US - Bush defends wiretaps in War on Terror

Today in the latest in a series of speeches the US president has made to the American people, he defended the use of ‘unauthorised wiretaps’ which have dogged his office for the past few days. “After September 11th I pledged to protect America…this new threat demanded a new strategy…and as President and Commander in Chief it was my responsibility to defend our country. How do we effectively detect al-Qaeda in our midst. Consistent with our constitution I authorized the monitoring of international telephone calls of known al-Qaeda suspects. The patriot act allows investigators to track down terrorists.” But, he said, “Key provisions are set to expire in 12 days” and key senators have “killed the patriot act”. “Terrorists are expected to strike America again but the senators who are filibustering the patriot act must give way.” He said. “America cannot afford to be without the protection of the patriot act.”
“The discussing of this issue is helping the enemy,” he went on to say. And he went on to criticise journalists and others who had leaked the information. “It is a shameful act” for someone to leak these ‘secrets’ he said. He added that a previous leak to the press as to the type of mobile phone being used by Osama bin Laden had resulted in his ceasing his telephone calls.
“We’re at war and we must protect America’s secrets” he said. “After September 11th we looked at possible scenarios and the people responsible for protecting America came up with the current procedure of using intercepts …The legal authority is within the constitution…But this programme is limited… they are calls to outside the country.”
“An open debate about law would say to the enemy ‘here’s what we’re going to do’, but we take civil liberties seriously”. He suggested that further wiretaps may take place and may extend to mainland America. “We will monitor [internal] calls if necessary,” he said.
Following the recent elections in Iraq he said, “Iraqis want to live in freedom and liberty… and a free Iraq will serve as a beacon from Tehran to Damascus.”
In answer to critics of the US policy in Iraq he added, “It wasn’t a mistake to go into Iraq – it was the right thing to do”
“I believe in the universality of freedom – deep in everybody’s soul is the desire to live in freedom – but there’s a lot of work to do to get rid of the past.”
His speech continued on the War on Terror as he briefly talked about Iran. He said a diplomatic approach was needed to stop the “nuclear threat” coming from the country. On domestic issues he gave only a brief comment. With unemployment down and a lesser reliance on foreign power sources President Bush said the country was on track. He said he would also strengthen immigration controls. He wished everybody a ‘Happy Holiday’ and urged for all Americans to think of those fighting the War on Terror. “As we prepare to spend time with our families this holiday season we must spare some thoughts for our military abroad who are defending our nation.” [BBC]
[16:45 GMT 19/12/2005]