[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 30 (Monday, July 28, 2003)]
[Pages 954-955]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Coalition Activities in Iraq

July 23, 2003

    It is my pleasure to welcome Ambassador Paul Bremer back to the 
White House. I'm also pleased to be joined by Secretary Rumsfeld and 
General Myers. Thank you all for coming.
    Ambassador Bremer is doing a fine job in an essential cause. The 
nations in our coalition are determined to help the Iraqi people recover 
from years of tyranny. And we are determined to help build a free and 
sovereign and democratic nation.
    The coalition provisional authority, led by Ambassador Bremer, has a 
comprehensive strategy to move Iraq toward a future that is secure and 
prosperous. We are carrying out that strategy for the good of Iraq, for 
the peace of the region, and for the security of the United States and 
our friends.
    Saddam Hussein's regime spent more than three decades oppressing 
Iraq's people, attacking Iraq's neighbors, and threatening the world's 
peace. The regime tortured at home, promoted terror abroad, and armed in 
secret. Now, with the regime of Saddam Hussein gone forever, a few 
remaining holdouts are trying to prevent the advance of order and 
freedom. They are targeting our success in rebuilding Iraq; they're 
killing new police graduates; they're shooting at people that are 
guarding the universities and powerplants and oil facilities.
    These killers are the enemies of Iraq's people. They operate mainly 
in a few areas of the country. And wherever they operate, they are being 
hunted, and they will be defeated. Our military forces are on the 
offensive. They're working with the newly free Iraqi people to destroy 
the remnants of the old regime and their terrorist allies.
    Yesterday, in the city of Mosul, the careers of two of the regime's 
chief henchmen came to an end. Saddam Hussein's sons were responsible 
for torture, maiming, and murder of countless Iraqis. Now more than 
ever, all Iraqis can know that the former regime is gone and will not be 
coming back.
    As our work continues, we know that our coalition forces are serving 
under difficult circumstances. Our Nation will give those who wear its 
uniform all the tools and support they need to complete their mission. 
We are eternally grateful for the bravery of our troops, for their 
sacrifice, and for the sacrifices of their families. The families of our 
service men and women can take comfort in knowing that their sons and 
daughters and moms and dads are serving a cause that is noble and just 
and vital to the security of the United States.
    A free, democratic, peaceful Iraq will not threaten America or our 
friends with illegal weapons. A free Iraq will not be a training ground 
for terrorists or a funnel of money to terrorists or provide weapons to 
terrorists who would willingly use them to strike our country or our 
allies. A free Iraq will not destabilize the Middle East. A free Iraq 
can set a hopeful example to the entire region and lead other nations to 
choose freedom. And as the pursuits of freedom replace hatred and 
resentment and terror in the Middle East, the American people will be 
more secure.

[[Page 955]]

    America has assumed great responsibilities for Iraq's future. Yet, 
we do not bear these responsibilities alone. Nineteen nations are 
providing more than 13,000 troops to help stabilize Iraq, and additional 
forces will soon arise--arrive. More than two dozen nations have pledged 
funds that will go directly towards relief and reconstruction efforts. 
Every day, we are renovating schools for the new school year. We're 
restoring the damaged water, electrical, and communication systems. And 
when we introduce a new Iraqi currency later this year, it will be the 
first time in 12 years that the whole country is using the same 
currency.
    Our greatest ally in the vital work of stabilizing and rebuilding a 
democratic and prosperous Iraq is the Iraqi people themselves. Our goal 
is to turn over authority to Iraqis as quickly as possible. Coalition 
authorities are training Iraqi police forces to help patrol Iraqi cities 
and villages. Ambassador Bremer and General Abizaid are working to 
establish as quickly as possible a new Iraqi civilian defense force to 
help protect supply convoys and powerplants and ammunition depots. 
Offices have been established in major Iraqi cities to recruit soldiers 
for a new Iraqi army that will defend the people of Iraq instead of 
terrorizing them.
    Most importantly, 10 days ago, Iraqis formed a new Governing 
Council. The Council represents all of Iraq's diverse groups, and it has 
given responsible positions to religious authorities and to women. The 
Council is naming ministers to establish control over Iraq's ministries, 
and the Council is drawing up a new budget. The process of drafting a 
constitution will soon be underway, and this will prepare the way for 
elections.
    Yesterday in New York, members of Iraq's Governing Council 
participated in a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. They 
heard a report from U.N. Secretary-General Annan, which welcomed the 
establishment of the Iraqi Governing Council as a broadly representative 
Iraqi partner with whom the U.N. and the international community can 
engage to build Iraq's future.
    Now that we have reached this important milestone, I urge the 
nations of the world to contribute militarily and financially towards 
fulfilling Security Council Resolution 1483's vision of a free and 
secure Iraq. The U.N. report also urges a swift return to full Iraqi 
sovereignty.
    And this morning, Ambassador Bremer briefed me on our strategy to 
accelerate progress toward this goal. He outlined a comprehensive plan 
for action for bringing greater security, essential services, economic 
development, and democracy to the Iraqi people. The plan sets out 
ambitious timetables and clear benchmarks to measure progress and 
practical methods for achieving results.
    Rebuilding Iraq will require a sustained commitment. America and our 
partners kept our promise to remove the dictator and the threat he posed 
not only to the Iraqi people but to the world. We also keep our promise 
to destroy every remnant of that regime and to help the people of Iraq 
to govern themselves in freedom. In the 83 days since I announced the 
end of major combat operations in Iraq, we have made progress, steady 
progress, in restoring hope in a nation beaten down by decades of 
tyranny.
    Ambassador Bremer is showing great skill and resourcefulness and is 
demonstrating fine leadership and the great values of our country. Mr. 
Ambassador, thank you for what you're doing for America. I appreciate 
you.

Note: The President spoke at 10:16 a.m. in the the Rose Garden at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to L. Paul Bremer III, 
Presidential Envoy to Iraq; Uday and Qusay Hussein, sons of former 
President Saddam Hussein of Iraq, who were killed July 22 by U.S. 
military forces in Mosul, Iraq; Gen. John P. Abizaid, USA, combatant 
commander, U.S. Central Command; and Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the 
United Nations.