President George W. Bush said Monday night that he shares the desire of every American to see the war on terror come to an end. But the president warned that the battle will not end until an "evil" enemy motivated by a "perverted version of Islam" is destroyed.

"America did not ask for this war, and every American wishes it were over. So do I," Bush said. "But the war is not over -- and it will not be over until either we or the extremists emerge victorious."

Speaking from the Oval Office, the president said much has been learned since the 9/11 attacks about the character of the members and supporters or al Qaeda who, he said, "are evil and kill without mercy -- but not without purpose."

"We have learned that they form a global network of extremists who are driven by a perverted vision of Islam -- a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance, and despises all dissent," the president explained. "And we have learned that their goal is to build a radical Islamic empire where women are prisoners in their homes, men are beaten for missing prayer meetings, and terrorists have a safe haven to plan and launch attacks on America and other civilized nations."

Bush acknowledged that he is "often asked why we're in Iraq when Saddam Hussein was not responsible for the 9/11 attacks."

"The answer is that the regime of Saddam Hussein was a clear threat," he explained. "My administration, the Congress, and the United Nations saw the threat -- and after 9/11, Saddam's regime posed a risk that the world could not afford to take."

Those fighting against U.S., coalition and Iraqi military and police forces in Iraq, the president argued, are not just die-hard supporters of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

"Al Qaeda and other extremists from across the world have come to Iraq to stop the rise of a free society in the heart of the Middle East," Bush said. "They have joined the remnants of Saddam's regime and other armed groups to foment sectarian violence and drive us out."

The president called the war against these Islamo-fascist terrorists "more than a military conflict."

"It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century," he said, "and the calling of our generation."

Bush issued a warning to those who believe the U.S. can simply pull its troops out of Iraq with little or no consequences.

"If we do not defeat these enemies now, we will leave our children to face a Middle East overrun by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons," Bush said. "We are in a war that will set the course for this new century -- and determine the destiny of millions across the world."

Bush gave another nod to critics, acknowledging that mistakes had been made in Iraq. But he vowed that American troops would not leave the country until Iraqi troops can defend their government and that government can keep its people free from radical Islamists.

"Whatever mistakes have been made in Iraq, the worst mistake would be to think that if we pulled out, the terrorists would leave us alone. They will not leave us alone," he cautioned. "They will follow us. The safety of America depends on the outcome of the battle in the streets of Baghdad."

The president declared that those who are currently plotting to "destroy our way of life" will face the same fate as enemies America has defeated in the past. He concluded his remarks with religious references common in his less political, more motivational speeches.

"The attacks were meant to bring us to our knees, and they did, but not in the way the terrorists intended," Bush explained. "Americans united in prayer, came to the aid of neighbors in need, and resolved that our enemies would not have the last word.

"The spirit of our people is the source of America's strength," he concluded. "And we go forward with trust in that spirit, confidence in our purpose, and faith in a loving God who made us to be free."
"America did not ask for this war, and every American wishes it were over. So do I," Bush said. "But the war is not over -- and it will not be over until either we or the extremists emerge victorious."

Speaking from the Oval Office, the president said much has been learned since the 9/11 attacks about the character of the members and supporters or al Qaeda who, he said, "are evil and kill without mercy -- but not without purpose."

"We have learned that they form a global network of extremists who are driven by a perverted vision of Islam -- a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance, and despises all dissent," the president explained. "And we have learned that their goal is to build a radical Islamic empire where women are prisoners in their homes, men are beaten for missing prayer meetings, and terrorists have a safe haven to plan and launch attacks on America and other civilized nations."

Bush acknowledged that he is "often asked why we're in Iraq when Saddam Hussein was not responsible for the 9/11 attacks."

"The answer is that the regime of Saddam Hussein was a clear threat," he explained. "My administration, the Congress, and the United Nations saw the threat -- and after 9/11, Saddam's regime posed a risk that the world could not afford to take."

Those fighting against U.S., coalition and Iraqi military and police forces in Iraq, the president argued, are not just die-hard supporters of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

"Al Qaeda and other extremists from across the world have come to Iraq to stop the rise of a free society in the heart of the Middle East," Bush said. "They have joined the remnants of Saddam's regime and other armed groups to foment sectarian violence and drive us out."

The president called the war against these Islamo-fascist terrorists "more than a military conflict."

"It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century," he said, "and the calling of our generation."

Bush issued a warning to those who believe the U.S. can simply pull its troops out of Iraq with little or no consequences.

"If we do not defeat these enemies now, we will leave our children to face a Middle East overrun by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons," Bush said. "We are in a war that will set the course for this new century -- and determine the destiny of millions across the world."

Bush gave another nod to critics, acknowledging that mistakes had been made in Iraq. But he vowed that American troops would not leave the country until Iraqi troops can defend their government and that government can keep its people free from radical Islamists.

"Whatever mistakes have been made in Iraq, the worst mistake would be to think that if we pulled out, the terrorists would leave us alone. They will not leave us alone," he cautioned. "They will follow us. The safety of America depends on the outcome of the battle in the streets of Baghdad."

The president declared that those who are currently plotting to "destroy our way of life" will face the same fate as enemies America has defeated in the past. He concluded his remarks with religious references common in his less political, more motivational speeches.

"The attacks were meant to bring us to our knees, and they did, but not in the way the terrorists intended," Bush explained. "Americans united in prayer, came to the aid of neighbors in need, and resolved that our enemies would not have the last word.

"The spirit of our people is the source of America's strength," he concluded. "And we go forward with trust in that spirit, confidence in our purpose, and faith in a loving God who made us to be free."

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