[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 24 (Monday, June 19, 2006)]
[Page 1120]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With the Interagency Team on Iraq in Camp 
David, Maryland

June 12, 2006

    I want to thank Generals Abizaid and Casey, as well as Ambassador 
Khalilzad for the last--for the briefing for the last 3 hours. I thought 
your assessment of the situation in Iraq was very realistic. I think 
your recommendations to us on how to win in Iraq, to have an Iraq that 
can govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself are--your 
recommendations are valid.
    I look forward to continuing to visit with you later on this 
afternoon about how we can help this new Government succeed. Zal, you've 
been--I just want to thank you all very much for remaining in theater 
and working as hard as you are. You're making a significant difference.
    And again, please give my best congratulations to the troops on the 
ground for bringing Zarqawi to justice. I fully recognize that's not 
going to end the war. On the other hand, it was a major blow to Al Qaida 
and the killers and terrorists that are trying to spread violence and 
suffering, and stop the emergence of a new democracy.
    Zal, we left off where you were talking about the way forward in 
Iraq and your perception of this new Government.

Note: The President spoke at 12:33 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Gen. John P. Abizaid, USA, combatant commander, U.S. Central Command; 
Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., USA, commanding general, Multi-National 
Force--Iraq; U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad; and senior Al 
Qaida associate Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, who was killed in Baquba, Iraq, on 
June 7. A tape was not available for verification of the content of 
these remarks.