Bush denounces 'evil and despicable acts of terror'

The US President Mr George W Bush has condemned yesterday's attacks as "evil and despicable", and vowed those responsible would…

The US President Mr George W Bush has condemned yesterday's attacks as "evil and despicable", and vowed those responsible would not shake the resolve of the citizens of the US.

President Bush addresses the nation

"Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror," Mr Bush said during a TV address to the nation minutes ago.

"Today our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts.

"This is a day that none of us will ever forget."

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He promised to "find those responsible and bring them to justice."

"We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed the attacks and those who harbour them".

President Bush earlier made two short statements after the attacks in which thousands of people are feared to have killed.

"Today we've had a national tragedy," he said, adding that "terrorism against our nation will not stand".

President Bush this afternoon flew to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana where he said the US had taken all appropriate steps to protect the American people and would hunt down and punish those responsible for the attacks.

He said the US would hunt down and punish those responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

"We have taken all appropriate security precautions to protect the American people," Mr Bush said.

"Make no mistake, the United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts."

Mr Bush said he had taken security precautions to ensure the functioning of the US government.

"We will do whatever is necessary to protect America and Americans."

"The resolve of our great nation is being tested. We will show the world we can rise to that challenge."

"Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faithless coward," President Bush said. "Freedom will be defended".

As a security precaution he then took off again for Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, where he held a teleconference with top national security aides.

After a brief stay in Nebraska, President Bush again boarded Air Force One and headed back to Washington yesterday afternoon.