|
It seems like more than a year since I was engaged in discussions here in Mexico about the course of action we should take against the dictator in Iraq. This is a good time to pause and reflect on what has happened. That’s why I’d like to call your attention to the words of President Bush today, regarding the war against terror, the transformation of Afghanistan and the struggle to bring peace and democracy to the Iraqi people.
As the President noted, “There have been disagreements in this matter, among old and valued friends. Those differences belong to the past. All of us can now agree that the fall of the Iraqi dictator has removed a source of violence, aggression, and instability in the Middle East.”
Despite the bombs used by terrorists against the Iraqi people, or against the Madrid commuters, or wherever else they may strike, we must not despair or give in to the enemies of freedom.
“ Whatever their past views, every nation now has an interest in a free, successful, stable Iraq,” President Bush said. “And the terrorists understand their own interest in the fate of that country. For them, the connection between Iraq's future and the course of the war on terror is very clear. They understand that a free Iraq will be a devastating setback to their ambitions of tyranny over the Middle East. And they have made the failure of democracy in Iraq one of their primary objectives.”
But the United States is part of a coalition of countries that will not be intimidated by terror; their attacks only make us more determined to support the people of Iraq and other countries targeted by the terrorists. That is the message that is reaching to all parts of the globe today.
* * * * *
|
