Prepared Remarks for Attorney

General Alberto R. Gonzales

at the Joint Press Conference with
Australian Attorney General Phillip
Ruddock
Canberra, Australia
November 14, 2005
Good afternoon.

I am pleased to be here with my friend and counterpart, Attorney General Ruddock.

It’s strange to fly halfway across the world and still feel as if you are visiting with
neighbors… but that is what it’s like to come to Australia.

Americans and Australians share so many common interests and values – not the
least of which is the hope for a more just and peaceful world. But it is not just that
we share a desire for prosperity and safety…and a common commitment to peace
and freedom.

We understand – as friends and distant neighbors – that to achieve these goals we

must work together. We must continue to strive for new levels of cooperation and
coordination between our nations.

This, of course, is particularly true as we confront the global threat of terrorism.

Australia and America have been determined partners – along with so many other
freedom-loving countries – in the fight against terrorism.

Our peoples have shared the devastation and loss of violent terrorist attacks.
Australians were among the thousands of victims on September 11th – and
Americans were lost alongside so many Australians as a result of the senseless
bombings in Bali.

As the terror arrests in Australia from last week illustrate, the threat of another
attack is still very real. We are facing a patient and evil enemy who remains intent
on harming our citizens. And while it is easy to grow complacent over time, our
enemy remains focused. We must as well.

I’d like to congratulate Attorney General Ruddock and the entire law enforcement
community in Australia for your work to disrupt a potential terrorist attack. As we
coordinate our efforts to apprehend terrorists around the globe, it is with an eye
toward prevention. Our goal must be to stop terrorism before it reaches our shores
and before innocent citizens are harmed.

That is why both of our countries have worked to employ enhanced law
enforcement tools in the fight against terrorism and grappled with changing legal
issues incumbent to this new threat. Australia has taken an active leadership role on
this issue within the region.

The United States remains committed to international law and to supporting our
international partners. That’s why we are pleased to have had this opportunity to
meet with our counterparts to discuss a range of issues important to our joint efforts
to improve security and ensure the rule of law. And, of course, we are doing so in a
manner that preserves civil liberties.

The people of our nations share the hope of a peaceful world and the desire to
pursue the opportunities of freedom.

It’s those dreams that we are working to secure by exploring every opportunity for
coordination and cooperation between Australia and the United States.

I am pleased to be a part of this continuing commitment to our citizens – and to the

cause of justice.

Thank you.

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