Nancy L. Johnson: “let us be clear. Terrorism, as a method of achieving political goals and settling political differences, is intolerable…”

“let us be clear. Terrorism, as a method of achieving political goals and settling political differences, is intolerable to the civilized world. Inevitably, terrorists will gain access to chemical, biological and even nuclear weapons. Never has a non-government organization been able to deliver weapons of mass destruction. That will be unprecedented, and it is truly intolerable. So terrorism, as an organized system of political action, must be defeated. Within the Palestinian Authority, for the first time, the issue of terrorism as a means of political action is now the issue between Mr. Abbas and the Prime Minister. And in Iraq, the same issue is being joined. The new Prime Minister recognizes that there can be no government if political organizations are to each have their own armies. Iraqis had the courage to vote for the adoption of an interim government, for a constitution, for a permanent government, and the Prime Minister, as well as communities throughout Iraq, get it, that governing themselves is what they want. Our forces have distinguished themselves in Iraq, both as skilled military units and model citizens, and I salute them. They have won the war we had to win, and are now training thousands of Iraqis and transferring authorities to Iraqi units to win the war only they can win. {time} 1830 Our impatience to leave is matched by their impatience to take the reins of their destiny. The reins are being transferred. Patience, hope, perseverance.…”