    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [September 28, 2002]
    [Pages 1696-1697]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    September 28, 2002

        Good morning. On Thursday, I met with Democratic and Republican
    Members of Congress to discuss the threat posed by the Iraqi regime. The
    security of our country is the commitment of both political parties and
    the responsibility of both the President and the Congress. We are united
    in our determination to confront this urgent threat to America.
        We're moving toward a strong resolution authorizing the use of
    force, if necessary, to defend our national security interests against
    the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. And by
    passing this resolution, we will send a clear message to the world
    community and to the Iraqi regime: The demands of the United Nations
    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, and it is growing. The Iraqi
    regime possesses biological and chemical weapons, is rebuilding the
    facilities to make more and, according to the British Government, could
    launch a biological or chemical attack in as little as 45 minutes after
    the order is given. The regime has longstanding and continuing ties to
    terrorist groups, and there are Al Qaida terrorists inside Iraq. This
    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 another country
    and against its own citizens. The Iraqi regime practices the rape of
    women, as a method of intimidation, and the torture of dissenters and
    their children. And for more than a decade, that regime has answered
    Security Council resolutions with defiance and bad faith and deception.
        We know that the Iraqi regime is led by a dangerous and brutal
    man. We know he is actively seeking the
    destructive technologies to match his hatred. And we know that he must
    be stopped. The dangers we face will only worsen from month to month and
    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 allies. By then, the Iraqi dictator will have had the means to
    terrorize and dominate the region, and each passing day could be the one
    on which the Iraqi regime gives anthrax or VX

    [[Page 1697]]

    nerve gas or, someday, a nuclear weapon to a terrorist group.
        We refuse to live in this future of fear. We are determined to build
    a future of security and peace for ourselves and for the world. The
    Members of Congress from both political parties with whom I met this
    week are committed to American leadership for the good of all nations.
    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. We're making progress. We are nearing agreement, and
    soon we will speak with one voice.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 1:07 p.m. on September 26 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on September
    28. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on September 27 but was embargoed for release until the
    broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of this address.