    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [December 6, 2008]
    [Pages 1421-1422]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    December 6, 2008

        Good morning. This weekend I'm attending the Army-Navy game in
    Philadelphia, and I'm looking forward to a great day of college
    football. But more importantly, I'm looking forward to spending time
    with the brave men and women of the United States military.
        Throughout the past 8 years, I've seen the tremendous talent and
    courage of those who wear the uniform. Their efforts have overthrown
    tyrants, made our Nation safer, put terrorists on the run, and opened
    the door to liberty for more than 50 million people. And now, thanks to
    their work in Iraq and the courage of the Iraqi people, a hopeful new
    era is dawning for their democracy and ours.
        Earlier this week, Iraq's Presidency Council approved two landmark
    agreements that will solidify Iraq's democratic gains, affirm its
    sovereignty, and put its relations with the United States on a strong
    and steady footing.
        The first agreement that America and Iraq have signed is called a
    strategic framework agreement. This pact sets out a common vision for
    U.S.-Iraqi relations in the years ahead. Under this agreement, we will
    work together to bring greater stability to Iraq and the region. We'll
    promote trade and investment between our nations. And we will support
    Iraq's leaders and their citizens as they strengthen their democratic
    institutions.
        Only a few years ago, such an agreement was unimaginable. Chaos and
    violence were consuming Iraq. Terrorists were seizing new ground and
    using violence to divide the Iraqi people along sectarian lines. And the
    nation was nearing the point of political collapse and civil war.
        Today, violence is down dramatically. Our forces have struck
    powerful blows against Al Qaida. The Iraqi military is growing in
    capability, taking the lead in the fight against the extremists, and
    working across sectarian lines. Sunni, Shi'a, and Kurdish leaders are
    sitting together at the same table to peacefully resolve their
    differences and chart their country's future. And there is hope in the
    eyes of young Iraqis for the first time in many years.
        The second agreement that America and Iraq have signed is a security
    agreement, known as a status of forces agreement. One of the primary
    purposes of this agreement is to ensure protection for our troops and
    Defense Department civilians as the Iraqi Government begins to exercise
    greater sovereignty. Our military commanders have assured me that the
    agreement's provisions meet this purpose. At the same time, it also
    respects the authority of the Iraqi Government. And it lays out a
    framework for the withdrawal of American forces in Iraq, a withdrawal
    that is possible because of the success of the surge.
        This withdrawal will take place in two stages. The first stage will
    occur next year, when Iraqi forces assume the lead for security
    operations in all major population centers, while U.S. combat forces
    move out of Iraqi cities and move into an overwatch role. After this
    transition has occurred, the drawdown of American forces will continue
    to the second stage, with all U.S. forces returning home from Iraq by
    the end of 2011.
        As we enter this new phase in America's relations with Iraq, we have
    an opportunity to adopt a new perspective here at home. There were
    legitimate differences of opinion about the initial decision to remove
    Saddam Hussein and the subsequent conduct of the war. But now the surge
    and the courage of brave Iraqis have turned the situation around. And
    Americans should be able to agree that it is in our Nation's strategic
    and moral interests to support the

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    free and democratic Iraq that is emerging in the heart of the Middle
    East.
        The American people have sacrificed a great deal to reach this
    moment. The battle in Iraq has required a large amount of time and a
    large amount of money. Our men and women in uniform have carried out
    difficult and dangerous missions and endured long separations from
    friends and family. And thousands of our finest citizens have given
    their lives to make our country safer and bring us to this new day. The
    war in Iraq is not yet over, but thanks to these agreements and the
    courage of our men and women in Iraq, it is decisively on its way to
    being won.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 6:50 a.m. on December 5 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on December 6. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    December 5, but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.