28 December 2002
Bush Cites Successes in War Against Terrorism in Radio Address
(Says Iraq must disarm or be disarmed by international coalition)
(1,030)
President George W. Bush says that, in the war against terrorism, the
year 2002 began with the liberation of Afghanistan, continued with the
dismantling of al Qaeda terrorist cells around the world, and
concluded with establishment of a new Department of Homeland Security.
President Bush reviewed the 2002 domestic and international
accomplishments of his administration in his weekly radio address on
December 28, 2002.
Concerning Iraq, Bush said, "The burden now is on Iraq's dictator to
disclose and destroy his arsenal of weapons. If he refuses, then for
the sake of peace, the United States will lead a coalition to disarm
the Iraqi regime and free the Iraqi people."
Bush noted substantial progress in defeating global terrorism.
"Working with our allies around the world," he said, "we captured top
al Qaeda leaders, destroyed terror training camps and froze millions
of dollars in terrorist assets."
On the domestic front, the President said that in 2002 the government
took steps to jump-start the economy and begin the recovery from
recession. He cited congressional passage of an economic-growth bill,
trade promotion authority, financial reform measures to end corporate
abuses, and terrorism insurance legislation that will put more
construction workers back on the job.
In the new year, President Bush said, "We will press on in the effort
to turn our economic recovery into sustained economic growth. This
economy is strong and it can be stronger. I will work with Congress on
a jobs and growth package to add momentum to the recovery and to put
people back to work."
He also pledged to work for a prescription drug benefit for older
Americans and an extension of unemployment benefits for those still
out of work.
Following is the transcript of President Bush's Radio Address to the
Nation for December 28, 2002:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Crawford, Texas)
December 28, 2002
RADIO ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE NATION
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. 2002 brought great challenges to America,
and we had many successes at home and abroad. In 2002, our economy was
still recovering from the attacks of September the 11th, 2001, and it
was pulling out of a recession that began before I took office.
Our government came together to pass an economic growth bill to
jump-start the economy. We extended unemployment benefits for workers
who lost their jobs after the terrorist attacks. Congress passed trade
promotion authority, which gave me a stronger hand to help America's
farmers and businesses sell their products abroad. And we worked
together to enact a terrorism insurance legislation, so our
construction workers could get back on the job.
As a result of these actions, the United States economy is growing
again. Our nation learned of scandalous abuses by some corporate
leaders, and so I signed the most sweeping corporate reforms in more
than a half a century. We are strictly enforcing the laws against
fraud and deception in corporate America because workers and investors
must have confidence in America's businesses and business leaders.
America in 2002 continued our efforts to confront the danger of
terrorism. We increased the security of our ports and coasts and
airlines, and created a new Department of Homeland Security. This
department will unite dozens of federal agencies behind a single
mission: protecting the American people. I hope the Senate will act
quickly in the new session to confirm Governor Tom Ridge to serve as
America's first Secretary of Homeland Security.
In 2002, the war on terror that began with the liberation of
Afghanistan continued on many fronts. Working with our allies around
the world, we captured top al Qaeda leaders, destroyed terror training
camps and froze millions of dollars in terrorist assets.
In the new year, we will prosecute the war on terror with patience and
focus and determination. With the help of a broad coalition, we will
make certain that terrorists and their supporters are not safe in any
cave or corner of the world.
The war on terror also requires us to confront the danger of
catastrophic violence posed by Iraq and its weapons of mass
destruction. The United Nations Security Council has unanimously
affirmed that Saddam Hussein is a danger to his neighbors and to the
peace of the world. The burden now is on Iraq's dictator to disclose
and destroy his arsenal of weapons. If he refuses, then for the sake
of peace, the United States will lead a coalition to disarm the Iraqi
regime and free the Iraqi people.
Also in the new year, we will press on in the effort to turn our
economic recovery into sustained economic growth. This economy is
strong and it can be stronger. I will work with Congress on a jobs and
growth package to add momentum to the recovery and to put people back
to work.
And one of my first priorities for the new Congress will be an
extension of unemployment benefits for Americans who need them. We
will also work to ensure that all Americans have access to high
quality, affordable health care. We will keep our commitment to
America's seniors by working to reform and modernize Medicare and
include a prescription drug benefit to help seniors who are squeezed
by rising drug prices.
We will tackle the crisis of frivolous lawsuits that drive up the cost
of health care. We will continue to carry out the comprehensive
education reforms I've signed into law last January, so no child in
America is left behind. My administration will work to continue to
remove barriers that hinder the good work of faith-based and community
groups. And we will work to reauthorize the historic welfare reform
law that has improved so many lives.
Our successes in the past year have prepared the way for great
progress in 2003. Working together, we can make America more
prosperous and keep the peace in the world.
Thank you for listening, and Happy New Year.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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