Bush Speaks With U.S. Leaders in Iraq, Expresses Confidence

American Forces Press Service ^ | Sgt. Sara Wood, USA

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2007 – After speaking with commanders of U.S. provincial reconstruction teams and brigade combat teams via videoconference from Iraq today, President Bush expressed confidence about the chances for success in that country.

In remarks after the videoconference, Bush said that Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, told him that for the week of Sept. 8-15, attack levels across Iraq were the lowest they have been since January 2006.

“And when you couple that with grassroots efforts that our … provincial reconstruction teams are making, you begin to get a sense of why I'm confident that we can succeed in Iraq, why I believe that the efforts that we're making toward making sure that extremists like al Qaeda doesn't have safe haven from which to plot attacks and, at the same time, helping people realize the blessings of liberty which will yield long-term peace can happen, can succeed,” Bush said.

Bush said he thanked the leaders for their service to the nation and the sacrifices they and their families make. He also cited the progress noted last week when Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker made their report to Congress.

“I told the folks there that, on behalf of a grateful nation, that we thank them for what they're doing,” he said. “And I look forward to further discussions with those who actually see the progress that is taking place, with those who are living amongst the people and can report firsthand that the success that was reported on by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker now … is happening on a daily basis.”

There is plenty of work still to be done in Iraq, Bush acknowledged, but the mission is important to U.S. security and success is possible, he said.

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[SandRat]

Bet this isn't what you heard if you even heard it at all from the LSM.

[SandRat]

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[roses of sharon]

Thanks for the info!

[jveritas]

Victory is near.

[Tennessean4Bush]

Define “victory” and define “near”. I, too, think that success is almost palpable in the air, but I am interested in how you define these two terms.

[jveritas]

Hello FRiend

Victory= total defeat of Al Qaeda in Iraq

Near = Within the next six months.

[Tennessean4Bush]

I think you need to extend those definitions to a logical conclusion. Victory starts with the defeat of AQI and also JAM. If victory means this bottom-up revulsion of the extremists by the heretofore moderate muslims, then you really will see the original vision of victory, which was a moderate democratic Arab state with a penchant for killing terrorists who will drive a stake through the heart of the extremists by its mere existence. I hope that we are seeing the beginning to that end. I am hoping and praying. Its good to keep running into you on these threads.

[jveritas]

Agree with you in including defeating JAM as part of the total victory. However, in my opinion the “Jaish AL Mahdi” is going to fold on its own without a major fight.