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Enough of sympathy, now for action, Bush tells UN

US President George W. Bush told the UN yesterday that all countries share an urgent obligation to battle terrorism. "For every regime that sponsors terror, there is a price to be paid and it will be paid," Bush said.

"The time for action has now arrived," Bush said in his inaugural appearance before the General Assembly. Nations that support terror "are equally guilty of murder and equally accountable to justice."

"Some governments still turn a blind eye to the terrorists, hoping the threat will pass them by. They are mistaken," the president said.

The US is emerging from its initial grief from the Sept. 11 attacks, Bush said, and now expects more than sympathy from countries that have rallied to the US-led anti-terror cause.

"We must unite in opposing all terrorists, not just some of them," Bush said. "Any government that rejects this principle, trying to pick and choose its terrorist friends, will know the consequences."

Countries that give safe harbor to Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda terrorist network, suspected in the attacks, "will find their welcomed guests are parasites that will weaken them, and eventually consume them," Bush said.

He cited Afghanistan's ruling Taliban as an example, saying they are "virtually indistinguishable" from al-Qaeda, and "equally guilty of murder, and equally accountable to justice."

Bush is among more than 40 world leaders scheduled to address the General Assembly's annual general debate. The session, originally planned for Sept. 24, was delayed because of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

The US will never forget the twin attacks, and neither should the rest of the world, Bush said. He repeated his earlier assertion that bin Laden's operatives were pursuing nuclear and other destructive weapons, with the intent of using them "the moment they are capable of doing so."

"Every other country is a potential target," Bush said. "This threat cannot be ignored. ... Civilization itself, the civilization we share, is threatened. History will record our response and judge or justify every nation in this hall."

Bush did not single out nations, but aides had said his words were directed at Lebanon, Syria, Iran and other countries whose commitment to the anti-terrorism effort are under scrutiny.

Lebanon refused to name Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and said Thursday it would not freeze the Iran-backed guerrilla group's assets as requested by the US administration.

Bush offered solace to the Afghan people, who he said are suffering at the hands of the Taliban, and pledged to join other nations in rebuilding Afghanistan once the Taliban are ousted.

"The Afghan people do not deserve their present rulers," Bush said. "I make this promise to all the victims of that regime: The Taliban's days of harboring terrorists, and dealing in heroin, and brutalizing women are drawing to a close."
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