For Immediate Release
November 3, 2003

Global Message

From remarks by NSA Rice, 10/30/03

Nearly six months after the liberation of the Iraqi people, freedom and democracy is being built in Iraq day-by-day, brick by brick.

Along with our international partners and the Iraqi people, we are accelerating the process by which Iraqis will assume full responsibility for the future of their country.

The number of Iraqis now risking their lives to defend their nation is more than 85,000 and growing. During the last couple of weeks, the Iraqi people have experienced both trials and victories.

Unanimous passage of Resolution 1511 in the United Nations Security Council demonstrated the world's resolve that liberty and stability will prevail in Iraq.

Last week in Madrid, 73 countries and 20 international organizations pledged more than $33 billion toward Iraq's future.

Terrorists continue their bloody work of opposing progress in Iraq. Most of their victims have been innocent Iraqis.

President Bush has made clear the danger of allowing these difficulties to undo the tremendous progress that has been made so far.

We remain committed to President Bush's three fundamental objectives: first, to improve security by aggressively hunting down the terrorists and individuals who are attempting to undermine progress for the Iraqi people; second, to work with the international community and the Iraqi people to rebuild Iraq and restore basic services, jumpstart the Iraqi economy; and third, to accelerate the orderly transfer of sovereignty and authority to the Iraqi people.