[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 41 (Monday, October 20, 2008)]
[Page 1347]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Video Teleconference With Iraq Provincial 
Reconstruction Team Leaders and Brigade Combat Commanders

October 15, 2008

    I've just finished a meeting with our Ambassador and General 
Odierno, members of our--some of the PRTs, Provincial Reconstruction 
Teams in Iraq, four folks who have been spending time in Iraq. We are 
having success in Iraq. And one of the main reasons why is, we're 
implementing an innovative strategy that combines our military with 
civilian expertise to help people at the grassroots level build a 
society that will lay the foundations for peace.
    And so it's been a fascinating discussion, and I come away with a 
couple of thoughts. One, America is fortunate to have courageous souls 
volunteer to help develop an ally in the war against extremists, to 
develop a democracy in a part of the world where a lot of people said a 
democracy could never flourish; and secondly, that we are implementing a 
strategy in the Provinces which is effective.
    The good thing about our military and our civilians in the PRTs, 
they're constantly looking at ways to make sure that we remain 
effective. And I have asked the press corps to come in here so I could, 
on TV, thank you all for what you're doing, and thank you for your 
service. We are fortunate to have citizens such as yourself.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 10:32 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan 
C. Crocker; and Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, USA, commanding general, Multi-
National Force--Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a 
Spanish language transcript of these remarks.