For Immediate Release
June 25, 2005
President's Radio Address
Audio
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This past week, I had the honor of
hosting Prime Minister Jaafari -- the leader of Iraq's first
democratically-elected government in more than a half century.
Prime Minister Jaafari and I discussed our strong partnership, and
the dramatic progress his nation has made over the past year. Next
Tuesday is the first anniversary of the moment the Iraqi people
reclaimed their free and sovereign nation. To mark that historic date,
I will travel to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to speak to our troops and
the American people about our mission in Iraq, why it remains important
to our safety here at home, and our two-track strategy for victory.
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The military track of our strategy is to defeat the terrorists and
continue helping Iraqis take greater responsibility for defending their
freedom. The images we see on television are a grim reminder that the
enemies of freedom in Iraq are ruthless killers with no regard for
human life. The killers include members of Saddam Hussein's regime,
criminal elements and foreign terrorists. The terrorists know that
Iraq is a central front in the war on terror, because they know that a
stable and democratic Iraq will deal a severe blow to their ideology of
oppression and fear.
The terrorists' objective is to break the will of America and of
the Iraqi people before democracy can take root. Insurgents have tried
to achieve that goal before. Two years ago, they tried to intimidate
the Iraqi Governing Council -- and failed. Last year, they tried to
delay the transfer of sovereignty to Iraq -- and failed. This year,
they tried to stop the free Iraqi elections -- and failed. Now the
terrorists are trying to undermine the new government and intimidate
Iraqis from joining the growing Iraqi security forces.
Yet democracy is moving forward, and more and more Iraqis are
defying the terrorists by joining the democratic process. Our military
strategy is clear: We will train Iraqi security forces so they can
defend their freedom and protect their people, and then our troops will
return home with the honor they have earned.
The political track of our strategy is to continue helping Iraqis
build the institutions of a stable democracy. The Iraqi people have
taken landmark steps by voting in free elections and forming a
representative government. Prime Minister Jaafari has assured me that
his government is committed to meeting its deadline to draft a new
constitution for a free Iraq. Then the constitution will be submitted
to the Iraqi people for approval, and new elections will be held to
choose a fully constitutional government.
These are monumental tasks for the new democracy of Iraq -- and the
free world will continue to stand behind the Iraqi people. This past
week, more than 80 countries and international organizations came
together in Brussels to discuss how to help Iraqis provide for their
security and rebuild their country. And next month, donor countries
will meet in Jordan to discuss Iraqi reconstruction.
Our nation's mission in Iraq is difficult, and we can expect more
tough fighting in the weeks and months ahead. Yet I am confident in
the outcome. The Iraqi people are growing in optimism and hope. They
understand that the violence is only a part of the reality in Iraq.
Each day, Iraqis are exercising new freedoms that they were denied for
decades. Schools, hospitals, roads, and post offices are being built
to serve the needs of all Iraqis. Increasing numbers of Iraqis are
overcoming their fears and working actively to defeat the insurgents.
And every Iraqi who chooses the side of freedom has chosen the winning
side.
Americans can be proud of all that we and our coalition partners
have accomplished in Iraq. Our country has been tested before, and we
have a long history of resolve and faith in the cause of freedom. Now
we will see that cause to victory in Iraq. A democratic Iraq will be a
powerful setback to the terrorists who seek to harm our nation. A
democratic Iraq will be a great triumph in the history of liberty. And
a democratic Iraq will be a source of peace for our children and
grandchildren.
Thank you for listening.
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