Sept. 11th & The White House
With Tucker Eskew
Deputy Assistant to the President and
Director of the White House Office of Media Affairs
Monday, March 11, 2002; 10:30 a.m. EST

Six months ago, the United States unexpectedly declared war on a foe responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon that left thousands dead. Finding and facing the named foe, "terrorism," has been something the Bush administration has engaged on several fronts -- most noticeably on the ground in Afghanistan and at home in the U.S.

Tucker Eskew, deputy assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Media Affairs, was online to take questions and comments on the continuing war against terrorism and how the administration has dealt with the threat over the past few months.

Eskew is currently serving for six-months as President Bush's representative to the London-based Coalition Information Center, which communicates the aims of the U.S.-led war on terrorism to audiences around the globe.

A transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Palm Beach, Fla.: Mr. Eskew,

How close is the European view of our challenge to ours? I guess we would assume that England's point of view most closely represents ours, but where is Germany, France, Italy and the others? Has Germany, who dealt with their own terrorist problems in previous decades, lost their political will?

Thank you.

Tucker Eskew: Good afternoon (it's 3:30 pm here) from London, where I'm looking over your questions in the Coalition Information Centre -- that *is* how it's spelled here...We've just been visited by the Vice President of the United States, who hailed my colleagues here (from 9 nations) for their hard work in telling the truth about our cause. Meanwhile, back in Washington, the President of the United States has just completed a stirring message that promoted the the many successes of our coalition.
That coalition is strong -- it reflects the heartfelt participation of nations throughout the world. He finished his remarks saying "May God Bless our coalition" -- that's true for every participant, regardless of the visibility of their efforts. Each of the nations mentioned in this first question have contributed to our multi-front war -- it's elements include military, financial, investigative, and others. While the U.S. leads this effort, we are honored to have the involvement and support of many other nations.

Manassas, Va.: What is the U.S. going to do once it kills or arrests Osama bin Laden?

Tucker Eskew: Interesting, but hypothetical question. We fight our battles, and make strides toward success, day after day thanks to the blood and sweat and tears of our military, our diplomats, our investigators, and the loved ones of terror victims. Today, we honor them all and we decline any temptation to make this a war on one man -- it's a war on one way of life, terrorism. When bin Laden is found, dead or alive, the world will rejoice, but peace-loving people everywhere are focused on shutting down al Qaeda and those who harbor or export terror.

Annandale, Va.: Mr. Eskew:

Is the Administration ready to start defining more precisely what its long-term goals are in the campaign against terrorism? Are we prepared to assist the Russians in Chechnya, for example? What about putting troops into, say, the West Bank or Belfast and Londonderry?

Tucker Eskew: In a stirring call to action and commendation for our joint successes, the President today spoke very clearly about that which we've done and all we must yet do. See www.whitehouse.gov for a transcript very soon. In fact, go to the website now for a comprehensive look at the global war on terror, including a brand-new review of our coalition's many efforts.

Berryville, Va.: What can I do to help?

Tucker Eskew: Isn't that great!? And it's what so many people ask...There's lots you can do -- and I won't limit your ideas, but let me give you a starting point.
One way to defeat terrorism is through acts of generosity and service at home and abroad ...Consider heeding the President's call for Americans to enlist in volunteer activity that can help around the globe (via the Peace Corps) or in your own backyard. Please go to:
http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/

Young Americans can get involved, too, by helping Afghan children have clothes and food and medicine. See:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/response/humanitarianactions.html

Thanks for asking...

Brooklyn, N.Y.: What was your personal experience six months ago today? Where were you? What was your initial reaction?

Tucker Eskew: I don't have the time to tell my whole story and i'm hesitant to make today about me or my colleagues at the White House, but I will say that the day is seared on my memory and I'll never forget the grace under pressure I saw all around me, even as destruction was thought to be headed toward the very building we work in. I saw things that day that I never dreamed would happen, but most of all I saw the seeds of courage and hard work and defiance of terror that marked the American response for weeks and months to come.

Florida: Are there any six month anniversary memorial services being held in Britain and/or the reset of Europe?

Tucker Eskew: Just an hour ago Vice President Cheney joined Prime Minister Blair at No. 10 Downing Street for meeetings and a news conference in which our losses (of Americans, of Britons, and others) were commemorated and our joint efforts (by dozens of nations) were commemorated. The VP also stopped by the London Coalition Information Centre, where I've been the last five months or so, to thank the communicators from nine nations who fight every day to stop big lies and propel great truths.
Meanwhile, here in London and throughout Europe and other regions, a photographic exhibit about the World Trade Center attack and response is drawing attention and approval from citizens and media. Kudos to the State Department and our friends around the world for helping make this happen.

Washington, D.C.: Thank you for coming online. How are you looking back at these last six months? What do you see as our greatest successes as well as our biggest obstacles?

God bless America.

Tucker Eskew: I'll defer to the President's own words about September 11, delivered on the South Lawn just a short while ago:

>>History will know that day, not only as a day of tragedy, but as a day of decision – when the civilized world was stirred to anger and to action. And the terrorists will remember September 11th as the day their reckoning began.

A mighty coalition of civilized nations is now defending our common security. Terrorist assets have been frozen. Terrorist front groups have been exposed. A terrorist regime has been toppled from power. Terrorist plots have been unraveled, from Spain to Singapore. And thousands of terrorists have been brought to justice, are in prison, or are running in fear for their lives.<<

thank you and as the President also said today, God Bless our coalition.

Vienna, Va.: Why again do we have to do most of the fighting alone? NATO invoked Article V after the Sept. 11 attacks, recognizing this as a legitimate attack on U.S. soil and legally binding ALL of NATO (not just us and the British) to engage in a JOINT military response. As usual, only the British actually joined us in any significant military action, but even they have pretty much been out of the picture for months now. And where were the French, Germans, Turks, Greeks, Spanish, Dutch, Norwegians, etc? All they did was TALK, and then not even much of that. What a worthless alliance! If it is not going to stand for anything, then why waste time and money on it? Get rid of it.

Tucker Eskew: Press coverage and public perception might lead some people to feel as you do, but most Americans know there's a lot more going on than that. In fact, I'll take the easy (but most effective) way out again by quoting the President, who very specifically highlighted some of many contributions of our coalition partners in his speech earlier today. If I may, here are the President's comments on this subject:

>>The power and vitality of our coalition have been proven in Afghanistan. More than half of the forces now assisting the heroic Afghan fighters, or providing security in Kabul, are from countries other than the United States. There are many examples of commitment: our good ally France has deployed nearly one-fourth of its navy to support Operation Enduring Freedom, and Great Britain has sent its largest naval task force in twenty years. British and American special operations forces have fought beside teams from Australia, Canada, Norway, Denmark, and Germany. In total, 17 nations have forces deployed in the region. And we could not have done our work without critical support from other countries, particularly Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

Japanese destroyers are refueling coalition ships in the Indian Ocean. The Turkish air force has refueled American planes. Afghans are receiving treatment in hospitals built by Russia, and Jordan, and Spain, and have received relief supplies delivered by South Korea.<<

Alexandria, Va.: I get the impression that politically the UK is disengaging from French European anti-Americanism and is aligning with us.

Are public attitudes towards the war on terrorism the same in the UK as in the rest of the European Union?

Tucker Eskew: I believe public opinion in Europe is generally very strong in support of the US on these matters. Elite opinion in some of the grander parlors of the Continent is a different matter, at times, but actions speak louder than words and we're lucky to have UK and French support, in both public opinion and concrete governmental action.

I've got to sign off. Thanks for having me and thanks for your interest in the subject.

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

Stay tuned to Live Online:

Howard Kurtz: Media Backtalk at Noon EST
9/11, Six Months Later: Council on Foreign Relations at Noon EST
9/11, Six Months Later: White House Spokesman at 1 p.m. EST
Post Magazine: Car-Free Vacations at 1 p.m. EST
The Chat House at 1:30 p.m. EST
Travel Talk at 2 p.m. EST
Fast Forward: Lightweight Laptops at 2 p.m. EST
9/11, Six Months Later: Sept. 11 Photo Project at 1 p.m. EST
Astrologer Charlene Lichtenstein at 6 p.m. EST

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