[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
[November 30, 2006]
[Pages 2141-2142]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Nuri al-
Maliki of Iraq
November 30, 2006

    We were pleased to continue our consultations on building security 
and stability in Iraq. We are grateful to His Majesty King Abdullah 
II of Jordan for hosting these meetings here 
in Amman.
    Our discussions reviewed developments in Iraq, focusing on the 
security situation

[[Page 2142]]

and our common concern about sectarian violence targeting innocent 
Iraqis. In this regard, the Prime Minister affirms the commitment of his 
government to advance efforts toward national reconciliation and the 
need for all Iraqis and political forces in Iraq to work against armed 
elements responsible for violence and intimidation. The Prime Minister 
also affirms his determination with help from the United States and the 
international community to improve the efficiency of government 
operations, particularly in confronting corruption and strengthening the 
rule of law.
    We discussed the plague of terrorism in Iraq which is being fomented 
and fueled by Al Qaeda. The people of Iraq, like the people of the 
United States and the entire civilized world, must stand together to 
face this common threat. The Prime Minister affirmed that Iraq is a 
partner in the fight against Al Qaeda. We agreed that defeating Al Qaeda 
and the terrorists is vital to ensuring the success of Iraq's democracy. 
We discussed the means by which the United States will enhance Iraq's 
capabilities to further isolate extremists and bring all who choose 
violence and terror to full justice under Iraqi law.
    We agreed in particular to take all necessary measures to track down 
and bring to justice those responsible for the cowardly attacks last 
week in Sadr City. The Prime Minister has also pledged to bring to 
justice those responsible for crimes committed in the wake of this 
attack.
    We discussed accelerating the transfer of security responsibilities 
to the Government of Iraq; our hopes for strengthening the future 
relationship between our two nations; and joint efforts to achieve 
greater cooperation from governments in the region and to counter those 
elements that are fueling the conflict.
    We received an interim report from the high-level Joint Committee on 
Accelerating the Transferring of Security Responsibility, and encouraged 
the Committee to continue its good work. We agreed that reform of the 
Iraqi security ministries and agencies and addressing the issue of 
militias should be accelerated. The ultimate solution to stabilizing 
Iraq and reducing violence is true national reconciliation and capable 
and loyal Iraqi forces dedicated to protecting all the Iraqi people.
    We are committed to continuing to build the partnership between our 
two countries as we work together to strengthen a stable, democratic, 
and unified Iraq.

Note: The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
version of this joint statement. An original was not available for 
verification of the content of this joint statement.