[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

[[Page 499]]

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.