    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [January 13, 2007]
    [Pages 29-31]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    January 13, 2007

        Good morning. On Wednesday night, I addressed the Nation from the
    White House to lay out a new strategy that will

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    help Iraq's democratic Government succeed.
        America's new strategy comes after a difficult year in Iraq. In
    2006, the terrorists and insurgents fought to reverse the extraordinary
    democratic gains the Iraqis have made. In February, the extremists
    bombed a holy Shi'a mosque in a deliberate effort to provoke reprisals
    that would set off a sectarian conflict. They succeeded, and the ongoing
    sectarian violence, especially in Baghdad, is making all other progress
    difficult.
        Only the Iraqis can end the sectarian violence and secure their
    people. Their leaders understand this, and they are stepping forward to
    do it. But they need our help, and it is in our interests to provide
    that help. The changes in our strategy will help the Iraqis in four main
    areas.
        First, we will help the Iraqis execute their aggressive plan to
    secure their capital. Eighty percent of Iraq's sectarian violence occurs
    within 30 miles of Baghdad. The new plan to secure Baghdad fixes the
    problems that prevented previous operations from succeeding. This time,
    there will be adequate Iraqi and U.S. forces to hold the areas that have
    been cleared, including more Iraqi forces and five additional brigades
    of American troops committed to Baghdad. This time, Iraqi and American
    forces will have a green light to enter neighborhoods that are home to
    those fueling sectarian violence. Prime Minister Maliki has pledged that political or sectarian interference with
    security operations will not be tolerated.
        Second, America will step up the fight against Al Qaida in its home
    base in Iraq: Anbar Province. Our military forces in Anbar are killing
    and capturing Al Qaida leaders and protecting the local population.
    Recently, local tribal leaders have begun to show their willingness to
    take on Al Qaida, and, as a result, our commanders believe we have an
    opportunity to deal a serious blow to the terrorists. So I've given
    orders to increase American forces in Anbar Province by 4,000 troops.
    These troops will work with Iraqi and tribal forces to increase the
    pressure on the terrorists. America's men and women in uniform took away
    Al Qaida's safe haven in Afghanistan, and we will not allow them to
    reestablish it in Iraq.
        Third, America will hold the Iraqi Government to benchmarks it has
    announced. These include taking responsibility for security in all of
    Iraq Provinces by November, passing legislation to share oil revenues
    among all Iraqis, and spending $10 billion of its own money on
    reconstruction projects that will create new jobs. These are strong
    commitments, and the Iraqi Government knows that it must meet them or
    lose the support of the Iraqi and the American people.
        Fourth, America will expand our military and diplomatic efforts to
    bolster the security of Iraq and protect American interests in the
    Middle East. We will address the problem of Iran and Syria allowing
    terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of
    Iraq. We will encourage countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and
    the Gulf States to increase their economic assistance to Iraq. Secretary
    Rice has gone to the region to continue the
    urgent diplomacy required to help bring peace to the Middle East.
        My national security team is now making our case on Capitol Hill. We
    recognize that many Members of Congress are skeptical. Some say our
    approach is really just more troops for the same strategy. In fact, we
    have a new strategy with a new mission: helping secure the population,
    especially in Baghdad. Our plan puts Iraqis in the lead.
        Others worry that we are pursuing a purely military solution that
    makes a political solution less likely. In fact, the sectarian violence
    is the main obstacle to a political solution, and the best way to help
    the Iraqis reach this solution is to help them put down this violence.

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        Members of Congress have a right to express their views and express
    them forcefully. But those who refuse to give this plan a chance to work
    have an obligation to offer an alternative that has a better chance for
    success. To oppose everything while proposing nothing is irresponsible.
        Whatever our differences on strategy and tactics, we all have a duty
    to ensure that our troops have what they need to succeed. Thousands of
    young men and women are preparing to join an important mission that will
    in large part determine the outcome in Iraq. Our brave troops should not
    have to wonder if their leaders in Washington will give them what they
    need. I urge Members of Congress to fulfill their responsibilities, make
    their views known, and to always support our men and women in harm's
    way.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:40 a.m. on January 12 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 13. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    January 12, but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In the
    address, the President referred to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of
    Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.