TOLEDO, Ohio, Oct 29 (AFP) - President George W. Bush, reacting to a video warning by Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, said Friday the United States would not "be intimidated or influenced by an enemy of our country."
Bush said he was made aware of the bin Laden tape before it was broadcast by Al-Jazeera Arab satellite channel.
"Let me make this very clear. Americans will not be intimidated or influenced by an enemy of our country," Bush told reporters in Toledo, Ohio, during a campaign stop in the closing days of his election battle with John Kerry.
"I'm sure Senator Kerry agrees with this," Bush added.
"I also want to say to the American people that we are at war with these terrorists. And I am confident that we will prevail. Thank you very much."
National security has been a central theme of the campaign for the November 2 vote.
Bin Laden warned his message that new attacks like those on September 11, 2001 were likely and that it makes no difference whether Kerry or Bush is president, US policy must change.
10/29/2004 22:14 GMT - AFP