President George W. Bush discussing the future of Iraq with the secretary of Defense and Presidential Envoy to Iraq: “A free, democratic, peaceful Iraq will not threaten America or our friends with illegal weapons. A free Iraq will not be a training ground for terrorists, or a funnel of money to terrorists, or provide weapons to terrorists who would willing use them to strike our country or our allies. A free Iraq will not destabilize the Middle East. A free Iraq can set a hopeful example to the entire region and lead other nations to choose freedom. And as the pursuits of freedom replace hatred and resentment and terror in the Middle East, the American people will be more secure.”
– Transcript, “President Bush Discusses Progress in Iraq,” George W. Bush – White House Archives online, Accessed on 7/18/2016