WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of a
radio address by President Bush to the nation:
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, I was honored to welcome the Prime
Minister of a free and sovereign Iraq to the White House. In less than three
months, Prime Minister Allawi and his government have accomplished a great
deal, despite persistent violence in parts of Iraq. The enemies of freedom are
using suicide bombings, beheadings, and other horrific acts to try to block
progress. We are sickened by their atrocities, but we will never be
intimidated, and freedom is winning.
We're making steady progress in implementing our five-step plan toward the
goal we all want: completing the mission so that Iraq is stable and self-
governing, and American troops can come home with the honor they have earned.
The first step was achieved on June 28th, not only on time, but ahead of
schedule, when the coalition transferred full sovereignty to a government of
Iraqi citizens.
The second step is to help Iraq's new government establish stability and
security. Nearly 100,000 fully trained and equipped Iraqi soldiers, police
officers, and other security personnel are working today, and the Iraqi
government is on track to build a force of over 200,000 security personnel by
the end of 2005.
In Najaf and other important areas, Iraqi military forces have performed
with skill and success. The government's strategy is to surround and isolate
enemy militias, reach out to the local population, and negotiate from a
position of strength. Serious problems remain in several cities. Yet, Prime
Minister Allawi believes this combination of decisive action and outreach to
peaceful citizens is the most effective way to defeat the killers and secure
the peace. And America stands with him.
The third step in our plan is to continue improving Iraq's infrastructure.
Today, in most of Iraq, children are about to go back to school, parents are
going back to work, and new businesses are being opened. Electricity has been
restored above pre-war levels. Telephone service has increased dramatically.
In the next several months, more than $9 billion will be spent on contracts
that will help Iraqis rebuild schools, refurbish hospitals and health clinics,
repair bridges, upgrade the electrical grid, and modernize the communication
system. Prime Minister Allawi and I agree that the pace of reconstruction can
and should be accelerated, and we're working toward that goal.
The fourth step in our plan is to enlist additional international support
for Iraq's transition to democracy. The multinational force of some 30 nations
continues to help secure a free Iraq, and we are grateful for the service and
sacrifice of all. Our coalition is also grateful that the United Nations has
reestablished it's mission in Baghdad. We are grateful to the G-8 countries
and the European Union for pledging support to the new Iraqi government. We
are grateful to the NATO Alliance for help in training Iraqi forces. And we
are grateful to many of Iraq's creditors, which have agreed to a further
reduction of Iraq's debt.
The fifth and most important step in our plan is to help Iraq conduct free
national elections no later than January. An Iraqi electoral commission has
already hired personnel, and is making key decisions about election
procedures. Just this week, the commission began a public education campaign
to inform Iraqis about the process and encourage them to become voters. United
Nations electoral advisors are on the ground in Iraq, and Prime Minister
Allawi and I have urged the U.N. to send more personnel to help ensure the
success of the Iraqi elections.
The war for Iraq's freedom is a fight against some of the most ruthless
and brutal men on Earth. In such a struggle, there will be good days and there
will be difficult days. But every day, our resolve must remain the same: Iraq,
America, and our coalition will stand firm, and Iraq will be free, the world
will be more peaceful, and America will be more secure.
Thank you for listening.
END
SOURCE White House Press Office
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