George H.W. Bush Wartime Address Highlights: 5 Quotes From Invasion of Iraq Speech

The seeds for America's involvement in Iraq were planted by George H.W. Bush, the nation's 41st president. Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 and Bush took steps to form a coalition to drive Iraqi forces back to their own nation. Congress authorized use of military force and bombing runs began on January 16, 1991.

Bush announced the formal start of the Persian Gulf War in a televised speech to the nation the same day.

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These five quotes from that speech highlight why he believed waging war was necessary and what the United States hoped to accomplish against Iraq:

1. Iraq Must Leave Kuwait.
"Our objectives are clear: Saddam Hussein's forces will leave Kuwait. The legitimate government of Kuwait will be restored to its rightful place, and Kuwait will once again be free."

2. A Show of Force was Necessary to Oppose Saddam Hussein.
"Some may ask: Why act now? Why not wait? The answer is clear: The world could wait no longer. Sanctions, though having some effect, showed no signs of accomplishing their objective. Sanctions were tried for well over five months, and we and our allies concluded that sanctions alone would not force Saddam from Kuwait."

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3. Hussein Would Not Back Down From His Aggression.
"While the world waited, Saddam Hussein met every overture of peace with open contempt. While the world prayed for peace, Saddam prepared for war."

4. The Persian Gulf War Offers an Opportunity to Establish a New World Order.
"This is an historic moment. We have in this past year made great progress in ending the long era of conflict and cold war. We have before us the opportunity to forge for ourselves and for future generations a new world order – a world where the rule of law, not the law of the jungle, governs the conduct of nations."

5. The World Can Stand Together to Establish Peace and Freedom in All Nations.
"I am convinced not only that we will prevail but that out of the horror of combat will come the recognition that no nation can stand against a world united, no nation will be permitted to brutally assault its neighbor."

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