Bush says no truce, treaty with terrorists

NORFOLK, Va. -- President Bush ruled out "a truce or a treaty" with any Taliban or terrorist enemy in Afghan-istan as Taliban fighters abandoned their last bastion, Kandahar.

The president and 25 living witnesses to the attack on Pearl Harbor gathered with hundreds of uniformed sailors Friday on the deck of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise. The president marked the 60th anniversary of the attack and honored U.S. forces responding to the September terrorist attacks.

"Like all fascists, the terrorists cannot be appeased. They must be defeated. This struggle will not end in a truce or a treaty. It will end in victory for the United States, our friends and for the cause of freedom," Bush said to a roar of approval.

"The attack on Pearl Harbor was plotted in secrecy, waged without mercy," Bush said on the Enterprise, docked in Norfolk, Va. "Out of that surprise attack grew a steadfast resolve that made America freedom's defender, and that mission -- our great calling -- continues to this hour."

The military personnel surrounding Bush, most of whom had just returned from duty in the war on the Taliban, hooted and whooped at Bush's words.

Before coming here from the White House, Bush signed a proclamation declaring Friday National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and called upon all federal offices to fly their flags at half-staff on this and every Dec. 7 in honor of the service personnel who died at Pearl Harbor.

"As we fight to defend what we believe is right, we remember the sacrifice of those who have gone before us -- not only the heroes of Pearl Harbor, but all the men and women of the greatest of generations who defeated tyranny," Bush said.

Both Pearl Harbor and the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon caught Americans by surprise.

The Pearl Harbor attack killed 2,390 service members and civilians and plunged America into World War II. The Sept. 11 attacks killed more than 3,000 people and led to the counterattack against terrorists and those who harbor them in Afghanistan.