[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 34 (Monday, August 25, 2003)]
[Pages 1084-1085]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the Bombing of the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad, 
Iraq, in Crawford

August 19, 2003

    Today in Baghdad, terrorists turned their violence against the 
United Nations. The U.N. personnel and Iraqi citizens killed in the 
bombing were in that country on a purely humanitarian mission. Men and 
women in the targeted building were working on reconstruction, medical 
care for Iraqis. They were there to help with the distribution of food. 
A number have been killed or injured. And to those who suffer, I extend 
the sympathy of the American people.
    A short time ago, I spoke with Ambassador Bremer and directed him to 
provide all possible assistance to the rescue and recovery effort at the 
United Nations headquarters. I also spoke to Secretary-General Kofi 
Annan about the personal loss the U.N. has suffered, about the 
assistance my country has offered, and about the vital work in Iraq that 
continues.
    The terrorists who struck today have again shown their contempt for 
the innocent. They showed their fear of progress and their hatred of 
peace. They are the enemies of the Iraqi people. They are the enemies of 
every nation that seeks to help the Iraqi people. By their tactics and 
their targets, these murderers reveal themselves once more as enemies of 
the civilized world.
    Every sign of progress in Iraq adds to the desperation of the 
terrorists and the remnants of Saddam's brutal regime. The civilized 
world will not be intimidated, and these killers will not determine the 
future of Iraq. The Iraqi people have been liberated from a dictator. 
Iraq is on a irreversible course toward self-government and peace. And 
America and our friends in the United

[[Page 1085]]

Nations will stand with the Iraqi people as they reclaim their Nation 
and their future.
    Iraqi people face a challenge, and they face a choice. The 
terrorists want to return to the days of torture chambers and mass 
graves. The Iraqis who want peace and freedom must reject them and fight 
terror. And the United States and many in the world will be there to 
help them.
    All nations of the world face a challenge and a choice. By 
attempting to spread chaos and fear, terrorists are testing our will. 
Across the world, they are finding that our will cannot be shaken. We 
will persevere through every hardship. We will continue this war on 
terror until the killers are brought to justice, and we will prevail.
    May God bless the souls who have been harmed in Iraq. Thank you very 
much.

Note: The President spoke at 11:05 a.m. at the Bush Ranch. In his 
remarks, he referred to L. Paul Bremer III, Presidential Envoy to Iraq; 
Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations; and former President 
Saddam Hussein of Iraq.