For Immediate Release
September 29, 2004

Global Message

From remarks by President Bush in an interview on "The O'Reilly Factor," FOX, 9/27/04

"I also saw a poll where it said, by far, the vast majority of the Iraqis believe the world is getting better. And that's positive. In other words, people are beginning to see progress."

Many Iraqis believe the world is getting better and they are beginning to see progress. Electricity is better, schools are opening, and hospitals are operating.

People are beginning to appreciate the sacrifice being made in Iraq because the country is getting better. It is tough right now, because Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and some former Baathists are killing innocent Iraqis and killing soldiers to get them to leave.

Iraq's elections are going to have a very positive effect on the country. Elections may be difficult, but this is when people must stand tough against the terrorists. They can't be allowed to dictate whether or not a society can be free.

The Iraqis will fight for their freedom. Iraqi Interim Prime Minister Allawi has said that when army or police recruiting areas are bombed by terrorists or insurgents, more recruits show up the next day. Everyone -- including Muslims -- yearns to be free.

Prime Minister Allawi has been in office for nearly three months, is establishing a government, training police, and training an army which is preparing to make Iraqi a more peaceful country.

The transfer of sovereignty was a key moment in the history of a free Iraq. The Iraqi people are going to follow Iraqi leadership, not U.S. leadership.