Full Transcript Of Bush's Iraq Speech

President Pledges To Hold Iraqi Government Accountable For Progress Toward Peace And Security

(CBS) 
As we make these changes, we will continue to pursue al Qaeda and foreign fighters. Al Qaeda is still active in Iraq. Its home base is Anbar Province. Al Qaeda has helped make Anbar the most violent area of Iraq outside the capital. A captured al Qaeda document describes the terrorists' plan to infiltrate and seize control of the province. This would bring al Qaeda closer to its goals of taking down Iraq's democracy, building a radical Islamic empire and launching new attacks on the United States at home and abroad.

Our military forces in Anbar are killing and capturing al Qaeda leaders — and protecting the local population. Recently, local tribal leaders have begun to show their willingness to take on al Qaeda. As a result, our commanders believe we have an opportunity to deal a serious blow to the terrorists. So I have given orders to increase American forces in Anbar Province by 4,000 troops. These troops will work with Iraqi and tribal forces to step up the pressure on the terrorists. America's men and women in uniform took away al Qaeda's safe haven in Afghanistan — and we will not allow them to re-establish it in Iraq.

Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity — and stabilizing the region in the face of the extremist challenge. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria. These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We will interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.

We are also taking other steps to bolster the security of Iraq and protect American interests in the Middle East. I recently ordered the deployment of an additional carrier strike group to the region. We will expand intelligence sharing — and deploy Patriot air defense systems to reassure our friends and allies. We will work with the governments of Turkey and Iraq to help them resolve problems along their border. And we will work with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region.

We will use America's full diplomatic resources to rally support for Iraq from nations throughout the Middle East. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf States need to understand that an American defeat in Iraq would create a new sanctuary for extremists — and a strategic threat to their survival. These nations have a stake in a successful Iraq that is at peace with its neighbors — and they must step up their support for Iraq's unity government. We endorse the Iraqi government's call to finalize an International Compact that will bring new economic assistance in exchange for greater economic reform. And on Friday, Secretary Rice will leave for the region — to build support for Iraq and continue the urgent diplomacy required to help bring peace to the Middle East.

The challenge playing out across the broader Middle East is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of our time. On one side are those who believe in freedom and moderation. On the other side are extremists who kill the innocent and have declared their intention to destroy our way of life. In the long run, the most realistic way to protect the American people is to provide a hopeful alternative to the hateful ideology of the enemy — by advancing liberty across a troubled region. It is in the interests of the United States to stand with the brave men and women who are risking their lives to claim their freedom and help them as they work to raise up just and hopeful societies across the Middle East.

From Afghanistan to Lebanon to the Palestinian Territories, millions of ordinary people are sick of the violence and want a future of peace and opportunity for their children. And they are looking at Iraq. They want to know: Will America withdraw and yield the future of that country to the extremists — or will we stand with the Iraqis who have made the choice for freedom?

The changes I have outlined tonight are aimed at ensuring the survival of a young democracy that is fighting for its life in a part of the world of enormous importance to American security. Let me be clear: The terrorists and insurgents in Iraq are without conscience, and they will make the year ahead bloody and violent. Even if our new strategy works exactly as planned, deadly acts of violence will continue — and we must expect more Iraqi and American casualties. The question is whether our new strategy will bring us closer to success. I believe that it will.

Victory will not look like the ones our fathers and grandfathers achieved. There will be no surrender ceremony on the deck of a battleship. But victory in Iraq will bring something new in the Arab world — a functioning democracy that polices its territory, upholds the rule of law, respects fundamental human liberties and answers to its people. A democratic Iraq will not be perfect. But it will be a country that fights terrorists instead of harboring them — and it will help bring a future of peace and security for our children and grandchildren.

Our new approach comes after consultations with Congress about the different courses we could take in Iraq. Many are concerned that the Iraqis are becoming too dependent on the United States — and therefore, our policy should focus on protecting Iraq's borders and hunting down al Qaeda. Their solution is to scale back America's efforts in Baghdad or announce the phased withdrawal of our combat forces. We carefully considered these proposals. And we concluded that to step back now would force a collapse of the Iraqi government, tear that country apart, and result in mass killings on an unimaginable scale. Such a scenario would result in our troops being forced to stay in Iraq even longer, and confront an enemy that is even more lethal. If we increase our support at this crucial moment, and help the Iraqis break the current cycle of violence, we can hasten the day our troops begin coming home.

In the days ahead, my national security team will fully brief Congress on our new strategy. If members have improvements that can be made, we will make them. If circumstances change, we will adjust. Honorable people have different views, and they will voice their criticisms. It is fair to hold our views up to scrutiny. And all involved have a responsibility to explain how the path they propose would be more likely to succeed.

Acting on the good advice of Sen. Joe Lieberman and other key members of Congress, we will form a new, bipartisan working group that will help us come together across party lines to win the war on terror. This group will meet regularly with me and my administration, and it will help strengthen our relationship with Congress. We can begin by working together to increase the size of the active Army and Marine Corps, so that America has the armed forces we need for the 21st century. We also need to examine ways to mobilize talented American civilians to deploy overseas — where they can help build democratic institutions in communities and nations recovering from war and tyranny.

In these dangerous times, the United States is blessed to have extraordinary and selfless men and women willing to step forward and defend us. These young Americans understand that our cause in Iraq is noble and necessary — and that the advance of freedom is the calling of our time. They serve far from their families, who make the quiet sacrifices of lonely holidays and empty chairs at the dinner table. They have watched their comrades give their lives to ensure our liberty. We mourn the loss of every fallen American, and we owe it to them to build a future worthy of their sacrifice.

Fellow citizens: The year ahead will demand more patience, sacrifice, and resolve. It can be tempting to think that America can put aside the burdens of freedom. Yet times of testing reveal the character of a nation. And throughout our history, Americans have always defied the pessimists and seen our faith in freedom redeemed. Now America is engaged in a new struggle that will set the course for a new century. We can and we will prevail.

We go forward with trust that the Author of Liberty will guide us through these trying hours. Thank you, and good night.

[arthurcl1]

That question must keep McCain's advisers up at night. In Vietnam, the right's advice was never followed and, thus, never came up for a vote. When Reagan called Vietnam a "noble cause" in 1980, he was stoking a myth of national innocence and invincibility for which beleaguered Americans yearned. But he could do so precisely because his preferred policies on Vietnam had never been tried. In 2008, by contrast, Iraq won't be a symbolic issue. Americans will still be dying, and the catastrophe will still be deepening, largely because of policies clearly identified with the likely Republican presidential nominee. McCain can claim that, by sending only 20,000 troops, Bush didn't surge enough %u2014 and, thus, his preferred policy didn't fail. But that will look like quibbling. Already, presidential hopeful John Edwards has dubbed Bush's surge "the McCain Doctrine," and, with public support for a surge near single digits, Democrats will likely make that a central thrust of their campaign to retake the White House.

[alenaae]

I have been speaking with an Iraqi in Najaf. I asked him if we should pull out now. This is what he said:

Jassim: I still believe in american
Karen: yes, many people are asking to force a full American exit from Iraq
Karen: what do you think would happen if the Americans were to leave now?
Jassim: even if I do not agre or understand USA government policy some times I respect soldiers
Karen: Bush is currently planning to send 21,500 troops
Jassim: because I know what they suffer too, I jusy hope them would take care of iraqis
Jassim: yes I know that
Jassim: if usa withdraown from Iraq every one will kill every one else
Jassim: it is like a civil war now but it will be official
Jassim: no one know what would happen exactly but every bad thing is possible
Jassim: may be arabic countries will attack us
Karen: is the Iraqi military part of the solution or part of the problem?
Jassim: Iran also
Jassim: both !!!
Jassim: no one can depend on them
Jassim: they are a wasting formoney
Jassim: for money
Jassim: like most of money spent in iraq
Jassim: just wasting
Jassim: most of it went to private pockets !!
Jassim: or to support militia
Jassim: political parties

more at http://alenaae.blogspot.com/2007/01/6-what-if-americans-leave-iraq-where.html

[marcodele]

From Junior's speech that Karl Rove wrote:
"a struggle that will determine the direction of the global war on terror %u2014 and our safety here at home. The new strategy I outline tonight will change America's course in Iraq, and help us succeed in the fight against terror."

Those were Sunnis who attacked the World Trade Center? Apparently there is a stubborn percentage of Americans who will believe every lie this idiot regurgitates.

[thewordengine]

All of the troops in the world can't solve the ideological differences that we face in the muslim communities. You think Iraq is not safe, look around your urban centers in America. Drug cartels control the ghettos, hand gun violence, child molestation, rampant political and corporate corruption. Can anyone understand why pollitically conservative countries don't want to be more like the U.S.? In our own arrogance, we don't see why people in other countries don't just slip on some Calvin Kleins, drink a Pepsi, and post videos of their naked daughters on the internet to make money to invest in Boeing. America may have great millitary power thanks to genocide (Native Americans), enslavement (African Tribes), indentured servitude (Chinese, Irish, and Okies) and the use of nuclear weapons (Hiroshima, Nagasaki) over the last 200 years, but we are a poor example of the moral high road. Let us embrace a bit of honesty. We are in Iraq to build another U.S. base in the Middle East. We will never leave Iraq. We won't stop Middle East expansion until we have solved our over reliance on oil (which is destroying the global environment), and are comfortable enough with Russia and China as allies to stop building towards World War III.

[fitxprt]

I completely agree with dlb_92. The arsenal of the US Military can wipe the entire Middle East off the face of the Earth ten times over... and then some... if we wanted to. Yes, we have used restraint and we need to do more to help Iraq take back control of their country. The insurgents are mainly outsiders trying to create instability in Iraq and because we have shown too much restraint, it is working. Look folks, we cannot go back so we have to move forward. Open your eyes and see the world for what it is and stop hiding your heads in the sand. I can see that the liberal comments I am reading is being made by people who have never left US soil and have not seen what I have seen. Before any of you make any more liberal, pessimistic comments, GET ALL THE FACTS!!! We live in the greatest nation on Earth. Be proud you live here and not somewhere else... because if you did live elsewhere, you'd wish you were living in the United States of America.

[samthetvcat]

Well, dlb_92 you had my ear until that last sentence when you started in on the name-calling...also, I don't think your assumption that we think the military is incapable is correct.

I think where we differ is that perhaps liberals also have confidence in intelligence - the FBI and the CIA...didn't they in fact find that Bush and his war in Iraq had actually increased the threat of terrorism a couple of months ago? I would even go one step farther and question how the neo-cons can even know that its because of the war in Iraq that there's been no other terrorist incidents since 9/11? If the right is going to claim that the last 5 years of safety are due to Bush then the left will just as easily be able to claim the next 5 are due to Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic congress for actually implementing all of the 9/11 commission's recommendations AND due to their pressure on Bush to begin removing troops from Iraq.

I think uncertaintly is just part of the 'new normal'...like we all just have to do the best we can and if something's not working, our leaders need to have the courage to put results ahead of personal pride...jmo

[dlb_92]

People seem to think our military are 'sitting ducks', and call them 'sheep to the slaughter. They do, on occasion, defend themselves and just happen to kill a few terrorists from time to time. Please give me a small break, people. We have the strongest military power the planet has ever seen, and people cry that we are losing this war. Our country, if anything, has shown nothing but great restraint. Just think for one minute, even you liberals, what our military could really do to Iraq, and other countries. But somewhere along the way it was decided our military must fight nice. If Saddam was still in power can you see that regime arguing over giving Constitutional rights to American POWS. So go on and keep insulting our leaders, just remember that the cost of doing nothing would be 10 times greater than the cost that is currently being paid. Keeping these islamic radicalist on offense is the best way to keep us safe here. If a dirty bomb were to explode here in the homeland you tree-hugging, anti-military, liberal, know-it-alls would be the first people to call for our leaders to be hung for not protecting us and you know it.

GW Bush:

"Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me."

Finally, some honesty from the Whitehouse.

Impeach the SOB.

[samthetvcat]

SamTheTVCat.

Laugh now, but I'll see you over there inteh trenches

Kiss my American dreams goodbye
Posted by emtak1 at 01:11 AM : Jan 11, 2007

yeah, scary isn't it . . .

[samthetvcat]

Something else that caught my attention:

"The violence in Iraq %u2014 particularly in Baghdad %u2014 overwhelmed the political gains the Iraqis had made. Al Qaeda terrorists and Sunni insurgents recognized the mortal danger that Iraq's elections posed for their cause, and they responded with outrageous acts of murder aimed at innocent Iraqis. They blew up one of the holiest shrines in Shia Islam %u2014 the Golden Mosque of Samarra %u2014 in a calculated effort to provoke Iraq's Shia population to retaliate. Their strategy worked. Radical Shia elements, some supported by Iran, formed death squads. And the result was a vicious cycle of sectarian violence that continues today."

I thought this mosque bombing had always been attributed to solely to Al-Quaida (how do you spell that - for some reason this doesn't look right . . . ) and Abu-Mousab Al-Zarquawi (sorry spellings probably not right with this one either). Does he have any facts to substantiate this or is this just a convenient rationale he's concocted to make siding with the Shiites in the civil war more palatable to himself? This troop surge is starting to sound like it has a real danger of in fact escalating the civil war rather than quelling it over the long-term . . .

[emtak1]

SamTheTVCat.

Laugh now, but I'll see you over there inteh trenches

Kiss my American dreams goodbye

[emtak1]

TehGanboo

I agree, but 20,000 wouldn't likely do it. In my little-fellow opinion you would need 100,000.

And then we would need luck, because, frankly I don't think the military leaders we have now are up to the level they used to be.

[samthetvcat]

. . . as for the speach itself . . .

"Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity %u2014 and stabilizing the region in the face of the extremist challenge. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria. These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We will interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq."

OMG - Bush ins't planning on invading Iran and Syria now is he!?!

[emtak1]

"The consequences of failure are clear: Radical Islamic extremists would grow in strength and gain new recruits. They would be in a better position to topple moderate governments, create chaos in the region and use oil revenues to fund their ambitions. Iran would be emboldened in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Our enemies would have a safe haven from which to plan and launch attacks on the American people...." Bush last night

I don't understand how all this could be so clear to him. Can the man see the future or something? And if so, how come he couldn't help us avoid the imminent defeat we're facing now?

[samthetvcat]

"Katie and Bob were good."
Posted by haley04062 at 10:33 PM : Jan 10, 2007

Yeah, I don't know how they were able to maintain their neutrality when they had to mention Bush as the 'benefactor' of Iraq. I would not have been able to even hold a straight face with that one . . .

[frankly6]

TehGanboo

Put your dictionary away little one. It's not helping you to sound mature. Go ask your mommy if you can talk on the adult board mmmkay?

[tehganboo]

Wow.. the word impeach in all capital letters. I'm fourteen, and I feel immature just reading that. Please, try to use even the tritest of sense. If you could kindly think for a moment without being completly manipulated by tendentious media, hopefully you would come up with something containing atleast a modicrum of intelligence. I for one realize the sheer neccesity of sending more troops. Imagine the aftereffects of simply pulling out now; we would be left with civil war of the upmost. It is absolute imperitave to deal with the situation deftly and quickly, for small forces will never be able to quell the insurgent threat.

[grazinggoat]

This is exactly pouring more fuel on the fire. This guy is insane. IMPEACH him. No one can believe what he says. He's a real catastrohpy. This guy needs to go now. He has to change those advisors that only see evil people in front of them, while they are defending the only objectives that are not pro-american. Our soldiers are being made an occupying force. They are put in the forefront of fire, to serve others' interests. The interests of the USA are not in danger in the region with most of our allies firmly standing... Those insurgents who are fighting for their freedom from our occupation troops are provoked and will react even further with more violence. The peace our Walking-Liar president promises is only hypothetical. He proved he was lying to us in the past, there is no firm commitment from his part. He just cannot. Nothing of what he said has been realised in the past. He has to go, before it's too late.

We should rather pull out our troops so the local forces can equilibrate, on their own. Inserting a foreign body in the Middle East has been painful since the last 50-some years. Adding up our troops (indefinitely; no time limit mentioned in the Bush's speech) will render the situation even worse. A lot of suffering will ensue the deployment. A lot of killing and destruction, one can unfortunately foresee. Please, Democrats, don't let this vicious liar ruine our immediate and our kids' future. Just Impeach him.

[haley04062]

Katie and Bob were good.

[SunshineDaniels]

I really cannot fathom WHY on God's earth Bush cannot stop sending troops over there into that madness. It's only going to add more fuel to the fire. He needs to step back, and take a REALLY good look at what's happening and ask the real HELPER--GOD--for the right answer. Pray a little harder! Bush is not physically over there in the midst of the fighting: he's on the outside looking in and day by day more and more lives are taken. This war is not affecting him directly, so he's not feeling it. Why can't the troops stay on our soil and protect us over here where we need it? They can be deployed in the areas that need help like Louisiana where Katrina victims still need homes; in California; Colorado where it snowed terribly; we've got homeless people that need shelter & food all over the country; drug trafficking is in our neighborhoods, etc. There is so much going on in our own back door that needs to be fixed that we can help ourselves with, yet he sends our service people overseas to help other countries when we have our own problems that need fixing. Something is very, very wrong with this picture, don't you think!?!?!?!? Come on, Bush, wake up and smell the coffee, man! Keep your nose in your own business and Run your own country!