    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [December 14, 2008]
    [Pages 1446-1449]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Signing Ceremony for the Strategic Framework Agreement and
    the Status of Forces Agreement and an Exchange With Reporters in Baghdad
    December 14, 2008

        Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of Iraq.
    In the name of God the Merciful and Compassionate. I would like to
    welcome the President of the United States, President George W. Bush. I
    would like to welcome you here as a guest of Iraq. You have stood by
    Iraq and the Iraqi people for a very long time, starting with the--
    getting rid of the dictatorship, to fight--helping the Iraqis to fight
    terrorism.
        Your visit today to Iraq, Mr. President, comes after the signing of
    the agreement between the two countries, which represents the solid
    foundation and draws a roadmap that will govern and guide the
    relationship between the two states.
        I believe that Iraq, we have performed and have done great work in a
    cooperative and integrated way in fighting terror. We have succeeded in
    Iraq, and we hope that

    [[Page 1447]]

    efforts also around the world will succeed in defeating terrorism.
        Today, Iraq is moving forward in every field. Through the new Iraqi
    political system, we are working very hard through this, as well as
    developing the Iraqi economy and reconstruction of Iraq. We are doing
    all of this in order for Iraq to restore its rightful place among
    nations and among the world, and away from the previous reckless
    policies that focused on wars with the previous regime.
        The various political institutions have taken a very strong
    leadership positions, and the agreement was ratified, was approved by
    our political system, our Parliament, and various institutions of the
    Iraqi Government. They have approved and ratified the SOFA agreement and
    the withdrawal of American forces. We believe that these efforts
    culminated the height of real understanding and cooperation and
    friendship between Iraq and the United States. Now remains the part of
    implementing such an agreement. Now we are in the process of forming the
    proper committees that will carry out all elements of the various two
    agreements that were signed, and I'm referring to the various fields,
    military, scientific, educational, commerce, as well as economic fields.
        President Bush, you have played a very supportive role in achieving
    and concluding this agreement. And prior to the actual date of starting
    to implement this agreement, January 1st, '09, we already start working
    through the United Nations Security Council. We are in the process of
    drafting a resolution that will make it very clear that Iraq no longer
    represents a threat to world peace and security. And also a resolution
    that will set the basis for the protection of Iraqi financial
    capabilities and bring Iraq back to its rightful place among world
    communities.
        Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you,
    Mr. President. Once again, I wish you a very joyful stay here in Baghdad
    and a safe trip back home.
        President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister,
    thank you for your kind invitation and your hospitality. I also want to
    thank the Presidency Council for their hospitality as well. And I'm
    looking forward to some food. [Laughter]
        I am also looking forward to signing the joint statement here
    affirming two landmark agreements that solidify Iraq's democratic gains,
    that recognize Iraq's sovereignty, and that puts the relations between
    our two countries on a solid footing today and a solid footing tomorrow.
    They cement a strategic partnership between our two countries, and they
    pave the way for American forces to return home, as the war in Iraq
    approaches a successful end.
        The strategic framework agreement formalizes a relationship, as it
    says in the agreement--formalizes a relationship of friendship and
    cooperation between our two countries' economic, diplomatic, cultural,
    and security fields. Under this agreement, we will work together to
    bring greater stability to Iraq and the region, as well as promote trade
    and investment between our nations. We will work to strengthen
    democratic institutions.
        I'm sure you can remember what life was 2 years ago. When we were
    working together during that period such an agreement seemed
    unimaginable. Chaos and violence were consuming Iraq. The terrorists
    were seizing new ground, and the Iraqi people were beginning to divide
    the Iraqi people along sectarian lines. But you were determined, and I
    was determined, to do something differently, not to allow Iraq to fall
    into civil war.
        And our plan is working. You notice I say ``our plan.'' Today,
    violence is down dramatically. Al Qaida is driven from its safe havens.
    Sunnis, Shi'a, and Kurds are sitting together at the same table to
    part--to peacefully chart a--the future of this country. There is hope
    in the eyes of Iraqis' young. This is a future of what we've been
    fighting for: a strong and capable democratic Iraq that will be a force
    of freedom

    [[Page 1448]]

    and a force for peace in the heart of the Middle East; a country that
    will serve as a source for stability in a volatile region; a country
    that will deny a safe haven to Al Qaida. As a result of these successes,
    Mr. Prime Minister, the American people are
    safer.
        We're also signing a security agreement. The agreement provides
    American troops and Defense Department officials with authorizations and
    protections to continue supporting Iraq's democracy once the U.N.
    mandate expires at the end of this year. This agreement respects the
    sovereignty and the authority of Iraq's democracy. The agreement lays
    out a framework for the withdrawal of American forces in Iraq, a
    withdrawal that is possible because of the success of the surge.
        These agreements result from careful consultations with the Prime
    Minister and the officials of Iraq, as well
    as our diplomats and our military commanders. They represent a shared
    vision on the way forward in Iraq.
        The American people have sacrificed a great deal to reach this
    moment. The battle in Iraq has required a great amount of time and
    resources. Thousands of our finest citizens have given their lives to
    make our country safer and to bring us to this new day.
        We also praise the thousands of the coalition forces that came and
    the sacrifices that those countries have made. And the Iraqi people have
    sacrificed a lot. They've suffered car bombings and suicide attacks and
    IEDs, and desperate efforts by terrorists to destroy a young democracy.
    Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have stepped forward to defend this
    democracy, and many have paid a dear price.
        With these agreements, Mr. Prime Minister, we're honoring the sacrifices that I just described in the
    best possible way, by building a freer and safer and more hopeful world.
    By signing these agreements we're showing the people of Iraq the United
    States of America keeps its word. And we are showing the people of the
    Middle East that America stands firmly for liberty and justice and
    peace. And we are leaving the next President
    with a stable foundation for the future and an approach that can enjoy
    broad bipartisan support at home.
        There is still more work to be done. The war is not over, but with
    the conclusion of these agreements and the courage of the Iraqi people
    and the Iraqi troops and American troops and civilian personnel, it is
    decisively on its way to being won.
        Shukran jazeelan.

     [At this point, Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi shouted in Arabic
    and threw his shoes at President Bush.]

        President Bush. All I can report is that it was a size 10.
    [Laughter] Yes. Okay, everybody calm down for a minute. First of all,
    thank you for apologizing on behalf of the Iraqi people. It doesn't
    bother me. And if you want some--if you want the facts, it's a size 10
    shoe. [Laughter] Thank you for your concerns; do not worry about it.

    U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Iraq/Status of Forces Agreement

        Q. A question, Mr. Prime Minister and others, you all talked about
    the various gains that will come as a result of signing this agreement.
    But just quickly, I have one question about the withdrawal of American
    forces. Is this going to be an accelerated process that will happen
    quickly and perhaps prematurely?
        President Bush. First of all, we're here at the request of the Iraqi
    Government, an elected government. There are certain benchmarks that
    will be met, such as troops out of the cities by June of '09. And then
    there's a benchmark at the end of the agreement.
        As to the pace of meeting those agreements, that will depend of
    course upon the Iraqi Government, the recommendations of the Iraqi
    military, and the close coordination between General Odierno and our military.

    [[Page 1449]]

        Look, these are very important agreements, and the Government of
    Iraq worked very hard to get them through the Parliament. You want--
    okay.
        Jennifer [Jennifer Loven, Associated Press].

    Audience Disruption/Strategic Framework Agreement/Status of Forces
    Agreement

        Q. Sir, a man just threw his shoes at you----
        President Bush. The what?
        Q. Sir, a man just threw his shoes at you, and it appears that there
    are terrible roadside bombings----
        President Bush. So what if a guy threw a shoe at me?
        Q. But you are also here to talk about progress and to mark progress
    with an agreement like this. And the kind of security gains you talked
    about. Do you consider this a victory lap?
        President Bush. Right. No, I consider it a important step in--on the
    road toward an Iraq that can sustain itself, govern itself, and defend
    itself.
        But let me talk about the guy throwing the shoe. It is one way to
    grab--gain attention. It's like going to a political rally and having
    people yell at you. It's like driving down the street and have people
    not gesturing with all five fingers. It's a way for people to draw, you
    know, attention. I don't know what the guy's cause is. But one thing is
    for certain: He caused you to ask me a question about it. I didn't feel
    the least bit threatened by it. These journalists here were very
    apologetic; they were--said, ``This doesn't represent the Iraqi
    people.'' But that's what happens in free societies, where people try to
    draw attention to themselves. And so I guess he was effective, because
    he caused you to say something about it.
        Now, in terms of the agreements, this is a major achievement. Is it
    the end? Absolutely not. There is more work to be done. And all this
    basically says is we made good progress, and we'll continue to work
    together to achieve peace. That's what we want: freedom and peace. And
    so, no, I'm honored to be back here. It's my fourth visit to Iraq and--
    as a sitting President, and I have been looking forward to this visit.
    It's very kind of you, Mr. Prime Minister,
    to have invited me here.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:03 p.m. at the Prime Minister's Palace.
    In his remarks, he referred to Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, USA,
    commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq; and President-elect
    Barack Obama. Prime Minister Maliki and a reporter spoke in Arabic, and
    their remarks were translated by an interpreter. The Office of the Press
    Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.