[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 37 (Monday, September 17, 2007)]
[Page 1209]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Luncheon With Military Personnel at Marine Corps 
Base Quantico, Virginia

September 14, 2007

    It's my honor to come to Quantico to speak to our general officers--
our officers and sergeants who train young lieutenants. And I had a 
chance to speak to some of the lieutenants. First of all, my first 
impression is, it's an amazing country where people volunteer in the 
face of danger. A lot of these lieutenant--Marine lieutenants fully 
understand the nature of the world in which we live. And they're willing 
to serve. They're willing to serve to protect and defend this country, 
and they're willing to serve to help shape the conditions so that the 
world is more peaceful.
    I told them about my speech last night. I told them that I'd 
listened very carefully to the recommendations of the military, in 
particular General Petraeus, and that the plan I announced was that 
we're making enough--based upon the fact--we're making enough success in 
Iraq that we can begin bringing some troops home; that I told the 
American people last night that we've got what's called ``return on 
success.'' I also told them that our commanders will have the 
flexibility and the troops needed to achieve the mission, which is an 
ally in this war on terror and a stable country that can self govern, a 
democracy in the heart of the Middle East.
    I made it clear that the sacrifices that they and their families 
were going to make were necessary for the short-term and long-term 
security of the country; that we'd rather defeat the enemy overseas than 
have to face them here; that we fully understand--or I fully understand 
that if we were to be driven out of Iraq that the Middle East could be 
in chaos, and chaos would embolden Sunni extremists like Al Qaida, and 
chaos would embolden Iran; and that it's in our interests that we help 
Iraq succeed--it's not only in the interest--our interests, but it's 
also in the Iraqis' interests.
    I made it clear to them that there's a lot of courage in Iraq. These 
Iraqis are in the fight. But I also made it clear to them that we expect 
the Iraqi Government to enhance national reconciliation through the 
passage of law. I told them that I was able to give the speech because 
of the progress being made. I hope the American people listened very 
carefully to what our commanders and Ambassador Crocker had to say. 
They're there; they understand the progress that's being made.
    I also made it clear that now's the chance for us to come together 
as a nation; that some of us who believe security was paramount were on 
opposite sides of a debate, where people said, ``We just simply need to 
bring our troops home.'' Well, now we've got security in the right 
direction, and we are bringing our troops home. And I call upon the 
United States Congress to listen very carefully to what General Petraeus 
and Ambassador Crocker reported and support the troop levels that these 
two men think are necessary to achieve our objective. I also expect the 
Congress to support our men and women in uniform and their families and 
those who have worn the uniform.
    And so it's a great honor to be out here to speak with an incredible 
group of men and women. It's my honor to be their Commander in Chief.
    Thank you for your time.

Note: The President spoke at 12:43 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding general, Multi-National Force--
Iraq.