    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [January 5, 2006]
    [Pages 8-9]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Military and Diplomatic Leaders
    January 5, 2006

        It's been my honor to host former Secretaries of State and
    Secretaries of Defense from Republican administrations and Democratic
    administrations here at the White House. I've asked Secretary Rice and Secretary Rumsfeld and Ambassador Khalilzad and
    General Casey to bring these men and
    women up to date on our strategy for victory in Iraq.
        I've also had a chance to listen to their concerns, their
    suggestions about the way forward. Not everybody around this table agree
    with my decision to go into Iraq, and I fully understand that. But these
    are good, solid Americans who understand that we've got to succeed now
    that we're there. And I'm most grateful for the suggestions that have
    been given. We take to heart the advice. We appreciate your experience,
    and we appreciate you taking time out of your day.
        We have a dual-track strategy for victory. On the one hand, we will
    work to have a political process that says to all Iraqis, ``The future
    belongs to you.'' And on the other hand, we'll continue to work on the
    security situation there. The main thrust of our success will be when
    the Iraqis are able to take the fight to the enemy that wants to stop
    their democracy, and we're making darn good progress along those lines.
        Again, I want to thank you all for coming. I appreciate your
    interests. I appreciate you being such a solid citizen of our country.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:31 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Gen. George W. Casey, Jr.,
    USA, commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq. Participating in
    the

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    meeting were former Secretaries of State Colin L. Powell, Madeleine K.
    Albright, Lawrence S. Eagleburger, James A. Baker III, George P. Shultz,
    and Alexander M. Haig, Jr.; and former Secretaries of Defense William S.
    Cohen, William J. Perry, Frank C. Carlucci, Harold Brown, James R.
    Schlesinger, Melvin R. Laird, and Robert S. McNamara.