For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 19, 2003
President Bush: Libya Pledges to Dismantle WMD Programs
Remarks by the President
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
Fact Sheet
5:32 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. I have called you here today to
announce a development of great importance in our continuing effort to
prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Today in Tripoli,
the leader of Libya, Colonel Moammar al-Ghadafi, publicly confirmed his
commitment to disclose and dismantle all weapons of mass destruction
programs in his country. He has agreed immediately and unconditionally
to allow inspectors from international organizations to enter Libya.
These inspectors will render an accounting of all nuclear, chemical and
biological weapons programs and will help oversee their elimination.
Colonel Ghadafi's commitment, once it is fulfilled, will make our
country more safe and the world more peaceful.
Talks leading to this announcement began about nine months, ago
when Prime Minister Tony Blair and I were contacted through personal
envoys by Colonel Ghadafi. He communicated to us his willingness to
make a decisive change in the policy of his government. At the
direction of Colonel Ghadafi, himself, Libyan officials have provided
American and British officers with documentation on that country's
chemical, biological, nuclear and ballistic missile programs and
activities. Our experts in these fields have met directly with Libyan
officials to learn additional details.
Opposing proliferation is one of the highest priorities of the war
against terror. The attacks of September the 11th, 2001 brought
tragedy to the United States and revealed a future threat of even
greater magnitude. Terrorists who killed thousands of innocent people
would, if they ever gained weapons of mass destruction, kill hundreds
of thousands -- without hesitation and without mercy. And this danger
is dramatically increased when regimes build or acquire weapons of mass
destruction and maintain ties to terrorist groups.
The United States and our allies are applying a broad and active
strategy to address the challenges of proliferation, through diplomacy
and through the decisive actions that are sometimes needed. We've
enhance our intelligence capabilities in order to trace dangerous
weapons activities. We've organized a proliferation security
initiative to interdict dangerous materials and technologies in
transit. We've insisted on multilateral approaches like that in North
Korea to confront threats. We are supporting the work of the
International Atomic Energy Agency to hold the Iranian regime to its
treaty obligations.
We obtained an additional United Nations Security Council
Resolution requiring Saddam Hussein to prove that he had disarmed, and
when that resolution was defied, we led a coalition to enforce it. All
of these actions by the United States and our allies have sent an
unmistakable message to regimes that seek or possess weapons of mass
destruction. Those weapons do not bring influence or prestige. They
bring isolation and otherwise unwelcome consequences.
And another message should be equally clear: leaders who abandon
the pursuit of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, and the means
to deliver them, will find an open path to better relations with the
United States and other free nations. With today's announcement by its
leader, Libya has begun the process of rejoining the community of
nations. And Colonel Ghadafi knows the way forward. Libya should
carry out the commitments announced today. Libya should also fully
engage in the war against terror. Its government, in response to the
United Nations Security Council Lockerbie demands, has already
renounced all acts of terrorism and pledged cooperation in the
international fight against terrorism. We expect Libya to meet these
commitments, as well.
As the Libyan government takes these essential steps and
demonstrates its seriousness, its good faith will be returned. Libya
can regain a secure and respected place among the nations, and over
time, achieve far better relations with the United States. The Libyan
people are heirs to an ancient and respected culture, and their country
lies at the center of a vital region. As Libya becomes a more peaceful
nation, it can be a source of stability in Africa and the Middle East.
Should Libya pursue internal reform, America will be ready to help
its people to build a more free and prosperous country. Great Britain
shares this commitment, and Prime Minister Blair and I welcome today's
declaration by Colonel Ghadafi. Because Libya has a troubled history
with America and Britain, we will be vigilant in ensuring its
government lives up to all its responsibilities. Yet, as we have found
with other nations, old hostilities do not need to go on forever. And
I hope that other leaders will find an example in Libya's announcement
today.
Our understanding with Libya came about through quiet diplomacy.
It is a result, however, of policies and principles declared to all.
Over the last two years, a great coalition of nations has come together
to oppose terror and to oppose the spread of weapons of mass
destruction. We've been clear in our purposes. We have shown
resolve. In word and in action, we have clarified the choices left to
potential adversaries. And when leaders make the wise and responsible
choice, when they renounce terror and weapons of mass destruction, as
Colonel Ghadafi has now done, they serve the interest of their own
people and they add to the security of all nations.
Thank you.
END 5:40 P.M. EST
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