[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 30 (Monday, August 4, 2008)]
[Page 1034]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Transfer of Defense Articles to 
Iraq

July 25, 2008

Dear Mr. Chairman:

    Pursuant to section 1228(f)(2) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2008, Public Law 110-181 (NDAA), I hereby provide 
notice that the effective date of section 1228 of the NDAA is delayed 
for a period of 90 days.
    I certify that it is in the vital interest of the United States to 
continue to provide defense articles to the Government of Iraq for this 
additional period of 90 days in order to develop and sustain the 
military and security forces of Iraq. Additional time is needed to 
review the export and transfer program for Iraq and to implement 
necessary measures to ensure compliance with the registration, 
monitoring, and record-keeping requirements of section 1228. Halting the 
provision of defense articles to Iraq during this period of review and 
implementation would be contrary to the national security of the United 
States.
    Sincerely,
                                                George W. Bush

Note: Identical letters were sent to Carl Levin, chairman, Senate 
Committee on Armed Services; Joseph R. Biden, Jr., chairman, Senate 
Committee on Foreign Relations; Christopher J. Dodd, chairman, Senate 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Ike Skelton, chairman, 
House Committee on Armed Services; and Howard L. Berman, chairman, House 
Committee on Foreign Affairs. This letter was released by the Office of 
the Press Secretary on July 28.