We're a Peaceful Nation – War Rhetoric After September 11

Home , Bush at War, Cincinnati Museum Center, Slovenia Summit 2001, The Speech (book), USA Freedom Corps

“We’re a peaceful nation” – “We’re a peaceful nation” war rhetoric after september 11

“Why is traditional war propaganda still so effective in today’s critical mass media society, with well-informed citizens as its receivers? The answer to this intellectual mystery is probably quite simple: in threatening and complex circumstances, we are grateful for simple solutions. By juggling words and metaphors, by associating war with hunting, games or work, war becomes more acceptable, especially a ‘clinical’ war. An enemy that is evil is a legitimate target. A war described as a humanitarian effort is no longer a war. But in today’s democratic society, we should not be satisfied with black and white wa solutions, even in crisis situations. Scepticism, suspicion and doubts about htrcafter september 11 r rhetoric the war strategists’ descriptions should not only be allowed but encouraged, rewarded and prioritised. To use another metaphor, we need to protect ourselves from the ravages of propaganda.” Brigitte Mral

This study highlights the rhetorical devices that were used during the two military operations that were a direct consequence of the events on September 11.

The purpose is to create a better understanding of the war strategists’ efforts

to define tour world. Brigitte Mral

Brigitte Mral, professor of Rhetoric at Department of Humanities, Örebro University.

”We’re a peaceful nation” Swedish Emergency Management Agency/ war rhetoric after september 11 Krisberedskapsmyndigheten

P.O. Box 599 sp

SE-101 31 Stockholm ec Brigitte Mral a feature | 2004:5 ial Tel +46 8 593 710 00 Fax +46 8 593 710 01

kbm@krisberedskaps myndigheten.se ISSN 1652-2915 ISSN 1652-3970 www.krisberedskaps special feature | 2004:5 ISBN 91-85053-61-9 myndigheten.se special feature | 2004:5

”We’re a peaceful nation” war rhetoric after september 11

Brigitte Mral Title: ”We’re a peaceful nation” – War rhetoric after September 11 Published by SEMA Cover photo: Wearing a flight suit, U.S. President George W. Bush walks with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to board an S-3 Viking, to fly out to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln from Naval Air Station North Island, in San Diego, May 1, 2003. Bush was flying out to greet the 5,000 sailors aboard the Lincoln as they return home from the war in Iraq. Mike Blake/Reuters/Scanpix. Number of copies: 2,000 ex

ISSN: 1652-2915 ISBN: 91-85053-61-9 SEMA’s dnr: 0695/2003 Translation: Ruth McNaughton Design: AB Typoform Printed by: Edita, Västerås 2004

Copies can be ordered from SEMA, materialförvaltningen, free of charge. Email: [email protected]

The publication can also be downloaded from SEMA’s web site: www.krisberedskapsmyndigheten.se

Special feature 2004:5 Contents

SEMA’S Preface 5

Preface 7 introduction: Rhetoric in times of crisis 9

The rhetorical introduction after September 11 15 ‘War’ theme 17 ‘Evil’ theme 20 ‘Hunting’ theme 22 september 14, 2001: The Ground Zero speech 24 september 20, 2001: “Freedom and fear are at war“ 27 ‘Freedom’ theme 31 october 7, 2001: The Afghanistan War speech 34 ‘Oppression of women’ theme 35 january 29, 2002: State of the Union 38 october 7, 2002: The Cincinnati speech 40 ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ theme 42 february 5, 2003: Colin Powell’s speech in the UN 44 february 15, 2003: Tony Blair’s speech 49 march 16, 2003: Summit meeting in the Azores 52 ‘Helpfulness’ theme 53 march 19, 2003: George W. Bush’s speech before the invasion of Iraq 55 ‘Work’ theme 56 ‘Games and sport’ theme 57 may 1, 2003: George W. Bush’s victory speech 60

Epilogue 63

References 65

Appendix 67 Appendix 1. Statement by the President in His Address to the Nation September 11, 2001 67 Appendix 2. The Cathedral speech 69 Appendix 3. Remarks by the President Upon Arrival 71 Appendix 4. “Freedom and fear are at war” 74 Appendix 5. The Afghanistan war speech 79 Appendix 6. Radio Address by Laura Bush to the Nation 81 Appendix 7. State of the Union 83 Appendix 8. The Cincinnati speech 89 Appendix 9. Colin Powell’s speech in the UN 94 Appendix 10. Tony Blair’s speech 111 Appendix 11. Summit meeting in the Azores 116 Appendix 12. George W. Bush’s speech before the invasion of Iraq 123 Appendix 13. George W. Bush’s victory speech 125 SEMA’s preface

When an extreme and revolutionary of using language to convince people event takes place, people want decisions about what should be done was major. and demand that politicians speak to The speeches have been included in an them. This is not a new phenomenon. appendix. A national crisis demands that politicians Brigitte Mral, Professor of Rhetoric show leadership by explaining what has at the Department of Humanities, happened and showing resolution. They Örebro University, has researched and have to say what will be done to restore written books on rhetoric. In this book, order in the chaos. Their actions must she analyses the role that rhetoric and be understandable and dressed in lin- propaganda played in the period from guistic attire. September 11, 2001 up until the Iraq Rhetoric, with its classical roots, is War. Analysing how threat scenarios are used to convince the public. It is also communicated is important for society’s used to analyse the events. And this is emergency management, and the reason important to understand because every why SEMA initiated this study of day, especially in times of war and crisis, rhetoric and propaganda. we receive messages that are sent to The Swedish Emergency Manage- convince us. ment Agency (SEMA) is tasked with After September 11, leaders like strengthening society’s emergency man- George W. Bush and Tony Blair spoke agement capabilities. This is implemented to their citizens and political assemblies by developing crisis communication about the need to go to war. The enemy and crisis management methods. SEMA was neither a country nor a military also conducts open source intelligence, power. It was an enemy with no place research and studies, and compiles of abode that acted via a “network”. This results in these areas. This analysis is situation was entirely new, and the task one of SEMA’s thematic studies.

Henrik Olinder Principal Administrative Officer, Crisis Communication Swedish Emergency Management Agency

sema’s preface | 5 Figure. US President George W. Bush and US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld tour the impact area at the Pentagon on September 12, 2001. photo: paul j. richards/afp

6 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Preface

“Words and pictures are dangerous military operations that were a direct and we should really fear them.” 1 consequence of the events on September 11, which President George W. Bush sometimes refers to as the ‘battle of The terrorist attacks in New York on Afghanistan’ and the ‘battle of Iraq’.2 September 11, 2001 led the world into The purpose is to create a better under- a new and frightening epoch of global standing of the war strategists' efforts uncertainty. In times of crisis like these, to define our world. In his speech to when people have to be mobilised or Congress on September 20, 2001, Bush at least motivated into accepting joint says: “… this country will define our counteractions, intensive rhetorical times, not be defined by them.”3 In this campaigns are also launched. People study, we will look at how the military must be persuaded that their govern- leaders define reality. European countries ment is right. Successful actions and have reacted very differently to the strategies may help to convince them. Anglo-American alliance’s interpretation But in the beginning, and at each criti- of events, especially the American inter- cal point along the way, strategists have pretation and its military consequences. to motivate their actions through argu- The Swedish Government has adopted mentation, interpretation and visions; a wait-and-see policy, also in regard to in other words, with rhetoric. Words actions in Iraq in the spring of 2003, are needed to legitimise the actions of which were criticised by the UN. How- military and political leaders, in this ever, in principle, both politicians and case the ‘war on terrorism.’ the media have accepted the dominat- This study highlights the rhetorical ing interpretation. We have been sub- devices that were used during the two ject to a major propaganda offensive,

1. Kurt Johannesson, professor em. in rhetoric, Expressen, October 25, 2001 2. E.g. Bush’s speech on May 1, 2003 http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/05/iraq/20030501-15.html 3. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010920-8.html

preface | 7 and the rapid tempo of events gave us In principle, this study follows two little time to reflect over the contents series of events: firstly, the period of in the descriptions. This study is an time directly after September 11, 2001 attempt to reflect on what leaders have and the acts of war in Afghanistan, and told us about the state of the world in secondly, the period of time around the the three years following September 11: Iraq War in 2003. Both periods gener- the words, pictures and narratives that ated a number of important concepts, have been used to convince us. The and the significance of these will be aim of this study is not to be wise after analysed separately and progressively in the event but to encourage reflection, order to create a deeper understanding and strengthen our resilience to propa- of how propagandists try to create a ganda campaigns. new conception of reality. The study The source material consists of some presents some central speeches and of the hundreds of speeches that were rhetorical situations in chronological made to explain and motivate the order, and an analysis of recurring actions of both the USA and the UK. rhetorical themes and particularly A quick look at the speech material con- vague concepts and metaphors. We firms that the key concepts, value words will not focus on the argumentation, and metaphors, i.e. symbolic descrip- but on the actual choice of words in tions of the events, were consciously the speeches of US President George created. Some of these will be analysed W. Bush, and to a certain extent UK here to show how propaganda reduces Prime Minister Tony Blair and US the definition of reality to a few simple Secretary of State Colin Powell. The antagonisms: black and white images, study begins with a few reflections on easy to understand, easy to digest, and the concepts of rhetoric and propaganda. practical – especially for the media.

Brigitte Mral Professor of Rhetoric, University of Örebro

8 | “we’re a peaceful nation” introduction: Rhetoric in times of crisis

“We’re a peaceful nation. Yet, as we a country at war, where there would be have learned, so suddenly and so winners and losers: “Make no mistake tragically, there can be no peace in about it: underneath our tears is the a world of sudden terror. In the face strong determination of America to win this war. And we will win it.”4 of today’s new threat, the only way to According to traditional rhetorical pursue peace is to pursue those who theory, our perception of something threaten it. We did not ask for this depends on how it is denoted. Names mission, but we will fulfill it.” and concepts create our perception of george w. bush, october 7, 2001 reality and govern our actions to a major extent. Since September 11, we have been living in what has been de- The events of September 11 were in- scribed as a state of war with new di- conceivably tragic. In order to under- mensions, a ‘war on terrorism’. A state stand them, politicians and journalists of war that has periodically produced formulated a long line of descriptions: almost daily attempts to convince us of disaster, tragedy, massacre, terror its justification through the use of attack, war, etc. Each concept expresses words. This was particularly evident in a perception of reality, from fateful the lead up to and implementation of accident, to criminal act and military military operations in Afghanistan in operation. However, they do not con- autumn, 2001, and in Iraq in spring, stitute a helpless groping for explana- 2003. Launching an attack on another tion; they are instructions for dealing country is always a tricky business, with the reality and the threat. The whether you choose to call it war or Bush Administration quickly chose use euphemisms such as conflict, action metaphors that described the USA as or peacekeeping operation. But regard-

4. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010915-4.html

introduction: rhetoric in times of crisis | 9 less of the description and whether the concepts, especially when they are attack appears justified or not, military vague and ambiguous. A cornerstone aggression means sending our sons of this study is that the speeches, no and daughters on a highly dangerous matter how twisted they sometimes mission. It means draining the financial seem to us, express exactly what is resources of an already strained federal meant; they are not ‘mere rhetoric’, budget, and risking equally insurmount- they are a description of the reality that able damage in the form of human will determine how politics will be con- suffering and environmental pollution. ducted and should be understood. For Motivating this has always required if we see the speeches as mere wordy major efforts in order to convince the desktop products, we are underestimat- population that war is justified. ing the power of constantly repeated Big events sometimes call for big assertions and vague but powerful words. In times of crisis, Swedish terms and phrases. politicians are also expected to become This ‘war on terrorism’ has seen an skillful rhetoricians, to describe events accumulation of ambiguous but strong so that we can understand them and value words. There are plenty of ‘God’s lead us into the future. But Swedes are terms’ and ‘Devil’s terms’, according to suspicious of passionate, emotional Richard M. Weaver’s modern rhetorical rhetoric, and sceptical of big words. theory.5 He refers to positively and neg- We are not used to politicians coming atively charged words, usually arranged out at all odd times of the day to speak in pairs of opposites: freedom – fear; to the people. The Prime Minister civilisation – barbarism; war – peace. rarely appears as the interpreter of the This ongoing war has generated an Swedish Parliament, or the Swedish abundance of big words and emotionally people for that matter. We usually charged images. Events have been in- judge the American way of handling terpreted in value words and metaphors public language as excessive, emotional that sometimes remind us of what and full of religious terms. And this is George Orwell in his gloomy utopia, also why we tend to underestimate the Nineteen Eighty-Four, refers to as significance of what is said. We do not ‘Newspeak’, where war becomes peace, take it seriously; we consider it ‘mere attacks becomes ‘pre-emptive defence’, rhetoric’, or empty content – and military invasion becomes ‘change of usually miss the real meaning and regime’, occupation becomes ‘humani- implications. Our unfamiliarity with tarian intervention’. This distortion linguistic analyses means that we often of language is by no means a new underestimate the power of images and phenomenon. Manipulation and lies

5. Weaver (1985), Ch. IX, see also Hart (1997), p. 159f

10 | “we’re a peaceful nation” have always constituted a basic ingredi- many speeches been made during or ent in warfare. And those in power after events of war as during the period have always endeavoured to explain following September 11. The Gulf War and defend complex and controversial and NATO’s military operations in the decisions with cosmetic euphemisms. Balkans, to compare with some other The question today, however, should be recent events of war, were also speech- how democratic communities ought to intensive, but not to the same extent as relate to this deliberate misdirection of we have and still are witnessing here. public opinion and openly manipula- The media’s intensive and more or less tive impact. One response would be to critical monitoring of the events do not develop our sensitivity to deceptive always benefit the war strategists and rhetorical gimmicks and verbal tricks. are always an unpredictable factor. One We do not necessarily need to oppose way of controlling public opinion is to military action in order to demand avoid the media altogether by making straightforward and honest language in direct speeches from rostrums, and a crisis situation. A democratic society broadcasting speeches via the Internet. is based on rational dialogue. When This latter method is a relatively new democratic countries go to war, we rhetorical strategy that gained momen- should be able to demand an open tum during the actual period, and has account of why the war is legitimate, gone largely unnoticed by the media. instead of settling for what is referred The idea behind this strategy is to pre- to in English literature as ‘perception vent journalists from interpreting management’6, i.e. persuasion or indoc- events and let leaders ‘speak’ directly to trination with any available means, the people at the first possible opportu- including deception, to create and nity. Political and military leaders, recreate our feelings, motives and especially in the US, work aggressively objective reasoning. Of course the war to maintain this preferential right of in- has been debated, in the media and on terpretation by constantly defining and the streets. But as in any other histori- redefining the course of events. The cally comparable period, political lead- speeches also target journalists, and are ers have conducted a one-sided, black written so that specifically striking for- and white, opinion-forming campaign mulations can be lifted directly into that should be unacceptable in demo- headings and articles. And thanks to cratic communities. the Internet, these speeches can also be From a rhetorical perspective, this printed, read, seen and heard by any- so-called war on terrorism constitutes one who wants to, whenever they want a unique period. Never before have so to. Almost all public statements issued

6. Rampton & Stauber (2003), p. 5f

introduction: rhetoric in times of crisis | 11 by President Bush and his staff are pub- In times of instability, especially war, lished on the White House website.7 interpretations of reality are enormously This open accounting of everything central. The events of September 11 that has been officially said creates a caused great instability in both America certain impression of credibility. But and the rest of the world, and as one the main purpose of the White House commentator writes: “it became appar- in publishing these speeches is to coun- ent within hours on September 11, teract the media’s description of reality 2001, that communicating with the and give its own definition. public is as important a mission as an Politicians use words to define our American commander in chief has dur- world according to their own political, ing wartime”.9 The ‘war on terrorism’ economic and military interests. And that immediately began was not aimed we are often receptive to these some- at calming nerves. War is always a times quite simple explanations. Politi- tricky business; the government has to cal scientist, Murray Edelman, claims convince the people that war is neces- that in times of instability people want sary, and unite the nation in order to someone to straighten out their con- implement the project. In an analysis fused reality and give it meaning: of British and American propaganda “People who are anxious and confused during WWI, Harold D. Lasswell are eager to be supplied with an orga- described the purpose of propaganda in nized political order – including simple 1927: explanations of the threats they fear “No government could hope to win – and with reassurance that the threats without a united nation behind it, and are being countered.”8 This is where no government could have a united propaganda comes in. Propaganda is nation behind it unless it controlled the quite simply the active influencing of minds of its people. The civilians had opinion: a simplified form of rhetoric to be depended upon to supply recruits that is used to steer our ideas and feel- for the front and for the war industries. ings towards a specific goal. This can The sacrifices of war had to be borne take place with or without our con- without complaints that spread dissen- scious consent. In times of war, reality sion at home and discouragement in is so threatening and polarised that the trenches.”10 one-sided messages are often welcomed Political theorist Lasswell will be because they smooth the contours of a quoted several times throughout this confused situation. study, as American and British war

7. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/ 8. Edelman (1971), p. 65 9. Dubose, et al. (2003), p. 201 10. Lasswell (1927), p. 10

12 | “we’re a peaceful nation” rhetoric at the beginning of this 21st “While propaganda is universally century seems in principle to follow the regarded as a ‘form of communication’, map charted by Lasswell eighty years it really is something much less than ago. The goal of propaganda is thus to that. Certainly propaganda mimics and steer and control people’s thoughts, exploits communication structures and and its technicians are well tried and processes. However, because propaganda obviously still successful. declines so markedly from benign Propaganda is an age-old device, conditions of trust, truthfulness, and used for the first time by the Roman understanding that normally figure in Catholic Church, when it built the communicative acts and that we routine- organisation Congregatio de propaganda ly expect in our manifold exchanges, it fide or ‘Congregation for the really deserves to be described as ‘coun- Evangelization of Peoples’ in 1622. terfeit or pseudocommunication.’”11 Propaganda’s means for influencing And Cunningham claims that the political opinions were developed into only real countermeasure for propaganda a power factor by the British and is the ethical values of classical elo- Americans during WWI, and later quence. Rhetoric in its original form became a normal ingredient in public can thus be seen as a means of defend- opinion formation in times of crisis. In ing oneself from the attempts of general language terms, propaganda is propagandists. Rhetoric provides ana- not always negative. In Swedish, for lytical tools for maintaining a critical example, the verb ‘propagera’ is fairly view of manipulative communication. neutral in value. In rhetorical research, This refers to all propaganda, even however, and from an ethical perspec- ‘positive’ propaganda. tive, propaganda is seen as the counter- In the meantime, propaganda is part of classical rhetoric. Ever since the difficult to both define and assess, and time of Aristotle, the task of rhetoric there are many theories. The Belgian has been to make a good argument philosopher and rhetoric scholar, more convincing and to vaccinate Michel Meyer, defines the difference citizens against the misuse of dema- between rhetoric and propaganda as gogues’ linguistic and emotional appeals, follows: i.e. propaganda. Ethically confronta- “Whatever its form, rhetoric deals tional propaganda theorists such as with the problematic and the question- Stanley B. Cunningham see propaganda able. /…/ Manipulation and propagan- as pseudo communication or falsifica- da proceed as if the questions they were tion: dealing with were solved. In contrast, positive rhetoric exhibits the questions

11. Cunningham (2002), p. 177f

introduction: rhetoric in times of crisis | 13 and puts forth arguments in favor of or find. The main objective, finding and against the chosen solution.”12 destroying terrorists, was and is diffuse In democracies, communication because no one knew who they were or is defined as an ongoing dialogue where they were. There is also a great between different voices. You could deal of controversy over whether the also say that ‘positive rhetoric’ is delib- invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq were erative, i.e. it considers different views justified. In the subsequent national and is aimed at opinion exchanges and crisis however, the main objective of joint reconsideration. This is rarely seen the Bush Administration was to show in a war situation, however, because the resolution, and reclaim the nation’s self- stakes of deviating opinions are consid- esteem. Because of the uncertainties ered too high. Propaganda, or negative surrounding the various military opera- rhetoric, takes its place, i.e. rhetoric tions, it became necessary to explain, or that benefits the sender more than the disguise, with a rhetoric that preferably recipient, or, as propaganda analysts did not allow objections. What argu- Garth Jowett and Victoria O’Donnell ments appeared unobjectionable? Three write: principal lines of argument can be “The propagandist wants to pro- identified: mote his or her own interests or those • Evil/terrorism must be combated of an organization – sometimes at the • Dictatorship must be converted expense of the recipients, sometimes to democracy not. The point is that the propagandist • The oppression of women must end does not regard the well-being of the audience as a primary concern.”13 This last argument seems at first War propaganda presumes war, on- absurd, because you cannot go to war going or planned. The USA defined with a country because it oppresses the events surrounding September 11 women. But nonetheless, this very as a state of war. This was neither a blurred emotional argument was pro- logical nor an obvious interpretation of duced whenever the war enterprise the situation, but all the same it was seemed especially doubtful. Argumen- made. In this particular war, propagan- tation is rarely 100% logical; it usually da was important because resistance to consists of both facts and emotions, the war was great, and motives for in- and the propaganda usually alternated vading another country were hard to between threats and salvation.

12. Meyer (1994), p. 155 13. Jowett & O’Donnell (1992), s. 32

14 | “we’re a peaceful nation” The rhetorical introduction after September 11

The “war on terrorism” was declared are the pictures from the White House after the terror attacks of September that show him and his staff wearing 11. This traumatic situation called for bomber jackets, as if ready to go to strong leadership; leadership that few war: a rhetorically effective dress people thought President Bush was capable of establishing. The story of Figure. President George W. Bush makes a how Bush ‘discovered rhetoric’14 is also statement about the ongoing investigation the story of how a new rhetorical proof the recent acts of terrorism in New York gramme is created in a situation that and Washington, at Camp David September required a reassessment of reality. 15, 2001. Vice President Dick Cheney (L) and Secretary of State Colin Powell (R) look on. Before the terrorist attacks, President photo: william philpott/reuters Bush was known for his rhetorical weakness. Even though some of his speeches had been favourably received, he had not generally reached any ora- torical heights. The media mocked him openly and several websites were (and are) devoted to his quotations, or ‘Bushisms’.15 So, when disaster struck and a trusted statesman was required, there was no great confidence in his capacity to lead the nation. For security reasons, he spent most of the first day at Air Force One. Visually interesting

14. Zarefsky (2004) 15. See, e.g., www.bushisms.com t he rhetorical introduction after september 11 | 15 code.16 Bush only issued a short state- It took exactly 12 hours before Bush ment on that day. During a stopover presented a more prepared speech, after at an air base, he said: intensive and joint formulation efforts. “Make no mistake: The United Presidential speeches are always a result States will hunt down and punish those of collaboration between the President responsible for these cowardly acts. and a whole staff of speechwriters and /…/The resolve of our great nation is political analysts, also known as the being tested. But make no mistake: we ‘White House communications shop’ will show the world that we will pass and described by some other colum- this test. God bless.”17 nists: “This is where Rove, Bartlett, This message was perceived as pow- Gerson and Hughes really earned their erless, and he was also called a coward stripes./…/ Bush’s communication for hiding for half the day. David Frum, team had never been more invaluable. one of Bush’s speechwriters, comments They were not making policy in on the unfortunate choice of setting for Afghanistan, but they were helping the the speech: president craft every formal utterance “Air force bases do not come equipped he made on the war – as the whole with television studios, so the president world looked on.”19 was obliged to record his message in a Without conferring with either the bare room over a herky-jerky digital Secretary of State (Colin Powell), the connection. He looked and sounded Secretary of Defense (Donald Rumsfeld) like the hunted, not the hunter.”18 or the Vice President (Dick Cheney), We will never know exactly what President Bush and his speechwriters was said behind the scenes, but a rea- had already on the first day begun to sonably reliable source of background formulate what would soon be known information on the Bush Administra- as the ‘Bush doctrine’: “We will make tion’s rhetorical strategy is the various no distinction between the terrorists Bush-supporting columnists who who committed these acts and those admiringly joke about the geniality who harbor them.”20 Even the National of the administration and the speech- Security Advisor, Condoleezza Rice, writers. David Frum is one of these, wondered whether a far-reaching policy and his basically positive and optimistic declaration like this was appropriate for attitude reveals a great deal about the a speech aimed at consoling a shaken events. nation. Washington Post journalist,

16. See, e.g., http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/response/ 17. All quotations from President Bush’s speeches are from http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/ 18. Frum (2003), p. 119 19. Dubose, Reid & Cannon (2003), p. 204f 20. Appendix 1

16 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Bob Woodward, a more critical These themes, particularly ‘war’ and observer, writes: “he wanted to go on ‘evil’, define the situation as an intangi- television and be tough, show some ble threat, and they would be endlessly resolve but also find some balance – repeated. But what do they really be comforting, demonstrate that the mean, what associations and feelings government was functioning and show are they designed to evoke? the nation that their president had made it through.”21 Otherwise, the speech recalls the ‘War’ theme pictures broadcast continuously that Defining the situation as war was an day of the collapsed towers, which are instinctive reaction to the events. “We defined as an attempt to create disorder, are at war!” was reportedly Bush’s first but also, remarkably enough, retreat: spontaneous reaction when he was “These acts of mass murder were in- informed of the attack.22 At the same tended to frighten our nation into time, war is a very useful definition if chaos and retreat.” But retreat from a government wants to create a frame- what? To judge from a metaphor coined work for action, because a state of war shortly afterwards, to ‘spread the light is a state of emergency with plenty of of freedom all over the world’: “America scope for extraordinary measures. The was targeted for attack because we’re the situation obviously resembled war. A brightest beacon for freedom and op- foreign aggressor had attacked the USA portunity in the world. And no one will on its own territory and many people keep that light from shining.” were dead or injured. But other impor- The task of a speaker is to assess the tant features were missing: there was no rhetorical situation, and to identify and declaration of war; the attack was not meet its demands and limitations. In military, it did not come from another this situation, there was obviously a state, and the USA, in turn, had never need for the President to console the formally declared war on another state. population and show reflection. In- The event could just as easily be stead, he opted for offensive but vague defined as a massacre, for example, a war metaphors, which signalled deter- criminal act of grotesque proportions, mination, but also lack of direction. of course, but nevertheless an action But the key concepts have now been that could be handled by the (interna- established, i.e. war, freedom, hunting tional) police. UK Prime Minister and evil: “Today, our nation saw evil, Tony Blair was considerably more care- the very worst of human nature.” ful with his definitions. In a statement

21. Woodward (2003), p. 30 22. Zarefsky (2004), p. 139; Frum (2003), p. 141f; Woodward (2002), p. 15f

t he rhetorical introduction after september 11 | 17 on September 12, he uses the word I appreciate very much the American ‘attacks’ and speaks of ‘tragedy’. To a people understanding that. As we plan, direct question from a journalist about as we put our strategy into action, we whether he wanted to speak about a will let you know when we think it’s state of war, he answers evasively rather appropriate.”24 than affirmatively. Two days later, he But it appears as though the war was speaks about the “hideous and foul also convenient for some other Ameri- events”, “an act of wickedness”, “act of can government interests. According to infamy” and “outrage”.23 The term that Bob Woodward, Bush said on Septem- Tony Blair generally uses for the terror- ber 11: “This is a great opportunity,” ist attacks is “menace”. So according to meaning thereby that this was a chance Blair, the terrorists are malicious, but to improve relations with superpowers not a foreign power that has declared like Russia and China. “We have to war. And neither does he describe his think of this as an opportunity.”25 own planned actions as war; they are The whole state of war after simply actions. September 11 has been titled ‘War on By claiming that you are at war, i.e. Terrorism’. This is equally as vague as that the terrorists have declared war, ‘War on Poverty’, coined by Lyndon extraordinary measures become legitimate B. Johnson during the 1960s, or the and they should not be questioned by ‘War on Drugs’, which was the Reagan patriotic citizens. A state of emergency administration’s initiative.26 Terrorism, is established, which customarily allows poverty and drugs are all fuzzy con- the breaching of laws in peacetime. cepts and the inflationary use of ‘war’ Political decisions need no longer be depicts the world as a place where so- communicated publicly, as President cial problems will be solved by using Bush claimed shortly after the attacks: violence. In actual fact, the phrase ‘war “This is an administration that will on terrorism’ is another example of not talk about how we gather intelli- ‘double talk’. It alludes to the custom gence, how we know what we’re going of saying ‘war’ for events that are not to do, nor what our plans are. When war at all – where there can never be a we move, we will communicate with final victory. For as media analysts you in an appropriate manner. We’re Rampton and Stauber write: “Drug at war. There has been an act of war use, poverty, disease and terrorism have declared upon America by terrorists, all existed for a very long time, and and we will respond accordingly. And they’re not going to disappear simply

23. http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page10.asp 24. Press conference, 16/09/01 25. Woodward (2002), p. 32 26. Glover (2002), p. 207ff

18 | “we’re a peaceful nation” because some politician declares war against them. Instead, what usually happens is that these wars develop permanent bureaucracies that drain resources and issue periodic exhortations to the public as a way of compensating for the fact that victory is nowhere in sight.”27 Labelling these events as ‘war’ was a rhetorical choice with several consequences. War demands national unity, which is immediately expressed in demonstrations of solidarity, with flags, prayers and other patriotic acts, for example – and an absence of critical illumination. As rhetoric scholar David Zarefsky points out, the total acceptance of war metaphors gave “place only for the rhetoric of approval and support”. Writer and debater Susan Sontag wrote: “Under the slogan United We Stand the call to reflectiveness was associated with dissent, dissent with Figure. In July 1942, the National Publishers lack of patriotism”.28 United We Stand Association and the US Treasury Department is an element of war thinking that introduced a campaign where around 500 recalls WWII in particular, when the magazines would feature the American flag slogan was frequently used in combina- on their covers and the words “United we stand”. This would show their loyalty and tion with intensive exposure of the support for the war on Independence Day. American flag, also a central phe- One of these was Life magazine. Following nomenon after September 11. Another the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, central feature of this unity thinking “United We Stand” once again proved a is that it limits the debate; criticism is successful rallying point for the public. a peacetime luxury. War thinking demands an acceptance of changed priorities and immediate military mobilisation.

27. Rampton & Stauber (2003), p. 128 28. Susan Sontag, “Real Battles and Empty Metaphors” in: New York Times, 10/09/2002, p. A 31, quoted in Zarefsky (2004), p. 140

t he rhetorical introduction after september 11 | 19 ‘Evil’ theme Figure. In Time Magazine on August 13 (left) and The New Republic on September In his book on propaganda, Harold D. 3, 1990 the same picture of Saddam Hus- Lasswell writes under the heading of sein appears on the front page. The New ‘Satanism’ that the enemy should be Republic gives Saddam Hussein a Hitler described as demoralised and arrogant. moustache and the text: FUROR IN THE GOLF The enemy nation should appear con- temptuous, scornful and cruel: “Any against Saddam Hussein, he was painted nation who began the War and blocks as the new Hitler. George Bush Senior the peace is incorrigible, wicked and only ever used his first name, ‘Saddam’, perverse.”29 In WWI, the combatant na- and stressed the first syllable, which was tions, i.e. the French, Germans, British both humiliating and conjured up im- and Americans, outbid each other in de- ages of another prince of darkness.30 picting the cruelty of their opponents. The people are described as victims, In today’s propaganda, the people of a even friends, or at least we are their nation are not portrayed as cruel and friends, in this case the Afghan people. inferior, but their leaders are described It is the people who will be liberated in satanic terms. During the last war from the tyrants; the enemy is clear and

29. Lasswell (1927), p. 77 30. Karlberg & Mral (1998), p. 76

20 | “we’re a peaceful nation” specific. Anyone on the tyrant’s side is From a Christian perspective, the also an enemy and must be combated. Old Testament maintains an existential The difficulty of distinguishing between approach to good and evil: “eye for eye, friend and foe in the heat of the battle tooth for tooth” (Exodus 21-24). While is suddenly logical and reasonable. the New Testament, adopts a structural ‘Collateral damage’, i.e. unintentional view: “Father, forgive them, for they damage to civilians and civilian targets, know not what they do” (Luke 23-34). is regrettable but unavoidable. The Bush Administration seems in In this case, the alleged enemies principle to proceed from the individu- and terrorists, bin Laden and Saddam al, existential approach, with roots in Hussein, were easy to identify as the Old Testament, even though Bush threatening and murderous. Previous usually seems to prefer quoting the experience made it easy to characterise New Testament. The individual strate- them as evil. But what is meant by evil? gy is considerably more useful for pro- There are several different views of paganda purposes. Propaganda aims to evil.31 According to one theory, evil is in simplify reality in order to present clear all people. Agatha Christie, for example, action alternatives. often develops her intrigue upon an evil Already in the first sentences of his person/power, which is the invisible speech on September 11, Bush uses the hand behind the evil deed. This ‘existen- word ‘evil’ to describe the terrorist tial’ view sees evil as something un- attacks: “evil, despicable acts of terror”. changeable that must be exterminated. Some sentences later, he switches to an Another view is ‘structural’, i.e. that existential description: “Today, our na- there is no irrational power called evil. tion saw evil, the very worst of human The actions that we call evil, according nature.” Bush anchors this concept of to this definition, are the result of com- evil in his first speech in a biblical quo- plex social and psychological circum- tation: “Even though I walk through the stances that, in principle, can be correct- valley of the shadow of death, I fear no ed. The Swedish legal system is based on evil, for You are with me” (Psalms 23:4). this view. Another example is the Truth Thus, he gives the ‘war on terrorism’ and Reconciliation Commission’s work- a Biblical tone: a just war. ing method in South Africa. Offenders On September 14, Bush makes a rarely see themselves as evil; their actions speech that is described by of one of his are the result of revenge for injustice, a speechwriters as ‘perfect’32. He delivers divine mission, or other twisted or per- this speech in the Washington National verse motives. Cathedral and chooses a priestly address.

31. For a more detailed study of concepts, see Rediehs (2002), p. 65ff 32. Frum (2003), p. 137, Appendix 2

t he rhetorical introduction after september 11 | 21 The main theme, of course, is sorrow press conference one month after the for the victims, but he quickly declares attacks, he declares: “I think it’s essen- that the USA will revenge the attacks, tial that all moms and dads and citizens and his tone is clearly warlike. According tell their children we love them and to speechwriter, David Frum, he had there is love in the world, but also re- not previously expressed a clear desire mind them there are evil people.” These for revenge or wrath in his speeches: evil people, personified by Saddam “When he spoke off-the-cuff, he again Hussein and Osama bin Laden not only paraphrased the commandment of kill but enjoy it: “They kill thousands Romans 12:21: ‘Be not overcome by of innocent people and then rejoice evil, but overcome evil with good’”.33 about it,” he says at the same press But in this ‘perfect’ speech, he says: conference. By painting both of evil’s “… our responsibility to history is main representatives and the people already clear: to answer these attacks and who protect them, in this case the rid the world of evil. War has been Taliban in Afghanistan, it becomes waged against us by stealth and deceit totally legitimate to eliminate the enemy and murder. This nation is peaceful, but through any available means. There is fierce when stirred to anger.” no room for reflection or consideration; Frum, who applauds Bush’s rhetorical the picture of the enemy is clear and capacity, comments on Bush’s characteri- the response is obvious. And the enemy sation of the terrorists as the ‘evil ones’ is often defined as a cowardly beast of in the light of American’s religious men- prey that hides and has to be hunted. tality: “In a country where almost two- A frequently used metaphor was there- thirds of the population believes in the fore ‘hunting’. existence of the devil, Bush was identify- ing Osama bin Laden and his gang as literally satanic.”34 ‘Hunting’ theme In later speeches, the idea of evil Already in the first speech after the people becomes even more explicit. Two attacks, Bush formulates the task with days later, on September 16, Bush devel- these words: “Make no mistake: The ops the idea that evil is tied to human United States will hunt down and punish nature: “We’ve been warned there are those responsible for these cowardly evil people in this world. We’ve been acts.” And opponents were also defined warned so vividly and we’ll be alert. as cowardly, ‘unmanly’, and therewith Your government is alert. The governors fair game. As mentioned earlier, even and mayors are alert that evil folks still speechwriter David Frum used the lurk out there.” (Appendix 3) And at a ‘hunting’ metaphor to characterise

33. Frum (2003), p. 136f 34. Frum (2003), p. 140

22 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Bush’s profile on September 11: “He How are these words related to the looked and sounded like the hunted, everyday use of ‘hunting’? Hunting is a not the hunter.”35 The ‘hunting’ sport; animals are hunted. Hunting can metaphor was used by Bush himself at possibly be a way of gathering food, the press conference on September 15: but people are normally not the prey. “We will smoke them out of their Hunting is a means of finding food, holes; we will get them running and not people. To make the metaphor we’ll bring them to justice.” And, at work, the opponents must be dehu- the same press conference: manised and reduced to animals, sly “They will try to hide, they will try beasts of prey that hide in holes. The to avoid the United States and our opponent’s cowardice complements the allies – but we’re not going to let them. hunting metaphor: They run to the hills; they find holes “The American people are used to a to get in. And we will do whatever it conflict where there was a beachhead takes to smoke them out and get them or a desert to cross or known military running, and we’ll get them. Listen, targets. That may occur. But right now this is a great nation; we’re a kind people. we’re facing people who hit and run. None of us could have envisioned the They hide in caves. We’ll get them out.” barbaric acts of these terrorists. But The basic idea is that Americans are they have stirred up the might of the used to following the laws of war on American people, and we’re going to open combat, but not to sly enemies get them, no matter what it takes.” who hide. Americans are not cowards. In a speech on September 16, Bush During the Afghanistan War, people in says: “… the American people should the White House carried red, white know that my administration is deter- and blue plastic cards around their mined to find, to get them running necks with the words: “These colors and to hunt them down, those who did don’t run.”36 And on September 16, this to America.” And a little later: Bush said: “We’re a nation that can’t “The leader of Pakistan /…/ has agreed be cowed by evil-doers.” The hunting with our requests to aid our nation to metaphor combined with cowardice hunt down, to find, to smoke out of characterises the enemy as unmanly, their holes the terrorist organization sly, fair game. that is the prime suspect.”

35. Frum (2003), p. 119 36. Frum (2003), p. 116

t he rhetorical introduction after september 11 | 23 september 14, 2001: The Ground Zero speech

There were concerns for how Bush aggressor. He spoke of crusades, for would handle the number of public example, in the press conference on appearances, and speechwriters worked September 16 – a mistake that he later furiously. In the week following the attempts to repair by saying that Muslims terror attacks, he uttered a few rash as a group were not responsible. Like statements: he called the terrorists the sheriff in an old western movie, he ‘folks’, hardly a suitable term for an said he wanted Osama bin Laden ‘dead or alive’. This language was considered immature and his father and others advised him to tone down the rhetoric.37 As Bob Woodward writes: “The widely felt view that he was a light-weight, unconcerned with details, removed, aloof and possibly even ignorant would have to be dispelled. He had much work to do.”38 According to many, the Ground Zero speech marked the turning point, a four-minute statement where Bush showed his talent for making a spontaneous assessment of what the situation required. This ability, known in rhetoric as kairos, is the art of using the right word at the right time, or respec- tively to create the actual situation. He

37. Zarefsky (2004), p. 138f 38. Woodward (2003), p. 37

24 | “we’re a peaceful nation” had not intended to speak; he arrived Figure. President George W. Bush puts his in a simple windcheater (which could arms around firefighter Bob Beckwith in also be interpreted as a rhetorical feature): frontofthe World Trade Center debris “Bush had gone there to look, and during a tour of the devastation, Friday, make a show of support to the rescue September 14, 2001. Bush is standing on a burned fire truck. photo: doug mills/ap workers at the site.”39 But he was asked

39. Dubose, Reid & Cannon (2003), p. 206

t he ground zero speech | 25 to say a few words with a poorly-func- to achieve his rhetorical aims: his tioning megaphone; a scene that is clothes, the situation, the physical envi- described as: ronment and the physical closeness to “The president climbed atop a loaded symbols, in this case a voluntary burned-out fire truck where he joined fire fighter. One could also assume that a retired New York fireman named Bob the scene had been arranged. But it is Beckwith, one of the volunteers who’d no less effective for media purposes if responded to the attack. Beckwith tried so few explanations are needed to send to get down, but Bush put his arm a visual message so effectively. Bush’s around him, motioning him to stay. clever response in this crucial situation /…/ was perceived as spontaneous, and ‘Thank you all,’ Bush began. ‘I want marked a new era in the assessment of you all to know…’ his leadership abilities. CAN’T HEAR YOU! One of the Over the next few days, Bush and workers shouted from the crowd. ‘I can’t his staff tried to repair his earlier mis- talk any louder,’ Bush protested before takes with some lofty speeches aimed at starting again. ‘America today is on distinguishing between Islam and ter- bended knee in prayer for the people rorism, for example, but neither he nor whose lives were lost here, …’ his advisers felt that rhetorical demands ‘I CAN’T HEAR YOU,’ came had been met. Presidential adviser another voice from the crowd. Karen P. Hughes said that Bush told Bush looked briefly taken aback. her: “This is a defining moment. We But then, his arm still around the aging have an opportunity to restructure the fireman’s shoulder, he shouted back world toward freedom, and we have to through his bullhorn in a scene aired get it right.”41 around the world. In the weeks that followed Septem- ‘I can hear you. The rest of the ber 11, confidence in Bush’s leadership world hears you. And the people who abilities was low. But September 20 was knocked these buildings down will hear set as the date for his address to the all of us soon.’”40 nation, an extraordinary opportunity. This scene is central, because Bush This was the deciding moment for his demonstrates his own rhetorical talent, role as supreme commander, in a situa- which lies not in formulations but in tion of great uncertainty throughout his ability to use people and the scene most of the world.

40. Dubose, Reid & Cannon (2003), p. 206f 41. Quoted in Zarefsky (2004), p. 139

26 | “we’re a peaceful nation” september 20, 2001: “Freedom and fear are at war”

The scene and background for the Cold War; the scene would be arranged speech, as well as a suitable environ- to resemble WWII: ment for the speaker are all important “So he suggested that Bush revert to from a rhetorical perspective. The scene older forms and speak not from his of the speech on September 20 was solitary desk, but from the rostrum once again well chosen. Bush’s Chief from which Woodrow Wilson and Strategist, Karl Rove, also known as Franklin Roosevelt asked for their dec- ‘Bush’s Brain’42, decided that Bush larations of war and Harry Truman would deliver his important speech at a announced the Truman doctrine. It was session of Congress rather than in the a brilliant idea.”43 Oval Office. This would strengthen A speech should always be judged Bush’s position as a speaker and leader from the speaker’s position. Speeches after his previous blunders. Bush would are made when there is a need to ad- speak more effectively to an audience dress a problem both verbally and pub- than to a camera lens, claimed Rove. licly. Primarily: what objections does A ceremonial ‘Address to the nation’ the speaker want to address? The task also guarantees that all members of here was to inspire trust and show Congress, even opponents, will appear capability, to establish a credible presi- supportive. Another reason for not dential role, to be the strong man that choosing the Oval Office was its associ- many people wanted. And Bush acts ation with the presidential speeches of offensively. He begins by praising the the Cold War, which focused more on American people who have joined up actions that had already been carried behind the rescue workers and worked out rather than a request for permission together to unite the nation: “My to act in the future. And this was not a fellow citizens, for the last nine days,

42. Moore & Slater (2003); Dubose (2003) 43. Frum (2003), p. 135f

“freedom and fear are at war” | 27 the entire world has seen for itself the he said that the USA is a constitutional state of our Union – and it is strong.” nation but that other laws will now (Appendix 4) In rhetoric, this is known apply: “We’re a nation of law, a nation as delectare, i.e. capturing the public’s of civil rights. We’re also a nation un- attention by pleasing them and building der attack. And the Attorney General a rapport between the speaker and the will address that in a way that I think listeners. Then he immediately lifts the the American people will understand.” process to an abstract value level by Shortly before that, in reference to re- using vague terms and phrases that are actions from Pakistan, India and Saudi difficult to object to: “Tonight we are a Arabia, he had said: “They know my country awakened to danger and called intentions are to find those who did to defend freedom. /…/ Freedom and this, find those who encouraged them, fear are at war.” The latter assertion, find them who house them, find those relatively incomprehensible but still who comfort them, and bring them to weighty, is used on the website as a justice.” He continues to emphasize by heading for the speech. persisting with these repetitions: “I will By redefining the events in this way, keep my focus to make sure that not Bush shifts the focus away from the only are these brought to justice, but events at hand towards more universal, anybody who’s been associated will be everlasting values. He stresses his point brought to justice. Those who harbor with unclear and slightly cryptic for- terrorists will be brought to justice.” mulations: “Whether we bring our ene- As he is referring to terrorism, this can mies to justice, or bring justice to our be interpreted as a death sentence, enemies, justice will be done.” either by bringing them to court or But what does justice mean? Justice using weapons on them somewhere is one of the most central words in else. This phrase implies that the USA Bush’s rhetoric, and one of the most will be police, prosecutor, judge and traditional American values.44 In executioner all in one. Sweden, we associate ‘justice’ with In his speech on September 20, he courts that send people to gaol. In the lets this ‘war’ appear as something quite USA, especially in Bush’s own state of extraordinary; a war that calls for ex- Texas, murderers are sentenced not traordinary measures: “Not one battle only to jail but to capital punishment. but a lengthy campaign…” But while So every time Bush uses the word ‘jus- he depicts a long and dangerous battle, tice’, we should also understand that the sacrifices required of the American the evildoers could be eliminated. At people appear to be relatively small. He the press conference on September 16, calls for ‘business as usual’; that people

44. Hart (1997), 238 ff

28 | “we’re a peaceful nation” resume their everyday lives, regardless The speech is full of references to of increased security measures. As basic American values: besides being rhetoric scholar David Zarefsky points the chosen country, America stands for out, the speech breathes optimism and justice, freedom, traditional family determination, two qualities required values, and it acts with God’s blessing: of a leader in a crisis situation. The “Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, leader should show that he is in control have always been at war. And we know and knows what has to be done. But that God is not neutral between them.” this is also a genuine preparedness Once again we see the Old Testament speech: the battle, though long, will be approach to good and evil. Black and won; the terrorists will end “in history’s white differences; a simple concept of unmarked grave of discarded lies”; the the world. George W. Bush has deep USA will be a liberator: “Our nation, roots in the American political tradi- this generation, will lift the dark threat tion known as ‘civil religion’. This con- of violence from our people and our cept is a combination of politics and future. We will rally the world to this religion where America is seen as a new cause by our efforts, by our courage.” Israel and God’s chosen country.46 Like Once again, the USA has a historic the late Ronald Reagan and George mission to liberate the world. Once Bush Senior before him, President again, it is the chosen country that will Bush stressed the need for prayer and carry out its mission determinedly and an unwavering Christian faith. But successfully. He ends the speech by say- Bush’s religious language seems more ing: “We will not tire, we will not falter genuine than most former presidents and we will not fail”, which is a direct because he is personally religious and reference to Winston Churchill’s words can give his rhetoric a certain amount in a radio address on February 9, 1941: of credibility. He can also build his “We shall not fail or falter; we shall not rhetoric on the elevated nature of his weaken or tire... Neither the sudden own position. When an American shock of battle nor the long-drawn tri- politician becomes president he becomes als of vigilance and exertion will wear a type of high priest. us down. Give us the tools and we will The forty-minute long speech, finish the job.”45 By minimising the which as usual was interrupted several action alternatives in this crisis situation, times by applause, contains an abun- the speech offers no choice but to dance of concrete details and some accept the interpretation. carefully chosen, vague value concepts. President Bush formulates the questions

45. BBC radio broadcast, Feb 9, 1941 46. For more information about “civil religion”, see Lejon, Kjell O.U. (1994)

“freedom and fear are at war” | 29 Figure. US President George W. Bush, with rest of the world. By claiming that not Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (Left) only America but also the whole of the and Robert Byrd (Right), addresses a Joint civilised world was the target of the Session of Congress, 20 September 2001 attack, he is implicitly demanding that in the House Chamber in the US Capitol in world’s support. But his request for Washington, DC. photo: win mcnamee/ pressens bild help and support is not formulated as an appeal, it is a threat: “Every nation in every region now has a choice to that people want to ask – “Americans make. Either you are with us, or you are asking…” – and then gives some are with the terrorists.” In other words, answers and explanations: who the he is not asking for help but demand- terrorists are, why they hate America, ing that all nations enter a coalition. how the war will be fought and won, and And he repeats three times that the ter- what is expected of the American people. rorists will be hunted and eliminated In practice, the speech is a declara- globally with “every necessary weapon tion of war against the Taliban regime of war”. and a preparedness speech requesting If we refrain from dismissing this as support from both the country and the ‘mere rhetoric’, what Bush is saying, in

30 | “we’re a peaceful nation” principle, is that the USA is prepared gious antagonism, yet still define the to ignore international conventions, in- upcoming actions as a divine mission. cluding international rules of warfare, But the theme that is most central and respond in whatever way it feels to the war rhetoric, and any other type justified based on a threat scenario that of rhetoric, is ‘freedom’. will not be revealed in its entirety – and use any type of weapon considered necessary to win. ‘Freedom’ theme This speech was given to a session Freedom is generally one of the most of Congress, the USA’s democratic important themes in rhetorical argu- assembly, but can hardly be described mentation, as probably no one will ever as a deliberative democratic speech, i.e. have any objections. The goal of all a speech that invites debate. He does political rhetoric is to create a common not say: “We must discuss counter ground for future action. If the recipi- measures for this critical situation,” or: ent can be persuaded that freedom is “Let us show how democracy is superior threatened, it will be easier to find to terrorism by making careful and support for the countermeasures. ‘Free- joint decisions.” The speech is prescrip- dom’ and its somewhat more formal tive and dogmatic, stresses authority synonym ‘Liberty’ are also central value and allows no objections. words in American rhetoric, and one of The US media described this speech the most commonly used concepts in as a major success for the President. He President Bush’s statements. ‘Freedom’ did what most Americans obviously was already the keyword in the first considered appropriate in the situation, speech on September 11, combined specifically to show his credibility as a with light and dark religious crisis leader. As a columnist in the New metaphors: York Times wrote the next day: “Mr. “America was targeted for attack Bush rose to the occasion, finding at because we’re the brightest beacon for times the eloquence that has eluded freedom and opportunity in the world. him in the past.” Other columnists also And no one will keep that light from waxed lyrical, recalling the speeches of shining. /…/ Our country is strong. both Abraham Lincoln and Winston And our cause is even larger than our Churchill, and wrote that Bush had country. Ours is the cause of human 47 now finally acted ‘presidential’. dignity; freedom guided by conscience Religious themes were central in the and guarded by peace. This ideal of rhetoric directly after the attacks. It was America is the hope of all mankind. now important to tone down the reli- That hope drew millions to this harbor.

47. Discussed by Zarefsky (2004)

“freedom and fear are at war” | 31 That hope still lights our way. And the This obviously described a response light shines in the darkness. And the that would take a long time. Rumsfeld darkness will not overcome it.” said, “this is not a quick fix… It’ll take In his speech on September 20, years, I suspect.”48 Bush uses the words ‘freedom’ and ‘free’ War missions must be sold like thirteen times. Exactly what is meant products and this is done by giving by freedom is not clear; the term is them code names. This began in WWI, unspecified but obviously powerful. when German general staff gave their The speech is published on the White operations names like the ‘Archangel’ House website under the quote: ‘Free- and ‘Valkyrie’: fateful victory names dom at War with Fear’ – but what does that would inspire hope and morale. this really mean? Freedom is suddenly But these code names were not intend- a sole agent that finds itself at war. And ed for the general public; they were what is meant by fear? Fear is not an practical, internal mission names. Care- accepted opposite value for freedom. fully planned propaganda concepts Fear is a kind of lack of freedom, but were not used until public support was who is responsible for that fear? Does required in advance. The invasion of he mean that the terrorists are afraid? Panama in 1989 was called ‘Just They obviously aren’t. But the expression Cause’; the period after the invasion sounds good and resolute. It appears as was called ‘Promoting Liberty’.49 a maxim, a general truth, and consti- Freedom and America are almost tutes a kind of elevation of the actual synonymous in the ‘war on terrorism’; events. in principle freedom is launched as the Bush frequently uses ‘freedom’ in his USA’s mission, as in a speech on Octo- war rhetoric, especially in the trade- ber 30, 2001: “Anyone who sets out to mark that evolves for the war on terror- destroy freedom must eventually attack ism. For the first few days, the trade- America, because we’re freedom’s home”. mark was ‘infinite justice’, but this was And the speech that Bush made on immediately rejected by Christian, May 1, 2003 contains the triumphant Jewish and Muslim groups. Only God lines: can administer infinite justice they “We are committed to freedom in said, which made the suggestion sound Afghanistan, in Iraq, and in a peaceful blasphemous. On Tuesday September Palestine. The advance of freedom is 25, the Secretary of Defense, Donald the surest strategy to undermine the Rumsfeld, presented the new trade- appeal of terror in the world. Where mark: Operation Enduring Freedom. freedom takes hold, hatred gives way to

48. http://special.scmp.com/waronterrorism/comment/ZZZOZXEP1SC.html 49. Lars Schmidt, “Kriget säljs in med mördande reklam” (The war is sold with murderous advertising), Dagens Nyheter 29/09/02

32 | “we’re a peaceful nation” hope. When freedom takes hold, men This central theme of ‘freedom’ is fur- and women turn to the peaceful pur- ther emphasised by a photo page on suit of a better life. American values the White House website, ‘Photos of and American interests lead in the same Freedom’, where American soldiers direction: We stand for human liberty.” appear as liberators and benefactors.50

50. http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/photoessay/essay1/01.html

“freedom and fear are at war” | 33 october 7, 2001: The Afghanistan War speech

On October 6, Bush makes a speech to In this mixed bag, the concepts are mark the beginning of military opera- vague and diluted, as if they go without tions in Afghanistan. Despite the pre- saying. He consistently refers to friends vailing state of shock after September and friendship between all those helping 11 and vociferous demands for revenge, to fight against terrorism. Other recur- protests against a military solution to ring positive value words are ‘peace’ (5 the crisis have become increasingly in- times) and of course, ‘freedom’. George sistent. Bush initially emphasizes how W. Bush explains ‘Enduring Freedom’ the ‘world’ stands behind the action: in the war speech on October 7, 2001: “We are supported by the collective “The name of today’s military opera- will of the world.” (Appendix 5) The tion is Enduring Freedom. We defend action is otherwise defined as a ‘mission’: not only our precious freedoms, but also “Your mission is defined; your objectives the freedom of people everywhere to live are clear; your goal is just.” A mission and raise their children free from fear.” is something that comes from above, Thus the act of war is portrayed as something that demands sacrifices, defence rather than attack, in the cus- something honourable. ‘War’ is only tomary manner of glossing over hostili- used once in the speech, to denote ties. It is presented as a peace project everything that will be done to stop rather than an act of war: terrorism and, interestingly enough, “I’m speaking to you today from the it includes both peaceful and military Treaty Room of the White House, a means: place where American Presidents have “This military action is a part of our worked for peace. We’re a peaceful campaign against terrorism, another nation. Yet, as we have learned, so sud- front in a war that has already been denly and so tragically, there can be no joined through diplomacy, intelligence, peace in a world of sudden terror. In the freezing of financial assets and the the face of today’s new threat, the only arrests of known terrorists by law way to pursue peace is to pursue those enforcement agents in 38 countries.”

34 | “we’re a peaceful nation” who threaten it. We did not ask for this As we strike military targets, we’ll also mission, but we will fulfill it.” drop food, medicine and supplies to The choice of scenery is also inter- the starving and suffering men and esting here, and obviously so important women and children of Afghanistan. that it is commented upon in the The United States of America is a speech. Peace treaties had been signed friend to the Afghan people …” with Romania, Italy and Hungary in Concern for the civilian population the Indian Treaty Room, for example, becomes an increasingly prominent and John F. Kennedy signed the test theme the longer the actions are delayed, ban treaty here in 1963. But the most and conditions for women, in particular, important event, at least according to are brought more and more to the fore- the White House website, was that the front. UN Charter was signed here.51 This setting underlines the peacetime nature of the action. Yet Bush is uncommonly ‘Oppression of clear about what the military operations will deal with. Paraphrases are women’ theme always interesting because they reveal “The enemy is atrociously cruel and the true implications of what is said, degenerate in his conduct of the war. and a number of paraphrases appear in /…/ Stress can always be laid upon the the introduction (author’s emphases): wounding of women, children, old “On my orders, the United States people, priests and nuns, and upon military has begun strikes against al sexual enormities, mutilated prisoners Qaeda terrorist training camps and 52 military installations of the Taliban and mutilated non-combatants.” regime in Afghanistan. These carefully targeted actions are designed to disrupt The ‘Help’ theme became more acute the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base as civilian victims became increasingly of operations, and to attack the military visible. In a speech on November 8, capability of the Taliban regime.” President Bush emphasises the war’s Strikes, actions, attack, etc. but only humanitarian side: against military targets. Criticism, and “Throughout this battle, we adhere concern for the war’s civilian victims was to our values. Unlike our enemy, we addressed and met with promises of help: respect life. We do not target innocent “At the same time, the oppressed civilians. We care for the innocent people of Afghanistan will know the people of Afghanistan, so we continue generosity of America and our allies. to provide humanitarian aid, even

51. http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/eeobtour/indian-treaty.html 52. Lasswell (1927), p. 81f

t he afghanistan war speech | 35 while their government tries to steal the never held the traditional Saturday food we send. Address before, and secondly, Laura When the terrorists and their support- Bush had kept an extremely low politi- ers are gone, the people of Afghanistan cal profile throughout the six months will say with the rest of the world, of her husband’s presidency. The speech ‘Good riddance.’”53 was headed the ‘Taliban’s War Against But when critical voices could not Women and Children’ and came about be silenced and television pictures of six weeks after the USA had begun human suffering became more urgent, bombing Afghanistan. It also came the previously mentioned third main some days after pictures of children’s argument, the ‘oppression of women’ bodies, victims of US bombings, had was produced. Not by Bush and Blair, been cabled out all over the world and but by their wives. encouraged even more people to ques- On November 17, 2001 Laura Bush tion the acts of war. took her husband’s place in front of the Laura Bush’s speech is an emotional radio microphone and made a speech description of the Taliban regime’s to the nation in the President’s place.54 oppression of women and children This event was remarkable for at least where she claims, for example, that two reasons. Firstly, a First Lady had children “aren’t allowed to fly kites; their mothers face beatings for laughing out loud”, and that “the Taliban threaten to pull out women’s fingernails for wearing nail polish.” Laura Bush’s speech gives the impression that the battle against terrorism is primarily a battle for women’s rights and dignity: “I hope Americans will join our family in working to insure that dignity and opportunity will be secured for all the women and children of Afghanistan.” The

Figure. FirstLadies Cherie Blair (Left) and Laura Bush (Right) sit together to listen to President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair conduct a joint press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 16, 2004. photo: paul j. richards/afp

53. http://www.september11news.com/PresidentBushAtlanta.htm 54. Appendix 6

36 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Taliban regime wages a war against influential role if it suits a political women and children while American strategy, however. And apart from the families fight to save them. In Laura fact that Mrs Bush and Mrs Blair’s con- Bush’s description, the war is a family cern for the women of Afghanistan was affair – the conclusion being that she, probably genuine, they were also the a wife and mother, is entitled to express only ones who could express an opin- an opinion. ion in this manner. It would have Two days later, Cherie Blair, who is sounded very strange coming from the otherwise rarely involved in her hus- President or Prime Minister, even band’s politics, delivered a speech though they later returned to the theme against the Taliban regime’s oppression repeatedly. of women from 10 Downing Street. The ‘Women’ theme was discussed The speech follows the same theme by the speechwriters prior to the ‘victory and paints more or less the same pic- speech’ after the Afghanistan War: tures as Laura Bush’s speech, including Bush’s State of the Union Address on the drastic example of drawn out fin- January 29, 2002. But the ‘Women’ gernails.55 She begins by emphasising theme had served its purpose for the her own efforts for human rights and time being. Neither was it one of the the equality of women during her five ‘key priorities’ that the Bush career as a lawyer “and certainly in the Administration, led by Condoleezza last four years alongside Tony since he Rice, had listed after the presidential became Prime Minister”. Both speeches election in 2000. One of these priori- were described by a somewhat surprised ties was, however, “to deal decisively media as a new feature in the campaign with the threat of rogue regimes and against the Taliban regime and for hostile powers, which is increasingly American and NATO’s actions in taking the forms of the potential for Afghanistan, a link in the new ‘feminism’ terrorism and the development of that had now entered the propaganda.56 weapons of mass destruction (WMD)”.57 Mrs Bush and Mrs Blair are not the In his State of the Union Address in first ‘First Ladies’ (if we can use the ex- 2002, Bush now mentions ‘weapons of pression for a British Prime Minister’s mass destruction’, and accuses North wife) to become involved in their hus- Korea, Iran and Iraq, in that order, of bands’ politics. Take Hillary Clinton possessing these and equates these three and Eleanor Roosevelt for example. But countries to an ‘axis of evil’. We can neither a First Lady nor a Prime Minis- now move on to the second chain of ter’s wife is a democratically elected events, the preparation and implemen- politician. They can be assigned an tation of action in Iraq.

55. http://www.pm.gov.uk/default.asp?pageid=5376 56. See, e.g., Aftonbladet, 18/11/2001: “Bush och Putin – nyblivna feminister” (Bush and Putin – new feminists) 57. Frum (2003), p. 226

t he afghanistan war speech | 37 january 29, 2002: State of the Union

On January 29, 2002 Bush delivered USSR, during the Second World War. his annual address to the nation, a The ‘axis of evil’ is of course a mislead- speech that was in principle a victory ing term, because it presumes a coali- speech following the main military tion of states when in fact two of them operations in Afghanistan. (Appendix 7) (Iran and Iraq) have been bitter ene- In actual fact, this speech is a key vision mies for decades and furthermore, have speech for the continued ‘war on ter- never been aligned with the third state, rorism’, because the central phrase ‘axis North Korea. of evil’ provides a focus for the future. But propaganda images function at Bush characterised Iran, Iraq and emotional rather than logical level, and North Korea as: a threat scenario was needed. It is interesting to note how this scenario devel- “an axis of evil, arming to threaten the oped. David Frum, the previously peace of the world. By seeking weapons quoted speechwriter, tells how some of mass destruction, these regimes pose months before the speech was to be a grave and growing danger. They held, chief speechwriter Mike Gerson could provide these arms to terrorists, asked him to find a motivation for the giving them the means to match their war: “Can you sum up in a sentence or hatred. They could attack our allies or two our best case for going after Iraq?” attempt to blackmail the United States. Frum did not want to refer to Saddam’s In any of these cases, the price of indif- cruelty over the past ten years, because ference would be catastrophic.”58 the next question would be why the This metaphor obviously alludes to the first attack on Iraq in 1991 was never Axis powers, primarily Germany, Italy finished. Neither could he refer to and Japan, which fought against the Saddam’s alleged murder attempt on Allies, i.e. Britain, France, USA and George Bush Senior, as that would

58. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020129-11.html

38 | “we’re a peaceful nation” seem too personal for starting a war. Frum’s use of language here is strik- He knew there was no proven link ing in regard to the American identity: between Saddam and the attacks on North Korea had been ‘cosseted’ and September 11. But President Bush needed a firmer hand. needed an argument to link the two Frum called his creation the ‘axis of together. The answer was to go back hatred’, in connection with Bush’s earlier in history and find a similar event, ‘Hate’ theme. Gerson wanted instead specifically Pearl Harbor. Japan had to use Bush’s religious language, which been ruthless and unpredictable, and led to the ‘axis of evil’: so was Saddam. And an even greater “North Korea is a regime arming attack was possible if Saddam aligned with missiles and weapons of mass with other countries in the same type destruction, while starving its citizens. of axis as Japan, Italy and Germany; Iran aggressively pursues these weapons it was just that Frum wanted to align and exports terror, while an unelected Saddam with the terrorists, not with few repress the Iranian people’s hope another country. This was introduced for freedom. Iraq continues to flaunt its in later revisions of the speech. hostility toward America and to support Condoleezza Rice wanted to go back terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to to the ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and theme, for example, and wondered nuclear weapons for over a decade.” which other states had these weapons, A classical three-part argumentation, e.g. Iran and, remarkably enough, where the strongest card, Iraq, comes North Korea: last. By including the other two threats “It was attempting to develop nuclear and linking them, one of them certain- Weapons, it had a history of reckless ly appears to be more menacing than if aggression, and it too had been cosseted Iraq alone is the enemy. And all three by the United States in the recent past are connected by that vague but alarm- and needed to feel a stronger hand.”59 ing word ‘evil’.

59. Frum (2003), p. 238

state of the union | 39 october 7, 2002: The Cincinnati speech

After Bush’s State of the Union Address good opportunity for improving the on January 29, 2002, the Iraq issue was USA’s global influence, Rumsfeld was relatively quiet, but after a visit by more specific, as Woodward, who at- Tony Blair on the first anniversary of tended a large number of meetings in September 11, the preparedness rhetoric the UN Security Council, states: gained momentum, i.e. an almost six- “Before the attacks, the Pentagon month effort to make the Iraq War had been working for months on devel- credible with progressively enhanced oping a military option for Iraq. /…/ threat scenarios. Any serious, full-scale war on terrorism The Iraq War in 2003 was preceded would have to make Iraq a target – by a long series of preparedness speech- eventually. Rumsfeld was raising the es. Throughout the entire autumn of possibility that they could take advan- 2002, Bush painted the major threats tage of the opportunity offered by the that Iraq posed to the USA, a threat terrorist attacks to go after Saddam scenario that was as vague as it was immediately.”60 alarming. The ‘Iraq’ theme had already Bush’s political advisers, led by Karl been integrated into the ‘war on terror- Rove, were obviously convinced that ism’ rhetoric after September 11, how- Saddam was a simple and straightfor- ever, when Donald Rumsfeld, amongst ward enemy. James Moore and Wayne others, wondered whether America Slater, two more or less Bush-supporting shouldn’t start there. In actual fact, the commentators, describe Iraq’s construc- Pentagon had already been planning tion as an enemy in the following way, military operations in Iraq before the based on Rove’s actions and reasoning: attacks on the World Trade Center “We are good. Iraq is bad. We love (WTC). And when Bush realised that freedom. They do not. A clear, accessible the attack on the WTC provided a message for an electorate too busy to

60. Woodward, (2002), p. 49

40 | “we’re a peaceful nation” read deeper into the story. The lan- And he ensures his listeners that the guage must not be bloody. It’s regime questions have been “broadly and fully” change. Not war. Clean and antiseptic. discussed by his administration. “And More of a procedure than a battle.”61 tonight, I want to share those discussions In a radio speech on October 5, with you.” He wants to create an im- President Bush describes the threat pression of competence, reflection and from Saddam Hussein as “grave and total openness. The first question, about growing” and two days later, he makes the nature of the threat, is answered by a speech in Cincinnati that will be describing Saddam Hussein as the ulti- analysed in detail here because it holds mate dictator. He and his regime are some obvious connections with the described in the following terms: speech made by Bush Senior at the be- • murderous tyrant 62 ginning of the Gulf War. The setting • invaded and brutally occupied is interesting, and has been carefully a small neighbor chosen. Bush stands in front of a world • unrelenting hostility toward map with the USA in the middle. The the United States Internet page has the Iraqi flag, a map • merciless nature of its regime of Iraq and the heading, ‘Denial and deception’. The title of the speech is: • homicidal dictator ‘President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat’. The second and probably most relevant Bush begins by speaking about “a great question about the urgency of action threat to peace, and America’s determi- is answered by saying: “If we know nation to lead the world in confronting Saddam Hussein has dangerous weapons that threat”. (Appendix 8) today - and we do - does it make any The entire speech then builds upon sense for the world to wait to confront an ostensible dialogue with the Ameri- him as he grows stronger and develops can people, in the form of detailed an- even more dangerous weapons?” But swers to all the questions that people on what basis does he support this probably want to ask. He presents the claim, which we now know to be un- main themes in a quick disposition: true? Apart from repeating, “we know”, “Many Americans have raised legiti- which refers to information from intel- mate questions: about the nature of the ligence sources without evidence, he threat; about the urgency of action – quotes the comments of UN weapons why be concerned now; about the link inspectors. One argument is ‘guilt by between Iraq developing weapons of association’ and allegations of co-opera- terror, and the wider war on terror.” tion between Iraq and al-Qaeda: “We

61. Moore & Slater, (2003), p. 287 62. See analysis in Karlberg & Mral (1998), pp. 69–79

t he cincinnati speech | 41 know that Iraq and the al Qaeda ter- for the Iraq argumentation. Let’s look rorist network share a common enemy at what this expression really means. – the United States of America”. The question of urgency is addressed twice in the speech, which indicates the ‘Weapons of Mass weight of this objection. The second Destruction’ theme time he uses an effective and later recurring metaphor, the ‘smoking gun’, In order to understand the meaning of together with the ‘mushroom cloud’: vague concepts, the best clues are some- “Facing clear evidence of peril, we times found in their encyclopaedia cannot wait for the final proof – the definitions. According to the Swedish smoking gun – that could come in the encyclopaedia Nationalencyclopedin, form of a mushroom cloud. /…/ we ‘weapons of mass destruction’ is have every reason to assume the worst, “a generic term for nuclear weapons as and we have an urgent duty to prevent well as biological, chemical and radio- the worst from occurring.” logical weapons, defined in a UN resolu- The image of the mushroom cloud tion in 1948. Subsequently, some forms was already a part of the official dis- of environmental influence with the course before September 11 and was aim of inflicting harm on another na- also used by the National Security tion have been added. The concept thus Advisor, Condoleezza Rice, when she comprises a number of technically disappeared on CNN on September 8, parate, and in part hypothetical, types 2002: “The problem here is that there of weapons or methods, and the word is will always be some uncertainty about especially used in political contexts” how quickly he can acquire nuclear [transl.]. weapons. But we don’t want the smok- Weapons of mass destruction are thus ing gun to be a mushroom cloud.”63 a vague concept, alarming but weakly The chic combination of a western defined. They constitute a powerful symbol for the wicked deeds that have and threatening concept, and are obvi- already taken place and the Cold War’s ously never used for one’s own weapon nuclear icon is visually strong; thus, production but for enemy arsenals. easy to remember and a good media According to BBC News e-cyclopedia, gimmick. The threat scenario in the the FBI’s definition of weapons of mass Cincinnati speech is built almost exclu- destruction (WMD) also includes con- sively on the concept of ‘weapons of ventional explosives: “A weapon crosses mass destruction’. This term is used, the WMD threshold when the conse- with some variations, 32 times through- quences of its release overwhelm local out the speech and provides a platform

63. Quoted by Ben Fritz on http://www.spinsanity.org/

42 | “we’re a peaceful nation” responders.” The same encyclopaedia became apparent that the bacteria had also commented on the actual choice of originated in American laboratories, words: “WMD has had a mass impact and when an employee at the army’s of its own. Its recent ubiquity has institute for infectious diseases was later earned it a place on Lake Superior State detained for the crime, the news quickly University’s famed list of ‘misused, died down. The events left their mark, overused and generally useless’ words.”64 however. Sociologist, Danielle R. Egan, The concept is used in the speeches claims that the anthrax panic, however after September 11, before the well founded it may have been, also Afghanistan War. At a press conference distracted attention from the war in on October 11, 2001, one month after Afghanistan: the disaster, and in reference to the high “The use of the term ‘weapon of level of preparedness for new attacks, mass destruction’ in the discourse of Bush explains: Anthrax is the ultimate illusion, the “We received knowledge that perhaps ultimate way of producing a cultural an al Qaeda operative was prepared to panic and blindness to the massive use a crop duster to spray a biological contradiction between Anthrax /…/ weapon or a chemical weapon on and the repeated dropping of ten-ton American people. And so we responded bombs on Afghanistan. The contradic- /…/ We knew full well that in order tion in logic is so obvious, but so for a crop duster to become a weapon obscured. How can a bacterium that a of mass destruction would require a simple sixty-day course of the antibiotic retrofitting, and so we talked to machine Cipro can cure be viewed as more shops around where crop dusters are threatening than the continual air raids located.” in Afghanistan?”65 The concept was used particularly Egan’s comparison is of course mis- frequently in conjunction with the leading, not only because the threats anthrax episode in autumn, 2001. A are directed in the opposite direction number of letters containing anthrax (anthrax at the Western World, bombs bacteria created a global fear of new at Afghanistan) but also because if the terror attacks, this time with biological anthrax bacteria was widely spread, it weapons. Five people in the USA were would not be easily combated with infected and died, and large numbers of antibiotics. However, war rhetoric wel- other people were infected. The spread- comed the concrete meaning that both ing of anthrax was immediately linked anthrax and the ‘discursively produced to al-Qaeda and intensified war prepa- panic’ gave to the vague concept of rations. But after a few weeks, when it ‘weapons of mass destruction’.

64. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2744411.stm 65. Egan (2002), p. 8

t he cincinnati speech | 43 february 5, 2003: Colin Powell’s speech to the UN

Exactly how welcome is indicated in And for his other purpose, Powell US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s provides some new information: speech on February 5, 2003, where he “...to share with you what the United presented the now highly contended States knows about Iraq’s weapons of ‘facts’ about Iraq’s possession of weapons mass destruction as well as Iraq’s in- of mass destruction. (Appendix 9) He volvement in terrorism, which is also presented his address more than one the subject of Resolution 1441 and week before both UN weapons inspec- other earlier resolutions.” tors, Dr Blix and Dr ElBaradei, pre- This assertion is now problematic sented their preliminary results, which because it raises the question of why were generally expected to be negative. the inspectors were not given this in- Powell’s speech should be seen as an formation. Powell addresses any objec- attempt to counteract these experts’ tions here by saying, “…we are provid- opinions in advance, and anticipate any ing all relevant information we can to other protests against the war plans. the inspection teams for them to do The speech was long, one hour and their work.” 15 minutes, and packed with figures, The actual production of evidence quotations and photo evidence. Powell is also interesting in terms of his argu- claims two purposes with his speech: mentative technique. The evidence firstly, to support what he calls the constitutes an overabundance of exam- “core assessments made by Dr Blix and ples, facts, pictures, quotations and Dr ElBaradei”, specifically that Iraq assertions that evoke credibility by their had neither complied with its disarma- sheer number. We will not evaluate the ment obligations nor provided any new degree of truthfulness in these claims; information about weapons of mass de- we will look at their actual rhetorical struction. The inspectors’ other point, form. Powell bases his entire argumen- that they had not found any signs of tation on UN Security Council Resolu- such weapons, is not named. tion 1441, which he defines in the

44 | “we’re a peaceful nation” following manner: “The purpose of and the credibility that he manages to that resolution was to disarm Iraq of its create in the actual situation. Colin weapons of mass destruction. /…/ Res- Powell’s credibility as the US Secretary olution 1441 gave Iraq one last chance, of State, a potential presidential candi- one last chance to come into compli- date and an experienced, high-ranking ance or to face serious consequences.” military officer, etc. is high. But as the His whole, long speech is an attempt situation is so sensitive: the planned to prove that Iraq has not complied actions are highly questioned by some with its obligations. The production of members of the UN assembly and evidence only indicates that weapons proof that Iraq constitutes an imminent of mass destruction may exist (and as threat is almost non-existent, Powell many later commented, that evidence has to use both his personal qualities was weak). His basic thesis is that Iraq and his performance to reclaim the has not co-operated and will therefore credibility of the Bush Administration. have “to face serious consequences”. The video recording of the speech al- Powell refers to Resolution 1441 no lows us to review both the text and the less than 19 times. performance, and Powell’s body language The speech was published on the is interesting. Powell emphasises his White House website under the heading, words with gestures, pauses and voice ‘Iraq – denial and deception’ and the variations that show indignation. He page presents all the evidence in the stresses specific words by gesticulating, form of graphics, slides and a video moving his hands rhythmically and webcast.66 Powell presents 45 examples banging on the table. He does not mere- of visual ‘evidence’ to support his argu- ly read a text; he projects his own ethos, mentation. According to classical and uses his whole body to project his rhetorical theory, examples, concrete assurance and deep conviction that the and simple images, quotations and nar- evidence is well founded. Giving credi- ratives always provide the most effec- bility to one’s own convictions is essen- tive evidence. Seeing and hearing with tial for convincing an audience, and your own ears and eyes holds the body language is an effective method for strongest evidentiary value. Thereto stressing the meaning of words. comes the speaker’s own credibility: the His remarks are full of rhetorical ethos that he brings with him, and the devices: rhetorical questions, emphasis, ethos he creates as he speaks. irony, indignation, accumulated threat A speaker’s ethos can be described as scenarios, ostensible exactness and a combination of his own credibility in vague claims. Thirty-two times Powell terms of authority, merits and status claims, “we know…”, sometimes with-

66. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/02/20030205-1.html

colin powell’s speech to the un | 45 out specifying any source, sometimes – ‘For the possibility there are for- mentioning “human sources”, some- bidden ammo.’ times claiming “human sources who – ‘For the possibility there is by are in a position to know facts”. Names chance forbidden ammo?’ are only given in exceptional cases. – ‘Yes.’ The slides and their interpretations – ‘And we late you a message yester- constitute the strongest evidence. In day to clean out all of the areas, the a war situation, we should not expect scrap areas, the abandoned areas. Make rational, logical and truth-seeking argu- sure there is nothing there.’” mentation. But it is useful to compare Not only does he emphatically repeat at least some of Powell’s arguments the relatively lightweight message that with a rational and logical ideal. Ideally, has already been played, he also distorts we should not engage in fallacies, it. In the translation, the second last logical false conclusions and non-objec- sentence is: “And we sent you a message tivity.67 Without entering into the com- to inspect the scrap areas and abandoned plexities of a logical argumentation anal- areas.” Powell, however, says all areas ysis, we can still benefit from its defini- and not only to ‘inspect’ but also to ‘clean tion of non-objectivity. Philosopher out’. The original could just as easily be Arne Naess has listed some deviations interpreted as officers in the field who from the objectivity ideal in terms of bi- want to check whether anything has ased accounts, ambiguities, descriptions been left in the scrap areas, which is a and hasty conclusions.68 Powell provides reasonable request given the situation. some textbook examples of these and According to Powell, however, it consti- other fallacies. One of his first items of tutes a deliberate attempt to hide am- ‘proof’ that Saddam Hussein has not munition. In fallacy terms, this would attempted to disarm is the recording of be defined as both a biased account and a brief conversation between an alleged a deliberate misquotation. Together officer from the Republican Guard with the final comment in the conversa- headquarters and an officer in the field. tion i.e. that the officers will destroy the After playing the conversation with an message so that no one will see it, American translation, he reads it aloud Powell draws the following conclusion: himself, deliberately and dramatically: “...they don’t want that message “Let me pause again and review the seen, because they were trying to clean elements of this message: up the area to leave no evidence behind –‘They’re inspecting the ammunition of the presence of weapons of mass you have, yes.’ destruction. And they can claim that – ‘Yes.’ nothing was there. And the inspectors

67. For more information about fallacies in Swedish, see Sigrell (2001), Ch. 4 68. Naess (1992), pp. 101-115

46 | “we’re a peaceful nation” can look all they want, and they will find nothing. This effort to hide things from the inspectors is not one or two isolated events, quite the contrary. This is part and parcel of a policy of evasion and deception that goes back 12 years, a policy set at the highest levels of the Iraqi regime.” His entire argumentation is based on the premises that the opponent is wrong because he is silent: ‘I am right because you cannot prove me wrong.’ A fallacy that runs through the entire speech is the threat argument. The most obvious and astonishing example appears in the middle of his speech, Figure. US Secretary of State Colin Powell when Powell arrives at the anthrax holds up a vial that he said could contain theme. He holds up a small pipe with anthrax as he presents evidence of Iraq's some powder in it and says: alleged weapons programs to the United Nations Security Council Wednesday, “Less than a teaspoon of dry anthrax, February 5, 2003. photo: elise amendola/ap a little bit about this amount – this is just about the amount of a teaspoon – less than a teaspoon full of dry anthrax We can only hope that there were in an envelope shut down the United no anthrax bacteria in this pipe, but we States Senate in the cases of 2001. have to study his formulation carefully This forced several hundred people to to ensure that he did not, in fact, claim undergo emergency medical treatment that. The obscurity is hardly co-inciden- and killed two postal workers just from tal. We recognise the classic demand for an amount just about this quantity that evidentia, a presentation of exact and was inside of an envelope. striking details. The figures are suppos- Iraq declared 8,500 liters of anthrax, edly exact, yet at the same time vague: but UNSCOM estimates that Saddam one teaspoon, yet “tens upon tens upon Hussein could have produced 25,000 tens of thousands of teaspoons”. They liters. If concentrated into this dry seem authentic and are, in fact, credible form, this amount would be enough because Colin Powell invests his entire to fill tens upon tens upon tens of ethos in the evidentiary presentation. thousands of teaspoons. And Saddam As previously mentioned, Powell already Hussein has not verifiably accounted has high credibility as a military officer for even one teaspoon-full of this deadly and a politician, and when he presents material. these items of ‘proof’ so emphatically,

colin powell’s speech to the un | 47 why should we mistrust them? But war That weapons of mass destruction propaganda relies on people having were an excuse is obvious to us today, short memories. And in this situation, but no one expressed this as clearly who can remember statements made as Deputy Defence Secretary Paul several years ago? Wolfowitz. On May 28, 2003, in an Powell himself should have been interview with Wolfowitz that was pub- aware that even if he did not deliberately lished in Vanity Fair, a magazine for lie, his information was dubious, teenage girls (!), he claims that weapons because already in February, 2001 in of mass destruction were never the main reference to the USA’s successful sanc- reason for the US invasion of Iraq: tions against Iraq and Saddam Hussein, “For bureaucratic reasons, we settled he said: “He has not developed any on one issue, weapons of mass destruc- significant capability with respect to tion, because it was the one reason weapons of mass destruction. He is everyone could agree on.” unable to project conventional power The UN weapons inspectors’ work against his neighbors.”69 has always been problematic for the US We now have a case where one pro- Government. In his “victory speech” on paganda claim rules out another. In May 1, 2003 Bush implies that it was 2001, he wanted to ensure Iraq’s neigh- completely useless, and that the search bours that America had the situation for weapons of mass destruction would under control, that air strikes and start now: “We’ve begun the search for sanctions had worked, and were moti- hidden chemical and biological vated because they had prevented the weapons and already know of hundreds development of weapons of mass of sites that will be investigated.” destruction. Two years later, this was It would seem that the UN weapons no longer the ‘truth’. inspectors’ work had never taken place.

69. http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2001/933.htm, see also http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/28/iraq/main575469.shtml

48 | “we’re a peaceful nation” february 15, 2003: Tony Blair’s speech

On February 14, the UN’s inspectors, WWII and the League of Nations’ op- Blix and ElBaradei, presented their portunity and responsibility to prevent report to the UN, and the next day, an invasion of Abyssinia: “In the early enormous anti-Iraq war rallies were days of the fascist menace, it had the held all around the world. Around one duty to protect Abyssinia from invasion. million people took to the streets in But when it came to a decision to en- Rome and London alone.70 That same force that guarantee, the horror of war day, Tony Blair gave a speech at deterred it. We know the rest. The Labour’s spring conference or, to be menace grew; the League of Nations exact, at Labour’s local government, collapsed; war came.” The threat sce- women’s and youth conferences, SECC, nario is that if we miss this occasion Glasgow.71 After a short prelude to and do not act now, the situation will confirm Labour’s role in government only worsen, just like it did then. The and the importance of making tough Abyssinia example is just one of several decisions to defend the country’s shared parallels with WWII that appear in the values, he plunges into the ‘Iraq’ war propaganda. A threat scenario theme. This speech has been titled fallacy that is both a biased and auda- “I want to solve the Iraq issue via the cious use of a historic analogy. What United Nations” and he uses these really happened was that Italy invaded exact words. But during his speech, he Abyssinia, and the League of Nations subjects the UN to a condition: “Yes, could have intervened if both the UK let the United Nations be the way to and France had not opposed this action. deal with Saddam. But let the United However, they wanted to try and reach Nations mean what it says; and do an acceptable solution with Mussolini. what it means.” He refers back to So even though Tony Blair holds the

70. See, e.g., Dagens Nyheter 16/02/03 71. http://www.labour.org.uk/tbglasgow/, Appendix 10

tony blair’s speech | 49 League of Nations responsible for of concrete, alternatively vague figures: WWII, it was in fact the UK and “There will be no march for the victims France that initiated the events that of Saddam, no protests about the thou- would then lead up to WWII. The later sands of children that die needlessly compliancy with Germany (Munich every year under his rule, no righteous Pact) by Prime Minister Neville Cham- anger over the torture chambers which if berlain provides the background for he is left in power, will be left in being.” Tony Blair’s actions. He did not want By comparing incomparable quanti- to repeat Chamberlain’s mistake. You ties, he stretches the figures to exorbitant do not negotiate with a tyrant; you limits: inflict a military defeat. “But as you watch your TV pictures The rhetorical situation is of course of the march, ponder this: critical. Millions of people are at that If there are 500,000 on that march, very moment demonstrating on the that is still less than the number of streets against his conviction that war people whose deaths Saddam has been is necessary. A manifestation that is responsible for. probably the largest ever held in the “If there are one million, that is still UK. Blair uses the following two lines less than the number of people who of argumentation to address the protests: died in the wars he started.” This is a very effective way to illus- 1. He does not want a war: “Every trate the number of victims and at the time I have asked us to go to war, same time, accuse his opponents of im- I have hated it.” – but claimed that providence. He supports his argument the strategy was successful in both by reading an e-mail and letter from two Kosovo and Afghanistan. exiled Iraqis, a man and a woman, who 2. It is more morally justifiable to criticise the war opponents: “He says the remove Saddam than not to do so: principle of opposing war by the public “The moral case against war has a is received warmly by Iraqis for it reveals moral answer: it is the moral case the desire of people to avoid suffering. for removing Saddam.” But he says it misses the point – because the Iraqi people need Saddam removed His second line of argumentation con- as a way of ending their suffering.” This stitutes a direct attack on the peace is a classical rhetorical device, i.e. using movement for what Blair claims is short personal experiences and anecdotes to sightedness and irresponsibility. He argue a case; presenting an emotional describes war opponents as emotional argument that is difficult to oppose. In people who certainly hate the war and other words, the war is portrayed as the probably do not like Saddam but who lesser of two evils. War advocates are do not care about Saddam’s victims, portrayed as having higher moral stan- which he illustrates with an abundance dards than war opponents.

50 | “we’re a peaceful nation” But the fact is that while Bush re- out onto the streets for all the victims frains from making any comments on that a non-action would bring. He the demonstrations, Blair accepts them accuses the war protestors of being as a legitimate expression of opinion: callous, while the pending war is por- “What brings thousands of people out trayed as a humanitarian action; a con- in protests across the world? /…/ It is a fusion of ideas that once again reverts right and entirely understandable hatred back to George Orwell’s ‘double talk’: of war. It is moral purpose, and I respect “Ridding the world of Saddam would that.” At the same time, he insinuates be an act of humanity. It is leaving him that the demonstrators would not go there that is in truth inhumane.”

tony blair’s speech | 51 march 16, 2003: Summit meeting in the Azores

An invasion of Iraq had been on the “We envisage a unified Iraq with its cards for more than six months and territorial integrity respected. All the time was now running out because of Iraqi people – its rich mix of Sunni and soaring summer temperatures, etc., etc. Shiite Arabs, Kurds, Turkomen, Assyrians, Protests against the pending war were Chaldeans, and all others – should en- large-scale and global. The goal of war joy freedom, prosperity, and equality in propaganda, wherever possible, was to a united country. We will support the describe the operation as something other than war. Figure. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, The statement issued by the ‘Trans Left, with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Atlantic Coalition’, i.e. George W. Maria Aznar, Second from left, US President Bush, Tony Blair and the Spanish George W. Bush and Portugese Prime Prime Minister José Maria Aznar, at Minister Jose Durao Barroso, Right, speak their summit meeting in the Azores on to the media at the Lajes joint US/Portu- guese air force base in the Azores Sunday March 16, 2003, just two days before March 16, 2003 after a summit to discuss the the war starts, must be described as a crisis in Iraq. photo: stefan rousseau/ap classic example of new Orwellian language. At the press conference, Aznar claimed that they had not come to the Azores to make a declaration of war. Neither does the three leaders’ statement deal with the war but what will happen after the war. After once again painting Saddam Hussein as the root of all evil and holding him responsible for all negative consequences, the coalition’s future actions are portrayed as one single major humanitarian operation:

52 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Iraqi people’s aspirations for a represen- described as ‘commitment’, or when tative government that upholds human the planned military aggression as rede- rights and the rule of law as corner- fined as a peace mission. stones of democracy.”72 War always brings instability and unknown consequences. The interna- ‘Helpfulness’ theme tional community did not support the That the coalition is coming to help action, and considered it a high-risk is a recurring theme in all of the war venture. Thus, one of the rhetorical rhetoric after September 11. Being tasks in this situation was to maintain helpful and generous is part of the the opposite, to make the coalition ap- American identity74 and as such, a pear a reliable player. This is done by rewarding theme when attempting to focusing on collaboration: “we plan to legitimise the acts of war or balance the work in close partnership with interna- acts of aggression. Even before the war tional institutions, including the United in Afghanistan on October 6, 2001, Nations; our Allies and partners; and Bush emphasised the generosity of bilateral donors”. Security is a keyword, America in its actions: once again a contrast to the threat of “Even as we fight evil regimes we are weapons of mass destruction: “Any generous to the people they oppress. military presence, should it be necessary, Following World War II, America fed will be temporary and intended to and rebuilt Japan and Germany, and promote security and elimination of their people became some of our closest weapons of mass destruction;/…/” friends in the world.” Rhetoric analyst Lennart Hellspong Although not all Germans and describes this propaganda technique as Japanese would agree with this state- disguise, created with lies, indefinite- ment, it describes the American identity ness, euphemisms and abstraction.73 upon which Bush builds his reasoning. The lies about weapons of mass America does not want war, it wants destruction require no further com- peace; the American people do not ment. Indefiniteness is when actions are described in vague terms such as want to fight, they want to help. The “if conflict occurs”, “military presence, planned action is only violent by way should it be necessary…” Euphemisms of exception and enforcement. In his are when pending action is described speech at the start of the war on Octo- as humanitarian, i.e. creating the vision ber 8, 2001, Bush once again under- of a better world after a ‘conflict’. And lined the friendly intentions behind the abstraction is when the action is military operations:

72. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030316-1.html 73. Hellspong (1992), p. 220ff 74. Hart (1997), p. 238f

summit meeting in the azores | 53 are a generous people, a thoughtful people who hurt, and share the sadness when people lose their life or when people are hurt. /…/ We have shown in difficult times that we’re not just a world power, that we’re a good and kind and courageous people.” Under the ‘Photo Essays’ link on the White House website, there are two more links under the ‘Photos’ and ‘Timelines’ subheadings: ‘Helping others’, which mainly deals with humanitarian operations for Afghan children, and ‘Helping those in need’, which lists speeches addressing aid re- sponses. Both of these links deal almost exclusively with Afghanistan, and with women and children. There are similar photos under the Iraq links, with children receiving help from American soldiers: the women and children are “At the same time, the oppressed well dressed, healthy, happy and grate- people of Afghanistan will know the ful. The American soldiers look like generosity of America and our allies. Messianic deliverers.75 As we strike military targets, we will This same theme, that the main pur- also drop food, medicine and supplies pose of the military operations is help- to the starving and suffering men and fulness, is also mentioned in the speech women and children of Afghanistan.” delivered just before the Iraq War. On October 30, 2001, during a blazing Afghan War, he affirms: “We

75. http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/photoessay/essay6/

54 | “we’re a peaceful nation” march 19, 2003: George W. Bush’s speech before the invasion of Iraq

On March 19, Bush makes a speech to achieve a united, stable and free country mark the commencement of military will require our sustained commitment. operations in Iraq. (Appendix 12) This We come to Iraq with respect for its time he speaks in the Oval Office, in citizens, for their great civilization and the same place that George Bush Senior for the religious faiths they practice. announced the start of the Gulf War. We have no ambition in Iraq, except to There are two family photos on the remove a threat and restore control of windowsill behind him, one of his that country to its own people.” daughters, and one of his wife and The word ‘war’ figures twice in the dog. connection with Saddam Hussein: to In the introduction to his speech, prevent him from starting a war, and Bush defines the military action as because he does not respect war con- “operations to disarm Iraq, to free its ventions. And to really underline the people and to defend the world from threats at hand, ‘weapons of mass grave danger.” Big words, full of under- destruction’ have become ‘weapons of tones and associations. ‘Operations’ mass murder’. The cruelty theme reminds us of the Gulf War’s careful and appears again here: clinical warfare. Disarming someone will “In this conflict, America faces an probably involve the use of violence, but enemy who has no regard for conven- it is a peacekeeping measure; Iraq is the tions of war or rules of morality. Saddam only military tyrant here, and the popu- Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and lation will soon ‘be liberated’; so the equipment in civilian areas, attempting whole action is about defence, the whole to use innocent men, women and world will be defended. The war is a children as shields for his own military humanitarian operation: – a final atrocity against his people.” “I want Americans and all the world As this speech is mainly directed at to know that coalition forces will keep the troops, we should interpret this every effort to spare innocent civilians statement to mean that civilian areas from harm. /…/. And helping Iraqis are also legitimate targets – if the enemy

george w. bush’s speech before the invasion of iraq | 55 is suspected of hiding there. That the enemy disguises itself refers once again to the cowardice theme. American troops are described, however, with terms such as ‘skill and bravery’ and ‘honorable and decent spirit’. The coalition’s actions are described as military operations but also with concepts including: ‘striking selected targets of military importance’, ‘broad and concerted campaign’, ‘common defense’, ‘remove a threat’, ‘decisive force’. They are clean, well organised and just. The war is portrayed as inevitable: “Now that conflict has come…” as is the pending victory; a necessity in war propaganda. The conflict is part of the USA’s ‘Work for peace’. The ‘work’ metaphor is also interesting from a Figure. "We Can Do It!" A World War II rhetorical perspective because it makes colour poster depicting "Rosie the Riveter" the war appear as a normal turn of encourages American women to join the events. “And you can know that our war workforce. The poster was commis- sioned by the War Production Co-Committee. forces will be coming home as soon as The picture is now sold as a souvenir. their work is done.” poster by j. howard miller/corbis Business, work, job and mission are all commonly occurring concepts in equates military operations with civilian Bush’s rhetoric. Americans are hard- work: “I also have faith in our military. working people. Hard work is an hon- And we have got a job to do – just like ourable thing.76 For propaganda pur- the farmers and ranchers and business poses, ‘work’ is also a positively charged owners and factory workers have a job value word. to do. My administration has a job to do, and we’re going to do it. We will rid the world of the evil-doers.” ‘Work’ theme What happens when war is defined From the very beginning of the chain as a job? The metaphor gives the action of events after September 11, Bush de- a kind of everyday status, something fined the war on terrorism as a ‘job’. In familiar. Political leaders presume that his speech on November 16, 2001 he every individual knows that his/her

76. Hart (1997), p. 238f

56 | “we’re a peaceful nation” ob should contribute to the nation’s The cards have been designed for success. But in principle, work is a children. Their educational purpose is civilian activity, usually well organised described on the back of the packet: and regulated. Work is necessary. It “An encyclopedic record of America’s has a certain traditional, masculine war on terrorism. Cards contain bio- quality. Work is honourable and has graphical information on civilian and little to do with feelings, except of military leaders entrusted to guide us course pride. through this fight, statistical data, and We are delegated a job; it is serious, photos of military hardware.” secure and demands responsibility. In Topps claims the collection “presents this war rhetoric, work is a traditional the New War on Terrorism in a format masculine metaphor embraced by factors that children understand. Not included not usually associated with war, namely are the disturbing images shown games, sport and entertainment. repeatedly on national newscasts. Instead, Topps has chosen to focus on America’s strengths – its elected leaders, ‘Games and the security of its military, its worldwide support … and the courage and sport’ theme unity of its people.” Hunting is just one of the games and The pictures are really rather in- sport metaphors used to describe acts significant: Bush speaking on the tele- of war as something acceptable and phone, Condoleezza Rice in speaker familiar, or even entertaining. Another pose, soldiers in formation (‘Marines example of patriotic playfulness during Head Out For Overseas Duty’), but the Iraq War is an issue of trading cards. there is nothing ‘disturbing’, nothing Topps, a company that produces cards from the war field, no advanced of sporting heroes, has issued a series of weapons, and as Clay Risen sarcastically 90 cards under the heading ‘Enduring remarks, nothing about the war’s Freedom’. As the independent Flak humanitarian side: Magazine writer, Clay Risen, explains: “… of refugee camps, of wounded “Enduring Freedom picture cards soldiers or of anti-war protests. That are only the latest in a long line of would be ‘disturbing.’ And anyway, Sept. 11 kitsch. And while the idea of this is the ‘New War’, in which the making money off the tragedy is ques- bad guys get incinerated, civilians go tionable, these cards go one step fur- untouched and U.S. servicemen don’t ther by presenting the ‘New War on die. A kid-friendly war, and that means Terrorism’ as a fun, pleasant way for a profit-friendly war as well. With kids to learn about current events.” merchandise like this, who needs Fox News?”77

77. http://flakmag.com/misc/topps.html

george w. bush’s speech before the invasion of iraq | 57 Even the Swedish media used games “I was the guy that said they ought to metaphors during the Gulf War in vote. And one country voted – at least 1991 to imply its inevitability. A game showed their cards, I believe. It’s an old should not be interrupted until one of Texas expression, show your cards, when the sides has won.78 Trading cards were you’re playing poker. France showed also used as propaganda during Opera- their cards. After I said what I said, they tion Desert Storm, which Matthew said they were going to veto anything Nadelhaft analyses: that held Saddam to account. So cards “The prevalence of sports metaphors have been played. And we’ll just have to in discourse about the war illustrates take an assessment after tomorrow to both the utility of sports as a conceptual determine what that card meant.”81 tool and as means of legitimation, and This could be the statement that led the pervasiveness of sports in American to a PR gimmick that was particularly cultural logic; its almost unconscious appreciated by the media: a pack of residence in the American mind.”79 cards featuring Iraq’s 55 “Most-Wanted” But sport and game metaphors do leaders, 54 men and 1 woman. not only apply in an American context; Brigadier General Vincent Brooks, they are also part of a traditional mas- the spokesperson of the US Alliance at culine mentality, where life is a contest. the US Central Command outpost in The goal of all social activities is to Qatar, explains on 11 April 2003: outdo your opponent, and war is the “Coalition governments have identified ultimate and still legitimate form of a list of key regime leaders who must competition.80 The metaphors may also be pursued and brought to justice. The give the war a more human perspective, key list has 55 individuals who may be not to mention an entertainment value. pursued, killed or captured /…/ This That the Iraq War was seen as a play list has been provided to Coalition for positions is rhetorically unambigu- forces on the ground in several forms ous. Both Bush and Blair use the to ease identification when contact ‘game’ concept to describe the events. does occur. And this deck of cards is In the press conference in the Azores, one example of what we provide to sol- for example, Tony Blair says: “Saddam diers and marines out in the field, with plays these games and we carry on the faces of the individuals and what allowing him to play them.” (Appendix their role is. In this case there are 55 11) And at the same press conference, cards in the deck.”82 when Bush was asked about voting on Converting the enemy to a party a second UN resolution, Bush answers: game was a rhetorical stroke of genius.

78. Johannesson (1992), p. 44ff 79. Nadelhaft (1993), p. 26 80. For more discussion on masculine, competitive mentality and communication, see Ong (1981) 81. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030316-3.htm 82. http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2003_04_11_indexarch.htm

58 | “we’re a peaceful nation” It was ridiculed and trivialised. On newspapers worldwide. Now you can their television screens, Americans own the one true collector’s item from could follow how card after card was Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is the methodically captured by the military. same 55-card deck given to Coalition The USA was the winner. Journalists soldiers featuring Iraq’s 52 ‘Most-Wanted’ had a simple red thread to follow. Even leaders.” children could identify the enemy. At The pack of cards also comes as a first, the pack of cards was only given poster, and as another distributor to troops in Iraq, but sales soared at writes: “This may be the last time any- home and one distributor writes: one will ever see these faces again.”83 “You’ve seen these cards on the nightly news. They’ve been featured in

83. http://www.greatusaflags.com

george w. bush’s speech before the invasion of iraq | 59 may 1, 2003: George W. Bush’s victory speech

“The fighting spirit of a nation feeds is not a victory address and therefore upon the conviction that it has a fighting has no legal consequences: chance to win…. The illusion of victory “… he wants to explain to the must be nourished because of the close American people, having risked lives connection between the strong and the and treasure in pursuit of our goals in good… If we win, God is on our side. Iraq, what the present results are. And If we lose, God may have been on the that’s something that the President began other side.” 84 with his address to the country about, and he wants to, again, now bring it to In his chapter, The Illusion of Victory, a conclusion with a speech to the coun- Harold D. Lasswell defines the propa- try. The war on terror will continue. gandist’s self-assurance in theological Iraq was a phase in the war on terror. terms. If we, the good side, do not win, And the President wants to discuss all God has abandoned us, which is de- of this with the American people.” moralising. So at some reasonable and The speech is thus linked to the credible point, the military strategists State of the Union Address and will must declare victory. thereby round up the present actions; On May 1, 2003 Bush makes the confirm that this stage has come to an speech that could be described as the end. If President Bush had given a victory speech after the occupation of proper victory address, all future actions Iraq. (Appendix 13) However, the speech would have to comply with the Geneva is titled: “President Bush Announces Convention’s demands for the release of Major Combat Operations in Iraq war prisoners, etc.85 This should be Have Ended”. According to White seen as one of the reasons why a victory House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, it was never declared.

84. Lasswell (1927), p. 102 85. See comments in Fox News: http://www.foxmarketwire.com/story/0,2933,85588,00.html

60 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Bush does not make the speech in setting is highly symbolic, with cheering the Oval Office, but on USS Abraham returning troops, after apparently Lincoln, an atomic-powered aircraft successful military operations. An enor- carrier that has been used in Afghanistan, mous banderol flies above the scene, in the no-fly zone in Iraq, and in the “Mission Accomplished”, probably ongoing Iraq War. As Fox News writes: pertaining to the warship’s mission, but “Pilots flew thousands of bomb-drop- also implying that Bush’s mission was ping sorties from the deck.”86 The successful. The address takes the form of a thank you speech to the troops, where- Figure. President George W. Bush delivering by Bush is guaranteed applause. The a speech to crew aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, as the carrier steamed strategists know that Bush works best toward San Diego, California on May 1, in front of a cheering audience, and his 2003. The White House said on October 29, spirits are high after the flight. CNN 2003 that it had helped with the production describes the situation: of a "Mission Accomplished" banner as “Bush said he did take a turn at a backdrop for the speech. photo: larry piloting the craft. downing/reuters

86. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,85844,00.html

george w. bush’s victory speech | 61 ‘Yes, I flew it. Yeah, of course, I began on September the 11, 2001 – liked it,’ Bush said, who was an F-102 and still goes on /…/ We do not know fighter pilot in the Texas Air National the day of final victory, but we have Guard after graduating from Yale seen the turning of the tide.” University in 1968. This form of triumphant incanta- ‘Great job,’ Bush said, a wide smile tion should definitely be seen in terms stretched across his face as he posed for of the media’s dramaturgy, where war photographs with crew members who days were counted. Declaring that the gathered to get their pictures with the war was over put an end to this dra- president. He draped his arms around matic and unpleasant inventory. Each some, slapped the backs of others and day brought new victims, and the shook hands with many.” aggression and occupation had to be “The picture-perfect landing, covered toned down. This also applied to the live on television, marked the latest scale of destruction and killing. Bush effort by the White House to showcase once again assures that violence was Bush as commander in chief.”87 the last resort. He says that weapons And although CNN submits to a of precision were used, in contrast to mild irony, this spectacular scene is previous wars where whole towns were broadcast both here and in other media destroyed. He also intimates that civil- all over the world. ians have not suffered greatly: The ongoing war is described in the “With new tactics and precision speech as: weapons, we can achieve military • The battle of Iraq objectives without directing violence •Major combat operations against civilians. No device of man can remove the tragedy from war; yet it is •A noble cause a great moral advance when the guilty The war is portrayed as a noble action, have far more to fear from war than the aimed at preserving world peace: “In innocent.” this battle, we have fought for the cause Once again, he claims that the USA of liberty, and for the peace of the is a helping angel, vengeful perhaps, but world.” The word ‘victory’ does not benevolent and kind towards those in appear until the end of the speech, need. And over and over he stresses the when Bush intimates that the battle in gratefulness of the Iraqi people: “When Iraq has been won, but the war on Iraqi civilians looked into the faces of terrorism continues: “The battle of Iraq our servicemen and women, they saw is one victory in a war on terror that strength and kindness and goodwill.”

87. http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/05/01/bush.carrier.landing/

62 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Epilogue

As this is written, one year after the ganda spectacle. Pictures speak louder ‘victory speech’, terrorism and the war than words, and critical analyses will on terrorism have developed into a kind never compare with pathos-filled narra- of war against an invisible enemy. Global tives, a well-known journalistic fact. war threats have increased and propa- News reporting favours dramatisations ganda efforts intensified. Reluctant and visual simplifications to critical admissions that the Iraqi threat scenario analyses.89 And propaganda is safe in was exaggerated, that there were no the knowledge that critics do not have weapons of mass destruction, that time to review all vicissitudes. Journalists conditions for women have hardly are so focused on daily events that they improved, that the democratisation pro- rarely have time to reflect on what is cess has hardly begun, and the fact that said. On April 5, 2004, George W. violence has escalated after revelations Bush comments on the violent protests of American torture, do not stop propa- against American occupation by saying, ganda strategists from maintaining that “This is one person [Moqtada al Sadr] the actions were legitimate and success- – this is a person, and followers, who ful. Propagandists count on people are trying to say, we don’t want democ- having short memories, that they will racy – as a matter of fact, we’ll decide not remember mendacious propaganda the course of democracy by the use of stagings such as the ‘rescue of Jessica force. And that is the opposite of Lynch’, to name but one example.88 democracy.”90 This quotation is broad- And if by chance they do remember, cast on the television news, but no jour- the heartbreaking story of a female hero nalist comments on the paradox. Propa- comes to mind rather than the propaganda builds upon the trivial fact that if

88. See, e.g., Nordström (2003) 89. cf. Johannesson (1992) concerning media reporting from the Gulf War 90. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040405-4.html

epilogue | 63 a poorly founded assertion is repeated simple: in threatening and complex cir- often enough it will finally be accepted cumstances, we are grateful for simple as the truth, for as long as it is needed solutions. By juggling words and to further the cause. metaphors, by disguising war as hunting, Why is traditional war propaganda games or work, war becomes more still so effective in today’s critical mass acceptable, especially a ‘clinical’ war. media society, with well-informed citi- An enemy that is evil is a legitimate zens as its receivers? We nod in agree- target. A war described as a humanitarian ment with vague, unclear and question- effort is no longer a war. But in today’s able assertions that have motivated war democratic society, we should not be for hundreds of years: that it is better satisfied with black and white solutions, to anticipate than be anticipated; that even in crisis situations. Scepticism, the enemy is evil, cruel and inhumane suspicion and doubts about the war and should be eliminated; that troops strategists’ descriptions should not only should be used because they are already be allowed but encouraged, rewarded in place; that we can build a better so- and prioritised. To use another ciety with violence. The answer to this metaphor, we need to protect ourselves intellectual mystery is probably quite from the ravages of propaganda.

64 | “we’re a peaceful nation” References

Collins, John & Glover, Ross (red.) Johannesson, Kurt (1992), “Kriget som (2002), Collateral Language. en saga”, in Roland Nordlund (red.) A Users Guide to America’s New War, Svenskarna, medierna och gulfkriget, New York University Press Stockholm: Styrelsen för psykolo- Cunningham, Stanley B. (2002), The giskt försvar Idea of Propaganda, Connecticut, Jowett, Garth S. & O’Donnell, Victoria London: Praeger Publishers (1992), Propaganda and Persuasion, Dubose, Lou, Reid, Jan & Cannon, London: Sage (2nd ed.) Carl M. (2003), Karl Rove, the Karlberg, Maria & Mral, Brigitte Brains Behind the Remarkable Politi- (1998), Heder och påverkan. Att cal Triumph of George W. Bush, New analysera modern retorik, Stock- York: PublicAffairs holm: Natur & Kultur Edelman, Murray (1971), Politics as Lasswell, Harold D. (1927), Propaganda Symbolic Action. Mass Arousal and Technique in the World War, New Quiescence, Chicago: Markham York: Alfred A. Knopf Egan, Danielle R. (2002), “Anthrax”, Lejon, Kjell O.U. (1994), “God bless in Collins & Glover (2002) America!” president George Bushs Frum, David (2003), The Right Man. religio-politiska budskap. Lund: The Surprise Presidency of George W. University Press Bush. An Inside Account, New York: Moore, James & Slater, Wayne (2003), Random House Bush’s Brain. How Karl Rove Made Glover, Ross (2002), “The War on –” George W. Bush Presidential, in Collins & Glover (2002) New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hart, Roderick P. (1997), Modern Meyer, Michel (1994), Rhetoric, Rhetorical Criticism, Boston & Language, and Reason, Pennsylvania London: Allyn and Bacon (2nd ed.) State University Press Hellspong, Lennart (1992), Konsten att Nadelhaft, Matthew (1993), “Sports tala. Handbok i praktisk retorik, and the Persian Gulf War”, in Jour- Lund: Studentlitteratur

references | 65 nal of American Culture, 1993, 16, Rediehs, Laura J. (2002), “Evil”, in 4, pp. 25–33 Collins & Glover (2002) Naess, Arne (1992), Empirisk semantik, Sigrell, Anders (2001), Att övertyga Solna: Almqvist & Wiksell mellan raderna. En retorisk studie om Nordström, Gerd Z (2003), Bagdad- underförståddheter i modern politisk Bob, menige Jessica Lynch och Cirkus argumentation, Åstorp: Rhetor förlag Saddam. Irakkriget iscensatt i svenska Weaver, Richard M. (1985), The ethics medier, Stockholm: Krisberedskaps- of rhetoric, Davis, Ca: Hermagoras myndigheten (KBM) Press (2nd ed.) Ong, Walter J, (1989), Fighting Woodward, Bob (2002), Bush at War, for Life. Contest, Sexuality, and New York: Simon & Schuster Consciousness, Amherst: University Zarefsky, David (2004), “George W. of Massachusetts Press Bush Discovers Rhetoric: September Rampton, Sheldon & Stauber, John 20, 2001 and the U.S. Response to (2003), Weapons of Mass Deception. Terrorism”, i: Hyde, Michael J. The Uses of Propaganda in Bush’s War (red.), The Ethos of Rhetoric, on Iraq, New York: Jeremy P. Columbia, S.C.: Univ. Of South Tarcher/Penguin Carolina Press

66 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Appendix

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary September 11, 2001 appendix 1. statement by the president in his address to the nation september 11, 2001

Statement by the President in His Address to the Nation

8:30 P.M. EDT touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. THE PRESIDENT : Good evening. Today, our fellow America was targeted for attack because we're citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly in the world. And no one will keep that light terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or from shining. in their offices; secretaries, businessmen and Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of women, military and federal workers; moms and human nature. And we responded with the best dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives of America – with the daring of our rescue workers, were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of with the caring for strangers and neighbors who terror. came to give blood and help in any way they The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, could. fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have Immediately following the first attack, I imple- filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a mented our government's emergency response quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. murder were intended to frighten our nation Our emergency teams are working in New York into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our City and Washington, D.C. to help with local country is strong. rescue efforts. A great people has been moved to defend a Our first priority is to get help to those who great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foun- have been injured, and to take every precaution dations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot

a ppendix | 67 to protect our citizens at home and around the against terrorism. Tonight, I ask for your prayers world from further attacks. for all those who grieve, for the children whose The functions of our government continue worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense without interruption. Federal agencies in of safety and security has been threatened. And Washington which had to be evacuated today are I pray they will be comforted by a power greater reopening for essential personnel tonight, and than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of institutions remain strong, and the American the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are economy will be open for business, as well. with me.” The search is underway for those who are This is a day when all Americans from every behind these evil acts. I've directed the full re- walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and sources of our intelligence and law enforcement peace. America has stood down enemies before, communities to find those responsible and to and we will do so this time. None of us will ever bring them to justice. We will make no distinc- forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend free- tion between the terrorists who committed these dom and all that is good and just in our world. acts and those who harbor them. Thank you. Good night, and God bless I appreciate so very much the members America. of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the END 8:35 P.M. EDT American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and ------assistance. Return to this article at: America and our friends and allies join with http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001 all those who want peace and security in the /09/20010911-16.html world, and we stand together to win the war

68 | “we’re a peaceful nation” For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary September 14, 2001 appendix 2. the cathedral speech

President's Remarks at National Day of Prayer and Remembrance

The National Cathedral, But our responsibility to history is already clear: Washington, D.C. to answer these attacks and rid the world of evil. War has been waged against us by stealth 1:00 P.M. EDT and deceit and murder. This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict THE PRESIDENT: We are here in the middle hour was begun on the timing and terms of others. of our grief. So many have suffered so great a It will end in a way, and at an hour, of our loss, and today we express our nation’s sorrow. choosing. We come before God to pray for the missing and Our purpose as a nation is firm. Yet our the dead, and for those who love them. wounds as a people are recent and unhealed, and On Tuesday, our country was attacked with lead us to pray. In many of our prayers this deliberate and massive cruelty. We have seen the week, there is a searching, and an honesty. At images of fire and ashes, and bent steel. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York on Tuesday, Now come the names, the list of casualties a woman said, “I prayed to God to give us a sign we are only beginning to read. They are the that He is still here.” Others have prayed for the names of men and women who began their day same, searching hospital to hospital, carrying at a desk or in an airport, busy with life. They pictures of those still missing. are the names of people who faced death, and in God’s signs are not always the ones we look their last moments called home to say, be brave, for. We learn in tragedy that his purposes are and I love you. not always our own. Yet the prayers of private They are the names of passengers who defied suffering, whether in our homes or in this great their murderers, and prevented the murder of cathedral, are known and heard, and understood. others on the ground. They are the names of There are prayers that help us last through men and women who wore the uniform of the the day, or endure the night. There are prayers of United States, and died at their posts. friends and strangers, that give us strength for the They are the names of rescuers, the ones whom journey. And there are prayers that yield our will death found running up the stairs and into the to a will greater than our own. fires to help others. We will read all these names. This world He created is of moral design. We will linger over them, and learn their stories, Grief and tragedy and hatred are only for a time. and many Americans will weep. Goodness, remembrance, and love have no end. To the children and parents and spouses and And the Lord of life holds all who die, and all families and friends of the lost, we offer the deepest who mourn. sympathy of the nation. And I assure you, you It is said that adversity introduces us to our- are not alone. selves. This is true of a nation as well. In this Just three days removed from these events, trial, we have been reminded, and the world has Americans do not yet have the distance of history. seen, that our fellow Americans are generous and

a ppendix | 69 kind, resourceful and brave. We see our national America is a nation full of good fortune, with character in rescuers working past exhaustion; so much to be grateful for. But we are not spared in long lines of blood donors; in thousands of from suffering. In every generation, the world has citizens who have asked to work and serve in any produced enemies of human freedom. They have way possible. attacked America, because we are freedom’s home And we have seen our national character in and defender. And the commitment of our fathers eloquent acts of sacrifice. Inside the World Trade is now the calling of our time. Center, one man who could have saved himself On this national day of prayer and remem- stayed until the end at the side of his quadriplegic brance, we ask almighty God to watch over our friend. A beloved priest died giving the last rites nation, and grant us patience and resolve in all to a firefighter. Two office workers, finding a that is to come. We pray that He will comfort disabled stranger, carried her down sixty-eight and console those who now walk in sorrow. We floors to safety. A group of men drove through thank Him for each life we now must mourn, the night from Dallas to Washington to bring and the promise of a life to come. skin grafts for burn victims. As we have been assured, neither death nor In these acts, and in many others, Americans life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor showed a deep commitment to one another, and things present nor things to come, nor height nor an abiding love for our country. Today, we feel depth, can separate us from God’s love. May He what Franklin Roosevelt called the warm courage bless the souls of the departed. May He comfort of national unity. This is a unity of every faith, our own. And may He always guide our country. and every background. God bless America. It has joined together political parties in both houses of Congress. It is evident in services of END 1:07 P.M. EDT prayer and candlelight vigils, and American flags, which are displayed in pride, and wave in defiance. ------Our unity is a kinship of grief, and a steadfast Return to this article at: resolve to prevail against our enemies. And this http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001 unity against terror is now extending across the /09/20010914-2.html world.

70 | “we’re a peaceful nation” For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary September 16, 2001 appendix 3

Remarks by the President Upon Arrival

The South Lawn when you get back to work, work hard like you always have. But we’ve been warned. We’ve been 3:23 P.M. EDT warned there are evil people in this world. We’ve been warned so vividly – and we’ll be alert. Your THE PRESIDENT: Today, millions of Americans government is alert. The governors and mayors mourned and prayed, and tomorrow we go back are alert that evil folks still lurk out there. to work. Today, people from all walks of life As I said yesterday, people have declared gave thanks for the heroes; they mourn the dead; war on America, and they have made a terrible they ask for God’s good graces on the families mistake, because this is a fabulous country. Our who mourn, and tomorrow the good people of economy will come back. We’ll still be the best America go back to their shops, their fields, farmers and ranchers in the world. We’re still American factories, and go back to work. the most innovative entrepreneurs in the world. Our nation was horrified, but it’s not going On this day of faith, I’ve never had more faith in to be terrorized. We’re a great nation. We’re a America than I have right now. Q: nation of resolve. We’re a nation that can’t be Mr. President, are you worried this crisis cowed by evil-doers. I’ve got great faith in the might send us into a recession? THE PRESIDENT American people. If the American people had : David, I understand that seen what I had seen in New York City, you’d there are some businesses that hurt as a result of have great faith, too. You’d have faith in the this crisis. Obviously, New York City hurts. hard work of the rescuers; you’d have great faith Congress acted quickly. We worked together, because of the desire for people to do what’s right the White House and the Congress, to pass a for America; you’d have great faith because of the significant supplemental. A lot of that money compassion and love that our fellow Americans was dedicated to New York, New Jersey and are showing each other in times of need. Connecticut, as it should be. People will be I also have faith in our military. And we amazed at how quickly we rebuild New York; have got a job to do – just like the farmers and how quickly people come together to really wipe ranchers and business owners and factory workers away the rubble and show the world that we’re have a job to do. My administration has a job still the strongest nation in the world. to do, and we’re going to do it. We will rid the But I have great faith in the resiliency of the world of the evil-doers. We will call together economy. And no question about it, this incident freedom loving people to fight terrorism. affected our economy, but the markets open And on on this day of – on the Lord’s Day, tomorrow, people go back to work and we’ll I say to my fellow Americans, thank you for your show the world. Q: prayers, thank you for your compassion, thank Mr. President, do you believe Osama bin you for your love for one another. And tomorrow Laden’s denial that he had anything to do with this?

a ppendix | 71 THE PRESIDENT: No question he is the prime on alert in America. We’re a nation of law, a suspect. No question about that. nation of civil rights. We’re also a nation under Q: Mr. President, can you describe your attack. And the Attorney General will address conversation with the President of Pakistan and that in a way that I think the American people the specific comments he made to you? And, in will understand. addition to that, do you see other – you’ve asked We need to go back to work tomorrow and Saudi Arabia to help out, other countries? we will. But we need to be alert to the fact that THE PRESIDENT: John, I will – obviously, these evil-doers still exist. We haven’t seen this I made a call to the leader of Pakistan.We had kind of barbarism in a long period of time. No a very good, open conversation. And there is no one could have conceivably imagined suicide question that he wants to cooperate with the bombers burrowing into our society and then United States. I’m not at liberty to detail specifi- emerging all in the same day to fly their aircraft cally what we have asked him to do. In the course – fly U.S. aircraft into buildings full of innocent of this conduct of this war against terrorism, I’ll people – and show no remorse. This is a new be asked a lot, and members of my administra- kind of – a new kind of evil. And we understand. tion will be asked a lot of questions about our And the American people are beginning to un- strategies and tactics. And in order to protect the derstand. This crusade, this war on terrorism is lives of people that will be involved in different going to take a while. And the American people operations, I’m not at liberty to talk about it and must be patient. I’m going to be patient. I won’t talk about it. But I can assure the American people I am But I can tell you that the response from determined, I’m not going to be distracted, I will Pakistan; Prime Minister Vajpayee today, of India, keep my focus to make sure that not only are Saudi Arabia, has been very positive and very these brought to justice, but anybody who’s been straightforward. They know what my intentions associated will be brought to justice. Those who are. They know my intentions are to find those harbor terrorists will be brought to justice. It is who did this, find those who encouraged them, time for us to win the first war of the 21st century find them who house them, find those who com- decisively, so that our children and our grand- fort them, and bring them to justice. children can live peacefully into the 21st century. I made that very clear. There is no doubt in Q: Mr. President, you’ve declared we’re at war anybody’s mind with whom I’ve had a conversa- and asked those who wear the uniform to get tion about the intent of the United States. I gave ready. Should the American public also be ready them ample opportunity to say they were uncom- for the possibility of casualties in this war? fortable with our goal. And the leaders you’ve THE PRESIDENT: Patsy, the American people asked about have said they were comfortable. should know that my administration is determined They said, we understand, Mr. President, and to find, to get them running and to hunt them we’re with you. down, those who did this to America. Now, I Q: Mr. President, the Attorney General is going want to remind the American people that the to ask for enhanced law enforcement authority prime suspect’s organization is in a lot of coun- to surveil and – things to disrupt terrorism that tries - it’s a widespread organization based upon might be planned here in the United States. one thing: terrorizing. They can’t stand freedom; What will that mean for the rights of Americans? they hate what America stands for. So this will What will that mean – be a long campaign, a determined campaign – THE PRESIDENT: Terry, I ask you to talk to a campaign that will use the resources of the the Attorney General about that subject. He’ll be United States to win. prepared to talk about it publicly at some point They have roused a mighty giant. And make in time. But what he is doing is, he’s reflecting no mistake about it: we’re determined. Oh, there what I said earlier in my statement, that we’re will be times when people don’t have this incident facing a new kind of enemy, somebody so barbaric on their minds, I understand that. There will that they would fly airplanes into buildings full be times down the road where citizens will be of innocent people. And, therefore, we have to be concerned about other matters, and I completely

72 | “we’re a peaceful nation” understand that. But this administration, along shoot down any civilian airliner that approached with those friends of ours who are willing to the Capitol? Was that a difficult decision to make? stand with us all the way through will do what it THE PRESIDENT: I gave our military the takes to rout terrorism out of the world. orders necessary to protect Americans, do what- Q: Mr. President, in your conversation with ever it would take to protect Americans. And Pakistan’s leader, was there any request or demand of course that’s difficult. Never did anybody’s you made of him that he failed to satisfy? thought process about how to protect America THE PRESIDENT: The leader of Pakistan has did we ever think that the evil-doers would fly been very cooperative. He has agreed with our not one, but four commercial aircraft into pre- requests to aid our nation to hunt down, to find, cious U.S. targets – never. And so, obviously, to smoke out of their holes the terrorist organiza- when I was told what was taking place, when tion that is the prime suspect. And I am pleased I was informed that an unidentified aircraft was with his response. We will continue to work with headed to the heart of the capital, I was concerned. Pakistan and India. We will work with Russia. I wasn’t concerned about my decision; I was We will work with the nations that one would more concerned about the lives of innocent have thought a couple of years ago would have Americans. I had realized there on the ground in been impossible to work with – to bring people Florida we were under attack. But never did I to justice. But more than that, to win the war dream we would have been under attack this way. against terrorist activity. That’s why I say to the American people The American people are used to a conflict we’ve never seen this kind of evil before. But the where there was a beachhead or a desert to cross evil-doers have never seen the American people or known military targets. That may occur. But in action before, either – and they’re about to right now we’re facing people who hit and run. find out. They hide in caves. We’ll get them out. Thank you all very much. The other day I said, not only will we find those who have affected America, or who might END 3:36 P.M. EDT affect America in the future, we’ll also deal with those who harbor them. ------Q: Mr. President, would you confirm what Return to this article at: the Vice President said this morning, that at one http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/ point during this crisis you gave an order to 2001/09/20010916-2.html

a ppendix | 73 For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary September 20, 2001 appendix 4. “freedom and fear are at war”

Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People

United States Capitol, I thank the Congress for its leadership at such Washington, D.C. an important time. All of America was touched on the evening of the tragedy to see Republicans 9:00 P.M. EDT and Democrats joined together on the steps of this Capitol, singing “God Bless America.” And THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President you did more than sing; you acted, by delivering Pro Tempore, members of Congress, and fellow $40 billion to rebuild our communities and meet Americans: the needs of our military. In the normal course of events, Presidents Speaker Hastert, Minority Leader Gephardt, come to this chamber to report on the state of Majority Leader Daschle and Senator Lott, the Union. Tonight, no such report is needed. I thank you for your friendship, for your leader- It has already been delivered by the American ship and for your service to our country. people. (Applause.) We have seen it in the courage of passengers, And on behalf of the American people, who rushed terrorists to save others on the ground I thank the world for its outpouring of support. – passengers like an exceptional man named America will never forget the sounds of our Todd Beamer. And would you please help me National Anthem playing at Buckingham Palace, to welcome his wife, Lisa Beamer, here tonight. on the streets of Paris, and at Berlin’s Branden- (Applause.) burg Gate. We have seen the state of our Union in the We will not forget South Korean children endurance of rescuers, working past exhaustion. gathering to pray outside our embassy in Seoul, We have seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting or the prayers of sympathy offered at a mosque of candles, the giving of blood, the saying of in Cairo. We will not forget moments of silence prayers – in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. We and days of mourning in Australia and Africa and have seen the decency of a loving and giving Latin America. people who have made the grief of strangers their Nor will we forget the citizens of 80 other own. nations who died with our own: dozens of My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the Pakistanis; more than 130 Israelis; more than entire world has seen for itself the state of our 250 citizens of India; men and women from El Union – and it is strong. (Applause.) Salvador, Iran, Mexico and Japan; and hundreds Tonight we are a country awakened to danger of British citizens. America has no truer friend and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned than Great Britain. (Applause.) Once again, we to anger, and anger to resolution. Whether we are joined together in a great cause – so honored bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to the British Prime Minister has crossed an ocean our enemies, justice will be done. (Applause.) to show his unity of purpose with America. Thank you for coming, friend. (Applause.)

74 | “we’re a peaceful nation” On September the 11th, enemies of freedom Afghanistan’s people have been brutalized – committed an act of war against our country. many are starving and many have fled. Women Americans have known wars – but for the past are not allowed to attend school. You can be 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, jailed for owning a television. Religion can be except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have practiced only as their leaders dictate. A man can known the casualties of war – but not at the be jailed in Afghanistan if his beard is not long center of a great city on a peaceful morning. enough. Americans have known surprise attacks – but The United States respects the people of never before on thousands of civilians. All of this Afghanistan – after all, we are currently its largest was brought upon us in a single day – and night source of humanitarian aid – but we condemn fell on a different world, a world where freedom the Taliban regime. (Applause.) It is not only itself is under attack. repressing its own people, it is threatening people Americans have many questions tonight. everywhere by sponsoring and sheltering and Americans are asking: Who attacked our country? supplying terrorists. By aiding and abetting The evidence we have gathered all points to a murder, the Taliban regime is committing murder. collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organiza- And tonight, the United States of America tions known as al Qaeda. They are the same makes the following demands on the Taliban: murderers indicted for bombing American Deliver to United States authorities all the leaders embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, and responsible of al Qaeda who hide in your land. (Applause.) for bombing the USS Cole. Release all foreign nationals, including American Al Qaeda is to terror what the mafia is to citizens, you have unjustly imprisoned. Protect crime. But its goal is not making money; its goal foreign journalists, diplomats and aid workers in is remaking the world – and imposing its radical your country. Close immediately and permanently beliefs on people everywhere. every terrorist training camp in Afghanistan, and The terrorists practice a fringe form of Islamic hand over every terrorist, and every person in extremism that has been rejected by Muslim their support structure, to appropriate authorities. scholars and the vast majority of Muslim clerics (Applause.) Give the United States full access to – a fringe movement that perverts the peaceful terrorist training camps, so we can make sure teachings of Islam. The terrorists’ directive they are no longer operating. commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to These demands are not open to negotiation kill all Americans, and make no distinction or discussion. (Applause.) The Taliban must act, among military and civilians, including women and act immediately. They will hand over the and children. terrorists, or they will share in their fate. This group and its leader – a person named I also want to speak tonight directly to Osama bin Laden – are linked to many other Muslims throughout the world. We respect your organizations in different countries, including the faith. It’s practiced freely by many millions of Egyptian Islamic Jihad and the Islamic Movement Americans, and by millions more in countries of Uzbekistan. There are thousands of these that America counts as friends. Its teachings are terrorists in more than 60 countries. They are good and peaceful, and those who commit evil in recruited from their own nations and neighborhoods the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah. and brought to camps in places like Afghanistan, (Applause.) The terrorists are traitors to their where they are trained in the tactics of terror. own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack Islam itself. They are sent back to their homes or sent to hide The enemy of America is not our many Muslim in countries around the world to plot evil and friends; it is not our many Arab friends. Our destruction. enemy is a radical network of terrorists, and every The leadership of al Qaeda has great influence government that supports them. (Applause.) in Afghanistan and supports the Taliban regime Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but in controlling most of that country. In Afghanistan, it does not end there. It will not end until every we see al Qaeda’s vision for the world. terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated. (Applause.)

a ppendix | 75 Americans are asking, why do they hate us? nations that provide aid or safe haven to terror- They hate what we see right here in this chamber ism. Every nation, in every region, now has a de- – a democratically elected government. Their cision to make. Either you are with us, or you are leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms with the terrorists. (Applause.) From this day for- – our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, ward, any nation that continues to harbor or our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree support terrorism will be regarded by the United with each other. States as a hostile regime. They want to overthrow existing governments Our nation has been put on notice: We are in many Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Saudi not immune from attack. We will take defensive Arabia, and Jordan. They want to drive Israel out measures against terrorism to protect Americans. of the Middle East. They want to drive Christians Today, dozens of federal departments and agencies, and Jews out of vast regions of Asia and Africa. as well as state and local governments, have These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, responsibilities affecting homeland security. These but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every efforts must be coordinated at the highest level. atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, So tonight I announce the creation of a Cabinet- retreating from the world and forsaking our level position reporting directly to me – the friends. They stand against us, because we stand Office of Homeland Security. in their way. And tonight I also announce a distinguished We are not deceived by their pretenses to American to lead this effort, to strengthen piety. We have seen their kind before. They are American security: a military veteran, an effective the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the governor, a true patriot, a trusted friend – Penn- 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve sylvania’s Tom Ridge. (Applause.) He will lead, their radical visions – by abandoning every value oversee and coordinate a comprehensive national except the will to power – they follow in the path strategy to safeguard our country against terror- of fascism, and Nazism, and totalitarianism. And ism, and respond to any attacks that may come. they will follow that path all the way, to where it These measures are essential. But the only ends: in history’s unmarked grave of discarded way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of lies. (Applause.) life is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it where Americans are asking: How will we fight and it grows. (Applause.) win this war? We will direct every resource at our Many will be involved in this effort, from command – every means of diplomacy, every tool FBI agents to intelligence operatives to the of intelligence, every instrument of law reservists we have called to active duty. All deserve enforcement, every financial influence, and every our thanks, and all have our prayers. And tonight, necessary weapon of war – to the disruption and a few miles from the damaged Pentagon, I have a to the defeat of the global terror network. message for our military: Be ready. I’ve called the This war will not be like the war against Iraq Armed Forces to alert, and there is a reason. The a decade ago, with a decisive liberation of territory hour is coming when America will act, and you and a swift conclusion. It will not look like the will make us proud. (Applause.) air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no This is not, however, just America’s fight. ground troops were used and not a single American And what is at stake is not just America’s freedom. was lost in combat. This is the world’s fight. This is civilization’s Our response involves far more than instant fight. This is the fight of all who believe in retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom. not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, We ask every nation to join us. We will ask, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may and we will need, the help of police forces, include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert intelligence services, and banking systems around operations, secret even in success. We will starve the world. The United States is grateful that terrorists of funding, turn them one against many nations and many international organiza- another, drive them from place to place, until tions have already responded – with sympathy there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue and with support. Nations from Latin America,

76 | “we’re a peaceful nation” to Asia, to Africa, to Europe, to the Islamic Tonight I thank my fellow Americans for world. Perhaps the NATO Charter reflects best what you have already done and for what you will the attitude of the world: An attack on one is an do. And ladies and gentlemen of the Congress, attack on all. I thank you, their representatives, for what you The civilized world is rallying to America’s have already done and for what we will do side. They understand that if this terror goes together. unpunished, their own cities, their own citizens Tonight, we face new and sudden national may be next. Terror, unanswered, can not only challenges. We will come together to improve bring down buildings, it can threaten the stability air safety, to dramatically expand the number of of legitimate governments. And you know what air marshals on domestic flights, and take new – we’re not going to allow it. (Applause.) measures to prevent hijacking. We will come Americans are asking: What is expected of us? together to promote stability and keep our air- I ask you to live your lives, and hug your children. lines flying, with direct assistance during this I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I emergency. (Applause.) ask you to be calm and resolute, even in the face We will come together to give law enforce- of a continuing threat. ment the additional tools it needs to track down I ask you to uphold the values of America, terror here at home. (Applause.) We will come and remember why so many have come here. We together to strengthen our intelligence capabilities are in a fight for our principles, and our first re- to know the plans of terrorists before they act, sponsibility is to live by them. No one should be and find them before they strike. (Applause.) singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words We will come together to take active steps because of their ethnic background or that strengthen America’s economy, and put our religious faith. (Applause.) people back to work. I ask you to continue to support the victims Tonight we welcome two leaders who embody of this tragedy with your contributions. Those the extraordinary spirit of all New Yorkers: who want to give can go to a central source of Governor George Pataki, and Mayor Rudolph information, libertyunites.org, to find the names Giuliani. (Applause.) As a symbol of America’s of groups providing direct help in New York, resolve, my administration will work with Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Congress, and these two leaders, to show the world The thousands of FBI agents who are now that we will rebuild New York City. (Applause.) at work in this investigation may need your After all that has just passed – all the lives cooperation, and I ask you to give it. taken, and all the possibilities and hopes that I ask for your patience, with the delays and died with them – it is natural to wonder if Amer- inconveniences that may accompany tighter ica’s future is one of fear. Some speak of an age of security; and for your patience in what will be a terror. I know there are struggles ahead, and dan- long struggle. gers to face. But this country will define our I ask your continued participation and con- times, not be defined by them. As long as the fidence in the American economy. Terrorists United States of America is determined and attacked a symbol of American prosperity. They strong, this will not be an age of terror; this will did not touch its source. America is successful be an age of liberty, here and across the world. because of the hard work, and creativity, and (Applause.) enterprise of our people. These were the true Great harm has been done to us. We have strengths of our economy before September 11th, suffered great loss. And in our grief and anger we and they are our strengths today. (Applause.) have found our mission and our moment. Free- And, finally, please continue praying for the dom and fear are at war. The advance of human victims of terror and their families, for those in freedom – the great achievement of our time, uniform, and for our great country. Prayer has and the great hope of every time – now depends comforted us in sorrow, and will help strengthen on us. Our nation – this generation – will lift a us for the journey ahead. dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by

a ppendix | 77 our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we rest; I will not relent in waging this struggle for will not falter, and we will not fail. (Applause.) freedom and security for the American people. It is my hope that in the months and years The course of this conflict is not known, yet ahead, life will return almost to normal. We’ll go its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice back to our lives and routines, and that is good. and cruelty, have always been at war, and we Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our know that God is not neutral between them. resolve must not pass. Each of us will remember (Applause.) what happened that day, and to whom it happened. Fellow citizens, we’ll meet violence with pa- We’ll remember the moment the news came – tient justice – assured of the rightness of our where we were and what we were doing. Some cause, and confident of the victories to come. In will remember an image of a fire, or a story of all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a and may He watch over the United States of voice gone forever. America. And I will carry this: It is the police shield of Thank you. (Applause.) a man named George Howard, who died at the World Trade Center trying to save others. It was END 9:41 P.M. EDT given to me by his mom, Arlene, as a proud memorial to her son. This is my reminder of ------lives that ended, and a task that does not end. Return to this article at: (Applause.) http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001 I will not forget this wound to our country or /09/20010920-8.html those who inflicted it. I will not yield; I will not

78 | “we’re a peaceful nation” For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary October 7, 2001 appendix 5. the afghanistan war speech

Presidential Address to the Nation

The Treaty Room way for sustained, comprehensive and relentless operations to drive them out and bring them to 1:00 P.M. EDT justice. At the same time, the oppressed people of THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. On my orders, Afghanistan will know the generosity of America the United States military has begun strikes and our allies. As we strike military targets, we’ll against al Qaeda terrorist training camps and also drop food, medicine and supplies to the military installations of the Taliban regime in starving and suffering men and women and chil- Afghanistan. These carefully targeted actions are dren of Afghanistan. designed to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a The United States of America is a friend to terrorist base of operations, and to attack the the Afghan people, and we are the friends of military capability of the Taliban regime. almost a billion worldwide who practice the We are joined in this operation by our Islamic faith. The United States of America is an staunch friend, Great Britain. Other close friends, enemy of those who aid terrorists and of the including Canada, Australia, Germany and France, barbaric criminals who profane a great religion have pledged forces as the operation unfolds. by committing murder in its name. More than 40 countries in the Middle East, This military action is a part of our campaign Africa, Europe and across Asia have granted air against terrorism, another front in a war that has transit or landing rights. Many more have shared already been joined through diplomacy, intelli- intelligence. We are supported by the collective gence, the freezing of financial assets and the will of the world. arrests of known terrorists by law enforcement More than two weeks ago, I gave Taliban agents in 38 countries. Given the nature and leaders a series of clear and specific demands: reach of our enemies, we will win this conflict by Close terrorist training camps; hand over leaders the patient accumulation of successes, by meeting of the al Qaeda network; and return all foreign a series of challenges with determination and will nationals, including American citizens, unjustly and purpose. detained in your country. None of these demands Today we focus on Afghanistan, but the bat- were met. And now the Taliban will pay a price. tle is broader. Every nation has a choice to make. By destroying camps and disrupting communica- In this conflict, there is no neutral ground. If tions, we will make it more difficult for the terror any government sponsors the outlaws and killers network to train new recruits and coordinate of innocents, they have become outlaws and their evil plans. murderers, themselves. And they will take that Initially, the terrorists may burrow deeper lonely path at their own peril. into caves and other entrenched hiding places. I’m speaking to you today from the Treaty Our military action is also designed to clear the Room of the White House, a place where American Presidents have worked for peace. We’re a peace-

a ppendix | 79 ful nation. Yet, as we have learned, so suddenly prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of their and so tragically, there can be no peace in a lives. They are dedicated, they are honorable; world of sudden terror. In the face of today’s new they represent the best of our country. And we threat, the only way to pursue peace is to pursue are grateful. those who threaten it. To all the men and women in our military We did not ask for this mission, but we will – every sailor, every soldier, every airman, every fulfill it. The name of today’s military operation coastguardsman, every Marine – I say this: Your is Enduring Freedom. We defend not only our mission is defined; your objectives are clear; your precious freedoms, but also the freedom of people goal is just. You have my full confidence, and everywhere to live and raise their children free you will have every tool you need to carry out from fear. your duty. I know many Americans feel fear today. And I recently received a touching letter that says our government is taking strong precautions. a lot about the state of America in these difficult All law enforcement and intelligence agencies are times – a letter from a 4th-grade girl, with a working aggressively around America, around father in the military: “As much as I don’t want the world and around the clock. At my request, my Dad to fight,” she wrote, “I’m willing to give many governors have activated the National him to you.” Guard to strengthen airport security. We have This is a precious gift, the greatest she could called up Reserves to reinforce our military give. This young girl knows what America is all capability and strengthen the protection of our about. Since September 11, an entire generation homeland. of young Americans has gained new understanding In the months ahead, our patience will be of the value of freedom, and its cost in duty and one of our strengths – patience with the long in sacrifice. waits that will result from tighter security; The battle is now joined on many fronts. patience and understanding that it will take time We will not waver; we will not tire; we will not to achieve our goals; patience in all the sacrifices falter; and we will not fail. Peace and freedom that may come. will prevail. Today, those sacrifices are being made by Thank you. May God continue to bless members of our Armed Forces who now defend America. us so far from home, and by their proud and worried families. A Commander-in-Chief sends END 1:07 P.M. EDT America’s sons and daughters into a battle in a foreign land only after the greatest care and a lot ------of prayer. We ask a lot of those who wear our Return to this article at: uniform. We ask them to leave their loved ones, http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/ to travel great distances, to risk injury, even to be 10/20011007-8.html

80 | “we’re a peaceful nation” For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary November 17, 2001 appendix 6

Radio Address by Laura Bush to the Nation

Crawford, Texas the Taliban have imposed on women in Afghanistan do not conform with the treatment of women in 1:00 P.M. EDT most of the Islamic world, where women make important contributions in their societies. Only LAURA BUSH: Good morning. I’m Laura Bush, the terrorists and the Taliban forbid education and I’m delivering this week’s radio address to to women. Only the terrorists and the Taliban kick off a world-wide effort to focus on the threaten to pull out women’s fingernails for brutality against women and children by the wearing nail polish. The plight of women and al-Qaida terrorist network and the regime it children in Afghanistan is a matter of deliberate supports in Afghanistan, the Tablian. That regime human cruelty, carried out by those who seek to is now in retreat across much of the country, and intimidate and control. the people of Afghanistan – especially women Civilized people throughout the world are – are rejoicing. Afghan women know, through speaking out in horror – not only because our hard experience, what the rest of the world is hearts break for the women and children in discovering: The brutal oppression of women is Afghanistan, but also because in Afghanistan, we a central goal of the terrorists. Long before the see the world the terrorists would like to impose current war began, the Taliban and its terrorist on the rest of us. allies were making the lives of children and All of us have an obligation to speak out. women in Afghanistan miserable. Seventy percent We may come from different backgrounds and of the Afghan people are malnourished. One in faiths – but parents the world over love our every four children won’t live past the age of five children. We respect our mothers, our sisters and because health care is not available. Women have daughters. Fighting brutality against women and been denied access to doctors when they’re sick. children is not the expression of a specific culture; Life under the Taliban is so hard and repressive, it is the acceptance of our common humanity even small displays of joy are outlawed – children – a commitment shared by people of good will aren’t allowed to fly kites; their mothers face on every continent. Because of our recent military beatings for laughing out loud. Women cannot gains in much of Afghanistan, women are no work outside the home, or even leave their homes longer imprisoned in their homes. They can listen by themselves. to music and teach their daughters without fear The severe repression and brutality against of punishment. Yet the terrorists who helped rule women in Afghanistan is not a matter of legitimate that country now plot and plan in many countries. religious practice. Muslims around the world And they must be stopped. The fight against have condemned the brutal degradation of women terrorism is also a fight for the rights and dignity and children by the Taliban regime. The poverty, of women. poor health, and illiteracy that the terrorists and

a ppendix | 81 In America, next week brings Thanksgiving. After the events of the last few months, we’ll be holding our families even closer. And we will be especially thankful for all the blessings of American life. I hope Americans will join our family in working to insure that dignity and opportunity will be secured for all the women and children of Afghanistan. Have a wonderful holiday, and thank you for listening.

END ------Return to this article at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/ 11/20011117.html

82 | “we’re a peaceful nation” For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 29, 2002 appendix 7. state of the union

President Delivers State of the Union Address

The United States Capitol, free, and are part of Afghanistan’s new government. Washington, D.C. And we welcome the new Minister of Women’s Affairs, Doctor Sima Samar. (Applause.) 9:15 P.M. EST Our progress is a tribute to the spirit of the Afghan people, to the resolve of our coalition, THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Mr. and to the might of the United States military. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of (Applause.) When I called our troops into action, Congress, distinguished guests, fellow citizens: As I did so with complete confidence in their courage we gather tonight, our nation is at war, our econ- and skill. And tonight, thanks to them, we are omy is in recession, and the civilized world faces winning the war on terror. (Applause.) The man unprecedented dangers. Yet the state of our and women of our Armed Forces have delivered Union has never been stronger. (Applause.) a message now clear to every enemy of the We last met in an hour of shock and suffering. United States: Even 7,000 miles away, across In four short months, our nation has comforted oceans and continents, on mountaintops and in the victims, begun to rebuild New York and the caves – you will not escape the justice of this Pentagon, rallied a great coalition, captured, nation. (Applause.) arrested, and rid the world of thousands of For many Americans, these four months terrorists, destroyed Afghanistan’s terrorist training have brought sorrow, and pain that will never camps, saved a people from starvation, and freed completely go away. Every day a retired firefighter a country from brutal oppression. (Applause.) returns to Ground Zero, to feel closer to his two The American flag flies again over our embassy sons who died there. At a memorial in New York, in Kabul. Terrorists who once occupied Afghanistan a little boy left his football with a note for his lost now occupy cells at Guantanamo Bay. (Applause.) father: Dear Daddy, please take this to heaven. And terrorist leaders who urged followers to I don’t want to play football until I can play with sacrifice their lives are running for their own. you again some day. (Applause.) Last month, at the grave of her husband, America and Afghanistan are now allies against Michael, a CIA officer and Marine who died in terror. We’ll be partners in rebuilding that country. Mazur-e-Sharif, Shannon Spann said these words And this evening we welcome the distinguished of farewell: “Semper Fi, my love.” Shannon is interim leader of a liberated Afghanistan: Chair- with us tonight. (Applause.) man Hamid Karzai. (Applause.) Shannon, I assure you and all who have lost a The last time we met in this chamber, the loved one that our cause is just, and our country mothers and daughters of Afghanistan were will never forget the debt we owe Michael and all captives in their own homes, forbidden from who gave their lives for freedom. working or going to school. Today women are Our cause is just, and it continues. Our discoveries in Afghanistan confirmed our worst

a ppendix | 83 fears, and showed us the true scope of the task terrorist cells that have executed an American, ahead. We have seen the depth of our enemies’ and still hold hostages. Our soldiers, working hatred in videos, where they laugh about the loss with the Bosnian government, seized terrorists of innocent life. And the depth of their hatred is who were plotting to bomb our embassy. Our equaled by the madness of the destruction they Navy is patrolling the coast of Africa to block the design. We have found diagrams of American shipment of weapons and the establishment of nuclear power plants and public water facilities, terrorist camps in Somalia. detailed instructions for making chemical weapons, My hope is that all nations will heed our call, surveillance maps of American cities, and thorough and eliminate the terrorist parasites who threaten descriptions of landmarks in America and their countries and our own. Many nations are throughout the world. acting forcefully. Pakistan is now cracking down What we have found in Afghanistan confirms on terror, and I admire the strong leadership of that, far from ending there, our war against terror President Musharraf. (Applause.) is only beginning. Most of the 19 men who But some governments will be timid in the hijacked planes on September the 11th were face of terror. And make no mistake about it: trained in Afghanistan’s camps, and so were tens If they do not act, America will. (Applause.) of thousands of others. Thousands of dangerous Our second goal is to prevent regimes that killers, schooled in the methods of murder, often sponsor terror from threatening America or our supported by outlaw regimes, are now spread friends and allies with weapons of mass destruc- throughout the world like ticking time bombs, tion. Some of these regimes have been pretty set to go off without warning. quiet since September the 11th. But we know Thanks to the work of our law enforcement their true nature. North Korea is a regime arming officials and coalition partners, hundreds of with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, terrorists have been arrested. Yet, tens of thousands while starving its citizens. of trained terrorists are still at large. These enemies Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and view the entire world as a battlefield, and we exports terror, while an unelected few repress the must pursue them wherever they are. (Applause.) Iranian people’s hope for freedom. So long as training camps operate, so long as Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward nations harbor terrorists, freedom is at risk. And America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime America and our allies must not, and will not, has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, allow it. (Applause.) and nuclear weapons for over a decade. This is a Our nation will continue to be steadfast and regime that has already used poison gas to mur- patient and persistent in the pursuit of two great der thousands of its own citizens – leaving the objectives. First, we will shut down terrorist bodies of mothers huddled over their dead camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists children. This is a regime that agreed to inter- to justice. And, second, we must prevent the national inspections – then kicked out the terrorists and regimes who seek chemical, biologi- inspectors. This is a regime that has something cal or nuclear weapons from threatening the to hide from the civilized world. United States and the world. (Applause.) States like these, and their terrorist allies, Our military has put the terror training constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the camps of Afghanistan out of business, yet camps peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass still exist in at least a dozen countries. A terrorist destruction, these regimes pose a grave and underworld – including groups like Hamas, growing danger. They could provide these arms Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, Jaish-i-Mohammed to terrorists, giving them the means to match – operates in remote jungles and deserts, and their hatred. They could attack our allies or hides in the centers of large cities. attempt to blackmail the United States. In any While the most visible military action is in of these cases, the price of indifference would be Afghanistan, America is acting elsewhere. We catastrophic. now have troops in the Philippines, helping to We will work closely with our coalition to train that country’s armed forces to go after deny terrorists and their state sponsors the

84 | “we’re a peaceful nation” materials, technology, and expertise to make and and women in uniform deserve the best weapons, deliver weapons of mass destruction. We will the best equipment, the best training – and they develop and deploy effective missile defenses to also deserve another pay raise. (Applause.) protect America and our allies from sudden My budget includes the largest increase in attack. (Applause.) And all nations should know: defense spending in two decades – because while America will do what is necessary to ensure our the price of freedom and security is high, it is nation’s security. never too high. Whatever it costs to defend our We’ll be deliberate, yet time is not on our country, we will pay. (Applause.) side. I will not wait on events, while dangers The next priority of my budget is to do gather. I will not stand by, as peril draws closer everything possible to protect our citizens and and closer. The United States of America will not strengthen our nation against the ongoing threat permit the world’s most dangerous regimes to of another attack. Time and distance from the threaten us with the world’s most destructive events of September the 11th will not make us weapons. (Applause.) safer unless we act on its lessons. America is no Our war on terror is well begun, but it is only longer protected by vast oceans. We are protected begun. This campaign may not be finished on from attack only by vigorous action abroad, and our watch – yet it must be and it will be waged increased vigilance at home. on our watch. My budget nearly doubles funding for a We can’t stop short. If we stop now – leaving sustained strategy of homeland security, focused terror camps intact and terror states unchecked on four key areas: bioterrorism, emergency – our sense of security would be false and tempo- response, airport and border security, and improved rary. History has called America and our allies to intelligence. We will develop vaccines to fight an- action, and it is both our responsibility and our thrax and other deadly diseases. We’ll increase privilege to fight freedom’s fight. (Applause.) funding to help states and communities train Our first priority must always be the security and equip our heroic police and firefighters. of our nation, and that will be reflected in the (Applause.) We will improve intelligence collec- budget I send to Congress. My budget supports tion and sharing, expand patrols at our borders, three great goals for America: We will win this strengthen the security of air travel, and use war; we’ll protect our homeland; and we will technology to track the arrivals and departures revive our economy. of visitors to the United States. (Applause.) September the 11th brought out the best in Homeland security will make America not America, and the best in this Congress. And I only stronger, but, in many ways, better. Knowl- join the American people in applauding your edge gained from bioterrorism research will unity and resolve. (Applause.) Now Americans improve public health. Stronger police and fire deserve to have this same spirit directed toward departments will mean safer neighborhoods. addressing problems here at home. I’m a proud Stricter border enforcement will help combat member of my party – yet as we act to win the illegal drugs. (Applause.) And as government war, protect our people, and create jobs in works to better secure our homeland, America America, we must act, first and foremost, not as will continue to depend on the eyes and ears of Republicans, not as Democrats, but as Americans. alert citizens. (Applause.) A few days before Christmas, an airline flight It costs a lot to fight this war. We have spent attendant spotted a passenger lighting a match. more than a billion dollars a month – over $30 The crew and passengers quickly subdued the million a day – and we must be prepared for man, who had been trained by al Qaeda and was future operations. Afghanistan proved that armed with explosives. The people on that plane expensive precision weapons defeat the enemy were alert and, as a result, likely saved nearly and spare innocent lives, and we need more of 200 lives. And tonight we welcome and thank them. We need to replace aging aircraft and make flight attendants Hermis Moutardier and our military more agile, to put our troops any- Christina Jones. (Applause.) where in the world quickly and safely. Our men

a ppendix | 85 Once we have funded our national security energy production at home so America is less and our homeland security, the final great priority dependent on foreign oil. (Applause.) of my budget is economic security for the Good jobs depend on expanded trade. Selling American people. (Applause.) To achieve these into new markets creates new jobs, so I ask great national objectives – to win the war, protect Congress to finally approve trade promotion the homeland, and revitalize our economy – our authority. (Applause.) On these two key issues, budget will run a deficit that will be small and trade and energy, the House of Representatives short-term, so long as Congress restrains spend- has acted to create jobs, and I urge the Senate to ing and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. (Ap- pass this legislation. (Applause.) plause.) We have clear priorities and we must act Good jobs depend on sound tax policy. at home with the same purpose and resolve we (Applause.) Last year, some in this hall thought have shown overseas: We’ll prevail in the war, and my tax relief plan was too small; some thought it we will defeat this recession. (Applause.) was too big (Applause.) But when the checks Americans who have lost their jobs need our arrived in the mail, most Americans thought tax help and I support extending unemployment relief was just about right. (Applause.) Congress benefits and direct assistance for health care cov- listened to the people and responded by reducing erage. (Applause.) Yet, American workers want tax rates, doubling the child credit, and ending more than unemployment checks – they want a the death tax. For the sake of long-term growth steady paycheck. (Applause.) When America and to help Americans plan for the future, let’s works, America prospers, so my economic security make these tax cuts permanent. (Applause.) plan can be summed up in one word: jobs. The way out of this recession, the way to (Applause.) create jobs, is to grow the economy by encouraging Good jobs begin with good schools, and here investment in factories and equipment, and by we’ve made a fine start. (Applause.) Republicans speeding up tax relief so people have more money and Democrats worked together to achieve to spend. For the sake of American workers, let’s historic education reform so that no child is left pass a stimulus package. (Applause.) behind. I was proud to work with members of Good jobs must be the aim of welfare reform. both parties: Chairman John Boehner and C As we reauthorize these important reforms, we ongressman George Miller. (Applause.) Senator must always remember the goal is to reduce Judd Gregg. (Applause.) And I was so proud of dependency on government and offer every our work, I even had nice things to say about my American the dignity of a job. (Applause.) friend, Ted Kennedy. (Laughter and applause. Americans know economic security can vanish I know the folks at the Crawford coffee shop in an instant without health security. I ask couldn’t believe I’d say such a thing – (laughter) – Congress to join me this year to enact a patients’ but our work on this bill shows what is bill of rights – (applause) – to give uninsured possible if we set aside posturing and focus on workers credits to help buy health coverage – results. (Applause.) (applause) There is more to do. We need to prepare our – to approve an historic increase in the spending children to read and succeed in school with for veterans’ health – (applause) – and to give improved Head Start and early childhood seniors a sound and modern Medicare system development programs. (Applause.) We must that includes coverage for prescription drugs. upgrade our teacher colleges and teacher training (Applause.) and launch a major recruiting drive with a great A good job should lead to security in retire- goal for America: a quality teacher in every class- ment. I ask Congress to enact new safeguards for room. (Applause.) 401K and pension plans. (Applause.) Employees Good jobs also depend on reliable and who have worked hard and saved all their lives affordable energy. This Congress must act to should not have to risk losing everything if their encourage conservation, promote technology, company fails. (Applause.) Through stricter build infrastructure, and it must act to increase accounting standards and tougher disclosure requirements, corporate America must be made

86 | “we’re a peaceful nation” more accountable to employees and shareholders to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. and held to the highest standards of conduct. We’ve been offered a unique opportunity, and we (Applause.) must not let this moment pass. (Applause.) Retirement security also depends upon keeping My call tonight is for every American to com- the commitments of Social Security, and we will. mit at least two years – 4,000 hours over the rest We must make Social Security financially stable of your lifetime – to the service of your neighbors and allow personal retirement accounts for and your nation. (Applause.) Many are already younger workers who choose them. (Applause.) serving, and I thank you. If you aren’t sure how to Members, you and I will work together in the help, I’ve got a good place to start. To sustain and months ahead on other issues: productive farm extend the best that has emerged in America, I in- policy – (applause) – a cleaner environment – vite you to join the new USA Freedom Corps. (applause) – broader home ownership, especially The Freedom Corps will focus on three areas among minorities – (applause) – and ways to of need: responding in case of crisis at home; encourage the good work of charities and faith- rebuilding our communities; and extending based groups. (Applause.) I ask you to join me American compassion throughout the world. on these important domestic issues in the same One purpose of the USA Freedom Corps will spirit of cooperation we’ve applied to our war be homeland security. America needs retired against terrorism. (Applause.) doctors and nurses who can be mobilized in During these last few months, I’ve been hum- major emergencies; volunteers to help police and bled and privileged to see the true character of fire departments; transportation and utility this country in a time of testing. Our enemies workers well-trained in spotting danger. believed America was weak and materialistic, that Our country also needs citizens working to we would splinter in fear and selfishness. They rebuild our communities. We need mentors to were as wrong as they are evil. (Applause.) love children, especially children whose parents The American people have responded mag- are in prison. And we need more talented teach- nificently, with courage and compassion, strength ers in troubled schools. USA Freedom Corps will and resolve. As I have met the heroes, hugged the expand and improve the good efforts of Ameri- families, and looked into the tired faces of rescuers, Corps and Senior Corps to recruit more than I have stood in awe of the American people. 200,000 new volunteers. And I hope you will join me – I hope you And America needs citizens to extend the will join me in expressing thanks to one American compassion of our country to every part of the for the strength and calm and comfort she brings world. So we will renew the promise of the Peace to our nation in crisis, our First Lady, Laura Corps, double its volunteers over the next five Bush. (Applause.) years – (applause) – and ask it to join a new effort None of us would ever wish the evil that was to encourage development and education and done on September the 11th. Yet after America opportunity in the Islamic world. (Applause.) was attacked, it was as if our entire country This time of adversity offers a unique mo- looked into a mirror and saw our better selves. ment of opportunity a moment we must seize to We were reminded that we are citizens, with change our culture. Through the gathering mo- obligations to each other, to our country, and to mentum of millions of acts of service and decen- history. We began to think less of the goods we cy and kindness, I know we can overcome evil can accumulate, and more about the good we with greater good. (Applause.) And we have a can do. great opportunity during this time of war to For too long our culture has said, “If it feels lead the world toward the values that will bring good, do it.” Now America is embracing a new lasting peace. ethic and a new creed: “Let’s roll.” (Applause.) All fathers and mothers, in all societies, want In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood their children to be educated, and live free from of firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of poverty and violence. No people on Earth yearn ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what a new to be oppressed, or aspire to servitude, or eagerly culture of responsibility could look like. We want await the midnight knock of the secret police.

a ppendix | 87 If anyone doubts this, let them look to ways, it has. In others, it never will. Those of us Afghanistan, where the Islamic “street” greeted who have lived through these challenging times the fall of tyranny with song and celebration. Let have been changed by them. We’ve come to the skeptics look to Islam’s own rich history, with know truths that we will never question: evil is its centuries of learning, and tolerance and real, and it must be opposed. (Applause.) Beyond progress. America will lead by defending liberty all differences of race or creed, we are one country, and justice because they are right and true and mourning together and facing danger together. unchanging for all people everywhere. (Ap- Deep in the American character, there is honor, plause.) and it is stronger than cynicism. And many have No nation owns these aspirations, and no discovered again that even in tragedy – especially nation is exempt from them. We have no inten- in tragedy – God is near. (Applause.) tion of imposing our culture. But America will In a single instant, we realized that this will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands be a decisive decade in the history of liberty, that of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the we’ve been called to a unique role in human power of the state; respect for women; private events. Rarely has the world faced a choice more property; free speech; equal justice; and religious clear or consequential. tolerance. (Applause.) Our enemies send other people’s children on America will take the side of brave men and missions of suicide and murder. They embrace women who advocate these values around the tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We world, including the Islamic world, because we stand for a different choice, made long ago, on have a greater objective than eliminating threats the day of our founding. We affirm it again and containing resentment. We seek a just and today. We choose freedom and the dignity of peaceful world beyond the war on terror. every life. (Applause.) In this moment of opportunity, a common Steadfast in our purpose, we now press on. danger is erasing old rivalries. America is working We have known freedom’s price. We have shown with Russia and China and India, in ways we freedom’s power. And in this great conflict, my have never before, to achieve peace and prosperity. fellow Americans, we will see freedom’s victory. In every region, free markets and free trade and Thank you all. May God bless. (Applause.) free societies are proving their power to lift lives. Together with friends and allies from Europe END 10:03 P.M. EST to Asia, and Africa to Latin America, we will ------demonstrate that the forces of terror cannot stop Return to this article at: the momentum of freedom. (Applause.) http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/ The last time I spoke here, I expressed the 01/20020129-11.html hope that life would return to normal. In some

88 | “we’re a peaceful nation” For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary October 7, 2002 appendix 8. the cincinnati speech

President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat

Cincinnati Museum Center, confront every threat, from any source, that Cincinnati Union Terminal could bring sudden terror and suffering to Cincinnati, Ohio America. Members of the Congress of both political 8:02 P.M. EDT parties, and members of the United Nations Security Council, agree that Saddam Hussein is a threat to peace and must disarm. We agree that THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thank you for the Iraqi dictator must not be permitted to that very gracious and warm Cincinnati welcome. threaten America and the world with horrible I’m honored to be here tonight; I appreciate you poisons and diseases and gases and atomic weapons. all coming. Since we all agree on this goal, the issues is: how Tonight I want to take a few minutes to can we best achieve it? discuss a grave threat to peace, and America’s Many Americans have raised legitimate determination to lead the world in confronting questions: about the nature of the threat; about that threat. the urgency of action – why be concerned now; The threat comes from Iraq. It arises directly about the link between Iraq developing weapons from the Iraqi regime’s own actions – its history of terror, and the wider war on terror. These are of aggression, and its drive toward an arsenal of all issues we’ve discussed broadly and fully within terror. Eleven years ago, as a condition for my administration. And tonight, I want to share ending the Persian Gulf War, the Iraqi regime those discussions with you. was required to destroy its weapons of mass First, some ask why Iraq is different from destruction, to cease all development of such other countries or regimes that also have terrible weapons, and to stop all support for terrorist weapons. While there are many dangers in the groups. The Iraqi regime has violated all of those world, the threat from Iraq stands alone – because obligations. It possesses and produces chemical it gathers the most serious dangers of our age in and biological weapons. It is seeking nuclear one place. Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction are weapons. It has given shelter and support to controlled by a murderous tyrant who has already terrorism, and practices terror against its own used chemical weapons to kill thousands of people. people. The entire world has witnessed Iraq’s This same tyrant has tried to dominate the Mid- eleven-year history of defiance, deception and dle East, has invaded and brutally occupied bad faith. a small neighbor, has struck other nations without We also must never forget the most vivid warning, and holds an unrelenting hostility toward events of recent history. On September the 11th, the United States. 2001, America felt its vulnerability – even to By its past and present actions, by its techno- threats that gather on the other side of the earth. logical capabilities, by the merciless nature of its We resolved then, and we are resolved today, to regime, Iraq is unique. As a former chief weapons

a ppendix | 89 inspector of the U.N. has said, “The fundamental chemical or biological weapons across broad problem with Iraq remains the nature of the areas. We’re concerned that Iraq is exploring ways regime, itself. Saddam Hussein is a homicidal of using these UAVS for missions targeting the dictator who is addicted to weapons of mass United States. And, of course, sophisticated de- destruction.” livery systems aren’t required for a chemical Some ask how urgent this danger is to or biological attack; all that might be required America and the world. The danger is already are a small container and one terrorist or Iraqi significant, and it only grows worse with time. intelligence operative to deliver it. If we know Saddam Hussein has dangerous And that is the source of our urgent concern weapons today – and we do – does it make any about Saddam Hussein’s links to international sense for the world to wait to confront him as terrorist groups. Over the years, Iraq has provided he grows even stronger and develops even more safe haven to terrorists such as Abu Nidal, whose dangerous weapons? terror organization carried out more than 90 In 1995, after several years of deceit by the terrorist attacks in 20 countries that killed or Iraqi regime, the head of Iraq’s military industries injured nearly 900 people, including 12 Americans. defected. It was then that the regime was forced Iraq has also provided safe haven to Abu Abbas, to admit that it had produced more than 30,000 who was responsible for seizing the Achille Lauro liters of anthrax and other deadly biological and killing an American passenger. And we know agents. The inspectors, however, concluded that that Iraq is continuing to finance terror and gives Iraq had likely produced two to four times that assistance to groups that use terrorism to under- amount. This is a massive stockpile of biological mine Middle East peace. weapons that has never been accounted for, and We know that Iraq and the al Qaeda terrorist capable of killing millions. network share a common enemy – the United We know that the regime has produced States of America. We know that Iraq and al thousands of tons of chemical agents, including Qaeda have had high-level contacts that go mustard gas, sarin nerve gas, VX nerve gas. Saddam back a decade. Some al Qaeda leaders who fled Hussein also has experience in using chemical Afghanistan went to Iraq. These include one very weapons. He has ordered chemical attacks on senior al Qaeda leader who received medical Iran, and on more than forty villages in his own treatment in Baghdad this year, and who has country. These actions killed or injured at least been associated with planning for chemical and 20,000 people, more than six times the number biological attacks. We’ve learned that Iraq has of people who died in the attacks of September trained al Qaeda members in bomb-making and the 11th. poisons and deadly gases. And we know that And surveillance photos reveal that the regime after September the 11th, Saddam Hussein’s is rebuilding facilities that it had used to produce regime gleefully celebrated the terrorist attacks chemical and biological weapons. Every chemical on America. and biological weapon that Iraq has or makes is Iraq could decide on any given day to provide a direct violation of the truce that ended the a biological or chemical weapon to a terrorist Persian Gulf War in 1991. Yet, Saddam Hussein group or individual terrorists. Alliance with has chosen to build and keep these weapons terrorists could allow the Iraqi regime to attack despite international sanctions, U.N. demands, America without leaving any fingerprints. and isolation from the civilized world. Some have argued that confronting the threat Iraq possesses ballistic missiles with a likely from Iraq could detract from the war against range of hundreds of miles – far enough to strike terror. To the contrary; confronting the threat Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey, and other nations – posed by Iraq is crucial to winning the war on in a region where more than 135,000 American terror. When I spoke to Congress more than a civilians and service members live and work. year ago, I said that those who harbor terrorists We’ve also discovered through intelligence that are as guilty as the terrorists themselves. Saddam Iraq has a growing fleet of manned and unmanned Hussein is harboring terrorists and the instruments aerial vehicles that could be used to disperse of terror, the instruments of mass death and

90 | “we’re a peaceful nation” destruction. And he cannot be trusted. The risk dle East. He would be in a position to is simply too great that he will use them, or threaten America. And Saddam Hussein would provide them to a terror network. be in a position to pass nuclear technology to Terror cells and outlaw regimes building terrorists. weapons of mass destruction are different faces Some citizens wonder, after 11 years of living of the same evil. Our security requires that we with this problem, why do we need to confront confront both. And the United States military is it now? And there’s a reason. We’ve experienced capable of confronting both. the horror of September the 11th. We have seen Many people have asked how close Saddam that those who hate America are willing to crash Hussein is to developing a nuclear weapon. Well, airplanes into buildings full of innocent people. we don’t know exactly, and that’s the problem. Our enemies would be no less willing, in fact, Before the Gulf War, the best intelligence indicated they would be eager, to use biological or chemi- that Iraq was eight to ten years away from devel- cal, or a nuclear weapon. oping a nuclear weapon. After the war, interna- Knowing these realities, America must not tional inspectors learned that the regime has been ignore the threat gathering against us. Facing much closer – the regime in Iraq would likely clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the have possessed a nuclear weapon no later than final proof – the smoking gun – that could come 1993. The inspectors discovered that Iraq had an in the form of a mushroom cloud. As President advanced nuclear weapons development program, Kennedy said in October of 1962, “Neither the had a design for aworkable nuclear weapon, United States of America, nor the world and was pursuing several different methods of community of nations can tolerate deliberate enriching uranium for a bomb. deception and offensive threats on the part of Before being barred from Iraq in 1998, the any nation, large or small. We no longer live in a International Atomic Energy Agency dismantled world,” he said, “where only the actual firing of extensive nuclear weapons-related facilities, weapons represents a sufficient challenge to a including three uranium enrichment sites. That nations security to constitute maximum peril.” same year, information from a high-ranking Iraqi Understanding the threats of our time, nuclear engineer who had defected revealed that knowing the designs and deceptions of the Iraqi despite his public promises, Saddam Hussein had regime, we have every reason to assume the ordered his nuclear program to continue. worst, and we have an urgent duty to prevent the The evidence indicates that Iraq is reconsti- worst from occurring. tuting its nuclear weapons program. Saddam Hus- Some believe we can address this danger by sein has held numerous meetings with Iraqi nu- simply resuming the old approach to inspections, clear scientists, a group he calls his “nuclear mu- and applying diplomatic and economic pressure. jahideen” – his nuclear holy warriors. Satellite Yet this is precisely what the world has tried to photographs reveal that Iraq is rebuilding facili- do since 1991. The U.N. inspections program ties at sites that have been part of its nuclear pro- was met with systematic deception. The Iraqi gram in the past. Iraq has attempted to purchase regime bugged hotel rooms and offices of high-strength inspectors to find where they were going next; aluminum tubes and other equipment needed for they forged documents, destroyed evidence, and gas centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium developed mobile weapons facilities to keep a for nuclear weapons. step ahead of inspectors. Eight so-called presiden- If the Iraqi regime is able to produce, buy, or tial palaces were declared off-limits to unfettered steal an amount of highly enriched uranium a lit- inspections. These sites actually encompass twelve tle larger than a single softball, it could have a square miles, with hundreds of structures, both nuclear weapon in less than a year. And if we above and below the ground, where sensitive allow that to happen, a terrible line would be materials could be hidden. crossed. Saddam Hussein would be in a position The world has also tried economic sanctions to blackmail anyone who opposes his aggression. – and watched Iraq use billions of dollars in illegal He would be in a position to dominate the Mid- oil revenues to fund more weapons purchases,

a ppendix | 91 rather than providing for the needs of the Iraqi terrorism. It must cease the persecution of its people. civilian population. It must stop all illicit trade The world has tried limited military strikes outside the Oil For Food program. It must release to destroy Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction or account for all Gulf War personnel, including capabilities – only to see them openly rebuilt, an American pilot, whose fate is still unknown. while the regime again denies they even exist. By taking these steps, and by only taking The world has tried no-fly zones to keep these steps, the Iraqi regime has an opportunity Saddam from terrorizing his own people – and to avoid conflict. Taking these steps would also in the last year alone, the Iraqi military has fired change the nature of the Iraqi regime itself. upon American and British pilots more than America hopes the regime will make that choice. 750 times. Unfortunately, at least so far, we have little reason After eleven years during which we have to expect it. And that’s why two administrations tried containment, sanctions, inspections, even – mine and President Clinton’s – have stated that selected military action, the end result is that regime change in Iraq is the only certain means Saddam Hussein still has chemical and biological of removing a great danger to our nation. weapons and is increasing his capabilities to make I hope this will not require military action, more. And he is moving ever closer to developing but it may. And military conflict could be difficult. a nuclear weapon. An Iraqi regime faced with its own demise may Clearly, to actually work, any new inspections, attempt cruel and desperate measures. If Saddam sanctions or enforcement mechanisms will have Hussein orders such measures, his generals would to be very different. America wants the U.N. to be well advised to refuse those orders. If they do be an effective organization that helps keep the not refuse, they must understand that all war peace. And that is why we are urging the Security criminals will be pursued and punished. If we Council to adopt a new resolution setting out have to act, we will take every precaution that is tough, immediate requirements. Among those possible. We will plan carefully; we will act with requirements: the Iraqi regime must reveal and the full power of the United States military; we destroy, under U.N. supervision, all existing will act with allies at our side, and we will prevail. weapons of mass destruction. To ensure that we (Applause.) learn the truth, the regime must allow witnesses There is no easy or risk-free course of action. to its illegal activities to be interviewed outside Some have argued we should wait – and that’s an the country – and these witnesses must be free to option. In my view, it’s the riskiest of all options, bring their families with them so they all beyond because the longer we wait, the stronger and bolder the reach of Saddam Hussein’s terror and murder. Saddam Hussein will become. We could wait And inspectors must have access to any site, at and hope that Saddam does not give weapons to any time, without pre-clearance, without delay, terrorists, or develop a nuclear weapon to black- without exceptions. mail the world. But I’m convinced that is a hope The time for denying, deceiving, and delaying against all evidence. As Americans, we want peace has come to an end. Saddam Hussein must – we work and sacrifice for peace. But there can disarm himself – or, for the sake of peace, we will be no peace if our security depends on the will lead a coalition to disarm him. and whims of a ruthless and aggressive dictator. Many nations are joining us in insisting that I’m not willing to stake one American life on Saddam Hussein’s regime be held accountable. trusting Saddam Hussein. They are committed to defending the international Failure to act would embolden other tyrants, security that protects the lives of both our citizens allow terrorists access to new weapons and new and theirs. And that’s why America is challenging resources, and make blackmail a permanent feature all nations to take the resolutions of the U.N. of world events. The United Nations would Security Council seriously. betray the purpose of its founding, and prove And these resolutions are clear. In addition irrelevant to the problems of our time. And to declaring and destroying all of its weapons of through its inaction, the United States would mass destruction, Iraq must end its support for resign itself to a future of fear.

92 | “we’re a peaceful nation” That is not the America I know. That is not create the institutions of liberty in a unified Iraq the America I serve. We refuse to live in fear. at peace with its neighbors. (Applause.) This nation, in world war and in Later this week, the United States Congress Cold War, has never permitted the brutal and will vote on this matter. I have asked Congress lawless to set history’s course. Now, as before, we to authorize the use of America’s military, if it will secure our nation, protect our freedom, and proves necessary, to enforce U.N. Security help others to find freedom of their own. Council demands. Approving this resolution does Some worry that a change of leadership in not mean that military action is imminent or un- Iraq could create instability and make the situa- avoidable. The resolution will tell the United Na- tion worse. The situation could hardly get worse, tions, and all nations, that America speaks with for world security and for the people of Iraq. The one voice and is determined to make the de- lives of Iraqi citizens would improve dramatically mands of the civilized world mean something. if Saddam Hussein were no longer in power, just Congress will also be sending a message to the as the lives of Afghanistan’s citizens improved dictator in Iraq: that his only chance – his only after the Taliban. The dictator of Iraq is a student choice is full compliance, and the time remaining of Stalin, using murder as a tool of terror and for that choice is limited. control, within his own cabinet, within his own Members of Congress are nearing an historic army, and even within his own family. vote. I’m confident they will fully consider the On Saddam Hussein’s orders, opponents have facts, and their duties. been decapitated, wives and mothers of political The attacks of September the 11th showed opponents have been systematically raped as a our country that vast oceans no longer protect us method of intimidation, and political prisoners from danger. Before that tragic date, we had only have been forced to watch their own children be- hints of al Qaeda’s plans and designs. Today in ing tortured. Iraq, we see a threat whose outlines are far more America believes that all people are entitled to clearly defined, and whose consequences could be hope and human rights, to the non-negotiable far more deadly. Saddam Hussein’s actions have demands of human dignity. People everywhere put us on notice, and there is no refuge from our prefer freedom to slavery; prosperity to squalor; responsibilities. self-government to the rule of terror and torture. We did not ask for this present challenge, but America is a friend to the people of Iraq. Our we accept it. Like other generations of Ameri- demands are directed only at the regime that cans, we will meet the responsibility of defending enslaves them and threatens us. When these human liberty against violence and aggression. demands are met, the first and greatest benefit By our resolve, we will give strength to others. By will come to Iraqi men, women and children. our courage, we will give hope to others. And by The oppression of Kurds, Assyrians, Turkomans, our actions, we will secure the peace, and lead Shi’a, Sunnis and others will be lifted. The long the world to a better day. captivity of Iraq will end, and an era of new hope May God bless America. (Applause.) will begin. Iraq is a land rich in culture, resources, and END 8:31 P.M. EDT talent. Freed from the weight of oppression, Iraq’s people will be able to share in the progress and ------prosperity of our time. If military action is Return to this article at: necessary, the United States and our allies will http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/10/ 20021007-8.html help the Iraqi people rebuild their economy, and

a ppendix | 93 For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary Februar 5, 2003 appendix 9. colin powell’s speech in the un

US Secretary of State Colin Powell Addresses the UN Security Council

Slide 1 inspectors to find that which Iraq has gone out POWELL: Thank you, Mr. President. of its way to conceal for so long. Inspectors are Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, inspectors; they are not detectives. distinguished colleagues, I would like to begin I asked for this session today for two purposes: by expressing my thanks for the special effort First, to support the core assessments made by that each of you made to be here today. Dr. Blix and Dr. ElBaradei. As Dr. Blix reported This is important day for us all as we review to this council on January 27th, quote, “Iraq the situation with respect to Iraq and its appears not to have come to a genuine accep- disarmament obligations under U.N. Security tance, not even today, of the disarmament which Council Resolution 1441. was demanded of it,” unquote. Last November 8, this council passed And as Dr. ElBaradei reported, Iraq’s declara- Resolution 1441 by a unanimous vote. The tion of December 7, quote, “did not provide any purpose of that resolution was to disarm Iraq of new information relevant to certain questions its weapons of mass destruction. Iraq had already that have been outstanding since 1998.” POWELL been found guilty of material breach of its : My second purpose today is to obligations, stretching back over 16 previous provide you with additional information, to share resolutions and 12 years. with you what the United States knows about POWELL: Resolution 1441 was not dealing Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction as well as with an innocent party, but a regime this council Iraq’s involvement in terrorism, which is also the has repeatedly convicted over the years. Resolution subject of Resolution 1441 and other earlier 1441 gave Iraq one last chance, one last chance resolutions. to come into compliance or to face serious I might add at this point that we are providing consequences. No council member present in all relevant information we can to the inspection voting on that day had any allusions about the teams for them to do their work. nature and intent of the resolution or what serious The material I will present to you comes consequences meant if Iraq did not comply. from a variety of sources. Some are U.S. sources. And to assist in its disarmament, we called on And some are those of other countries. Some of Iraq to cooperate with returning inspectors from the sources are technical, such as intercepted UNMOVIC and IAEA. telephone conversations and photos taken by satellites. Other sources are people who have risked their lives to let the world know what Slide 2 Saddam Hussein is really up to. We laid down tough standards for Iraq to meet I cannot tell you everything that we know. to allow the inspectors to do their job. But what I can share with you, when combined POWELL: This council placed the burden with what all of us have learned over the years, is on Iraq to comply and disarm and not on the deeply troubling.

94 | “we’re a peaceful nation” POWELL: What you will see is an accumulation Slide 6 of facts and disturbing patterns of behavior. The “I’ll come to see you in the morning. I’m worried. facts on Iraqis’ behavior – Iraq’s behavior You all have something left.” demonstrate that Saddam Hussein and his regime “We evacuated everything. We don’t have have made no effort – no effort – to disarm as anything left.” required by the international community. Indeed, Note what he says: “We evacuated everything.” the facts and Iraq’s behavior show that Saddam We didn’t destroy it. We didn’t line it up for in- Hussein and his regime are concealing their efforts spection. We didn’t turn it into the inspectors. to produce more weapons of mass destruction. We evacuated it to make sure it was not around Let me begin by playing a tape for you. What when the inspectors showed up. you’re about to hear is a conversation that my “I will come to you tomorrow.” government monitored. It takes place on November The Al Kendi (ph) Company: This is a 26 of last year, on the day before United Nations company that is well known to have been in- teams resumed inspections in Iraq. volved in prohibited weapons systems activity. The conversation involves two senior officers, a colonel and a brigadier general, from Iraq’s elite POWELL: Let me play another tape for you. As military unit, the Republican Guard. you will recall, the inspectors found 12 empty chemical warheads on January 16. On January Slide 3 20, four days later, Iraq promised the inspectors it would search for more. You will now hear an POWELL: Let me pause and review some of the officer from Republican Guard headquarters key elements of this conversation that you just issuing an instruction to an officer in the field. heard between these two officers. Their conversation took place just last week on First, they acknowledge that our colleague, January 30. Mohamed ElBaradei, is coming, and they know POWELL: Let me pause again and review the what he’s coming for, and they know he’s coming elements of this message. the next day. He’s coming to look for things that are prohibited. He is expecting these gentlemen Slide 7 to cooperate with him and not hide things. “They’re inspecting the ammunition you have, yes.” Slide 4 “Yes.” “For the possibility there are forbidden ammo.” But they’re worried. “We have this modified “For the possibility there is by chance forbidden vehicle. What do we say if one of them sees it?” ammo?” What is their concern? Their concern is that it’s something they should not have, something Slide 8 that should not be seen. The general is incredulous: “You didn’t get a “Yes.” modified. You don’t have one of those, do you?” “And we sent you a message yesterday to clean out all of the areas, the scrap areas, the abandoned Slide 5 areas. Make sure there is nothing there.’’ “I have one.” POWELL: Remember the first message, evacuated. “Which, from where?” This is all part of a system of hiding things “From the workshop, from the Al Kendi (ph) and moving things out of the way and making Company?” sure they have left nothing behind. “What?” “From Al Kendi (ph).” Slide 9 If you go a little further into this message, and you see the specific instructions from headquarters: “After you have carried out what is contained in

a ppendix | 95 this message, destroy the message because I don’t December 7. Iraq never had any intention of want anyone to see this message.” complying with this council’s mandate. “OK, OK.” Why? Why? This message would have veri- Slide 10 fied to the inspectors that they have been trying POWELL: Instead, Iraq planned to use the declara- to turn over things. They were looking for things. tion, overwhelm us and to overwhelm the inspec- But they don’t want that message seen, because tors with useless information about Iraq’s permitted they were trying to clean up the area to leave no weapons so that we would not have time to pursue evidence behind of the presence of weapons of Iraq’s prohibited weapons. Iraq’s goal was to give mass destruction. And they can claim that noth- us, in this room, to give those us on this council ing was there. And the inspectors can look all the false impression that the inspection process they want, and they will find nothing. was working. This effort to hide things from the inspectors You saw the result. Dr. Blix pronounced the is not one or two isolated events, quite the contrary. 12,200-page declaration, rich in volume, but This is part and parcel of a policy of evasion and poor in information and practically devoid of deception that goes back 12 years, a policy set at new evidence. the highest levels of the Iraqi regime. Could any member of this council honestly We know that Saddam Hussein has what is rise in defense of this false declaration? called quote, “a higher committee for monitoring Everything we have seen and heard indicates the inspections teams,” unquote. Think about that, instead of cooperating actively with the that. Iraq has a high-level committee to monitor inspectors to ensure the success of their mission, the inspectors who were sent in to monitor Iraq’s Saddam Hussein and his regime are busy doing disarmament. all they possibly can to ensure that inspectors POWELL: Not to cooperate with them, not to succeed in finding absolutely nothing. assist them, but to spy on them and keep them My colleagues, every statement I make today from doing their jobs. is backed up by sources, solid sources. These are The committee reports directly to Saddam not assertions. What we’re giving you are facts Hussein. It is headed by Iraq’s vice president, and conclusions based on solid intelligence. I will Taha Yassin Ramadan. Its members include cite some examples, and these are from human Saddam Hussein’s son Qusay. sources. This committee also includes Lieutenant Orders were issued to Iraq’s security organiza- General Amir al-Saadi, an adviser to Saddam. In tions, as well as to Saddam Hussein’s own office, case that name isn’t immediately familiar to you, to hide all correspondence with the Organization General Saadi has been the Iraqi regime’s primary of Military Industrialization. point of contact for Dr. Blix and Dr. ElBaradei. POWELL: This is the organization that oversees It was General Saadi who last fall publicly pledged Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction activities. that Iraq was prepared to cooperate unconditionally Make sure there are no documents left which with inspectors. Quite the contrary, Saadi’s job is could connect you to the OMI. not to cooperate, it is to deceive; not to disarm, We know that Saddam’s son, Qusay, ordered but to undermine the inspectors; not to support the removal of all prohibited weapons from Sad- them, but to frustrate them and to make sure dam’s numerous palace complexes. We know that they learn nothing. Iraqi government officials, members of the ruling We have learned a lot about the work of this Baath Party and scientists have hidden prohibited special committee. We learned that just prior to items in their homes. Other key files from military the return of inspectors last November the regime and scientific establishments have been placed in had decided to resume what we heard called, cars that are being driven around the countryside quote, “the old game of cat and mouse,” unquote. by Iraqi intelligence agents to avoid detection. For example, let me focus on the now famous declaration that Iraq submitted to this council on

96 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Slide 11 Slide 12 Thanks to intelligence they were provided, the Let’s look at one. This one is about a weapons inspectors recently found dramatic confirmation munition facility, a facility that holds ammunition of these reports. When they searched the home at a place called Taji (ph). This is one of about 65 of an Iraqi nuclear scientist, they uncovered such facilities in Iraq. We know that this one has roughly 2,000 pages of documents. You see them housed chemical munitions. In fact, this is where here being brought out of the home and placed the Iraqis recently came up with the additional in U.N. hands. Some of the material is classified four chemical weapon shells. and related to Iraq’s nuclear program. Here, you see 15 munitions bunkers in yellow Tell me, answer me, are the inspectors to search and red outlines. The four that are in red squares the house of every government official, every represent active chemical munitions bunkers. Baath Party member and every scientist in the country to find the truth, to get the information Slide 13 they need, to satisfy the demands of our council? How do I know that? How can I say that? Let Our sources tell us that, in some cases, the me give you a closer look. Look at the image on hard drives of computers at Iraqi weapons facilities the left. On the left is a close-up of one of the were replaced. Who took the hard drives. Where four chemical bunkers. The two arrows indicate did they go? What’s being hidden? Why? There’s the presence of sure signs that the bunkers are only one answer to the why: to deceive, to hide, storing chemical munitions. The arrow at the top to keep from the inspectors. that says security points to a facility that is the Numerous human sources tell us that the signature item for this kind of bunker. Inside that Iraqis are moving, not just documents and hard facility are special guards and special equipment drives, but weapons of mass destruction to keep to monitor any leakage that might come out of them from being found by inspectors. the bunker. POWELL: While we were here in this council POWELL: The truck you also see is a signature chamber debating Resolution 1441 last fall, we item. It’s a decontamination vehicle in case some- know, we know from sources that a missile brigade thing goes wrong. outside Baghdad was disbursing rocket launchers This is characteristic of those four bunkers. and warheads containing biological warfare The special security facility and the decontamina- agents to various locations, distributing them to tion vehicle will be in the area, if not at any one various locations in western Iraq. Most of the of them or one of the other, it is moving around launchers and warheads have been hidden in large those four, and it moves as it needed to move, as groves of palm trees and were to be moved every people are working in the different bunkers. one to four weeks to escape detection. Now look at the picture on the right. You are We also have satellite photos that indicate now looking at two of those sanitized bunkers. that banned materials have recently been moved The signature vehicles are gone, the tents are from a number of Iraqi weapons of mass destruc- gone, it’s been cleaned up, and it was done on tion facilities. the 22nd of December, as the U.N. inspection Let me say a word about satellite images before team is arriving, and you can see the inspection I show a couple. The photos that I am about to vehicles arriving in the lower portion of the show you are sometimes hard for the average picture on the right. person to interpret, hard for me. The painstaking The bunkers are clean when the inspectors work of photo analysis takes experts with years get there. They found nothing. and years of experience, pouring for hours and This sequence of events raises the worrisome hours over light tables. But as I show you these suspicion that Iraq had been tipped off to the images, I will try to capture and explain what forthcoming inspections at Taji (ph). As it did they mean, what they indicate to our imagery throughout the 1990s, we know that Iraq today specialists. is actively using its considerable intelligence capabilities to hide its illicit activities. From our

a ppendix | 97 sources, we know that inspectors are under con- Slide 17 stant surveillance by an army of Iraqi intelligence Iraq also has refused to permit any U-2 recon- operatives. Iraq is relentlessly attempting to tap naissance flights that would give the inspectors a all of their communications, both voice and better sense of what’s being moved before, during electronics. and after inspectors. POWELL: This refusal to allow this kind of Slide 14 reconnaissance is in direct, specific violation of POWELL: I would call my colleagues attention to operative paragraph seven of our Resolution the fine paper that United Kingdom distributed 1441. yesterday, which describes in exquisite detail Iraqi deception activities. Slide 18 In this next example, you will see the type Saddam Hussein and his regime are not just trying of concealment activity Iraq has undertaken in to conceal weapons, they’re also trying to hide response to the resumption of inspections. Indeed, people. You know the basic facts. Iraq has not in November 2002, just when the inspections complied with its obligation to allow immediate, were about to resume this type of activity spiked. unimpeded, unrestricted and private access to all Here are three examples. officials and other persons as required by Resolution 1441. Slide 15 The regime only allows interviews with At this ballistic missile site, on November 10, inspectors in the presence of an Iraqi official, a we saw a cargo truck preparing to move ballistic minder. The official Iraqi organization charged missile components. At this biological weapons with facilitating inspections announced, announced related facility, on November 25, just two days publicly and announced ominously that, quote, before inspections resumed, this truck caravan “Nobody is ready to leave Iraq to be inter- appeared, something we almost never see at this viewed.” facility, and we monitor it carefully and regularly. Iraqi Vice President Ramadan accused the inspectors of conducting espionage, a veiled threat Slide 16 that anyone cooperating with U.N. inspectors was committing treason. At this ballistic missile facility, again, two days Iraq did not meet its obligations under 1441 before inspections began, five large cargo trucks to provide a comprehensive list of scientists appeared along with the truck-mounted crane to associated with its weapons of mass destruction move missiles. We saw this kind of house cleaning programs. Iraq’s list was out of date and contained at close to 30 sites. only about 500 names, despite the fact that Days after this activity, the vehicles and the UNSCOM had earlier put together a list of equipment that I’ve just highlighted disappear about 3,500 names. and the site returns to patterns of normalcy. We Let me just tell you what a number of human don’t know precisely what Iraq was moving, but sources have told us. the inspectors already knew about these sites, so Saddam Hussein has directly participated in Iraq knew that they would be coming. the effort to prevent interviews. In early December, We must ask ourselves: Why would Iraq Saddam Hussein had all Iraqi scientists warned suddenly move equipment of this nature before of the serious consequences that they and their inspections if they were anxious to demonstrate families would face if they revealed any sensitive what they had or did not have? information to the inspectors. They were forced Remember the first intercept in which two to sign documents acknowledging that divulging Iraqis talked about the need to hide a modified information is punishable by death. vehicle from the inspectors. Where did Iraq take Saddam Hussein also said that scientists all of this equipment? Why wasn’t it presented should be told not to agree to leave Iraq; anyone to the inspectors?

98 | “we’re a peaceful nation” who agreed to be interviewed outside Iraq would give an honest declaration and would they early be treated as a spy. This violates 1441. on indicate a willingness to cooperate with the In mid-November, just before the inspectors inspectors? It was designed to be an early test. returned, Iraqi experts were ordered to report to They failed that test. By this standard, the the headquarters of the special security organiza- standard of this operative paragraph, I believe tion to receive counterintelligence training. The that Iraq is now in further material breach of its training focused on evasion methods, interroga- obligations. I believe this conclusion is irrefutable tion resistance techniques, and how to mislead and undeniable. inspectors. Iraq has now placed itself in danger of the Ladies and gentlemen, these are not assertions. serious consequences called for in U.N. Resolution These are facts, corroborated by many sources, 1441. And this body places itself in danger of some of them sources of the intelligence services irrelevance if it allows Iraq to continue to defy of other countries. its will without responding effectively and For example, in mid-December weapons immediately. experts at one facility were replaced by Iraqi The issue before us is not how much time we intelligence agents who were to deceive inspectors are willing to give the inspectors to be frustrated about the work that was being done there. by Iraqi obstruction. But how much longer are POWELL: On orders from Saddam Hussein, we willing to put up with Iraq’s noncompliance Iraqi officials issued a false death certificate for before we, as a council, we, as the United Nations, one scientist, and he was sent into hiding. say: “Enough. Enough.” In the middle of January, experts at one facility that was related to weapons of mass destruction, Slide 19 those experts had been ordered to stay home The gravity of this moment is matched by the from work to avoid the inspectors. Workers from gravity of the threat that Iraq’s weapons of mass other Iraqi military facilities not engaged in elicit destruction pose to the world. Let me now turn weapons projects were to replace the workers to those deadly weapons programs and describe who’d been sent home. A dozen experts have why they are real and present dangers to the region been placed under house arrest, not in their own and to the world. houses, but as a group at one of Saddam Hussein’s First, biological weapons. We have talked guest houses. It goes on and on and on. frequently here about biological weapons. By way As the examples I have just presented show, of introduction and history, I think there are just the information and intelligence we have gathered three quick points I need to make. point to an active and systematic effort on the First, you will recall that it took UNSCOM part of the Iraqi regime to keep key materials and four long and frustrating years to pry – to pry people from the inspectors in direct violation of – an admission out of Iraq that it had biological Resolution 1441. The pattern is not just one of weapons. reluctant cooperation, nor is it merely a lack of Second, when Iraq finally admitted having cooperation. What we see is a deliberate campaign these weapons in 1995, the quantities were vast. to prevent any meaningful inspection work. Less than a teaspoon of dry anthrax, a little bit My colleagues, operative paragraph four of about this amount--this is just about the amount U.N. Resolution 1441, which we lingered over so of a teaspoon--less than a teaspoon full of dry long last fall, clearly states that false statements anthrax in an envelope shutdown the United and omissions in the declaration and a failure by States Senate in the fall of 2001. This forced Iraq at any time to comply with and cooperate several hundred people to undergo emergency fully in the implementation of this resolution medical treatment and killed two postal workers shall constitute – the facts speak for themselves just from an amount just about this quantity that – shall constitute a further material breach of its was inside of an envelope. obligation. POWELL: Iraq declared 8,500 liters of anthrax, POWELL: We wrote it this way to give Iraq an but UNSCOM estimates that Saddam Hussein early test – to give Iraq an early test. Would they

a ppendix | 99 could have produced 25,000 liters. If concentrated technicians died from exposure to biological into this dry form, this amount would be enough agents. to fill tens upon tens upon tens of thousands of He reported that when UNSCOM was in teaspoons. And Saddam Hussein has not verifiably country and inspecting, the biological weapons accounted for even one teaspoon-full of this agent production always began on Thursdays at deadly material. midnight because Iraq thought UNSCOM And that is my third point. And it is key. The would not inspect on the Muslim Holy Day, Iraqis have never accounted for all of the biological Thursday night through Friday. He added that weapons they admitted they had and we know this was important because the units could not they had. They have never accounted for all the be broken down in the middle of a production organic material used to make them. And they run, which had to be completed by Friday evening have not accounted for many of the weapons before the inspectors might arrive again. filled with these agents such as there are 400 This defector is currently hiding in another bombs. This is evidence, not conjecture. This is country with the certain knowledge that Saddam true. This is all well-documented. Hussein will kill him if he finds him. His eye- Dr. Blix told this council that Iraq has provided witness account of these mobile production little evidence to verify anthrax production and facilities has been corroborated by other sources. no convincing evidence of its destruction. It A second source, an Iraqi civil engineer in a should come as no shock then, that since Saddam position to know the details of the program, Hussein forced out the last inspectors in 1998, confirmed the existence of transportable facilities we have amassed much intelligence indicating moving on trailers. that Iraq is continuing to make these weapons. A third source, also in a position to know, One of the most worrisome things that reported in summer 2002 that Iraq had manu- emerges from the thick intelligence file we have factured mobile production systems mounted on on Iraq’s biological weapons is the existence of road trailer units and on rail cars. mobile production facilities used to make bio- Finally, a fourth source, an Iraqi major, who logical agents. defected, confirmed that Iraq has mobile biological research laboratories, in addition to the production Slide 20 facilities I mentioned earlier. POWELL: Let me take you inside that intelligence file and share with you what we know from eye Slide 21 witness accounts. We have firsthand descriptions POWELL: We have diagrammed what our sources of biological weapons factories on wheels and reported about these mobile facilities. Here you on rails. see both truck and rail car-mounted mobile The trucks and train cars are easily moved factories. The description our sources gave us of and are designed to evade detection by inspectors. the technical features required by such facilities In a matter of months, they can produce a quantity are highly detailed and extremely accurate. As of biological poison equal to the entire amount these drawings based on their description show, that Iraq claimed to have produced in the years we know what the fermenters look like, we know prior to the Gulf War. what the tanks, pumps, compressors and other Although Iraq’s mobile production program parts look like. We know how they fit together. began in the mid-1990s, U.N. inspectors at the We know how they work. And we know a great time only had vague hints of such programs. deal about the platforms on which they are Confirmation came later, in the year 2000. mounted. The source was an eye witness, an Iraqi As shown in this diagram, these factories can chemical engineer who supervised one of these be concealed easily, either by moving ordinary- facilities. He actually was present during biological looking trucks and rail cars along Iraq’s thousands agent production runs. He was also at the site of miles of highway or track, or by parking them when an accident occurred in 1998. Twelve in a garage or warehouse or somewhere in Iraq’s

100 | “we’re a peaceful nation” extensive system of underground tunnels and test flight obtained by UNSCOM some years ago bunkers. shows an Iraqi F-1 Mirage jet aircraft. Note the spray coming from beneath the Mirage; that is Slide 22 2,000 liters of simulated anthrax that a jet is spraying. We know that Iraq has at lest seven of these In 1995, an Iraqi military officer, Mujahid mobile biological agent factories. The truck- Sali Abdul Latif (ph), told inspectors that Iraq mounted ones have at least two or three trucks intended the spray tanks to be mounted onto a each. That means that the mobile production MiG-21 that had been converted into an facilities are very few, perhaps 18 trucks that we unmanned aerial vehicle, or a UAV. UAVs out- know of--there may be more--but perhaps 18 fitted with spray tanks constitute an ideal that we know of. Just imagine trying to find 18 method for launching a terrorist attack using trucks among the thousands and thousands of biological weapons. trucks that travel the roads of Iraq everysingle POWELL: Iraq admitted to producing four day. spray tanks. But to this day, it has provided no It took the inspectors four years to find out credible evidence that they were destroyed, that Iraq was making biological agents. How long evidence that was required by the international do you think it will take the inspectors to find community. even one of these 18 trucks without Iraq coming There can be no doubt that Saddam Hussein forward, as they are supposed to, with the infor- has biological weapons and the capability to mation about these kinds of capabilities? rapidly produce more, many more. And he has POWELL: Ladies and gentlemen, these are the ability to dispense these lethal poisons and sophisticated facilities. For example, they can diseases in ways that can cause massive death and produce anthrax and botulinum toxin. In fact, destruction. If biological weapons seem too they can produce enough dry biological agent in terrible to contemplate, chemical weapons are a single month to kill thousands upon thousands equally chilling. of people. And dry agent of this type is the most lethal form for human beings. By 1998, U.N. experts agreed that the Slide 24 Iraqis had perfected drying techniques for their UNMOVIC already laid out much of this, and it biological weapons programs. Now, Iraq has is documented for all of us to read in UNSCOM’s incorporated this drying expertise into these 1999 report on the subject. mobile production facilities. Let me set the stage with three key points We know from Iraq’s past admissions that it that all of us need to keep in mind: First, Saddam has successfully weaponized not only anthrax, but Hussein has used these horrific weapons on also other biological agents, including botulinum another country and on his own people. In fact, toxin, aflatoxin and ricin. in the history of chemical warfare, no country But Iraq’s research efforts did not stop there. has had more battlefield experience with chemical Saddam Hussein has investigated dozens of weapons since World War I than Saddam Hussein’s biological agents causing diseases such as gas Iraq. gangrene, plague, typhus (ph), tetanus, cholera, Second, as with biological weapons, Saddam camelpox and hemorrhagic fever, and he also has Hussein has never accounted for vast amounts the wherewithal to develop smallpox. of chemical weaponry: 550 artillery shells with mustard, 30,000 empty munitions and enough Slide 23 precursors to increase his stockpile to as much as 500 tons of chemical agents. If we consider just The Iraqi regime has also developed ways to one category of missing weaponry – 6,500 disburse lethal biological agents, widely and bombs from the Iran-Iraq war – UNMOVIC discriminately into the water supply, into the air. says the amount of chemical agent in them For example, Iraq had a program to modify aerial would be in the order of 1,000 tons. These fuel tanks for Mirage jets. This video of an Iraqi

a ppendix | 101 quantities of chemical weapons are now For example, Iraq has rebuilt key portions unaccounted for. of the Tariq (ph) state establishment. Tariq (ph) Dr. Blix has quipped that, quote, “Mustard includes facilities designed specifically for Iraq’s gas is not (inaudible) You are supposed to know chemical weapons program and employs key what you did with it.” figures from past programs. We believe Saddam Hussein knows what he That’s the production end of Saddam’s did with it, and he has not come clean with the chemical weapons business. What about the international community. We have evidence these delivery end? weapons existed. What we don’t have is evidence I’m going to show you a small part of a from Iraq that they have been destroyed or where chemical complex called al-Moussaid (ph), a site they are. That is what we are still waiting for. that Iraq has used for at least three years to Third point, Iraq’s record on chemical weapons transship chemical weapons from production is replete with lies. It took years for Iraq to finally facilities out to the field. admit that it had produced four tons of the deadly nerve agent, VX. A single drop of VX on Slide 25 the skin will kill in minutes. Four tons. In May 2002, our satellites photographed the un- The admission only came out after inspectors usual activity in this picture. Here we see cargo collected documentation as a result of the vehicles are again at this transshipment point, defection of Hussein Kamal, Saddam Hussein’s and we can see that they are accompanied by a late son-in-law. UNSCOM also gained forensic decontamination vehicle associated with biological evidence that Iraq had produced VX and put it or chemical weapons activity. into weapons for delivery. POWELL: What makes this picture significant POWELL: Yet, to this day, Iraq denies it is that we have a human source who has corro- had ever weaponized VX. And on January 27, borated that movement of chemical weapons UNMOVIC told this council that it has informa- occurred at this site at that time. So it’s not just tion that conflicts with the Iraqi account of its the photo, and it’s not an individual seeing the VX program. photo. It’s the photo and then the knowledge of We know that Iraq has embedded key portions an individual being brought together to make the of its illicit chemical weapons infrastructure case. within its legitimate civilian industry. To all out- ward appearances, even to experts, the infra- Slide 26 structure looks like an ordinary civilian operation. Illicit and legitimate production can go on This photograph of the site taken two months simultaneously; or, on a dime, this dual-use later in July shows not only the previous site, infrastructure can turn from clandestine to which is the figure in the middle at the top with commercial and then back again. the bulldozer sign near it, it shows that this These inspections would be unlikely, any previous site, as well as all of the other sites inspections of such facilities would be unlikely around the site, have been fully bulldozed and to turn up anything prohibited, especially if there graded. The topsoil has been removed. The Iraqis is any warning that the inspections are coming. literally removed the crust of the earth from large Call it ingenuous or evil genius, but the Iraqis portions of this site in order to conceal chemical deliberately designed their chemical weapons weapons evidence that would be there from years programs to be inspected. It is infrastructure with of chemical weapons activity. a built-in ally. To support its deadly biological and chemical Under the guise of dual-use infrastructure, weapons programs, Iraq procures needed items Iraq has undertaken an effort to reconstitute from around the world using an extensive facilities that were closely associated with its past clandestine network. What we know comes largely program to develop and produce chemical from intercepted communications and human weapons. sources who are in a position to know the facts.

102 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Iraq’s procurement efforts include equipment Why does he repeat it that way? Why is he that can filter and separate micro-organisms and so forceful in making sure this is understood? toxins involved in biological weapons, equipment And why did he focus on wireless instructions? that can be used to concentrate the agent, growth Because the senior officer is concerned that media that can be used to continue producing somebody might be listening. anthrax and botulinum toxin, sterilization equip- Well, somebody was. ment for laboratories, glass-lined reactors and “Nerve agents. Stop talking about it. They are specialty pumps that can handle corrosive chemical listening to us. Don’t give any evidence that we weapons agents and precursors, large amounts of have these horrible agents.” vinyl chloride, a precursor for nerve and blister Well, we know that they do. And this kind of agents, and other chemicals such as sodium conversation confirms it. sulfide, an important mustard agent precursor. Our conservative estimate is that Iraq today Now, of course, Iraq will argue that these has a stockpile of between 100 and 500 tons of items can also be used for legitimate purposes. chemical weapons agent. That is enough agent to But if that is true, why do we have to learn about fill 16,000 battlefield rockets. them by intercepting communications and POWELL: Even the low end of 100 tons of risking the lives of human agents? With Iraq’s agent would enable Saddam Hussein to cause well documented history on biological and mass casualties across more than 100 square miles chemical weapons, why should any of us give of territory, an area nearly 5 times the size of Iraq the benefit of the doubt? I don’t, and I don’t Manhattan. think you will either after you hear this next intercept. Slide 29 POWELL: Just a few weeks ago, we intercepted Let me remind you that, of the 122 millimeter communications between two commanders in chemical warheads, that the U.N. inspectors Iraq’s Second Republican Guard Corps. One found recently, this discovery could very well be, commander is going to be giving an instruction as has been noted, the tip of the submerged to the other. You will hear as this unfolds that iceberg. The question before us, all my friends, what he wants to communicate to the other guy, is when will we see the rest of the submerged he wants to make sure the other guy hears clearly, iceberg? to the point of repeating it so that it gets written Saddam Hussein has chemical weapons. down and completely understood. Listen. Saddam Hussein has used such weapons. And Saddam Hussein has no compunction about us- Slide 27 ing them again, against his neighbors and against POWELL: Let’s review a few selected items of this his own people. conversation. Two officers talking to each other And we have sources who tell us that he on the radio want to make sure that nothing is recently has authorized his field commanders to misunderstood: use them. He wouldn’t be passing out the orders “Remove. Remove.” if he didn’t have the weapons or the intent to use The expression, the expression, “I got it.” them. We also have sources who tell us that, since Slide 28 the 1980s, Saddam’s regime has been experiment- ing on human beings to perfect its biological or “Nerve agents. Nerve agents. Wherever it comes chemical weapons. up.” A source said that 1,600 death row prisoners “Got it.” were transferred in 1995 to a special unit for “Wherever it comes up.” such experiments. An eye witness saw prisoners “In the wireless instructions, in the tied down to beds, experiments conducted on instructions.” them, blood oozing around the victim’s mouths “Correction. No. In the wireless instructions.” and autopsies performed to confirm the effects “Wireless. I got it.”

a ppendix | 103 on the prisoners. Saddam Hussein’s humanity – high-specification aluminum tubes from 11 inhumanity has no limits. different countries, even after inspections resumed. These tubes are controlled by the Nuclear Slide 30 Suppliers Group precisely because they can be used as centrifuges for enriching uranium. By Let me turn now to nuclear weapons. We have now, just about everyone has heard of these tubes, no indication that Saddam Hussein has ever and we all know that there are differences of abandoned his nuclear weapons program. opinion. There is controversy about what these On the contrary, we have more than a decade tubes are for. of proof that he remains determined to acquire Most U.S. experts think they are intended nuclear weapons. to serve as rotors in centrifuges used to enrich To fully appreciate the challenge that we face uranium. Other experts, and the Iraqis themselves, today, remember that, in 1991, the inspectors argue that they are really to produce the rocket searched Iraq’s primary nuclear weapons facilities bodies for a conventional weapon, a multiple for the first time. And they found nothing to rocket launcher. conclude that Iraq had a nuclear weapons program. But based on defector information in May of Let me tell you what is not controversial 1991, Saddam Hussein’s lie was exposed. In about these tubes. First, all the experts who have truth, Saddam Hussein had a massive clandestine analyzed the tubes in our possession agree that nuclear weapons program that covered several they can be adapted for centrifuge use. Second, different techniques to enrich uranium, including Iraq had no business buying them for any purpose. electromagnetic isotope separation, gas centrifuge, They are banned for Iraq. and gas diffusion. We estimate that this elicit I am no expert on centrifuge tubes, but just program cost the Iraqis several billion dollars. as an old Army trooper, I can tell you a couple of POWELL: Nonetheless, Iraq continued to things: First, it strikes me as quite odd that these tell the IAEA that it had no nuclear weapons tubes are manufactured to a tolerance that far program. If Saddam had not been stopped, Iraq exceeds U.S. requirements for comparable rockets. could have produced a nuclear bomb by 1993, Maybe Iraqis just manufacture their conven- years earlier than most worse-case assessments tional weapons to a higher standard than we do, that had been made before the war. but I don’t think so. In 1995, as a result of another defector, we find out that, after his invasion of Kuwait, Saddam Hussein had initiated a crash program to build a Slide 32 crude nuclear weapon in violation of Iraq’s U.N. POWELL:Second, we actually have examined tubes obligations. from several different batches that were seized Saddam Hussein already possesses two out of clandestinely before they reached Baghdad. What the three key components needed to build a nu- we notice in these different batches is a progression clear bomb. He has a cadre of nuclear scientists to higher and higher levels of specification, with the expertise, and he has a bomb design. including, in the latest batch, an anodized coating Since 1998, his efforts to reconstitute his nu- on extremely smooth inner and outer surfaces. clear program have been focused on acquiring Why would they continue refining the specifica- the third and last component, sufficient fissile tions, go to all that trouble for something that, material to produce a nuclear explosion. To make if it was a rocket, would soon be blown into the fissile material, he needs to develop an ability shrapnel when it went off? to enrich uranium. The high tolerance aluminum tubes are only part of the story. We also have intelligence from Slide 31 multiple sources that Iraq is attempting to acquire magnets and high-speed balancing machines; Saddam Hussein is determined to get his hands both items can be used in a gas centrifuge program on a nuclear bomb. He is so determined that he to enrich uranium. has made repeated covert attempts to acquire

104 | “we’re a peaceful nation” In 1999 and 2000, Iraqi officials negotiated reports over the past decade, from sources inside with firms in Romania, India, Russia and Slovenia Iraq, indicate that Saddam Hussein retains a for the purchase of a magnet production plant. covert force of up to a few dozen Scud variant Iraq wanted the plant to produce magnets weighing ballistic missiles. These are missiles with a range 20 to 30 grams. That’s the same weight as the of 650 to 900 kilometers. magnets used in Iraq’s gas centrifuge program We know from intelligence and Iraq’s own before the Gulf War. This incident linked with admissions that Iraq’s alleged permitted ballistic the tubes is another indicator of Iraq’s attempt to missiles, the al-Samud II (ph) and the al-Fatah reconstitute its nuclear weapons program. (ph), violate the 150-kilometer limit established Intercepted communications from mid-2000 by this council in Resolution 687. These are through last summer show that Iraq front compa- prohibited systems. nies sought to buy machines that can be used to UNMOVIC has also reported that Iraq has balance gas centrifuge rotors. One of these com- illegally imported 380 SA-2 (ph) rocket engines. panies also had been involved in a failed effort in These are likely for use in the al-Samud II (ph). 2001 to smuggle aluminum tubes into Iraq. Their import was illegal on three counts. People will continue to debate this issue, but Resolution 687 prohibited all military shipments there is no doubt in my mind, these elicit pro- into Iraq. UNSCOM specifically prohibited use curement efforts show that Saddam Hussein is of these engines in surface-to-surface missiles. very much focused on putting in place the key And finally, as we have just noted, they are for a missing piece from his nuclear weapons program, system that exceeds the 150-kilometer range limit. the ability to produce fissile material. He also has Worst of all, some of these engines were been busy trying to maintain the other key parts acquired as late as December--after this council of his nuclear program, particularly his cadre of passed Resolution 1441. key nuclear scientists. What I want you to know today is that Iraq It is noteworthy that, over the last 18 has programs that are intended to produce months, Saddam Hussein has paid increasing ballistic missiles that fly 1,000 kilometers. One personal attention to Iraqi’s top nuclear scientists, program is pursuing a liquid fuel missile that a group that the governmental-controlled press would be able to fly more than 1,200 kilometers. calls openly, his nuclear mujahedeen. He regularly And you can see from this map, as well as I can, exhorts them and praises their progress. Progress who will be in danger of these missiles. toward what end? Slide 35 Slide 33 As part of this effort, another little piece of Long ago, the Security Council, this council, evidence, Iraq has built an engine test stand that required Iraq to halt all nuclear activities of any is larger than anything it has ever had. Notice the kind. dramatic difference in size between the test stand POWELL: Let me talk now about the systems on the left, the old one, and the new one on the Iraq is developing to deliver weapons of mass de- right. Note the large exhaust vent. This is where struction, in particular Iraq’s ballistic missiles and the flame from the engine comes out. The exhaust unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs. on the right test stand is five times longer than the one on the left. The one on the left was used Slide 34 for short-range missile. The one on the right is clearly intended for long-range missiles that can First, missiles. We all remember that before the fly 1,200 kilometers. Gulf War Saddam Hussein’s goal was missiles This photograph was taken in April of 2002. that flew not just hundreds, but thousands of Since then, the test stand has been finished and a kilometers. He wanted to strike not only his roof has been put over it so it will be harder for neighbors, but also nations far beyond his borders. satellites to see what’s going on underneath the While inspectors destroyed most of the protest stand. hibited ballistic missiles, numerous intelligence

a ppendix | 105 Saddam Hussein’s intentions have never My friends, the information I have presented changed. He is not developing the missiles for to you about these terrible weapons and about self-defense. These are missiles that Iraq wants in Iraq’s continued flaunting of its obligations under order to project power, to threaten, and to deliver Security Council Resolution 1441 links to a sub- chemical, biological and, if we let him, nuclear ject I now want to spend a little bit of time on. warheads. And that has to do with terrorism. Now, unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs. Slide 38 Slide 36 Our concern is not just about these elicit weapons. Iraq has been working on a variety of UAVs for It’s the way that these elicit weapons can be more than a decade. This is just illustrative of connected to terrorists and terrorist organizations what a UAV would look like. This effort has that have no compunction about using such included attempts to modify for unmanned devices against innocent people around the world. flight the MiG-21 (ph) and with greater success Iraq and terrorism go back decades. Baghdad an aircraft called the L-29 (ph). However, Iraq is trains Palestine Liberation Front members in now concentrating not on these airplanes, but on small arms and explosives. Saddam uses the Arab developing and testing smaller UAVs, such as this. Liberation Front to funnel money to the families UAVs are well suited for dispensing chemical of Palestinian suicide bombers in order to prolong and biological weapons. the Intifada. And it’s no secret that Saddam’s own POWELL: There is ample evidence that Iraq intelligence service was involved in dozens of at- has dedicated much effort to developing and tacks or attempted assassinations in the 1990s. testing spray devices that could be adapted for But what I want to bring to your attention UAVs. And of the little that Saddam Hussein today is the potentially much more sinister nexus told us about UAVs, he has not told the truth. between Iraq and the Al Qaida terrorist network, One of these lies is graphically and indisputably a nexus that combines classic terrorist organizations demonstrated by intelligence we collected on and modern methods of murder. Iraq today June 27, last year. harbors a deadly terrorist network headed by Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, an associated in collaborator Slide 37 of Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaida lieutenants. Zarqawi, a Palestinian born in Jordan, fought According to Iraq’s December 7 declaration, its in the Afghan war more than a decade ago. UAVs have a range of only 80 kilometers. But we Returning to Afghanistan in 2000, he oversaw a detected one of Iraq’s newest UAVs in a test terrorist training camp. One of his specialities flight that went 500 kilometers nonstop on au- and one of the specialties of this camp is poisons. topilot in the race track pattern depicted here. When our coalition ousted the Taliban, the Not only is this test well in excess of the 150 Zarqaqi network helped establish another poison kilometers that the United Nations permits, the and explosive training center camp. And this test was left out of Iraq’s December 7th declara- camp is located in northeastern Iraq. tion. The UAV was flown around and around and around in a circle. And so, that its 80 kilometer limit really was 500 kilometers unrefueled Slide 39 and on autopilot, violative of all of its obligations POWELL: You see a picture of this camp. under 1441. The network is teaching its operatives how to The linkages over the past 10 years between produce ricin and other poisons. Let me remind Iraq’s UAV program and biological and chemical you how ricin works. Less than a pinch – image warfare agents are of deep concern to us. Iraq a pinch of salt – less than a pinch of ricin, eating could use these small UAVs which have a just this amount in your food, would cause shock wingspan of only a few meters to deliver biologi- followed by circulatory failure. Death comes cal agents to its neighbors or if transported, to within 72 hours and there is no antidote, there other countries, including the United States. is no cure. It is fatal.

106 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Slide 40 cell received money and weapons from Zarqawi Those helping to run this camp are Zarqawi for that murder. POWELL lieutenants operating in northern Kurdish areas : After the attack, an associate of the outside Saddam Hussein’s controlled Iraq. But assassin left Jordan to go to Iraq to obtain weapons Baghdad has an agent in the most senior levels and explosives for further operations. Iraqi officials of the radical organization, Ansar al-Islam, that protest that they are not aware of the whereabouts controls this corner of Iraq. In 2000 this agent of Zarqawi or of any of his associates. Again, offered Al Qaida safe haven in the region. After these protests are not credible. We know of we swept Al Qaida from Afghanistan, some of its Zarqawi’s activities in Baghdad. I described them members accepted this safe haven. They remain earlier. their today. And now let me add one other fact. We Zarqawi’s activities are not confined to this asked a friendly security service to approach small corner of north east Iraq. He traveled to Baghdad about extraditing Zarqawi and providing Baghdad in May 2002 for medical treatment, information about him and his close associates. staying in the capital of Iraq for two months This service contacted Iraqi officials twice, and while he recuperated to fight another day. we passed details that should have made it easy to During this stay, nearly two dozen extremists find Zarqawi. The network remains in Baghdad. converged on Baghdad and established a base of Zarqawi still remains at large to come and go. operations there. These Al Qaida affiliates, based As my colleagues around this table and as the in Baghdad, now coordinate the movement of citizens they represent in Europe know, Zarqawi’s people, money and supplies into and throughout terrorism is not confined to the Middle East. Iraq for his network, and they’ve now been Zarqawi and his network have plotted terrorist operating freely in the capital for more than eight actions against countries, including France, months. Britain, Spain, Italy, Germany and Russia. Iraqi officials deny accusations of ties with Al Qaida. These denials are simply not credible. Slide 41 Last year an Al Qaida associate bragged that the According to detainee Abuwatia (ph), who situation in Iraq was, quote, “good,” that Baghdad graduated from Zarqawi’s terrorist camp in could be transited quickly. Afghanistan, tasks at least nine North African We know these affiliates are connected to extremists from 2001 to travel to Europe to Zarqawi because they remain even today in conduct poison and explosive attacks. regular contact with his direct subordinates, Since last year, members of this network have including the poison cell plotters, and they are been apprehended in France, Britain, Spain and involved in moving more than money and Italy. By our last count, 116 operatives connected materiale. to this global web have been arrested. Last year, two suspected Al Qaida operatives were arrested crossing from Iraq into Saudi Arabia. Slide 42 They were linked to associates of the Baghdad The chart you are seeing shows the network in cell, and one of them received training in Europe. We know about this European network, Afghanistan on how to use cyanide. From his and we know about its links to Zarqawi, because terrorist network in Iraq, Zarqawi can direct his the detainee who provided the information about network in the Middle East and beyond. the targets also provided the names of members We, in the United States, all of us at the State of the network. Department, and the Agency for International Three of those he identified by name were Development – we all lost a dear friend with the arrested in France last December. In the apartments cold-blooded murder of Mr. Lawrence Foley in of the terrorists, authorities found circuits for Amman, Jordan last October, a despicable act explosive devices and a list of ingredients to make was committed that day. The assassination of an toxins. individual whose sole mission was to assist the people of Jordan. The captured assassin says his

a ppendix | 107 The detainee who helped piece this together From the late 1990s until 2001, the Iraqi says the plot also targeted Britain. Later evidence, embassy in Pakistan played the role of liaison to again, proved him right. When the British the Al Qaida organization. unearthed a cell there just last month, one British Some believe, some claim these contacts do police officer was murdered during the disruption not amount to much. They say Saddam Hussein’s of the cell. secular tyranny and Al Qaida’s religious tyranny do not mix. I am not comforted by this thought. Slide 43 Ambition and hatred are enough to bring Iraq and Al Qaida together, enough so Al Qaida We also know that Zarqawi’s colleagues have could learn how to build more sophisticated been active in the Pankisi Gorge, Georgia and in bombs and learn how to forge documents, and Chechnya, Russia. The plotting to which they are enough so that Al Qaida could turn to Iraq for linked is not mere chatter. Members of Zarqawi’s help in acquiring expertise on weapons of mass network say their goal was to kill Russians with destruction. toxins. And the record of Saddam Hussein’s coopera- We are not surprised that Iraq is harboring tion with other Islamist terrorist organizations is Zarqawi and his subordinates. This understanding clear. Hamas, for example, opened an office in builds on decades long experience with respect to Baghdad in 1999, and Iraq has hosted conferences ties between Iraq and Al Qaida. attended by Palestine Islamic Jihad. These groups POWELL: Going back to the early and are at the forefront of sponsoring suicide attacks mid-1990s, when bin Laden was based in Sudan, against Israel. an Al Qaida source tells us that Saddam and bin Al Qaida continues to have a deep interest in Laden reached an understanding that Al Qaida acquiring weapons of mass destruction. As with would no longer support activities against Baghdad. the story of Zarqawi and his network, I can trace Early Al Qaida ties were forged by secret, high- the story of a senior terrorist operative telling level intelligence service contacts with Al Qaida, how Iraq provided training in these weapons to secret Iraqi intelligence high-level contacts with Al Qaida. Al Qaida. Fortunately, this operative is now detained, We know members of both organizations met and he has told his story. I will relate it to you repeatedly and have met at least eight times at now as he, himself, described it. very senior levels since the early 1990s. In 1996, This senior Al Qaida terrorist was responsible a foreign security service tells us, that bin Laden for one of Al Qaida’s training camps in Afghanistan. met with a senior Iraqi intelligence official in POWELL: His information comes first-hand Khartoum, and later met the director of the Iraqi from his personal involvement at senior levels of intelligence service. Al Qaida. He says bin Laden and his top deputy Saddam became more interested as he saw Al in Afghanistan, deceased Al Qaida leader Qaida’s appalling attacks. A detained Al Qaida Muhammad Atif (ph), did not believe that Al member tells us that Saddam was more willing to Qaida labs in Afghanistan were capable enough assist Al Qaida after the 1998 bombings of our to embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Saddam was manufacture these chemical or biological agents. also impressed by Al Qaida’s attacks on the USS They needed to go somewhere else. They had to Cole in Yemen in October 2000. look outside of Afghanistan for help. Where did Iraqis continued to visit bin Laden in his new they go? Where did they look? They went to home in Afghanistan. A senior defector, one of Iraq. Saddam’s former intelligence chiefs in Europe, The support that (inaudible) describes included says Saddam sent his agents to Afghanistan Iraq offering chemical or biological weapons sometime in the mid-1990s to provide training training for two Al Qaida associates beginning in to Al Qaida members on document forgery. December 2000. He says that a militant known as Abu Abdula Al-Iraqi (ph) had been sent to Iraq several times between 1997 and 2000 for

108 | “we’re a peaceful nation” help in acquiring poisons and gases. Abdula any other country, tens of thousands of people Al-Iraqi (ph) characterized the relationship he reported missing in the past decade. forged with Iraqi officials as successful. Nothing points more clearly to Saddam As I said at the outset, none of this should Hussein’s dangerous intentions and the threat he come as a surprise to any of us. Terrorism has poses to all of us than his calculated cruelty to been a tool used by Saddam for decades. Saddam his own citizens and to his neighbors. Clearly, was a supporter of terrorism long before these Saddam Hussein and his regime will stop at terrorist networks had a name. And this support nothing until something stops him. continues. The nexus of poisons and terror is new. The nexus of Iraq and terror is old. The Slide 45 combination is lethal. For more than 20 years, by word and by deed With this track record, Iraqi denials of Saddam Hussein has pursued his ambition to supporting terrorism take the place alongside the dominate Iraq and the broader Middle East using other Iraqi denials of weapons of mass destruction. the only means he knows, intimidation, coercion It is all a web of lies. and annihilation of all those who might stand in When we confront a regime that harbors his way. For Saddam Hussein, possession of the ambitions for regional domination, hides world’s most deadly weapons is the ultimate weapons of mass destruction and provides haven trump card, the one he most hold to fulfill his and active support for terrorists, we are not ambition. confronting the past, we are confronting the We know that Saddam Hussein is determined present. And unless we act, we are confronting to keep his weapons of mass destruction; he’s an even more frightening future. determined to make more. Given Saddam Hussein’s history of aggression, given what we know of his Slide 44 grandiose plans, given what we know of his My friends, this has been a long and a detailed terrorist associations and given his determination presentation. And I thank you for your patience. to exact revenge on those who oppose him, But there is one more subject that I would like to should we take the risk that he will not some day touch on briefly. And it should be a subject of use these weapons at a time and the place and in deep and continuing concern to this council, the manner of his choosing at a time when the Saddam Hussein’s violations of human rights. world is in a much weaker position to respond? Underlying all that I have said, underlying all The United States will not and cannot run the facts and the patterns of behavior that I have that risk to the American people. Leaving Saddam identified as Saddam Hussein’s contempt for the Hussein in possession of weapons of mass will of this council, his contempt for the truth destruction for a few more months or years is not and most damning of all, his utter contempt for an option, not in a post-September 11th world. human life. Saddam Hussein’s use of mustard My colleagues, over three months ago this and nerve gas against the Kurds in 1988 was one council recognized that Iraq continued to pose a of the 20th century’s most horrible atrocities; threat to international peace and security, and 5,000 men, women and children died. that Iraq had been and remained in material POWELL: His campaign against the Kurds breach of its disarmament obligations. Today from 1987 to ’89 included mass summary Iraq still poses a threat and Iraq still remains in executions, disappearances, arbitrary jailing, material breach. ethnic cleansing and the destruction of some POWELL: Indeed, by its failure to seize on its 2,000 villages. He has also conducted ethnic one last opportunity to come clean and disarm, cleansing against the Shi’a Iraqis and the Marsh Iraq has put itself in deeper material breach and Arabs whose culture has flourished for more than closer to the day when it will face serious conse- a millennium. Saddam Hussein’s police state quences for its continued defiance of this council. ruthlessly eliminates anyone who dares to dissent. My colleagues, we have an obligation to our Iraq has more forced disappearance cases than citizens, we have an obligation to this body to see

a ppendix | 109 that our resolutions are complied with. We wrote 1441 not in order to go to war, we wrote 1441 to try to preserve the peace. We wrote 1441 to give Iraq one last chance. Iraq is not so far taking that one last chance. We must not shrink from whatever is ahead of us. We must not fail in our duty and our responsibility to the citizens of the countries that are represented by this body. Thank you, Mr. President.

END ------

110 | “we’re a peaceful nation” February 15, 2003

appendix 10. tony blair’s speech

I want to solve the Iraq issue via the United Nations

Speech by Prime Minister Tony Blair In 1991 Iraq denied it had a biological at Labour’s local government, women’s weapons offensive programme. For four years the and youth conferences, SECC, Glasgow inspectors toiled. It was not until 1995 that Saddam’s son-in-law defected to Jordan, explained the true biological weapons programme and it The progress we have made, we have made was partially dealt with. He was, of course lured together. I know it is tough right now. I know it back to Iraq and then murdered. is an uncertain time for our country. But we will The time needed is not the time it takes the come through this and we will come through it inspectors to discover the weapons. They are not together. a detective agency. We played that game for years We will come through it by holding firm to in the 1990s. The time is the time necessary what we believe in. One such belief is in the to make a judgment: is Saddam prepared to United Nations. I continue to want to solve the co-operate fully or not. If he is, the inspectors issue of Iraq and weapons of mass destruction can take as much time as they want. If he is not, through the UN. That is why last November we if this is a repeat of the 1990s – and I believe it is insisted on putting UN inspectors back into Iraq - then let us be under no doubt what is at stake. to disarm it. By going down the UN route we gave the Dr Blix reported to the UN yesterday and UN an extraordinary opportunity and a heavy there will be more time given to inspections. He responsibility. The opportunity is to show that will report again on 28 February. But let no one we can meet the menace to our world today forget two things. To anyone familiar with together, collectively and as a united international Saddam’s tactics of deception and evasion, there community. What a mighty achievement that is a weary sense of déjà vu. As ever, at the last would be. The responsibility, however, is indeed minute, concessions are made. And as ever, it is to deal with it. the long finger that is directing them. The con- The League of Nations also had that oppor- cessions are suspect. Unfortunately the weapons tunity and responsibility back in the 1930s. In are real. the early days of the fascist menace, it had the Last year, 12 long years after the UN first duty to protect Abyssinia from invasion. But gave him 15 days to produce a full audit of his when it came to a decision to enforce that chemical, biological and nuclear weapons pro- guarantee, the horror of war deterred it. We grammes and he denied he had any, we passed know the rest. The menace grew; the League of UN Resolution 1441. It gave him a “final Nations collapsed; war came. opportunity” to disarm. It instructed him to Remember: the UN inspectors would not be co-operate fully with the UN inspectors. Why within a thousand miles of Baghdad without the was the inspection regime so tough? Because for threat of force. Saddam would not be making a 12 years, he had played a game with the inspectors. single concession without the knowledge that

a ppendix | 111 forces were gathering against him. I hope, even unstable, usually repressive dictatorships which now, Iraq can be disarmed peacefully, with or use what wealth they have to protect or enhance without Saddam. But if we show weakness now, their power through chemical, biological or if we allow the plea for more time to become just nuclear weapons capability which can cause an excuse for prevarication until the moment for destruction on a massive scale. action passes, then it will not only be Saddam What do they have in common these twins of who is repeating history. The menace, and not chaos - terrorism and rogue states with Weapons just from Saddam, will grow; the authority of the of Mass Destruction? They are answerable to no UN will be lost; and the conflict when it comes democratic mandate, so are unrestrained by the will be more bloody. Yes, let the United Nations will of ordinary people. They are extreme and be the way to deal with Saddam. But let the inhumane. They detest and fear liberal, demo- United Nations mean what it says; and do what cratic and tolerant values. And their aim is to it means. de-stabilise us. What is the menace we speak of? It is not just September 11th didn’t just kill thousands of Saddam. We are living through insecure times. innocent people. It was meant to bring down the Wars; terrorist threats; suddenly things that seem Western economy. It did not do so. But we live alien to us are on our doorstep, threatening our with the effects of it even today in economic way of life. confidence. It was meant to divide Muslim and Let me try to make sense of it. For hundreds Christian, Arab and Western nations, and to of years, Europe was at war, the boundaries of provoke us to hate each other. It didn’t succeed many nations shifting with each passing army, but that is what it was trying to do. small countries occupied and re-occupied, their These states developing Weapons of Mass people never at peace. Large countries fought Destruction, proliferating them, importing or each other literally for decades at a time with exporting the scientific expertise, the ballistic only the briefest respite to draw breath before the missile technology; the companies and individuals resumption of hostilities. For my father’s genera- helping them: they don’t operate within any in- tion that was the Europe they were brought up ternational treaties. They don’t conform to any in. Today in Europe former enemies are friends, rules. North Korea is a country whose people are at one, if not always diplomatically. The EU is a starving and yet can spend billions of dollars massive achievement of peace and prosperity now trying to perfect a nuclear bomb. Iraq, under set to welcome in the nations who suffered from Saddam became the first country to use chemical the other great tyranny of my father’s life time weapons against its own people. Are we sure that and my own: the Soviet Union. For the first 40 if we let him keep and develop such weapons, he years of my life, the reality was the Communist would not use them again against his neighbours, bloc versus the West. Today the Cold War is over. against Israel perhaps? Saddam the man who The EU is set to grow to 25, then 30 then more killed a million people in an eight year war with nations. Russia is our partner and we, hers, in her Iran, and then, having lost it, invaded Kuwait? search for a new and democratic beginning. Or the other nations scrabbling to get a foot on China is developing as a Socialist market economy the nuclear ladder, are we happy that they do so? and is the ally of Europe, and the US. And the terrorist groups already using chemical We don’t wake up and fear Russia or China as and biological agents with money to spend, do we did. America is not focussed on the struggle we really believe that if Al Qaida could get a for ideological hegemony between Communism dirty bomb they wouldn’t use it? And then think and liberal democracy. The issue is not a clash for of the consequences. Already there is fear and conquest between the big powers. anxiety, undermining confidence. Think of the But the old threat has been replaced by a new consequences then. Think of a nation using a one. The threat of chaos; disorder; instability. A nuclear device, no matter how small, no matter threat which arises from a perversion of the true how distant the land. Think of the chaos it faith of Islam, in extremist terrorist groups like would cause. Al Qaida. It arises from countries which are

112 | “we’re a peaceful nation” That is why Saddam and Weapons of Mass And I know many in our own Party, many Destruction are important. here today will agree with her; and don’t under- Every time I have asked us to go to war, stand why I press the case so insistently. And I I have hated it. I spent months trying to get have given you the geo-political reason – the Milosevic to stop ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction and its delaying action while we negotiated endlessly. link with terrorism. And I believe it. I agreed with President Bush not to strike If I am honest about it, there is another Afghanistan after September 11th but instead to reason why I feel so strongly about this issue. It is offer the Taliban, loathsome though they were, a reason less to do with my being Prime Minister an ultimatum: yield up Al Qaida and we will let than being a member of the Labour Party, to do you stay. We used force in the end, but in Kosovo with the progressive politics in which we believe. only as a last resort, and though I rejoiced with The moral case against war has a moral answer: his people at the fall of Milosevic, as I rejoiced it is the moral case for removing Saddam. It is with the Afghan people at the fall of the Taliban, not the reason we act. That must be according to I know that amid the necessary military victory the United Nations mandate on Weapons of there was pain and suffering that brought no joy Mass Destruction. But it is the reason, frankly, at all. why if we do have to act, we should do so with At every stage, we should seek to avoid war. a clear conscience. But if the threat cannot be removed peacefully, Yes, there are consequences of war. If we please let us not fall for the delusion that it can remove Saddam by force, people will die and be safely ignored. If we do not confront these some will be innocent. And we must live with twin menaces of rogue states with Weapons of the consequences of our actions, even the Mass Destruction and terrorism, they will not unintended ones. disappear. They will just feed and grow on our But there are also consequences of “stop weakness. the war”. When people say if you act, you will provoke If I took that advice, and did not insist on these people; when they say now: take a lower disarmament, yes, there would be no war. But profile and these people will leave us alone, there would still be Saddam. Many of the people remember: Al Qaida attacked the US, not the marching will say they hate Saddam. But the other way round. Were the people of Bali in the consequences of taking their advice is that he forefront of the anti-terror campaign? Did stays in charge of Iraq, ruling the Iraqi people. Indonesia ’make itself a target’? The terrorists A country that in 1978, the year before he seized won’t be nice to us if we’re nice to them. When power, was richer than Malaysia or Portugal. A Saddam drew us into the Gulf War, he wasn’t country where today, 135 out of every 1000 Iraqi provoked. He invaded Kuwait. children die before the age of five – 70% of So: where has it come to? Everyone agrees these deaths are from diarrhoea and respiratory Saddam must be disarmed. Everyone agrees infections that are easily preventable. Where without disarmament, he is a danger. almost a third of children born in the centre and No-one seriously believes he is yet co-operating south of Iraq have chronic malnutrition. fully. In all honesty, most people don’t really Where 60% of the people depend on Food believe he ever will. So what holds people back? Aid. What brings thousands of people out in protests Where half the population of rural areas have across the world? And let’s not pretend, not really no safe water. that in March or April or May or June, people Where every year and now, as we speak, tens will feel different. It’s not really an issue of timing of thousands of political prisoners languish in or 200 inspectors versus 100. It is a right and appalling conditions in Saddam’s jails and are entirely understandable hatred of war. It is moral routinely executed. purpose, and I respect that. Where in the past 15 years over 150,000 Shia It is as one woman put it to me: I abhor the Moslems in Southern Iraq and Moslem Kurds consequences of war. in Northern Iraq have been butchered; with up

a ppendix | 113 to four million Iraqis in exile round the world, Why it is now that you deem it appropriate including 350,000 now in Britain. to voice your disillusions with America’s policy in This isn’t a regime with Weapons of Mass Iraq, when it is right now that the Iraqi people Destruction that is otherwise benign. This is a are being given real hope, however slight and regime that contravenes every single principle or however precarious, that they can live in an Iraq value anyone of our politics believes in. that is free of its horrors?” There will be no march for the victims of We will give the e-mail to delegates. Read it Saddam, no protests about the thousands of all. It is the reason why I do not shrink from children that die needlessly every year under his action against Saddam if it proves necessary. Read rule, no righteous anger over the torture chambers the letter sent to me by Dr Safa Hashim, who which if he is left in power, will be left in being. lives here in Glasgow, and who says he is writing I rejoice that we live in a country where despite his fears of Iraqi retribution. peaceful protest is a natural part of our democratic He says the principle of opposing war by the process. public is received warmly by Iraqis for it reveals But I ask the marchers to understand this. the desire of people to avoid suffering. But he I do not seek unpopularity as a badge of says it misses the point - because the Iraqi people honour. But sometimes it is the price of leader- need Saddam removed as a way of ending their ship. And the cost of conviction. suffering. But as you watch your TV pictures of the Dr Hashim says: march, ponder this: “The level of their suffering is beyond any- If there are 500,000 on that march, that is thing that British people can possible envisage, still less than the number of people whose deaths let alone understand his obsession to develop and Saddam has been responsible for. possess weapons of mass destruction. Do the If there are one million, that is still less than British public know that it is normal practice for the number of people who died in the wars he Saddam’s regime to demand the cost of the bullet started. used of in the execution of their beloved family Let me read from an e-mail that was sent by members and not even to allow a proper funeral? a member of the family of one of those four If the international community does not take million Iraqi exiles. It is interesting because she is note of the Iraqi people’s plight but continues to fiercely and I think wrongly critical of America. address it casually this will breed terrorism and But in a sense for that reason, it is worth reading. extremism within the Iraqi people. This cannot She addresses it to the anti-war movement. be allowed to happen”. In one part, she says: Remember Kosovo where we were told war “You may feel that America is trying to blind would de-stabilise the whole of the Balkans and you from seeing the truth about their real reasons that region now has the best chance of peace in for an invasion. I must argue that in fact, you are over 100 years? still blind to the bigger truths in Iraq. Remember Afghanistan, where now, despite Saddam has murdered more than a million all the huge problems, there are three million Iraqis over the past 30 years, are you willing to children in school, including for the first time in allow him to kill another million Iraqis? over two decades one and a half million girls and Saddam rules Iraq using fear – he regularly where two million Afghan exiles from the Taliban imprisons, executes and tortures the mass have now returned. population for no reason whatsoever – this may So if the result of peace is Saddam staying in be hard to believe and you may not even power, not disarmed, then I tell you there are appreciate the extent of such barbaric acts, but consequences paid in blood for that decision too. believe me you will be hard pressed to find a But these victims will never be seen. They will family in Iraq who have not had a son, father, never feature on our TV screens or inspire millions brother killed, imprisoned, tortured and/or to take to the streets. But they will exist none- “disappeared” due to Saddam’s regime. theless.

114 | “we’re a peaceful nation” Ridding the world of Saddam would be an act of humanity. It is leaving him there that is in truth inhumane. And if it does come to this, let us be clear: we should be as committed to the humanitarian task of rebuilding Iraq for the Iraqi people as we have been to removing Saddam. And there will be no stability in the Middle East until there is lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians based on a secure Israel and a viable Palestinian state. I promise we will not rest until we have used every drop of our influence to achieve it. Just as we are proud we lead the way on third world debt, on aid, on development, on hope for Africa. The values that drive our actions abroad are the same values of progress and justice that drive us at home.

END ------

a ppendix | 115 For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary March 16, 2003 appendix 11. summit meeting in the azores

President Bush: Monday ”Moment of Truth" for World on Iraq

Press Availability with President Bush, Europe and the continent of America. I think it’s Prime Minister Blair, President Aznar, not only logistically convenient, it has a special and Prime Minister Barroso, political meaning – the beautiful meaning of our the Azores, Portugal friendship and our commitment to our shared values. 5:30 P.M. (Local) So welcome to all of you. Welcome to you. And I now give the floor to President George Bush. PRIME MINISTER BARROSO: Good afternoon, THE PRESIDENT: Jose, thank you very much ladies and gentlemen. I am very pleased to for your hospitality. You’ve done a great job on welcome here in the Azores the leaders of three such short notice. And I’m honored to be standing friends and allied countries, the United States, to here with you and two other friends as we Spain and United Kingdom. President Bush, work toward a great cause, and that is peace and Prime Minister Aznar, and Prime Minister security in this world. Tony Blair. We’ve had a really good discussion. We’ve This meeting in the Azores also shows the been doing a lot of phone talking and it was importance of transatlantic relations, and also good to get together and to visit and to talk. And shows the solidarity among our countries. we concluded that tomorrow is a moment of Actually, these agreements have approved two truth for the world. Many nations have voiced a statements, one statement on transatlantic commitment to peace and security. And now relations, and a declarative statement on Iraq. they must demonstrate that commitment to We have joined this initiative and we organized peace and security in the only effective way, by it here in the Azores because we thought this was supporting the immediate and unconditional the last opportunity for a political solution – and disarmament of Saddam Hussein. this is how we see it, this is the last possibility for The dictator of Iraq and his weapons of mass a political solution to the problem. Maybe it’s a destruction are a threat to the security of free small chance, a small possibility, but even if it’s nations. He is a danger to his neighbors. He’s a one in one million, it’s always worthwhile fighting sponsor of terrorism. He’s an obstacle to progress for a political solution. And I think this is the in the Middle East. For decades he has been the message that we can get from this Atlantic summit. cruel, cruel oppressor of the Iraq people. As I was saying, for my English-speaking On this very day 15 years ago, Saddam Hussein guests, I’ll speak English now. First of all, let me launched a chemical weapons attack on the Iraqi say, welcome, George Bush, to Europe. I think village of Halabja. With a single order the Iraqi it’s important that we meet here, in a European regime killed thousands of men and women and country, in Portugal, but in this territory of children, without mercy or without shame. Azores that is halfway between the continent of Saddam Hussein has proven he is capable of any

116 | “we’re a peaceful nation” crime. We must not permit his crimes to reach PRESIDENT AZNAR: Good evening everyone. across the world. I would firstly like to thank the Prime Minister, Saddam Hussein has a history of mass murder. Jose Durao, for his hospitality and welcome, He possesses the weapons of mass murder. He which I particularly am grateful for. And I’m agrees – he agreed to disarm Iraq of these weapons very pleased to be in the Azores once again. as a condition for ending the Gulf War over a I have short remarks on our debate on this decade ago. The United Nations Security Council, situation and on the documents we’ve agreed on in Resolution 1441, has declared Iraq in material during today’s meeting. I’d first like to refer to breach of its longstanding obligations, demanding our document on Atlantic solidarity. We have once again Iraq’s full and immediate disarmament, renewed Atlantic commitment on our common and promised serious consequences if the regime values and principles, in favor of democracy, refused to comply. That resolution was passed freedom and the rule of law. unanimously and its logic is inescapable; the We understand that the expression of this Iraqi regime will disarm itself, or the Iraqi regime commitment is essential, by way of guarantee of will be disarmed by force. And the regime has peace, security and international freedom. And I not disarmed itself. honestly believe that there is no other alternative Action to remove the threat from Iraq would to the expression of the Atlantic commitment in also allow the Iraqi people to build a better future terms of security. We are committed on a day-to- for their society. And Iraq’s liberation would be day fight against new threats, such as terrorism, the beginning, not the end, of our commitment weapons of mass destruction, and tyrannic regimes to its people. We will supply humanitarian relief, that do not comply with international law. They bring economic sanctions to a swift close, and threaten all of us, and we must all act, consequently. work for the long-term recovery of Iraq’s economy. This transatlantic link, this transatlantic We’ll make sure that Iraq’s natural resources are solidarity has always been, is, and should continue used for the benefit of their owners, the Iraqi to be, in my opinion, a great European commit- people. ment, and as such, amongst other things, we Iraq has the potential to be a great nation. express it this way – without this commitment, Iraq’s people are skilled and educated. We’ll push today’s Europe could not be understood. And as quickly as possible for an Iraqi interim authority without that commitment, it would be very to draw upon the talents of Iraq’s people to difficult to picture the Europe of tomorrow. rebuild their nation. We’re committed to the goal So I would like to invite our friends, our allies, of a unified Iraq, with democratic institutions of to leave aside any circumstantial differences and which members of all ethnic and religious groups to work together seriously for that commitment are treated with dignity and respect. of democracy, freedom and peace, so that this To achieve this vision, we will work closely becomes a commitment of us all. with the international community, including the We’ve agreed on launching, on boosting the United Nations and our coalition partners. If Middle East peace process, and on our vision military force is required, we’ll quickly seek new that that peace process has to accommodate with Security Council resolutions to encourage broad all necessary security guarantees and putting an participation in the process of helping the Iraqi end to terrorism. And this should end with the people to build a free Iraq. peaceful coexistence of two states, an independent Crucial days lie ahead for the world. I want Palestinian state and the Israeli state. to thank the leaders here today, and many others, In view of the situation created by Iraq, with for stepping forward and taking leadership, and their continued non-compliance of international showing their resolve in the cause of peace and law, I would like to remind you that we all said the cause of security. before we came here that we were not coming to the Azores to make a declaration of war, that we Jose Maria. were coming after having made every possible effort, after having made this effort, continuing to make this effort, to working to achieve the

a ppendix | 117 greatest possible agreement, and for international with weapons of mass destruction and continuing law to be respected and for U.N. resolutions to a brutal, murderous regime in Iraq. be respected. And this game that he is playing is, frankly, And we would like to say that we are aware of a game that he has played over the last 12 years. the fact that this is the last opportunity – the last Disarmament never happens. But instead, the in- opportunity expressed in Resolution 1441, adopted ternational community is drawn into some unanimously by the Security Council, and that perpetual negotiation, gestures designed to divide being aware that this is the last opportunity, we the international community, but never real and are also making the last effort. And we are ready concrete cooperation leading to disarmament. to make this last effort of the very many efforts And there’s not a single person on the Security we’ve been making throughout these last weeks Council that doubts the fact he is not fully and months. cooperating today. Nobody, even those who We are well aware of the international world disagree with the position that we have outlined, public opinion, of its concern. And we are also is prepared to say there is full cooperation, as very well aware of our responsibilities and obliga- 1441 demanded. tions. If Saddam Hussein wants to disarm and Not a single interview has taken place outside avoid the serious consequences that he has been of Iraq, even though 1441 provided for it. Still, warned about by the United Nations, he can do no proper production or evidence of the destruc- so. And nothing in our document, nor in our tion, or, for example, – just to take one example, statement, can prevent him from doing so, if he the 10,000 liters of anthrax that the inspectors wants to. So his is the sole responsibility. just a week ago said was unaccounted for. And that is why it is so important that the international Tony. community, at this time, gives a strong and PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Thank you, Jose unified message. Maria. Thank you, Jose, for hosting us today. And I have to say that I really believe that And I think it’s just worth returning to the key had we given that strong message sometime ago, point, which is our responsibility to uphold the Saddam might have realized that the games had will of the United Nations set out in Resolution to stop. So now we have reached the point of 1441 last November. And for four and a half decision, and we make a final appeal for there to months, now, we’ve worked hard to get Saddam be that strong, unified message on behalf of the to cooperate fully, unconditionally, as that international community that lays down a clear resolution demanded. ultimatum to Saddam that authorizes force if he Even some days ago we were prepared to set continues to defy the will of the whole of the in- out clear tests that allowed us to conclude ternational community set out in 1441. whether he was cooperating fully or not, with a We will do all we can in the short time that clear ultimatum to him if he refused to do so. remains to make a final round of contacts, to see And the reason we approached it in that is that whether there is a way through this impasse. But that is what we agreed in Resolution 1441. This we are in the final stages, because, after 12 years was his final opportunity; he had to disarm un- of failing to disarm him, now is the time when conditionally. Serious consequences would follow we have to decide. if he failed to do so. Two other points, briefly, on the documents And this is really the impasse that we have, that we’ve put before you. The first is the – because some say there should be no ultimatum, President Aznar was just saying to you a moment no authorization of force in any new U.N. ago on the transatlantic alliance is, I think, very resolution; instead, more discussion in the event important. Some of you will have heard me say of noncompliance. But the truth is that without this before, but let me just repeat it. I believe that a credible ultimatum authorizing force in the Europe and America should stand together on event of noncompliance, then more discussion is the big issues of the day. I think it is a tragedy just more delay, with Saddam remaining armed when we don’t. And that transatlantic alliance is strong and we need to strengthen it still further.

118 | “we’re a peaceful nation” And secondly, we’ve set out for you that the Prime Minister think that starting now, should it come to conflict, we make a pledge to Portugal has more responsibilities with this war the people of Iraq. As President Bush was just that seems to be inevitable? saying to you a moment or two ago, it is the PRIME MINISTER BARROSO: The results of the people of Iraq who are the primary victims of summit, as I described them and as all the other Saddam: the thousands of children that die heads of state and government said it, too, this needlessly every year; the people locked up in his summit is – this is the last opportunity for a prisons or executed simply for showing disagree- political solution to this very serious problem for ment with the regime; a country that is potentially the international community. This has been said prosperous reduced to poverty; 60 percent of the here. It’s been said here that tomorrow – tomorrow population reliant on food aid. we’ll start with these last initiatives towards a And what we say is that we will protect Iraq’s political solution. And it’s for that reason I am territorial integrity; we will support representative very, very happy with the results of this summit. government that unites Iraq on the democratic Now, coming to our responsibility in case basis of human rights and the rule of law; that there is a conflict, I must say that the responsibility we will help Iraq rebuild – and not rebuild falls entirely on the dictator Saddam Hussein. because of the problems of conflict, where if it He bears the entire responsibility because he has comes to that, we will do everything we can to not respected for all of these years international minimize the suffering of the Iraqi people, but law and consistently violated the U.N. resolu- rebuild Iraq because of the appalling legacy that tions. And in that case, if there is a conflict, I the rule of Saddam has left the Iraqi people – and want to repeat it once more, Portugal will be next in particular, Iraq’s natural resources remain the – side by side with his allies. And the fact that we property of the people of Iraq. And that wealth are here today in the Azores with the United should be used for the Iraqi people. It is theirs, States, with Spain and with the UK, this is very and will remain so, administered by the U.N. in significant. the way we set out. As it’s been said here before, the transatlantic Finally, on the Middle East peace process, relationship is very, very important, not only for I welcome very much the statement that President Europe and for the U.S., but it’s very important Bush made the other day. I think it’s important for the whole world. I remember a few days ago, now. He said he wanted a partner on the Palestinian Kofi Annan in the European conference in side. I think the coming appointment of Abu Brussels, said the same thing – he said this is very Mazen is so important there. It allows us to take important. It’s very important for Europe and the this process forward. The road map give us the U.S. to remain united and not separate, way forward. The appointment of Abu Mazen because the world needs the U.S. and Europe gives us the right partner to take this forward. working together towards the same direction, in And I believe that that will demonstrate, and it’s the same sense – not only about the security, but important to demonstrate, in particular at this also fighting under-development and all the other time, that our approach to people in the Middle tasks that fall to the international community. East, in that troubled region is indeed even- PRESIDENT BUSH: Ron Fournier. handed. And all of us will work to make sure Q: Thank you, Mr. President. Before I ask that that vision of the Middle East, two states, my question I just want to nail down one thing Israel confident of its security, a Palestinian state so there’s no confusion. When you talk about that is viable, comes about and is made reality. tomorrow being the moment of truth, are you Thank you. saying that is the – PRESIDENT BUSH: Is this the question, or are Q: (Inaudible.) you trying to work in two questions? PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes. They couldn’t hear the Q: Yes, sir. (Laughter.) Because there’s one question. thing we need to make clear. When you say Q: I was asking the Portuguese Prime Minister, tomorrow is the moment of truth, does that how does he see the result of this summit. Does mean tomorrow is the last day that the resolution

a ppendix | 119 can be voted up or down, and at the end of the Hussein would unconditionally disarm, and if he day tomorrow, one way or another the diplomatic didn’t, there would be serious consequences. window has close? The United Nations Security Council looked at PRESIDENT BUSH: That’s what I’m saying. the issue four and a half months ago and voted Q: Thank you, sir. And now for the question – unanimously to say: Disarm immediately and PRESIDENT BUSH: And now for your question? unconditionally, and if you don’t, there are going Q: That being the case, regardless – to be serious consequences. The world has spoken. PRESIDENT BUSH: That being my answer – And it did it in a unified voice. Q: Regardless of whether the resolution goes Sorry. up or down or gets withdrawn, it seems to me PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: The issue is very you’re going to be facing a moment of truth. And simply this, that we cannot have a situation given that you’ve already said you don’t think where what happens through the United Na- there’s very much chance Saddam Hussein is go- tions, having agreed to 1441, having said there ing to disarm, and given that you say you don’t would be serious consequences if he does not co- think there’s very much chance he’s going to go operate fully and unconditionally, what we can- to go into exile, aren’t we going to war? not have is a situation where we simply go back PRESIDENT BUSH: Tomorrow is the day that for endless discussion. we will determine whether or not diplomacy can Now, we have provided the right diplomatic work. And we sat and visited about this issue, way through this, which is to lay down a clear about how best to spend our time between now ultimatum to Saddam: Cooperate or face and tomorrow. And as Prime Minister Blair said, disarmament by force. And that is entirely within we’ll be working the phones and talking to our the logic, the letter, the spirit of 1441. And that partners and talking to those who may now is why – all the way through we have tried to clearly understand the objective, and we’ll see provide a diplomatic solution. After over four how it goes tomorrow. and a half months since we passed Resolution Saddam Hussein can leave the country, if he’s 1441, we’re now three months on from the interested in peace. You see, the decision is his to declaration that Saddam on the 8th of December make. And it’s been his to make all along as to that not a single person in the international whether or not there’s the use of the military. He community – not one – believes was an honest got to decide whether he was going to disarm, declaration of what he had. And yet, 1441 said, and he didn’t. He can decide whether he wants to the first step of cooperation was to make an leave the country. These are his decisions to honest declaration. make. And thus far he has made bad decisions. So when people say haven’t we exhausted all Q: I understand that if tomorrow is the day the diplomatic avenues, we tried exhausting. But for taking the final decision, that means that you understand from our perspective and from the consider that there’s no possible way out through perspective of the security of the world, we the United Nations because a majority does not cannot simply go back to the Security Council, support a war action. I would like to know, Mr. for this discussion to be superseded by that dis- Blair, Mr. Bush, whether in that military offensive cussion, to be superseded by another discussion. you count on many countries, whether it’s going That’s what’s happened for 12 years. That’s why to be the UK and the U.S. carrying out the he’s still got the weapons of mass destruction. military offensive? I understand from what We have to come to the point of decision. And Mr. Blair that you’re counting on the U.N. for that really is what the next period of time is go- the reconstruction. Are you going to look for ing to be about. other countries through the United Nations? PRESIDENT AZNAR: Well, I would like to say And for Mr. Aznar, what is Spain’s partici- that this statement we’re making today, as we’ve pation in that military offensive, in addition to all said, it’s a last chance, one last attempt to your political support? reach the greatest possible consensus amongst PRESIDENT BUSH: Resolution 1441, which ourselves. And I can assure all of you that we’ve was unanimously approved, that said Saddam made – we have all made – enormous efforts,

120 | “we’re a peaceful nation” and we’re going to continue making these efforts So, whatever the tactics within the U.N. – in order to try to reach an agreement, to reach a and that’s something we can decide – whatever solution. those tactics, the key point of principle is this: We have our own worry, our own responsibility that when we came together last November and to make U.N. resolutions be abided by. If the laid down Resolution 1441, now is the moment Security Council unanimously adopts a resolution when we decide whether we meant it and it was – Resolution 1441 – giving one last opportunity his final opportunity to disarm, or face serious to disarm to someone who has weapons of mass consequences – or whether, alternatively, we’re destruction and we know he has used them, the simply going to drag out the diplomatic process Security Council cannot, one year after the other, forever. And that’s why I say it’s the point of wait for its resolutions to be implemented. That decision. would be the best way to do away with it alto- Q: Vote or not? gether. And it could do away with all the United PRESIDENT BUSH: I was the guy that said Nations’ credibility. And we honestly don’t want they ought to vote. And one country voted – that to happen. at least showed their cards, I believe. It’s an old To me, there is no – you cannot have the Texas expression, show your cards, when you’re same distance between illegality and impunity. playing poker. France showed their cards. After And neither Saddam Hussein, nor any other tyrant I said what I said, they said they were going to with weapons of mass destruction can set the veto anything that held Saddam to account. So rules for international law and the international cards have been played. And we’ll just have to community. take an assessment after tomorrow to determine Q: I’m from the BBC. Can I ask, first of all, what that card meant. Prime Minister Blair – you said that you want a Let me say something about the U.N. It’s a second resolution to be put down and voted on. very important organization. That’s why I went Could we be clear; is that what’s going to happen there on September the 12th, 2002, to give the tomorrow, under all circumstances? speech, the speech that called the U.N. into And either way – also, if I may, for President account, that said if you’re going to pass resolu- Bush – if you don’t get that second resolution, tions, let’s make sure your words mean something. what is the future for the United Nations? You Because I understand the wars of the 21st century talked about Saddam Hussein dividing world are going to require incredible international community. Surely, he succeeded. cooperation. We’re going to have to cooperate to PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Well, on your last cut the money of the terrorists, and the ability point, I think this is one of the things that is for nations, dictators who have weapons of mass tragic about this situation, that Saddam plays destruction to provide training and perhaps these games and we carry on allowing him to weapons to terrorist organizations. We need to play them. Now, we will do, in the next period cooperate, and we are. Our countries up here are of time, with respect to the resolution, what we cooperating incredibly well. believe to be in the interest of the U.N. And the U.N. must mean something. But I would say why I think it is so important Remember Rwanda, or Kosovo. The U.N. didn’t that even now, at this late stage, we try to get the do its job. And we hope tomorrow the U.N. will United Nations to be the root of resolving this do its job. If not, all of us need to step back and – because the threat is there and everyone accepts try to figure out how to make the U.N. work it: the threat of weapons of mass destruction, better as we head into the 21st century. Perhaps the threat of weapons of mass destruction in the one way will be, if we use military force, in the hands of terrorists who will cause maximum post-Saddam Iraq the U.N. will definitely need damage to our people. Everybody accepts the to have a role. And that way it can begin to get disarmament of Saddam has to happen. Every- its legs, legs of responsibility back. body accepts that he was supposed to cooperate But it’s important for the U.N. to be able to fully with the inspectors. Everybody accepts that function well if we’re going to keep the peace. he is not doing so. And I will work hard to see to it that at least

a ppendix | 121 from our perspective, that the U.N. is able to be – able to be a responsibility body, and when it says something, it means it, for the sake of peace and for the sake of the security, for the capacity to win the war of – the first war of the 21st century, which is the war against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction in the hands of dictators. Thank you all. PRIME MINISTER BARROSO: Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. This is the end of the conference. Have a good trip.

END 6:05 P.M. (L) ------Return to this article at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/ 03/20030316-3.html

122 | “we’re a peaceful nation” For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary March 19, 2003 appendix 12. george w. bush’s speech before the invasion of iraq

President George W. Bush Addresses the Nation

The Oval Office I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to 10:16 P.M. EST spare innocent civilians from harm. A campaign on the harsh terrain of a nation as large as THE PRESIDENT: My fellow citizens, at this hour, California could be longer and more difficult American and coalition forces are in the early than some predict. And helping Iraqis achieve a stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to united, stable and free country will require our free its people and to defend the world from sustained commitment. grave danger. We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, On my orders, coalition forces have begun for their great civilization and for the religious striking selected targets of military importance to faiths they practice. We have no ambition in Iraq, undermine Saddam Hussein’s ability to wage war. except to remove a threat and restore control of These are opening stages of what will be a broad that country to its own people. and concerted campaign. More than 35 countries I know that the families of our military are are giving crucial support – from the use of naval praying that all those who serve will return safely and air bases, to help with intelligence and logis- and soon. Millions of Americans are praying with tics, to the deployment of combat units. Every you for the safety of your loved ones and for the nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the protection of the innocent. For your sacrifice, you duty and share the honor of serving in our com- have the gratitude and respect of the American mon defense. people. And you can know that our forces will be To all the men and women of the United coming home as soon as their work is done. States Armed Forces now in the Middle East, the Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly – peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an yet, our purpose is sure. The people of the United oppressed people now depend on you. That trust States and our friends and allies will not live at is well placed. the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the The enemies you confront will come to know peace with weapons of mass murder. We will your skill and bravery. The people you liberate meet that threat now, with our Army, Air Force, will witness the honorable and decent spirit of Navy, Coast Guard and Marines, so that we do the American military. In this conflict, America not have to meet it later with armies of fire fighters faces an enemy who has no regard for conventions and police and doctors on the streets of our cities. of war or rules of morality. Saddam Hussein has Now that conflict has come, the only way to placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian limit its duration is to apply decisive force. And areas, attempting to use innocent men, women I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half and children as shields for his own military – measures, and we will accept no outcome but a final atrocity against his people. victory.

a ppendix | 123 My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others and we will prevail. May God bless our country and all who defend her.

END ------

124 | “we’re a peaceful nation” For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 1, 2003 appendix 13. george w. bush’s victory speech

President George W. Bush Announces Major Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended

the USS Abraham Lincoln, This nation thanks all the members of our at Sea Off the Coast of San Diego, coalition who joined in a noble cause. We thank California the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland, who shared in the hardships 3:23 P.M. EDT of war. We thank all the citizens of Iraq who welcomed our troops and joined in the liberation of their own country. And tonight, I have a THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. special word for Secretary Rumsfeld, for General Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, officers and sailors Franks, and for all the men and women who of the USS Abraham Lincoln, my fellow wear the uniform of the United States: America Americans: Major combat operations in Iraq have is grateful for a job well done. (Applause.) ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States The character of our military through history and our allies have prevailed. (Applause.) And – the daring of Normandy, the fierce courage of now our coalition is engaged in securing and Iwo Jima, the decency and idealism that turned reconstructing that country. enemies into allies – is fully present in this gener- In this battle, we have fought for the cause ation. When Iraqi civilians looked into the faces of liberty, and for the peace of the world. Our of our servicemen and women, they saw strength nation and our coalition are proud of this and kindness and goodwill. When I look at the accomplishment – yet, it is you, the members of members of the United States military, I see the the United States military, who achieved it. Your best of our country, and I’m honored to be your courage, your willingness to face danger for your Commander-in-Chief. (Applause.) country and for each other, made this day possible. In the images of falling statues, we have Because of you, our nation is more secure. witnessed the arrival of a new era. For a hundred Because of you, the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is of years of war, culminating in the nuclear age, free. (Applause.) military technology was designed and deployed Operation Iraqi Freedom was carried out to inflict casualties on an ever-growing scale. In with a combination of precision and speed and defeating Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, boldness the enemy did not expect, and the Allied forces destroyed entire cities, while enemy world had not seen before. From distant bases or leaders who started the conflict were safe until ships at sea, we sent planes and missiles that the final days. Military power was used to end a could destroy an enemy division, or strike a single regime by breaking a nation. bunker. Marines and soldiers charged to Baghdad Today, we have the greater power to free a across 350 miles of hostile ground, in one of the nation by breaking a dangerous and aggressive swiftest advances of heavy arms in history. You regime. With new tactics and precision weapons, have shown the world the skill and the might of we can achieve military objectives without direct- the American Armed Forces. ing violence against civilians. No device of man

a ppendix | 125 can remove the tragedy from war; yet it is a great America and our coalition will finish what we moral advance when the guilty have far more to have begun. (Applause.) fear from war than the innocent. (Applause.) From Pakistan to the Philippines to the Horn In the images of celebrating Iraqis, we have of Africa, we are hunting down al Qaeda killers. also seen the ageless appeal of human freedom. Nineteen months ago, I pledged that the terrorists Decades of lies and intimidation could not make would not escape the patient justice of the United the Iraqi people love their oppressors or desire States. And as of tonight, nearly one-half of al their own enslavement. Men and women in every Qaeda’s senior operatives have been captured or culture need liberty like they need food and killed. (Applause.) water and air. Everywhere that freedom arrives, The liberation of Iraq is a crucial advance in humanity rejoices; and everywhere that freedom the campaign against terror. We’ve removed an stirs, let tyrants fear. (Applause.) ally of al Qaeda, and cut off a source of terrorist We have difficult work to do in Iraq. We’re funding. And this much is certain: No terrorist bringing order to parts of that country that remain network will gain weapons of mass destruction dangerous. We’re pursuing and finding leaders of from the Iraqi regime, because the regime is no the old regime, who will be held to account for more. (Applause.) their crimes. We’ve begun the search for hidden In these 19 months that changed the world, chemical and biological weapons and already our actions have been focused and deliberate and know of hundreds of sites that will be investigated. proportionate to the offense. We have not for- We’re helping to rebuild Iraq, where the dictator gotten the victims of September the 11th – the built palaces for himself, instead of hospitals and last phone calls, the cold murder of children, the schools. And we will stand with the new leaders searches in the rubble. With those attacks, the of Iraq as they establish a government of, by, and terrorists and their supporters declared war on for the Iraqi people. (Applause.) the United States. And war is what they got. The transition from dictatorship to democracy (Applause.) will take time, but it is worth every effort. Our Our war against terror is proceeding accord- coalition will stay until our work is done. Then ing to principles that I have made clear to all: we will leave, and we will leave behind a free Any person involved in committing or planning Iraq. (Applause.) terrorist attacks against the American people The battle of Iraq is one victory in a war on becomes an enemy of this country, and a target terror that began on September the 11, 2001 – of American justice. (Applause.) and still goes on. That terrible morning, 19 evil Any person, organization, or government that men – the shock troops of a hateful ideology – supports, protects, or harbors terrorists is complicit gave America and the civilized world a glimpse in the murder of the innocent, and equally guilty of their ambitions. They imagined, in the words of terrorist crimes. of one terrorist, that September the 11th would Any outlaw regime that has ties to terrorist be the “beginning of the end of America.” By groups and seeks or possesses weapons of mass seeking to turn our cities into killing fields, destruction is a grave danger to the civilized terrorists and their allies believed that they could world -- and will be confronted. (Applause.) destroy this nation’s resolve, and force our retreat And anyone in the world, including the Arab from the world. They have failed. (Applause.) world, who works and sacrifices for freedom has In the battle of Afghanistan, we destroyed the a loyal friend in the United States of America. Taliban, many terrorists, and the camps where (Applause.) they trained. We continue to help the Afghan Our commitment to liberty is America’s people lay roads, restore hospitals, and educate tradition – declared at our founding; affirmed in all of their children. Yet we also have dangerous Franklin Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms; asserted in work to complete. As I speak, a Special Operations the Truman Doctrine and in Ronald Reagan’s task force, led by the 82nd Airborne, is on the challenge to an evil empire. We are committed to trail of the terrorists and those who seek to un- freedom in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and in a peaceful dermine the free government of Afghanistan. Palestine. The advance of freedom is the surest

126 | “we’re a peaceful nation” strategy to undermine the appeal of terror in the more than to return home. And that is your world. Where freedom takes hold, hatred gives direction tonight. (Applause.) After service in the way to hope. When freedom takes hold, men and Afghan – and Iraqi theaters of war – after women turn to the peaceful pursuit of a better 100,000 miles, on the longest carrier deployment life. American values and American interests lead in recent history, you are homeward bound. in the same direction: We stand for human liberty. (Applause.) Some of you will see new family (Applause.) members for the first time – 150 babies were The United States upholds these principles of born while their fathers were on the Lincoln. security and freedom in many ways – with all the Your families are proud of you, and your nation tools of diplomacy, law enforcement, intelligence, will welcome you. (Applause.) and finance. We’re working with a broad coalition We are mindful, as well, that some good men of nations that understand the threat and our and women are not making the journey home. shared responsibility to meet it. The use of force One of those who fell, Corporal Jason Mileo, has been – and remains – our last resort. Yet all spoke to his parents five days before his death. can know, friend and foe alike, that our nation Jason’s father said, “He called us from the center has a mission: We will answer threats to our of Baghdad, not to brag, but to tell us he loved security, and we will defend the peace. (Applause.) us. Our son was a soldier.” Our mission continues. Al Qaeda is wounded, Every name, every life is a loss to our military, not destroyed. The scattered cells of the terrorist to our nation, and to the loved ones who grieve. network still operate in many nations, and we There’s no homecoming for these families. Yet we know from daily intelligence that they continue pray, in God’s time, their reunion will come. to plot against free people. The proliferation of Those we lost were last seen on duty. Their deadly weapons remains a serious danger. The final act on this Earth was to fight a great evil enemies of freedom are not idle, and neither are and bring liberty to others. All of you – all in this we. Our government has taken unprecedented generation of our military – have taken up the measures to defend the homeland. And we will highest calling of history. You’re defending your continue to hunt down the enemy before he can country, and protecting the innocent from harm. strike. (Applause.) And wherever you go, you carry a message of The war on terror is not over; yet it is not hope – a message that is ancient and ever new. In endless. We do not know the day of final victory, the words of the prophet Isaiah, “To the captives, but we have seen the turning of the tide. No act ’come out,’ – and to those in darkness, ’be free.” of the terrorists will change our purpose, or Thank you for serving our country and our weaken our resolve, or alter their fate. Their cause cause. May God bless you all, and may God con- is lost. Free nations will press on to victory. tinue to bless America. (Applause.) (Applause.) Other nations in history have fought in foreign END 6:27 P.M. PDT lands and remained to occupy and exploit. Americans, following a battle, want nothing ------

a ppendix | 127

“We’re a peaceful nation” – “We’re a peaceful nation” war rhetoric after september 11

This study highlights the rhetorical devices that were used during the two military operations that were a direct consequence of the events on September 11.

The purpose is to create a better understanding of the war strategists’ efforts

to define tour world. Brigitte Mral

Brigitte Mral, professor of Rhetoric at Department of Humanities, Örebro University.

”We’re a peaceful nation” Swedish Emergency Management Agency/ war rhetoric after september 11 Krisberedskapsmyndigheten

P.O. Box 599 sp

SE-101 31 Stockholm ec Brigitte Mral a feature | 2004:5 ial Tel +46 8 593 710 00 Fax +46 8 593 710 01

kbm@krisberedskaps myndigheten.se ISSN 1652-2915 ISSN 1652-3970 www.krisberedskaps special feature | 2004:5 ISBN 91-85053-61-9 myndigheten.se