The Prime Minister and I also discussed the report I
received this week from the Iraq Study Group, chaired by former
Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton.
Their report provides a straightforward picture of the grave situation
we face in Iraq. The Iraq Study Group's report also explicitly endorses
the strategic goal we've set in Iraq: an Iraq that can "govern itself,
sustain itself, and defend itself."
The report went on to say, "In our view, this definition entails an
Iraq with a broadly representative government that maintains its
territorial integrity, is at peace with its neighbors, denies terrorism
a sanctuary, and doesn't brutalize its own people. Given the current
situation in Iraq, achieving this goal will require much time and will
depend primarily on the actions of the Iraqi people."
I agree with this assessment. I was also encouraged that the Iraq
Study Group was clear about the consequences of a precipitous withdrawal
from Iraq. The group declared that such a withdrawal would "almost
certainly produce greater sectarian violence" and lead to "a significant
power vacuum, greater human suffering, regional destabilization, and a
threat to the global economy." The report went on to say, "If we leave
and Iraq descends into chaos, the long-range consequences could
eventually require the United States to return."
The Iraq Study Group understands the urgency of getting it right in
Iraq. The group also understands that while the work ahead will not be
easy, success in Iraq is important, and success in Iraq is possible. The
group proposed a number of thoughtful recommendations on a way forward
for our country in Iraq. My administration is reviewing the report, and
we will seriously consider every recommendation. At the same time, the
Pentagon, the State Department, and the National Security Council are
finishing work on their own reviews of our strategy in Iraq. I look
forward to receiving their recommendations. I want to hear all advice as
I make the decisions to chart a new course in Iraq.
I thank the members of the Iraq Study Group for their hard work and
for the example of bipartisanship that they have set. The group showed
that Americans of different political parties can agree on a common goal
in Iraq and come together on ways to achieve it. Now it is the
responsibility of all of us in Washington -- Republicans and Democrats
alike -- to come together and find greater consensus on the best way
forward.
As part of this effort, I met this week with House and Senate leaders
from both parties, as well as senior members of the Armed Services,
Foreign Relations, and Intelligence Committees. We had productive
discussions about our shared duty to forge a bipartisan approach to
succeed in Iraq. The future of a vital region of the world and the
security of the American people depend on victory in Iraq. I'm confident
that we can move beyond our political differences and come together to
achieve that victory. I will do my part.
Thank you for listening. |