*Administration of Barack H. Obama, 2009 *

**Statement on a Meeting on the Situation in Iraq **

*January 21, 2009 *

This afternoon I met with our Ambassador to Iraq, the commander in Iraq, and the overall theater commander in the region in order to get a full update on the situation in Iraq. Key members of my Cabinet and senior national security officials also participated in this meeting.

The meeting was productive, and I very much appreciated receiving assessments from these experienced and dedicated individuals. During the discussion, I asked the military leadership to engage in additional planning necessary to execute a responsible military drawdown from Iraq.

In the coming days and weeks, I will also visit the Department of Defense to consult with the Joint Chiefs on these issues, and we will undertake a full review of the situation in Afghanistan in order to develop a comprehensive policy for the entire region.

NOTE: The statement referred to Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, USA, commanding general, Multi-National Forces—Iraq; and David H. Petraeus, USA, commander, U.S. Central Command.

*Categories:* Statements by the President : Iraq, situation in.

*Names:* Crocker, Ryan C.; Odierno, Raymond T.; Petraeus, David H.

*Subjects:* Iraq : U.S. military forces :: Deployment; Iraq : U.S. military forces :: Deployment.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD200900054.