President Bush on Iraq war

[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 "...

[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 "...

[7:41]..." the sectarian violence and civilian deaths. We broke in the grip of Al Qaeda on the capital. We've weaken the influence of Iranian backed militias. We dramatically improve security conditions in many devastated neighborhoods. And what some have gained a -- liberation. In Anbar province. Which eighteen months ago was declared lost to Al Qaeda. We join with the brave local -- to. Launch the first large scale Arab uprising against -- Together we systematically them dismantled Al Qaeda in that province. Just over a year. Remodeled the capital of Anbar. Has seen its average number of attacks plummet from more than eighteen per day to less than one per week. It's becoming clear that -- has not been. Lost Qaeda. They Al Qaeda has been has lost handbook. And that's important because just as the place where Al Qaeda leadership. Has said it will find safe haven from which to launch further attacks against the United States of America. In other parts of Iraq. Baghdad belts to -- Providence to parts of the south we've worked with coalition Iraqi forces to drive the terrorists out of strongholds. And put him on the run. Al Qaeda is concentrated its efforts. In the area but also. Which is in northern Iraq. There's going to be tough fighting and most. And areas around Mosul in the weeks and months. What we are determined along with the Iraqis. To make sure Al Qaeda meets the same fate there that is met elsewhere in Iraq. "...

[3:54]..." on a fateful day in this war. -- delivered justice to the Al Qaeda terrorists are college. In the form of two precision guided 500 pound bombs. Military achievements in Iraq have been accompanied by political "...

[4:41]..." found themselves. Buried in mass graves. No matter of fifteen months. The Iraqi people reclaimed their celebrity. They went on to choose an interim government. And to ratify the most democratic constitution in the Arab world. "...

[10:07]..." November we'll bring home a marine battalion that is now serving in Anbar Province. And in February of 2009 another army combat brigade will come home. This amounts to about 8000 additional American troops returning home. Without replacement. And -- progress in Iraq continues to hold General Petraeus and our military leaders believe additional reductions will be possible in the first half of 2009. The progress in Iraq. Is a "...

[4:57]..." and American troops systematically dismantled Al Qaeda control across the province. Today Anbar Province transformed. Attacks in the province have dropped by more than 90%. Casualties are down dramatically virtually every city and town and and "...

[5:32]..." no longer lost to Al Qaeda. It has been reclaimed by the Iraqi People. We're seeing summer -- in other parts of Iraq. Earlier this year the Iraqi Government launched a successful military operations. Again she "...