Introduction
People is the social human that needs interaction with others, they
signs, which express ideas.1 People as the highest creation in the world
has been given the greatest gift that differs from other creations, it called a
population of human, with the result that every community in smallest unit
language itself has variety in every community. In this global area, English
language is one of language that used in every country in the world as the
foreign language that has been used by Indonesian people as the following
every people. It’s required to all people who doesn’t recognize English
international language, the world’s agreement to use it. So, if someone did
in form of English language, until every nation in the world knows what
English language is the tool of interaction around the world. Using English
internet and etc and printed media such as magazine, newspaper, journal
and books.
the written form such as journal and others are accommodated to the
media that known as an internet. Based on this theme, the written form that
has recorded to the internet is Bush speech in ultimatum of Iraq war, and
whole words, so it can be read and analyzed. The kind of text speech
attempts to convince reader and hearer to follow it. Hence, the goal of
speech performed is pursuing a reader and hearer to follow what the orator
of speech commonly gives the evidences or proofs and the concrete facts.
conviction and trust or the problem that will be leaded.3 One of the
Just two hours ago, Allied air forces began an attack on military
forces are not engaged. This conflict started Aug. 2, when the dictator of
3
Arab League and a member of the United Nations, was crushed, its people
brutalized. Five months ago, Saddam Hussein started this cruel war
In his speech, Bush gave the concrete facts when the attack had
In this case, the speech that was transferred in written form has the
analyzed as the text. Every text, especially English text will operate in the
corridor of semantic that related to the meaning. The wisdom word said
4 http//www.ukessay.com/essays/English/language
5 Victoria Fromkin, An Introduction to Language, (United States: Thomson Heinle,
2003), p. 173.
lexical items in one lexical field.6 Meaning also related with the code of
sign, its basic idea in definition and analysis of sign. Signs produce a
about lexical system and semantic field structure. Besides that, writer will
try to illustrate the semantic field of Bush’s speech and rove on Iraq war
with the most completely relation of meaning call as thesaurus with the
both of them.7 The writer is interested in doing research because there are
Bush’s speech and rove on Iraq war and the message of meaning as
5
B. Focus of the Study
connotation within the text of Bush’s speech and rove on Iraq war.
C. Research question
Based on the focus study, the main question of the research are:
Iraq war?
researcher who would like to conduct the research with similar case as
F. Research Methodology
7
To get the main purpose of the research, the writer conducts
Technique of Instrument
4. Unit of analysis
The analysis units of the research are two texts which have
been selected in the object of research. The two texts are: Full
9
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Componential Analysis
1. Speech
many people. For example: speech of presidential (national state), special day,
write it firstly.
8 http//www.organisasi.org
words, so it can be read and analyzed. The kind of text speech includes as the
reader and hearer to follow it. Hence, the goal of speech performed is pursuing
a reader and hearer to follow what the orator expected or in other hand
evidences or proofs and the concrete facts. The expected reaction from hearer
will be leaded.9
Prof. Dr. Gorys Keraf notices that speech has common and special
can motivate hearer, to convince, to act, to inform and etc. the special purpose
So, it can be said that the purpose of speech can range from simply
Good orators should be able to change the emotions of their listeners, not just
inform them.
2. Definition of Meaning
One thing that’s remained in our concept to define meaning is not easy
9 Dra. Hj. Siti sahara, Keterampilan Berbahasa Indonesia, (Jakarta: Fakultas Ilmu
tarbiyah dan Keguruan (FITK) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, 2008), p. 51-52
10 Prof. DR. Gorys Keraf, Komposisi, (Jakarta: Nusa Indah, 1994), pp.
320-323
11
as we determined; it has a long wide debated problem since Plato was
and question that have been written about philosophical matters are not
false but senseless.11 Meaning is a word we use in our daily life in different
sense. For example: the term color of red may occur in several context in
contend with the fact that, as we say, a speaker can mean different
Based on F.R. Palmer from book of Alex sobur, to know what the
13
Every word of color like red, yellow, black and white has a different
Thesaurus. One single word of black has the meaning of dark, negative
one or more of the meaning but not for all, and the supplementary
‘Man’= ‘woman’
analysis is thus an attempt to describe the meaning of words in terms
D3= ‘Boy’= ‘girl’
of a universal inventory of semantic components and their possible
‘Bull’= ‘cow’
combinations.
which derive from the nature of the referent and (2) those which from
the nature of the lexical unit employed designate the referent. 18 In the
type one, Nida tries to explain that some concepts are associated as one
set of cultural meaning, another hand, the type two is associated as one
Press), p. 149
17 Wedhawati, Pandangan E.A. Nida: Analisis Komponen Makna. Ulasan
Singkat Karya E.A. Nida : The Componential Analysis of Meaning, An
Intorduction to Semantic Structures (1975), (Yogyakarta, Balai Penelitian
Bahasa), p. 135
18 Eugene A. Nida, Componential Analysis of Meaning, An Introduction of
Semantic ( Great Britain: The Univesity press of Cambridge,1975 ), p. 36
15
Table 1
Consider the following set of words: man, woman, boy, girl, bull,
woman = boy : : girl = bull : : cow. The meanings of words man, boy,
bull on the one hand, and woman, girl and cow, on the other, have
being))), etc.
17
Gawk + + Specific
sense
TABLE 2
one activity of daily life that people usual to do it. It differed from the word
watch, there is stressing sound and the intensity of looking is more intensively.
Just like word focus is one activity which has more intensive and the way of eyes
The word stare has a strong stressing, but it differed from gawk, it’s only a
reaction activity of looking, there is no any purpose that will be gotten. On the
In addition, the word of observe is differed from focus or looking at, the
sign +,+, indicates as the specific sense that need more intensively of looking, it’s
The word spy also has different meaning and stressing than the word focus
and observe. The closest similar meaning with the word spy is observe, but the
way how they are acting (looking) are different. Sometimes observe has negative
Going to the word gaze, it’s difficult to define. Looking steadily and
intently is specific sense but the object of looking can be people or anything. On
the other hand, the word quiz is also similar with gaze. It’s only looking someone
intently through or as if through an eyeglass.
classified as negative manner. Regard is the word that has a meaning as gaze, but
The word glance, it’s the way of looking with the object is written reading.
Its reading quickly cursorily, when we look quickly, it identified as glance. The
last word is looking back, it has similar meaning with stare. But the way of
table below:
19
TABLE 319
B. Sign
1. Definition of Sign
reality, it’s also can not show a lie. Another explanation about sign is
mentioned below:
2. Theory of Sign
a. Ferdinand de Saussure
of Geneva in 1981 and dead there in 1913. His importance work, not in
representation and the way his model of language shaped the semiotic
fields.
21
concept. The word “chair” in English
concept of “chariness”.
22 Ibid, p.15.
Interpretant Object
Sign/ground
In this term, Pierce determine the subject of the sign as the part that
23
(Figure 5. Meaning element from Pierce)
on sign).
connection between sign and object becouse its similiarities), Index (the
connection between sign and object its causalities and effect), and
Symbol (the connection between sign and object becouse the convention
people mind. If the three elements are merged together in people mind or
emphasize what will be leaded. The power of speech can be changed the
making speech.
order to perceive hearers is the only way to get their empathy, because
dictionary or lexicon.
do something. The general interaction with the orator and hearer will be
possible.
25
D. The Relation Between Speech and Sign Meaning
reference of sign and the signifier. The system of sign will construct the
and connotative.
interaction in general.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH FINDINGS
A. Description of Data
27
The writer uses the two different texts of speech as the object of
research. The data are collected from Bush speech as ultimatum and Rove
those two texts reflect their power, this paradigm appears when the texts
reflect the context. They use some their own terms in exploring the speech,
the object of referent but the social context. Here are some expressions of
- An intimidation or snapping.
“War crimes will be - A speech act to warm a war
prosecuted, War
- logical meaningful with a lot of
crimes will be
punished” impotencies
doing war
“ And it has aided, - Spreading ideology of terror as
terrorist, including
- To convince that al-Qaeda is
operatives of al
terrorism
Qaeda”
- To show that terrorist is exist in Iraq
do war
Text 2 “Karl Rove, the chief - To convince people that war is legal
political adviser to
- Logical perception on making
President George W.
decision of war
Bush and architect of
- To know people that Bush has right
his two successful
to do war
campaigns for the
29
a new memoir that his
weapons of mass
destruction there.
What many historians - Meaningful expression of war
Islamic extremism
to remove Saddam
Hussein”
B. Data Analysis
chose a selected lexeme in both of two texts. After selecting lexeme, the writer
Afterwards, the writer will analyze each lexeme based on sign theory in
meanings of words are not only referred the object of referent but also social
the object of research. It’s consistently that almost set construction component
constitute meaning in whole text, the writer will begin to find some lexemes in
the text of Bush speech and Rove than the second step is finding meaning
denotative in thesaurus.
31
aggression, sovereign, authority, force, against, dictator, confront, resolve,
inaction.
vanity.
After mentioning selected lexemes, the most questions that will appear
are why both of two texts always use a term of war? Now, the writer will
define the meaning in component until will get the exam definition of
denotative meaning, which try to find relationship between texts of Bush and
Rove.
contraposition
Against + Compulsion/ -
contraposition
Constrain + Compulsion -
Enforce + Compulsion -
Aggression - +/-
Disarm + Contraposition -
Dictator - Compulsion -
Confront +/- Opponent -/+
Destroy + Compulsion -
Suicide + Compulsion -
Torture + Compulsion -
Liberation/ -/+ Compulsion +/-
human liberty
Freedom -/+ Compulsion +/-
Sovereign + Compulsion -
Authority + Compulsion -
Enemy + Opponent -
Allies + Companion +
Islamic + Opponent -
extremism
Terror + Opponent -
Terrorism + Opponent -
would conceive as a unit the countless number of duels which make up a war,
physical force to compel the other to submit to his will: each endeavors to
throw his adversary, and thus render him incapable of further resistance. War
will. Violence arms itself with the inventions of Art and Science in order to
without the conception of States and Law), is therefore the means; the
order to attain this object fully, the enemy must be disarmed, and disarmament
33
place of the final object, and puts it aside as something we can eliminate from
our calculations.
The word invaded that used by Rove is similarity with the term of war,
term against in those texts is USA and Iraq under control of Saddam Husain is
different and disagrees with all the policy of USA. Iraq is opposition of USA,
and has to face to face by doing war. Recognizing the threat to our country,
the United States Congress voted overwhelmingly last year to support the use
largest than it (nations) “The Bush administration itself would probably have
sought other ways to constrain Saddam, bring about regime change, and deal
with Iraq’s horrendous human rights violations” (Text 2). We can look at the
underline expression, it can be inferred that USA want to take a place Saddam
definition. But, the writer will find the suitable meaning based on the context
use of the word. There are definitions of force as quantity of levity, deranged,
dominate, compel and tyrant. This lexeme is repeated by bush fourth times to
claim and spread a term that his enemy is really tyrant of the nation. Indeed,
25
who is really dictator?
Today, no nation can possibly claim that Iraq has disarmed. And it will not
disarm so long as Saddam Hussein holds power. For the last four-and-a-half
months, the United States and our allies have worked within the Security
attack, those lexemes mentioned in bush speech. This is the most important
things in the set of component text of Bush speech. His expression of speech
usually correlated with the Iraq and other Muslim nation description. “The
regime has a history of reckless aggression in the Middle East” The other
sentence is “We will tear down the apparatus of terror and we will help you to
build a new Iraq that is prosperous and free. In a free Iraq, there will be no
(text1). We can look at the underline words; Bush uses the term of aggression
only for Iraq and other Muslim community clash. If we think more intensively
or fight, unprovoked).
in our concept. So, the writer finds not only the indicator of conceptual
definition for this term as logical system of language and component social
35
interaction but also as meaningful expression about behavior. People who like
fighting, attacking and killing each other are always described as Iraqis people
and others neighbor. The perfect description of Saddam Husain and others as
the writer mentioned in the text of bush speech is placed in the sentence “One
reason the UN was founded after the Second World War was to confront
aggressive dictators”.
pacify, impotence and peace. This term is the most repeated word in the text
of bush speech. “The United States and other nations have pursued patient
and honorable efforts to disarm the Iraqi regime without war….. We have
The Iraqi regime has used diplomacy as a ploy to gain time and advantage. It
disarmament…. Peaceful efforts to disarm the Iraqi regime have failed again
and again -- because we are not dealing with peaceful men…. Today, no
nation can possibly claim that Iraq has disarmed. And it will not disarm so
with the action of disabling someone who holds the power. The word is
mostly directed to weaken people control of the nation. On this case, Bush
government.
The word confront has a meaning as be present, be opposite, compare,
resist and etc. this word mentioned by bush twice, “One reason the UN was
founded after the second world war was to confront aggressive dictators,
actively and early, before they can attack the innocent and destroy the
can know that every measure has been taken to avoid war, and every measure
will be taken to win it”. The first and second underline sentences indicate that
removed.
Bush speech, this term always use as an effort to annihilate something. But as
destruction and oils. Here is the sentence “That regime pledged to reveal and
destroy all its weapons of mass destruction as a condition for ending the
carried out by people who do not expect to survive. This word is mentioned by
Bush and Rove once. It’s interesting to find the relation of using term in those
texts; contextually Bush and Rove describe the subjective situation that occurs
in Iraq. The blaming word directed to the Iraqis as the zone of terrorist.
Going to the word torture, it’s the other meaning as violence. It’s
37
submission to the enemy of our will. This term is only mentioned by Bush
once, “In a free Iraq, there will be no more wars of aggression against your
more torture chambers and rape rooms. The tyrant will soon be gone. The day
of your liberation is near”. Bush uses this term for comparing USA as the
other term that Bush intends to spread in conception of Iraqis people and
other. He compares those term with the torture term as description of Iraqis
people and other. Explaining the terms human liberty or liberation and
freedom should be correlated with the situation context. “The day of your
countries, will work to advance liberty and peace in that region. Our goal will
not be achieved overnight, but it can come over time. The power and appeal
of human liberty is felt in every life and every land…. And the greatest power
of freedom is to overcome hatred and violence, and turn the creative gifts of
However, the underline words really indicate the situation of Iraq and
other as the conflict zone; Bush tries to describe his perception and wants to
accept it totally. Nation of Iraq under Saddam Husain always occurs as nation
who disobeys the human rights. This once again shows the indicator of
conceptual definition that Bush uses some his own terms in exploring the
context meaning is convinced that meanings of words are not referred to the
object of referent but the social context. This expression doesn’t reflect any
description of Iraq and other as the nation. It’s only some perception mind
made by Bush.
strong, remedial, ruling, and successful but it’s more little beat different that
exploring this phrase “The United States of America has the sovereign
authority to use force in assuring its own national security. That duty falls to
keep….the United States and our allies are authorized to use force in ridding
carefully and logically by analyzing the set of components theory, we will find
and other nation partner known as superpower is the only nation that can be
hold the world and the rule is only made by them. Why he cannot use the word
meaning.
39
The word allies and enemy is always mentioned in the text of bush
speech, those words become an opposition with each other. The meaning of
enemy is the trouble maker, opponent and hateful object. “Should enemies
strike our country….If our enemies dare to strike us, they and all who have
not reveal these threats with fair notice, in formal declarations - and
responding to such enemies only after they have struck first is not self-defense,
it is suicide”. We can look at the underline words; Bush uses this term for
The last word is Islamic extremism, terror and terrorist. Those terms
war. In Bush speech text, he uses the term of terror and terrorist seventh times.
Saddam and their friend (al-Qaeda) as one connection. The term of brute
identified in the text Bush speech as terrorist who kills thousand or hundreds
that constitutes the text above is anticipated as the consequence what should
speech and Rove on Iraq war are legalization of doing war. As an indicator of
research in theoretical frame work, logical language system using in the two
correlated lexemes of war. Logically, in all term of war, the winners who
defeat their enemy have a right to control the looser or enemy. The only thing
of war’s aim is appealing arms. They (USA) have right to maintain and lead
all asset of Iraq. So, why both two texts those have been analyzed usually use
the term of war? The answer is only fulfilling their will with violence.
41
After knowing each construction components, the writer continues this
The texts identified as signifier. The sign as a whole is the printed text: Bush
speech and rove on Iraq war. The signifiers are the letters or words as
individual units and signified about many things and it will be explained one
by one:
1. The United States and other nations have pursued patient and honorable
efforts to disarm the Iraqi regime without war (Text 1). The signifiers are
war.
text is Iraqi regime; Bush uses this expression as the representation of the
The second signified about the concept of war, based on the mental
war. The signifier of war is Iraqi regime as the representation of legal war.
The third signified about the concept of the authority of making
decision, the phrase “The United States and other nations have pursued
patient and honorable efforts to disarm the Iraqi regime without war”
influences to people that USA is the only nation that can make all decisions
After knowing signified and signifier, the other step to understand sign
meaning in connotation term is needed to know the context use of the term at
the time. The connotation meaning in the text above interpreted as signal of
Hussein.( text 2) The signifiers are letters or words as individual unit and
production.
of extremism and democracy is comparison thing that will be not merged and
always become opponent thing. Rove and all people thing that Islamic
production. Indeed, this text shows that language is not beyond value but a
43
lot of impotence of values. The clash term between democracy and
According to the Piercian theory, there are three sign categories: Icon,
a sign which is represented the object that has similarity of sound and form
such as photo. Index, a sign that indicates the relationship with object such as
the smoke indicates the fair. Symbol, a sign which is not indicated the object
anymore, but its convention or rule that represented the object. The writer
finds one of the categories of sign indicated the object. In general, Pierce
defines sign as something which stands to somebody entity. In this case, rove
maintain and spread those conceptions is the goal. In this position of text
3. The regime has a history of reckless aggression in the Middle East. (text 2)
The signifiers are letters or words as individual unit and signified about:
describing a middle east as the nations who like fighting each other, using a
pictorial word written as regime and egression in the Middle East. There are
two main represeantament/ground or pictorial symbols in those words.
interpretant in the word regime and aggression is a symbol idea that shows
meaningful conception of regime who likes fighting each other nation in the
Middle East.
believe this conception as the proof and occurrence in the Middle East. In this
interpretation step, the sign in word elements show ideas about the conflict
nation that should be resolved. On the other side, people who hear this speech
influence to follow and agree with this conception. Meanwhile, both of word
regime and aggression in the Middle East are pairs of ideology impotence.
Iraqi people are deserving and capable of human liberty. (text 1) The
Based on the signified above, the writer argues that connotation meaning
45
After analyzing both two texts by componential and sign theory
approaches, the writer generally find in this research that the usage of texts in
constructing the term its denotation, connotation and the optional use of the
words is showing their logical perception that appears positive effect for their
their opposite.
Based on the analysis of Bush speech and Rove text on Iraq war and
sign theory research aimed to find the optional use of terms or words and
which constituted meaning, generally the writer concludes that both two texts
similarly construct and create their own term to legalize and convince of
doing war. Many terms are not suitable with the textual meaning. The text
occurs a crack term and shows their only perception as reflection of social
First analysis is Bush speech text. In his speech text, it is found that the
people in Middle East is only perception which reflects his power identity.
In other hand, he uses a term force and war to convince people for
their doing. A second analysis is text of Rove; it similarly occur a crack text
by using a term of extremism to maintain his conception.
approaching sign theory, the writer decides to summarize that a sign both
texts form used any structure of sign. Each of the sign has a system and
CHAPTER IV
47
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
A. Conclusions
with the meaning, so people always find the signs to know the meaning
the exact sets construction of whole word in the texts. In other hand, by
meaning
3. The relation between component as unit lexemes
B. Suggestion
some points to the reader who wants to analyze the texts of Bush
49
will be useful for the future semantic
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Anymous, Pengertian-pidato-tujuan-sifat-metode-susunan-dan-persiapan-
pidato-sambutan. Accessed on june 23, 2010.
http//www.organisasi.org/
Cobley, Paul and Jansz, Litza, Semiotic for Beginner, London: Penguin Books,
1997.
Culler, Jonathan, Convention and Meaning: Derrida and Austin, USA: The
Eco, Uberto, Teori Semiotika, Signifikasi Komunikasi, Teori Kode, Serta Teori
Produksi Tanda, Yogyakarta: Kreasi Wacana, 2009.
Sobur, Alex, Analisis Teks Media suatu pengantar untuk analisis wacana,
analisis semiotic dan analisis framing, Bandung: Remaja Rosda
karya, 2006.
51
APPENDIX
53
They have delivered public and private messages urging the dictator to leave Iraq,
so that disarmament can proceed peacefully. He has thus far refused. All the
decades of deceit and cruelty have now reached an end. Saddam Hussein and his
sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military
conflict, commenced at a time of our choosing. For their own safety, all foreign
nationals - including journalists and inspectors - should leave Iraq immediately.
Many Iraqis can hear me tonight in a translated radio broadcast, and I have a
message for them. If we must begin a military campaign, it will be directed
against the lawless men who rule your country and not against you. As our
coalition takes away their power, we will deliver the food and medicine you need.
We will tear down the apparatus of terror and we will help you to build a new Iraq
that is prosperous and free. In a free Iraq, there will be no more wars of aggression
against your neighbors, no more poison factories, no more executions of
dissidents, no more torture chambers and rape rooms. The tyrant will soon be
gone. The day of your liberation is near.
It is too late for Saddam Hussein to remain in power. It is not too late for the Iraqi
military to act with honor and protect your country by permitting the peaceful
entry of coalition forces to eliminate weapons of mass destruction. Our forces will
give Iraqi military units clear instructions on actions they can take to avoid being
attacked and destroyed. I urge every member of the Iraqi military and intelligence
services, if war comes, do not fight for a dying regime that is not worth your own
life.
And all Iraqi military and civilian personnel should listen carefully to this
warning. In any conflict, your fate will depend on your action. Do not destroy oil
wells, a source of wealth that belongs to the Iraqi people. Do not obey any
command to use weapons of mass destruction against anyone, including the Iraqi
people. War crimes will be prosecuted. War criminals will be punished. And it
will be no defense to say, "I was just following orders."
Should Saddam Hussein choose confrontation, the American people can know
that every measure has been taken to avoid war, and every measure will be taken
to win it. Americans understand the costs of conflict because we have paid them
in the past. War has no certainty, except the certainty of sacrifice.
Yet, the only way to reduce the harm and duration of war is to apply the full force
and might of our military, and we are prepared to do so. If Saddam Hussein
attempts to cling to power, he will remain a deadly foe until the end. In
desperation, he and terrorists groups might try to conduct terrorist operations
against the American people and our friends. These attacks are not inevitable.
They are, however, possible. And this very fact underscores the reason we cannot
live under the threat of blackmail. The terrorist threat to America and the world
will be diminished the moment that Saddam Hussein is disarmed.
Our government is on heightened watch against these dangers. Just as we are
preparing to ensure victory in Iraq, we are taking further actions to protect our
homeland. In recent days, American authorities have expelled from the country
certain individuals with ties to Iraqi intelligence services. Among other measures,
I have directed additional security of our airports, and increased Coast Guard
patrols of major seaports. The Department of Homeland Security is working
closely with the nation's governors to increase armed security at critical facilities
across America.
Should enemies strike our country, they would be attempting to shift our attention
with panic and weaken our morale with fear. In this, they would fail. No act of
theirs can alter the course or shake the resolve of this country. We are a peaceful
people - yet we're not a fragile people, and we will not be intimidated by thugs
and killers. If our enemies dare to strike us, they and all who have aided them, will
face fearful consequences.
We are now acting because the risks of inaction would be far greater. In one year,
or five years, the power of Iraq to inflict harm on all free nations would be
multiplied many times over. With these capabilities, Saddam Hussein and his
terrorist allies could choose the moment of deadly conflict when they are
strongest. We choose to meet that threat now, where it arises, before it can appear
suddenly in our skies and cities.
The cause of peace requires all free nations to recognize new and undeniable
realities. In the 20th century, some chose to appease murderous dictators, whose
threats were allowed to grow into genocide and global war. In this century, when
evil men plot chemical, biological and nuclear terror, a policy of appeasement
could bring destruction of a kind never before seen on this earth.
Terrorists and terror states do not reveal these threats with fair notice, in formal
declarations - and responding to such enemies only after they have struck first is
not self-defense, it is suicide. The security of the world requires disarming
Saddam Hussein now.
As we enforce the just demands of the world, we will also honor the deepest
commitments of our country. Unlike Saddam Hussein, we believe the Iraqi people
are deserving and capable of human liberty. And when the dictator has departed,
they can set an example to all the Middle East of a vital and peaceful and self-
governing nation.
The United States, with other countries, will work to advance liberty and peace in
that region. Our goal will not be achieved overnight, but it can come over time.
The power and appeal of human liberty is felt in every life and every land. And
the greatest power of freedom is to overcome hatred and violence, and turn the
creative gifts of men and women to the pursuits of peace.
That is the future we choose. Free nations have a duty to defend our people by
uniting against the violent. And tonight, as we have done before, America and our
allies accept that responsibility.
55
Good night, and may God continue to bless America
Rove on Iraq: Without W.M.D. Threat, Bush Wouldn’t Have Gone to War
By PETER BAKER
Karl Rove, the chief political adviser to President George W. Bush and architect
of his two successful campaigns for the White House, says in a new memoir that
his former boss probably would not have invaded Iraq had he known there were
no weapons of mass destruction there.
Doug Mills/The New York Times Karl Rove and President Bush in August 2007
after Mr. Rove announced that he was leaving the White House.
Mr. Rove adamantly rejects allegations that the administration deliberately lied
about the presence of weapons in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. But he acknowledges
that the failure to find them badly damaged Mr. Bush’s presidency, and he blames
himself for not countering the narrative that “Bush lied,” calling it “one of the
biggest mistakes of the Bush years.”
The new book by Mr. Rove, who served as senior adviser and deputy chief of staff
in the White House, offers the most expansive account yet of the Bush presidency
by one of the people most responsible for it. Addressing some of the most
controversial and consequential moments of Mr. Bush’s eight years in power, Mr.
Rove takes responsibility for the widely criticized Air Force One flyover after
Hurricane Katrina and writes of his secret fear of being indicted in the C.I.A. leak
case.
For the most part, his book, “Courage and Consequence: My Life as a
Conservative in the Fight,” is an unapologetic defense of Mr. Bush and his
presidency, and takes aim at Democrats, the news media and others for what he
describes as hypocrisy, deceit and vanity. He also describes his own hardscrabble
upbringing in a family broken by divorce and suicide.
What many historians may focus on is his description of the war in Iraq, its
origins and consequences. While many have accused the administration of
drumming up a case for war on the back of false intelligence about Mr. Hussein’s
weapons of mass destruction, or W.M.D., Mr. Rove maintains that the White
House genuinely believed the reports, and pointed to Democrats who accepted
them as valid as well.
Most intriguing is his rumination on what would have happened had Mr. Bush
known the truth. While the opportunity to bring democracy to the Middle East as a
bulwark against Islamic extremism “justified the decision to remove Saddam
Hussein,” Mr. Rove makes clear that from the start, at least, the suspected
weapons and their perceived threat were the primary justification for war.
“Would the Iraq War have occurred without W.M.D.? I doubt it,” he writes.
“Congress was very unlikely to have supported the use-of-force resolution without
the W.M.D. threat. The Bush administration itself would probably have sought
other ways to constrain Saddam, bring about regime change, and deal with Iraq’s
horrendous human rights violations.”
He adds: “So, then, did Bush lie us into war? Absolutely not.” But Mr. Rove said
the White House had only a “weak response” to the harmful allegation, which
became “a poison-tipped dagger aimed at the heart of the Bush presidency.”
“So who was responsible for the failure to respond?” he writes. “I was. I should
have stepped forward, rung the warning bell and pressed for full-scale response. I
didn’t. Preoccupied with the coming campaign and the pressure of the daily
schedule in the West Wing, I did not see how damaging this assault was.”
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