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Skriven 2005-06-18 23:50:20 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (050618) for Sat, 2005 Jun 18
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President's Radio Address
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For Immediate Release
June 18, 2005

President's Radio Address


ÿÿÿÿÿAudio

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning.

Today we face two issues of vital importance for all Americans: growing our
economy and protecting our citizens from those who wish to do us harm. So
in the weeks ahead, I will continue to focus on ways to ensure that our
government takes the side of working families, and that America prevails in
the war on terror. As we take the steps necessary to achieve these goals,
we will make our future one of peace and prosperity.

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Today we have good reason to be optimistic about our economy. More
Americans are working today than at any time in our history. More Americans
own their homes than at any time in our history. More Americans are going
to college and own their own businesses than at any time in our history --
and a new economic report shows that inflation is in check. Our policies
have put us on the track to growth, but leaders in Washington must not
become complacent. We need to work together to ensure that opportunity
reaches every corner of our great country.

Delivering opportunity means allowing families to keep more of the money
they earn. So we enacted the largest tax relief in a generation. That is
only a beginning. You need a reformed tax code that is simple, fair, and
easy to understand, and rewards your hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.
And Congress needs to do its part by making the tax relief we passed
permanent and burying the death tax forever.

Delivering opportunity also means adapting to the needs of a new century.
In this new century, American prosperity will increasingly depend on our
ability to sell our goods and services overseas, so we need to pass
initiatives like the Central American Dominican Republic Free Trade
Agreement to create a level playing field for American farmers and small
businesses. In this new century, Americans require a reliable and
affordable supply of energy. I proposed a comprehensive energy policy to
reduce our dependence on foreign oil. In this new century, Americans need
to know that if they work hard their whole lives, they will retire with
dignity, so we're working to save Social Security to ensure that the next
generation of retirees will be as secure in their retirement as today's
generation.

As we work to deliver opportunity at home, we're also keeping you safe from
threats from abroad. We went to war because we were attacked, and we are at
war today because there are still people out there who want to harm our
country and hurt our citizens. Some may disagree with my decision to remove
Saddam Hussein from power, but all of us can agree that the world's
terrorists have now made Iraq a central front in the war on terror. These
foreign terrorists violently oppose the rise of a free and democratic Iraq,
because they know that when we replace despair and hatred with liberty and
hope, they lose their recruiting grounds for terror.

Our troops are fighting these terrorists in Iraq so you will not have to
face them here at home. We mourn every one of these brave men and women who
have given his or her life for our liberty. The terrorists know they cannot
defeat our troops, so they seek to weaken our nation's resolve. They know
there is no room for them in a free and democratic Middle East, so the
terrorists and insurgents are trying to get us to retreat. Their goal is to
get us to leave before Iraqis have had a chance to show the region what a
government that is elected and truly accountable to its citizens can do for
its people.

Time and again, the Iraqi people have defied the skeptics who claim they
are not up to the job of building a free society. Nearly a year ago, Iraqis
showed they were ready to resume sovereignty. A few months ago, Iraqis
showed they could hold free elections. This week, Iraqis have worked on an
agreement to expand their constitutional drafting committee to ensure that
all communities are represented in the process. I am confident that Iraqis
will continue to defy the skeptics as they build a new Iraq that represents
the diversity of their nation and assumes greater responsibility for their
own security. And when they do, our troops can come home with the honor
they have earned.

This mission isn't easy, and it will not be accomplished overnight. We're
fighting a ruthless enemy that relishes the killing of innocent men, women,
and children. By making their stand in Iraq, the terrorists have made Iraq
a vital test for the future security of our country and the free world. We
will settle for nothing less than victory.

I'll continue to act to keep our people safe from harm and our future
bright. Together we will do what Americans have always done: build a better
and more peaceful world for our children and grandchildren.

Thank you for listening.

END

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