    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [August 9, 2003]
    [Pages 988-989]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 988]]

    The President's Radio Address
    August 9, 2003

        Good morning. Friday of this week was the 100th day since the end of
    major combat operations in Iraq. For America and our coalition partners,
    these have been 100 days of steady progress and decisive action against
    the last holdouts of the former regime. And for the people of Iraq, this
    has been a period like none other in the country's history, a time of
    change and rising hopes after decades of tyranny.
        Every day, we are working to make Iraq more secure. Coalition forces
    remain on the offensive against the Ba'ath Party loyalists and foreign
    terrorists who are trying to prevent order and stability. More and more
    Iraqis are coming forward with specific information as to the
    whereabouts of these violent thugs, enabling us to carry out raids to
    round them up and seize stockpiles of weapons.
        We are working with Iraqis to establish a new Iraqi army and a new
    civil defense corps. In the city of Baghdad, 6,000 Iraqi police are
    patrolling the streets and protecting citizens. More than 20,000 more
    police are on duty in other towns and cities across Iraq.
        Every day, Iraq is making progress in rebuilding its economy. In
    Baghdad, the banks have opened, and other banks will open across the
    country in the coming months. This fall, new banknotes will be issued,
    replacing the old ones bearing the former dictator's image. And Iraq's
    energy industry is once again serving the interests of the Iraqi people.
    More than a million barrels of crude oil and over 2 million gallons of
    gasoline are being produced daily.
        Every day, Iraq draws closer to the free and functioning society its
    people were long denied. We're recovering hundreds of millions of
    dollars from the old regime and are using those funds to pay civil
    servants. Teachers, health care workers, police, and others performing
    essential services are also receiving salaries from our coalition. In
    fact, teacher pay is four times higher than under the old regime.
        Life is returning to normal for the Iraqi people. Hospitals and
    universities have opened, and in many places, water and other utility
    services are reaching pre-war levels. Across Iraq, nearly all
    schoolchildren have completed their exams. And for the first time in
    many years, a free press is at work in Iraq. Across that country today,
    more than 150 newspapers are publishing regularly.
        Most important of all, the Iraqi people are taking daily steps
    toward democratic government. The Iraqi Governing Council, whose 25
    members represent all of that diverse country, is meeting regularly,
    naming ministers, and drawing up a budget for the country. Soon,
    representatives of the people will begin drafting a new constitution,
    and free elections will follow.
        At the local level, all major Iraqi cities and most towns have
    municipal councils. Freedom is taking hold in that country as people
    gain confidence that the former regime is never coming back.
        One hundred days is not enough time to undo the terrible legacy of
    Saddam Hussein. There is difficult and
    dangerous work ahead that requires time and patience. Yet all Americans
    can be proud of what our military and provisional authorities have
    achieved in Iraq.
        Our country and the nations of the Middle East are now safer. We're
    keeping our word to the Iraqi people by helping them to make their
    country an example of democracy and prosperity throughout the region.
    This long-term undertaking is vital to peace in that region and to the
    security of the United States. Our coalition and the people of Iraq have
    made remarkable progress in a short time, and we will complete the great
    work we have begun.

    [[Page 989]]

        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:45 a.m. on August 8 at the Bush
    Ranch in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on August 9. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    August 8 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.