    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [April 12, 2008]
    [Pages 498-499]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    April 12, 2008

        Good morning. Fifteen months ago this week, I announced the surge.
    And this week, General Petraeus and
    Ambassador Crocker gave Congress a detailed
    report on the results.
        Since the surge began, American and Iraqi forces have made
    significant progress. While there's more to be done, sectarian violence,
    civilian deaths, and military deaths are down. Improvements in security
    have helped clear the way for political and economic progress. The Iraqi
    Government has passed a budget and three major benchmark laws. And many
    economic indicators are now pointed in the right direction.
        Serious and complex challenges remain in Iraq. Yet with the surge, a
    major strategic shift has occurred. Fifteen months ago, extremists were
    sowing sectarian violence. Today, many mainstream Sunni and Shi'a are
    actively confronting the extremists. Fifteen months ago, Al Qaida was
    using bases in Iraq to kill our troops and terrorize Iraqis. Today, we
    have put Al Qaida on the defensive in Iraq, and now we are working to
    deliver a crippling blow. Fifteen months ago, Americans were worried
    about the prospect of failure in Iraq. Today, thanks to the surge, we've
    revived the prospect of success in Iraq.
        This week, General Petraeus reported
    that security conditions have improved enough to withdraw all five surge
    brigades. By July 31, the number of U.S. combat brigades in Iraq will be
    down 25 percent from the year before. Beyond that, General Petraeus says
    he will need time to assess how this reduced American presence will
    affect conditions on the ground before making recommendations on further
    reductions. I've told him he'll have time he needs to make his
    assessment.
        Our job in the period ahead is to stand with the Iraqi Government as
    it makes the transition to responsibility for its own security and its
    own destiny. So what would this transition look like? On the security
    front, we will stay on the offense, continue to support the Iraqi
    security forces, continue to transfer security responsibilities to them,
    and move, over time, into an overwatch role.
        On the economic front, Iraq's economy is growing. Iraq is assuming
    responsibility for almost all the funding of large-scale reconstruction
    projects, and our share of security costs is dropping as well. On the
    political front, Iraq is planning to hold elections that will provide a
    way for Iraqis to settle disputes through the political process instead
    of through violence.
        All our efforts are aimed at a clear goal: a free Iraq that can
    protect its people, support itself economically, and take charge of its
    own political affairs. And no one wants to achieve that goal more than
    the Iraqis themselves.
        The turnaround that our men and women in uniform have made possible
    in Iraq is a brilliant achievement. And we expect that as conditions on
    the ground continue to improve, they will permit us to continue the
    policy of return on success.
        I'm confident in our success because I know the valor of the young
    Americans who defend us. This week, I commemorated the sacrifice of
    Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who gave his life in Iraq and became the
    fourth Medal of Honor recipient in the war on terror. On September 29,
    2006, Mike

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    and two teammates had taken a position on a rooftop when an insurgent
    grenade landed on the roof. Mike threw himself onto the grenade. One of
    the survivors put it this way: ``Mikey looked death in the face that day
    and said, `You cannot take my brothers, I will go in their stead.' ''
        It is heroism like Michael Monsoor's that pays the cost of human
    freedom. Our prayers remain with Michael's family and with all the men
    and women who continue this noble fight. We look forward to the day when
    they return home in victory.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 8 a.m. on April 11 at the Bush Ranch
    in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 12. The transcript
    was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on April 11, but
    was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his address, the
    President referred to Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding general,
    Multi-National Force--Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also
    released a Spanish language transcript of this address.