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9/14/03 - RESOLUTE AGAINST TERRORISM - 2003-09-15


The second anniversary of the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks on America was a time to remember the heroism and sacrifice of so many on that terrible day. But it was also a time to resolve again that the war against international terrorism will be fought all the way to victory. In the words of President George W. Bush, "This campaign requires sacrifice, determination, and resolve, and we will see it through."

Iraq is now the central front in the war on global terrorism. As Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz said, despite the victory over Saddam Hussein by the U.S.-led coalition, enemies of freedom, including remnants of Saddam's Baath party, are making a desperate stand in Iraq -- and they must be defeated there:

"It is a battle that we can win, and it is a battle that we must win. Because victory in this battle will be a major victory in the war on terrorism, and a major defeat for the global terrorist networks."

Deputy Secretary of Defense Wolfowitz said the terrorists need to understand that the coalition is committed to absolute victory in Iraq:

"Baathist bitter-enders and their foreign terrorist allies believe that if they can inflict casualties on us like [they did in] Beirut and Somalia, we will give up and go home. We know that Osama bin Laden saw Somalia as an example of how Americans can be driven out by inflicting casualties. The sooner these terrorists and Baathists understand clearly that our will can't be broken, and that the Iraqi people, despite hardship and difficulty, will persevere in building their new society, the sooner we will win."

As President George W. Bush said, "From Iraq to Afghanistan. . .and elsewhere, civilized nations will continue their war against terrorists wherever they gather, wherever they plan, and wherever they act. Our will cannot be shaken. Whatever the hardships, we will persevere."

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