WASHINGTON, Sept 11: In a message to his nation on the third anniversary of the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush vowed on Saturday to continue the US-led offensive against terrorists and pursue them "wherever they train , or sleep, or attempt to set down roots".

"We have conducted this campaign from the mountains of Afghanistan, to the heart of the Middle East, to the horn of Africa, to the islands of the Philippines, to hidden cells within our own country," said Mr Bush in his address to the nation.

Mr Bush also signed a proclamation on Saturday, declaring Sept 11, 2004 a "patriot day" and urging all government departments to fly the flag at half-staff.

Mr Bush assured his nation that more than three-quarters of Al Qaeda operatives had been detained or killed. But he warned that "there is still a danger to America. So we will not relent until the terrorists who plot murder against our people are found and dealt with".

Besides battling the terrorists in the battlefield, the US president said the United States would also help advance democracy in the broader Middle East and hoped that "when the people of that region are given new hope and lives of dignity, they will let go of old hatreds and resentments, and the terrorists will find fewer recruits".

He said America's present work in Iraq and Afghanistan was difficult but it was "also historic and essential" and the US forces would continue to stay there for as long as it took to achieve their goals.

"By our commitment and sacrifice today, we will help transform the Middle East and increase the safety of our children and grandchildren," he declared.

"Three years ago, the struggle of good against evil was compressed into a single morning. In the space of only 102 minutes, our country lost more citizens than were lost in the attack on Pearl Harbour," Mr Bush recalled.

"Time has passed, but the memories do not fade. We remember the images of fire and the final calls of love, and the courage of rescuers who saw death and did not flee.

"We remember the cruelty of enemies who murdered the innocent and rejoiced in our suffering. We remember the many good lives that ended too soon - which no one had the right to take."