    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [August 19, 2003]
    [Pages 1033-1034]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in Crawford on the Bombing of the United Nations Headquarters in
    Baghdad, Iraq
    August 19, 2003

        Today in Baghdad, terrorists turned their violence against the
    United Nations. The U.N. personnel and Iraqi citizens killed in the
    bombing were in that country on a purely humanitarian mission. Men and
    women in the targeted building were working on reconstruction, medical
    care for Iraqis. They were there to help with the distribution of food.
    A number have been killed or injured. And to those who suffer, I extend
    the sympathy of the American people.
        A short time ago, I spoke with Ambassador Bremer and directed him to provide all possible
    assistance to the rescue and recovery effort at the United Nations
    headquarters. I also spoke to Secretary-General Kofi Annan about the personal loss the U.N. has suffered, about the
    assistance my country has offered, and about the vital work in Iraq that
    continues.
        The terrorists who struck today have again shown their contempt for
    the innocent. They showed their fear of progress and their hatred of
    peace. They are the enemies of the Iraqi people. They are the enemies of
    every nation that seeks to help the Iraqi people. By their tactics and
    their targets, these murderers reveal themselves once more as enemies of
    the civilized world.
        Every sign of progress in Iraq adds to the desperation of the
    terrorists and the remnants of Saddam's brutal regime. The civilized
    world will not be intimidated, and these killers will not determine the
    future of Iraq. The Iraqi people have been liberated from a
    dictator. Iraq is on a irreversible course
    toward self-government and peace. And America and our friends in the
    United Nations will stand with the Iraqi people as they reclaim their
    Nation and their future.
        Iraqi people face a challenge, and they face a choice. The
    terrorists want to return to the days of torture chambers and mass
    graves. The Iraqis who want peace and freedom must reject them and fight
    terror. And the United States and many in the world will be there to
    help them.
        All nations of the world face a challenge and a choice. By
    attempting to spread chaos and fear, terrorists are testing our will.
    Across the world, they are finding that our will cannot be shaken. We
    will persevere through every hardship. We will

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    continue this war on terror until the killers are brought to justice,
    and we will prevail.
        May God bless the souls who have been harmed in Iraq. Thank you very
    much.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:05 a.m. at the Bush Ranch. In his
    remarks, he referred to L. Paul Bremer III, Presidential Envoy to Iraq;
    Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations; and former President
    Saddam Hussein of Iraq.