WASHINGTON, June 27, 2005 — The year since Iraq assumed sovereignty on June 28, 2004, has been marked by “some extraordinary achievements in the face of tremendous challenge,” President Bush said during a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari here June 24.

The two leaders met at the White House during what Bush called “a critical moment” in Iraq’s history. “In just a few days, we will mark the first anniversary of Iraq to its people,” said Bush, noting that the Iraqis can take credit for the progress under way.

“Seven months after resuming sovereignty over their nation, the Iraqi people defied the car bombers and assassins to hold their first free elections in a half century,” the president said.

He highlighted additional accomplishments, including the election of the Transitional National Assembly and Jaafari’s appointment as prime minister in April, and this month’s decision to expand the constitutional drafting committee to include more Sunni Arabs.

Important work remains in the months ahead, the president said, including drafting a permanent constitution for a free Iraq, submitting it to the Iraqi people for approval, and holding new elections to choose a constitutional government.

“These are monumental tasks,” Bush said. “Yet at every step of the way so far, the Iraqi people have met their strategic objectives, and the terrorists have failed to stop them.”

Bush commended Jaafari and his fellow Iraqis “for their hard work and courage” and said he’s confident they “will continue to defy the skeptics as they assume a greater responsibility for their security and build a new Iraq that represents their diversity.”

The way ahead “is not going to be easy,” the president acknowledged, particularly because terrorists have not yet accepted the fact that they can’t stand in the way of Iraq’s progress.

“The killings and roadside bombings that we see underscore that freedom in Iraq is opposed by a violent and ruthless enemy with no regard for human life,” Bush

said. This enemy includes former members of Saddam Hussein’s regime, criminal elements and foreign terrorists, he said.

“The terrorists are fighting in Iraq because they know a free Iraq in the heart of the Middle East will deal a severe blow to an ideology that lives on oppression and fear,” he said. “By securing Iraqi democracy, we will make America and our friends and allies around the world safer.”

The terrorists’ goal is to drive the coalition out of Iraq before Iraq has established a secure, democratic government -- but they won’t succeed, the president insisted.

“Our goal is clear: a democratic and peaceful Iraq that represents all Iraqis,” Bush said.

Toward that goal, “Our troops will continue to train Iraqi security forces so these forces can defend their country and to protect their people from terror,” he said. “And as Iraqis become more capable in defending their nation, our troops will eventually return home with the honor they have earned.”

As the Iraqis stand up for their freedom, “the free world is standing with them,” Bush said.

Jaafari thanked the people of the United States “for their courage and commitment against terrorism” and said the two countries stand together against a common enemy. He noted that those who have sacrificed in Iraq -- Iraqis and Americans alike -- “suffered side by side” as they fought “for the security of Iraq, but also of Americans.”

Now is not the time for Iraqis or Americans to fall back on their commitment, Jaafari said. “We owe to those who have made sacrifices to continue toward the goals they fought for,” he said.

Jaafari said Iraqis “are making steady and substantial progress” and disproving naysayers every day.

“People said Saddam would not fall, and he did,” Jaafari said. “They said the elections would not happen, and they did. They said the constitution will not be written, but it will.”

And the Iraqi people will continue to push forward, despite the challenges they face, Jaafari said. “The whole world will see that changes in Iraq happen because of the great will of the people of Iraq and the countries that are assisting us,” he said.