The world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power. The world is better off because he sits in a prison cell. Because we acted, torture rooms are closed, rape rooms no longer exist, mass graves are no longer a possibility in Iraq. Listen, the world is better off. We've still got hard work to do. And we've been through tough times. We've been through tough times recently. We've got a lot of brave folks over there helping the Iraqis become a free society. It's in our interests -- (applause.) It's in our interests we succeed.
See, not only did we make America more secure by getting rid of Saddam, we are literally changing the world by insisting that freedom and democracy prevail in a part of the world where there's hatred and violence and recruitment of suiciders.
What America loves is our freedom. But we also understand that freedom is not America's gift to the world; freedom is the almighty God's gift to each man and woman in this world. (Applause.)
We'll prevail. We will prevail.And when Iraq is free and democratic, that part of the world will start to change. And then those soldiers and the families who mourn for the loss will be able to look back and they will be able to say about their loved one, job well done. The world is better off for it, and generations of Americans are more likely to live in peace and freedom. A secure America is my most important job. And America will be more secure when freedom prevails in parts of the world that have never seen the freedom that we know in America.
We'll pass sovereignty on June the 30th. That's what we told the Iraqi people. There's a lot of people there wondering whether or not America will keep its word. They're wondering whether or not politics will cause politicians to change their mind in the midst of this transfer of sovereignty. I'm not changing my mind. I'm not going to change my mind at all. (Applause.) We're doing the right thing. We'll always honor those who sacrificed for our freedom. We will not allow them to die in vain. Iraq will be free and America will be more secure. (Applause.)