    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [March 1, 2003]
    [Pages 234-236]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    March 1, 2003

        Good morning. America is determined to enforce the demands of the
    United Nations Security Council by confronting the grave and growing
    danger of Saddam Hussein

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    and his weapons of mass destruction. This dictator will not be allowed
    to intimidate and blackmail the civilized world or to supply his
    terrible weapons to terrorist groups who would not hesitate to use them
    against us. The safety of the American people depends on ending this
    threat.
        But America's cause is always larger than America's security. We
    also stand for the advance of freedom and opportunity and hope. The
    lives and freedom of the Iraqi people matter little to Saddam
    Hussein, but they matter greatly to us.
        Saddam Hussein has a long history of
    brutal crimes, especially in time of war--even against his own citizens.
    If conflict comes, he could target civilians or place them inside
    military facilities. He could encourage ethnic violence. He could
    destroy natural resources, or worst of all, he could use his weapons of
    mass destruction.
        In order to minimize the suffering of Iraq's people, the United
    States and our coalition partners stand ready to provide vital help. We
    will deliver medicine to the sick and make sure that Iraq's 55,000 food
    distribution sites, operating with supplies from the oil-for-food
    program, are stocked and open as soon a possible. We are stockpiling
    relief supplies, such as blankets and water containers, for 1 million
    people. We are moving into place nearly 3 million emergency rations to
    feed the hungry. The United States and Great Britain are providing tens
    of millions of dollars to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and to
    such groups as the World Food Program and UNICEF, so they will be ready
    to provide emergency aid to the Iraqi people.
        We will also lead in carrying out the urgent and dangerous work of
    destroying chemical and biological weapons. We will provide security
    against those who try to spread chaos or settle scores or threaten the
    territorial integrity of Iraq. And we will seek to protect Iraq's
    natural resources from sabotage by a dying regime and ensure they are
    used for the benefit of Iraq's own people.
        The United States has no intention of determining the precise form
    of Iraq's new Government. That choice belongs to the Iraqi people. Yet
    we will ensure that one brutal dictator is not replaced by another. All
    Iraqis must have a voice in the new Government, and all citizens must
    have their rights protected.
        Rebuilding Iraq will require a sustained commitment from many
    nations, including our own. We will remain in Iraq as long as necessary
    and not a day more. America has made and kept this kind of commitment
    before, in the peace that followed World War II. After defeating
    enemies, we did not leave behind occupying armies; we left constitutions
    and parliaments. We did not leave behind permanent foes; we found new
    friends and allies.
        There was a time when many said that the cultures of Japan and
    Germany were incapable of sustaining democratic values. They were wrong.
    Some say the same of Iraq today. They too are mistaken. The nation of
    Iraq, with its proud heritage, abundant resources, and skilled and
    educated people, is fully capable of moving toward democracy and living
    in freedom.
        It will be difficult to help freedom take hold in a country that has
    known three decades of dictatorship, secret police, internal divisions,
    and war. Yet the security of our Nation and the hopes of millions
    depends on us, and Americans do not turn away from duties because they
    are hard. We have met great tests in other times, and we will meet the
    tests of our time.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 10:04 a.m. on February 28 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on March 1.
    The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary
    on February 28 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his
    remarks, the

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    President referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this
    address.