    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [August 25, 2007]
    [Pages 1107-1109]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    August 25, 2007

        Good morning. This week, I traveled to Kansas City to address the
    annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I spoke about the
    ideological struggle that our Nation faces in the 21st century and the
    lessons we can draw from the advance of freedom in Asia in the 20th
    century. America's enduring presence and perseverance on that continent
    aided the rise of democracy, helped transform American enemies into
    American allies, and made our country safer.
        Next week, I will address the members of the American Legion at
    their annual convention in Reno. In that speech, I will focus on the
    Middle East and why the rise of a free and democratic Iraq is critical
    to the future of this vital region and to our Nation's security.
        I will also provide an update on the developments we are seeing from
    our new strategy in Iraq. Every month since January, U.S. forces have
    killed or captured an average of more than 1,500 Al Qaida terrorists and
    other extremists. And in June, our troops launched a surge of operations
    that is helping bring former Sunni insurgents into the fight against Al
    Qaida, clear the terrorists out of population centers, and give families
    in liberated Iraqi cities a safer and more normal life.

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        As security improves, more Iraqis are stepping forward to defend
    their democracy. Young Iraqi men are signing up for the army. Iraqi
    police are now patrolling the streets. Coalition and Iraqi forces have
    doubled the number of joint operations. As the Iraqi people feel more
    secure, they are also forming neighborhood watch groups. They're
    volunteering important information about the terrorists and extremists
    hiding in their midst. And the increase in tips helps account for the
    marked reduction in sectarian murders.
        By driving out the terrorists from cities and neighborhoods, we're
    creating the conditions for reconciliation, especially at the local
    level. In communities across Iraq, citizens are seeing their local and
    Provincial governments return to operation. Despite continuing violence,
    leaders in places like Anbar, Najaf, and Ninawa are now working through
    local Provincial councils to approve funds to finance the rebuilding of
    homes and neighborhoods, to fight corruption, and to create new jobs.
        Here at home, it can be easy to overlook the bravery shown by Iraqi
    troops and Iraqi civilians who are in the fight for freedom. But our
    troops on the ground see it every day. Last week, a team of American
    soldiers was meeting with an Iraqi citizens group near Baghdad.
    Suddenly, a suicide bomber came running around a corner and headed
    straight for our soldiers and the Iraqi civilians.
        One Iraqi man saw what was happening and ran to intercept the
    bomber. As he pushed the terrorist away, the bomb detonated, killing
    both men, but sparing four American soldiers and eight Iraqi civilians.
    Army Staff Sergeant Sean Kane is one of those who
    says he owes his life to this brave Iraqi. Sergeant Kane says, ``He
    could have run behind us or away from us, but he made the decision to
    sacrifice himself to protect everyone.'' Sergeant Kane spoke to the
    Iraqi man's father, who said that even if his son had known the outcome
    beforehand, he ``[would not] have acted differently.''
        The story does not end there. Later that same night, the citizens
    group contacted the local director of the National Police and told him
    the location of the Al Qaida cell believed to be responsible for the
    attack. The National Police immediately conducted a raid that resulted
    in four arrests.
        We are still in the early stages of our new operations. But the
    success of the past couple of months have shown that conditions on the
    ground can change, and they are changing. We cannot expect the new
    strategy we are carrying out to bring success overnight. But by standing
    with the Iraqi people as they build their democracy, we will deliver a
    devastating blow to Al Qaida, we will help provide new hope for millions
    of people throughout the Middle East, we will gain a friend and ally in
    the war on terror, and we will make the American people safer.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 8:20 a.m. on August 24 at the Bush
    Ranch in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on August 25. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    August 24, but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.

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