2003 Presidential Address 📺 George W. Bush Announces Iraq War • 4K 60FPS

Duration: 4:04 576 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

In this historic address, President George W. Bush informs the American people and the world that military operations have commenced in Iraq with the dual objectives of disarming Saddam Hussein's regime and liberating its oppressed citizens. He announces that coalition forces, supported by more than thirty-five nations providing critical naval, air, and logistical assistance, have begun striking specific military targets to undermine the dictator's ability to wage war. The President emphasizes that this is merely the opening stage of a broad, concerted campaign involving every nation in the coalition, which has chosen to share the duty and honor of defending their common interests against a grave global danger. The speech highlights the moral imperative of the conflict, describing Saddam Hussein as an enemy who disregards the conventions of war and uses innocent civilians as human shields by placing troops and equipment within civilian areas. Bush asserts that while coalition forces will make every effort to spare non-combatants from harm, the campaign on Iraq's harsh terrain could be longer and more difficult than anticipated. He clarifies that the United States enters this conflict reluctantly but with a singular purpose: to remove an outlaw regime that threatens peace with weapons of mass destruction and to restore control of the country to its own people, without any ambition to occupy or dominate Iraq beyond these goals. President Bush addresses the sacrifices of the military families and the American public, acknowledging their prayers for the safe return of service members and expressing deep gratitude for their support during this perilous time. He warns that failing to apply decisive force now would result in a much larger catastrophe later, requiring armies of firefighters, police, and doctors to deal with the consequences of unchecked aggression in cities across the nation. Consequently, he declares that there will be no half-measures in this campaign and that the coalition accepts no outcome but victory, ensuring that the duration of the conflict is limited by swift and effective action. Ultimately, the address concludes with a pledge to overcome the dangers facing both the United States and the world, passing through this time of peril to carry on the work of peace. Bush reaffirms the nation's commitment to defending its own freedom while simultaneously bringing that same freedom to others who suffer under tyranny. He ends the speech with a prayer for God's blessing upon the country and all those who defend it, expressing confidence that the coalition will prevail in its mission to secure a united, stable, and free Iraq.

Read the full video transcript

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