Bush orders a halt in U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq after July

[0:00] ..." Good morning. Fifteen months ago I announced to search. And this week general Petraeus and ambassador Crocker. Gave congress a detailed report on the results. The immediate goal of the surge was to bring down the sectarian violence that threatened to overwhelm the government in Baghdad. Restore basic security to Iraqi communities. And drive the terrorists rather safe it. As general Petraeus told congress American and Iraqi forces have made significant progress in all these serious. While there's more to be done sectarian violence is down dramatically. Civilian deaths in military deaths are also down many neighborhoods once controlled by Al Qaeda had been liberated. Cooperation from Iraqis are stronger than ever. More tips from residents more Iraqis joining your security forces. And a growing movement against Al Qaeda called the sons of Iraq. Improvements in security at helped clear the way for political and economic developments described by ambassador Crocker."...

[1:44] ..." direction. Serious and complex challenges remain in Iraq from the presence of Al Qaeda to the destructive influence of Iran. To hard compromises leader needed for further political progress. It was a search of major strategic"...

[2:17] ..." mainstream Sunni and shia are actively confronting the extremists. Fifteen months ago Al Qaeda bases in Iraq it was using to kill our troops and terrorize Iraqi people. Today we put Al Qaeda on the defensive in Iraq we're now working to deliberate crippling blow. Fifteen months ago. Americans were worried about the prospect of failure in Iraq. Today thanks to the search we Britain renewed and revive the prospect of success. With his goal in mind general Petraeus and ambassador Crocker had submitted recommendations on the way forward. After detailed discussions of my national security team including secretary of Defense Secretary of state. Joint Chiefs of Staff accepted these recommendations. The room recommendation likely to receive the most attention is on troop levels. General Petraeus has reported that security conditions have improved enough it would -- five surge brigades by the end of July. -- by July 31. The number of US combat brigades in Iraq will be down by 25% from last year. Beyond that general Petraeus says he'll need time to consolidate his forces and has established reduced American presence. Will affect conditions on the ground before making"...

[5:06] ..." the transition look like. On the security front thanks to significant progress general Petraeus report this week. It is clear that we're on the right track. The period ahead we will stay on the offense against the enemy. As we speak US special forces are launching multiple operations every night. To capture or kill Al Qaeda leaders in Iraq. Coalition Iraqi forces are also stepping up conventional operations against Al Qaeda in northern Iraq. We're terrorists have concentrated after being largely pushed from central and western Iraq. Prime Minister Malick -- government launched"...

[7:47] ..." affairs. Progress in the provinces is leading to progress in Baghdad. As Iraqi leaders increasingly act together they share power and they forge compromises on behalf of the nation. Coming elections will consolidate this progress. And"...

[8:31] ..." with Iraq. To help in this effort I'm directing ambassador Crocker and general Petraeus to visit Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia on the trip back to Iraq. Correcting our nation's senior diplomats to meet with the leaders"...

[9:47] ..." training and find illegal and militant groups which are terrorists in the Iraqi people. And turning them against Iran. If you run makes right choice America will encourage a peaceful relationship between Iran and Iraq. Ron"...

[14:25] ..." for two of the greatest threats to America in this new century Al Qaeda. And Iran. If we fail there. Al Qaeda would claim a propaganda victory of colossal proportions. And they can gain safe havens in Iraq from which to attack the United States -- friends and our allies. Iran would. Work to fill that vacuum in Iraq. And our failure would embolden this radical leaders and fueled ambitions to dominate the region. The Taliban and Afghanistan. And Al Qaeda in Pakistan would grow in confidence and boldness. Violent extremists around the world would draw the same dangerous lesson they did from"...

[15:43] ..." a watching world. That main street here Arabs reject the ideology of Al Qaeda in mainstream she rejects the ideology of Iran's radical regime. It would give America a new partner with the growing economy and"...

[0:00]" Good morning. Fifteen months ago I announced to search. And this week general Petraeus and ambassador Crocker. Gave congress a detailed report on the results. The immediate goal of the surge was to bring down the sectarian violence that threatened to overwhelm the government in Baghdad. Restore basic security to Iraqi communities. And drive the terrorists rather safe it. As general Petraeus told congress American and Iraqi forces have made significant progress in all these serious. While there's more to be done sectarian violence is down dramatically. Civilian deaths in military deaths are also down many neighborhoods once controlled by Al Qaeda had been liberated. Cooperation from Iraqis are stronger than ever. More tips from residents more Iraqis joining your security forces. And a growing movement against Al Qaeda called the sons of Iraq. Improvements in security at helped clear the way for political and economic developments described by ambassador Crocker. These gains receive less media coverage but they are vital to Iraq's future. The local level businesses are reopening and provincial councils are meeting. At the national level there's much work ahead but the Iraqi government has passed -- budget. And three major benchmark laws. The national government assuring our revenues with the provinces and many economic indicators in Iraq from oil production to inflation. Are now pointed in the right direction. Serious and complex challenges remain in Iraq from the presence of Al Qaeda to the destructive influence of Iran. To hard compromises leader needed for further political progress. It was a search of major strategic shift has occurred fifteen months ago American Iraqi government we're on the defensive. Today we have the initiative. Fifteen months ago extremists were sowing sectarian violence. Today many mainstream Sunni and shia are actively confronting the extremists. Fifteen months ago Al Qaeda bases in Iraq it was using to kill our troops and terrorize Iraqi people. Today we put Al Qaeda on the defensive in Iraq we're now working to deliberate crippling blow. Fifteen months ago. Americans were worried about the prospect of failure in Iraq. Today thanks to the search we Britain renewed and revive the prospect of success. With his goal in mind general Petraeus and ambassador Crocker had submitted recommendations on the way forward. After detailed discussions of my national security team including secretary of Defense Secretary of state. Joint Chiefs of Staff accepted these recommendations. The room recommendation likely to receive the most attention is on troop levels. General Petraeus has reported that security conditions have improved enough it would -- five surge brigades by the end of July. -- by July 31. The number of US combat brigades in Iraq will be down by 25% from last year. Beyond that general Petraeus says he'll need time to consolidate his forces and has established reduced American presence. Will affect conditions on the ground before making measured recommendations on further reductions. And I have told him -- don't have all the time he needs. Some have suggested this period of evaluation. Will be upon us. That's misleading. Because none of our operations in Iraq will be on hold. Instead we will use the months ahead take advantage of the opportunities created by the search. Continue operations across the board. Our efforts during the declared goal of free Iraq that can protect its people. Support itself economically and take charge of its own Political Affairs. No one wants to achieve this goal more than Iraqis themselves. Those who say that the way to encourage further progress is to back off. Force Iraqis to fend for themselves. Are simply wrong. Iraqis are proud people. Who understand the enormity of the challenges they face and are anxious to meet them. But they know that they still need our help until they can stand by themselves. Our job in the period ahead is to stand with the Iraqi government as it makes tough choices. And makes the transition to responsibility for its own security and its own destiny. So the transition look like. On the security front thanks to significant progress general Petraeus report this week. It is clear that we're on the right track. The period ahead we will stay on the offense against the enemy. As we speak US special forces are launching multiple operations every night. To capture or kill Al Qaeda leaders in Iraq. Coalition Iraqi forces are also stepping up conventional operations against Al Qaeda in northern Iraq. We're terrorists have concentrated after being largely pushed from central and western Iraq. Prime Minister Malick -- government launched operations in -- It makes it clear free Iraq will no longer tolerate the lawlessness by Iranian backed militants. For the period ahead we'll also continue to train equip and support to Iraqi security forces. Continue to transfer security responsibilities to them as provinces become ready. And move over time into an over watch role. The Iraqi army and police are increasingly capable. And leading the fight to secure their country. -- Iraqis assume the primary role in providing security American forces will increasingly focus. -- targeted raids against terrorists and extremists. We will continue training Iraqi forces. And they will be available to help Iraq's security forces if required on the economic front. Iraq is moving forward. Iraq's economy growing our revenues are on the rise in this capital investment expanding our economic role in the country is changing. Iraqis in a recent merger would outspend us on reconstruction by more than ten to one. An American funding for large scale reconstruction projects. Is approaching zero. Our share of Iraq's security costs will drop as well as Iraqis pay for the vast majority of their own army and police. And that's the way it should be. Ultimately we expect Iraq to shoulder the full burden of these costs. Period ahead Iraq's economy will increasingly move away from American assistance rely on private investment. Stand on its -- On the political front. Iraq has seen -- bottom up progress. As tribes and other groups in the provinces who fought terror are now turning to rebuilding local political structures. And taking charge of their own affairs. Progress in the provinces is leading to progress in Baghdad. As Iraqi leaders increasingly act together they share power and they forge compromises on behalf of the nation. Coming elections will consolidate this progress. And provide a way for Iraqis to settle disputes through the political process instead of through violence. Iraqis plan to hold provincial elections later this year and these elections will be followed by national elections in 2009. On the diplomatic front. Iraq will increase its engagement in the world. And the world must increase its engagement with Iraq. To help in this effort I'm directing ambassador Crocker and general Petraeus to visit Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia on the trip back to Iraq. Correcting our nation's senior diplomats to meet with the leaders in Jordan. UAE and -- Kuwait and Egypt. He's capital they were briefed them on the situation in Iraq. And encourage these nations reopened their embassies in Baghdad and increased her overall support. For Iraq. This will be followed by secretary rice's trip. To third expand -- neighbor's conference in Kuwait city and second international compact with -- meeting in Stockholm. It's stable successful independent Iraq."

[9:22]" All who want peace in the Middle East. Should support a stable democratic Iraq. We will urge all nations. To increase their support this year. The regime in Tehran also has a choice to make. Can live in peace with -- neighbor. -- strong economic and cultural religious test. Or it can continue to arming training and find illegal and militant groups which are terrorists in the Iraqi people. And turning them against Iran. If you run makes right choice America will encourage a peaceful relationship between Iran and Iraq. Ron makes a wrong choice americorps act protect our interests and our troops. And our Iraqi partners. On each of these -- security economic political and diplomatic. Iraqis are stepping forward to assume more responsibility for the welfare of their people and the fate of their country. And all these -- America will continue to play an increasingly supporting role. -- work in Iraq was still demand sacrifices from -- whole nation. Especially our military. For some time to come. Ease the burden on our troops and their families are directed the secretary of defense to reduce deployment blanks from fifteen months. To twelve months. For all active army soldiers deploying to the central commander of operations. These changes will be effective for those deploying after August 1. We'll also ensure that a army units will have at least a year home. For every year in the field. Our nation it was a special thanks for the soldiers and families who supported this extended deployment. We'll special thanks to all who serve in the cause. For freedom in Iraq. The stress on our force Israel. But the joint chiefs of assured me that an all volunteer force are our all volunteer force is strong. And resilient enough to fight and win this war on terror. Trends in Iraq -- our troops want to win. Recruiting and retention have remained strong during a search. And I believe this I believe the surest way to depress morale and weakened the force. Would be -- Iraq. One key to ensuring that our military remains ready. It's provide the resources they need properly. Congress will soon consider a vital emergency war funding request. Members of congress must pass a bill that provides our troops the resources they need. And does not tie the hands of our commanders or impose artificial time lines forward drawl. This bill must also be fiscally responsible. It must not exceed a reasonable 108 billion dollar request -- sent to congress months ago. If the bill Mitchell is requirements it will be a strong show of support for troops. -- it done I'll veto it. Some in Washington argued that the war cost too much money. There's no doubt because this war behind. But during other major conflicts and history the relative cost has been an entire. I think -- war. During the Truman and Eisenhower administration's. Our defense budget rose as high as 13% of our total economy. Even during the Reagan administration when their economy expanded significantly the defense budget still accounted for about 6%. -- GDP. Our citizens recognize that the imperative of stopping Soviet expansion justified this expense. Today we face an enemy that is not only expansionist in -- but is actually attacked her homeland. And intends to do so again. -- our defense budget accounts for just over 4% of our economy. -- our commitment at any point. During the four decades of the Cold War. She's still large amount of money. But it is modest in modest fraction of our nation's wealth. And it pales when compared to the cost of another terrorist attack on our people. We should be able to agree. It is a burden were -- And we should be able to agree that our national interest record of success of our mission in Iraq. Iraq is -- convergence point for two of the greatest threats to America in this new century Al Qaeda. And Iran. If we fail there. Al Qaeda would claim a propaganda victory of colossal proportions. And they can gain safe havens in Iraq from which to attack the United States -- friends and our allies. Iran would. Work to fill that vacuum in Iraq. And our failure would embolden this radical leaders and fueled ambitions to dominate the region. The Taliban and Afghanistan. And Al Qaeda in Pakistan would grow in confidence and boldness. Violent extremists around the world would draw the same dangerous lesson they did from our retreats in Somalia and Vietnam. This would diminish our nation's standing in the world. And lead to massive humanitarian casualties and increased the threat. Of another terrorist attack on our homeland. The other hand if we succeed in Iraq after all that -- Qaeda and Iran have invested there. Be an historic blow to the global terrorist movement and a severe setback for Iran. It would demonstrate to a watching world. That main street here Arabs reject the ideology of Al Qaeda in mainstream she rejects the ideology of Iran's radical regime. It would give America a new partner with the growing economy and it. Democratic political system in which Sunnis and shia and Kurds all work together for the good of their country. In all these ways that bring us closer to our most important goal. Make -- the American people safer here at home. I want to say a word to our troops and civilians have room. You performed with incredible skill and are demanding circumstances. -- turnaround you have made possible in Iraq is a brilliant achievement in American history. While this war is difficult. It is not endless. And we expect that -- conditions on the ground continued to improve they were permitted to continue the policy of return on success. The day will come when Iraq as a capable partner of the United States. The day will come when Iraq's a stable democracy that helps fighter common enemies and promoter common interests in the Middle East. When that day arrives you'll come home with pride in your success and the gratitude -- your whole nation."