    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [October 16, 2002]
    [Pages 1814-1815]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against
    Iraq Resolution of 2002
    October 16, 2002

        Today I have signed into law H.J. Res. 114, a resolution ``To
    authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq.'' By
    passing H.J. Res. 114, the Congress has demonstrated that the United
    States speaks with one voice on the threat to international peace and
    security posed by Iraq. It has also clearly communicated to the
    international community, to the United Nations Security Council, and,
    above all, to Iraq's tyrannical regime a powerful and important message:
    the days of Iraq flouting the will of the world, brutalizing its own
    people, and terrorizing its neighbors must--and will--end. Iraq will
    either comply with all U.N. resolutions, rid itself of weapons of mass
    destruction, and in its support for terrorists, or it will be compelled
    to do so. I hope that Iraq will choose compliance and peace, and I
    believe passage of this resolution makes that choice more likely.
        The debate over this resolution in the Congress was in the finest
    traditions of American democracy. There is no social or political force
    greater than a free people united in a common and compelling objective.
    It is for that reason that I sought an additional resolution of support
    from the Congress to use force against Iraq, should force become
    necessary. While I appreciate receiving that support, my request for it
    did not, and my signing this resolution does not, constitute any change
    in the long-standing positions of the executive branch on either the
    President's constitutional authority to use force to deter, prevent, or
    respond to aggression or other threats to U.S. interests or on the
    constitutionality of the War Powers Resolution. On the important
    question of the threat posed by Iraq, however, the views and goals of
    the Congress, as expressed in H.J. Res. 114 and

    [[Page 1815]]

    previous congressional resolutions and enactments, and those of the
    President are the same.
        Throughout the past months, I have had extensive consultations with
    the Congress, and I look forward to continuing close consultation in the
    months ahead. In addition, in accordance with section 4 of H.J. Res.
    114, I intend to submit written reports to the Congress on matters
    relevant to this resolution every 60 days. To the extent possible, I
    intend to consolidate information in these reports with the information
    concerning Iraq submitted to the Congress pursuant to previous, related
    resolutions.
        The United States is committed to a world in which the people of all
    nations can live in freedom, peace, and security. Enactment of H.J. Res.
    114 is an important step on the road toward such a world.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     October 16, 2002.

    Note: H.J. Res. 114, approved October 16, was assigned Public Law No.
    107-243.