    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [August 11, 2007]
    [Pages 1066-1068]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    August 11, 2007

        Good morning. In America, August is considered a slow news month.
    But in the war on terror, America and our allies remain on the offense
    against our enemies. And this month, we've had some encouraging news
    from both Afghanistan and Iraq.
        Earlier this week, I had a good meeting with President
    Karzai of Afghanistan at Camp David. He updated
    me on the work his Government is doing to help build a more hopeful
    future for the Afghan people. He told me that senior officials and
    tribal leaders from Afghanistan and Pakistan are meeting to discuss how
    to deal with the extremists who are targeting both their countries. And
    he explained why he's confident that his Government will prevail against
    the Taliban remnants who continue to launch attacks throughout his
    country.
        Here's how President Karzai put it: ``The
    Taliban do pose dangers to our innocent people. [But] they are not
    posing any threat to the Government of Afghanistan; they are not posing
    any threat to the institutions of Afghanistan or to the buildup of
    institutions of Afghanistan.'' He continued: The Taliban ``is a force
    that's defeated,'' and it is ``acting in cowardice by killing children

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    going to school.'' In other words, the Taliban fighters can still launch
    attacks on the innocent, but they cannot stop the march of democracy in
    Afghanistan.
        In Iraq, we're working to help put the Iraqi Government on the same
    path. The surge that General Petraeus and
    our troops are carrying out is designed to help provide security for the
    Iraqi people, especially in Baghdad, and aid the rise of an Iraqi
    Government that can protect its people, deliver basic services for all
    its citizens, and serve as an ally in the war on terror. Our new
    strategy is delivering good results, and our commanders recently
    reported more good news.
        One encouraging development was a coalition airstrike that killed a
    terrorist named al-Badri earlier this month. Al-Badri was the mastermind
    of the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra, one of Shi'a Islam's
    holiest shrines. That bombing sparked the escalation in sectarian
    violence we saw in 2006. Al-Badri was the most notorious Al Qaida
    commander in Samarra. He sheltered foreign terrorists, and he was
    responsible for attacks that claimed many innocent lives. His death is a
    victory for a free Iraq and a sign that America and the Iraqi Government
    will not surrender the future of Iraq to coldblooded killers.
        Al-Badri is just one of the many Al Qaida leaders and other
    extremists who are coming under a withering assault across Iraq. Only a
    year ago, Al Qaida ruled places like Ramadi, terrorizing the local
    population and intimidating local authorities. Today, Al Qaida has
    largely been driven out of these cities, markets and schools are
    reopening, and normal life is returning. And since January, each month
    we have killed or captured an average of more than 1,500 Al Qaida
    terrorists and other enemies of Iraq's elected Government.
        Our surge is seizing the initiative from the enemy and handing it to
    the Iraqi people, and Iraqis are responding. Local residents are coming
    forward with tips that are helping U.S. and Iraqi forces rout out
    terrorists hiding among the population. While political progress has
    been slower than we had hoped, the Iraqi Parliament passed more than 50
    pieces of legislation in its most recent session. They approved a $41
    billion budget, created an electoral commission and military courts, and
    laid the groundwork for private sector investment in production of
    gasoline and diesel fuel. At the same time, Iraqi forces have taken
    responsibility for security in a number of areas. They are taking losses
    at a much higher rate than we are. And they're making these sacrifices
    willingly, because they are determined to see their children live in
    freedom.
        The enemy in Iraq is still dangerous, and the surge is still in its
    early stages. Changing conditions on the ground is difficult work, but
    our troops are proving that it can be done. They are carrying out their
    mission with skill and honor. They are accomplishing great things for
    the future of our Nation and for the future of a free Iraq.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 8 a.m. on August 10 in Kennebunkport,
    ME, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on August 11. In his address, he
    referred to Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding general, Multi-
    National Force--Iraq. The transcript was made available by the Office of
    the Press Secretary on August 10, 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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