Raid on Baghdad: Edited text of President Clinton's address to the nation

My fellow Americans, this evening I want to speak with you about an attack by the government of Iraq against the United States and the actions we have just taken to respond.

This past April, the Kuwaiti government uncovered what they suspected was a car bombing plot to assassinate former president George Bush while he was visiting Kuwait City. The Kuwaiti authorities arrested 16 suspects, including two Iraqi nationals.

Following those arrests, I ordered our own intelligence and law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough and independent investigation . . . This Thursday, Attorney- General (Janet) Reno and Director of Central Intelligence (James) Woolsey gave me their findings. Based on their investigation, there is compelling evidence that there was, in fact, a plot to assassinate former president Bush, and that this plot, which included the use of a powerful bomb made in Iraq, was directed and pursued by the Iraqi intelligence service.

We should not be surprised by such deeds, coming as they do from a regime like Saddam Hussein's, which has ruled by atrocity, slaughtered its own people, invaded two neighbours, attacked others, and engaged in chemical and environmental warfare. Saddam has repeatedly violated the will and conscience of the international community, but this attempt at revenge by a tyrant against the leader of the world coalition that defeated him in war is particularly loathsome and cowardly. We thank God it was unsuccessful. The authorities who foiled it have the appreciation of all Americans.

It is clear that this was no impulsive or random act. It was an elaborate plan devised by the Iraqi government, and directed against a former president of the United States because of actions he took as president. As such, the Iraqi attack against President Bush was an attack against our country and against all Americans. We could not, and have not, let such action against our nation go unanswered.

From the first days of our revolution, America's security has depended on the clarity of this message: Don't tread on us. A firm and commensurate response was essential to protect our sovereignty, to send a message to those who engage in state-sponsored terrorism, to deter further violence against our people, and to affirm the expectation of civilised behaviour among nations.

Therefore, on Friday I ordered our forces to launch a cruise-missile attack on the Iraqi intelligence service's principal command and control facility in Baghdad . . . I have discussed this action with the congressional leadership and with our allies and friends in the region, and I have called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to expose Iraqi's crime.

These actions were directed against the Iraqi government, which was responsible for the assassination plot. Saddam has demonstrated repeatedly that he will resort to terrorism or aggression if left unchecked.

Our intent was to target Iraq's capacity to support violence against the United States and other nations, and to deter Saddam Hussein from supporting such outlaw behaviour in the future. Therefore, we directed our action against a facility associated with Iraq's support of terrorism, while making every effort to minimise the loss of innocent life.

There should be no mistake about the message we intend these actions to convey to Saddam Hussein, to the rest of the Iraqi leadership, and to any nation, group of person who would harm our leaders or our citizens. We will combat terrorism. We will deter aggression. We will protect our people.

The world has repeatedly made clear what Iraq must do to return to the community of nations, and Iraq has repeatedly refused. If Saddam and his regime contemplate further illegal, provocative actions, they can be certain of our response.

Let me say to the men and women in our armed forces and our intelligence and law-enforcement agencies who carried out the investigation and our military response: you have my gratitude, and the gratitude of all Americans. You have performed a difficult mission with courage and professionalism.

Finally, I want to say this to all the American people.

While the Cold War has ended, the world is not free of danger, and I am determined to take the steps necessary to keep our nation secure. We will keep our forces ready to fight. We will work to head off emerging threats, and we will take action when action is required. That is precisely what we have done today . . .