Text of Bush's speech on Iraq     My fellow citizens, events in Iraq have now reached the final days of decision.     For more than a decade, the United States and other nations have pursued patient and hon- orable efforts to disarm the Ira- qi regime without war. That re- gime pledged to reveal and de- stroy all of its weapons of mass destruction as a condition for ending the Persian Gulf war in 1991.     Since then, the world has en- geged in 12 years of diplomacy. We have passed more than a doz- en resolutions in the United Na- tions Security Council. We have	sent hundreds of weapons in- spectors to oversee the disarma- ment of Iraq.     Our good faith has not been returned. The Iraqi regime has used diplomacy as a ploy to gain time and advantage. It has uni- formly defied Security Council resolutions demanding full dis- armament.     Over the years, UN weapons inspectors have been threat- ened by Iraqi officials, electron- ically bugged and systematical- ly deceived. Peaceful efforts to disarm the Iraq regime have failed again and again because we are not dealing with peaceful men.     Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves	no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and con- ceal some of the most leathal weapons ever devised. This re- gime has already used weapons of mass destruction against Iraq's neighbors and against Iraq's people.     The regime has a history of reckless aggression in the Mid- dle East. It has a deep hatred of America and our friends, and it has aided,trained and harbored terrorists, including operatives of Al Qaeda.     The danger is clear: Using chemical, biological or, one day, nuclear weapons obtained with the help of Iraq, the terrorists could fulfill their stated ambi- tions and kill thousands or hun-	Council unanimously passed Resolution 1441, finding Iraq in material breach of its obliga- tion and vowing serious conse- quences if Iraq did not fully and immediately disarm.     Today, no nation can possibly claim that Iraq has disarmed. And it will not disarm so long as Saddam Hussein hold power.     For the last 4 1/2 months, the United States and our allies have worked within the Securi- ty Council to enforce that coun- cil's long-standing demands. Yet some permanent members of the Security Council have pub- licly announced that they will veto any resolution that com- pels the disarmament of Iraq. These governments share our
		dreds of thousands of innocent people in our country or any other. The United States and other nations did nothing to deserve or invite this threat, but we will do everything to defeat it. In- stead of drifting along toward< tragedy, we will set a course to- ward safety.     Before the day of horror can come, before it is too late to act, this danger will be removed.     The United Stated of America has the sovereign authority to use force in assuring its own na- tional security. That duty falls to me as commander in chief by the oath I have sworn, by the oath I will keep.     Recognizing the threat to our	assessment of the danger, but not our resolve to meet it.     Many nations, however, do have the resolve and fortitude to act against this threat to peace, and a broad coalition is now gathering to enforce the just de- mands of the world.     The United Nations Security Council has not lived up to its re- sponsibilities, so we will rise to ours.     In recent days, some govern- ments in the Middle East have been doing their part. They have delivered public and pri- vate messages urging the dicta- tor to leave Iraq so that disarma- ment can proceed peacefully.     He has thus far refused.     All the decades of deceit and	President Bush:" The United Stat invite this threat, but we will do chambers and rape rooms.     The tyrant will soon be gone. The day of your liberation is near.     Its too late for Saddam Hus- sein to remain in power. It is not too late for the Iraq millitary to act with honor and protect your country, by permitting the peaceful entry of coalltion forces to eliminate weapons of mass destruction. Our forces will give Iraqi millitary units clear instructions on actions they can take to avoid being at- tacked and destroyed.     I urge every member of the Iraqi millitary and intelligence	es...did nothing to deserve or everything to defeat it." apply the full force and might of our military, and we are pre- pared to do so.     If Saddam Hussein attempts to cling to power, he will remain a deadly foe until the end.     In desperation, he and terror- ist groups might try to conduct terrorist operations against the American people and oue friends. These attacks are not inevitable. They are, however, possible.     And this very fact under- scores the reason we cannot live under the threat of blackmail. The terrorist threat to America and the world will be dimin-
		country, the United States Con- gress voted overwhelmingly last year to support the use of force against Iraq.     America tried to work with the United Nations to address thie threat because we wanted to resolve the issue peacefully. We believe in the mission of the United Nations.     One reason the UN was found- ed after the Second World War was to confront aggressive dic- tators actively and early, before they can attack the innocent and destroy the peace.     In the case of Iraq, the Securi- ty Council did act in the early 1990's. Under Resolutions 678 and 687, both still in effect, the United States and our allies are	cruelty have now reached an end. Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in millitary conflict com- menced at a time of our choos- ing.     For their own safety, all for- eign nationals, including jour- nalists and inspectors, should leave Iraq immediately.     Many Iraqis can hear me to- night in a translated radio broadcast, and I have a message for them: If we must begin a mil- itary campaign, it will be direct- ed against the lawless men who rule your country and nor against you.     As our coalition takes away their power, we will deliver the	services: If war comes, do not fight for a dying regime that is not worth your own life.     And all Iraqi military and ci- villian personnel should listen cerefully to this warning: In any conflict, your fate will depend on your actions. Do not destroy oil wells, a source of wealth that belongs to the Iraqi people. Do not obey any command to use weapons of mass destrution against anyone, including the Iraqi people. War crimes will be prosecuted, war criminals will be punished and it will be no de- fense to say, "I was just follow- ing orders."     Should Saddam Hussein choose confrontation, the American people can know that	ished the moment that Saddam Hussein is disarmed.     Our government is on height- ened watch against these dan- gers. Just as we are preparing to ensure victory in Iraq, we are taking further actions to protect our homeland.     In recent days, American au- thorities have expelled from the country certain individuals with ties to Iraqi intelligence services.     Among other measures, I have directed additional securi- ty at our airports and increased Coast Guard patrols of major seaports. The Department of Homeland Security is working closely with the nation's gover- nors to increase armed security
		authorized to use force in rid- ding Iraq of weapons of mass de- struction.     This is not a question of au- thority, it is a question of will.     Last September, I went to the UN General Assembly and urged the nations of the world to unite and bring an end to this< danger. On Nov. 8, the Security . . . . . . . . . . .	food and medicine you need.     We will tear down the appara- tus of terror and we will help you to rebuild a new Iraq that is prosperous and free.     In free Iraq there will be no more wars of aggression against your neighbors, no more poison factories, no more executions of dissidents, no more torture . . . . . . . . . .	every measure has been taken to avoid war and every measure< will be taken to win it.     Americans understand the cost of conflict because we have paid them in the past. War has no certainty except the certain- ty of sacrifice.     Yet the only way to reduce the harm and duration of war is to . . . . . . . . . .	at critical facilities across America.     Should enemies strike our country, they would be attempt- ing to shift our attention with panic and weaken our morale with fear. In this, they would fail.     No act of theirs can alter the course of shake the resolve of this country. We are a peaceful people, yet we are not a fragile people. And we will not be in- timidated by thugs and killers.     If our enemies dare to strike us, they and all who have aided them will face fearful conse- quences.     We are now acting because the risk of inaction would be far greater. In one year, or five
					years, the power of Iraq to inflict harm on all free nations would be multiplied many times over.     With these capabilities, Sad- dam Hussein and his terrorist allies could choose the moment of deadly conflict when they are strongest. We choose to meet that threat now where it arises, before it can appear suddenly in our skies and cities.     The cause of peace requires all free nations to recognize new and undeniable realities. In the 20th Century, some choose to ap- pease murderous dictators whose threats were allowed to grow into genocide and global war.     In this century, when evil men plot chemical, biological and
					nuclear terror, a policy of ap- peasement could bring destruc- tion of a kind never seen on this Earth. Terrorists and terrorist states do not reveal these threats with fair notice in formal declarations.     And responding to such ene- mies only after they have struck first is not self-defense. It is sui- cide. The security of the world requires disarming Saddam Hussein now.     As we enforce the just de- mands of the world, we will also honor the deepest commitments of our country.     Unlike Saddam Hussein, we believe the Iraqi people are de- serving and capable of human liberty, and when the dictator
					has departed, they can set an ex- ample to all the Middle East of a vital and peaceful and self-gov- erning nation.     The United States with other countries will work to advance liberty and peace in that region. Our goal will not be achieved overnight, but it can come over time. The power and appeal of human liberty is felt in every life and every land, and the greatest power of freedom is to overcome hatred and violence, and turn the creative gifts of men and women to the pursuits of peace. That is the future we choose.     Free nations have a duty to de- fend our people by uniting against the violent, and tonight,
					as we have done before, Ameri- ca and our allies accept that re- sponsibility.     Good night, and may God con- tinue to bless America.