[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 44 (Monday, November 6, 2006)]
[Page 1916]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Nuri al-
Maliki of Iraq

October 28, 2006

    We were pleased to continue our consultations today. Via secure 
video, we discussed a range of issues of great importance to our common 
mission in Iraq, including the development of Iraqi security forces, 
efforts to promote reconciliation among all Iraqis, and the 
International Compact for Iraq and the economic reforms associated with 
it. As leaders of two great countries, we are committed to the security 
and prosperity of a democratic Iraq and the global fight against 
terrorism which affects all our citizens.
    We have three common goals: accelerating the pace of training the 
Iraqi Security Force, Iraqi assumption of command and control over Iraqi 
forces, and transferring responsibility for security to the Government 
of Iraq. We have formed a high-level working group including the Iraqi 
National Security Advisor, Minister of Defense, Minister of Interior, 
General Casey, and Ambassador Khalilzad to make recommendations on how 
these goals can be best achieved. This working group will supplement 
existing mechanisms to better define our security partnership and 
enhance our coordination.
    We are committed to the partnership our two countries and two 
governments have formed and will work in every way possible for a 
stable, democratic Iraq and for victory in the war on terror.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.