Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Feb. 5 197

I want to thank you for continuing this fine gressman from this district, Henry Brown, annual tradition and for your hospitality. May for joining us as well. These are good, honor- God bless you, and may He always watch able citizens. They’re working hard in Wash- over our country. Thank you. ington, DC, on behalf of the people of . I’m proud to call them friend. I’m NOTE: The President spoke at 7:50 a.m. at the proud to work with them for the good of the Washington Hilton Hotel. In his remarks, he re- country. ferred to Joe Gibbs, head coach, Washington Red- I appreciate the mayor, Joe Riley, being skins football team; Gen. John P. Abizaid, USA, combatant commander, U.S. Central Command; here today. Mr. Mayor, thank you for com- and Senators James M. Inhofe and Bill Nelson, ing. You’re the mayor of a great city. Last cochairmen, National Prayer Breakfast. time I saw the mayor, he said, ‘‘Need I re- mind you that your mother was educated in this great city.’’ [Laughter] No, you didn’t Remarks at the Port of Charleston, need to remind me, Mr. Mayor. She reminds South Carolina me all the time. [Laughter] February 5, 2004 I appreciate my friend Speaker David Wil- kins, who has joined us. All the members of Thank you all very much. Thank you all. the statehouse who are here, thanks for com- I am glad to be back in the great State of ing, State and local officials. South Carolina. I appreciate you all coming I want to thank the members of the—oh out. I’m so honored to have been invited to of course, my friend the Adjutant General, one of America’s great cities, Charleston, Stan Spears, is with us today. General, it’s South Carolina. good to see you again. I appreciate Com- This is one of the busiest container ports mander Gary Merrick, Captain Jim Tunstall in our country. It’s an important hub of com- of the mighty Coast Guard. I appreciate their merce. And we will work to make sure that service here, and I want to thank the mem- not only is the port strong for economic rea- bers of the Coast Guard who are with us. sons; we will make sure that the port defends I’m proud of the men and women of our the people, is ready to defend against the Coast Guard, who are always ready—always threats of a new era, that this port is secure ready to protect the American people. and safe for not only the people of South I want to thank the members of the Air Carolina but for the people of the great Force 437th Airlift Wing who are with us of America. today. I appreciate the members of the I appreciate my friend Tom Ridge for be- United States Navy who are with us today. coming the first Secretary of the Department I thank the cadets from who have of Homeland Security. He’s got a big job, joined us today. and he’s doing it well. I want to thank the employees of the De- I want to thank Governor Mark Sanford partment of Homeland Security. Thank you for greeting me at the airport and for driving for your work. Thank you for your dedication. with me to the Port of Charleston. Mark is Thank you for what you’re doing to make doing a great job for the people of South this part of the world as safe and secure as Carolina. I know that the Lieutenant Gov- you can. ernor is with us today, Lieutenant Governor I want to thank South Carolina’s State and . I appreciate you coming, local first-responders who are with us, the Andre. police and the firefighters and the emergency I flew down on Air Force One with some squad personnel. of the members of the mighty South Carolina But most of all, thank you for coming. I’ve congressional delegation, starting with Sen- got some things I want to talk about. [Laugh- ator . He was telling me ter] This country is a strong country, and what to do during the entire flight. [Laugh- we’re rising to meet great challenges. ter] I appreciate so very much Congressman The first great challenge is to make sure Jim DeMint, Congressman Joe Wilson, Con- people can find work. The first great chal- gressman Gresham Barrett, and the Con- lenge of this country is to have a progrowth

VerDate jul 14 2003 02:23 Feb 10, 2004 Jkt 203250 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P06FET4.006 P06FET4 198 Feb. 5 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004

environment so people can find a job. Our that small businesses play in the United economy is growing. It’s getting better, but States economy. I want to remind you of where we have come Things are looking good across the coun- from. See, people say, ‘‘President Bush is op- try. New home construction in 2003 was the timistic.’’ You bet I’m optimistic. I know highest in 25 years. Homeownership rates where we have been, and I know where we’re are the highest ever. And for the first time, going. most minority households own their own We have—this country went through a re- homes. We’re closing the housing gap in cession. And as we were coming out of the America. Manufacturing activity is increas- recession, we got attacked. And make no mis- ing. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low. take about it, that attack hurt our country’s Exports are growing. Productivity is high. economy. It also—you’ll hear me talk about Jobs are on the rise. The tax relief we passed how it affected my view of national security has made a difference. as well. It hurt. One of the things I know about your great And as we began to recover from that, we State—I’ve spent some quality time in South discovered that some of our fellow citizens Carolina in the past—one of the things I forgot what it meant to be a responsible cit- know about your great State is this is a State izen. In other words, they didn’t tell the full of decent, hard-working, honorable peo- truth. They didn’t tell the truth to their em- ple. You’ve got a great workforce in the State ployees, and they didn’t tell the truth to their of South Carolina. Many foreign companies shareholders. And that affected the con- and companies from other States move here fidence of our economy. By the way, we because South Carolina workers are depend- passed laws to hold those corporate criminals able, good people. to account. They will understand now that there is a consequence for not telling the Yet, the State has got economic challenges. truth. Even though the unemployment rate is And then, of course, there were the uncer- down, it’s still too high. Many factory workers tainties of war. That affected the economy. in textiles and apparel have faced layoffs. But Yet we’re still strong, in spite of the hurdles. there are new jobs being created, and the And one reason we’re strong is because we challenge at all levels of government is to acted in Washington, DC. We passed tax re- make sure that people are trained for jobs lief. You see, we understand that when some- which actually exist. body has got more money in their pocket, I laid out what’s called the Jobs for the they’re more likely to demand a good or a 21st Century program, which says to States service. And when they demand that good and local communities, ‘‘We want to help or a service, somebody is more likely to you. We want to help you make sure the produce the good or a service. And when hard-working people who are looking for somebody produces that good or a service, work have got the skills necessary to take ad- someone is more likely to be able to find vantage of a changing economy.’’ The num- work. The tax relief we passed, the willing- bers aren’t as good as they can be, but they ness to have people have more money in will be with focused efforts. They will be so their pocket to spend, to save, or invest, is long as Washington promotes a pro-entre- helping this economy recover from tough preneur, pro-growth agenda. They will be if times. the Congress makes sure the tax cuts we We also understand that most new jobs passed are permanent. are created by small businesses. Most new I’m optimistic about our economy’s future jobs in the American economy are created because the numbers look good, but that’s by the entrepreneurs and small-business not the true reason I’m optimistic. I’m opti- owners of America. And so the tax relief we mistic because I understand the entrepre- passed not only helped individuals and neurial spirit of America. I’m optimistic be- helped families raise children, but it was also cause I know the type of worker we have directed at the small-business sector of our in this country. I’m optimistic because I trust economy. We must never forget the vital role the American people.

VerDate jul 14 2003 02:23 Feb 10, 2004 Jkt 203250 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P06FET4.006 P06FET4 Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Feb. 5 199

The second great challenge is to fight and Another vital tool in the homeland security win the war on terror. After we were attacked is for Congress to pass laws that enable us in 2001, I said time would pass, and people to do our job. I’m referring to the PATRIOT would assume that the threats to our country Act. The PATRIOT Act gives Federal law had gone away. That’s false comfort. The ter- enforcement the tools they need to seize ter- rorists continue to plot against us. They still rorists’ assets and disrupt their cells. It re- want to harm us. This Nation will not tire; moves—the PATRIOT Act removed legal we will not rest until this threat to civilization barriers that prevented the FBI and the CIA is removed. from sharing information, information that is Part of doing our duty in the war on terror vitally needed to uncover terrorist plots be- is to protect the homeland. That’s part of our fore they are carried out in America. Imagine solemn responsibility, and we are taking un- a system that would not allow people who precedented steps to protect the homeland. collect information to share information. It In the 2005 budget, as the Secretary men- makes it awfully hard to protect the home- tioned, we proposed increases in homeland land if the FBI and the CIA can’t share data security spending, and some of those in- in order to protect us. The PATRIOT Act creases are measures to protect our seaports. made that possible. And that’s why I’ve come to this vital seaport, The PATRIOT Act imposes tougher pen- to remind people—to remind the American alties on terrorists and their supporters. We people, as they pay attention to the debates want to send a clear message to people that in the Halls of Congress, that we have a sol- there will be a consequence. For years we’ve emn duty to protect our homeland, including used similar provisions, provisions that are the seaports of America. now in the act, to catch embezzlers and drug Our National Targeting Center in North- traffickers. What’s in the PATRIOT Act ern Virginia, where I’ll be going tomorrow today is nothing new. We’ve been using these with the Secretary, is analyzing cargo mani- provisions in the past. If the methods are fest information and focusing frontline in- good enough for hunting criminals, they’re spection on high-risk shipments. We’re look- even more important for hunting terrorists. ing at things differently now in America. The Congress needs to extend the PATRIOT We’re adjusting our strategies to better pro- Act. tect the American people. We’ll do everything in our power to defend We’ve got a Container Security Initiative, the homeland. Yet, we understand this, that which means we’re posting officers at foreign the best way to defend the homeland is to ports to identify and inspect high-risk ship- stay on the offensive. The best way to protect ments before they’re loaded and shipped to America is to find the killers and bring them America. We’ve extended the reach out to to justice before they ever harm another make sure America is more secure. We’re American, and that’s exactly what this admin- doing things more wise in order to protect istration will continue to do. our country. We’re not waiting for ships and There are thousands of our troops and planes to arrive. We’ve got what we call a troops of our friends on an international Proliferation Security Initiative, fancy words manhunt. We’re running down Al Qaida. which means America is working with other We’re finding them where they hide. For our governments to track and stop the shipments own security, we’re bringing them to justice. of dangerous weapons and dangerous cargo. Nearly two-thirds of the Al Qaida leaders We’re determined to keep lethal weapons have been captured or killed. And we’re and materials out of the hands of our enemies chasing the rest of them. There is no hole and away from our shores. deep enough to hide from America. We have a duty to protect the American Part of this new war, this different kind people, a solemn duty. And there’s a lot of of war, is to confront regimes that harbor people in this crowd who have heard that terrorists, that support terrorists, that could duty, and I appreciate your service. I appre- supply them with weapons of mass murder. ciate your willingness to sacrifice on behalf This is an essential part of the war on terror. of the people. When America speaks, we better mean what

VerDate jul 14 2003 02:23 Feb 10, 2004 Jkt 203250 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P06FET4.006 P06FET4 200 Feb. 5 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004

we say. And I said right after September the he had the necessary infrastructure to 11th, ‘‘If you harbor a terrorist, if you feed produce weapons of mass destruction be- a terrorist, you’re just as guilty as the terror- cause we found the labs and dual use facili- ists,’’ and the Taliban found out exactly what ties that could be used to produce chemical we meant. and biological weapons. We know he was de- It wasn’t all that long ago that Afghanistan veloping the delivery systems, ballistic mis- was a haven for terrorists. This is where many siles that the United Nations had prohibited. terrorists learned to kill. There were training We know Saddam Hussein had the intent to camps, places for them to hide. Thanks to arm his regime with weapons of mass de- the United States and our friends, thanks to struction, because he hid all those activities the bravery of many of our fellow citizens, from the world until the last day of his re- Afghanistan is no longer a haven for terror. gime. Afghanistan is a free country. And Saddam Hussein had something else; America also confronted a gathering threat he had a record of using weapons of mass in Iraq. The dictatorship of Saddam Hussein destruction against his enemies and against was one of the most brutal, corrupt, and dan- innocent Iraqi citizens. Knowing what I knew gerous regimes in the world. For years, the then and knowing what I know today, Amer- dictator funded terrorists and gave reward ica did the right thing in Iraq. money for suicide bombings. For years, he We had a choice: Either take the word of threatened and he invaded his neighbors. For a madman, or take action to defend the years, he murdered innocent Iraqis by the American people. Faced with that choice, I hundreds of thousands. For years, he made will defend America every time. September a mockery of United Nations demands that the 11th, 2001, was a lesson for America, a he account for his weapons. For years, Sad- lesson I will never forget and a lesson this dam Hussein did all these things. But he Nation must never forget. We cannot wait won’t be doing any of them this year. Instead, to confront the threats of the world, the he’s sitting in a prison cell, and he will be threats of terror networks and terror states, sitting in a courtroom to answer for his until those threats arrive in our own cities. crimes. I made a pledge to this country; I will not The liberation of Iraq was an act of justice, stand by and hope for the best while dangers delivering an oppressed people from an evil gather. I will not take risks with the lives and regime. The liberation of Iraq removed a security of the American people. I will pro- source of violence and instability from the tect and defend this country by taking the Middle East, and the liberation of Iraq re- fight to the enemy. moved an enemy of this country and made When you’re the Commander in Chief, America more secure. you have to be willing to make the tough America and our friends have shown the calls and to see your decisions through. world that we are serious about removing the America is safer when our commitments are threats of weapons of mass destruction, and clear, our word is good, and our will is strong. the facts are becoming clearer. In Iraq, our And that is the only way I know how to lead. Survey Group is on the ground, looking for If some politicians in Washington had their the truth. We will compare what the intel- way, Saddam Hussein would still be in ligence indicated before the war with what power. All of the Security Council resolutions we have learned afterwards. As the chief and condemnations would still be issued and weapons inspector said, ‘‘We have not yet still be ignored, scraps of paper amounting found the stockpiles of weapons that we to nothing. Other regimes and terror net- thought were there.’’ Yet, the Survey Group works, had we not acted, would have con- has uncovered some of what the dictator was cluded that America backs down when things up to. get tough. Saddam would still have his weap- We know Saddam Hussein had the capa- ons capabilities, and life would sure be dif- bility to produce weapons of mass destruc- ferent for the Iraqi people. The secret police tion. He had the scientists and technology would still be making arrests in the middle in place to make those weapons. We know of the night. Prisons and torture chambers

VerDate jul 14 2003 02:23 Feb 10, 2004 Jkt 203250 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P06FET4.006 P06FET4 Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Feb. 5 201

would still be filled with victims. More inno- everyone who serves in uniform today, these cent Iraqis would have been sent to mass fine citizens of your State are protecting this graves. Because we acted, Iraq’s nightmare Nation from danger, and they’re making us is over. Their country, our country, and the proud. entire world are better off because the re- I made a commitment to the men and gime of Saddam Hussein is gone and gone women of our military: America is asking a forever. lot of you, and you deserve a lot in return. Because of American leadership, the world You deserve our praise and our thanks, and is changing for the better. Other dictators we will give you the resources you need to have seen and noted our resolve. Colonel Qa- fight and win the war on terror. dhafi in Libya got the message and is now So we depend on our military; our people voluntarily disclosing and eliminating his in uniform depend on their families. These weapons of mass destruction programs. are challenging times for military families. These are historic times, times of change. In Afghanistan and Iraq, more than 50 mil- Some of them have experienced great loss. lion people once lived under tyranny. And We ask for God’s blessings. We ask God to now they live in free societies, societies that give them strength in their time of grief. Our are moving toward democracy, societies that Nation will never take their sacrifice for will set an example for all of the Middle East. granted. All of us are grateful to the families And that’s important. That’s important for of the men and women who wear the uni- our own security. Free societies do not attack form of the United States. their neighbors. Free societies do not de- By the unselfish dedication of Americans velop weapons of mass terror. Freedom and in uniform, people in our own country and peace go hand in hand. These are great and in lands far away can live in freedom and hopeful events. And they came about be- know that—the peace that freedom brings. cause America and our allies acted bravely America has been given great responsibil- in the cause of freedom. ities, and those responsibilities have come to We know there are challenges ahead. We the right country. By our actions, we have know that freedom still has enemies in Iraq shown what kind of nation we are, a good and Afghanistan, surviving Ba’athists, the and just and generous people. We don’t Taliban, suicide bombers, and foreign terror- shrink from any challenge. We’re rising to ists. All these enemies have one goal: They the call of history. Now and in the future, want to stop the advance of freedom and to this great land will lead the cause of freedom shake the will of the United States of Amer- and peace. ica. But they don’t understand us. They don’t May God bless you all. Thank you for com- understand the nature of the American peo- ing. Thank you all. ple. We will never be intimidated by thugs or assassins. The killers will fail, and the peo- ple of Iraq and Afghanistan will live in free- NOTE: The President spoke at 11:12 a.m. at the dom. And that’s important to us in America, Union Pier Terminal. In his remarks, he referred because we understand freedom is not Amer- to Gov. Mark Sanford and Lt. Gov. R. Andre ica’s gift to the world. We understand free- Bauer of South Carolina; Mayor Joe Riley of dom is the Almighty God’s gift to each man Charleston, SC; David H. Wilkins, speaker, South and woman in this world. Carolina House of Representatives; Maj. Gen. Stanhope S. Spears, Adjutant General of South South Carolina is a State that is really Carolina; Comdr. Gary W. Merrick, USCG, com- proud of the people who wear the uniform. manding officer, Coast Guard Marine Safety Of- Over 5,000 reservists and National Guards- fice, Charleston, SC; Capt. Jim Tunstall, USCG, men are currently deploying in Iraq and Af- commander, USCG Group Charleston; David ghanistan and Kosovo and for the defense Kay, former CIA Special Advisor for Strategy Re- of the homeland. Hundreds of officers from garding Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction Pro- the Citadel are serving in Iraq and Afghani- grams; and Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qa- stan and elsewhere in the war on terror. Like dhafi, leader of Libya.

VerDate jul 14 2003 02:23 Feb 10, 2004 Jkt 203250 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P06FET4.006 P06FET4 202 Feb. 5 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004

Memorandum on Determination Last week, our former chief weapons in- Pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the spector, David Kay, reported that Saddam Migration and Refugee Assistance Hussein’s regime had weapons programs and Act of 1962, as Amended activities in violation of United Nations Secu- rity Council resolutions and was a gathering February 5, 2004 threat to the world. Dr. Kay also stated that Presidential Determination No. 2004–22 some prewar intelligence assessments by America and other nations about Iraq’s Memorandum for the Secretary of State weapons stockpiles have not been confirmed. We are determined to figure out why. We’re Subject: Determination Pursuant to Section also determined to make sure that American 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee intelligence is as accurate as possible for Assistance Act of 1962, as Amended every challenge in the future. Pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Migra- The proliferation of weapons of mass de- tion and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as struction poses the most serious of dangers amended, 22 U.S.C. 2601(c)(1), I hereby de- to the peace of the world. Chemical, biologi- termine that it is important to the national cal, and nuclear weapons in the hands of ter- interest of the United States that up to $12 rorists or terror regimes could bring cata- million be made available from the U.S. strophic harm to America and to our friends. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assist- It is the policy of the United States Govern- ance Fund to address unexpected urgent ref- ment to oppose that threat by any means nec- ugee and migration needs, including those essary. Our efforts against proliferation begin of refugees, displaced persons, conflict vic- with and depend upon accurate and thor- tims, and other persons at risk from the Su- ough intelligence. danese refugee crisis in Chad and to prepare The men and women of our intelligence for refugee repatriations to Sudan. These community and intelligence officers who funds may be used, as appropriate, to provide work for our friends and allies around the contributions to international, governmental, world are dedicated professionals engaged in and nongovernmental organizations. difficult and complex work. America’s en- You are authorized and directed to inform emies are secretive. They are ruthless, and the appropriate committees of the Congress they are resourceful. And in tracking and dis- of this determination and the obligation of rupting their activities, our Nation must funds under this authority, and to arrange bring to bear every tool and advantage at our for the publication of this memorandum in command. the Federal Register. In Iraq, America and our coalition en- George W. Bush forced the clearly stated demands of the world, that a violent regime prove its own disarmament. In the aftermath of September Remarks Announcing the the 11th, 2001, I will not take risks with the Commission on the Intelligence lives and security of the American people by Capabilities of the United States assuming the good will of dictators. Regarding Weapons of Mass And now, as we move forward in our ef- Destruction forts to prevent the spread of weapons of February 6, 2004 mass destruction, we must stay ahead of con- stantly changing intelligence challenges. The Good afternoon. Today, by Executive stakes for our country could not be higher, order, I am creating an independent commis- and our standard of intelligence gathering sion, chaired by Governor and former Sen- and analysis must be equal to that of the chal- ator Chuck Robb, Judge Laurence Silber- lenge. man, to look at American intelligence capa- The commission I have appointed today bilities, especially our intelligence about will examine intelligence on weapons of mass weapons of mass destruction. destruction and related 21st century threats

VerDate jul 14 2003 02:23 Feb 10, 2004 Jkt 203250 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P06FET4.006 P06FET4