For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 27, 2003
President's Radio Address
Audio
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Earlier this week, I spoke to the
United Nations -- which has become, like our country, a target of
terrorism. In the past month, terrorists have made two bombing attacks
on the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, killing Iraqi citizens, U.N.
officials, and international aid workers. On Tuesday, I conveyed the
sympathy of our country for the losses of the U.N., and the gratitude
of our country for the relief efforts of the U.N. in Iraq. I also
expressed America's determination to fight and win the war on terror --
for the safety of our own people and for the benefit of all mankind.
The world is safer today because, in Afghanistan, our broad
coalition destroyed the training camps of terrorists and removed the
brutal regime that sponsored terror. The world is safer today because
we continue to hunt down al Qaeda and its terrorist allies, and have
captured or killed nearly two-thirds of al Qaeda's known leaders and
key facilitators. The world is safer today because, in Iraq, our
coalition ended a regime that cultivated ties to terror while it built
weapons of mass destruction. And for the safety of the people of Iraq
and of all free nations, our forces are now conducting a systematic
campaign to defeat holdouts of the old regime and other terrorists who
have joined them.
In the struggle between terrorist killers and peaceful nations,
there is no neutral ground. All nations must join in confronting this
threat where it arises -- before the terrorists can inflict even
greater harm and suffering. And all nations should stand with the
people of Afghanistan and Iraq as they build a future based on freedom
and democracy.
Our coalition is helping the Iraqi people to build a secure,
hopeful, and self-governing nation which will stand as an example of
freedom to all the Middle East. We are rebuilding more than a thousand
schools, supplying and reopening hospitals, rehabilitating power
plants, water and sanitation facilities, bridges and airports. We are
training Iraqi police, border guards, and a new army, so that the Iraqi
people can assume full responsibility for their own security. Iraq now
has its own Governing Council, has appointed interim government
ministries, and is moving toward elections. Iraq's new leaders are
showing the openness and tolerance that democracy requires -- and also
the courage. Yet every young democracy needs the help of friends.
America is providing that help to Iraq, and all nations of goodwill
should do their part, as well.
Our goal is a free Iraq, where the Iraqi people are responsible for
their own affairs. We want Iraq's governmental institutions to be
strong, and to stand the test of time. So I called on the United
Nations to take up vital responsibilities in this effort. America is
now working with friends and allies on a new Security Council
resolution which will expand the U.N.'s role in Iraq. As in the
aftermath of other conflicts, the United Nations should assist in
developing a constitution, training civil servants, and conducting free
and fair elections. Many U.N. members -- from the Philippines to
Poland and now Germany -- have expressed their commitment to helping
build a democratic and stable Iraq.
The stakes in Iraq are high, for the Middle East and beyond. If
freedom and progress falter in the Middle East, that region will
continue to export violence that takes lives in America and around the
world. If democracy and tolerance and peace advance in that region, it
will undermine the bitterness and resentment that feed terrorism. The
terrorists understand this -- so they have chosen to fight against
order and liberty in Iraq. They must, and they will, be defeated. And
I am confident that more nations will rally to the side of the Iraqi
people and help them to build a free and peaceful nation.
Thank you for listening.
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