President Bush Discusses Progress in Iraq
Remarks by the President with the Secretary of Defense and the Presidential Envoy to Iraq
The Rose Garden
10:16 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: It is my pleasure to welcome Ambassador Paul Bremer
back to the White House. I'm also pleased to be joined by Secretary
Rumsfeld and General Myers. Thank you all for coming.
Ambassador Bremer is doing a fine job in an essential cause. The
nations in our coalition are determined to help the Iraqi people
recover from years of tyranny. And we are determined to help build a
free, and sovereign, and democratic nation.
The coalition provisional authority, led by Ambassador Bremer, has
a comprehensive strategy to move Iraq toward a future that is secure
and prosperous. We are carrying out that strategy for the good of
Iraq, for the peace of the region, and for the security of the United
States and our friends.
Saddam Hussein's regime spent more than three decades oppressing
Iraq's people, attacking Iraq's neighbors, and threatening the world's
peace. The regime tortured at home, promoted terror abroad, and armed
in secret. Now, with the regime of Saddam Hussein gone forever, a few
remaining holdouts are trying to prevent the advance of order and
freedom. They are targeting our success in rebuilding Iraq, they're
killing new police graduates, they're shooting at people that are
guarding the universities and power plants and oil facilities.
These killers are the enemies of Iraq's people. They operate
mainly in a few areas of the country. And wherever they operate, they
are being hunted, and they will be defeated. Our military forces are
on the offensive. They're working with the newly free Iraqi people to
destroy the remnants of the old regime and their terrorist allies.
Yesterday, in the city of Mosul, the careers of two of the regime's
chief henchmen came to an end. Saddam Hussein's sons were responsible
for torture, maiming and murder of countless Iraqis. Now, more than
ever, all Iraqis can know that the former regime is gone and will not
be coming back.
As our work continues, we know that our coalition forces are
serving under difficult circumstances. Our nation will give those who
wear its uniform all the tools and support they need to complete their
mission. We are eternally grateful for the bravery of our troops, for
their sacrifice and for the sacrifices of their families. The families
of our servicemen and women can take comfort in knowing that their sons
and daughters and moms and dads are serving a cause that is noble and
just and vital to the security of the United States.
A free, democratic, peaceful Iraq will not threaten America or our
friends with illegal weapons. A free Iraq will not be a training
ground for terrorists, or a funnel of money to terrorists, or provide
weapons to terrorists who would willing use them to strike our country
or our allies. A free Iraq will not destabilize the Middle East. A
free Iraq can set a hopeful example to the entire region and lead other
nations to choose freedom. And as the pursuits of freedom replace
hatred and resentment and terror in the Middle East, the American
people will be more secure.
America has assumed great responsibilities for Iraq's future. Yet,
we do not bear these responsibilities alone. Nineteen nations are
providing more than 13,000 troops to help stabilize Iraq. And
additional forces will soon arise -- arrive. More than two dozen
nations have pledged funds that will go directly towards relief and
reconstruction efforts. Every day we are renovating schools for the
new school year. We're restoring the damaged water, electrical and
communication systems. And when we introduce a new Iraqi currency
later this year, it will be the first time in 12 years that the whole
country is using the same currency.
Our greatest ally in the vital work of stabilizing and rebuilding a
democratic and prosperous Iraq is the Iraqi people, themselves. Our
goal is to turn over authority to Iraqis as quickly as possible.
Coalition authorities are training Iraqi police forces to help patrol
Iraqi cities and villages. Ambassador Bremer and General Abizaid are
working to establish as quickly as possible a new Iraqi civilian
defense force to help protect supply convoys and power plants and
ammunition depots. Offices have been established in major Iraqi cities
to recruit soldiers for a new Iraqi army that will defend the people of
Iraq, instead of terrorizing them.
Most importantly, 10 days ago, Iraqis formed a new governing
council. The council represents all of Iraq's diverse groups, and it
has given responsible positions to religious authorities and to women.
The council is naming ministers to establish control over Iraq's
ministries, and the council is drawing up a new budget. The process of
drafting a constitution will soon be underway, and this will prepare
the way for elections.
Yesterday, in New York, members of Iraq's governing council
participated in a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. They
heard a report from U.N. Secretary General Annan, which welcomed the
establishment of the Iraqi governing council as a broadly
representative Iraqi partner with whom the U.N. and the international
community can engage to build Iraq's future.
Now that we have reached this important milestone, I urge the
nations of the world to contribute -- militarily and financially --
towards fulfilling Security Council Resolution 1483's vision of a free
and secure Iraq. The U.N. report also urges a swift return to full
Iraqi sovereignty. And this morning, Ambassador Bremer briefed me on
our strategy to accelerate progress toward this goal. He outlined a
comprehensive plan for action for bringing greater security, essential
services, economic development and democracy to the Iraqi people.
The plan sets out ambitious timetables and clear benchmarks to
measure progress and practical methods for achieving results.
Rebuilding Iraq will require a sustained commitment. America and our
partners kept our promise to remove the dictator and the threat he
posed, not only to the Iraqi people, but to the world.
We also keep our promise to destroy every remnant of that regime
and to help the people of Iraq to govern themselves in freedom. In the
83 days since I announced the end of major combat operations in Iraq,
we have made progress, steady progress, in restoring hope in a nation
beaten down by decades of tyranny.
Ambassador Bremer is showing great skill and resourcefulness, and
is demonstrating fine leadership and the great values of our country.
Mr. Ambassador, thank you for what you're doing for America, I
appreciate you.