“If war comes, do not fight for a dying regime,” Bush told Iraqi leaders

By Khaled Mamdouh, IOL Staff

CAIRO, March 18 (IslamOnline.net) – U.S. President George W. Bush Tuesday, March 18, made a brief statement to the American people, declaring the end of diplomacy and starting the countdown to a war that the majority of world countries believe could have been avoided.

Bush’s address focused on four major directions, in other words addressed four major parties. The first, of course, is the American people themselves whom the President wasted no word of his focused address to relay his message; “you are in danger”.

Harping On Security

Bush said, addressing “My fellow citizens”, “The danger is clear: using chemical, biological or, one day, nuclear weapons obtained with the help of Iraq, the terrorists could fulfill their stated ambitions and kill thousands or hundreds 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.

“Instead of drifting along toward tragedy, we will set a course toward safety.

“Before the day of horror can come, before it is too late to act, this danger will be removed.”

Stressing the security fears and at the same time taking a “pre-emptive caution” against any war inconvenience – casualties among U.S. troops or heavy civilian toll among the Iraqi among others – the war President said; “Americans understand the costs of conflict because we have paid them in the past.

“War has no certainty except the certainty of sacrifice. Yet the only way to reduce the harm and duration of war is to apply the full force and might of our military, and we are prepared to do so.

“If Saddam Hussein attempts to cling to power, he will remain a deadly foe until the end. In desperation, he and terrorist groups might try to conduct terrorist operations against the American people and our friends.

“These attacks are not inevitable. They are, however, possible. And this very fact underscores the reason we cannot live under the threat of blackmail.

“The terrorist threat to America and the world will be diminished the moment that Saddam Hussein is disarmed.”

Security Measures

Bush, however, offered his people what could be dubbed as “security assurances”; the purpose is clear, to get them saying; “Fine, as long as you can protect us, go ahead and kill these terrorists”.

The U.S. President said: “Our government is on heightened watch against these dangers.

“Just as we are preparing to ensure victory in Iraq, we are taking further actions to protect our homeland.

“In recent days, American authorities have expelled from the country certain individuals with ties to Iraqi intelligence services. Among other measures, I have directed additional security at our airports and increased Coast Guard patrols of major seaports.

“The Department of Homeland Security is working closely with the nation's governors to increase armed security at critical facilities across America.

“Should enemies strike our country, they would be attempting 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 or shake the resolve of this country.

“We are a peaceful people, yet we are not a fragile people. And we will not be intimidated by thugs and killers. If our enemies dare to strike us, they and all who have aided them will face fearful consequences. We are now acting because the risks of inaction would be far greater.”

And as Bush opened his speech by addressing the American people whose blessing (to attack and invade Iraq) is Bush’s main and may be only concern, he also finished by addressing them. He concluded: “Free nations have a duty to defend our people by uniting against the violent, and tonight, as we have done before, America and our allies accept that responsibility.

“Good night, and may God continue to bless America.”

Message To The World

The Second major message was directed to the UN Security Council – notably members that forced Bush to go-it-alone – topped by France and Russia. Putting the blame on his opponents, Bush accused the international community of failing to live up to its responsibilities.

“One reason the UN was founded after the Second World War was to confront aggressive dictators actively and early, before they can attack the innocent and destroy the peace,” Bush said.

Ignoring or overlooking the complete difference between the circumstances surrounding the first Gulf War more than a decade ago and the situation now, Bush said: “In the case of Iraq, the Security Council did act in the early 1990s.

Under Resolutions 678 and 687, both still in effect, the United States and our allies are authorized to use force in ridding Iraq of weapons of mass destruction.

Bush then touched upon what he tried to dub “failed diplomatic attempts”, by saying; “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 8 November, the Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1441, finding Iraq in material breach of its obligations and vowing serious consequences if Iraq did not fully and immediately disarm.

“For the last four and a half months, the United States and our allies have worked within the Security Council to enforce that council's long-standing demands.

“Yet some permanent members of the Security Council have publicly announced that they will veto any resolution that compels the disarmament of Iraq. These governments share our assessment of the danger, but not our resolve to meet it.

“The United Nations Security Council has not lived up to its responsibilities, so we will rise to ours.”

Message To Saddam

Another important message, the most important of all, was directed to the Iraqi President in an historical precedent – first time in the history of mankind that the President of a state orders another to flee his country or face invasion. Bush issued his war ultimatum to Saddam and his sons: “Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours.

“Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict commenced at a time of our choosing.”

Knowing that Saddam will never accept such humiliation, thus war is erupting any second, Bush directed his speech to other concerned parties: “For their own safety, all foreign nationals, including journalists and inspectors, should leave Iraq immediately.”

Not You, Iraqis

Bush, then addressed the Iraqi people; “Many Iraqis can hear me tonight in a translated radio broadcast, and I have a message for them: if we must begin a military campaign, it will be directed against the lawless men who rule your country and not against you.

“As our coalition takes away their power, we will deliver the food and medicine you need. We will tear down the apparatus of terror and we will help you to build 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 chambers and rape rooms. The tyrant will soon be gone. The day of your liberation is near.”

To The Iraqi Military

A different message was directed to the Iraqi military leaders; surrender and be heroes, fight and be tried before the International Criminal Court – even though Bush refused to join it.

“It is too late for Saddam Hussein to remain in power. It is not too late for the Iraq military to act with honor and protect your country, by permitting the peaceful entry of coalition forces to eliminate weapons of mass destruction.

“Our forces will give Iraqi military units clear instructions on actions they can take to avoid being attacked and destroyed. I urge every member of the Iraqi military and intelligence services: if war comes, do not fight for a dying regime that is not worth your own life.

“And all Iraqi military and civilian personnel should listen carefully 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 destruction against anyone, including the Iraqi people. War crimes will be prosecuted, war criminals will be punished and it will be no defense to say, 'I was just following orders'.”

With the count down to war now started, the question will remain: Was that war really unavoidable?!