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Skriven 2007-08-27 23:30:44 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0708271) for Mon, 2007 Aug 27
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President Bush Congratulates Iraqi Leaders on Agreement
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary August 27, 2007

President Bush Congratulates Iraqi Leaders on Agreement Kirtland Air Force
Base, New Mexico

˙˙White House News
˙˙En Espa¤ol


11:33 A.M. MDT

THE PRESIDENT: I congratulate Iraq's leaders on the agreement reached
yesterday in Baghdad. I've been briefed on the agreement, and this morning
I spoke to Iraq's elected leaders. These leaders represent all the Iraqi
communities. These leaders -- Prime Minister Maliki, President Talabani,
Vice President Hashimi, Vice President Abd al-Mahdi, President Barzani --
recognize the true and meaningful reconciliation that needs to take place,
and they recognize this is a process. Yesterday's agreement reflects their
commitment to work together for the benefit of all Iraqis to further the
process.

The agreement begins to establish new power-sharing agreements, commits to
supporting bottom-up security and political initiatives, and advances
agreement among Iraq's leadership on several key legislative benchmarks.

While yesterday's agreement is an important step, I reminded them, and they
understand, much more needs to be done. The Iraqi parliament will convene
again in early September, and it will need to act to codify this political
progress.

It's in our interests that we help the Iraqi people succeed. Success in
Iraq will be a major blow to the extremists and radicals who would like to
attack America again. And that's why the United States will continue to
support Iraq's leaders and all the Iraqi people in their efforts to
overcome the forces of terror that seek to overthrow a nascent democracy.

In this regard, I welcome and accept the expressed desire of the Iraqi
leadership to develop a long-term relationship with the United States based
on common interests. The United States is committed to developing this
relationship and to strengthening diplomatic, economic and security ties
with the Iraqi government and its people.

Thank you.

END 11:35 A.M. MDT

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