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.