[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 15 (Monday, April 21, 2008)]
[Pages 517-518]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

April 12, 2008

    Good morning. Fifteen months ago this week, I announced the surge. 
And this week General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker gave Congress a 
detailed report on the results.
    Since the surge began, American and Iraqi forces have made 
significant progress. While there's more to be done, sectarian violence, 
civilian deaths, and military deaths are down. Improvements in security 
have helped clear the way for political and economic progress. The Iraqi 
Government has passed a budget and three major benchmark laws. And many 
economic indicators are now pointed in the right direction.
    Serious and complex challenges remain in Iraq. Yet with the surge, a 
major strategic shift has occurred. Fifteen months ago, extremists were 
sowing sectarian violence. Today, many mainstream Sunni and Shi'a are 
actively confronting the extremists. Fifteen months ago, Al Qaida was 
using bases in Iraq to kill our troops and terrorize Iraqis. Today, we 
have put Al Qaida on the defensive in Iraq, and now we are working to 
deliver a crippling blow. Fifteen months ago, Americans were worried 
about the prospect of failure in Iraq. Today, thanks to the surge, we've 
revived the prospect of success in Iraq.
    This week General Petraeus reported that security conditions have 
improved enough to withdraw all five surge brigades. By July 31st, the 
number of U.S. combat brigades in Iraq will be down 25 percent from the 
year before. Beyond that, General Petraeus says he will need time to 
assess how this reduced American presence will affect conditions on the 
ground before making recommendations on further reductions. I've told 
him he'll have time he needs to make his assessment.
    Our job in the period ahead is to stand with the Iraqi Government as 
it makes the transition to responsibility for its own security and its 
own destiny. So what would this transition look like? On the security 
front, we will stay on the offense, continue to support the Iraqi 
security forces, continue to transfer security responsibilities to them, 
and move over time into an overwatch role.
    On the economic front, Iraq's economy is growing. Iraq is assuming 
responsibility for almost all the funding of large-scale reconstruction 
projects, and our share of security costs is dropping as well. On the 
political front, Iraq is planning to hold elections that will provide a 
way for Iraqis to settle disputes through the political process instead 
of through violence.
    All our efforts are aimed at a clear goal: a free Iraq that can 
protect its people, support itself economically, and take charge of its 
own political affairs. And no one wants to achieve that goal more than 
the Iraqis themselves.
    The turnaround that our men and women in uniform have made possible 
in Iraq is a brilliant achievement. And we expect that as conditions on 
the ground continue to improve, they will permit us to continue the 
policy of return on success.
    I'm confident in our success because I know the valor of the young 
Americans who defend us. This week I commemorated the sacrifice of 
Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who gave his life in Iraq and became the 
fourth Medal of Honor recipient in the war on terror. On September 29th, 
2006, Mike and two teammates had taken a position on a rooftop when an 
insurgent grenade landed on the roof. Mike threw himself onto the 
grenade. One of the survivors put it this way: ``Mikey looked death in 
the face that day and said, `You cannot take my brothers. I will go in 
their stead.' ''
    It is heroism like Michael Monsoor's that pays the cost of human 
freedom. Our prayers remain with Michael's family and with all the men 
and women who continue this noble

[[Page 518]]

fight. We look forward to the day when they return home in victory.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 8 a.m. on April 11 at the Bush Ranch 
in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 12. The transcript 
was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on April 11 but 
was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his address, the 
President referred to Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding general, 
Multi-National Force--Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also 
released a Spanish language transcript of this address.