For
Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 6, 2003
Remarks by the
President
at Signing of HR 3289 - the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act
for
Defense and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan
The East Room
1:12 P.M.
EST
THE PRESIDENT:
Thank
you all for coming. Good afternoon, and welcome to the White House. On
September the 11th, 2001, America grieved for our losses, and we made a
commitment. We determined to conduct the war against terror on the
offensive.
We determined to confront and undermine threats abroad before they
arrive
in our own cities.
We're waging
this war
in relentless pursuit of the al Qaeda network. We're waging this war in
Afghanistan against Taliban remnants and al Qaeda killers. We're waging
this war in Iraq against Saddam loyalists and foreign terrorists who
seek
the return of tyranny and terror. We're pursuing long-term victory in
this
war by promoting democracy in the Middle East so that the nations of
that
region no longer breed hatred and terror.
Today, the
United States
is making a critical financial commitment to this global strategy to
defeat
terror. We're supporting our servicemen and women in the field of
battle.
We're supporting reconstruction and the emergence of democratic
institutions
in a vital area of the world.
The American
people accept
these responsibilities now, in our time, so that we will not face far
greater
dangers in the future. With this act of Congress, no enemy or friend
can
doubt that America has the esources and the will to see this war
through to victory. (Applause.)
I want to
thank our Secretary
of State, Colin Powell, and Secretary of Defense, Don Rumsfeld, for
their
extraordinary leadership during these tough times. (Applause.) I
appreciate
Deputy Secretary Rich Armitage, Deputy Secretary Paul Wolfowitz for
joining
us today, as well. Thank you all for coming. (Applause.)
Josh Bolten,
a member
of my Cabinet, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget --
the
keeper of the money -- is with us. (Applause.) Andrew
Natsios, the Administrator of the USAID is with us today. Andrew, thank
you for coming. Yes, he's right there. (Applause.)
I appreciate
the leadership
of the Congress being here today. Speaker Denny Hastert and Leader Bill
Frist are with us. Thank you all for coming, thank you for your strong
leadership.
I also want
to pay a particular
mention to Chairman Ted Stevens and Chairman Bill Young for doing a
fabulous
job on a very tough issue. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
There are a
lot of members
of the Senate and House with us. Thank you all for coming, for making a
good, courageous vote. I particularly want to pay homage to Mitch
McConnell
of Kentucky, for his leadership on the floor; Jerry Lewis from
California;
and Norm Dicks from Washington, for supporting your chairman and
getting
this bill out.
I want to
thank the military
and civilian staff members of the Coalition Provisional Authority who
are
with us. Thank you for serving our country. We appreciate the
sacrifices
you are making.
Today in
Iraq and Afghanistan,
the world sees a test of will and a clash of strategies. The strategy
of
our enemies -- whether al Qaeda, Baathist, Taliban or others -- is to
intimidate
newly free men and women who are trying to establish democracy, and to
cause America and our allies to flee our responsibilities. Their goal
is
to halt and reverse all progress toward freedom in the Middle East, to
reinstate permanently the rule of fear and oppression.
The strategy
of America
and our allies is equally clear. We are employing targeted and decisive
force against the killers. We're training and equipping Iraqis and
Afghans
to defend their own nations. We're helping the Iraqi and Afghan people
build just and democratic governments. And we will meet our duties
until
the job is done. (Applause.)
The
terrorists and their
supporters have had many setbacks in the last two years. They have lost
many leaders, many training camps and two countries. And we will not
relent
until they are fully and finally defeated. (Applause.)
The
legislation I'm about
to sign commits $87 billion to America's global offensive against
terror.
More than $65 billion of these new funds will pay for ongoing military
operations. We're supporting such basic military necessities as air,
rail,
and sea transportation for American and coalition troops to the
theaters
of action.
We will
purchase ammunition
for our weapons, and fuel and spare parts for airplanes and helicopters
and vehicles. We will replace equipment lost or damaged in combat.
We'll
acquire vital new equipment, such as armored humvees and body armor and
communications gear. Our service men and women are carrying out their
missions
with skill and honor, and they deserve the finest equipment and
best
weapons we can provide. (Applause.)
This
legislation contains
needed funds to pay our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines,
including
the additional pay our forces receive for hazardous duty. We will also
cover the salaries of National Guard and Reserve troops who have left
jobs
and homes and families in an hour of national need. The American
government
will keep its responsibilities to all who risk their lives for America.
(Applause.)
This
legislation also
includes nearly $20 billion to help build stable democratic societies
in
Iraq and Afghanistan. We will help train and equip the growing number
of
Iraqis and Afghans who are fighting and dying to defend and secure
their
rights. We'll help to upgrade hospitals and schools and repair
infrastructure
and improve basic services, including water, electricity and
sanitation.
Our investment
in the
future of Afghanistan and Iraq is the greatest commitment of its kind
since
the Marshall Plan. By this action, we show the generous spirit of our
country,
and we serve the interest of our country, because our security is at
stake.
The Middle East region will either become a place of progress and
peace,
or it will remain a source of violence and terror. And we're determined
to see the triumph of progress, and the triumph of peace in that
region.
We will do all in our power to ensure that freedom finds a lasting home
in Afghanistan and in Iraq. (Applause.)
We know this
will require
patience and sacrifice. I just had the honor of meeting PFC Phillip
Ramsey
and SPC Alex Leonard, two brave Americans who were wounded in action.
We
thank
you for your service. (Applause.)
Recent
attacks have shown,
once again, the cruelty of the enemy. They don't care whose lives they
take -- men, women, or children. They're cold-blooded. They're
heartless.
We're engaged in a massive and difficult undertaking, but America has
done
this kind of hard work before.
After World
War II, we
made long-term commitments to the transformation of Germany and Japan
so
that those nations would not be sources of war, but our partners in
peace.
That investment in peace has been repaid many times over. Now our
generation
will show the same perseverance and the same vision in the cause of
peace.
I appreciate
the solid
bipartisan support for this bill in the House and the Senate. I also
appreciate
that reconstruction funds for Iraq have been provided in the form of
grants
so that this struggling nation is not burdened with new debt at a
moment
of new hope. (Applause.)
The
establishment of a
free Iraq and a free Afghanistan will be watershed events in the
history
of the Middle East, watershed events in the global democratic
revolution
that has already transformed Europe and Latin America and much of
Africa
and Asia. The resources we commit today will further advance the cause
of freedom, thereby serving the cause of peace and enhancing the
security
of the American people.
Now I'm
pleased to sign
into law, the Iraq and Afghan -- Afghanistan Supplemental
Appropriations
Bill. (Applause.)
(The bill is
signed.)
(Applause.)
END 1:26
P.M. EST
