    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [August 27, 2007]
    [Page 1110]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Congratulating Iraqi Leaders at Kirtland Air Force Base, New
    Mexico
    August 27, 2007

        I congratulate Iraq's leaders on the agreement reached yesterday in
    Baghdad. I've been briefed on the agreement, and this morning I spoke to
    Iraq's elected leaders. These leaders represent all the Iraqi
    communities. These leaders of Prime Minister Maliki, President Talabani, Vice
    President Hashimi, Vice President Abd Al-
    Mahdi, President Barzani recognize the true and meaningful
    reconciliation that needs to take place, and they recognize this is a
    process. Yesterday's agreement reflects their commitment to work
    together for the benefit of all Iraqis to further the process.
        The agreement begins to establish new power-sharing agreements and
    commits to supporting bottom-up security and political initiatives and
    advances agreement among Iraq's leadership on several key legislative
    benchmarks.
        While yesterday's agreement is an important step, I reminded them,
    and they understand, much more needs to be done. The Iraqi parliament
    will convene again in early September, and it will need to act to codify
    this political progress.
        It's in our interests that we help the Iraqi people succeed. Success
    in Iraq will be a major blow to the extremists and radicals who would
    like to attack America again. And that's why the United States will
    continue to support Iraq's leaders and all the Iraqi people in their
    efforts to overcome the forces of terror that seek to overthrow a
    nascent democracy.
        In this regard, I welcome and accept the expressed desire of the
    Iraqi leadership to develop a long-term relationship with the United
    States based on common interests. The United States is committed to
    developing this relationship and to strengthening diplomatic, economic,
    and security ties with the Iraqi Government and its people.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:33 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, and Vice
    Presidents Tariq al-Hashimi and Adil Abd Al-Mahdi of Iraq; and Masoud
    Barzani, president, Kurdistan region in Iraq. The Office of the Press
    Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.