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19 March 2003

Text: Bush Tells Congress Diplomacy Alone Will Not Resolve Iraq Crisis

(Says use of force is consistent with international efforts against
terrorism) (310)
President Bush formally informed the U.S. Congress of his
determination that diplomatic and peaceful means alone would not lead
to Iraqi compliance with United Nations demands that it would disarm.
In a March 18 letter to Congressional leaders, Bush said that his use
of the Congressional authorization to wage war against Iraq is
consistent with the international effort against terrorism, "including
those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized,
committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September
11, 2001."
Following is the text of Bush's letter to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
March 19, 2003
TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE
March 18, 2003
Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military
Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based
on information available to me, including that in the enclosed
document, I determine that:
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other
peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national
security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by
Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations
Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and
(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is
consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to
take the necessary actions against international terrorists and
terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or
persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist
attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)