Oct. 5 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005

The President. I’m proud of you. Thank remarks, he referred to Gen. Peter Pace, you all very much. USMC, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, former NOTE: The President spoke at 10:43 a.m. in commander, Multi-National Security Transi- the Rose Garden at the White House. In his tion Command—.

Remarks to Reporters Following a Visit With Wounded Troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center October 5, 2005

Once again, I had the honor of thanking I ask for God’s blessings on them and the docs and nurses that provide such in- their families as they recover from their credible care to our wounded soldiers. sacrifice and service. Every time I come here, I’m amazed by Thank you all. the courage and decency and strength of those who wear the Nation’s uniform. It NOTE: The President spoke at 3:32 p.m. A is such an honor to be the Commander tape was not available for verification of the in Chief of such fine men and women. content of these remarks.

Remarks to the National Endowment for Democracy October 6, 2005

Thank you all. Thank you all. Please be Once again, we’re responding to a global seated. Thank you for the warm welcome. campaign of fear with a global campaign I’m honored once again to be with the sup- of freedom. And once again, we will see porters of the National Endowment for De- freedom’s victory. mocracy. Since the day President Ronald Vin, I want to thank you for inviting me Reagan set out the vision for this endow- back. And thank you for the short introduc- ment, the world has seen the swiftest ad- tion. [Laughter] I appreciate Carl vance of democratic institutions in history. Gershman. I want to welcome former Con- And Americans are proud to have played gressman Dick Gephardt, who is a board our role in this great story. member of the National Endowment for Our Nation stood guard on tense bor- Democracy. It’s good to see you, Dick. And ders. We spoke for the rights of dissidents I appreciate Chris Cox, who is the Chair- and the hopes of exiles. We aided the rise man of the U.S. Securities and Exchange of new democracies on the ruins of tyranny. Commission and a board member for the And all the cost and sacrifice of that strug- National Endowment of Democracy, for gle has been worth it, because from Latin being here as well. I want to thank all America to Europe to Asia, we’ve gained the other board members. the peace that freedom brings. I appreciate the Secretary of State, Condi In this new century, freedom is once Rice, who has joined us—alongside her, again assaulted by enemies determined to Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld. Thank rollback generations of democratic progress. you all for being here. I’m proud as well

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that the newly sworn-in Chairman of the denies all political and religious freedom. Joint Chiefs, the first Marine ever to hold These extremists distort the idea of jihad that position, is with us today, General into a call for terrorist murder against Peter Pace. I thank the members of the Christians and Jews and Hindus and also diplomatic corps who are here as well. against Muslims from other traditions, who Recently our country observed the fourth they regard as heretics. anniversary of a great evil and looked back Many militants are part of global, border- on a great turning point in our history. less terrorist organizations like Al Qaida, We still remember a proud city covered which spreads propaganda and provides fi- in smoke and ashes, a fire across the Poto- nancing and technical assistance to local ex- mac, and passengers who spent their final tremists and conducts dramatic and brutal moments on Earth fighting the enemy. We operations like September the 11th. Other still remember the men who rejoice in militants are found in regional groups, often every death and Americans in uniform ris- associated with Al Qaida, paramilitary ing to duty. And we remember the calling insurgencies and separatist movements in that came to us on that day and continues places like Somalia and the Philippines and to this hour: We will confront this mortal Pakistan and Chechnya and Kashmir and danger to all humanity. We will not tire Algeria. Still others spring up in local cells, or rest until the war on terror is won. inspired by Islamic radicalism but not cen- The images and experience of September trally directed. Islamic radicalism is more the 11th are unique for Americans. Yet the like a loose network with many branches evil of that morning has reappeared on than an army under a single command. Yet other days, in other places, in Mombasa these operatives, fighting on scattered bat- and Casablanca and Riyadh and Jakarta and tlefields, share a similar ideology and vision Istanbul and Madrid and Beslan and Taba for our world. and Netanya and and elsewhere. We know the vision of the radicals be- In the past few months, we’ve seen a new cause they’ve openly stated it in videos and terror offensive with attacks on , audiotapes and letters and declarations and Sharm el-Sheikh, and a deadly bombing in web sites. First, these extremists want to Bali once again. All these separate images end American and Western influence in the of destruction and suffering that we see broader Middle East, because we stand for on the news can seem like random and democracy and peace and stand in the way isolated acts of madness. Innocent men and of their ambitions. Al Qaida’s leader, women and children have died simply be- Usama bin Laden, has called on Muslims cause they boarded the wrong train or to dedicate, quote, their ‘‘resources, sons, worked in the wrong building or checked and money to driving the infidels out of into the wrong hotel. Yet while the killers their lands.’’ Their tactic to meet this goal choose their victims indiscriminately, their has been consistent for a quarter-century: attacks serve a clear and focused ideology, They hit us and expect us to run. They a set of beliefs and goals that are evil but want us to repeat the sad history of Beirut not insane. in 1983 and Mogadishu in 1993, only this Some call this evil Islamic radicalism; time on a larger scale, with greater con- others, militant jihadism; still others, sequences. Islamo-fascism. Whatever it’s called, this Second, the militant network wants to ideology is very different from the religion use the vacuum created by an American of . This form of radicalism exploits retreat to gain control of a country, a base Islam to serve a violent, political vision: the from which to launch attacks and conduct establishment, by terrorism and subversion their war against nonradical Muslim govern- and insurgency, of a totalitarian empire that ments. Over the past few decades, radicals

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have specifically targeted Egypt and Saudi ing them through radical mosques as the Arabia and Pakistan and Jordan for poten- pawns of terror. And they exploit modern tial takeover. They achieved their goal, for technology to multiply their destructive a time, in Afghanistan. Now they’ve set power. Instead of attending faraway train- their sights on Iraq. Bin Laden has stated: ing camps, recruits can now access online ‘‘The whole world is watching this war and training libraries to learn how to build a the two adversaries. It’s either victory and roadside bomb or fire a rocket-propelled glory or misery and humiliation.’’ The ter- grenade, and this further spreads the threat rorists regard Iraq as the central front in of violence, even within peaceful demo- their war against humanity, and we must cratic societies. recognize Iraq as the central front in our The influence of Islamic radicalism is war on terror. also magnified by helpers and enablers. Third, the militants believe that control- They have been sheltered by authoritarian ling one country will rally the Muslim regimes, allies of convenience like Syria and masses, enabling them to overthrow all Iran, that share the goal of hurting America moderate governments in the region and and moderate Muslim governments and use establish a radical Islamic empire that spans terrorist propaganda to blame their own from Spain to Indonesia. With greater eco- failures on the West and America and on nomic and military and political power, the the Jews. The radicals depend on front op- terrorists would be able to advance their erations, such as corrupted charities, which stated agenda, to develop weapons of mass direct money to terrorist activity. They’re destruction, to destroy Israel, to intimidate strengthened by those who aggressively Europe, to assault the American people, fund the spread of radical, intolerant and to blackmail our Government into iso- versions of Islam in unstable parts of the lation. world. The militants are aided as well by Some might be tempted to dismiss these elements of the Arab news media that in- goals as fanatical or extreme. Well, they cite hatred and anti-Semitism, that feed are fanatical and extreme, and they should conspiracy theories and speak of a so-called not be dismissed. Our enemy is utterly American ‘‘war on Islam,’’ with seldom a committed. As Zarqawi has vowed: ‘‘We word about American action to protect will either achieve victory over the human Muslims in Afghanistan and Bosnia, Soma- race or we will pass to the eternal life.’’ lia, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Iraq. And the civilized world knows very well Some have also argued that extremism that other fanatics in history, from Hitler has been strengthened by the actions of to Stalin to Pol Pot, consumed whole na- our coalition in Iraq, claiming that our tions in war and genocide before leaving presence in that country has somehow the stage of history. Evil men, obsessed caused or triggered the rage of radicals. with ambition and unburdened by con- I would remind them that we were not science, must be taken very seriously, and in Iraq on September the 11th, 2001, and we must stop them before their crimes can Al Qaida attacked us anyway. The hatred multiply. of the radicals existed before Iraq was an Defeating the militant network is dif- issue, and it will exist after Iraq is no longer ficult, because it thrives like a parasite on an excuse. The Government of Russia did the suffering and frustration of others. The not support Operation Iraqi Freedom, and radicals exploit local conflicts to build a cul- yet militants killed more than 180 Russian ture of victimization in which someone else schoolchildren in Beslan. is always to blame and violence is always Over the years, these extremists have the solution. They exploit resentful and dis- used a litany of excuses for violence, the illusioned young men and women, recruit- Israeli presence on the West Bank or the

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U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia or When 25 Iraqi children are killed in a the defeat of the Taliban or the Crusades bombing or Iraqi teachers are executed at of a thousand years ago. In fact, we’re not their school or hospital workers are killed facing a set of grievances that can be caring for the wounded, this is murder, soothed and addressed. We’re facing a rad- pure and simple, the total rejection of jus- ical ideology with inalterable objectives, to tice and honor and morality and religion. enslave whole nations and intimidate the These militants are not just the enemies world. No act of ours invited the rage of of America or the enemies of Iraq; they the killers, and no concession, bribe, or act are the enemies of Islam and the enemies of appeasement would change or limit their of humanity. We have seen this kind of plans for murder. On the contrary, they shameless cruelty before, in the heartless target nations whose behavior they believe zealotry that led to the gulags and the Cul- they can change through violence. Against tural Revolution and the Killing Fields. such an enemy, there is only one effective Like the ideology of communism, our response: We will never back down, never new enemy pursues totalitarian aims. Its give in, and never accept anything less than leaders pretend to be an aggrieved party, complete victory. representing the powerless against imperial The murderous ideology of the Islamic enemies. In truth they have endless ambi- radicals is the great challenge of our new tions of imperial domination, and they wish century. Yet, in many ways, this fight re- to make everyone powerless except them- sembles the struggle against communism in selves. Under their rule, they have banned the last century. Like the ideology of com- books and desecrated historical monuments munism, Islamic radicalism is elitist, led by and brutalized women. They seek to end a self-appointed vanguard that presumes to dissent in every form and to control every speak for the Muslim masses. Bin Laden aspect of life and to rule the soul itself. says his own role is to tell Muslims, quote, While promising a future of justice and ho- ‘‘what is good for them and what is not.’’ liness, the terrorists are preparing for a fu- And what this man who grew up in wealth ture of oppression and misery. and privilege considers good for poor Mus- Like the ideology of communism, our lims is that they become killers and suicide new enemy is dismissive of free peoples, bombers. He assures them that his—that claiming that men and women who live this is the road to paradise, though he in liberty are weak and decadent. Zarqawi never offers to go along for the ride. has said that Americans are, quote, ‘‘the Like the ideology of communism, our most cowardly of God’s creatures.’’ But let’s new enemy teaches that innocent individ- be clear: It is cowardice that seeks to kill uals can be sacrificed to serve a political children and the elderly with car bombs vision. And this explains their coldblooded and cuts the throat of a bound captive and contempt for human life. We’ve seen it in targets worshipers leaving a mosque. It is the murders of , Nicholas courage that liberated more than 50 million Berg, and Margaret Hassan, and many oth- people. It is courage that keeps an untiring ers. In a courtroom in the Netherlands, vigil against the enemies of a rising democ- the killer of Theo van Gogh turned to the racy. And it is courage in the cause of victim’s grieving mother and said, ‘‘I do freedom that once again will destroy the not feel your pain, because I believe you enemies of freedom. are an infidel.’’ And in spite of this veneer And Islamic radicalism, like the ideology of religious rhetoric, most of the victims of communism, contains inherent contradic- claimed by the militants are fellow Mus- tions that doom it to failure. By fearing lims. freedom—by distrusting human creativity

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and punishing change and limiting the con- the mastermind of the Jakarta and the first tributions of half the population, this ide- Bali bombings; a senior Zarqawi terrorist ology undermines the very qualities that planner, who was planning attacks in Tur- make human progress possible and human key; and many of Al Qaida’s senior leaders societies successful. The only thing modern in Saudi Arabia. about the militants’ vision is the weapons Overall, the United States and our part- they want to use against us. The rest of ners have disrupted at least 10 serious Al their grim vision is defined by a warped Qaida terrorist plots since September the image of the past, a declaration of war on 11th, including 3 Al Qaida plots to attack the idea of progress itself. And whatever inside the United States. We’ve stopped at lies ahead in the war against this ideology, least five more Al Qaida efforts to case the outcome is not in doubt: Those who targets in the United States or infiltrate despise freedom and progress have con- operatives into our country. Because of this demned themselves to isolation, decline, steady progress, the enemy is wounded, but and collapse. Because free peoples believe the enemy is still capable of global oper- in the future, free peoples will own the ations. Our commitment is clear: We will future. not relent until the organized international We didn’t ask for this global struggle, terror networks are exposed and broken, but we’re answering history’s call with con- and their leaders held to account for their fidence and a comprehensive strategy. De- acts of murder. feating a broad and adaptive network re- Second, we’re determined to deny weap- quires patience, constant pressure, and ons of mass destruction to outlaw regimes, strong partners in Europe, the Middle East, and to their terrorist allies who would use North Africa, Asia, and beyond. Working them without hesitation. The United States, with these partners, we’re disrupting mili- working with Great Britain, Pakistan, and tant conspiracies, destroying their ability to other nations, has exposed and disrupted make war, and working to give millions in a major black-market operation in nuclear a troubled region of the world a hopeful technology led by A.Q. Khan. Libya has alternative to resentment and violence. abandoned its chemical and nuclear weap- First, we’re determined to prevent the ons programs as well as long-range ballistic attacks of terrorist networks before they missiles. And in the last year, America and occur. We’re reorganizing our Government our partners in the Proliferation Security to give this Nation a broad and coordinated Initiative have stopped more than a dozen homeland defense. We’re reforming our in- shipments of suspected weapons tech- telligence agencies for the incredibly dif- nology, including equipment for Iran’s bal- ficult task of tracking enemy activity, based listic missile program. on information that often comes in small This progress has reduced the danger to fragments from widely scattered sources, free nations but has not removed it. Evil here and abroad. We’re acting, along with men who want to use horrendous weapons the governments from many countries, to against us are working in deadly earnest destroy the terrorist networks and incapaci- to gain them. And we’re working urgently tate their leaders. Together we’ve killed or to keep weapons of mass destruction out captured nearly all of those directly respon- of their hands. sible for the September the 11th attacks, Third, we’re determined to deny radical as well as some of bin Laden’s most senior groups the support and sanctuary of outlaw deputies, Al Qaida managers and operatives regimes. State sponsors like Syria and Iran in more than 24 countries: the mastermind have a long history of collaboration with of the USS Cole bombing, who was chief terrorists, and they deserve no patience of Al Qaida operations in the Persian Gulf; from the victims of terror. The United

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States makes no distinction between those should they overlook the advantages we who commit acts of terror and those who bring to this fight. support and harbor them, because they’re Some observers look at the job ahead equally as guilty of murder. Any govern- and adopt a self-defeating pessimism. It is ment that chooses to be an ally of terror not justified. With every random bombing has also chosen to be an enemy of civiliza- and with every funeral of a child, it be- tion. And the civilized world must hold comes more clear that the extremists are those regimes to account. not patriots or resistance fighters. They are Fourth, we’re determined to deny the murderers at war with the Iraqi people militants control of any nation, which they themselves. would use as a home base and a launching In contrast, the elected leaders of Iraq pad for terror. For this reason, we’re fight- are proving to be strong and steadfast. By ing beside our Afghan partners against rem- any standard or precedent of history, Iraq nants of the Taliban and their Al Qaida has made incredible political progress, from allies. For this reason, we’re working with tyranny to liberation to national elections to the writing of a constitution, in the space President Musharraf to oppose and isolate 1 the militants in Pakistan. And for this rea- of 2 ⁄2 years. With our help, the Iraqi mili- son, we’re fighting the regime remnants tary is gaining new capabilities and new and terrorists in Iraq. The terrorist goal confidence with every passing month. At is to overthrow a rising democracy, claim the time of our operations 11 months ago, there were only a few Iraqi a strategic country as a haven for terror, army battalions in combat. Today, there are destabilize the Middle East, and strike more than 80 Iraqi army battalions fighting America and other free nations with ever- the insurgency alongside our forces. increasing violence. Our goal is to defeat Progress isn’t easy, but it is steady. And the terrorists and their allies at the heart no fair-minded person should ignore, deny, of their power, and so we will defeat the or dismiss the achievements of the Iraqi enemy in Iraq. people. Our coalition, along with our Iraqi allies, Some observers question the durability is moving forward with a comprehensive, of democracy in Iraq. They underestimate specific military plan. Area by area, city the power and appeal of freedom. We’ve by city, we’re conducting offensive oper- heard it suggested that Iraq’s democracy ations to clear out enemy forces and leaving must be on shaky ground because Iraqis behind Iraqi units to prevent the enemy are arguing with each other. But that’s the from returning. Within these areas, we’re essence of democracy, making your case, working for tangible improvements in the debating with those who you disagree—who lives of Iraqi citizens. And we’re aiding the disagree, building consensus by persuasion, rise of an elected government that unites and answering to the will of the people. the Iraqi people against extremism and vio- We’ve heard it said that the Shi’a, Sunnis, lence. This work involves great risk for and Kurds of Iraq are too divided to form Iraqis and for Americans and coalition a lasting democracy. In fact, democratic forces. Wars are not won without sacrifice, federalism is the best hope for unifying a and this war will require more sacrifice, diverse population, because a Federal con- more time, and more resolve. stitutional system respects the rights and The terrorists are as brutal an enemy religious traditions of all citizens while giv- as we’ve ever faced. They’re unconstrained ing all minorities, including the Sunnis, a by any notion of our common humanity stake and a voice in the future of their or by the rules of warfare. No one should country. It is true that the seeds of freedom underestimate the difficulties ahead, nor have only recently been planted in Iraq,

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but democracy, when it grows, is not a destiny and advance by their own energy fragile flower; it is a healthy, sturdy tree. and by their participation as free men and As Americans, we believe that people ev- women, then the extremists will be erywhere—everywhere—prefer freedom to marginalized, and the flow of violent radi- slavery and that liberty, once chosen, im- calism to the rest of the world will slow proves the lives of all. And so we’re con- and eventually end. By standing for the fident, as our coalition and the Iraqi people hope and freedom of others, we make our each do their part, Iraqi democracy will own freedom more secure. succeed. America is making this stand in practical Some observers also claim that America ways. We’re encouraging our friends in the would be better off by cutting our losses Middle East, including Egypt and Saudi and leaving Iraq now. This is a dangerous Arabia, to take the path of reform, to illusion, refuted with a simple question: strengthen their own societies in the fight Would the United States and other free against terror by respecting the rights and nations be more safe or less safe with choices of their own people. We’re standing Zarqawi and bin Laden in control of Iraq, with dissidents and exiles against oppressive its people, and its resources? Having re- regimes, because we know that the dis- moved a dictator who hated free peoples, sidents of today will be the democratic we will not stand by as a new set of killers, leaders of tomorrow. We’re making our dedicated to the destruction of our own case through public diplomacy, stating country, seizes control of Iraq by violence. clearly and confidently our belief in self- There’s always a temptation, in the mid- determination and the rule of law and reli- dle of a long struggle, to seek the quiet gious freedom and equal rights for women, life, to escape the duties and problems of beliefs that are right and true in every land the world, and to hope the enemy grows weary of fanaticism and tired of murder. and in every culture. This would be a pleasant world, but it’s As we do our part to confront radicalism, not the world we live in. The enemy is we know that the most vital work will be never tired, never sated, never content with done within the Islamic world itself. And yesterday’s brutality. This enemy considers this work has begun. Many Muslim scholars every retreat of the civilized world as an have already publicly condemned terrorism, invitation to greater violence. In Iraq, there often citing Chapter 5, Verse 32 of the is no peace without victory. We will keep Koran, which states that killing an innocent our nerve, and we will win that victory. human being is like killing all humanity The fifth element of our strategy in the and saving the life of one person is like war on terror is to deny the militants future saving all of humanity. After the attacks recruits by replacing hatred and resentment in London on July the 7th, an imam in with democracy and hope across the broad- the United Arab Emirates declared, ‘‘Who- er Middle East. This is a difficult, long- ever does such a thing is not a Muslim term project, yet there’s no alternative to nor a religious person.’’ The time has come it. Our future and the future of that region for all responsible Islamic leaders to join are linked. If the broader Middle East is in denouncing an ideology that exploits left to grow in bitterness, if countries re- Islam for political ends and defiles a noble main in misery, while radicals stir the faith. resentments of millions, then that part of Many people of the Muslim faith are the world will be a source of endless con- proving their commitment at great personal flict and mounting danger for our genera- risk. Everywhere we have engaged the fight tion and the next. If the peoples of that against extremism, Muslim allies have stood region are permitted to choose their own up and joined the fight, becoming partners

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in a vital cause. Afghan troops are in com- take or the sacrifices that might lie ahead. bat against Taliban remnants. Iraqi soldiers We do know, however, that the defense are sacrificing to defeat Al Qaida in their of freedom is worth our sacrifice. We do own country. These brave citizens know the know the love of freedom is the mightiest stakes, the survival of their own liberty, the force of history. And we do know the cause future of their own region, the justice and of freedom will once again prevail. humanity of their own tradition, and the May God bless you. United States of America is proud to stand beside them. With the rise of a deadly enemy and NOTE: The President spoke at 10:07 a.m. at the unfolding of a global ideological strug- the Ronald Reagan Building and Inter- gle, our time in history will be remembered national Trade Center. In his remarks, he re- for new challenges and unprecedented dan- ferred to Vin Weber, chairman, and Carl gers. And yet the fight we have joined is Gershman, president, National Endowment also the current expression of an ancient for Democracy; senior Al Qaida associate struggle, between those who put their faith Abu Musab Al Zarqawi; Usama bin Laden, in dictators and those who put their faith leader of the Al Qaida terrorist organization; in the people. Throughout history, tyrants Mohammed Bouyeri, who was convicted of and would-be tyrants have always claimed the November 2, 2004, murder of film direc- that murder is justified to serve their grand tor Theo van Gogh; Anneke van Gogh, moth- vision, and they end up alienating decent er of Theo van Gogh; Abd al-Rahim al- people across the globe. Tyrants and would- Nashiri, Al Qaida’s chief of operations for the be tyrants have always claimed that regi- Persian Gulf; Nurjaman Riduan Isamuddin mented societies are strong and pure, until (also known as Hambali), Al Qaida’s chief those societies collapse in corruption and operational planner in Southeast Asia, who decay. Tyrants and would-be tyrants have was captured in Thailand on August 11, 2003; always claimed that free men and women Abu Azzam, Al Qaida operative in Iraq; A.Q. are weak and decadent, until the day that Khan, former head of Pakistan’s nuclear pro- free men and women defeat them. gram; President Pervez Musharraf of Paki- We don’t know the course of our own stan; and former President Saddam Hussein struggle—the course our own struggle will of Iraq.

Remarks in a Tribute to National Review Magazine and William F. Buckley, Jr. October 6, 2005

Thanks. I’m here to escort William F. ber one of his famous quotes was that, Buckley, Jr., to lunch. [Laughter] But first ‘‘The job of conservatives was to stand I’ve got some things I want to say. It’s athwart history, yelling, ‘Stop.’ ’’ a honor to celebrate the 50th anniversary That’s the approach I took to most of my of National Review and soon to be the 80th classes. [Laughter] birthday of our honoree. You probably I also do want to throw a little bouquet think this is a—the Yale Scholars Associa- to him and let him know that all I’ve tion meeting. [Laughter] Actually, Bill learned about the English language— Buckley did have an influence on me when [laughter]—at any rate, it’s good to wel- I followed him at Yale. You might remem- come the Buckley family. Thank you all

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