George
W. Bush
Progress in Afghanistan
and Iraq
Washington, DC
July 1, 2003
Please be seated. (Applause.)
Welcome. Thank you all very much. Welcome to the White
House. We're joined today by 30 men and women who have
chosen to reenlist in the United States Armed Forces. Each
of them decided years ago to serve and defend our country.
Today they reaffirm their commitment and take the oath
again.
Like many thousands of other soldiers, sailors, airmen,
Coast Guardsmen and Marines who will re-enlist this year,
these men and women are answering the highest call of citizenship.
They have stood between the American people and the dangers
of the world -- and we are glad they are staying on duty.
(Applause.)
I want to thank Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy Secretary of
Defense, for joining us, and members of the defense team.
I want to thank Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs;
and Pete Pace, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. I
want to thank James Roche, the Secretary of the Air Force;
Les Brownlee, the Acting Secretary of the Army; HT Johnson,
the Acting Secretary of the Navy, for being with us today.
I appreciate Admiral Vernon Clark, the Chief of Naval
Operation for being here; General Michael W. Hagee, the
Commandant of the Marine Corps; General John M. Keane,
Acting Chief of Staff for the Army. I appreciate Terry
D. Scott, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, for being
with us today; John L. Estrada, Sergeant Major of the Marine
Corps; Frank A. Welch, Master Chief Petty Officer of the
Coast Guard; members of the Armed Forces and our fellow
Americans.
Before the draft ended on July 1st, 1973, generations
of men entered military service by the decision of others.
And during two world wars, and in Korea, and in Vietnam,
they served nobly and they served well. Yet in the past
30 years, we have seen the great advantages of a military
in which all serve by their own decision. Our country's
all-volunteer force attracts idealistic and committed young
Americans. They stay in service longer because they have
chosen the military life. The result is a military with
the highest levels of training, experience, motivation,
and professionalism.
The military life is rewarding. Yet, even at its best,
that life is difficult, often involving separation and
danger. Those who willingly make these sacrifices, and
the families who share their hardships, have the respect
and the gratitude of their fellow Americans.
All in our military are serving in one of history's critical
hours. Less than two years ago, determined enemies of America
entered our country, committed acts of murder against our
people, and made clear their intentions to strike again.
As long as terrorists and their allies plot to harm America,
America is at war. We did not choose this war. Yet, with
the safety of the American people at stake, we will continue
to wage this war with all our might.
From the beginning, we have known the effort would be
long and difficult, and that our resolve would be tested.
We know that sacrifice is unavoidable. We have seen victories
in the decisive defeat of two terror regimes, and in the
relentless pursuit of a global terror network. Yet the
war on terror goes on. We will not be distracted, and we
will prevail. (Applause.)
Of those directly involved in organizing the September
the 11th attacks, almost all are now in custody or confirmed
dead. Of the senior al Qaeda leaders, operational managers,
and key facilitators we have been tracking, 65 percent
have been captured or killed.
Still, we recognize that al Qaeda has trained thousands
of foot soldiers in many nations and that new leaders may
emerge. And we suspect that some al Qaeda deserters will
attach themselves to other terrorist groups in order to
strike American targets. Terrorists that remain can be
certain of this: We will hunt them by day and by night
in every corner of the world until they are no longer a
threat to America and our friends. (Applause.)
At this moment, American and allied forces continue the
work of fighting terrorists and establishing order in Afghanistan.
When we removed the Taliban from power, surviving al Qaeda
members fled from most of that country. However, many terrorists
sought sanctuary along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border,
and some are still hiding there. These al Qaeda and Taliban
holdouts have attacked allied bases with unguided rockets,
conducted ambushes, and fired upon border posts. In close
cooperation with the Afghan and Pakistani governments,
America is engaged in operations to find and destroy these
terrorists.
Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, it
is important for our fellow citizens to know that Pakistan
has apprehended more than 500 terrorists, including hundreds
of members of al Qaeda and the Taliban.
As this fight continues, the people of Afghanistan are
moving forward with the reconstruction of their country
and the founding of a democratic government. They have
selected a President. They're building a national army.
And they are now in the final stages of drafting a new
constitution.
America and other countries continue to provide humanitarian
aid and assistance in building clinics and schools and
roads. Joined by other nations, we are deploying the first
group of provincial reconstruction teams to various cities
in Afghanistan, groups of experts who are working with
local officials to improve public safety, promote reconstruction,
and solidify the authority of elected governments.
Afghanistan still has many challenges, but that country
is making progress, and its people are a world away from
the nightmare they endured under the Taliban. Pakistan
and Afghanistan are among many governments that understand
the threat of terror and are determined to root it out.
After the terrible attacks in Riyadh on May the 12th,
the government of Saudi Arabia has intensified its longstanding
efforts against the al Qaeda network. Recently Saudi's
security services apprehended Abu Bakr, believed to be
a central figure in the Riyadh bombing, and killed a major
al Qaeda operational planner and fundraiser, a man known
in terrorist circles as "Swift Sword."
Saudi authorities have also uncovered terrorist operations
in the holy city of Mecca, demonstrating once again that
terrorists hold nothing sacred and have no home in any
religion. America and Saudi Arabia face a common terrorist
threat, and we appreciate the strong, continuing efforts
of the Saudi government in fighting that threat.
The war on terror also continues in Iraq, where coalition
forces are engaging remanent of the former regime, as well
as members of terrorist groups. We met the major combat
objectives in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We ended a regime
that possessed weapons of mass destruction, harbored and
supported terrorists, suppressed human rights, and defied
the just demands of the United Nations and the world.
The true monuments of Saddam Hussein's rule have been
brought to light -- the mass graves, the torture chambers,
the jail cells for children. And now we are moving forward
with the reconstruction of that country by restoring basic
services, maintaining order, searching for the hidden weapons,
and helping Iraqis to establish a representative government.
The rise of Iraq as an example of moderation and democracy
and prosperity is a massive and long-term undertaking.
And the restoration of that country is critical to the
defeat of terror and radicalism throughout the Middle East.
With so much in the balance, it comes as no surprise that
freedom has enemies inside of Iraq. The looting and random
violence that began in the immediate aftermath of war remains
a challenge in some areas. A greater challenge comes from
former Baath Party and security officials who will stop
at nothing to regain their power and their privilege.
But there will be no return to tyranny in Iraq. And those
who threaten the order and stability of that country will
face ruin, just as surely as the regime they once served.
Also present in Iraq are terrorist groups seeking to spread
chaos and to attack American and coalition forces. Among
these terrorists are members of Ansar al-Islam, which operated
in Iraq before the war and is now active in the Sunni heartland
of the country. We suspect that the remnants of a group
tied to al Qaeda associate al-Zarqawi are still in Iraq,
waiting for an opportunity to strike. We're also beginning
to see foreign fighters enter Iraq.
These scattered groups of terrorists, extremists and Saddam
loyalists are especially active to the north and west of
Baghdad, where they have destroyed electricity lines and
towers, set off explosions at gas pipelines and ignited
sulfur fires. They have attacked coalition forces and they're
trying to intimidate Iraqicitizens. These groups believe
they have found an opportunity to harm America, to shake
our resolve in the war on terror, and to cause us to leave
Iraq before freedom is fully established. They are wrong,
and they will not succeed. (Applause.)
Those who try to undermine the reconstruction of Iraq
are not only attacking our coalition, they are attacking
the Iraqi people. And we will stand with the Iraqi people,
strongly, as they build a hopeful future. Having liberated
Iraq as promised, we will help that country to found a
just and representative government, as promised. Our goal
is a swift transition to Iraqi control of their own affairs.
People of Iraq will be secure, and the people of Iraq will
run their own country.
At present, 230,000 Americans are serving inside or near
Iraq. Our whole nation, especially their families, recognizes
that our people in uniform face continuing danger. We appreciate
their service under difficult circumstances, and their
willingness to fight for American security and Iraqi freedom.
As Commander-in-Chief I assure them, we will stay on the
offensive against the enemy. And all who attack our troops
will be met with direct and decisive force.
As America fights our war against terror, we will continue
to depend on the skill and the courage of our volunteer
military. In these last 22 months, our Armed Forces have
been tested and tested again. In every case, in every mission,
America's servicemen and women have brought credit to the
uniform, to our flag, and to our country. We have needed
you, and you have never let us down.
I want to thank you for keeping your pledge of duty to
America, and thank you for renewing that demanding pledge
today.
And now, General Myers will administer the oath of enlistment
in the Armed Forces of the United States. May God bless
you. (Applause.)
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