Bush announces start of war on Iraq

20 March 2003
President Bush told the world in an unusual address from the Oval Office in the White House at 10 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) that the campaign against Iraq had begun. The statement was issued two hours after the deadline set by Bush for President Saddam Hussein and his family to leave Iraq expired at 8 pm EST.

This is the text of the statement:

'My fellow citizens, at this hour American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.

On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign.

More than 35 countries are giving crucial support, from the use of naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honour of serving in our common defence.

To all of the men and women of the United States armed forces now in the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you.

That trust is well placed.

The enemies you confront will come to know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate will witness the honourable and decent spirit of the American military.'

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