[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.