For Immediate Release
June 2, 2004

Global Message

From remarks by President Bush, 6/1/04

"On June 30th, this interim government will assume full sovereignty and will oversee all ministries and all functions of the Iraqi state. Those ministries will report to Prime Minister Allawi, who will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Iraq's interim government. Dr. Allawi is a strong leader." --President Bush, 6/1/04

The naming of Iraq's new interim government brings us one step closer to realizing the dream of millions of Iraqis -- a fully sovereign nation with a representative government that protects their rights and serves their needs.

Last week, President Bush outlined his five steps to helping Iraq achieve democracy and freedom: *Hand over authority to a sovereign Iraqi government; *Help establish security; *Continue rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure; *Encourage more international support; *Move toward a national election that will bring forward new leaders empowered by the Iraqi people.

Many challenges remain. Freedom in Iraq is opposed by violent men who seek the failure not only of this interim government, but of all progress toward liberty.

We will stand with the Iraqi people in defeating the enemies of freedom and those who oppose democracy in Iraq.

The return of tyranny to Iraq would embolden the terrorists, leading to more bombings, more beheadings and more murders of the innocent around the world.

The rise of a free and self-governing Iraq will deny terrorists a base of operation, discredit their narrow ideology, and give momentum to reformers across the region.