For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 25, 2004
President's Radio Address
Audio
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, I was honored to welcome the
Prime Minister of a free and sovereign Iraq to the White House. In
less than three months, Prime Minister Allawi and his government have
accomplished a great deal, despite persistent violence in parts of
Iraq. The enemies of freedom are using suicide bombings, beheadings,
and other horrific acts to try to block progress. We are sickened by
their atrocities, but we will never be intimidated, and freedom is
winning.
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We're making steady progress in implementing our five-step plan
toward the goal we all want: completing the mission so that Iraq is
stable and self-governing, and American troops can come home with the
honor they have earned.
The first step was achieved on June 28th, not only on time, but
ahead of schedule, when the coalition transferred full sovereignty to a
government of Iraqi citizens.
The second step is to help Iraq's new government establish
stability and security. Nearly 100,000 fully trained and equipped
Iraqi soldiers, police officers, and other security personnel are
working today, and the Iraqi government is on track to build a force of
over 200,000 security personnel by the end of 2005.
In Najaf and other important areas, Iraqi military forces have
performed with skill and success. The government's strategy is to
surround and isolate enemy militias, reach out to the local population,
and negotiate from a position of strength. Serious problems remain in
several cities. Yet, Prime Minister Allawi believes this combination
of decisive action and outreach to peaceful citizens is the most
effective way to defeat the killers and secure the peace. And America
stands with him.
The third step in our plan is to continue improving Iraq's
infrastructure. Today, in most of Iraq, children are about to go back
to school, parents are going back to work, and new businesses are being
opened. Electricity has been restored above pre-war levels. Telephone
service has increased dramatically. In the next several months, more
than $9 billion will be spent on contracts that will help Iraqis
rebuild schools, refurbish hospitals and health clinics, repair
bridges, upgrade the electrical grid, and modernize the communication
system. Prime Minister Allawi and I agree that the pace of
reconstruction can and should be accelerated, and we're working toward
that goal.
The fourth step in our plan is to enlist additional international
support for Iraq's transition to democracy. The multinational force of
some 30 nations continues to help secure a free Iraq, and we are
grateful for the service and sacrifice of all. Our coalition is also
grateful that the United Nations has reestablished it's mission in
Baghdad. We are grateful to the G-8 countries and the European Union
for pledging support to the new Iraqi government. We are grateful to
the NATO Alliance for help in training Iraqi forces. And we are
grateful to many of Iraq's creditors, which have agreed to a further
reduction of Iraq's debt.
The fifth and most important step in our plan is to help Iraq
conduct free national elections no later than January. An Iraqi
electoral commission has already hired personnel, and is making key
decisions about election procedures. Just this week, the commission
began a public education campaign to inform Iraqis about the process
and encourage them to become voters. United Nations electoral advisors
are on the ground in Iraq, and Prime Minister Allawi and I have urged
the U.N. to send more personnel to help ensure the success of the Iraqi
elections.
The war for Iraq's freedom is a fight against some of the most
ruthless and brutal men on Earth. In such a struggle, there will be
good days and there will be difficult days. But every day, our resolve
must remain the same: Iraq, America, and our coalition will stand
firm, and Iraq will be free, the world will be more peaceful, and
America will be more secure.
Thank you for listening.
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