Dallas Chamber of Commerce

Remarks as prepared for delivery by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, Westin City Center, Dallas, Texas Tuesday, August 2, 2005.

Thank you Mr. Erle Nye. I'm delighted to be here. Thank you all for joining us on this Texas summer day.

It is always good to get out of Washington and get a fresh perspective. And I know Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison feels the same way.

Senator, if I may, let me take this opportunity to thank you for your truly outstanding leadership and for your solid support of America's men and women in uniform.

I'm told that Senator Hutchison is a Texan whose family's roots here go back to the state's earliest days.

And as it happens, I even have a few ties to Texas myself.

Some five decades ago, I lived in Texas when I was in Naval flight training. Most folks around the country aren't fortunate enough to know first hand what makes Texas such a great state.

But I can tell you that having lived here, and with the boss I have, I don't have that problem. I hear reminders about Texas nearly every day.

President and Mrs. Bush are proud to be Texans. And I am sure I don't have to tell you that Texans can certainly be proud of our Commander in Chief and his gracious First Lady.

I know that many of you represent companies that support employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. What you do for them says a great deal about the heart of America.

And I want you to know how much we all appreciate the support you give the troops.

They appreciate it, and I appreciate it a great deal.

I was in Iraq and Central Asia last week where I met with many of these outstanding men and women. Despite the difficulties and the heat--and it is hotter there than here--they are making solid progress in helping to set the conditions for Iraqis to successfully defend their young democracy.

And once Iraq is safely in the hands of the Iraqi people, and a government they elected under a new constitution, our troops will be able to come home with the honor they have earned.

It has been nearly four years since terrorists launched attacks on our country and murdered thousands of innocent people. The enemies of civilized society remain deadly and determined.

While most of our people remain determined to defend our country and our way of life, a few seem attracted to the idea that we might be able to retreat behind convenient fictions that could obscure the lethality and intention of the enemy.

Today I want to address some of those fictions, talk about the way ahead in the global war on terror--this struggle between civilization and extremists--and then respond to some questions.

First, there has been comment in the press of late about whether or not we are even engaged in a "war on terror," or whether our purpose might be better explained in a different manner.

Let there be no mistake: we are a nation at war against terrorist enemies seeking our surrender or retreat. This is a war. The President properly determined after 9/11 that the United States no longer could deal with terrorists killing our people as we had in the past, in the traditional law enforcement sense.

Indeed, the only way to defeat terrorism is to go on the attack.

And that is exactly what our Coalition is doing in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere around the world.

It is also true that this war cannot be won by military means alone, and the President has emphasized that from the beginning.

As he pointed out, this evil ideology of our adversaries can only be defeated if we successfully employ all elements of national power--military, diplomatic, financial, intelligence, and law enforcement. We need all elements of national power to win this war. But make no mistake--it is a war--a war on terror and on fanaticism.

Some also ask, how do we define the enemy?

While al-Qaeda is one face of the terrorists, it is not the only one. The enemy is not any one nation, or any one organization.

Rather it is a shifting network of violent and fanatical adherents to extremist ideologies--a movement that uses terrorism as their weapon of choice:

* They operate on six continents, and have cells and networks in friendly as well as hostile nation-states;

* They combine medieval views with modern tools and technology;

* They seek to deny women--one half of their population--the opportunity to participate in society; and

* They seek to impose their dark vision upon the future of our world.

We have seen the future they envision. They have made their intentions clear.

The cities they would rule would be like Fallujah was last fall--where any who refused to collaborate with the terrorists were beheaded and tossed down the Euphrates River.

We have heard their plans. As the cleric in Britain stated after last month's bombings in London:

"I would like to see the Islamic flag fly, not only over Number 10 Downing Street, but over the whole world."

This is not a war between the United States and the Muslim Faith, or between the West and the Muslim Faith. It is a struggle within the Muslim faith.

The targets of these terrorists are more often than not other Muslims--such as the Iraqi children they murdered last month while taking candy from American forces, and moderate Muslims who reject their extremist views as do the overwhelming majority of Muslims throughout the world.

Indeed, their victims include thousands of Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq--many killed simply because they had chosen to be free.

The people of Iraq and Afghanistan are defying terrorists' threats and condemning their violence.

They choose to reject Jihads against the West and moderate Muslim nations. And they are not alone.

According to a recent poll, increasing numbers of Muslims are optimistic about the success of democracy in their own countries. They are rejecting the tyranny and the falsehoods offered by the terrorists.

Others, unfortunately, remain confused about the motivations and intentions of the terrorists and about our Coalition's defense of the young democracies in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Some still favor the theory that the recent attacks in London and elsewhere, for example, are in retaliation for the war in Iraq or the so-called occupation of Afghanistan. That is absolute nonsense and is belied by the facts.

The United States and its allies did not provoke the terrorists; the terrorists attacked America.

There was no war in Iraq or Afghanistan when America was attacked on September 11, 2001.

And there was no war in Iraq or Afghanistan when terrorists attacked Americans:

* In the Beirut barracks in 1983;

* In the Khobar Towers in 1996

* At the African embassies in 1998; and

* On the USS Cole in 2000.

Some try to argue that acquiescing to the terrorists' demands by retreating from Afghanistan and Iraq would put an end to future terrorist attacks. That is also nonsense.

Terrorists do not seek a negotiated settlement with the West or with moderate Muslims.

And they are not appeased by concessions. A car bomb in Saudi Arabia killed 17 and wounded 80--after American troops began leaving Saudi territory.

Indeed, al Qaeda likely began plotting 9-11 during the height of the Middle East peace process in the late 1990s.

Resolve--not retreat--is what is needed in this war--this test of wills. Courage--not concession--is called for. And freedom--not tyranny--must be the path we forge together, the future we insist on, and the legacy America and her allies help other nations build.

Our Coalition must win this test of wills, vowing that:

* We will not surrender Iraq and Afghanistan to terrorists;

* We do not apologize for our country's meaning and symbol in the world; and

* We will not betray the principles of freedom that define our nation.

And we recognize that these enemies would not be placated by a surrender, an apology or a betrayal of our values and of our free way of life.

So what, then, is the task ahead?

Our global Coalition will continue to target terrorist networks and their sanctuaries, and support free governments that join in the fight.

We must acknowledge that the challenges we face come not only from terrorist networks, but also from the radical schools that teach children to be suicide bombers and terrorists. And from terrorist clerics who preach violence and demonize our free way of life.

Free nations are best able to counter the lies terrorists use to attract recruits and suicide bombers, in partnership with moderate Muslim leaders.

Our efforts are not without difficulties, as we have seen. Although the Iraqi people remain determined to build a free society, the terrorists are desperate to stop them. But despite their headline-grabbing murders, the terrorists are failing.

Indeed, the murders of Iraqi citizens appear to be hardening the majority of the Iraqi people's determination to defeat al Qaeda and the insurgents, and to build a free country.

More than eight million Iraqis defied the terrorists to vote in the January elections, some walking defiantly to voting places that had been recently bombed by suicide bombers.

A popular Iraqi television show now interviews captured, disgraced terrorists and reveals them for what they are.

And despite the carnage they have inflicted on innocent Iraqi men, women and children, consider the terrorists' record in Iraq thus far:

* They tried to occupy Fallujah and carve out a terrorist safe haven--and they failed;

* They launched a campaign of violence to stop January's election--and they failed;

* They sought to intimidate and murder recruits for Iraq's security forces to keep more from enlisting--and they are failing;

* They sought to force the Coalition to withdraw from Afghanistan and Iraq--and, with the exception of Spain pulling forces out of Iraq, they have failed;

* They are desperate to stop the forward march of freedom in the Middle East and beyond--and they are failing at that as well.

As the citizens of more countries seek to live as free people, under free systems, the ideology that fuels hostility to free systems and encourages terrorist violence will suffer further blows.

This will be a tribute to moderate Muslim leaders and the millions who have courageously supported them. It is also a tribute to the resolve of the American people, including many here in this room and in this great state.

First Lady Laura Bush has said that what makes Texans special is they have a spirit "born of optimism, legends and heroes."

And over the years, you've given America quite a few famous heroes, folks who have come to our nation's service at a time of war--names such as:

* Sam Houston;

* Chester Nimitz; and

* Audie Murphy.

There is one hero you may not have heard of--a 21-year-old machine gunner named Aaron Austin. He was an American and a Texan.

Last year in Iraq, he exposed himself to enemy fire, to hurl a grenade, and to help repel an attack. His Marines were in danger of being overrun. For his actions he was awarded the Silver Star. That honor was presented to the parents who mourn his loss.

His mother, who served in the Army, said:

"He died for what he believed in, and what we all believe in."

His father said:

"He was born in Texas. He is Texas."

And, of course, the spirit that defines Texas defines America too. Today's men and women in uniform--volunteers all--understand that it is their turn to serve and they are doing so courageously.

The defeats for terrorists and the victories thus far for the Afghan and Iraqi people would not have been possible without the professionalism of our country's military.

Or without the support of their families--who sacrifice as well; or the support of the American people. The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines will win this war and defeat the terrorists--let there be no doubt.

May God bless them all. And may God continue to bless our great country.

Now, I'd be happy to respond to some questions.

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