Bush Pledges Pre-emptive Strikes

U.S. President George W Bush announced on the 1st that America would strike pre-emptively against terrorists.

President Bush said to the United States Military Academy West Point graduates, “ If we wait for threats to fully materialize, we will have waited too long. We must take the battle to the enemy, disrupt his plans and confront the worst threats before they emerge.”

He added, “current situation of security urges American to be positive in taking pre-emptive action in order to save our lives and liberty.”

Mr. Bush said, “some may worry that it is somehow undiplomatic or impolite to speak the language of right and wrong. I disagree.”

He stressed, “we will bring the problems concealed so far to the surface by confronting evil, illegal powers. There is no neutrality between justice and cruelty, and between innocence and guilty.”

He didn’t mention the countries identified as `axis of evil` like Iraq, Iran and North Korea, but pointed, “even weak country or secluded group can obtain dreadful powers that can attack powerful countries.”

The White House, however, explained that U.S. has not established a plan to attack Iraq.

Ki-Heung Han eligius@donga.com