[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 48 (Monday, December 4, 2006)]
[Page 2112]
[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

November 30, 2006

    We were pleased to continue our consultations on building security 
and stability in Iraq. We are grateful to His Majesty King Abdullah II 
of Jordan for hosting these meetings here in Amman.
    Our discussions reviewed developments in Iraq, focusing on the 
security situation and our common concern about sectarian violence 
targeting innocent Iraqis. In this regard, the Prime Minister affirms 
the commitment of his government to advance efforts toward national 
reconciliation and the need for all Iraqis and political forces in Iraq 
to work against armed elements responsible for violence and 
intimidation. The Prime Minister also affirms his determination with 
help from the United States and the international community to improve 
the efficiency of government operations, particularly in confronting 
corruption and strengthening the rule of law.
    We discussed the plague of terrorism in Iraq which is being fomented 
and fueled by Al Qaeda. The people of Iraq, like the people of the 
United States and the entire civilized world, must stand together to 
face this common threat. The Prime Minister affirmed that Iraq is a 
partner in the fight against Al Qaeda. We agreed that defeating Al Qaeda 
and the terrorists is vital to ensuring the success of Iraq's democracy. 
We discussed the means by which the United States will enhance Iraq's 
capabilities to further isolate extremists and bring all who choose 
violence and terror to full justice under Iraqi law.
    We agreed in particular to take all necessary measures to track down 
and bring to justice those responsible for the cowardly attacks last 
week in Sadr City. The Prime Minister has also pledged to bring to 
justice those responsible for crimes committed in the wake of this 
attack.
    We discussed accelerating the transfer of security responsibilities 
to the Government of Iraq; our hopes for strengthening the future 
relationship between our two nations; and joint efforts to achieve 
greater cooperation from governments in the region and to counter those 
elements that are fueling the conflict.
    We received an interim report from the high-level Joint Committee on 
Accelerating the Transferring of Security Responsibility, and encouraged 
the Committee to continue its good work. We agreed that reform of the 
Iraqi security ministries and agencies and addressing the issue of 
militias should be accelerated. The ultimate solution to stabilizing 
Iraq and reducing violence is true national reconciliation and capable 
and loyal Iraqi forces dedicated to protecting all the Iraqi people.
    We are committed to continuing to build the partnership between our 
two countries as we work together to strengthen a stable, democratic, 
and unified Iraq.

Note: The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
version of this joint statement. An original was not available for 
verification of the content of this joint statement.