    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 16 (Monday, April 19, 2004)]
    [Pages 569-570]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    The President's Radio Address

    April 10, 2004

        Good morning. This week in Iraq, our coalition forces have faced
    challenges and taken the fight to the enemy, and our offensive will
    continue in the weeks ahead.
        As the June 30th date for Iraqi sovereignty draws near, a small
    faction is attempting to derail Iraqi democracy and seize power. In some
    cities, Saddam supporters and terrorists have struck against coalition
    forces. In other areas, attacks were incited by a radical named Muqtada
    Al Sadr, who is wanted for the murder of a respected Shiite cleric. Al
    Sadr has called for violence against coalition troops, and his band of
    thugs have terrorized Iraqi police and ordinary citizens.
        Coalition forces are conducting a multicity offensive. In Fallujah,
    marines of Operation Vigilant Resolve are taking control of the city,

    [[Page 570]]

    block by block. Further south, troops of Operation Resolute Sword have
    taken the initiative from Al Sadr's militia. Our coalition's quick
    reaction forces are finding and engaging the enemy. Prisoners are being
    taken, and intelligence is being gathered. Our decisive actions will
    continue until these enemies of democracy are dealt with.
        Some have suggested that we should respond to the recent attacks by
    delaying Iraqi sovereignty. This is precisely what our enemies want.
    They want to dictate the course of events in Iraq and to prevent the
    Iraqi people from having a true voice in their future. They want America
    and our coalition to falter in our commitments before a watching world.
    In these ambitions, the enemies of freedom will fail. Iraqi sovereignty
    will arrive on June 30th.
        In March, the Iraqi Governing Council signed a document that
    protects the rights of the Iraqi people, offers the timetable for
    elections, and paves the way for a permanent constitution. At this
    moment, United Nations Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is conducting
    intensive consultations with a wide range of Iraqis on the structure of
    the interim government that will assume control on July the first. We
    welcome this U.N. engagement.
        The transition to sovereignty will mark the beginning of a new
    Government and the end of the coalition's administrative duties, but the
    coalition's commitment to Iraq will continue. We will establish a new
    American Embassy to protect our Nation's interests. We will continue
    helping the Iraqi people reconstruct their economy, undermined by
    decades of dictatorship and corruption. And our coalition forces will
    remain committed to the security of Iraq.
        Iraq's elections for a permanent Government are scheduled to be held
    near the end of 2005, and the elected Government can count on coalition
    assistance. We will stand with the Iraqi people as long as necessary to
    ensure that their young democracy is stable and secure and successful.
        As we have done before, America is fighting on the side of liberty,
    liberty in Iraq and liberty in the Middle East. This objective serves
    the interests of that region, of the United States, and of all freedom-
    loving countries. As the greater Middle East increasingly becomes a
    place where freedom flourishes, the lives of millions in that region
    will be bettered, and the American people and the entire world will be
    more secure.
        From the first days of the war on terror, I said our Nation would
    face periods of struggle and testing. As the June 30th transition
    approaches, we will continue to see a test of wills between the enemies
    of freedom and its defenders. We will win this test of wills and
    overcome every challenge, because the cause of freedom and security is
    worth our struggle.
        This weekend, many of the men and women who serve that cause in
    uniform will celebrate Easter and Passover far from home. In this season
    that celebrates hope and freedom, our Nation remembers in prayer the
    good and the brave people of our military. They are the best of America,
    and America is firmly behind them.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 8:50 a.m. on April 9 at the Bush Ranch
    in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 10. The transcript
    was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on April 9 but
    was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his remarks, the
    President referred to former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.