[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 52 (Monday, December 29, 2003)]
[Pages 1835-1836]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the Decision by Colonel Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qadhafi of 
Libya To Disclose and Dismantle Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs

December 19, 2003

    Good evening. I have called you here today to announce a development 
of great importance in our continuing effort to prevent the spread of 
weapons of mass destruction. Today in Tripoli, the leader of Libya, 
Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi, publicly confirmed his commitment to 
disclose and dismantle all weapons of mass destruction programs in his 
country. He has agreed immediately and unconditionally to allow 
inspectors from international organizations to enter Libya. These 
inspectors will render an accounting of all nuclear, chemical, and 
biological weapons programs and will help oversee their elimination. 
Colonel Qadhafi's commitment, once it is fulfilled, will make our 
country more safe and the world more peaceful.
    Talks leading to this announcement began about 9 months ago when 
Prime Minister Tony Blair and I were contacted, through personal envoys, 
by Colonel Qadhafi. He communicated to us his willingness to make a 
decisive change in the policy of his Government. At the direction of 
Colonel Qadhafi himself, Libyan officials have provided American and 
British intelligence officers with documentation on that country's 
chemical, biological, nuclear, and ballistic missile programs and 
activities. Our experts in these fields have met directly with Libyan 
officials to learn additional details.
    Opposing proliferation is one of the highest priorities of the war 
against terror. The attacks of September the 11th, 2001, brought tragedy 
to the United States and revealed a future threat of even greater 
magnitude. Terrorists who kill thousands of innocent people would, if 
they ever gained weapons of mass destruction, kill hundreds of thousands 
without hesitation and without mercy. And this danger is dramatically 
increased when regimes build or acquire weapons of mass destruction and 
maintain ties to terrorist groups.
    The United States and our allies are applying a broad and active 
strategy to address the challenges of proliferation, through diplomacy 
and through the decisive actions that are sometimes needed. We've 
enhanced our intelligence capabilities in order to trace dangerous 
weapons activities. We've organized a proliferation security initiative 
to interdict dangerous materials and technologies in transit. We've 
insisted on multilateral approaches, like that in North Korea, to 
confront threats. We are supporting the work of the International Atomic 
Energy Agency to hold the Iranian regime to its treaty obligations. We 
obtained an additional United Nations Security Council resolution 
requiring Saddam Hussein to prove that he had disarmed, and when that 
resolution was defied, we led a coalition to enforce it.
    All of these actions by the United States and our allies have sent 
an unmistakable message to regimes that seek or possess weapons of mass 
destruction: Those weapons do not bring influence or prestige. They 
bring isolation and otherwise unwelcome consequences.
    And another message should be equally clear: Leaders who abandon the 
pursuit of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons and the means to 
deliver them will find an open path to better relations with the United 
States and other free nations.
    With today's announcement by its leader, Libya has begun the process 
of rejoining the community of nations. And Colonel Qadhafi knows the way 
forward. Libya should carry out the commitments announced today. Libya 
should also fully engage in the war against terror. Its Government, in 
response to the United Nations Security Council's

[[Page 1836]]

Lockerbie demands, has already renounced all acts of terrorism and 
pledged cooperation in the international fight against terrorism. We 
expect Libya to meet these commitments as well.
    As the Libyan Government takes these essential steps and 
demonstrates its seriousness, its good faith will be returned. Libya can 
regain a secure and respected place among the nations and, over time, 
achieve far better relations with the United States. The Libyan people 
are heirs to an ancient and respected culture, and their country lies at 
the center of a vital region. As Libya becomes a more peaceful nation, 
it can be a source of stability in Africa and the Middle East. Should 
Libya pursue internal reform, America would be ready to help its people 
to build a more free and prosperous country.
    Great Britain shares this commitment, and Prime Minister Blair and I 
welcome today's declaration by Colonel Qadhafi. Because Libya has a 
troubled history with America and Britain, we will be vigilant in 
ensuring its Government lives up to all its responsibilities. Yet, as we 
have found with other nations, old hostilities do not need to go on 
forever. And I hope that other leaders will find an example in Libya's 
announcement today.
    Our understanding with Libya came about through quiet diplomacy. It 
is a result, however, of policies and principles declared to all. Over 
the last 2 years, a great coalition of nations has come together to 
oppose terror and to oppose the spread of weapons of mass destruction. 
We've been clear in our purposes. We have shown resolve. In word and in 
action, we have clarified the choices left to potential adversaries. And 
when leaders make the wise and responsible choice, when they renounce 
terror and weapons of mass destruction, as Colonel Qadhafi has now done, 
they serve the interest of their own people, and they add to the 
security of all nations.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 5:32 p.m. in the James S. Brady Briefing 
Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister 
Tony Blair of the United Kingdom; and former President Saddam Hussein of 
Iraq. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.