    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [April 29, 2006]
    [Pages 832-833]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    April 29, 2006

        Good morning. Last weekend, the people of Iraq formed a national
    unity government. This is an important milestone on the road to
    democracy in Iraq, and it marks the beginning of a new chapter in
    America's involvement. Last Sunday, I talked to the President, Prime Minister-designate,
    and Speaker of the new Government.
    And this week, I sent Secretary of State Rice and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld to Baghdad to meet face to face with the new Iraqi
    leadership. We've all been impressed by the Iraqi leaders' commitment to
    maintain the unity of their country and effectively represent the Iraqi
    people.
         The new Iraqi Government will face many challenges. Iraqi leaders
    agree that the new Government must continue to build up the Iraqi
    security forces to defeat the terrorists and must establish control over
    militias. They also agree that the new Government must rebuild critical
    infrastructure, strengthen the Iraqi economy, and ensure that all Iraqis
    benefit as their nation grows in security and prosperity.
         During their meetings in Baghdad, Secretaries Rice and Rumsfeld made
    clear that Iraq will have the continued support of America and our
    coalition partners as we begin the new chapter in our relationship. We
    will help the new Iraqi Government assume growing responsibility for the
    Nation's security. And as Iraqis continue to make progress toward a
    democracy that can govern itself, defend itself, and sustain itself,
    more of our troops can come home with the honor they have earned.
         The terrorists clearly recognize the threat that the new unity
    Government poses to their dark plans for Iraq and the broader Middle
    East. This week, the terrorist Zarqawi,
    leader of Al Qaida in Iraq, released a video in which he denounced the
    new Government and promised further acts of terrorist violence. Zarqawi
    lashed out at what he called ``this rotten play of democracy'' and
    declared that Iraq's new Government will become ``a poisoned dagger'' in
    the heart of his plans for the Muslim world.
         On Wednesday, Iraq's leaders united to strongly condemn
    Zarqawi's statements. One Iraqi
    official declared that the terrorists and insurgents, quote, ``are
    feeling this might be the last chance they have to survive. They're
    fighting everyone in Iraq--every Iraqi. I think that shows how weak they
    are,'' end quote. A newly appointed first Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi
    Parliament said that Zarqawi fears the new Government will unify Shiites
    and Sunnis and Kurds. He said, quote, ``I believe that Zarqawi was
    caught off guard by the new Government taking shape, because it will be
    a very strong one representing all Iraqis,'' end quote.
         The new leaders of Iraq are showing great courage in the face of
    terrorist threats. In recent weeks, terrorists have assassinated three
    siblings of top Iraqi politicians, but the new leaders of Iraq remain
    determined to lead their nation toward a future of democracy and peace.
    These

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    brave leaders deserve our continued support, and I have told them they
    can count on America to stand with them.
        The enemy is resorting to desperate acts of violence because they
    know the establishment of democracy in Iraq will be a double defeat for
    them. First, it will deny the terrorists their immediate aim of turning
    Iraq into what Afghanistan was under the Taliban--a safe haven where
    they can plot and plan more attacks against free nations. Second, in the
    long term, a democratic Iraq will be a major blow to the terrorists'
    hateful ideology, because it will send a powerful message across the
    region that the future of the Middle East belongs to freedom.
        There will be more tough fighting ahead in Iraq and more days of
    sacrifice and struggle. Yet the enemies of freedom have suffered a real
    blow in recent days, and we have taken great strides on the march to
    victory. Iraq's leaders now have laid the foundations for a democratic
    government of, by, and for the Iraqi people. By helping the Iraqi people
    build their democracy, America will deal the terrorists a crippling blow
    and establish a beacon of liberty in the Middle East. And that will make
    our Nation and the world more secure.
         Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:52 a.m. on April 28 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 29. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    April 28 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his
    address, the President referred to President Jalal Talabani, Prime
    Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki, Speaker of the Parliament Mahmoud al-
    Mashhadani, and First Deputy Speaker Khaled Atea of Iraq. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this
    address.