Should enemies strike our country, they would be attempting to shift our attention with panic and weaken our morale with fear. In this, they would fail. No act of theirs can alter the course or shake the resolve of this country. We are a peaceful people - yet we're not a fragile people, and we will not be intimidated by thugs and killers. If our enemies dare to strike us, they and all who have aided them, will face fearful consequences.
We are now acting because the risks of inaction would be far greater. In one year, or five years, the power of Iraq to inflict harm on all free nations would be multiplied many times over. With these capabilities, Saddam Hussein and his terrorist allies could choose the moment of deadly conflict when they are strongest. We choose to meet that threat now, where it arises, before it can appear suddenly in our skies and cities.
The cause of peace requires all free nations to recognize new and undeniable realities. In the 20th century, some chose to appease murderous dictators, whose threats were allowed to grow into genocide and global war. In this century, when evil men plot chemical, biological and nuclear terror, a policy of appeasement could bring destruction of a kind never before seen on this earth.
Terrorists and terror states do not reveal these threats with fair notice, in formal declarations - and responding to such enemies only after they have struck first is not self-defense, it is suicide. The security of the world requires disarming Saddam Hussein now.
As we enforce the just demands of the world, we will also honor the deepest commitments of our country. Unlike Saddam Hussein, we believe the Iraqi people are deserving and capable of human liberty. And when the dictator has departed, they can set an example to all the Middle East of a vital and peaceful and self-governing nation.
The United States, with other countries, will work to advance liberty and peace in that region. Our goal will not be achieved overnight, but it can come over time. The power and appeal of human liberty is felt in every life and every land. And the greatest power of freedom is to overcome hatred and violence, and turn the creative gifts of men and women to the pursuits of peace.
That is the future we choose. Free nations have a duty to defend our people by uniting against the violent. And tonight, as we have done before, America and our allies accept that responsibility.
Good night, and may God continue to bless America.
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ReplyDeleteShould enemies strike our country, they would be attempting to shift
our attention with panic and weaken our morale with fear. In this,
they would fail. No act of theirs can alter the course or shake the
resolve of this country. We are a peaceful people - yet we're not a
fragile people, and we will not be intimidated by thugs and killers.
If our enemies dare to strike us, they and all who have aided them,
will face fearful consequences.
We are now acting because the risks of inaction would be far greater.
In one year, or five years, the power of our enemies to inflict harm
on all free nations would be multiplied many times over. With these
capabilities, the dark one and his terrorist allies could choose the
moment of deadly conflict when they are strongest. We choose to meet
that threat now, where it arises, before it can appear suddenly in our
skies and cities.
The cause of peace requires all free nations to recognize new and
undeniable realities. In the 20th century, some chose to appease
murderous dictators, whose threats were allowed to grow into genocide
and global war. In this century, when evil men plot chemical,
biological and nuclear terror, a policy of appeasement could bring
destruction of a kind never before seen on this earth.
Terrorists and terror states do not reveal these threats with fair
notice, in formal declarations - and responding to such enemies only
after they have struck first is not self-defense, it is suicide. The
security of the world requires disarming The Old Serpent now.
As we enforce the just demands of the world, we will also honor the
deepest commitments of our country. Unlike the Author of Evil, we believe
the forgotten people are deserving and capable of human liberty. And when
the dictator has departed, they can set an example to all humanity of a vital
and peaceful and self-governing nation.
The United States, with other countries, will work to advance liberty
and peace in that region. Our goal will not be achieved overnight, but
it can come over time. The power and appeal of human liberty is felt
in every life and every land. And the greatest power of freedom is to
overcome hatred and violence, and turn the creative gifts of men and
women to the pursuits of peace.
That is the future we choose. Free nations have a duty to defend our
people by uniting against the violent. And tonight, as we have done
before, America and our allies accept that responsibility.
Good night, and may God continue to bless America.