For Immediate Release
August 20, 2004

Global Message

From remarks by NSA Rice, 8/19/04

President Bush and his Administration agree with the 9/11 commission's view that we must have a strategy that is political as much as it is military, and that long-term success demands the use of all elements of national power -- diplomacy, intelligence, covert action, law enforcement, economic policy, foreign aid, public policy and homeland defense.

The President's clear message and consistent practice has been that true victory will come not merely when the terrorists are defeated by force but when the ideology of death and hatred is overcome by the appeal of life and hope, and when lies are replaced by truth.

America has adopted a forward strategy for freedom for the Middle East. We are supporting the people of Afghanistan and Iraq as they fight terrorists and extremism and work to build democratic government.

We have joined with our NATO and G-8 allies to help the people of the broader Middle East and North Africa to create jobs, increase access to capital, improve literacy and education, protect human rights, and make progress toward democracy.

President Bush has launched the Middle East Partnership Initiative to link America with reformers in the Middle East through concrete projects.

President Bush is working to establish a U.S.-Middle East free trade area within a decade to bring the people of the region into an expanding circle of opportunity.