For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 18, 2006
President Meets with Victims of Saddam Hussein, Discusses Progress
The Roosevelt Room
In Focus: Renewal in Iraq
11:50 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Listen, thank you all for coming. It's been my honor to
visit with folks who know firsthand the brutality of Saddam Hussein. These
are folks who have suffered, one way or the other, because the tyrant was a
law unto himself, and was willing to deny people basic human rights. The
stories here are compelling stories. They're stories of sadness and
stories of bravery.
In the course of our discussion, we were also able to talk about what a
contrast it is between a society which was willing to jail people, torture
people and beat people and kill people, to a society that is beginning to
understand the fruits of democracy and freedom.
Last year was an amazing year in Iraq. Millions of people went to the
polls to vote first in January, then to ratify a constitution, and then
back to the polls again to elect a government under the new constitution.
It's a testimony to the courage of the Iraqi people. Obviously, we still
have got work to do, and fully intend to do it.
And one of the interesting moments will come here this year when Saddam
Hussein's trial is brought forth for the world to see, to see the
butcherer, the person who brutalized many people or ordered the brutality
of many people here at this table, get his due justice under rule of law.
And so I want to thank you all for coming. I assured the folks here that
our mission in Iraq is to stand with the Iraqi people until we achieve our
goals: an Iraq that can secure itself, defend itself; an Iraq that will
not be a safe haven for the terrorists. And of all the countries in the
Middle East, I'm convinced Iraq is going to lead that part of the world to
a more democratic future. The Iraqi people are brave and courageous and
smart people.
And so thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing your stories. I
appreciate it very much.
END 11:52 A.M. EST
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