[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

[[Page 1202]]

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.