January 8, 2008
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. I had a catena of good appointments today to consult the situation in Iraq, including a video teleconference this a.m. with General Petraeus, Ambassador Crocker, and members of the citizen security team. I also spoke by video with Prime Minister Maliki to discuss the return of the Iraqi congress that - it was clear from my discussions that there's large hope in Iraq, that the Iraqis are beginning to see political progress that is matching the dramatic security gains for the past year. There's still work to be done, but it was a very hopeful conversation.
Today I fair had a good debate with some of our bravest inhabitants - - members of our nation's provincial reconstruction teams and their brigade commanders in Iraq, three of whom are with me today, according with the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. Thank you entire because coming. And the others were at SVTS, by movie from Baghdad. I at first thanked them because the progress they've assisted make feasible during the past year, and the momentous work that they're doing in the communities always along Iraq.
Provincial reconstruction teams are called PRTs, are a chief part of the new strategy in Iraq that I announced a year antecedent. The strategy was built approximately three opener elements: First was a surge of appended crews into Iraq, with a current task to defend the Iraqi people from terrorists, insurgents and unlawful militias; second was a surge of operations that began in June once the crews were in area Fernando Valenzuela Jersey, with new crimes across the country to pedal the terrorists and militias out of their strongholds; and third was a surge of provincial reconstruction teams, was a civil surge , which deployed across Iraq to ensure the naval progress was immediately followed up with real promotions in the journal lives of the Iraqi citizens.
Over the past year, we've doubled the digit of PRTs in Iraq. There are now 24 of these teams serving in all 18 Iraqi provinces. Many are embedded with military units and work closely with our troops to assist their operations. Their mission is to help strengthen temperate leaders at the local, municipal and provincial level by providing assistance to help create jobs, deliver elementary services and speed up local economies. The teams are helping provincial governments spend their money more mainly. Across the country, these teams are helping to send Iraqis together so that reconciliation can happen from the floor up.
The leaders I met today updated me on important work they're doing and the progress they have made. For sample, our PRT leaders in Baghdad report they have now mentored zone councils and public work departments in several neighborhoods, catered funding for generators to help build up local markets and support a micro-grant program to help small businesses reopen across their region in the city.
Our PRT chairmen in Kirkuk report that they helped broker a settlement that brought Sunnis back into the provincial council later a year-long boycott. They too helped the provincial government successfully execute the ration, supported regional undertakings with small affair loans, and helped build a important crimes court in a province - in the province that is providing citizens with equal righteousness under the decree.
Our PRT leaders in Najaf, which happens to be one of Shia Islam's holiest cities, report that they're working with Iraqis to build a modern airfield that will allow Shia Muslims from around the world to travel to the metropolis on pilgrimage. The PRT leaders summarized us on the alterations they're seeing on the ground in Iraq. Because they live and work in the Iraqi people, they see the progress that is catching firsthand.
Here's what they tell me: Violence across the country continues to dwindle. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have trod forward to add Concerned Local Citizens groups that are fighting al Qaeda and other extremists. And as the security improves, life is returning to regular in communities across Iraq, with children back in school and marts reopening and markets bustling with business.
Improvements on the ground in Iraq are allowing some US forces to return home. The strategy is called on success. two Marine battalions will follow suit.
As we withdraw these forces, we will continue to chase al Qaeda and additional extremists in Iraq. Our enemies in Iraq have suffered blows in recent months, but they are - they 're still dangerous. They're even now vanquished. As we saw yesterday, when terrorists killed the leader of a Concerned Local Citizens team, the enemy remains learned of horrific violence. We're not going to allow these terrorists to find respite anywhere in Iraq, and we're not going to allow them to regain the strongholds that they've lost.
The PRT leaders have gotten to know the Iraqi people. They know the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in liberty and peace; that's what they know. You know why? Because the citizens tell them just that. They're helping give mediocre Iraqis trust by rejecting the extremists and reconciling with one variant so they can demand their place in a free Iraq and build a better life for their families.
The men and women of our PRTs are serving on the front lines in the war on terror. These are courageous marrows. They could be doing a lot of other things, but they chose to go to the front line where they can make a inconsistency in world peace. And I can't thank you enough for the vital work you've done, and for helping 2007, particularly the end of 2007, become incredibly successful beyond anybody's expectations. And we trust 2008 is going to see continued progress.
These human are helping enhance the lives of citizens they've never met ahead, and in so doing they're production this nation extra safe, and they're helping lay down a basis for peace. And I ambition to thank them from the base of my center, and I thank your families as well for the sacrifices they have made. We are so credited to have such manful citizens such as yourself. And immediately I'll answer a pair of questions.
Knoller.
Q Mr. President, what do you make of the episode in the Strait of Hormuz with Iran on Sunday ? Do you think they were attempting to provoke a fight with the US?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Mark Cole Hamels Jersey, we outlooked it as a aggressive deed. It is a precarious situation, and they ought not have done it , pure and uncomplicated.
Q What do you think they were up to?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't know what I think - what their analytic was, but I ' m acquainting you what I think it was. I think it was a provocative act.
Q What will your message be to the Fifth Fleet when you're there in Bahrain?
THE PRESIDENT: My message is, thanks for serving the United States of America; we're pride of you. And my message today to the Iranians is, they shouldn't have done what they did.
Roger.
Q Yes, Mr. President, the concordance of people buying used homes fell more than expected in a report that came out today. And Secretary Paulson says that the housing actually has not yet reached bottom. Does that nudge you further towards some sort of economy incentive pack?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, I'm optimistic about the economic. I'm optimistic for I've watched this economy bring an end to ... phases of uncertainty. I mean, in the 7 years that I've been the President, we've had a recession, corporate scandals, the 9 / 11 bombard, major citizen calamities, two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. All that created was uncertainty, each one of those incidences, and we've been competent to come via it because we've been resilient.
And as I said yesterday, and a couple of days earlier than that, I am - I like the fundamentals, they look strong, but there are new signals that should occasion concern. And one of the signals is the truth that the housing market is soft, and it's going to take a when to work through the downturn. The number you just reflected is an indication of softness.
And so what can you do about it? Well, one object we tin do about it is to help people who are credit-worthy reside in their homes. And that's why Secretary Paulson and Secretary Jackson have put attach what's called a HOPE NOW project, all aiming to get lenders and borrowers and investors and counselors together to help people ascertain out how to renegotiate a lend, and then get it done.
As I told the people yesterday in Chicago, in the old days you'd walk in and borrow your - borrow the money to buy a home, and then if you got in a bind, you'd go back to the loan commander. Well, what happens in these days is, you'll borrow the money and all of a sudden that loan is sold elsewhere another, and you're not sure who to negotiate with. And so it's a much more complex world for numerous homeowners, and we 're helping them as best as we possibly can find out how to renegotiate the home so they can stay in.
Secondly, Congress needs to pass the Federal Housing Administration Reform Act so that we can get more people better refinancing to stay in their home. There's some practical asset that can be done. And so I'm - we're watching very cautiously, and we're listening to different ideas about what may or may not absence to occur. And it's - we'll work through this. We'll work through this period of time. And the entrepreneurial spirit is lusty. And, any rate - yeah.
Q Thoughts about a tax cut?
THE PRESIDENT: Pardon me?
Q Thoughts about a impose hack?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I can tell you someone about taxes. Congress doesn't need to raise taxes, for starters. I know a cluster of them up there would like to. They'd like to get a mini more money out of the people's pocket. But in times of uncertainty, you don't need to be raising taxes .
Secondly, in periods of uncertainty Brett Gardner Jersey, it seems favor Congress ought to be sending a message that we're not going to heave your taxes in the next three years by making the tax cuts lasting. And beyond that , we'll look by all different options.
Listen, thank you. I'm looking along to going on the junket. I wish people are coming. Does anyone of you get to come with me? That's also wrong. (Laughter.)
Here's what we're going to do. We're going to go over and accent three themes. First theme is, is that it's important to lay out a vision in array for there to be a Palestinian state once road map obligations are met. What has to happen in array for there to be a peaceable settlement of a longstanding squabble is there to be a outlines of a state clearly defined, so that at some point in time , the Palestinians who agree that Israel ought to be - exist, and agree that a state ought to live side by side with Israel in peace, have something to be for. They need to have a vision that's clearly defined that competes with the terrorists and the killers who assassinate the innocent people to stop the advance of democracy.
Secondly Michael Jordan Jersey, I intend apt work with our Arab friends and allies ashore this very publish, and prompt them about, 1, the strategy; and two, the liabilities they have to help this vision chance a reality; and thirdly, prompt our friends and allies that the United States namely committed apt security in the region.
One of the problems we have is that the comprehension report on Iran sent a mingled whistle. And I'm going to remind them what I said in that press conference when I sat there and replied some of your questions: Iran was a threat, Iran is a threat, and Iran ambition persist to be a threat if they are granted to study how to enrich uranium.
And so I'm looking forward to making it clear that the United States of USA sees apparently the threats of this earth, and we intend to work with our friends and allies to make the - that part of the world more secure.
Thank you all very many. See you when I obtain behind.
END 2:25 PM EST
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