    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [August 28, 2005]
    [Pages 1353-1355]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Hurricane Katrina and the Iraqi Constitution in Crawford,
    Texas
    August 28, 2005

        This morning I spoke with FEMA Under Secretary Mike Brown and emergency management teams, not only at the
    Federal level but at the State level about the--Hurricane Katrina. I've
    also spoken to Governor Blanco of
    Louisiana, Governor Barbour of Mississippi,
    Governor Bush of Florida, and Governor Riley of Alabama. I want to thank all the folks at the Federal
    level and the State level and the local level who have taken this storm
    seriously. I appreciate the efforts of the Governors to prepare their
    citizenry for this upcoming storm.
        Yesterday I signed a disaster declaration for the State of
    Louisiana, and this morning I signed a disaster declaration for the
    State of Mississippi. These declarations will allow Federal agencies to
    coordinate all disaster relief efforts with State and local officials.
    We will do everything in our power to help the people in the communities
    affected by this storm.
        Hurricane Katrina is now designated a category 5 hurricane. We
    cannot stress enough the danger this hurricane poses to gulf coast
    communities. I urge all citizens to put their own safety and the safety
    of their families first by moving to safe ground. Please listen
    carefully to instructions provided by State and local officials.
        On another matter, today Iraqi political leaders completed the
    process for drafting a permanent constitution. Their example is an
    inspiration to all who share the universal values of freedom, democracy,
    and the rule of law. The negotiators and drafters of this document
    braved the intimidation of terrorists, and they mourn the cowardly
    assassination of friends and colleagues involved in the process of
    drafting the constitution.
        Their efforts follow the bravery of the Iraqis who voted by the
    millions to elect a Transitional Government in January. The example of
    those voters remains a humbling testament to the power of free people to
    shape and define their own destiny. We honor their courage and
    sacrifice, and we are determined to see the Iraqis fully secure their
    democratic gains.

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        The Iraqi people have once again demonstrated to the world that they
    are up to the historic challenges before them. The document they have
    produced contains far-reaching protections for fundamental human
    freedoms, including religion, assembly, conscience, and expression. It
    vests sovereignty in the people, to be expressed by secret ballot and
    regular elections. It declares that all Iraqis are equal before the law
    without regard to gender, ethnicity, and religion. This is a document of
    which the Iraqis and the rest of the world can be proud.
        The political process now advances to another important stage for a
    new and free Iraq. In coming months, Iraqis will discuss and debate the
    draft constitution. On October the 15th, they will vote in a national
    referendum to decide whether to ratify the constitution and set the
    foundation for a permanent Iraqi Government. If the referendum succeeds,
    Iraqis will elect a new Government, to serve under the new constitution,
    on December the 15th, and that Government will take office before the
    end of the year.
        This course is going to be difficult largely because the terrorists
    have chosen to wage war against a future of freedom. They are waging war
    against peace in Iraq. As democracy in Iraq takes root, the enemies of
    freedom, the terrorists, will become more desperate, more despicable,
    and more vicious.
        Just last week, the terrorists called for the death of anyone,
    including women and the elderly, who supports the democratic process in
    Iraq. They have deliberately targeted children receiving candy from
    soldiers. They have targeted election workers registering Iraqis to
    vote. They have targeted hospital workers who are caring for the
    wounded. We can expect such atrocities to increase in the coming months
    because the enemy knows that its greatest defeat lies in the expression
    of free people and freely enacted laws and at the ballot box.
        We will stand with the Iraqi people. It's in our interest to stand
    with the Iraqi people. It's in our interest to lay the foundation of
    peace. We'll help them confront this barbarism, and we will triumph over
    the terrorists' dark ideology of hatred and fear.
        There have been disagreements amongst the Iraqis about this
    particular constitution. Of course there's disagreements. We're watching
    a political process unfold, a process that has encouraged debate and
    compromise, a constitution that was written in a society in which people
    recognize that--that there had to be give-and-take.
        I want our folks to remember, our own Constitution was not
    unanimously received. Some delegates at the Philadelphia Convention in
    1787 refused to sign it, and the draft was vigorously debated in every
    State, and the outcome was not assured until all the votes were counted.
        We recognize that there's a split amongst the Sunnis, for example,
    in Iraq. And I suspect that when you get down to it, you'll find a Shi'a
    who disagrees with the constitution and Shi'as who support the
    constitution and perhaps some Kurds who are concerned about the
    constitution. In other words, we're watching a political process unfold.
    Some Sunnis have expressed reservations about various provisions of the
    constitution, and that's their right as free individuals living in a
    free society. There are strong beliefs among other Sunnis that this
    constitution is good for all Iraqis and that it adequately reflects
    compromises suitable to all groups.
        It's important that all Iraqis now actively engage in the
    constitutional process by debating the merits of this important document
    and making an informed decision on October the 15th.
        On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Iraq
    on completing the next step in their transition from dictatorship to
    democracy. And I want to remind the American people, as a democracy
    unfolds in Iraq, not only will it help make America more secure but it
    will affect the

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    broader Middle East. Democracies don't war with their neighbors.
    Democracies don't become safe haven for terrorists who want to destroy
    innocent life. We have hard work ahead of us, but we're on the--we're
    making good progress toward making sure this world of ours is more
    peaceful for generations to come.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:31 a.m. at the Bush Ranch. In his
    remarks, he referred to Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana;
    Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi; Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida; and Gov.
    Bob Riley of Alabama.