At the White House Reception for Veterans, President George W. Bush stated: “In whatever lies ahead, the United States will remain a friend to the Iraqi people. They have suffered years of brutal repression, years of domestic terror from their own rulers. A new regime would bring deliverance for them. Iraqi resources are abundant, its culture is rich, its citizens are talent — talented. And given a chance, there is no limit to what the Iraqi people can achieve. Their hopes are the same as all people in every land: to lead lives of dignity in a nation at peace. And America will help them.”
– Transcript, “President Bush Salutes Veterans at White House Ceremony,” George W. Bush – White House Archives online, Accessed on 7/14/2016