The United States and coalition members will remain to accomplish the basic objectives of removing the regime of Saddam Hussein, locating and destroying all weapons of mass destruction, and ensuring Iraq’s territorial integrity. But the United States has an equal commitment to leave the area as soon as possible, demonstrating that the future of Iraq belongs solely to the Iraqi people.
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/archive/dutyiraq/
Marc Grossman, Under Secretary for Political Affairs
Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Washington, DC
February 11, 2003
http://www.state.gov/p/us/rm/17616.htm
* First, we will demonstrate to the Iraqi people and the world that the United States wants to liberate, not occupy Iraq or control Iraqis or their economic resources.
* Second, we must eliminate Iraq’s chemical and biological weapons, its nuclear program and its related delivery systems
* Third, we must also eliminate Iraq’s terrorist infrastructure.
* Fourth, safeguard the territorial unity of Iraq. The United States does not support Iraq’s disintegration.
* Fifth, begin the process of economic and political reconstruction, working to put Iraq on a path to become a prosperous and free country.