    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 25, 2003]
    [Pages 1392-1393]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    October 25, 2003

        Good morning. Last month, I addressed the United Nations and told
    member countries that the peace and security of Iraq are essential to
    the peace and security of all free nations. I encouraged countries to
    help the people of Iraq to build a future of freedom and stability. I
    also called for a U.N. resolution supporting the efforts of our
    coalition in Iraq. The Security Council has now responded by unanimously
    passing Resolution 1511, which endorses a multinational force in Iraq
    under U.S. command and urges greater international support for Iraqi
    reconstruction.
        In recent weeks, leaders of South Korea, Japan, Great Britain,
    Denmark, Spain, and other nations have committed billions of dollars to
    Iraqi reconstruction. This week brought even more progress. In Madrid,
    representatives of more than 70 nations and international bodies,
    including the World Bank, UNICEF, and the Organization of the Islamic
    Conference, gathered to discuss the future needs of Iraq and the ways in
    which other countries can help. And these nations and international
    organizations pledged billions of dollars to aid the reconstruction of
    Iraq.
        This growing financial support will allow us to build on the success
    of the broad military coalition already serving in Iraq. Today, American
    forces in Iraq are joined by about 24,000 troops from 32 other
    countries, including Great Britain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy,
    Spain, the Netherlands, Thailand, El Salvador, Slovakia, Hungary,
    Romania, Ukraine, and the Philippines. Coalition forces are helping to
    hunt down the terrorists and Saddam holdouts,
    clearing mines from Iraqi waterways so that aid shipments can proceed,
    and coordinating the recruitment and training of a new Iraqi police
    force, army, and border police.
        Members of our coalition are also showing the compassion of our
    cause in Iraq. We are rebuilding schools and clinics and powerplants.
    The Iraqi people are moving steadily toward a free and democratic
    society. Economic life is being restored to the cities. A new Iraqi
    currency is circulating. Local governments are up and running. And Iraq
    will soon begin the process of drafting a constitution, with free
    elections to follow.
        There is still difficult work ahead, because freedom has enemies in
    Iraq. Terrorists and loyalists of the former regime reveal their true
    character by their choice of targets. They have attacked diplomats and
    embassies, relief workers, and the United Nations headquarters in
    Baghdad, all symbols of the international effort to help the Iraqi
    people.
        America and the international community will not be intimidated.
    Every coalition

    [[Page 1393]]

    member understands that Iraq must never again become the home of tyranny
    and terror and a threat to the world. So we will be patient and
    determined and unified. America will continue working with the United
    Nations and our coalition partners to finish the work we have begun.
    Having liberated Iraq from a brutal tyrant, we will stand with the
    people of Iraq as that country becomes more stable, secure, and free.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 11:38 a.m. on October 24 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on October
    25. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on October 24 but was embargoed for release until the
    broadcast. In his remarks, the President referred to former President
    Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also released
    a Spanish language transcript of this address.