[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 52 (Monday, January 1, 2007)]
[Pages 2211-2212]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With the National Security Council in 
Crawford, Texas

December 28, 2006

    I just had a meeting with my national security team, and this is the 
first time we've had a chance to sit down with Secretary Gates since he 
came back from Iraq. General Pace went with the Secretary; they reported 
firsthand what they saw, what they found. It's an important part of 
coming to closure on a way forward in Iraq that will help us achieve our 
objective, which is a country that can govern itself, sustain itself, 
and defend itself. And, Mr. Secretary, thank you for your timely trip, 
and thank you for this important briefing.
    I've got more consultation to do until I talk to the country about 
the plan. Obviously, we'll continue to work with the Iraqi Government. 
The key to success in Iraq is to have a government that's willing to 
deal with the elements there that are trying to prevent this young 
democracy from succeeding.
    We want to help them succeed. And so we'll continue to consult with 
the Iraqis. I'm going to talk to Congress--not only will I continue to 
reach out to Congress, but members of my team will do so as well. I 
fully understand it's important to have both Republicans and Democrats 
understanding the importance of this mission. It's important for the 
American people to understand success in Iraq is vital for our own 
security. If we were to not succeed in Iraq, the enemy--the extremists, 
the radicals--would have safe haven from which to launch further 
attacks, they would be emboldened, they would be in a position to 
threaten the United States of America. This is an important part of the 
war on terror.
    I'm making good progress toward coming up with a plan that we think 
will help us achieve our objective. As I think about this plan, I'm 
always--have our troops in mind. There's nobody more important in this 
global war on terror than the men and women who wear the uniform and 
their families. And as we head into a new year, my thoughts are with 
them. My thoughts are with the families who have just gone through a 
holiday season with their loved one overseas. My thoughts are with the 
troops as we head into 2007.
    People always ask me about a New Year's resolution--my resolution 
is, is that they'll be safe and that we'll come closer to our objective, 
that we'll be able to help this young democracy survive and thrive, and 
therefore, we'll be writing a chapter of peace. I can't thank our 
families enough for supporting their loved one who wears the uniform, 
and I can't thank those who--soldiers and sailors

[[Page 2212]]

and airmen and Coast Guard men and women, folks in the Air Force--who 
represent the United States of America. May God continue to bless them.
    Thank you all very much.

Note: The President spoke at 11:59 a.m. at the Bush Ranch. In his 
remarks, he referred to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates.