The Iraq War
Operation Iraqi Freedom Speech
March 19th, 2003
In an Address to the Nation on March 19th, 2003, President George Washington Bush told the American public that the coalition forces led by the US were about to being the invasion of Iraq. Bush stated that the operation would “disarm Iraq…free its people, and…defend the world from grave danger”. This marked the beginning of the Iraq War.
Bush repeatedly described Operation Iraqi Freedom as a coalition effort, stating that “more than 35 countries are giving crucial support -- from the use of naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common defense”. In addition, Bush clearly wanted to establish the safety of the civilians as a priority, though civilian death counts later in the war laid doubt on these intentions. He unequivocally stated this, declaring, “I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm”. According to Bush, in contrast to this policy, “Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military -- a final atrocity against his people.”
Furthermore, Bush highlights one of the primary goals of Iraqi Freedom, regime change, stating that “helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable, and free country will require our sustained commitment” and that “We have no ambition in Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore control of that country to its own people”. The speech is delivered in a calm, measured tone and ends with a comforting message of confidence. Secretary of State Colin Powell’s speech paved the way for the Iraq War, but President Bush’s address began it.
Bush repeatedly described Operation Iraqi Freedom as a coalition effort, stating that “more than 35 countries are giving crucial support -- from the use of naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common defense”. In addition, Bush clearly wanted to establish the safety of the civilians as a priority, though civilian death counts later in the war laid doubt on these intentions. He unequivocally stated this, declaring, “I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm”. According to Bush, in contrast to this policy, “Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military -- a final atrocity against his people.”
Furthermore, Bush highlights one of the primary goals of Iraqi Freedom, regime change, stating that “helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable, and free country will require our sustained commitment” and that “We have no ambition in Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore control of that country to its own people”. The speech is delivered in a calm, measured tone and ends with a comforting message of confidence. Secretary of State Colin Powell’s speech paved the way for the Iraq War, but President Bush’s address began it.
