sign in sign up
<<
Home , Colin Powell

Apr. 16 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:15 p.m. in board, National Association of Wholesaler- Room 450 of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Ex- Distributors; Deputy Director Nancy Dorn ecutive Office Building. In his remarks, he and Director Mitchell Daniels, Jr., Office of referred to Fiscal Responsibility Coalition Management and Budget; and Abu members Theodore M. Fowler, Jr., chairman Zubaydah, a leader of the Al Qaida terrorist of the board, National Restaurant Associa- organization who was captured March 28. tion, and W. Grady Rosier, chairman of the

Remarks at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia April 17, 2002

Well, thank you all very much. At ease. and values are a contribution and a credit Thank you all very much for that warm to every college and every university where welcome. Myers, thank you. Gen- they’re found. eral Bunting and General Casey, Secretary Secretary of State Colin Powell was in Marsh, Congressman Goodlatte, Albert the ROTC at , Beveridge, members of the corps of cadets, an experience that helped set the course distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. of his life. In his own words, he said this: I want to thank you for your warm wel- ‘‘The order, the self-discipline, the pride come and thank you for inviting me to one that had been instilled in me by our ROTC of America’s great institutions. I brought prepared me well for my Army career or, along a little graduation present. I’m sure for that matter, any career I might have you’ll like it; some of you will need it. chosen.’’ Colin Powell’s career has taken [Laughter] As Commander in Chief, I him from service in to the top hereby grant amnesty. [Applause] General rank in the military and now on a peace Bunting, I’m sure you can tell who needed mission to the Middle East. America is for- it. [Laughter] And I know you’ll be gen- tunate and I am proud to have ROTC grad- erous in the interpretation of this doctrine. uate Colin Powell serving our country. [Laughter] Only one other Army general has gone I want to congratulate the winners of on to serve as Secretary of State, and that the George C. Marshall ROTC Award. The was George Marshall himself, VMI’s high- more than 260 young men and women who est ranking cadet in the class of 1901. represent—the winners represent the best As Army Chief of Staff, General Marshall of our country and the best future for the became the architect of America’s victory Army. You stand out among in the Second World War. He fought tena- the nearly 30,000 young Americans who are ciously against our enemies and then today enrolled in the Army ROTC, the offi- worked just as hard to secure the peace. cers who will serve in the military of the President Truman considered George C. future and one day will lead it. Marshall the greatest man he knew. Above A majority of the Army’s current officers all, said Winston Churchill, Marshall ‘‘al- started out in the ROTC. For nearly 90 ways fought victoriously against defeatism, years, this great program has developed discouragement, and disillusionment.’’ The leaders and shaped character. Those look- key to morale and to victory, Marshall said, ing for idealism on the college campuses is ‘‘steadfastness and courage and hope.’’ of America will find it in the men and And today, we are called to defend free- women of the ROTC. ROTC’s traditions dom against ruthless enemies. And once

622

24 2004 10:45 Jul 26, 2004 Jkt 193762 PO 00000 Frm 00622 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193762A.XXX 193762A Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Apr. 17

again, we need steadfastness, courage, and that, as we routed out the , they hope. The war against terror will be long. weren’t sent in to conquer; they were sent And as George Marshall so clearly under- in to liberate. And they succeeded, and our stood, it will not be enough to make the military makes us proud. world safer; we must also work to make The battles in are not over. the world better. American and allied troops are taking risks In the days just after September the today in what we call Operation Mountain 11th, I told the American people that this Lion, hunting down the Al Qaida and would be a different war, fought on many Taliban forces and keeping them on the fronts. Today, around the world, we make run. Coalition naval forces, in the largest progress on the many fronts. In some cases, combined flotilla since World War II, are we use military force. In others, we’re patrolling escape routes and intercepting fighting through diplomacy, financial pres- ships to search for terrorists and their sup- sure, or special operations. In every case, plies. we will defeat the threats against our coun- As the spring thaw comes, we expect try and the civilized world. cells of trained killers to try to regroup, Our progress—our progress is measured to murder, create mayhem, and try to un- day by day, terrorist by terrorist. We re- dermine Afghanistan’s efforts to build a cently apprehended one of Al Qaida’s top lasting peace. We know this from not only leaders, a man named . He intelligence but from the history of military was spending a lot of time as one of the conflict in Afghanistan. It’s been one of top operating officials of Al Qaida, plotting initial success followed by long years of and planning murder. He’s not plotting, floundering and ultimate failure. We’re not and he’s not planning anymore. He’s under going to repeat that mistake. lock and key, and we’re going to give him In the United States of America, the ter- some company. We’re hunting down the rorists have chosen a foe unlike they have killers one by one. any—they have never faced before. They’ve We’re learning a lot about Al Qaida oper- never faced a country like ours before: ations and their plans. As our enemies have We’re tough; we’re determined; we’re re- fled their hideouts in Afghanistan, they left lentless. We will stay until the mission is some things behind. We found laptop com- done. puters, drawings, and maps. And through We know that true peace will only be them, we’re gaining a clearer picture of achieved when we give the Afghan people the terrorists’ targets and their methods. the means to achieve their own aspirations. Our international coalition against these Peace—peace will be achieved by helping killers is strong and united and acting. Eu- Afghanistan develop its own stable govern- ropean nations have frozen almost $50 mil- ment. Peace will be achieved by helping lion in suspected terrorist assets, and that’s Afghanistan train and develop its own na- important. Many European states are taking tional army. And peace will be achieved aggressive and effective law enforcement through an education system for boys and action to join us in rounding up these ter- girls which works. rorists and their cells. We’re making good We’re working hard in Afghanistan. progress. Yet, it’s important for Americans We’re clearing minefields. We’re rebuilding to know this war will not be quick, and roads. We’re improving medical care. And this war will not be easy. we will work to help Afghanistan to develop The first phase of our military operation an economy that can feed its people with- was in Afghanistan, where our Armed out feeding the world’s demand for drugs. Forces continue to perform with bravery And we help the Afghan people recover and with skill. You’ve got to understand from the Taliban rule. And as we do so,

623

r 24 2004 10:45 Jul 26, 2004 Jkt 193762 PO 00000 Frm 00623 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193762A.XXX 193762A Apr. 17 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

we find mounting horror—evidence of hor- the Russian border. Wherever global terror ror. In the Hazarajat region, the Red Cross threatens the civilized world, we and our has found signs of massacres committed by friends and our allies will respond and will the Taliban last year, victims who lie in respond decisively. mass graves. This is the legacy of the first Every nation that joins our cause is wel- regime to fall in the war against terror. come. Every nation that needs our help These mass graves are a reminder of the will have it. And no nation can be neutral. kind of enemy we have fought and have Around the world, the nations must choose: defeated. And they are the kind of evil They are with us, or they’re with the terror- we continue to fight. ists. By helping to build an Afghanistan that And in the Middle East, where acts of is free from this evil and is a better place terror have triggered mounting violence, all in which to live, we are working in the parties have a choice to make. Every lead- best traditions of George Marshall. Mar- er, every state must choose between two shall knew that our military victory against separate paths, the path of peace or the enemies in World War II had to be fol- path of terror. In the stricken faces of lowed by a moral victory that resulted in mothers, Palestinian mothers and Israeli better lives for individual human beings. mothers, the entire world is witnessing the After 1945, the United States of America agonizing cost of this conflict. Now, every was the only nation in the world strong nation and every leader in the region must enough to help rebuild a Europe and a work to end terror. Japan that had been decimated by World All parties have responsibilities. These re- War II. Today, our former enemies are our sponsibilities are not easy, but they’re clear. friends, and Europe and Japan are strong And Secretary of State Powell is helping partners in the rebuilding of Afghanistan. make them clear. I want to thank Secretary This transformation is a powerful testimony Powell for his hard work at a difficult task. to the success of Marshall’s vision and a He returns home having made progress to- beacon to light the path that we too must wards peace. follow. We’re confronting hatred that is cen- In the second phase of the , turies old, disputes that have lingered for our military and law enforcement intel- decades. But I want you to know, I will ligence officers are helping countries continue to lead toward a vision of peace. around the world in their efforts to crack We will continue to remind folks they down on terror within their borders. Global have responsibilities in the short run to terrorism will be defeated only by global defuse the current crisis. The Palestinian response. We must prevent Al Qaida from Authority must act—must act on its words moving its operations to other countries. of condemnation against terror. Israel must We must deny terrorists the funds they continue its withdrawals. And all Arab need to operate. We must deny them safe states must step up to their responsibilities. havens to plan new horrors and indoctri- The Egyptians and Jordanians and Saudis nate new recruits. have helped in the wider war on terrorism, We’re working with Yemen’s Govern- and they must help confront terrorism in ment to prevent terrorists from reassem- the Middle East. All parties have a respon- bling there. We sent troops to help train sibility to stop funding or inciting terror. local forces in the Philippines, to help them And all parties must say clearly that a mur- defeat terrorists trying to establish a mili- derer is not a martyr; he or she is just tant regime. And in the Republic of Geor- a murderer. gia, we provide temporary help to its mili- And all parties must realize that the only tary as it routs out a terrorist cell near vision for a long-term solution is for two

624

24 2004 10:45 Jul 26, 2004 Jkt 193762 PO 00000 Frm 00624 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193762A.XXX 193762A Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Apr. 17

states—Israel, Palestine—to live side by Account. And that is why we work for free side in security and in peace. That will trade, to lift people out of poverty through- require hard choices and leadership by out the world. Israelis, Palestinians, and their Arab neigh- A better world can seem very distant bors. The time is now for all to make the when children are sent to kill other chil- choice for peace. dren and old hatreds are stoked and care- And finally, the civilized world faces a fully passed from one generation to another grave threat from weapons of mass destruc- and a violent few love death more than tion. A small number of outlaw regimes life. Yet hatred, fanaticism are not the way today possess and are developing chemical of the future, because the hopes of human- and biological and nuclear weapons. ity are always stronger than its hatreds. They’re building missiles to deliver them And these hopes are universal in every and at the same time cultivating ties to country and in every country—in every cul- terrorist groups. In their threat to peace, ture. Men and women everywhere want to in their mad ambitions, in their destructive live in dignity, to create and build and own, potential, and in the repression of their to raise their children in peace and secu- own people, these regimes constitute an rity. axis of evil, and the world must confront The way to a peaceful future can be them. found in the nonnegotiable demands of America, along with other nations, will human dignity. Dignity requires the rule oppose the proliferation of dangerous of law, limits on the power of the state, weapons and technologies. We will proceed respect for women, private property, equal with missile defenses to protect the Amer- justice, religious tolerance. No nation owns ican people, our troops, and our friends these principles. No nation is exempt from and allies. And America will take the nec- them. essary action to oppose emerging threats. Sixty years ago, few would have predicted We’ll be deliberate, and we will work the triumph of these values in Germany with our friends and allies. And as we do and Japan. Fifteen years ago, few would so, we will uphold our duty to defend free- have predicted the advance of these values dom. We will fight against terrorist organi- in Russia. Yet, Americans are not surprised. zations in different ways, with different tac- We know that the demands of human dig- tics, in different places. And we will fight nity are written in every heart. The de- the threat from weapons of mass destruc- mands have a power and momentum of tion in different ways, with different tactics, their own, defying all pessimism. And they in different places. are destined to change lives and nations Yet, our objective is always the same: on every continent. We will defeat global terror, and we will America has acted on these hopes not allow the world’s most dangerous re- throughout our history. General George gimes to threaten us with the world’s most Marshall is admired for the war he fought, dangerous weapons. yet best remembered for the peace he se- America has a much greater purpose cured. The Marshall plan, rebuilding Eu- than just eliminating threats and containing rope and lifting up former enemies, showed resentment, because we believe in the dig- that America is not content with military nity and value of every individual. America victory alone. Americans always see a great- seeks hope and opportunity for all people er hope and a better day, and America in all cultures. And that is why we’re help- sees a just and hopeful world beyond the ing to rebuild Afghanistan. And that is why war on terror. we’ve launched a new compact for develop- Many of you will help achieve this better ment through the Millennium Challenge world. At a young age, you’ve taken up

625

r 24 2004 10:45 Jul 26, 2004 Jkt 193762 PO 00000 Frm 00625 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193762A.XXX 193762A Apr. 17 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

a great calling. You’ll serve your country he referred to Gen. Richard B. Myers, and our values. You’ll protect your fellow USAF, Chairman of the ; citizens. And by your effort and example, Maj. Gen. (Virginia militia) Josiah Bunting you will advance the cause of freedom III, superintendent, Virginia Military Insti- around the world. And so I’m here to thank tute; Maj. Gen. John T.D. Casey, USA, com- you for your commitment and congratulate manding general, U.S. Army Cadet Com- you on the high honor you have received. mand; former Secretary of the Army John May God bless you all, and may God O. Marsh, Jr.; Albert J. Beveridge III, presi- bless America. dent and chief executive officer, George C. Marshall Foundation; and Abu Zubaydah, a NOTE: The President spoke at 10:15 a.m. in leader of the Al Qaida terrorist organization Cameron Hall as part of the George C. Mar- who was captured March 28. shall ROTC Award Seminar. In his remarks,

Remarks Following Discussions With President Andres Pastrana of Colombia and an Exchange With Reporters April 18, 2002

President Bush. Before the President and onciled if there’s any differences with the I will answer a couple of questions from House of Representatives, and to my desk both the U.S. side and the Colombian side, as quickly as possible. I am a strong sup- I do want to welcome my friend Andres porter of trade with the Andean—with our Pastrana back to the . Andean friends. The President knows first President Pastrana is a—has taken on a hand how important that trade is, not only huge task in his country. One is to defend for commercial reasons but also as a way and the institutions of democ- to help fight against narcotrafficking, pro- racy, and he’s done a great job at that. vide opportunities for people in his country. Secondly, is to fight—is to fight This is a good friend, and it’s my honor narcotrafficking. He has led a valiant effort to welcome him back to the White House. at eradicating coca fields, standing strong Mr. President. against the narcotraffickers. President Pastrana. Thank you very And as well, he fights terrorism in his much, President Bush. Once again, thank country. He fights well-organized, well- you for having us here in the . funded groups that are out to destroy de- I think you’ve said everything. mocracy in Colombia. And he has been strong in his support for democracy not The only thing that I wanted to say is, only in his own country but in the region. first of all, thank you for your help, for We had a good discussion about a variety your leadership in helping Colombia and of issues about how to change the focus helping the world. At the end, we are fight- of our strategy from counternarcotics to in- ing a common enemy that is clude counter-terrorism. I explained to him narcotrafficking and narcoterrorism. We that a supplemental I sent up to the United have full support of President Bush and States Congress would do just that. the Government, first in trying to, as you As well, we talked about the need to said, Mr. President, in change of authori- get the Andean Trade Preference Act ties—the use of the military equipment passed out of , rec- sent by the United States to Colombia to

626

24 2004 10:45 Jul 26, 2004 Jkt 193762 PO 00000 Frm 00626 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193762A.XXX 193762A