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Radio Address to U.S. Troops in the Gulf 2/28/91 [OA 6856]
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Radio Address to U.S. Troops in the Gulf. 2/28/91 [OA 6856]
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1
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 28, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
49
THROUGH:
DAVID DEMAREST
FROM:
EDWARD McNALLY ann
SUBJECT:
RADIO ADDRESS TO U.S. TROOPS IN THE GULF
On Friday, March 1, at 9:00 a.m., you will tape a radio
address to the U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf. Attached is a
draft set of remarks (5-6 minutes).
McNally/Simon
Feb. 28, 1991
Draft Three (A:RADIO)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: RADIO ADDRESS TO U.S. TROOPS IN THE GULF
FRIDAY, MAR. 1, 1991, 9:00 A.M.
Good morning. Never have I been more proud of our troops,
or more proud to be your Commander-in-Chief. For today, amid
prayers of thanks and hope, the Kuwaiti flag once again flies
high above Kuwait city. And it's there because you and your
Coalition Allies put it there. III
Kuwait is liberated. And soon hometowns across America will
be welcoming back home the finest combat force ever assembled --
Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force --- the brave men and
women of the United States of America! III
Saddam Hussein's dreams of dominating the Middle East by the
terror of a nuclear arsenal and an army of a million men
threatened the future of our children and the entire world. And
the world was faced with a simple choice: If international law
and sanctions could not remove Saddam Hussein from Kuwait -- then
we had to free Kuwait from Saddam Hussein.
And that's exactly what you did. Throughout seven long and
arduous months, the troops of 28 nations stood with you,
shoulder-to-shoulder in an unprecedented partnership for peace.
Today we thank you -- for the victory in Kuwait was born in your
courage and resolve. The stunning success of our troops was the
result of superb training, superb planning, superb execution --
and incredible acts of bravery. III
The Iraqi army was defeated. 42 divisions were put out of
action. They lost 3,000 tanks. Almost 2,000 armored vehicles.
2
More than 2,000 artillery pieces. And over half a million Iraqi
soldiers were captured, defeated, or disarmed. You were as good
as advertised -- you were indeed, "Good to go!" III
This is a war we did not seek and did not want. But Saddam
Hussein turned a deaf ear to the voices of peace and reason. And
when he began burning Kuwait and her people to the ground, the
Coalition faced a moral imperative to put a stop to the
atrocities in Kuwait once and for all. Boldly, bravely, you did
just that -- and when the rubber met the road -- you did it in
just six weeks -- and 100 decisive hours. III
The evil Saddam has done can never be forgotten. But his
power to attack his neighbors and threaten the peace of the
region is today grievously reduced. He has been stripped of his
capacity to project offensive military power. His regime is
totally discredited, and as a threat to peace, the day of this
dictator is over. And the bottom line is this: Kuwait's night
of terror has ended. III
Thomas Jefferson said the price of freedom is eternal
vigilance. We must remain vigilant to make absolutely sure the
Iraqi dictator is never, ever allowed to stoke the ashes of
defeat into the burning embers of aggression. The sacrifice
you've already made demands nothing less; the sacrifice of those
who gave their lives will never be forgotten. 111
Saddam made many mistakes. But one of the biggest was to
underestimate the determination of the American people and the
daring of our troops. We saw in the desert what Americans have
3
learned through 215 years of history about the difference between
democracy and dictatorship: Soldiers who fight for freedom are
more committed than soldiers who fight because they are enslaved.
Americans today are confident of our country, confident of
our future, and, most of all, confident about you. We promised
you'd be given the means to fight. We promised not to look over
your shoulder. We promised this would not be another Vietnam.
And we kept that promise. The specter of Vietnam has been buried
forever in the desert sands of the Arabian Peninsula. III
Today, the promise of spring is almost upon us, the promise
of regrowth and renewal: Renewed life in Kuwait. Renewed pros-
pects for real peace throughout the Middle East. And a renewed
sense of pride and confidence here at home. And we are committed
to seeing every American soldier, and every allied P.O.W., home
soon -- home to the thanks and the respect and the love of a
grateful nation -- and a very grateful President. 111
Yes, there remain vital and difficult tests ahead, both here
and abroad. But nothing the American people can't handle.
America has always accepted the challenge, paid the price, and
passed the test. On this day, our spirits are as high as our
flag -- and our future is a bright as liberty's torch. Tomorrow
we dedicate ourselves anew, as Americans always have, and as
Americans always will.
The first test of the new world order has been passed. The
hard work of freedom awaits. 11111 Thank you. Congratulations.
And God bless the United States of America.
McNally/Simon
Feb. 28, 1991
Draft Two (A:RADIO)
91 FEB 28 PM 5: 07
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: RADIO ADDRESS TO U.S. TROOPS IN THE GULF
FRIDAY, MAR. 1, 1991, 9:00 A.M.
Good morning. Never have I been more proud of our troops,
or more proud to be your Commander-in-Chief. For today, amid
prayers of thanks and hope, the flags of freedom once again fly
high above Kuwait city. And they're there because you and your
Coalition Allies put them there. 111
Kuwait is liberated. And soon hometowns across America will
be welcoming back home the finest combat force ever assembled --
Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force -- the brave men and
women of the United States of America! 111
Saddam Hussein's dreams of an Iraqi superpower -- dominating
the Middle East by force of a nuclear arsenal and an army of a
million men -- threatened the future of our children and the
entire world. And the world was faced with a simple choice: If
Iraq could not or would not remove Saddam Hussein from power --
then we had to remove power from Saddam Hussein.
And that's exactly what you did. Throughout seven long and
arduous months, the troops of 28 nations stood with you,
shoulder-to-shoulder in an unprecedented partnership for peace.
Today we thank you -- for the victory in Kuwait was born in the
courage and resolve of free men and women. The stunning success
of our troops was the result of superb training, superb planning,
superb execution -- and incredible acts of bravery.
42
X
Bob Taylor sec.
Def.
The Iraqi army was defeated.
[40 divisions] were put out of
3000
Dep. Asst. Affairs
X
action. They lost [almost 4,000] tanks. Almost [2,000] armored
PU703-697-0713 Figures checked JCS with J-3 (Lt,Gen. Kelly)
2
vehicles. More than [2,000] artillery guns. And over half a
million Iraqi soldiers were captured, defeated, or disarmed. You
were as good as advertised -- you were indeed, "Good to go!" 111
This is a war we did not seek and did not want. But Saddam
Hussein turned a deaf ear to the voices of peace and reason. And
when he began burning Kuwait and her people to the ground, the
Coalition faced a moral imperative to put a stop to the
atrocities in Kuwait once and for all. Boldly, bravely, you did
just that -- and when the rubber met the road -- you did it in
just four days. 111
The evil Saddam has done can never be forgotten. But his
power to attack his neighbors and threaten the peace of the
region is today grievously reduced. He has been stripped of his
capacity to project offensive military power. His regime is
totally discredited, and as a threat to peace, the day of this
dictator is over. And the bottom line is this: Kuwait's night
of terror has ended.
Thomas Jefferson said the price of freedom is eternal
vigilance. We must remain vigilant to make absolutely sure the
Iraqi dictator is never, ever allowed to stoke the ashes of
defeat into the burning embers of aggression. The sacrifice of
our troops demands nothing less. III
Saddam made many mistakes. But one of the biggest was to
underestimate the determination of the American people and the
daring of our troops X We saw in the desert what Americans have
learned through 215 years of history about the difference between
3
democracy and dictatorship: Soldiers who fight for freedom are
more committed than soldiers who fight to remain enslaved.
Americans today are confident of our country, confident of
our future, and, most of all, confident about you. We promised
this would not be another Vietnam, and we kept that promise. The
enemies of freedom are now on notice: The specter of Vietnam has
been buried forever in the desert sands of the Persian Gulf. III
Today, the promise of spring is almost upon us, the promise
of regrowth and renewal: Renewed life in Kuwait. Renewed pros-
pects for real peace throughout the Middle East. And a renewed
sense of pride and confidence here at home. And we are committed
to seeing every American, and every allied P.O.W., home soon --
home to the thanks and the respect and the love of a grateful
nation.
Yes, there remain vital tests ahead, both here and abroad.
But nothing the American people can't handle. America has always
accepted the challenge, paid the price, and passed the test. On
this day, our spirits are as high as our flag -- and our future
is a bright as liberty's torch. Tomorrow we dedicate ourselves
anew, as Americans always have, and as Americans always will.
The first test of the new world order has been passed. The
hard work of freedom awaits.
Thank you. Congratulations. And God bless the United
States of America.
#
#
#
McNally/Simon
Feb. 28, 1991
Draft One (A:RADIO)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: RADIO ADDRESS TO U.S. TROOPS
FRIDAY, MAR. 1, 1991, 9:00 A.M.
Good morning. Never have I been more proud of our troops,
or more proud to be your Commander-in-Chief. For today, amid
prayers of thanks and hope, the flags of freedom once again fly
high above Kuwait City. And they're there because, like the Ma-
rines at Iwo Jima, you and your Coalition Allies put them there.
Kuwait is liberated. And soon hometowns across America will
be welcoming back home the finest combat force ever assembled --
Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force -- the fighting men
and women of the United States of America! III
Saddam Hussein's dreams of an Iraqi superpower -- dominating
the Middle East by force of a nuclear arsenal and an army of a
million men -- threatened the future of our children and the
entire world. And the world was faced with a simple choice: If
Iraqi could not or would not remove Saddam Hussein from power
-- then we had to remove power from Saddam Hussein.
And that's exactly what you did. Throughout seven long and
arduous months, the troops of 28 nations stood with you,
shoulder-to-shoulder in an unprecedented partnership for peace.
Today we thank you -- for the victory in Kuwait was born in the
courage and resolve of free men and women. The stunning success
of our troops was the result of superb training, superb planning,
superb execution -- and incredible acts of bravery. III
The Iraqi army was defeated. [40 divisions] were put out of
action. They lost [almost 4,000] tanks. Almost [2,000] armored
2
vehicles. More than [2,000] artillery guns. And over half a
million Iraqi soldiers were captured, defeated, or disarmed. You
were as good as advertised -- you were indeed, "Good to go!"
This is a war we did not seek and did not want. But Saddam
Hussein turned a deaf ear to the voices of peace and reason. And
when he began burning Kuwait and her people to the ground, the
Coalition faced a moral imperative to stop the atrocities in
Kuwait. Boldly, bravely, you did just that. You did it with
dramatic success -- and you did it in just four days.
The evil Saddam has done can never be forgotten. But his
power to attack his neighbors and threaten the peace of the
region is today grievously reduced. He has been stripped of his
capacity to project offensive military power. His regime is
totally discredited, if not yet totally destroyed. And the
bottom line is this: Kuwait's night of terror has ended.
And as a threat to peace, the day of this dictator is over.
Thomas Jefferson said the price of freedom is eternal
vigilance. We must remain vigilant to make absolutely sure the
Iraqi dictator is never, ever allowed to stoke the ashes of
defeat into the burning embers of aggression. The sacrifice of
our troops demands nothing less. III
Saddam made many mistakes. But one of the biggest was to
underestimate the determination of the American people and the
daring of our troops. We saw in the desert what Americans have
learned through 215 years of history about the difference between
democracy and dictatorship: Soldiers who fight for freedom are
3
more committed than soldiers who fight to remain enslaved. III
Americans today are confident of our country, confident of
our future, and, most of all, confident about you. We promised
this would not be another Vietnam, and we kept that promise. The
enemies of freedom are now on notice: The specter of Vietnam has
been buried forever in the desert sands of the Persian Gulf.
Today, the promise of spring is almost upon us, the promise
of regrowth and renewal: Renewed life in Kuwait. Renewed
prospects for real peace throughout the Middle East. And renewed
sense of pride and confidence here at home. We are committed to
seeing every American -- and every P.O.W. -- home soon, home to
the thanks and the respect and the love of a grateful nation.
Yes, there are still important tests ahead, both here and
abroad. But nothing the American people can't handle. America
has always accepted the challenge, paid the price, and passed the
test. On this day, our spirits are as high as our flag -- and
our future is a bright as liberty's torch. Tomorrow we dedicate
ourselves anew, as Americans always have, and as Americans always
will.
The first test of the new world order has been passed. The
hard work of freedom awaits.
Thank you. Congratulations. And God bless the United
States of America.
#
#
#
- Bob Taylor
697-0713
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Estimates
42 Div. destroyed or
Combat ineffective
3008 tanky dest.
1856 armored vehicles
destroy
2140 artillery pieces
Home Book of Quatations
1106
LIBERTY
LIBERTY
LII
1
9
I would rather belong to a poor nation that
God grants liberty only to those who love it,
1
P
was free than to a rich nation that had ceased
Hard liberty before
and are always ready to guard and defend it.
to be in love with liberty. We shall not be
WEBSTER, Speech, U. S. Senate, 3 June, 1834.
Of servile pomp.
poor if we love liberty.
MILTON, Paradise
WOODROW WILSON, Speech, Mobile, Ala., 27
2
V-Liberty and Bondage
10
Oh! if there be, on t
Oct., 1912.
A day, an hour, of virtuous liberty
A boon, an offering
Is worth a whole eternity in bondage.
"Tis the last libatio
IV-Liberty: Its Defense
ADDISON, Cato. Act ii, SC. 1.
From the heart that
2
11
cause!
It is the common fate of the indolent to see
Chains or conquest, liberty or death.
THOMAS MOORE, i
their rights become a prey to the active. The
ADDISON, Cato. Act ii, SC. 4, last line.
the Peri. St. 11.
condition upon which God hath given liberty
Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be pur-
The tribute most higi
to man is eternal vigilance.
chased at the price of chains and slavery Forbid
Is love from a heart
JOHN PHILPOT CURRAN, Speech upon the Right
it, Almighty God! I know not what course oth-
THOMAS MOORE, I
of Election, 10 July, 1790.
ers may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or
3
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
give me death!
"An 't please Your
WENDELL PHILLIPS, Public Opinion. This was
PATRICK HENRY, Speech, Virginia House of
ant,
an address delivered before the Massachu-
Delegates, 23 March, 1775. (Arranged by
"This same dessert
setts Antislavery Society, 28 Jan., 1852. The
William Wirt, 1817.)
Give me again my
phrase is not in quotation marks. It has
12
A crust of bread ar
been said that Mr. Phillips was quoting
The Athenians will not sell their liberties for
POPE, Imitations
Thomas Jefferson, but in a letter dated 14
all the gold either above or under ground.
sat. 6, 1. 218.
April, 1879, Mr. Phillips wrote: ""Eternal
ARISTIDES, to the Lacedæmonians. (PLUTARCH,
Lives: Aristides. Sec. 10.)
No use have I for S
vigilance is the price of liberty' has been at-
tributed to Jefferson, but no one has yet
my wood and hole
We sell our birthright whenever we sell our
found it in his works or elsewhere." It has
solace me with hom
liberty for any price of gold or honor.
also been attributed to Patrick Henry.
Est opus hac, et vale
3
E. P. WHIPPLE, Outlooks on Society: Litera-
ab insidiis tenui sola
Liberty can neither be got, nor kept, but by
ture and Politics.
HORACE, Satires. I
13
so much care, that mankind are generally un-
telling the stor:
Eternal Spirit of the chainless Mind!
willing to give the price for it.
live in a palace
Brightest in dungeons, Liberty! thou art,
LORD HALIFAX, Works, p. 62.
I had rather munch
4
For there thy habitation is the heart—
onion in a corner, W
Theground of liberty must begained by inches.
The heart which love of thee alone can bind.
feed upon a turkey
THOMAS JEFFERSON, Writings. Vol. viii, p. 3.
BYRON, The Prisoner of Chillon: Introductory.
I am forced to ch
14
We are not to expect to be translated from
He who, through fear of poverty, forfeits
my mouth every m
despotism to liberty in a feather bed.
cough, or do other
THOMAS JEFFERSON, Writings. Vol. viii, p. 13.
liberty, which is better than mines of wealth,
of liberty and solitu
5
will
be a slave forever. (Sic qui pau-
CERVANTES, Don
By no sword save her own falls Liberty.
periem veritus potiore metallis libertate
4
R. U. JOHNSON, Hands Across Sea.
caret,
serviet æternum.)
He that roars for
6
CICERO, Epistles. Bk. i, epis. 10, 1. 39.
Faster binds a
Unless that liberty. which is of such a kind
as arms can neither procure nor take away,
Those, who would give up essential liberty to pur-
And the tyrant's
chase a little temporary safety, deserve neither
Forces on the f
which alone is the fruit of piety, of justice,
liberty nor safety.
TENNYSON, The T
of temperance, and unadulterated virtue, shall
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Historical Review of
have taken deep root in your minds and
Pennsylvania. (1759)
VI-Lit
hearts, there will not long be wanting one who
This sentence was much used in the Revolution-
5
will snatch from you by treachery what you
ary period. It occurs even so early as November,
What is liberty W
have acquired by arms.
1755, in an answer by the Assembly of Pennsyl-
virtue? It is the E
MILTON, Second Defence of People of England.
vania to the Governor.
for it is folly, V
7
FROTHINGHAM, Rise of the Republic of the
tuition or restrain
The manna of popular liberty must be gath-
United States.
EDMUND BURKE
ered each day, or it is rotten.
Only by
15
tion in France
uninterrupted agitation can a people be kept
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith
Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled
More liberty beget
sufficiently awake to principle not to let lib-
again with the yoke of bondage.
The hunger still in
erty be smothered by material prosperity. Re-
DRYDEN, Hind a
publics exist only on tenure of being agitated.
New Testament: Galatians, v, 1.
6
WENDELL PHILLIPS. Address: Public Opinion,
16
Boston, 28 Jan., 1852.
A bean in liberty is better than a comfit in
Liberty in the V
fanatics has once
8
prison.
Our liberties and our lives are in danger.
GEORGE HERBERT, Jacula Prudentum.
past, proved the
(Libertas et anima nostra in dubio est.)
racy and the twir.
Lean liberty is better than fat slavery.
OTTo KAHN, Sp
SALLUST, Catilina. Sec. 52.
THOMAS FULLER, Gnomologia. No. 3158.
14 Jan., 1918.