White House, Global Message, March 24, 2003

[David]

American and Coalition forces are making good progress in the early stages of the war to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and free the Iraqi people from the clutches of a brutal dictatorship. We thank all the coalition forces for their bravery and courage in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Saddam Hussein is losing control of his country. We're slowly, but surely, making progress, but it is evident that this war is in the early phases, and this is just the beginning of a tough fight.

We're executing a plan which will achieve our objectives, and at the same time, spare innocent life.

Coalition forces have treated Iraqi military prisoners humanely, and we expect any captured Coalition forces to be treated humanely in return. If not, those who mistreat our prisoners will be treated as war criminals.

We have made a promise to the people of Iraq that we will do everything we can to protect innocent life. We're doing that, and we will do everything we can to help the Iraqi people. When free from the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, life in Iraq will be a lot better.