Bush Meets With Former Defense, State Secretaries on Iraq

American Forces Press Service ^ | Jan 5, 2005 | Gerry Gilmore

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2006 – President Bush discussed his plan for victory in Iraq with a group of former U.S. State and Defense Department chiefs during a White House meeting here today.

"We have a dual-track strategy for victory. On one hand, we will work to have a political process that says to all Iraqis, 'The future belongs to you,'" Bush said in a statement released to reporters after the meeting. "And on the other hand, we'll continue to work on the security situation there."

Bush said the key to success in Iraq is predicated on how quickly Iraq's new government and its security forces can take the lead in fighting and defeating the terrorists.

"And we're making darn good progress along those lines," the president said. About 220,000 Iraqi soldiers and police now are engaged in the battle against the insurgents in Iraq, as well as more than 150,000 U.S. and coalition troops.

Bush said he was pleased to listen to the concerns of the former senior officials. The commander in chief acknowledged that not all of the former officials agreed with his decision to deploy the U.S. military into Iraq in 2003 to depose former dictator Saddam Hussein.

"But these are good, solid Americans who understand that we've got to succeed now that we're there," Bush said of his distinguished guests. "And I'm most grateful for the suggestions that have been given.

"We take to heart the advice; we appreciate your experience and we appreciate you taking time out of your day," Bush told the group.

Earlier today, DoD spokesman Bryan Whitman ticked off a list of former senior officials slated to attend the White House meeting:

Former Secretaries of State James A. Baker III, Madeleine K. Albright, Alexander M. Haig Jr., Colin L. Powell, Lawrence S. Eagleburger and George P. Schultz; and

Former Secretaries of Defense Harold Brown, Robert S. McNamara, William S. Cohen, William J. Perry, Frank C. Carlucci, James R. Schlesinger and Melvin R. Laird.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commanding general of Multinational Force Iraq, were on hand to provide the former senior officials with an update on the situation in Iraq.

[airborne]

Strategerizing!

Hope he knows what he's doing, hanging out with some of these diplomats.

[Sonny M]

At least he had the common sense not to invite Warren Christopher, but why the hell would you invite McNamara?

What can he say other then "think what I would do, then do the opposite".

[JWojack]

Good old times with Colin Powell back....

[JWojack]

That was sort of sarcastic, BTW....

[Loyal Buckeye]

Did Maddie dust while she was there?

[bnelson44]

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 12, 2006

President Bush Meets with Former Secretaries of State and Former Secretaries of Defense
The Roosevelt Room

      In Focus: Renewal in Iraq

10:30 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: I've just completed a second meeting with former Secretaries of State and former Secretaries of Defense on Iraq. We also discussed the broader Middle East, as well.

I want to thank you all very much for sharing your thoughts not only with me, but with the Vice President and Secretary Rice and Secretary Rumsfeld. It really means a lot to hear your thoughts and your concerns and your suggestions about the way forward in Iraq. We've had our disagreements in this country about whether or not we should be there in the first place. Now the fundamental question is, how do we achieve our objectives, which is a democracy which can defend itself, sustain itself, a country which is an ally in the war on terror, and a country which serves as a powerful example for others who desire to be free.

Since we last met, a unity government is now in the process of becoming formed. I've got great hopes about this unity government. We've got a Shia as the Prime Minister-designee, a Sunni as the Speaker, a Kurd as the President, all of whom have dedicated themselves to a country moving forward that meets the hopes and aspirations of the Iraqi people.

There are certainly challenges and the Secretaries here discussed those challenges with us. Perhaps the main challenge is the militia that tend to take the law into their own hands. And it's going to be up to the government to step up and take care of that militia so that the Iraqi people are confident in the security of their country. It's important to have a secure Iraq in order for people to go about their daily lives. And we understand that.

I also assured the Secretaries here that this government is committed to success. They've got good people on the ground, we've got brave troops that are working every day to help this country succeed, and at the same time, deny safe haven to al Qaeda.

And again, I want to thank the members for coming -- the former Secretaries for coming. I think it's very useful for those of us who are helping to plot the strategies and the tactics to help secure this country to hear from you. I'm optimistic about our successes. I know this: The only way we will not succeed is if we lose our nerve, we don't have faith in our values, and that we're constantly changing tactics on the ground to achieve our objectives.

So, thank you for coming.

END 10:34 A.M. EDT