For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 11, 2002
Statement by the President
Today I have issued the National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass
Destruction. The strategy establishes a comprehensive approach to
counter the growing threat from weapons of mass destruction (WMD),
including nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical weapons.
This strategy is integral to the National Security Strategy of the
United States of America and the National Strategy for Homeland
Security. We will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes and
terrorists to threaten our Nation and our friends and allies with the
world's most destructive weapons.
Weapons of mass destruction pose a grave danger. They could allow
America's adversaries to inflict massive harm against our country, our
military forces abroad, and our friends and allies. Some rogue states,
including several that support terrorism, already possess WMD and are
seeking even greater capabilities, as tools of coercion. For them,
these are weapons of choice intended to deter us from responding to
their aggression against our friends in vital regions of interest. For
terrorists, WMD would provide the ability to kill large numbers of our
people without warning. They would give them the power to murder
without conscience on a scale to match their hatred for our country and
our values.
Our national strategy to combat WMD is based on three pillars. We
will pursue robust counterproliferation policies and capabilities to
deter and defend against the use of these weapons. We will strengthen
nonproliferation measures to prevent states and terrorists from
acquiring WMD. We will increase our preparations to respond
effectively to any use of WMD against us or our friends and allies. To
succeed, we must use new technologies, strengthen our intelligence
capabilities, work even more closely with allies, and establish new
partnerships with other key states, including former adversaries.
The need to prevent, deter, defend against, and respond to WMD
threats presents our Nation with a difficult and complex challenge.
The strategy I have issued today asks much of our Federal Government,
our state and local institutions, and, indeed, every citizen. The
threat is real and the stakes are high. Success against this threat is
a requirement of history -- one that the United States will meet with
confidence and determination.
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