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The Full Text of US President Barack Obama‘s statement on Osama bin Laden’s death

"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 darkened 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 wreckage 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 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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 organization 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 Afghan 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 intelligence

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 developed 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 action, 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 courage 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 significant 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 b\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0y 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 cooperation 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 counterterrorism

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 generation 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 prevailed 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."

Lee, Kyungmin'sPersonal Blog

Lee, Kyungmin's
Personal Blog