    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [July 31, 2008]
    [Pages 1089-1091]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the War on Terror
    July 31, 2008

        Good morning. This has been a month of encouraging news from Iraq.
    Violence is down to its lowest level since the spring of 2004, and we're
    now in our third consecutive month with reduced violence levels holding
    steady. General Petraeus and Ambassador
    Crocker caution that the progress is still
    reversible, but they report that there now appears to be a degree of
    durability to the gains that we have made.
        A significant reason for this sustained progress is the success of
    the surge. Another is the increasing capability of the Iraqi forces.
    Iraqi forces now have 192 combat battalions in the fight, and more than
    110 of these battalions are taking the lead in combat operations against
    terrorists and extremists.
        We saw the capability of those forces earlier this year, when the
    Iraqi Government launched successful military operations against Shi'a
    extremist groups in Basra, Amarah, and the Sadr City area of Baghdad.
    Because of these operations, extremists who once terrorized the citizens
    of these communities have been driven

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    from their strongholds. As a result, our Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, was able to walk the streets of Sadr
    City last Wednesday. That's something that would not have been possible
    just a few months ago.
        This week, the Iraqi Government is launching a new offensive in
    parts of the Diyala Province that contain some of Al Qaida's few
    remaining safe havens in the country. This operation is Iraqi led; our
    forces are playing a supporting role. And in the moments--in the months
    ahead, the Iraqis will continue taking the lead in more military
    operations across the country.
        As security in Iraq has improved, the Iraqi Government has made
    political progress as well. The Iraqi Council of Representatives has
    passed several major pieces of legislation this year, and Iraqi leaders
    are preparing for Provincial elections. Prime Minister Maliki recently returned from a successful visit to Europe,
    where he held important diplomatic discussions with Chancellor
    Merkel, Prime Minister Berlusconi, and His Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI.
        The progress in Iraq has allowed us to continue our policy of return
    on success. We now have brought home all five of the combat brigades and
    the three Marine units that were sent to Iraq as part of the surge. The
    last of these surge brigades returned home this month. And later this
    year, General Petraeus will present me his
    recommendations on future troop levels, including further reductions in
    our combat forces as conditions permit.
        As part of the return on success policy, we are also reducing the
    length of combat tours in Iraq. Beginning tomorrow, troops deploying to
    Iraq will serve 12-month tours instead of 15-month tours. This will ease
    the burden on our forces, and it will make life easier for our wonderful
    military families.
        We're also making progress in our discussion with Prime Minister
    Maliki's Government on the--a strategic
    framework agreement. This agreement will serve as the foundation for
    America's presence in Iraq once the United Nations resolution
    authorizing the multinational forces there expires on December the 31st.
        We remain a nation at war. Al Qaida is on the run in Iraq, but the
    terrorists remain dangerous, and they are determined to strike our
    country and our allies again. In this time of war, America is grateful
    to all the men and women who have stepped forward to defend us. They
    understand that we have no greater responsibility than to stop the
    terrorists before they launch yet another attack on our homeland. Every
    day they make great sacrifices to keep the American people safe here at
    home. We owe our thanks to all those who wear the uniform and their
    families who support them in their vital work. And the best way to honor
    them is to support their mission and bring them home with victory.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:04 a.m. on the Colonnade at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA,
    commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq; Prime Minister Nuri al-
    Maliki of Iraq; Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany; and Prime Minister
    Silvio Berlusconi of Italy. The Office of the Press Secretary also
    released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.

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