In the 10 weeks since the fall of the Iraqi regime, the United
States has focused its work in Iraq on making the country secure for
its citizens and our military, improving the lives of the Iraqi
people.
Securing Iraq is important for both Iraqi citizens and our
forces, who face a continuing risk of danger from pockets of the old
regime.
In Baghdad, more than 28,000 American combat forces and
military police are enforcing the law and arresting criminals.
We continue to pursue Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass
destruction. Military and intelligence officials are interviewing
scientists who know of the weapons programs. For more than a decade,
Saddam Hussein went to great lengths to hide his weapons from the
world.
We are determined to discover the true extent of Saddam
Hussein's weapons programs, no matter how long it takes.
The United States has provided Iraq with more than $700 million
in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance.
Iraq's long-term success also depends on its economic
development. We've established a $100 million fund to pay Iraqis who
repair buildings and utilities.
Billions of dollars taken from the Iraqi people by a corrupt
regime have been recovered and will be spent on reconstruction.
Iraq will soon be open to the world. Over time, a free
government in Iraq will show that liberty can flourish in the region.
American soldiers continue to risk their lives to ensure Iraq's
liberation. The President is grateful and so are the Iraqi people.