    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 17 (Monday, May 1, 2006)]
    [Pages 761-762]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks at the California Highway Patrol Academy in Sacramento,
    California

    April 22, 2006

    Iraq

        Today the Iraqi people reached an important milestone in their
    journey on democracy. Iraqi leaders announced agreement on the top
    leadership posts for a national unity government. This agreement
    represents compromise and consensus among many different Iraqi groups,
    and it came after months of patient negotiations.
        The agreement reflects the will of the Iraqi people, who defied the
    terrorists by voting to choose the men and women who will lead their
    nation forward. And this historic achievement by determined Iraqis will
    make America more secure.
        Iraq is a nation made up of many different ethnic and religious
    groups, and Iraq's new leaders represent their country's great
    diversity. The Iraqi people have rejected the terrorists' efforts to
    divide them, and they have chosen the path of unity for their free
    nation.
        The new Iraqi leadership now has 30 days to finalize the makeup of
    the Iraqi Cabinet.

    [[Page 762]]

    Once inaugurated, the new Government will hold power for up to 4 years.
    Unlike the Interim and Transitional Governments that came before, the
    new Iraqi Government will have full constitutional authority. And
    because it expresses the will of 12 million Iraqis who went to the polls
    last December, it will have the popular mandate to address Iraq's
    toughest long-term challenges.
        Iraq's new leaders have important responsibilities to the people who
    chose them. The new Government has a responsibility to deploy the
    growing strength of the Iraqi security forces to defeat the terrorists
    and insurgents and establish control over the militias. The Government
    has the responsibility to rebuild infrastructure that makes commerce
    possible and that supports the education and health needs of the Iraqi
    people. The Government must strengthen the economy and encourage job
    creation and enforce the rule of law. The new Government must ensure
    that improvements in prosperity and security occur throughout the
    country so that all Iraqis share in the benefits of their new democracy.
        These are major challenges, and the new Iraqi Government will not
    face them alone. America is helping Iraq's young democracy move forward.
    Iraqis and Americans are fighting side by side against a common enemy.
    We're going to defeat the terrorists in Iraq. We will deny them safe
    haven. And a free Iraq in the heart of the Middle East will be a
    powerful blow to the terrorists and a beacon of liberty for people
    across that region.
        Formation of a new Iraqi Government is an opportunity for America to
    open a new chapter in our partnership with the Iraqi people. The United
    States and our coalition partners will work with the new Iraqi
    Government to reassess our tactics, adjust our methods, and strengthen
    our mutual efforts to achieve victory in this central front in the war
    on terror.
        The new Iraqi Government will assume growing responsibility for
    their nation's security. And as more Iraqi forces stand up, American
    forces will stand down. I want to thank all the brave Americans, both in
    our military and the diplomatic corps, who have served the cause of
    freedom in Iraq over the past 3 years. I thank their families who have
    sacrificed time with loved ones serving far from home. I want to thank
    our wounded service men and women, who have given so much to make this
    moment possible. And our Nation remembers the fallen heroes who gave
    their lives to bring liberty to Iraq and security to America. And we
    will honor their sacrifice by completing this mission.
        There's going to be more tough fighting ahead in Iraq, and there
    will be more days of sacrifice and struggle. Yet the enemies of freedom
    have suffered a real blow today. And we've taken a great stride on the
    march to victory. The Iraqi people have defied the terrorist threats;
    Iraqi soldiers and police have fought with valor for the freedom of
    their country; and Iraqi leaders have laid the foundations for a
    democratic government of, by, and for the Iraqi people.
        On behalf of all Americans, I congratulate the Iraqi people and
    their new leaders. The Iraqis are showing the world that democracy is
    worth the wait, that liberty is worth the sacrifice, and that freedom is
    the future of every man, woman, and child on this Earth.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 2 p.m.