    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [December 19, 2003]
    [Pages 1753-1754]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Decision by Colonel Muammar Abu Minyar al-
    Qadhafi of Libya To Disclose
    and Dismantle Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs
    December 19, 2003

        Good evening. I have called you here today to announce a development
    of great importance in our continuing effort to prevent the spread of
    weapons of mass destruction. Today in Tripoli, the leader of Libya,
    Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi, publicly confirmed his commitment to
    disclose and dismantle all weapons of mass destruction programs in his
    country. He has agreed immediately and unconditionally to allow
    inspectors from international organizations to enter Libya. These
    inspectors will render an accounting of all nuclear, chemical, and
    biological weapons programs and will help oversee their elimination.
    Colonel Qadhafi's commitment, once it is fulfilled, will make our
    country more safe and the world more peaceful.
        Talks leading to this announcement began about 9 months ago when
    Prime Minister Tony Blair and I were contacted,
    through personal envoys, by Colonel Qadhafi. He communicated to us his
    willingness to make a decisive change in the policy of his Government.
    At the direction of Colonel Qadhafi himself, Libyan officials have
    provided American and British intelligence officers with documentation
    on that country's chemical, biological, nuclear, and ballistic missile
    programs and activities. Our experts in these fields have met directly
    with Libyan officials to learn additional details.
        Opposing proliferation is one of the highest priorities of the war
    against terror. The attacks of September the 11th, 2001, brought tragedy
    to the United States and revealed a future threat of even greater
    magnitude. Terrorists who kill thousands of innocent people would, if
    they ever gained weapons of mass destruction, kill hundreds of thousands
    without hesitation and without mercy. And this danger is dramatically
    increased when regimes build or acquire weapons of mass destruction and
    maintain ties to terrorist groups.
        The United States and our allies are applying a broad and active
    strategy to address the challenges of proliferation, through diplomacy
    and through the decisive actions that are sometimes needed. We've
    enhanced our intelligence capabilities in order to trace dangerous
    weapons activities. We've organized a Proliferation Security Initiative
    to interdict dangerous materials and technologies in transit. We've
    insisted on multilateral approaches, like that in North Korea, to
    confront threats. We are supporting the work of the International Atomic
    Energy Agency to hold the Iranian regime to its treaty obligations. We
    obtained an additional United Nations Security Council resolution
    requiring Saddam Hussein to prove that he had
    disarmed, and when that resolution was defied, we led a coalition to
    enforce it.

    [[Page 1754]]

        All of these actions by the United States and our allies have sent
    an unmistakable message to regimes that seek or possess weapons of mass
    destruction: Those weapons do not bring influence or prestige. They
    bring isolation and otherwise unwelcome consequences.
        And another message should be equally clear: Leaders who abandon the
    pursuit of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons and the means to
    deliver them will find an open path to better relations with the United
    States and other free nations.
        With today's announcement by its leader, Libya has begun the process
    of rejoining the community of nations. And Colonel Qadhafi knows the way
    forward. Libya should carry out the commitments announced today. Libya
    should also fully engage in the war against terror. Its Government, in
    response to the United Nations Security Council's Lockerbie demands, has
    already renounced all acts of terrorism and pledged cooperation in the
    international fight against terrorism. We expect Libya to meet these
    commitments as well.
        As the Libyan Government takes these essential steps and
    demonstrates its seriousness, its good faith will be returned. Libya can
    regain a secure and respected place among the nations and, over time,
    achieve far better relations with the United States. The Libyan people
    are heirs to an ancient and respected culture, and their country lies at
    the center of a vital region. As Libya becomes a more peaceful nation,
    it can be a source of stability in Africa and the Middle East. Should
    Libya pursue internal reform, America would be ready to help its people
    to build a more free and prosperous country.
        Great Britain shares this commitment, and Prime Minister
    Blair and I welcome today's declaration by
    Colonel Qadhafi. Because Libya has a troubled history with America and
    Britain, we will be vigilant in ensuring its Government lives up to all
    its responsibilities. Yet, as we have found with other nations, old
    hostilities do not need to go on forever. And I hope that other leaders
    will find an example in Libya's announcement today.
        Our understanding with Libya came about through quiet diplomacy. It
    is a result, however, of policies and principles declared to all. Over
    the last 2 years, a great coalition of nations has come together to
    oppose terror and to oppose the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
    We've been clear in our purposes. We have shown resolve. In word and in
    action, we have clarified the choices left to potential adversaries. And
    when leaders make the wise and responsible choice, when they renounce
    terror and weapons of mass destruction, as Colonel Qadhafi has now done,
    they serve the interest of their own people, and they add to the
    security of all nations.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:32 p.m. in the James S. Brady Briefing
    Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister
    Tony Blair of the United Kingdom; and former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq.