Arlen Specter: “there have been many declarations that what occurred yesterday with the trade towers and the Pentagon were acts of war.…”

“there have been many declarations that what occurred yesterday with the trade towers and the Pentagon were acts of war. And there is no doubt about that. Similarly, what bin Laden did in Mogadishu in 1993 and in the Embassies in 1998 were acts of war. At this time, while the Congress should never act precipitously, I do suggest that consideration be given to a declaration of war against the political entity which harbors and has given aid and assistance to bin Laden's terrorist organization and bin Laden and his coconspirators, based on the indictments which already have been handed down, to which I have referred. I do not propose to decide this issue today, but I do think it is important that research and factual analysis should begin. More needs to be done than the resolution of today, which is very important, on condemnation of the terrorism of yesterday and the expressions of sympathy to the victims and their families, those who were on the planes, the passengers and the crew, and those in the Pentagon and the trade towers. But where we do know, without prejudging yesterday's events, that bin Laden's terrorist organization has been indicted for acts of terrorism, murdering U.S. soldiers, blowing up our Embassies, it is time to act. Bin Laden is at war with the United States. It is time that we reciprocate. There is a legal issue as to the status of the Taliban in Afghanistan, which we do not recognize as the government.”