[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 18 (Monday, May 8, 2006)]
[Pages 827-829]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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The President's Radio Address

April 29, 2006

    Good morning. Last weekend, the people of Iraq formed a national 
unity government. This is an important milestone on the road to 
democracy in Iraq, and it marks the beginning of a new chapter in 
America's involvement. Last Sunday, I talked to the President, Prime 
Minister-designate, and Speaker of the new Government. And this week, I 
sent

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Secretary of State Rice and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld to Baghdad to 
meet face to face with the new Iraqi leadership. We've all been 
impressed by the Iraqi leaders' commitment to maintain the unity of 
their country and effectively represent the Iraqi people.
     The new Iraqi Government will face many challenges. Iraqi leaders 
agree that the new Government must continue to build up the Iraqi 
security forces to defeat the terrorists and must establish control over 
militias. They also agree that the new Government must rebuild critical 
infrastructure, strengthen the Iraqi economy, and ensure that all Iraqis 
benefit as their nation grows in security and prosperity.
     During their meetings in Baghdad, Secretaries Rice and Rumsfeld 
made clear that Iraq will have the continued support of America and our 
coalition partners, as we begin the new chapter in our relationship. We 
will help the new Iraqi Government assume growing responsibility for the 
Nation's security. And as Iraqis continue to make progress toward a 
democracy that can govern itself, defend itself, and sustain itself, 
more of our troops can come home with the honor they have earned.
     The terrorists clearly recognize the threat that the new unity 
Government poses to their dark plans for Iraq and the broader Middle 
East. This week, the terrorist Zarqawi, leader of Al Qaida in Iraq, 
released a video in which he denounced the new Government and promised 
further acts of terrorist violence. Zarqawi lashed out at what he called 
``this rotten play of democracy'' and declared that Iraq's new 
Government will become ``a poisoned dagger'' in the heart of his plans 
for the Muslim world.
     On Wednesday, Iraq's leaders united to strongly condemn Zarqawi's 
statements. One Iraqi official declared that the terrorists and 
insurgents, quote, ``are feeling this might be the last chance they have 
to survive. They're fighting everyone in Iraq--every Iraqi. I think that 
shows how weak they are.'' End quote. A newly appointed first Deputy 
Speaker of the Iraqi parliament said that Zarqawi fears the new 
Government will unify Shiites and Sunnis and Kurds. He said, quote, ``I 
believe that Zarqawi was caught off guard by the new Government taking 
shape, because it will be a very strong one representing all Iraqis.'' 
End quote.
     The new leaders of Iraq are showing great courage in the face of 
terrorist threats. In recent weeks, terrorists have assassinated three 
siblings of top Iraqi politicians, but the new leaders of Iraq remain 
determined to lead their nation toward a future of democracy and peace. 
These brave leaders deserve our continued support, and I have told them 
they can count on America to stand with them.
    The enemy is resorting to desperate acts of violence because they 
know the establishment of democracy in Iraq will be a double defeat for 
them. First, it will deny the terrorists their immediate aim of turning 
Iraq into what Afghanistan was under the Taliban--a safe haven where 
they can plot and plan more attacks against free nations. Second, in the 
long term, a democratic Iraq will be a major blow to the terrorists' 
hateful ideology, because it will send a powerful message across the 
region that the future of the Middle East belongs to freedom.
    There will be more tough fighting ahead in Iraq and more days of 
sacrifice and struggle. Yet the enemies of freedom have suffered a real 
blow in recent days, and we have taken great strides on the march to 
victory. Iraq's leaders now have laid the foundations for a democratic 
government of, by, and for the Iraqi people. By helping the Iraqi people 
build their democracy, America will deal the terrorists a crippling blow 
and establish a beacon of liberty in the Middle East. And that will make 
our Nation and the world more secure.
     Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 7:52 a.m. on April 28 in the Cabinet 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 29. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
April 28 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his 
address, the President referred to President Jalal Talabani, Prime 
Minister-designate Jawad al-Maliki, Speaker of the Parliament Mahmoud 
al-Mashhadani, and First Deputy Speaker Khaled Atea of Iraq. The Office 
of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of 
this address.

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