Radio Address by the Presdient to the Nation, 09-15-07

WhiteHouse.gov ^ | -0=15=-7 | George W. Bush

[Salvation]

 

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 15, 2007

President's Radio Address

  President's Radio Address
  Audio
  En Español

      In Focus: Renewal in Iraq

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testified before Congress on the progress of America's strategy in Iraq, including the surge in forces. They agreed that our Coalition faces formidable challenges. Yet they also said that security conditions are improving, that our forces are seizing the initiative from the enemy, and that the troop surge is working.

Because of this progress, General Petraeus now believes we can maintain our security gains with fewer U.S. troops. He's recommended a force reduction of 5,700 troops in Iraq by Christmas, and he expects that by July we will be able to reduce our troop levels in Iraq further, from 20 combat brigades to 15. He's also recommended that in December we begin a transition to the next phase of our strategy in Iraq, in which our troops will shift over time from leading operations to partnering with Iraqi forces, and eventually to overwatching those forces.

 I have accepted General Petraeus's recommendations. And I have directed that he and Ambassador Crocker deliver another report to Congress in March. At that time, they will provide a fresh assessment of the situation in Iraq and of the troop levels we need to meet our national security objectives. The principle that guides my decisions on troop levels is "return on success." The more successful we are, the more troops can return home. And in all we do, I will ensure that our commanders on the ground have the troops and flexibility they need to defeat the enemy.

Anbar Province is a good example of the progress we are seeing in Iraq. Last year, an intelligence report concluded that Anbar had been lost to al Qaeda. But local sheiks asked for our help to push back the terrorists -- and so we sent an additional 4,000 Marines to Anbar as part of the surge. Together, local sheiks, Iraqi forces, and Coalition troops drove the terrorists from the capital of Ramadi and other population centers. Today, citizens who once feared beheading for talking to our troops now come forward to tell us where the terrorists are hiding. And young Sunnis who once joined the insurgency are now joining the army and police.

The success in Anbar is beginning to be replicated in other parts of Iraq. In Diyala, a province that was once a sanctuary for extremists is now the site of a growing popular uprising against the extremists. In Baghdad, sectarian killings are down, and life is beginning to return to normal in many parts of the city. Groups of Shia extremists and Iranian-backed militants are being broken up, and many of their leaders are being captured or killed. These gains are a tribute to our military, to Iraqi forces, and to an Iraqi government that has decided to take on the extremists.

The success of a free Iraq is critical to the security of the United States. If we were to be driven out of Iraq, extremists of all strains would be emboldened. Al Qaeda could find new recruits and new sanctuaries. And a failed Iraq could increase the likelihood that our forces would someday have to return -- and confront extremists even more entrenched and even more deadly. By contrast, a free Iraq will deny al Qaeda a safe haven. It will counter the destructive ambitions of Iran. And it will serve as a partner in the fight against terrorism.

In this struggle, we have brave allies who are making great sacrifices to defeat the terrorists. One of these Iraqis was a man named Sheikh Abdul Sattar. He was one of the tribal leaders I met on my recent visit to Iraq, who was helping us to drive al Qaeda out of Anbar Province. His father was killed by al Qaeda in 2004. And when we met Sheikh Sattar, he told me, quote: "We have suffered a great deal from terrorism. We strongly support the democracy you have called for." Earlier this week, this brave tribal sheikh was murdered. A fellow Sunni leader declared: "We are determined to strike back and continue our work." We mourn the loss of brave Iraqis like Sheikh Sattar, and we stand with those who are continuing the fight.

If Iraq's young democracy can turn back its enemies, it will mean a more hopeful Middle East -- and a more secure America. So we will help the Iraqi people defeat those who threaten their future -- and also threaten ours.

Thank you for listening.

 

Archives

Radio Address:
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001

Radio Interviews:
2006
2005
2004

 

FAQ

I can't find a radio station that carries the radio address. Do any stations in Pomona carry it?
Click here for answer....

 

[Salvation]

For your reading and listening pleasure as well as your comments!

[Salvation]

Radio Address Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Radio Address Ping List.

[Salvation]

Text of the President's Address [on Iraq]

[P-Marlowe]

El Presidente George W. Bush, junto al secretario Alphonso Jackson, del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano y el secretario Henry Paulson Jr., del Departamento del Tesoro, presta declaraciones el viernes, 31 de agosto de 2007, en el Rose Garden sobre financiamiento para propietarios de vivienda. "Ser propietario de una casa siempre ha sido parte esencial del Sueño Americano. Junto con el Congreso de Estados Unidos, voy a seguir trabajando para hacer que ese sueño sea una realidad para más ciudadanos estadounidenses." Foto por Shealah Craighead de la Casa Blanca

Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación

El éxito de un Irak libre es crítico para la seguridad de los Estados Unidos. Si llegáramos a ser expulsados de Irak, los extremistas de toda estirpe se sentirían envalentonados. Al-Qaeda podría encontrar nuevos reclutas y nuevos refugios. Y un Irak fallido podría aumentar la probabilidad de que nuestras fuerzas algún día tengan que volver - y enfrentar a extremistas aún más arraigados y aún más mortales. Al contrario, un Irak libre le negará a al-Qaeda un refugio. Contrarrestará las ambiciones destructivas de Irán. Y servirá de aliado en la guerra contra el terrorismo.

"Retorno tras éxitos" principio que guiará el número de tropas en Iraq

El 13 de septiembre el Presidente Bush anuncio que acepta las recomendaciones del General David Petraeus para reducir la presencia estadounidense en Iraq y, en diciembre, empezar la transición a la siguiente fase de nuestra estrategia. Antes de llegar a esta decisión, el Presidente consultó con los jefes del Estado Mayor, otros miembros de su equipo de seguridad nacional, funcionarios iraquíes y líderes de ambos partidos en el Congreso. El principio que guiará sus decisiones sobre el nivel de tropas en Iraq es "retorno tras éxitos": Mientras más éxitos tengamos, más soldados estadounidenses podrán regresar a casa.

Discurso del Presidente a la Nación

En Iraq, un aliado de Estados Unidos lucha por su supervivencia. Terroristas y extremistas que están en guerra con nosotros en todo el mundo procuran derrocar al gobierno de Iraq, dominar la región y atacarnos aquí, en nuestro país. Si la joven democracia de Iraq puede defenderse de estos enemigos, esto significará más esperanza en el Oriente Medio y más seguridad en Estados Unidos. Este aliado ha depositado su confianza en Estados Unidos. Y esta noche, nuestro imperativo moral y estratégico es uno: Debemos ayudar a Iraq a vencer a quienes amenazan su futuro, y que también amenazan el nuestro.

Mes De La Hispanidad Del Año 2007

Los hispanoamericanos han fortalecido nuestro país y contribuido al espíritu de Estados Unidos. El Mes Nacional de la Hispanidad es una oportunidad de rendir homenaje a estos aportes y celebrar las ricas tradiciones culturales de nuestra comunidad hispanoamericana.

[P-Marlowe]

Discurso Radial Del Presidente a la Nación
El Presidente George W. Bush pronuncia un discurso de radio a la nación semanalmente, el cual se transmite los sábados a las 10:06 AM (ET).

[Salvation]

Thanks for posting those links.

[Salvation]

Actually theire is even a Spanish language link at the top of the President’s Address.

[P-Marlowe]

Actually theire is even a Spanish language link at the top of the President’s Address.

Yes there is, isn't there. Isn't that sweet?

Why isn't there one in Polish? why not one in Vietnamese? Why not one in German?

Why on that page is the White House referred to as "La Casa Blanca"?

Why is President Bush referred to as "El Presidente?"

When did our constitution allow for the office of "El Presidente"?

We are NOT "Los Estados Unidos". This is THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. That is THE WHITE HOUSE. President Bush was elected PRESIDENT not "El Presidente"

Anyone who cannot say "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in our language or refer to our chief executive as "PRESIDENT BUSH" should not be allowed to stay in this country. Yet "El Presidente Bush" has 1/2 of his Executive Branch Website dedicated to Spanish Language. We are a nation of immigrants united by a single language and it isn't Spanish.

DAMMIT THIS IS AMERICA. WE SPEAK ENGLISH HERE.

LEARN IT OR LEAVE IT!

That goes for you too GWB!

[P-Marlowe]

Thanks for posting those links.

Naiveté is your strong suit, Sal.

[Salvation]

Mr. President, thank you for supporoting our troops. The surge is working. General Petraeus knows his stuff.

[Republic]

I agree. And I like your typo-"supporoting our troops" !

Makes me think of our President and his penchant for using his own words (as in made-up) to support his point. I love it.....and have been doing it since I first heard our President do it, my latest is "sky-scrape-per-y" to describe a certain city environs.

I have never supported our President more. I am in awe of his steadfastness and courage. He fights an enemy, a GENUINE enemy, on TWO fronts, world terror and liberals who would undermine our country from within.

I just flat out love this man.

And I am so grateful that he has been our leader throughout these past years.

We needed him, and God knew it.

May God continue to bless our nation and our President, his staff and family, our tremendous military personnel and may God expose our enemies - on both fronts.