    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [September 14, 2007]
    [Pages 1199-1200]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Luncheon With Military Personnel at Marine Corps
    Base Quantico, Virginia
    September 14, 2007

        It's my honor to come to Quantico to speak to our general officers--
    our officers and sergeants who train young lieutenants. And I had a
    chance to speak to some of the lieutenants. First of all, I--my first
    impression is, it's an amazing country where people volunteer in the
    face of danger. A lot of these lieutenant--Marine lieutenants fully
    understand the nature of the world in which we live. And they're willing
    to serve. They're willing to serve to protect and defend this country,
    and they're willing to serve to help shape the conditions so that the
    world is more peaceful.
        I told them about my speech last night. I told them that I'd
    listened very carefully to the recommendations of the military, in
    particular, General Petraeus, and that the
    plan I announced was that we're making enough--based upon the fact we're
    making enough success in Iraq, that we can begin bringing some troops
    home; that I told the American people last night that we've got what's
    called return on success. I also told them that our commanders will have
    the flexibility and the troops needed to achieve the mission, which is
    an ally in this war on terror and a stable country that can self govern,
    a democracy in the heart of the Middle East.
        I made it clear that the sacrifices that they and their families
    were going to make were necessary for the short-term and long-term
    security of the country; that we'd rather defeat the enemy overseas than
    have to face them here; that we fully understand--or I fully understand
    that if we were to be driven out of Iraq that the Middle East could be
    in chaos, and chaos would embolden Sunni extremists like Al Qaida, and
    chaos would embolden Iran; and that it's in our interests that we help
    Iraq succeed--it's not only in the interest--our interests, but it's
    also in the Iraqis' interests.
        I made it clear to them that there's a lot of courage in Iraq. These
    Iraqis are in the fight. But I also made it clear to them that we expect
    the Iraqi Government to enhance national reconciliation through the
    passage of law. I told them that I was able to give the speech because
    of the progress being made. I hope the American people listened very
    carefully to what our commanders and Ambassador Crocker had to say. They're there; they understand the progress
    that's being made.
        I also made it clear that now's the chance for us to come together
    as a nation, that some of us who believe security was paramount were on
    opposite sides of a debate, where people said, ``We just simply need to
    bring our troops home.'' Well, now we've got security in the right
    direction, and we are bringing our troops home. And I call upon the
    United States Congress to listen very carefully to what General
    Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker reported and support the troop levels that these two
    men think are necessary to achieve our objective. I also expect the
    Congress to support our men and women in uniform and their families and
    those who have worn the uniform.
        And so it's a great honor to be out here to speak with an incredible
    group of men and women. It's my honor to be their Commander in Chief.
        Thank you for your time.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:43 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding general, Multi-National Force--
    Iraq.

    [[Page 1200]]