Saturday, August 13, 2005
Presidential RhetIraq: Pres. Bush
Who: President George W. Bush
Source: White House
Quotes: Interview of the President by Israeli Television Channel 1
Q I won't be finishing this interview without asking you about your decision in Iraq. Knowing what you know today, you made the right decision, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I did. The world is safer without Saddam Hussein in power.
Q Is it?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Absolutely. Saddam Hussein -- you know, we made the decision on a lot of factors. One factor, of course, is that the world thought he had weapons of mass destruction -- not just the United States, but the entire world. I went to the United Nations. The United Nations unanimously passed a resolution that said to Saddam Hussein: disarm or face serious consequences. Once again, he defied the world.
But we also made the case that Saddam Hussein had terrorist ties. Abu Nidal was in Iraq. Zarqawi, the man who's inflicting so much murder and chaos on innocent Iraqis, was in Iraq. Saddam Hussein was an enemy of the United States -- enemy of a lot of countries. And there's no doubt in my mind that we're safer as a result of him not being in power. And there's no doubt in my mind that a democratic Iraq will be a part of a change in the broader Middle East that will lay the foundations for peace.
You know, a lot of the world says, well, unless you are a certain type of person you can't live in a free society. I strongly disagree with that. I believe that imbedded into everybody's soul is the desire to live in freedom. That's what I believe, that there is an Almighty and the Almighty plants a sense of being free. Therefore, if given a chance, people will live in a free society -- and free societies are peaceful societies.
Source: White House
Quotes: Interview of the President by Israeli Television Channel 1
Q I won't be finishing this interview without asking you about your decision in Iraq. Knowing what you know today, you made the right decision, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I did. The world is safer without Saddam Hussein in power.
Q Is it?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Absolutely. Saddam Hussein -- you know, we made the decision on a lot of factors. One factor, of course, is that the world thought he had weapons of mass destruction -- not just the United States, but the entire world. I went to the United Nations. The United Nations unanimously passed a resolution that said to Saddam Hussein: disarm or face serious consequences. Once again, he defied the world.
But we also made the case that Saddam Hussein had terrorist ties. Abu Nidal was in Iraq. Zarqawi, the man who's inflicting so much murder and chaos on innocent Iraqis, was in Iraq. Saddam Hussein was an enemy of the United States -- enemy of a lot of countries. And there's no doubt in my mind that we're safer as a result of him not being in power. And there's no doubt in my mind that a democratic Iraq will be a part of a change in the broader Middle East that will lay the foundations for peace.
You know, a lot of the world says, well, unless you are a certain type of person you can't live in a free society. I strongly disagree with that. I believe that imbedded into everybody's soul is the desire to live in freedom. That's what I believe, that there is an Almighty and the Almighty plants a sense of being free. Therefore, if given a chance, people will live in a free society -- and free societies are peaceful societies.
