    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [September 15, 2007]
    [Pages 1201-1202]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    September 15, 2007

        Good morning. This week, General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker
    testified before Congress on the progress of America's strategy in Iraq,
    including the surge in forces. They agreed that our coalition faces
    formidable challenges. Yet they also said that security conditions are
    improving, that our forces are seizing the initiative from the enemy,
    and that the troop surge is working.
        Because of this progress, General Petraeus now believes we can maintain our security gains with fewer
    U.S. troops. He's recommended a force reduction of 5,700 troops in Iraq
    by Christmas, and he expects that by July we will be able to reduce our
    troop levels in Iraq further, from 20 combat brigades to 15. He's also
    recommended that in December we begin a transition to the next phase of
    our strategy in Iraq, in which our troops will shift over time from
    leading operations to partnering with Iraqi forces and, eventually, to
    overwatching those forces.
        I have accepted General Petraeus's
    recommendations, and I have directed that he and Ambassador
    Crocker deliver another report to Congress
    in March. At that time, they will provide a fresh assessment of the
    situation in Iraq and of the troop levels we need to meet our national
    security objectives. The principle that guides my decisions on troop
    levels is return on success. The more successful we are, the more troops
    can return home. And in all we do, I will ensure that our commanders on
    the ground have the troops and flexibility they need to defeat the
    enemy.
        Anbar Province is a good example of the progress we are seeing in
    Iraq. Last year, an intelligence report concluded that Anbar had been
    lost to Al Qaida. But local sheikhs asked for our help to push back the
    terrorists, and so we sent an additional 4,000 marines to Anbar as part
    of the surge. Together, local sheikhs, Iraqi forces, and coalition
    troops drove the terrorists from the capital of Ramadi and other
    population centers. Today, citizens who once feared beheading for
    talking to our troops now come forward to tell us where the terrorists
    are hiding. And young Sunnis who once joined the insurgency are now
    joining the army and police.
        The success in Anbar is beginning to be replicated in other parts of
    Iraq. In Diyala, a Province that was once a sanctuary for extremists, is
    now the site of a growing popular uprising against the extremists. In
    Baghdad, sectarian killings are down, and life is beginning to return to
    normal in many parts of the city. Groups of Shi'a extremists and
    Iranian-backed militants are being broken up, and many of their leaders
    are being captured or killed. These gains are a tribute to our military,
    to Iraqi forces, and to an Iraqi Government that has decided to take on
    the extremists.
        The success of a free Iraq is critical to the security of the United
    States. If we were to be driven out of Iraq, extremists of all strains
    would be emboldened, Al Qaida could find new recruits and new

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    sanctuaries, and a failed Iraq could increase the likelihood that our
    forces would someday have to return and confront extremists even more
    entrenched and even more deadly. By contrast, a free Iraq will deny Al
    Qaida a safe haven, it will counter the destructive ambitions of Iran,
    and it will serve as a partner in the fight against terrorism.
        In this struggle, we have brave allies who are making great
    sacrifices to defeat the terrorists. One of these Iraqis was a man named
    Sheikh Abdul Sattar. He was
    one of the tribal leaders I met on my recent visit to Iraq, who was
    helping us to drive Al Qaida out of Anbar Province. His father was
    killed by Al Qaida in 2004. And when we met Sheikh Sattar, he told me,
    quote, ``We have suffered a great deal from terrorism. We strongly
    support the democracy you have called for.'' Earlier this week, this
    brave tribal sheikh was murdered. A fellow Sunni leader declared, ``We are determined to strike back and
    continue our work.'' We mourn the loss of brave Iraqis like Sheikh
    Sattar, and we stand with those who are continuing the fight.
        If Iraq's young democracy can turn back its enemies, it will mean a
    more hopeful Middle East and a more secure America. So we will help the
    Iraqi people defeat those who threaten their future and also threaten
    ours.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at approximately 7:50 a.m. on September
    14 in the Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on
    September 15. In his remarks, the President referred to Gen. David H.
    Petraeus, USA, commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq; and
    Jubeir Rashid, member, Anbar Salvation Council. The transcript was made
    available by the Office of the Press Secretary on September 14, but was
    embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of the Press
    Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.