H.Doc.108-4 2002 NATIONAL CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS ...

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commanders of al-Qaida. They include a man who directed 
logistics and funding for the September 11th attacks . . . the 
chief of al-Qaida operations in the Person Gulf who planned the 
bombings of our embassies in East Africa and the USS Cole . . . 
an al-Qaida operation chief from Southeast Asia . . . a former 
director of al-Qaida's training camps in Afghanistan . . . a 
key al-Qaida operative in Europe . . . and a major al-Qaida 
leader in Yemen. All told, more than 3,000 suspected terrorists 
have been arrested in many countries. And many others have met 
a differentfate. They are no longer a problem for the United 
States and our friends and allies.
    We are working closely with other nations to prevent 
further attacks. America and coalition countries have uncovered 
and stopped terrorist conspiracies targeting the American 
embassy in Yemen . . . the American embassy in Singapore . . . 
a Saudi military base . . . and ships in the straits of Hormuz, 
and the straits of Gibraltar. We have broken al-Qaida cells in 
Hamburg, and Milan, and Madrid, and London, and Paris--as well 
as Buffalo, New York.
    We have the terrorists on the run, and we are keeping them 
on the run. One by one, the terrorists are learning the meaning 
of American justice.
    As we fight this war, we will remember where it began--
here, in our own country. This government is taking 
unprecedented measures to protect our people and defend our 
homeland. We have intensified security at the borders and ports 
of entry . . . posted more than 50,000 newly trained federal 
screeners in airports . . . begun inoculating troops and first 
responders against smallpox . . . and are deploying the 
Nation's first early warning network of sensors to detect 
biological attack. And this year, for the first time, we are 
beginning to field a defense to protect this Nation against 
ballistic missiles.
    I thank the Congress for supporting these measures. I ask 
you tonight to add to our future security with a major research 
and production effort to guard our people against bio-
terrorism, called Project Bioshield. The budget I send you will 
propose almost $6 billion to quickly make available effective 
vaccines and treatments against agents like anthrax, butolinum 
toxin, Ebola, and plaque. We must assume that our enemies would 
use these diseases as weapons, and we must act before the 
dangers are upon us.
    Since September 11th, our intelligence and law enforcement 
agencies have worked more closely than ever to track and 
disrupt the terrorists. The FBI is improving its ability to 
analyze intelligence, and transforming itself to meet new 
threats. And tonight, I am instructing the leaders of the FBI, 
Central Intelligence, Homeland Security, and the Department of 
Defense to develop a Terrorist Threat Integration Center, to 
merge and analyze all threat information in a single location. 
Our government must have the very best information possible, 
and we will use it to make sure the right people are in the 
right places to protect our citizens.
    Our war against terror is a contest of will, in which 
perseverance is power. In the ruins of two towers, at the 
western wall of the Pentagon, on a field in Pennsylvania, this 
Nation made a pledge, and we renew that pledge tonight: 
Whatever the duration of this struggle, and whatever the 
difficulties, we will not permit the triumph of violence in the 
affairs of men--free people will set the course of history.
    Today, the gravest danger in the war on terror . . . the 
gravest danger facing America and the world . . . is outlaw 
regimes that seek and possess nuclear, chemical, and biological 
weapons. These regimes could use such weapons for blackmail, 
terror, and mass murder. They could also give or sell those 
weapons to their terrorist allies, who would use them without 
the least hesitation.
    This threat is new; America's duty is familiar. Throughout 
the 20th century, small groups of men seized control of great 
nations . . . built armies and arsenals . . . and set out to 
dominate the weak and intimidate the world. In each case, their 
ambitions of cruelty and murder had no limit. In each case, the 
ambitions of Hitlerism, militarism, and communism were defeated 
by the will of free peoples, by the strength of great 
alliances, and by the might of the United States of America. 
Now, in this century, the ideology of power and domination has 
appeared again,and seeks to gain the ultimate weapons of 
terror. Once again this Nation and our friends are all that stand 
between a world at peace, and a world of chaos and constant alarm. Once 
again, we are called to defend the safety of our people, and the hopes 
of all mankind. And we accept this responsibility.
    America is making a broad and determined effort to confront 
these dangers. We have called on the United Nations to fulfill 
its charter, and stand by its demand that Iraq disarm. We are 
strongly supporting the International Atomic Energy Agency in 
its mission to track and control nuclear materials around the 
world. We are working with other governments to secure nuclear 
materials in the former Soviet Union, and to strengthen global 
treaties banning the production and shipment of missile 
technologies and weapons of mass destruction.
    In all of these efforts, however, America's purpose is more 
than to follow a process--it is to achieve a result: the end of 
terrible threats to the civilized world. All free nations have 
a stake in preventing sudden and catastrophic attack. We are 
asking them to join us, and many are doing so. Yet the course 
of this Nation does not depend on the decisions of others. 
Whatever action is required, whenever action is necessary, I 
will defend the freedom and security of the American people.
    Different threats require different strategies. In Iran, we 
continue to see a government that represses its people, pursues 
weapons of mass destruction, and supports terror. We also see 
Iranian citizens risking intimidation and death as they speak 
out for liberty, human rights, and democracy. Iranians, like 
all people, have a right to choose their own government, and 
determine their own destiny--and the United States supports 
their aspirations to live in freedom.
    On the Korean peninsula, an oppressive regime rules a 
people living in fear and starvation. Throughout the 1990s, the 
United States relied on a negotiated framework to keep North 
Korea from gaining nuclear weapons. We now know that the regime 
was deceiving the world, and developing those weapons all 
along. And today the North Korean regime is using its nuclear 
program to incite fear and seek concessions. America and the 
world will not be blackmailed. America is working with the 
countries of the region--South Korea, Japan, China, and 
Russia--to find a peaceful solution, and to show the North 
Korean government that nuclear weapons will bring only 
isolation, economic stagnation, and continued hardship. The 
North Korean regime will find respect in the world, and revival 
for it people, only when it turns away from its nuclear 
ambitions.
    Our Nation and the world must learn the lessons of the 
Korean peninsula, and not allow an even greater threat to rise 
up in Iraq. A brutal dictator, with a history of reckless 
aggression . . . with ties to terrorism . . . with great 
potential wealth . . . will not be permitted to dominate a 
vital region and threaten the United States.
    Twelve years ago, Saddam Hussein faced the prospect of 
being the last casualty in a war he had started and lost. To 
spare himself, he agreed to disarm of all weapons of mass 
destruction. For the next 12 years, he systematically violated 
that agreement. He pursued chemical, biological, and nuclear 
weapons even while inspectors were in his country. Nothing to 
date has restrained him from his pursuit of these weapons--not 
economic sanctions, not isolation from the civilized world, not 
even cruise missile strikes on his military facilities. Almost 
3 months ago, the United Nations Security Council gave Saddam 
Hussein his final chance to disarm. He has shown instead his 
utter contempt for the United Nations, and for the opinion of 
the world.
    The 108 U.N. weapons inspectors were not sent to conduct a 
scavenger hunt for hidden materials across a country the size 
of California. The job of the inspectors is to verify that 
Iraq's regime is disarming. It is up to Iraq to show exactly 
where itis hiding its banned weapons . . . lay those weapons 
out for the world to see . . . and destroy them as directed. Nothing 
like this has happened.
    The United Nations concluded in 1999 that Saddam Hussein 
had biological weapons materials sufficient to produce over 
25,000 liters of anthrax--enough does to kill several million 
people. He has not accounted for that material. He has given no 
evidence that he has destroyed it.
    The United Nations concluded that Saddam Hussein had 
materials sufficient to produce more than 38,000 liters of 
botulinum toxin--enough to subject millions of people to death 
by respiratory failure. He has not accounted for that material. 
He has given no evidence that he has destroyed it.
    Our intelligence officials estimate that Saddam Hussein had 
the materials to produce as much as 500 tons of sarin, mustard, 
and VX nerve agent. In such quantities, these chemical agents 
also could kill untold thousands. He has not accounted for 
these materials. He has given no evidence that he has destroyed 
them.
    U.S. intelligence indicates that Saddam Hussein had upwards 
of 30,000 munitions capable of delivering chemical agents. 
Inspectors recently turned up 16 of them, despite Iraq's recent 
declaration denying their existence. Saddam Hussein has not 
accounted for the remaining 29,984 of these prohibited 
munitions. He has given no evidence that he has destroyed them.
    From three Iraqi defectors we know that Iraq, in the late 
1990s, had several mobile biological weapons labs. These are 
designed to produce germ warfare agents, and can be moved from 
place to place to evade inspectors. Saddam Hussein has not 
disclosed these facilities. He has given no evidence that he 
has destroyed them.
    The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed in the 
1990s that Saddam Hussein had an advanced nuclear weapons 
development program, had a design for a nuclear weapon, and was 
working on five different methods of enriching uranium for a 
bomb. The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein 
recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa. 
Out intelligence sources tell us that he has attempted to 
purchase high strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear 
weapons production. Saddam Hussein has not credibly explained 
these activities. He clearly has much to hide.
    The dictator of Iraq is not disarming. To the contrary, he 
is deceiving. From intelligence sources, we know, for instance, 
that thousands of Iraqi security personnel are at work hiding 
documents and materials from the U.N. inspectors--sanitizing 
inspection sites, and monitoring the inspectors themselves. 
Iraqi officials accompany the inspectors in order to intimidate 
witnesses. Iraq is blocking U-2 surveillance flights requested 
by the United Nations. Iraqi intelligence officers are posing 
as the scientists inspectors are supposed to interview. Real 
scientists have been coached by Iraqi officials on what to say. 
And intelligence sources indicate that Saddam Hussein has 
ordered that scientists who cooperate with U.N. inspectors in 
disarming Iraq will be killed, along with their families.
    Year after year, Saddam Hussein has gone to elaborate 
lengths, spent enormous sums, taken great risks, to build and 
keep weapons of mass destruction--but why? The only possible 
explanation, the only possible use he could have for those 
weapons, is to dominate, intimidate, or attack. With nuclear 
arms or a full arsenal of chemical and biological weapons, 
Saddam Hussein could resume his ambitions of conquest in the 
Middle East, and create deadly havoc in the region. And this 
Congress and the American people must recognize another threat. 
Evidence from intelligence sources, secret communications, and 
statements by people now in custody, reveal that Saddam 
Husseinaids and protects terrorists, including members of al-Qaida. 
Secretly, and without fingerprints, he could provide one of his hidden 
weapons to terrorists, or help them develop their own.
    Before September 11, 2001, many in the world believed that 
Saddam Hussein could be contained. But chemical agents and 
lethal viruses and shadowy terrorist networks are not easily 
contained. Imagine those 19 hijackers with other weapons, and 
other plans--this time armed by Saddam Hussein. It would take 
just one vial, one canister, one crate slipped into this 
country to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known. 
We will do everything in our power to make sure that day never 
comes.
    Some have said we must not act until the threat is 
imminent. Since when have terrorists and tyrants announced 
their intentions, politely putting us on notice before they 
strike? If this threat is permitted to fully and suddenly 
emerge, all actions, all words, and all recriminations would 
come too late. Trusting in the sanity and restraint of Saddam 
Hussein is not a strategy, and it is not an option.
    This dictator, who is assembling the world's most dangerous 
weapons, has already used them on whole villages--leaving 
thousands of his own citizens dead, blind, or disfigured. Iraqi 
refugees tell us how forced confessions are obtained--by 
torturing children while their parents are made to watch. 
International human rights groups have catalogued other methods 
used in the torture chambers of Iraq: electric shock, burning 
with hot irons, dripping acid on the skin, mutilation with 
electric drills, cutting out tongues, and rape.
    If this is not evil, then evil has no meaning. And tonight 
I have a message for the brave and oppressed people of Iraq: 
Your enemy is not surrounding your country--your enemy is 
ruling your country. And the day he and his regime are removed 
from power will be the day of your liberation.
    The world has waited 12 years for Iraq to disarm. America 
will not accept a serious and mounting threat to our country, 
our friends, and our allies. The United States will ask the 
U.N. Security Council to convene on February 5th to consider 
the facts of Iraq's ongoing defiance of the world. Secretary of 
State Powell will present information and intelligence about 
Iraq's illegal weapons programs; its attempts to hide those 
weapons from inspectors; and its links to terrorist groups. We 
will consult, but let there be no misunderstanding: If Saddam 
Hussein does not fully disarm, for the safety of our people, 
and for the peace of the world, we will lead a coalition to 
disarm him.
    Tonight I also have a message for the men and women who 
will keep the peace, members of the American Armed Forces: Many 
of you are assembling in and near the Middle East, and some 
crucial hours may lie ahead. In those hours, the success of our 
cause will depend on you. Your training has prepared you. Your 
honor will guide you. You believe in America, and America 
believes in you.
    Sending Americans into battle is the most profound decision 
a president can make. The technologies of war have changed. The 
risks and suffering of war have not. For the brave Americans 
who bear the risk, no victory is free from sorrow. This Nation 
fights reluctantly, because we know the cost, and we dread the 
days of mourning that always come.
    We seek peace. We strive for peace. And sometimes peace 
must be defended. A future lived at the mercy of terrible 
threats is no peace at all. If war is forced upon us, we will 
fight in a just cause and by just means--sparing, in every way 
we can, the innocent. And if war is forced upon us, we will 
fight with the full force and might of the United States 
military--and we will prevail. And as we and our coalition 
partners are doing in Afghanistan, we will bring to the Iraqi 
people food, and medicines, and supplies . . . and freedom.
    Many challenges, abroad and at home, have arrived in a 
single season. In 2 years, America has gone from a sense of 
invulnerability to an awareness of peril . . . from bitter 
division in small matters to calm unity in great causes. And we 
go forward with confidence, because this call of history has 
come to the right country.
    Americans are a resolute people, who have risen to every 
test of our time. Adversity has revealed the character of our 
country, to the world, and to ourselves.
    America is a strong Nation, and honorable in the use of our 
strength. We exercise power without conquest, and sacrifice for 
the liberty of strangers.
    Americans are a free people, who know that freedom is the 
right of every person and the future of every nation. The 
liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world, it is 
God's gift to humanity.
    We Americans have faith in ourselves--but not in ourselves 
alone. We do not claim to know all the ways of Providence, yet 
we can trust in them, placing our confidence in the loving God 
behind all of life, and all of history.
    May He guide us now, and may God continue to bless the 
United States of America.
    Thank you.
                                                    George W. Bush.

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