[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 35 (Monday, September 3, 2007)]
[Pages 1117-1118]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

August 25, 2007

    Good morning. This week, I traveled to Kansas City to address the 
annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I spoke about the 
ideological struggle that our Nation faces in the 21st century and the 
lessons we can draw from the advance of freedom in Asia in the 20th 
century. America's enduring presence and perseverance on that continent 
aided the rise of democracy, helped transform American enemies into 
American allies, and made our country safer.
    Next week, I will address the members of the American Legion at 
their annual convention in Reno. In that speech, I will focus on the 
Middle East and why the rise of a free and democratic Iraq is critical 
to the future of this vital region and to our Nation's security.
    I will also provide an update on the developments we are seeing from 
our new strategy in Iraq. Every month since January, U.S. forces have 
killed or captured an average of more than 1,500 Al Qaida terrorists and 
other extremists. And in June, our troops launched a surge of operations 
that is helping bring former Sunni insurgents into the fight against Al 
Qaida, clear the terrorists out of population centers, and give families 
in liberated Iraqi cities a safer and more normal life.
    As security improves, more Iraqis are stepping forward to defend 
their democracy. Young Iraqi men are signing up for the army. Iraqi 
police are now patrolling the streets. Coalition and Iraqi forces have 
doubled the number of joint operations. As the Iraqi people feel more 
secure, they are also forming neighborhood watch groups. They're 
volunteering important information about the terrorists and extremists 
hiding in their midst. And the increase in tips helps account for the 
marked reduction in sectarian murders.
    By driving out the terrorists from cities and neighborhoods, we're 
creating the conditions for reconciliation, especially at the local 
level. In communities across Iraq, citizens are seeing their local and 
Provincial governments return to operation. Despite continuing violence, 
leaders in places like Anbar, Najaf, and Ninawa are now working through 
local Provincial councils to approve funds to finance the rebuilding of 
homes and neighborhoods, to fight corruption, and to create new jobs.
    Here at home, it can be easy to overlook the bravery shown by Iraqi 
troops and Iraqi civilians who are in the fight for freedom. But our 
troops on the ground see it every day. Last week, a team of American 
soldiers was meeting with an Iraqi citizens group near Baghdad. 
Suddenly, a suicide bomber came running around a corner and headed 
straight for our soldiers and the Iraqi civilians.
    One Iraqi man saw what was happening and ran to intercept the 
bomber. As he pushed the terrorist away, the bomb detonated, killing 
both men, but sparing four American soldiers and eight Iraqi civilians. 
Army Staff Sergeant Sean Kane is one of those who says he owes his life 
to this brave Iraqi. Sergeant Kane says, ``He could have run behind us 
or away from us, but he made the decision to sacrifice himself to 
protect everyone.'' Sergeant Kane spoke to the Iraqi man's father, who 
said that even if his son had known the outcome beforehand, he ``[would 
not] have acted differently.''
    The story does not end there. Later that same night, the citizens 
group contacted the local director of the National Police and told him 
the location of the Al Qaida cell believed to be responsible for the 
attack. The National Police immediately conducted a raid that resulted 
in four arrests.
    We are still in the early stages of our new operations. But the 
success of the past couple of months have shown that conditions on the 
ground can change--and they are changing. We cannot expect the new 
strategy we are carrying out to bring success overnight. But by standing 
with the Iraqi people as they

[[Page 1118]]

build their democracy, we will deliver a devastating blow to Al Qaida, 
we will help provide new hope for millions of people throughout the 
Middle East, we will gain a friend and ally in the war on terror, and we 
will make the American people safer.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 8:20 a.m. on August 24 at the Bush 
Ranch in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on August 25. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
August 24 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office 
of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of 
this address.