Terror Attacks on Australia Will Not Deter War on Terror

TERROR ATTACKS ON AUSTRALIA WILL NOT DETER WAR ON TERROR -- (House of Representatives - September 14, 2004)

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last week, al Qaeda-linked terrorists savagely attacked the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. The blast killed nine and wounded more than 180 innocent people, most of whom were Muslims. Australian Prime Minister John Howard properly responded by saying, "This is not a nation that is going to be intimidated by acts of terrorism. We are a robust, strong democracy."

Indeed, he is exactly correct. Free nations must never be intimidated by hate-filled extremists which will only lead them to commit more murderous acts. The only proper response to terror is to aggressively go on the offense as President Bush and coalition partners have done for the past 3 years. Instead of waiting for another attack, we need to bring justice to the terrorists wherever they are and hold terror-supporting regimes accountable.

Australia, Spain, Russia, Israel, America and many others have been attacked in a war started by radicals against the civilized world. Yet this campaign of fear will fail as nations who value freedom will continue to fight together to win the war on terror.

In conclusion, may God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

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