    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [September 26, 2002]
    [Pages 1664-1665]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Congressional Leaders
    September 26, 2002

        Good morning. We've just concluded a really good meeting with both
    Democrats and Republicans--Members of the United States Congress--to
    discuss our national security and discuss how best to keep the peace.
    The security of our country is the commitment of both political parties
    and the responsibility of both elected branches of Government.
        We are engaged in a deliberate and civil and thorough discussion. We
    are moving toward a strong resolution. And all of us, and many others in
    Congress, are united in our determination to confront an urgent threat
    to America. And by passing this resolution, we'll send a clear message
    to the world and to the Iraqi regime: The demands of the U.N. Security
    Council must be followed; the Iraqi dictator must be disarmed. These
    requirements will be met, or they will be enforced.
        The danger to our country is grave. The danger to our country is
    growing. The Iraqi regime possesses biological and chemical weapons. The
    Iraqi regime is building the facilities necessary to make more
    biological and chemical weapons. And according to the British
    Government, the Iraqi regime

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    could launch a biological or chemical attack in as little as 45 minutes
    after the order were given.
        The regime has longstanding and continuing ties to terrorist
    organizations, and there are Al Qaida terrorists inside Iraq. The regime
    is seeking a nuclear bomb and, with fissile material, could build one
    within a year. Iraq has already used weapons of mass death against--
    against other countries and against her own citizens. The Iraqi regime
    practices the rape of women as a method of intimidation and the torture
    of dissenters and their children.
        For more than a decade, the regime has answered Security Council
    resolutions with defiance, bad faith, and deception. We know that the
    Iraqi regime is led by a dangerous and brutal
    man. We know he's actively seeking the destructive technologies to match
    his hatred. We know he must be stopped. The dangers we face will only
    worsen from month to month and from year to year. To ignore these
    threats is to encourage them. And when they have fully materialized, it
    may be too late to protect ourselves and our friends and our allies. By
    then the Iraqi dictator would have the means to terrorize and dominate
    the region. Each passing day could be the one on which the Iraqi regime
    gives anthrax or VX--nerve gas--or, someday, a nuclear weapon to a
    terrorist ally. We refuse to live in this future of fear. Democrats and
    Republicans refuse to live in a future of fear. We're determined to
    build a future of security. All of us long for peace, peace for
    ourselves, peace for the world.
        Members here this morning are committed to American leadership for
    the good of all nations. I appreciate their spirit. I appreciate their
    love for country. The resolution we are producing will be an instrument
    of that leadership. I appreciate the spirit in which Members of Congress
    are considering this vital issue. Congress will have an important
    debate, a meaningful debate, an historic debate. It will be conducted
    with all civility. It will be conducted in a manner that will make
    Americans proud and Americans to understand the threats to our future.
    We're making progress. We're near an agreement. And soon, we will speak
    with one voice.
        Thank you all for being here. God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:46 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.