    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [July 25, 2008]
    [Page 1055]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Transfer of Defense Articles to
    Iraq
    July 25, 2008

    Dear Mr. Chairman:
        Pursuant to section 1228(f)(2) of the National Defense Authorization
    Act for Fiscal Year 2008, Public Law 110-181 (NDAA), I hereby provide
    notice that the effective date of section 1228 of the NDAA is delayed
    for a period of 90 days.
        I certify that it is in the vital interest of the United States to
    continue to provide defense articles to the Government of Iraq for this
    additional period of 90 days in order to develop and sustain the
    military and security forces of Iraq. Additional time is needed to
    review the export and transfer program for Iraq and to implement
    necessary measures to ensure compliance with the registration,
    monitoring, and record-keeping requirements of section 1228. Halting the
    provision of defense articles to Iraq during this period of review and
    implementation would be contrary to the national security of the United
    States.
            Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Carl Levin, chairman, Senate
    Committee on Armed Services; Joseph R. Biden, Jr., chairman, Senate
    Committee on Foreign Relations; Christopher J. Dodd, chairman, Senate
    Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Ike Skelton, chairman,
    House Committee on Armed Services; and Howard L. Berman, chairman, House
    Committee on Foreign Affairs. This letter was released by the Office of
    the Press Secretary on July 28.