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.