Bush To Iraq: 'America Keeps Its Word'

President Bush assured Iraqis in a surprise visit to Baghdad on Tuesday that the United States stands with them and their new government. "It's in our interest that Iraq succeed," he said, seated alongside newly named Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The dramatic trip came as Mr. Bush sought to bolster support for Iraq's fledgling government and U.S. war policy at home.

"I've come to not only look you in the eye. I've also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it keeps its word," Mr. Bush told al-Maliki.

Later, Mr. Bush told a group of cheering American troops that the war in Iraq "will go down in history books as an incredibly important moment" for freedom, democracy and America's safety.

"I've come today to personally show our nation's commitment to a free Iraq," he said. "My message to the Iraqi people is this: seize the moment, seize the opportunity to develop a government of and by and for the people."

"I come away from here believing that the will is strong," he added.

After his talk to the U.S. troops, Mr. Bush flew by helicopter back to Air Force One under the cover of darkness for the flight back to Washington.
Mr. Bush traveled to Baghdad less than a week after a U.S. air strike killed terror chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It was his second unannounced visit since the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

The trip was known only to a handful of aides and a small number of journalists sworn to secrecy because of obvious security threats for Mr. Bush and members of his entourage.

CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer reports some top White House officials and even Cabinet secretaries are in a state of shock over the president's trip. Except for Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, no Cabinet members knew about the trip until Tuesday morning.

Al-Maliki, who didn't know Mr. Bush was coming until five minutes before they met, said that Iraq was "determined to succeed, and we have to defeat terrorists and defeat all the hardships."

"God willing, all the suffering will be over. And all the soldiers will return to their country with our gratitude for what they have offered, the sacrifice," al-Maliki said through a translator.

Mr. Bush made it clear, however, that a U.S. military presence — now at about 132,000 troops — would continue for awhile.

"I have expressed our country's desire to work with you, but I appreciate you recognize the fact that the future of the country is in your hands," Mr. Bush said.

"The decisions you and your cabinet make will determine as to whether or not your country succeeds, can govern itself, can defend itself, can sustain itself," he added.

"I am impressed with the cabinet you have assembled," Mr. Bush said.

The two leaders were seated at a long table in a room with two large television screens, one showing Mr. Bush and al-Maliki and the other showing Mr. Bush's aides and advisers at Camp David, Md.

Mr. Bush was flanked at the table by al-Maliki and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq.

Mr. Bush met with al-Maliki in the heavily fortified green zone at a palace once used by Saddam but which now serves temporarily as the U.S. Embassy.

"Good to see you," exclaimed al-Maliki as they met. "Thanks for having me," Mr. Bush responded. They smiled broadly and shook hands vigorously in the high-domed marble room.

The prime minister had been invited to the embassy on the pretense of taking part in a video conference with Mr. Bush, supposedly at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains. The videoconference went on as scheduled, but with Mr. Bush appearing alongside al-Maliki.

What had been announced as a two-day meeting at Camp David was part of a ruse to conceal Mr. Bush's Baghdad trip and a cover story to bring al-Maliki and his cabinet to the green zone.

CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer reports that the whole trip was designed not only to show support for the Iraqi government but also to bolster a huge new security crackdown designed to take back the city of Baghdad. It's going to involve about 70,000 troops and is being billed as the largest security operation in the city since American and coalition forces turned Baghdad back to Iraqi control two years ago.

Air Force One landed in hazy daylight at Baghdad Airport, where the temperature was above 100 degrees. Mr. Bush transferred to a helicopter for the six-minute ride to the green zone.

Mr. Bush faces increasing pressure at home to begin troop withdrawals. He has said cutbacks depend on Iraq's ability to provide for its own security.

White House counselor Dan Bartlett said the trip had been in the works for several weeks but was delayed until al-Maliki filled out his cabinet with his national security team last week.

Al-Maliki has won U.S. admiration by promising to crack down on militias and sectarian violence, promote national reconciliation, accelerate reconstruction efforts and restore essential services such as electricity.

Accompanying Mr. Bush on the trip were National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten, Deputy Chief of staff Joe Hagin, press secretary Tony Snow, Bartlett and a few others.

First lady Laura Bush announced the president's trip to a surprised crowd assembled in Villanova, Pa., for a fundraiser for Republican Sen. Rick Santorum. She told the GOP donors she is "very thrilled and very proud" of her husband.