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21 March 2003

Bush Informs Congress of Start of Coalition Operations in Iraq

(March 21 letter to House, Senate leaders) (490)
Citing his decision "that further diplomatic and other peaceful means
alone will neither adequately protect the national security of the
United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq, nor lead to
enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council
resolutions regarding Iraq," President Bush sent a letter to
Congressional leaders March 21 officially informing them that
coalition military operations to disarm Iraq had commenced.
Following is the text of the letter:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
March 21, 2003
TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES AND PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE
March 21, 2003
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
On March 18, 2003, I made available to you, consistent with section
3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq
Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), my determination that further
diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither adequately
protect the national security of the United States against the
continuing threat posed by Iraq, nor lead to enforcement of all
relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.
I have reluctantly concluded, along with other coalition leaders, that
only the use of armed force will accomplish these objectives and
restore international peace and security in the area. I have also
determined that the use of armed force against Iraq 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. United States objectives also support a transition
to democracy in Iraq, as contemplated by the Iraq Liberation Act of
1998 (Public Law 105-338).
Consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), I now
inform you that pursuant to my authority as Commander in Chief and
consistent with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against
Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1) and the Authorization for Use of
Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), I
directed U.S. Armed Forces, operating with other coalition forces, to
commence combat operations on March 19, 2003, against Iraq.
These military operations have been carefully planned to accomplish
our goals with the minimum loss of life among coalition military
forces and to innocent civilians. It is not possible to know at this
time either the duration of active combat operations or the scope or
duration of the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces necessary to
accomplish our goals fully.
As we continue our united efforts to disarm Iraq in pursuit of peace,
stability, and security both in the Gulf region and in the United
States, I look forward to our continued consultation and cooperation.
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)