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Skriven 2005-10-05 23:33:08 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0510051) for Wed, 2005 Oct 5
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President Meets with Secretary Rumsfeld, Generals Pace and Petraeus to
Discuss Progress in Iraq
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 5, 2005

President Meets with Secretary Rumsfeld, Generals Pace and Petraeus to
Discuss Progress in Iraq
The Rose Garden

President's Remarks
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˙˙˙˙˙In Focus: National Security
˙˙˙˙˙In Focus: Renewal in Iraq

10:43 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: I just had a briefing from Secretary Rumsfeld and General
Pace on our ongoing operations in the western part of Iraq. As you know,
we're on the offense against insurgents and terrorists. We fully understand
they intend to disrupt the constitutional process, or will try to do so, as
well as stop the progress of democracy. And part of the way the Pentagon
and the folks on the ground are going to deal with it, is to stay on the
offense, and that's what's taking place.

I was also pleased to hear there are 3,000 Iraqi forces in the fight; that
they're doing a fine job out there, that they're -- they make a difference
on the battlefield.

We also have General Petraeus with us, who has served incredibly well in
Iraq. His job was to help U.S. forces and coalition forces train the Iraqis
so they can take the fight to the enemy. He briefed me, and will be
briefing the country at the Pentagon here a little later on, about the
strong progress that we're making; that we've recruited a lot of folks, but
we've got more than just recruitment going on. We've got a quality control
program in place to make sure that the troops we train are capable of
taking the fight to the enemy. Over 30 percent of the Iraqi troops are in
the lead on these offensive operations. We've got troops embedded with them
and it's important for the training mission.

But, nevertheless, the Iraqis are showing more and more capability to take
the fight to the enemy. And that's how we're going to succeed in helping
democracy become established in Iraq. I've told the American people all
along our troops will stay there as long as necessary. We'll do the job,
we'll train these folks, and as they become more capable, we will be able
to bring folks home with the honor they've earned.

And we're seeing progress on the ground. And we're also seeing political
progress on the ground. The constitution has been written; folks will have
a chance to vote it up or down here this month. And then there will be
elections, if the constitution is approved, for a permanent government.

So on the one hand, we're making progress when it comes to training Iraqis
to take the fight to the enemy, we're bringing the enemy to justice, we're
on the offense. On the other hand, democracy is moving forward in a part of
the world that is so desperate for democracy and so desperate for freedom.

And so, General, I want to thank you for your service -- General Petreaus.

GENERAL PETREAUS: Thank you, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for your service, too. But thank you for your
service. You've done a fine job.

GENERAL PETREAUS: Thank you, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: I'm proud of you. Thank you all, very much.

END 10:46 A.M. EDT

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