[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 10 (Monday, March 17, 2008)]
[Pages 374-375]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Briefing By Provincial Reconstruction Team Leaders 
and Brigade Combat Commanders

March 13, 2008

    As you can see here on the screen in front of me, we've got 
assembled in Afghanistan--

[[Page 375]]

thanks to Ambassador Wood--PRTs, which is Provincial Reconstruction 
Teams, made up of military and civilian personnel, all aiming to help 
the Afghans recover from unbelievable brutality of the Taliban and have 
a society that's capable of meeting the needs of its people. We've also 
got two members of the PRT here present with us.
    Our strategy in Afghanistan is, one, to provide enough security so 
civil society can move forward. Any counter--effective counter-
insurgency strategy will require more than just military action; it 
requires a military-civilian interface. And so if you look on the 
screen, you see brave and courageous Americans in uniform and not in 
uniform, because they're a part of this strategy to help Afghans, one, 
understand the blessings of good governance. In other words, the folks 
are attempting to fight corruption at the local level so that the local 
citizens are able to have a positive outlook about their government. 
We're also working to educate people, build roads, provide good health 
care. And our fellow citizens are there on the ground, in some difficult 
circumstances, all aiming to help this young democracy survive and 
thrive. And there are difficulties, but we're also making progress.
    And the best thing we got going for us--not only do we have brave 
and compassionate citizens willing to serve, but we've also got an 
ideology based upon liberty, which stands in stark contrast to the 
ideology of the thugs and murderers called the Taliban. And the job of 
hand is to help these folks recover, help the Afghans realize there's a 
better future for them. And it's hard work, but it's necessary work for 
the security of our country.
    And so it's been a great pleasure for senior members of my 
administration to hear the stories and to hear the issues that they 
face. I'm enriched by the experience, and I do want to thank you very 
much for serving our country. And as I mentioned to you earlier, please 
thank your families for them standing by you during these--during your 
time of service.
    God bless you all, and thank you for your time.

Note: The President spoke at 11:27 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House.