    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [February 16, 2007]
    [Pages 156-157]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With United States Ambassador-Designate to
    Iraq Ryan C. Crocker
    February 16, 2007

        The President. I just had a lengthy conversation with our nominee to
    be the Ambassador from the United States to Iraq. I've gotten to know
    Ambassador Ryan

    [[Page 157]]

    Crocker during my time as President because he's been--fulfilled a very
    important mission for the United States, and that is the Ambassador to
    Pakistan, where he served ably and served well. And I'm confident I
    picked the right man to be our new Ambassador in Iraq.
        The Ambassador will follow General David Petraeus into Iraq. So now we've got a new military commander and a
    new head of our diplomatic mission there. These are two competent
    individuals who will help us implement our new strategy in the country
    of Iraq. And that new strategy has said that we're going to help this
    young Iraqi Government be able to sustain itself and defend itself by
    enforcing security in the capital city.
        I was telling the Ambassador that I had a visit today with Prime
    Minister Maliki via secure SVTS. I was
    pleased that he's meeting benchmarks that he had set out for his
    Government. One of the benchmarks was to move Iraqi troops into the city
    of Baghdad--troops that will be complemented by our own troops. He is
    meeting those obligations. A second such benchmark is that he would
    change the rules of engagement so that criminals, regardless of their
    religion, would be brought to justice in equal fashion. He is meeting
    that benchmark. Thirdly, he passed a budget, of which $10 billion is
    available for reconstruction. He said he would do that; the budget has
    been passed; he has met that benchmark. And that's good news for the
    Iraqi people, and it should give people here in the United States
    confidence that this Government knows its responsibilities and is
    following through on those responsibilities.
        And so the Ambassador heads into a really important assignment,
    carrying a message of hope to the Iraqi people that the United States
    wants them to succeed, and a message of urgency to the Iraqi Government
    that our patience is not unlimited and that we expect that Government to
    perform. And as I said, I was able to tell the Prime Minister how much, how closely we're watching, that we've got
    a good, new man coming as Ambassador, and that we appreciate the fact
    that he's beginning to meet the benchmarks that he set out for his
    people.
        Mr. Ambassador, Godspeed, and thank you.
        Ambassador-designate Crocker. Thank you, sir. Pleased to have your
    confidence.
        The President. Thank you.
        By the way, we're looking forward to quick Senate confirmation. He's
    had his hearing. And of course, when I call him ``Ambassador,'' it's not
    Ambassador to Iraq--it's Ambassador-designee to Iraq--but Ambassador now
    in Pakistan. And the Senate needs to confirm him as quickly as possible
    so he can join General Petraeus and do the
    job.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:43 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA,
    commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq; and Prime Minister Nuri
    al-Maliki of Iraq.