    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [October 15, 2005]
    [Pages 1551-1553]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    October 15, 2005

        Good morning. This weekend is a momentous time in the history of the
    Middle East. After choosing their leaders in free elections in January,
    the Iraqi people have gone to the polls to vote on a democratic
    constitution. This Constitution is the result of months of debate and
    compromise by representatives of Iraq's diverse ethnic and religious
    communities. These leaders came together to produce a document that
    protects fundamental freedoms and lays the foundation for a lasting
    democracy. Earlier this week, the Iraqi people embraced changes to the
    text that have led to its endorsement by some Sunni leaders as well as
    Kurdish and Shi'a leaders. Now the people of Iraq will have the final
    say.
        By casting their ballots, the Iraqi people deal a severe blow to the
    terrorists and send a clear message to the world: Iraqis will decide the
    future of their country through peaceful elections, not violent
    insurgency. And by their courageous example, they're charting a new
    course for the entire Middle East.
        This weekend's election is a critical step forward in Iraq's march
    toward democracy, and with each step the Iraqi people take, Al Qaida's
    vision for the region becomes more remote. As Iraqis prepared for this

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    election, the world learned of a letter written by a leading terrorist
    explaining why Iraq is the central front in their war on civilization.
    Al Qaida's number-two leader, a man named Zawahiri, wrote to his chief deputy in Iraq, the terrorist
    Zarqawi. We intercepted this letter,
    and we have released it to the public. In it, Zawahiri lays out why Al
    Qaida views Iraq as ``the place for the greatest battle'' of our day.
        He says that establishing Al Qaida's dominion over Iraq is the first
    step towards their larger goal of imposing Islamic radicalism across the
    broader Middle East. Zawahiri writes,
    and I quote, ``The jihad in Iraq requires several incremental goals. The
    first stage: Expel the Americans from Iraq. The second stage: Establish
    an Islamic authority over as much territory as you can, to spread its
    power in Iraq. The third stage: Extend the jihad wave to the secular
    countries neighboring Iraq,'' end quote.
        This letter shows that Al Qaida intends to make Iraq a terrorist
    haven and a staging ground for attacks against other nations, including
    the United States. The letter makes equally clear that the terrorists
    have a problem: Their campaign of murder and mayhem is turning the
    people against them. The letter warns Zarqawi that, quote, ``Many of your Muslim admirers amongst the
    common folk are wondering about your attacks on the Shi'a,'' end quote.
    Even Al Qaida recognizes that with every random bombing and every
    funeral of a child, the Muslim world sees the terrorists for what they
    really are, murderers at war with the Iraqi people.
        These terrorists are driven by an ideology that exploits Islam to
    serve a violent political vision: the establishment of a totalitarian
    empire that denies political and religious freedom. This is why the
    terrorists have fought to prevent and disrupt this weekend's elections.
    They understand that the act of voting is a rejection of them and their
    distorted vision of Islam. Simply by coming out to vote, the Iraqi
    people have shown that they want to live in freedom, and they will not
    accept a return to tyranny and terror.
        The terrorists know their only chance for success is to break our
    will and force us to retreat. The Al Qaida letter points to Vietnam as a
    model. Zawahiri says, quote, ``The
    aftermath of the collapse of American power in Vietnam and how they ran
    and left their agents is noteworthy,'' end quote. Al Qaida believes that
    America can be made to run again. They are gravely mistaken. America
    will not run, and we will not forget our responsibilities.
        In Iraq, we have brought down a murderous regime. We have stood by
    the Iraqi people through two elections, and we will stand by them until
    they have established a free nation that can govern itself, sustain
    itself, and defend itself. When we do, Iraq will be an ally in the war
    on terror and a partner for peace and moderation in the Muslim world.
    And because America stood firm in this important fight, our children and
    grandchildren will be safer and more secure.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:50 a.m. on October 14 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on October 15. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    October 14 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his
    address, the President referred to Ayman Al-Zawahiri, founder of the
    Egyptian Islamic Jihad and senior Al Qaida associate; and senior Al
    Qaida associate Abu Musab Al Zarqawi. The Office of the Press Secretary
    also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.

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