    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [March 29, 2003]
    [Pages 311-312]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    March 29, 2003

        Good morning. This week I welcomed Prime Minister Tony Blair to Camp David, where we discussed the progress being
    made in the war to disarm Iraq, end the dictatorship, and liberate the
    Iraqi people. Thanks to our fighting forces, the regime that once
    terrorized all of Iraq now controls a small portion of that country.
    American and coalition troops have continued a steady advance and are
    now less than 50 miles from Baghdad.
        In recent days, we have cleared mines from the water and taken
    control of a key port city, to allow humanitarian aid to begin flowing
    into the country. We have secured more than 600 oil wells and have begun
    putting out the few oil-well fires set by the enemy. Our efforts to
    protect the wealth that belongs to the Iraqi people are paying off.
        And we have prevented the dictator from
    launching missiles from key sites in western Iraq. We are now fighting
    the most desperate units of the dictator's army. The fighting is fierce,
    and we do not know its duration. Yet we know the outcome of this battle:
    The Iraqi regime will be disarmed and removed from power; Iraq will be
    free.
        In the last week, the world has seen firsthand the cruel nature of a
    dying regime. In areas still under its control, the regime continues its
    rule by terror. Prisoners of war have been brutalized and executed.
    Iraqis who refuse to fight for the regime are being murdered. An Iraqi
    woman was hanged for waving at coalition troops. Some in the Iraqi
    military have pretended to surrender, then opened fire on coalition
    forces that showed them mercy.
        Given the nature of this regime, we expect such war crimes, but we
    will not excuse them. War criminals will be hunted relentlessly and
    judged severely.
        In the last week, the world has also seen the nature of the young
    men and women who fight on our behalf. They are showing kindness and
    respect to the Iraqi people. They are going to extraordinary lengths to
    spare the lives of the innocent. Our forces are delivering food and
    water to grateful Iraqi citizens in Safwan and Umm Qasr. The contrast
    could not be greater between the honorable conduct of our liberating
    force and the criminal acts of the enemy.
        Every atrocity has confirmed the justice and urgency of our cause.
    Against this enemy, we will accept no outcome but complete and final
    victory. To meet this objective, we must give our armed services the
    support and resources they require. I have asked Congress for a nearly
    $75 billion wartime supplemental appropriations bill. This funding would
    provide fuel for ships, aircraft, and tanks, supplies for our

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    troops in the theater of operations, and new high-tech munitions to
    replace the ones we have used in the war. The supplemental would also
    provide funds to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq and to help
    protect the American homeland in this time of high alert. I hope the
    Congress will act quickly to pass this essential measure.
        The people who serve in the military are giving their best to this
    country. We have the responsibility to give them our full support as
    they fight for the liberty of an oppressed people, for the security of
    the United States, and for the peace of the world.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 10:31 a.m. on March 28 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on March 29. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    March 28 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his
    remarks, the President referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.