Reports that Osama Bin Laden killed in a special operation, Obama to give speech.
Video of Obama speech:
Here is the text version:
Good evening. 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 dark-ened 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 wreck-age 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 11, 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 bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda — an or-ganization 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 Af-ghan 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 intel-ligence 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 devel-oped more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take ac-tion, 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 Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary cour-age 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 signifi-cant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda.
Yet 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 has 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 co-operation 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 coun-terterrorism 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 gen-eration 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 pre-vailed 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.
AB I notice your concern for the proper administration of (American) Justice, did not extend to any of the other victims in the Military operation, to capture Osama.
That sorta makes my point rather well I think.
Or are you suggesting we arrest Obama for ordering an illegal act under American law (or for war crimes) and if not, why?
You have made it clear you think it was an illegal act under American law, and Obama was happy to take the credit, for what you see as a crime.
AB is there any evidence to support this statement you made? :
“Even in a military operation one is not supposed to shoot an unarmed man from nearby execution style in the head.”
I would make the observation that Judges don’t usually get shot at with assault rifles while sitting on the bench. I am a little heasitant to condem the soldiers who carried out the operation, based on what we know so far.
I note the well known human rights lawyer, Geoffrey Robertson, (you provided a link to), had this to say:
“The joy is understandable, but it endorses what looks increasingly like a cold-blooded assassination ordered by a president who, as a former law professor, knows the absurdity of his statement that “justice was done”.”
My question was simply this; ….. are you suggesting we arrest Obama for ordering an illegal act under American law (or for war crimes) and if not, why?
Have a safe trip to Sydney. Maybe they have stopped all those silly security checks, now that the world has been made safe……………. Ha ha ha 😉
oh My god,,Thank u 4 Obama,,Thank u.
Stop War from Now
“I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”~Martin Luther King, Jr
Good to see you back AB…….. how about an attempt at answering my question?
1) You made it clear that a crime has been committed (in your view)
2) You have argued that the appropriate jurisdiction is American law.
3) You have stated the killing of Osama is against both civil and military law.
My simple question was, should the offender be arrested and put before the Court?
The offender has proudly announced his crime (in your view) to the world. Why the reluctance to address my simple question.?
I suggest that, had the offender inherited more of his mothers skin tone, as opposed to his fathers, you would have answered my question far sooner.
AB……. Don’t feel at all isolated in your view, a great many academic liberals, like yourself, feel the same way. Your own references support the criminality of Osama’s tragic murder.
The only question that remains is when will Obama be brought to trial?
(I started off defending Osamas killing, but you convinced me I was wrong in my view. )
Do they have the death penalty in the presidents State?
Wow! The mayor of London questioned the legality of the operation and the Archbisop of Canterbury felt a little queasy about it? Funny thing I don’t remember either of these two gentlemen protesting the assinations of Irish Republican Army suspects by members of the Briish military forces (specifically SAS) during the troubles in Northern Ireland? Let us not forget “Bloody Sunday” where British troops fired on peaceful marchers in Londonderry (where was the outcry for justice anywhere in Britain)? or the very public assinations of IRA suspects at a British check point in Gilbralta. This action was vehemently protested by the Spanish government but there was hardly a peep coming from anyone in Great Britain. And let us not forget the “Special War Powers Act” passed by the British Parliament and specifically applied to the minority population of Northern Ireland that basically suspended their individual rights in what was supposed to be a democratic nation. The American Patriot Act likely was modeled after this act but it was not anywhere near as severe as its British forerunner. So please spare us any quotes from these British hypocrites telling us what is morally correct or what defines rule of law in a civilized society.
“Your earlier suggestion that the term ‘war on terror’ justified forgetting about judicial procedures amounted to a sort of nominalism gone crazy. Why not talk about ‘war on crime’ as a justification of doing away with courts altogether?”
That is a distortion (deliberate or otherwise) of the point I was making. I was simply stating it was a military operation and not legal proceedings. The guys on the ground may not have had time to ponder the finer points of law!
Other than that, I tend to agree with your most recent posting.
I return to my original remark that I hope Osamas killing does not cause more deaths than it prevents. I would like it to be a catalyst for withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq. It would also give Obama, a much needed, opportunity to earn his peace prize.
Might not be entirely related, but back in 2001, the good man Anis Matta wrote this little poem:
http://beritapks.com/keagungan-osama-bin-laden-dalam-puisi-anis-matta/
I understand how you arrived at that interpretation. That does not change my intended meaning.
This article summarizes things rather well I think:
@AB – OK I will concede “Livingstone” lent his voice, to address the Irish question on a few occasions to a deaf English audience. My point is none the less valid that “people living in glass houses should not throw stones”.
the term “evil” “misery” etc is such a subjective words that everyone can stretch and fit it to their special needs. What makes it OK to go around and send missiles raining on places where there will be big chance of civilian casualties?, or send execution squads to kill without trial? 3000 death? 2000? 100? 1? What about the rule of evidence? once upon a time people will get punishment only if they are found to be “guilty without doubt”, but nowadays they can get death sentences without trial just on suspicions, or just for being somewhere with the wrong person. How can you justify killing people just for being “millitant”? what is the meaning of that phrase? Are people getting killed for something they “might or might not” do in the future?. Soon we might have government sending killing squads for silly things such as an internet posting.
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I think your missing my point AB. So I will put it another way for you…………..
It was not a Judicial operation it was a Military one. Accordingly Osama did not have his grievances heard in a dispassionate way, anymore than the thousands of others who died in military operations.
Probably why they called it “The War On Terror” as opposed to calling it “the legal proceedings on terror”.
I thought it strange you would think this one particular death was some how worse than all the others. Do you believe the people pulling the strings should receive special consideration, while those under them die like flys?