US On The Alert

Monday - President George W. Bush said on Sunday the United States was on alert for any more attacks as his top aides prepared the country for a long fight against “terrorist” groups and increased the pressure on dissident Osama bin Laden. Bush returned to the White House after a weekend at the Camp David presidential retreat to take the next step in what he called a war against those responsible for Tuesday’s attacks in New York and the Pentagon near Washington that left more than 5,000 people dead or missing. “We need to be alert to the fact that these evildoers still exist,” Bush said. “And we’ll be alert. Your government is alert. Evil folks still lurk out there.” Bush said those who attacked America “made a terrible mistake ... they have roused a mighty giant and, make no mistake about it, we’re determined.” Bush said Americans would be trying to establish some routine to their lives as they returned to jobs or schools Monday. The New York Stock Exchange, just three blocks from the rubble remains of the twin 110-story trade center towers, was scheduled to reopen on Monday for the first time since the attacks. Even though Vice President Dick Cheney said the country was “quite possibly” in a recession, both the president and vice president were looking forward to the reopening of markets. “I have great faith in the resiliency of the economy,” Bush said. “And no question about it, this incident affected our economy. But the markets open tomorrow, people go back to work. We’ll show the world.” Cheney, in his first television interview since the attacks, said on NBC that Bush gave an order for the military to intercept and shoot down any incoming commercial airliners that would not divert from Washington. Ends