It is truly an honor for me to address you this evening and share with you a few of my thoughts on Iraq. This unprecedented meeting of the broad range of the Iraqi resistance to Saddam Hussein is an historic Opportunity, and I congratulate you on taking a major step to come together as a united opposition.

Let me begin by saying I am extremely hopeful about the future of Iraq.

The liberation of Iraq is not only inevitable, but could be achieved in the very near future; I base this belief of three important factors.

First. Saddam is weak. While Iraq is almost undoubtedly developing weapons of mass destruction, in terms of current capability against a well-armed rebel force, Saddam looks weak. Certainly he has enough operable tanks and artillery pieces to terrorize lightly armed opponents--but not enough to conquer them. His air defenses are proven ineffective by American and British pilots on almost a daily basis. And as we saw in the Gulf War, few Iraqi soldiers want to make the supreme sacrifice to follow Saddam’ s orders, and the many desertions since the Gulf War suggest there is little fighting spirit in the Iraqi military.

Second, the liberation of Iraq is inevitable because the opposition is strong. Together you represent, not only the thousands of Iraqis outside Iraq who are committed to get rid of Saddam, but the millions of Iraqis inside the country who yearn for freedom. As you know well, many of your members inside Iraq risk their lives daily in resistance to the regime. So, together, you are much more than you seem. This meeting is a clear demonstration of your strength, and will send an undeniable signal to the rest of the world of your resolve to work together as a united Iraqi opposition.

Finally, the liberation of Iraq is inevitable because the American people support those who are willing to take risks to achieve freedom. In accordance with the Iraq Liberation Act, the United States Congress and the Administration remain fully committed to providing the opposition--both inside and outside of Iraq--the tools needed to bring democracy to the Iraqi people. We are also committed to bringing to justice the mass murderers who lead the Iraqi regime.

This effort is so important because the potential of a democratic Iraq is limitless. I look forward to the day when Saddam Hussein’s regime collapses and the American people can begin to work earnestly with the Iraqi people to build a peaceful, prosperous, free Iraq.

When that day comes, the potential for the Iraqi people is enormous. It is this potential that makes me so hopeful about the future.

As you well know, Iraq is blessed with great resources. Resources that hold the promise of income that will be needed to rebuild what Saddam has destroyed. Iraq is blessed with the second-largest oil reserves of any country.

Iraq is blessed with water and fertile soil. With assistance, Iraq possesses the ability to develop its agricultural potential to become a self-sufficient supplier of food. And finally, Iraq is blessed with remarkable people. The well-educated men and women of Iraq offer a huge potential for economic development when their skills and talents are finally unleashed in an open society.

Unfortunately, for every year Saddam remains in power, the strength and abilities of the people are further drained; it is our duty to tell their story to the rest of the world. But as we illustrate their plight, we must continue to inform the world that the suffering and depravation of the Iraqi people comes as a consequence of Saddam Hussein’s policies. Their suffering is caused--not by United Nations sanctions--but by Saddam’s insistence on maintaining a regime based on egomania and terror. He is draining billions of dollars away from the care of his people to build more Presidential palaces, to prop up his military, and to pursue the development of weapons of mass destruction.

The only way to end the suffering of the Iraqi people is to help them establish a functioning democracy. I have just a few words to share with you about democracy. There is good news and bad news. The bad news is that democracy is very difficult. It’s a challenge. It involves argument and disagreement and compromise. It sometimes involves settling for less than you wanted. It requires the extra effort to maintain respect and friendship with people you disagree with. But the good news is: if you work at democracy, democracy works. And at every opportunity, we must explain what a post-Saddam, democratic Iraq will look like.

First, a democratic Iraq would care for the needs of all of its people. We have learned throughout history that democratic governments do not allow their people to starve. A democratic Iraq would harness the creative potential of its own people through the establishment of a free market economy based on the rule of law. It would encourage commerce and trade, and promote economic prosperity. A democratic Iraq would be unified. It would respect the diversity of its people and guarantee the rights of minorities. It would be at peace with its neighbors. It would be an engine of peace and stability, and a force for positive change throughout the region.

A democratic Iraq would have the full support of the United States. We would move immediately to provide the humanitarian assistance needed by the people. We would provide transition assistance to help Iraq build its democratic institutions and transform its economy. We would work with other nations to arrange forgiveness of the enormous debts run up by Saddam. And finally, we would lift international sanctions and allow Iraq to once again become a full partner in the international community.

It is my hope the current regime will not survive to see the next millennium. But we must be careful what we wish for, because we must be prepared to act when the opportunity arises. I can not stress to you in strong enough terms the importance of your work over the next few days. This National Assembly meeting must begin the preparation for the inevitable liberation of Iraq. This is an historic effort, You are laying the groundwork for a future Iraq--an Iraq that today only exists in our imaginations, but whose reality is limited only by the quality of our actions.

I strongly encourage you to work to strengthen the institutions of the INC and to examine imaginative ways to use the Iraq Liberation Act to achieve your goals. I encourage you to not only develop plans to end Saddam Hussien’s regime, but to develop a plan to rebuild Iraq and to create a prosperous, democratic society that will be the envy of the region.

Finally, I close with the wish that when next we meet, it will be in a liberated, democratic Iraq.

Thank you