
The United States and its allies are not at war against the Islamic people of the world, despite the claims offered October 10th by Taliban leaders in Afghanistan.
With a barrage of Tomahawk cruise missiles in the middle of the Afghan night - and what will soon follow from the sea, air and land - the much anticipated military response to the September 11 terrorist attacks on U.S. targets began.
I hope true Muslim people around the world realize Americans have no desire to destroy their religious beliefs or prevent them from worshiping in whatever way they chose.
This is not a re-creation of the holy crusades in which Christians attempted to seize Muslim land and force the conversion of Islamic faithful. This is not a battle against the Afghanistan people, period.
Even as bombs and missiles rain down, the United States is airlifting and dropping food, medicine and other supplies to the Afghan people impoverished by the cruel Taliban milita.
Just as I hope the world's Muslim population understands the intent of this latest military action, I hope the American people also understand this is not a recreation of the Gulf War, which had a clearly defined enemy and a clearly defined goal of freeing Kuwait from Iraqi domination.
The strikes that took place Sunday, October 7th are just the first step in what could be a lengthy, painful journey to try to reduce everyone's vulnerability to terrorist attacks here in the United States and around the world.
As Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld repeated on October 7th, there is "no silver bullet" that will end this latest effort. This will simply be a sustained combination of military, diplomatic and political efforts aimed at trying to end terrorism.
It will not be over in a matter of days, weeks or perhaps even months. The American people, who united after the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., must find a way to maintain their unity and patience when this effort drags on, bogs down and/or results in American casualties.
I urge everyone to stay focused on the work we all must do and remain positive in the fact the mission we now undertake is right and just. It will not come easy, but victory over terrorism can be achieved.
The first step in that direction has now been taken.