Voices

“I want the world to understand that our actions today were not aimed against Islam, the faith of hundreds of millions of good, peace-loving people . . . . But our actions were aimed at fanatics and killers who wrap murder in the cloak of righteousness, and in so doing, profane the great religion in whose name they claim to act.”

--President Clinton

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“We recognize that these strikes will not eliminate the problem, but our message is clear. There will be no sanctuary for terrorists, and no limit to our resolve to defend American citizens . . . “

--Secretary of Defense William Cohen

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“I hope today’s strikes will be the first step in breaking apart the murderous terrorist organization that sponsored the recent attacks in Africa, and I hope the administration will take any additional steps needed to ensure that our citizens, our embassies, and our interests remain secure.”

--House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.)

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“We just had to do it, we just had to.”

--Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), ranking Democrat on the House National Security Committee.

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“I’m going to begin with the presumption that terrorism is a terrible threat. But I want to know more than I know at the moment, especially the reason for doing it now.”

--Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.)

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“The White House had to know this would be speculated on. I don’t think the president would be foolish enough to do a ‘Wag the Dog.’ I will stand by the White House.”

--Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio)