.S.-led coalition liberated 26 million
people from a ruthless dictatorship that developed and used WMDs, cultivated ties to and harbored known terrorists and defied
the U.N. We will stay the course in Iraq and finish the mission we set out to accomplish.
Progress in Libya, Iran
and North Korea. Libya is now disclosing and dismantling all of its WMD programs. The U.S. is working with our allies and
the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that Iran meets its commitments and does not develop nuclear weapons. Together
with our partners in Asia, the U.S. is insisting that North Korea completely, verifiably and irreversibly dismantle its nuclear
programs.
Rebuilding our military and intelligence gathering capacity. The President is committed to rebuilding our
military and intelligence agencies after the decline and neglect that occurred during the 1990s. He has proposed increasing
the Department of Defenses budget by 7% for FY 2005, which represents a 35% increase over 2001 levels.
Promoting reform
in the Middle East. Under President Bushs leadership, America is pursuing a forward strategy of freedom, which will promote
democracy throughout the Middle East.
Stopping the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The President has
proposed a bold, robust international effort to stop the proliferation of WMDs.
Bush Administrations efforts
at home:
Created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and has signed and enforced the PATRIOT Act. Since 2001,
the President has tripled funding for homeland security and the PATRIOT act provides law enforcement officials with essential
tools needed to track down terrorists.
Stopped continuing terrorist plots. Since September 2001, the DOJ has caught
and convicted terrorist cells in Portland, Oregon and Buffalo, New York, and has arrested individual terrorist agents in Minnesota,
Ohio, Seattle, Florida and New York.
Transforming the FBI. The FBIs primary mission is now preventing terrorist attacks
and the President increased its budget by over 40% since 2001.
Securing our ports. The President has made securing
the nations ports one of his administrations top priorities.
Defending against biological weapons. The President has
proposed $5.6 billion over the next decade for the Project Biosheld initiative to develop and purchase cutting-edge drugs,
vaccines and other bio-defense supplies.
Protecting our nations food supply. The President is proposing $553 million
(a 180% increase) for a new agriculture and food defense initiative and $274 million for a new bio-surveillance initiative.
Supporting first responders. The President has allocated more than $13 billion to help state and local governments
prepare for terrorism.
SOURCE-BUSH/CHENEY '04
|
