Text 5173, 104 rader
Skriven 2007-08-25 23:30:48 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (070825) for Sat, 2007 Aug 25
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President's Radio Address
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For Immediate Release August 25, 2007

President's Radio Address

˙˙President's Radio Address
˙˙Audio ˙˙En Espa¤ol

˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Iraq

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week I traveled to Kansas City to address
the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I spoke about the
ideological struggle that our Nation faces in the 21st century, and the
lessons we can draw from the advance of freedom in Asia in the 20th
century. America's enduring presence and perseverance on that continent
aided the rise of democracy, helped transform American enemies into
American allies, and made our country safer.

Next week I will address the members of the American Legion at their annual
convention in Reno. In that speech, I will focus on the Middle East and why
the rise of a free and democratic Iraq is critical to the future of this
vital region and to our Nation's security.

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˙ I will also provide an update on the developments we are seeing from our
new strategy in Iraq. Every month since January, U.S. forces have killed or
captured an average of more than 1,500 al Qaeda terrorists and other
extremists. And in June our troops launched a surge of operations that is
helping bring former Sunni insurgents into the fight against al Qaeda,
clear the terrorists out of population centers, and give families in
liberated Iraqi cities a safer and more normal life.

As security improves, more Iraqis are stepping forward to defend their
democracy. Young Iraqi men are signing up for the army. Iraqi police are
now patrolling the streets. Coalition and Iraqi forces have doubled the
number of joint operations. As the Iraqi people feel more secure, they are
also forming neighborhood watch groups. They're volunteering important
information about the terrorists and extremists hiding in their midst. And
the increase in tips helps account for the marked reduction in sectarian
murders.

By driving out the terrorists from cities and neighborhoods, we're creating
the conditions for reconciliation -- especially at the local level. In
communities across Iraq, citizens are seeing their local and provincial
governments return to operation. Despite continuing violence, leaders in
places like Anbar, Najaf, and Ninewah are now working through local
provincial councils to approve funds to finance the rebuilding of homes and
neighborhoods, to fight corruption, and to create new jobs.

Here at home, it can be easy to overlook the bravery shown by Iraqi troops
and Iraqi civilians who are in the fight for freedom. But our troops on the
ground see it every day. Last week, a team of American soldiers was meeting
with an Iraqi citizens group near Baghdad. Suddenly, a suicide bomber came
running around a corner and headed straight for our soldiers and the Iraqi
civilians.

One Iraqi man saw what was happening and ran to intercept the bomber. As he
pushed the terrorist away, the bomb detonated -- killing both men, but
sparing four American soldiers and eight Iraqi civilians. Army Staff
Sergeant Sean Kane is one of those who says he owes his life to this brave
Iraqi. Sergeant Kane says, "He could have run behind us or away from us,
but he made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect everyone."
Sergeant Kane spoke to the Iraqi man's father, who said that even if his
son had known the outcome beforehand, he "[would not] have acted
differently."

The story does not end there. Later that same night, the citizens group
contacted the local director of the National Police and told him the
location of the al Qaeda cell believed to be responsible for the attack.
The National Police immediately conducted a raid that resulted in four
arrests.

We are still in the early stages of our new operations. But the success of
the past couple of months have shown that conditions on the ground can
change -- and they are changing. We cannot expect the new strategy we are
carrying out to bring success overnight. But by standing with the Iraqi
people as they build their democracy, we will deliver a devastating blow to
al Qaeda, we will help provide new hope for millions of people throughout
the Middle East, we will gain a friend and ally in the war on terror, and
we will make the American people safer.

Thank you for listening.
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