[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 12 (Monday, March 24, 2003)]
[Pages 342-343]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Address to the Nation on Iraq

March 19, 2003

    My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are 
in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its 
people, and to defend the world from grave danger.
    On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets 
of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage 
war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted 
campaign. More than 35 countries are giving crucial support, from the 
use of naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to 
the deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has 
chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common 
defense.
    To all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces now in 
the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes

[[Page 343]]

of an oppressed people now depend on you. That trust is well-placed. The 
enemies you confront will come to know your skill and bravery. The 
people you liberate will witness the honorable and decent spirit of the 
American military.
    In this conflict, America faces an enemy who has no regard for 
conventions of war or rules of morality. Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi 
troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, 
women, and children as shields for his own military, a final atrocity 
against his people.
    I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces 
will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm. A campaign 
on the harsh terrain of a nation as large as California could be longer 
and more difficult than some predict. And helping Iraqis achieve a 
united, stable, and free country will require our sustained commitment.
    We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, for their great 
civilization, and for the religious faiths they practice. We have no 
ambition in Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore control of that 
country to its own people.
    I know that the families of our military are praying that all those 
who serve will return safely and soon. Millions of Americans are praying 
with you for the safety of your loved ones and for the protection of the 
innocent. For your sacrifice, you have the gratitude and respect of the 
American people. And you can know that our forces will be coming home as 
soon as their work is done.
    Our Nation enters this conflict reluctantly. Yet our purpose is 
sure. The people of the United States and our friends and allies will 
not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with 
weapons of mass murder. We will meet that threat now, with our Army, Air 
Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines, so that we do not have to meet it 
later with armies of firefighters and police and doctors on the streets 
of our cities.
    Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to 
apply decisive force. And I assure you, this will not be a campaign of 
half measures, and we will accept no outcome but victory.
    My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be 
overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work 
of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others, 
and we will prevail.
    May God bless our country and all who defend her.

Note: The President spoke at 10:16 p.m. from the Oval Office at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to President Saddam Hussein of 
Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
transcript of this address.