    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [October 5, 2005]
    [Pages 1519-1520]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Secretary of Defense Donald H.
    Rumsfeld
    October 5, 2005

        The President. I just had a briefing from Secretary Rumsfeld and
    General Pace on our ongoing operations in the
    western part of Iraq. As you know, we're on the offense against
    insurgents and terrorists. We fully understand they intend to disrupt
    the constitutional process, or will try to do so, as well as stop the
    progress of democracy. And part of the way the Pentagon and the folks on
    the ground are going to deal with it is to stay on the offense, and
    that's what's taking place.
        I was also pleased to hear there are 3,000 Iraqi forces in the
    fight, that they're doing a fine job out there, that they're--they make
    a difference on the battlefield.
        We also have General Petraeus with us,
    who has served incredibly well in Iraq. His job was to help U.S. forces
    and coalition forces train the Iraqis so they can take the fight to the
    enemy. He briefed me and will be briefing the country at the Pentagon
    here a little later on, about the strong progress that we're making,
    that we've recruited a lot of folks, but we've got more than just
    recruitment going on. We've got a quality control program in place to
    make sure that the troops we train are capable of taking the fight to
    the enemy. Over 30 percent of the Iraqi troops are in the lead on these
    offensive operations. We've got troops embedded with them, and it's
    important for the training mission. But, nevertheless, the Iraqis are
    showing more and more capability to take the fight to the enemy. And
    that's how we're going to succeed in helping democracy become
    established in Iraq.
        I've told the American people all along, our troops will stay there
    as long as necessary. We'll do the job. We'll train these folks, and as
    they become more capable, we will be able to bring folks home with the
    honor they've earned.
        And we're seeing progress on the ground, and we're also seeing
    political progress on the ground. The constitution has been written.
    Folks will have a chance to vote it up or down here this month. And then
    there will be elections, if the constitution is approved, for a
    permanent government.
        So on the one hand, we're making progress when it comes to training
    Iraqis to take the fight to the enemy. We're bringing the enemy to
    justice. We're on the offense. On the other hand, democracy is moving
    forward in a part of the world that is so desperate for democracy and so
    desperate for freedom.
        And so, General, I want to thank you for your service--General
    Petraeus.
        Lt. Gen. Petraeus. Thank you, sir.
        The President. Thank you for your service too. But thank you for
    your service. You've done a fine job.
        Lt. Gen. Petraeus. Thank you, sir.

    [[Page 1520]]

        The President. I'm proud of you. Thank you all very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:43 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Gen. Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman,
    Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, former
    commander, Multi-National Security Transition Command--Iraq.