    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [June 12, 2006]
    [Pages 1116-1117]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With the Interagency Team on Iraq at Camp
    David, Maryland
    June 12, 2006

        I want to thank Generals Abizaid and
    Casey, as well as Ambassador
    Khalilzad for the last--for the briefing
    for the last 3 hours. I thought your assessment of the situation in Iraq
    was very realistic. I think your recommendations to us on how to win in
    Iraq, to have an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself, and defend
    itself are--your recommendations are valid.
        I look forward to continuing to visit with you later on this
    afternoon about how we can help this new Government succeed.
    Zal, you've been--I just want to thank you
    all very much for remaining in theater and working as hard as you are.
    You're making a significant difference.
        And again, please give my best congratulations to the troops on the
    ground for

    [[Page 1117]]

    bringing Zarqawi to justice. I fully recognize that's not going to end
    the war. On the other hand, it was a major blow to Al Qaida and the
    killers and terrorists that are trying to spread violence and suffering
    and stop the emergence of a new democracy.
        Zal, we left off where you were talking
    about the way forward in Iraq and your perception of this new
    Government.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:33 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    Gen. John P. Abizaid, USA, commander, U.S. Central Command; Gen. George
    W. Casey, Jr., USA, commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq; U.S.
    Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad; and senior Al Qaida associate Abu
    Musab Al Zarqawi, who was killed in Baquba, Iraq, on June 7. A portion
    of these remarks could not be verified because the tape was incomplete.