[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[March 2, 1991]
[Pages 206-207]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Radio Address to United States Armed Forces Stationed in the Persian 
Gulf Region
March 2, 1991

    Never have I been more proud of our troops, or more proud to be your 
Commander in Chief. For today, amid prayers of thanks and hope, the 
Kuwaiti flag once again flies high above Kuwait City. And it's there 
because you and your coalition allies put it there.
    Kuwait is liberated. And soon hometowns across America will be 
welcoming back home the finest combat force ever assembled--Army, Navy, 
Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force--the brave men and women of the United 
States of America.
    Saddam Hussein's dreams of dominating the Middle East by the terror 
of a nuclear arsenal and an army of a million men threatened the future 
of our children and the entire world. And the world was faced with a 
simple choice: If international law and sanctions could not remove 
Saddam Hussein from Kuwait, then we had to free Kuwait from Saddam 
Hussein.
    And that's exactly what you did. Throughout 7 long and arduous 
months, the troops of 28 nations stood with you, shoulder to shoulder in 
an unprecedented partnership for peace. Today we thank you, for the 
victory in Kuwait was born in your courage and resolve. The stunning 
success of our troops was the result of superb training, superb 
planning, superb execution, and incredible acts of bravery.
    The Iraqi Army was defeated. Forty-two

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divisions were put out of action. They lost 3,000 tanks, almost 2,000 
armored vehicles, more than 2,000 artillery pieces. And over half a 
million Iraqi soldiers were captured, defeated, or disarmed. You were as 
good as advertised; you were, indeed, ``Good to go.''
    This is a war we did not seek and did not want. But Saddam Hussein 
turned a deaf ear to the voices of peace and reason. And when he began 
burning Kuwait to the ground and intensifying the murder of its people, 
the coalition faced a moral imperative to put a stop to the atrocities 
in Kuwait once and for all. Boldly, bravely, you did just that. And when 
the rubber met the road, you did it in just 6 weeks and 100 decisive 
hours.
    The evil Saddam has done can never be forgotten. But his power to 
attack his neighbors and threaten the peace of the region is today 
grievously reduced. He has been stripped of his capacity to project 
offensive military power. His regime is totally discredited, and as a 
threat to peace, the day of this dictator is over. And the bottom line 
is this: Kuwait's night of terror has ended.
    Thomas Jefferson said that the price of freedom is eternal 
vigilance. We must remain vigilant to make absolutely sure the Iraqi 
dictator is never, ever allowed to stoke the ashes of defeat into the 
burning embers of aggression. The sacrifice you've already made demands 
nothing less. The sacrifice of those who gave their lives will never be 
forgotten.
    Saddam made many mistakes. But one of the biggest was to 
underestimate the determination of the American people and the daring of 
our troops. We saw in the desert what Americans have learned through 215 
years of history about the difference between democracy and 
dictatorship. Soldiers who fight for freedom are more committed than 
soldiers who fight because they are enslaved.
    Americans today are confident of our country, confident of our 
future, and most of all, confident about you. We promised you'd be given 
the means to fight. We promised not to look over your shoulder. We 
promised this would not be another Vietnam. And we kept that promise. 
The specter of Vietnam has been buried forever in the desert sands of 
the Arabian Peninsula.
    Today, the promise of spring is almost upon us, the promise of 
regrowth and renewal: renewed life in Kuwait, renewed prospects for real 
peace throughout the Middle East, and a renewed sense of pride and 
confidence here at home. And we are committed to seeing every American 
soldier and every allied POW home soon--home to the thanks and the 
respect and the love of a grateful nation and a very grateful President.
    Yes, there remain vital and difficult tests ahead, both here and 
abroad, but nothing the American people can't handle. America has always 
accepted the challenge, paid the price, and passed the test. On this 
day, our spirits are high as our flag, and our future is as bright as 
Liberty's torch. Tomorrow we dedicate ourselves anew, as Americans 
always have and as Americans always will.
    The first test of the new world order has been passed. The hard work 
of freedom awaits. Thank you. Congratulations. And God bless the United 
States of America.

                    Note: The President recorded this address at 9:15 
                        a.m., March 1, in his private study at the White 
                        House. In his address, he referred to President 
                        Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The address was 
                        broadcast at noon, March 2, over the Armed 
                        Forces Radio Network.