For Immediate Release
October 29, 2003

Global Message

From remarks by President Bush, the Rose Garden, 10/28/03

Liberating the people of Iraq and Afghanistan from dictatorial regimes was an essential step in the war on terror. The world is safer today because Saddam Hussein and the Taliban are gone.

We're now working with many nations to ensure that Afghanistan and Iraq are never again sources of terror and danger for the rest of the world.

Our coalition against terror has been strengthened by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1511. This endorses a multinational force in Iraq under U.S. command and encourages other nations to come to the aid of the Iraqi people.

America appreciates the recent announcements of financial commitments to Iraq at last week's donor conference for Iraqi reconstruction.

After decades of oppression and brutality in Iraq and Afghanistan, reconstruction is difficult, and freedom still has its enemies in both of those countries.

Terrorists are targeting the very success and freedom we are providing to the Iraqi people. Their desperate attacks on innocent civilians will not intimidate us, or the brave Iraqis and Afghans who are joining in their own defense and who are moving toward self-government.

Our purpose is clear and certain: Iraq and Afghanistan will be stable, independent nations and their people will live in freedom.