The Break Down..

Fact Sheet: Facts, Quotes From President's Address

POSTED: 9:06 pm EDT June 28, 2005


BASICS



WHERE: Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
LENGTH: About 29 minutes.
APPLAUSE: The speech was interrupted once with applause. Soldiers also clapped at the end.


SUMMARY


Bush said the U.S. must stay the course in Iraq as a critical part of the war on terror.
He said he wants U.S. forces to come home as soon as possible.
But Bush said setting a deadline for withdrawing troops would be a mistake.
He said enemies would then know they could wait out the U.S.
SEPT. 11: Bush mentioned "September Eleventh" 5 (five) separate times.*
TERROR: Bush mentioned "terror", "terrorism" or "terrorists" 35 times.*
IRAQ: Bush mentioned "Iraq" or "Iraqis" more than 100 times.*
* according to written copy provided by White House.


IRAQ VIOLENCE


Bush said "ruthless killers" are converging on Iraq.
He said Iraq is where terrorists are making their stand.
He said the U.S. has captured killed or captured foreign fighters -- from Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and other nations.
Bush mentioned three examples of terror in Iraq: car bombs in shopping areas, a suicide bombing outside a hospital and beheading of hostages.


PROGRESS IN IRAQ


Bush gave these examples:

In 2005, Iraq held free and fair elections.
The U.S. continues rebuilding, despite difficulties.
The U.S is improving schools, roads, sanitation and water.
Bush said, "Progress has been uneven, but progress is being made."


MULTINATIONAL HELP


Bush said:

Some 30 nations have troops in Iraq.
The United Nations is in Iraq to help Iraqis write a constitution.
Some 40 countries have pledged $34 billion for reconstruction.
Donors are meeting in Jordan next month to support reconstruction.


IRAQI SECURITY FORCES


Bush said:

Some Iraqi forces are ready to operate independently.
A larger number can work with the support of coalition troops.
The rest aren't ready yet to participate.
Some 2,000 Iraqi security forces have been killed in the line of duty.


TO PREPARE IRAQI FORCES


Bush said:
1. The U.S. is partnering Coalition units with Iraqi units.
2. Coalition teams are embedded inside Iraqi units, in "transition teams" which will live and work together.
3. The U.S. is working with Iraqi ministries to develop command structures.


SUPPORTING US TROOPS


Bush asked Americans to fly the flag and thank servicemen and women on July 4th.
He directed people to AmericaSupportsYou.mil


QUOTES


"My greatest responsibility as president is to protect the American people."
"There is only one course of action against them (terrorists): to defeat them abroad before they attack us at home."
"I know Americans ask the question: Is the sacrifice worth it? It is worth it, and it is vital to the future security of our country."
"The lesson of this experience is clear: The terrorists can kill the innocent but they cannot stop the advance of freedom."
"The only way our enemies can succeed is if we forget the lessons of September 11."
"They are trying to shake our will in Iraq just as they tried to shake our will on September 11, 2001. They will fail."
"We fight today because terrorists want to attack our country and kill our citizens and Iraq is where they are making their stand."