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September 12, 2001: If I Had Been POTUS, Here's What I Would Have Said...
September 12, 2001: If I Had Been POTUS, Here's What I Would Have Said...
between our agencies to ensure that we work in cooperation, rather than in competition, with one
other. We must unify our strategic intelligence collection and operational planning. At the same time,
we must strike a balance between protecting our nations security and respecting the privacy of its
citizens at home and abroad, to ensure that our cherished system of democracy does not perish.
On a global scale, we must work with our allies around the world to cut off al-Qaidas access to
funding. We must increase the collaboration in intelligence with and among our international allies
in order to disrupt the al-Qaida network.
Our mission is threefold: to defeat the international al-Qaida network; to eliminate the Taliban
which supports it; and to bring Osama bin Laden to justice.
These are the actions we will take as a government.
It is equally important that we grow as a people, that we turn this tragedy into an impetus for global
change. In the wake of yesterdays atrocity, we have received a tremendous outpouring of support
from around the world. Let us harness the collective goodwill of our friends abroad and work
together to increase our global consciousness. Let us educate one another in terms of peace and
understanding.
Our hearts and our prayers go out to those whose loved ones are lost or still missing.