The White House, President George W. Bush Click to print this document

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 24, 2004

Fact Sheet: The Transition to Iraqi Self-Government

"The rise of a free and self-governing Iraq would deny terrorists a base of operation, discredit their narrow ideology, and give momentum to reformers across the region. This would be a decisive blow to terrorism at the heart of its power, and a victory for the security of America and the civilized world."

George W. Bush
May 24, 2004

Today's Presidential Action

In a speech at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, President Bush reported to the Nation on our strategy in Iraq and the specific steps we are taking to achieve our goal. Our coalition has a clear goal, understood by all: To see the Iraqi people in charge of Iraq for the first time in generations. America's task in Iraq is not only to defeat an enemy, it is to give strength to a friend -- a free, representative government that serves its people and fights on their behalf. And the sooner this goal is achieved, the sooner our job will be done.

The President announced five steps in his plan to achieve freedom and democracy in Iraq. We will:

  1. hand over authority to a sovereign Iraqi government;
  2. help establish the stability and security in Iraq that democracy requires;
  3. continue rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure;
  4. encourage more international support; and
  5. move toward free, national elections that will bring forward new leaders empowered by the Iraqi people.

1. Handing Over Authority to a Sovereign Iraqi Government

2. Establishing the Stability and Security in Iraq that Democracy Requires

3. Continuing to Rebuild Iraq's Infrastructure

4. International Support for a Free Iraq

5. Working for Free, National Elections by January 2005

Completing the Transition


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