    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [April 23, 2007]
    [Pages 465-466]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Military Leaders and an Exchange With
    Reporters
    April 23, 2007

        The President. It's my high honor to welcome General David
    Petraeus back to the Oval Office, and I
    appreciate Deputy Secretary England and
    General Pace joining us. General Petraeus has
    taken on a very important assignment for the security of our country and
    for the peace of the world, and that is to help this young Iraqi
    democracy become stable, evolve into a country that can defend itself
    and govern itself, and serve as an ally in this war against extremists
    and radicals who wish to do us harm.
        General Petraeus has been there for a
    brief period of time, on his second tour. About a little over half of
    the troops, around half of the troops he's requested have arrived on the
    scene. These troops are all aimed at helping the Iraqi Government find
    the breathing space necessary to do what the people want them to do, and
    that is to reconcile and move forward with a government of and by and
    for the Iraqi people. So, General Petraeus, we welcome you here.
        Gen. David H. Petraeus. Thank you.
        The President. It's a tough time there, as the General will tell the Congress. He's here not only to check
    in with me and other members of my team, but, also, he'll be going up to
    the Hill, going up to the joint session of the Congress to brief the
    Members, both Republican and Democrat, about what's going right and
    what's not going right. He's a straightforward man who is implementing a
    very good plan to achieve our strategic objectives.
        As the General will tell the folks on
    Capitol Hill, there's been some progress. There's been some horrific
    bombings, of course. There's also a decline in sectarian violence. And I
    appreciate you coming, and I really thank you and your family for your
    service to our country.
        I'll answer a couple of questions. Deb [Deb Riechmann, Associated
    Press].

    Emergency Supplemental Appropriations

        Q. Mr. President, Senator Reid says you're in denial about Iraq and
    that Congress is going to pass a bill that includes a fair and
    reasonable timetable for withdrawal. Could you compromise? Could you
    accept anything that looks like that at all?
        The President. I believe strongly that politicians in Washington
    shouldn't be telling generals how to do their job, and I believe
    artificial timetables of withdrawal would be a mistake. A artificial
    timetable of withdrawal would say to an enemy, just wait them out. It
    would say to the Iraqis, don't do hard things necessary to achieve our
    objectives. And it would be discouraging for our troops. And therefore,
    I will strongly reject a artificial timetable withdrawal and/or
    Washington politicians trying to tell those who wear the uniform how to
    do their job.
        I will, of course, be willing to work with the Congress, both
    Republicans and Democrats, on a way forward. That's what I said during
    the Cabinet Room. But I also made it clear that no matter how tough it
    may look, that for the Congress to micromanage this process is a
    mistake.
        Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters].

    Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales

        Q. The Attorney General is still getting a lot of criticism over the
    U.S. attorneys situation. Was his explanation sufficient, or is there
    more he needs to do to try to turn things around?
        The President. The Attorney General went up and gave a very candid
    assessment and answered every question he could possibly answer,
    honestly answer, in a way that

    [[Page 466]]

    increased my confidence in his ability to do the job.
        One of the things that's important for the American people to
    understand is that the Attorney General has a right to recommend to me
    to replace U.S. attorneys; U.S. attorneys serve at the pleasure of the
    President. In other words, we have named them, and I have the right to
    replace them with somebody else. And as the investigation, the hearings
    went forward, it was clear that the Attorney General broke no law, did
    no wrongdoing. And some Senators didn't like his explanation, but he
    answered as honestly as he could. This is an honest, honorable man, in
    whom I have confidence.
        Thank you all for coming. General,
    it's good to have you here.
        Gen. Petraeus. Great to be here, Mr.
    President. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:44 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. Participating in the meeting were Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA,
    commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq; Deputy Secretary of
    Defense Gordon England; and Gen. Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman, Joint
    Chiefs of Staff.