George W. Bush Forty-Third President (2001 to 2009)
Invasion of Iraq Address
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Oval Office, White House - March
19, 2003 - 10:16 P.M. EST
THE
PRESIDENT: My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and
coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations
to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from
grave danger.
On my orders, coalition forces have begun
striking selected targets of military importance to undermine
Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages
of what will be a broad and concerted campaign. More than 35
countries are giving crucial support -- from the use of naval
and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the
deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has
chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our
common defense.
The enemies you confront will come to
know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate will
witness the honorable and decent spirit of the American
military. In this conflict, America faces an enemy who has no
regard for conventions of war or rules of morality. Saddam
Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas,
attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields
for his own military -- a final atrocity against his people.
I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition
forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from
harm. A campaign on the harsh terrain of a nation as large as
California could be longer and more difficult than some predict.
And helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country
will require our sustained commitment.
We come to Iraq
with respect for its citizens, for their great civilization and
for the religious faiths they practice. We have no ambition in
Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore control of that
country to its own people.
I know that the families of
our military are praying that all those who serve will return
safely and soon. Millions of Americans are praying with you for
the safety of your loved ones and for the protection of the
innocent. For your sacrifice, you have the gratitude and respect
of the American people. And you can know that our forces will be
coming home as soon as their work is done.
Our nation
enters this conflict reluctantly -- yet, our purpose is sure.
The people of the United States and our friends and allies will
not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the
peace with weapons of mass murder. We will meet that threat now,
with our Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines, so that
we do not have to meet it later with armies of fire fighters and
police and doctors on the streets of our cities.
Now that
conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to
apply decisive force. And I assure you, this will not be a
campaign of half measures, and we will accept no outcome but
victory.
My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country
and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time
of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our
freedom. We will bring freedom to others and we will prevail.
