Bush salutes British people

WASHINGTON -- President Bush paid tribute to the British people on Saturday, two days after deadly bombings struck London's transit system, and reiterated his pledge that the "cause of freedom will prevail" against terrorists who are trying to shake the will of the free world.

Hailing the British as re-silient, Bush said they and Americans stood together to defeat the "murderous ideologies" of the 20th century and will do so again in the 21st.

"The terrorists cannot shake our will," the president said in his weekly radio address. "America and its allies will act decisively, because we know that the future of civilization is at stake in this struggle, and we know that the cause of freedom will prevail."

Bush went to the British Embassy after returning from the summit Friday to sign a book of condolence.

Bush was in Scotland for the annual meeting of leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized nations when bombs exploded throughout London's subway system and on a double-decker bus during the morning rush-hour Thursday, killing dozens and wounding hundreds more. A little-known group claiming links to the al-Qaida terrorist network claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Bush went to the British Embassy after returning from the summit Friday to sign a book of condolence.

In his radio address, Bush noted that the bombings took place as G-8 leaders were discussing how to fight poverty and HIV/AIDS, clean the environment and improve the lives of the world's people.

"The contrast could not be more vivid between the intentions and the hearts of those who care deeply about human rights and human liberty, and the evil intentions and acts of those who rejoice in the death and suffering of the innocent," he said.

Bush recalled the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, and subsequent deadly acts of terrorism in Bali, Casablanca, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, Madrid, Iraq and elsewhere.

In noting the global war being waged against terrorism, the president promised to stay on the offense, "fighting the terrorists abroad so we do not have to face them at home."

"We will continue to deny the terrorists a safe haven and the support of rogue states. And at the same time, we will spread the universal values of hope and freedom that will overwhelm their ideology of tyranny and hate," he said. "The free world did not seek this conflict, yet we will win it."

Bush travels to Quantico, Va., on Monday to deliver a speech on the war against terror and the strategy for winning it to men and women in the FBI Academy there.

The address was scheduled before the London bombings, but White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the deadly attacks "give even more significance" to the president's remarks.

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