THE PRESIDENT:
Good morning.
On this day two years ago, we launched Operation Iraqi Freedom to
disarm a brutal regime, free its people, and defend the world from a grave
danger.
Before coalition forces arrived, Iraq was ruled by a dictatorship that
murdered its own citizens, threatened its neighbors, and defied the world.
We knew of Saddam Hussein's record of aggression and support for terror.
We knew of his long history of pursuing, even using, weapons of mass
destruction, and we know that September the 11th requires our country to
think differently. We must, and we will, confront threats to America
before they fully materialize.
Now, because we acted, Iraq's government is no longer a threat to the
world or its own people. Today the Iraqi people are taking charge of their
own destiny. In January, over eight million Iraqis defied the car bombers
and assassins to vote in free elections. This week, Iraq's Transitional
National Assembly convened for the first time. These elected leaders
broadly represent Iraq's people and include more than 85 women. They will
now draft a new constitution for a free and democratic Iraq. In October,
that document will be presented to the Iraqi people in a national
referendum. Another election is planned for December to choose a permanent
constitutional government.
Free governments reflect the culture of the citizens they serve, and
that is happening in Iraq. Today, Iraqis can take pride in building a
government that answers to its people and honors their country's unique
heritage. Millions of Americans saw that pride in an Iraqi woman named
Safia Taleb al-Suhail who sat in the gallery during the State of the Union
address. Eleven years ago, Saddam Hussein's thugs murdered her father.
Today, Safia's nation is free, and Saddam Hussein sits in a prison cell.
Safia expressed the gratitude of the Iraqi nation when she embraced the
mom of Marine Corps Sergeant Byron Norwood who was killed in the assault
on Fallujah.
To all the brave members of our Armed Forces who have taken part in
this historic mission, and to your families, I express the heartfelt
thanks of the American people. I know that nothing can end the pain of the
families who have lost loved ones in this struggle, but they can know that
their sacrifice has added to America's security and the freedom of the
world.
Iraq's progress toward political freedom has opened a new phase of our
work there. We are focusing our efforts on training the Iraqi security
forces. As they become more self-reliant and take on greater security
responsibilities, America and its coalition partners will increasingly
assume a supporting role. In the end, Iraqis must be able to defend their
own country, and we will help that proud, new nation secure its liberty.
And then our troops will return home with the honor they have earned.
Today we're seeing hopeful signs across the broader Middle East. The
victory of freedom in Iraq is strengthening a new ally in the war on
terror, and inspiring democratic reformers from Beirut to Tehran. Today,
women can vote in Afghanistan, Palestinians are breaking the old patterns
of violence, and hundreds of thousands of Lebanese are rising up to demand
their sovereignty and democratic rights. These are landmark events in the
history of freedom. Only the fire of liberty can purge the ideologies of
murder by offering hope to those who yearn to live free.
The
experience of recent years has taught us an important lesson: The survival
of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in
other lands. Because of our actions, freedom is taking root in Iraq, and
the American people are more secure.
Thank you for listening. |