[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.