Bush Makes Surprise Farewell Visits to Iraq, Afghanistan

15 December 2008

(“The United States of America keeps its word,” he says)

By David McKeeby
Staff Writer

Washington — President Bush welcomed progress in Iraq and Afghanistan in a surprise farewell visit to the region, where he underlined America’s enduring commitment to the success of both emerging democracies under his successor, President-elect Barack Obama.

“I am of a different political party than President-elect Obama. But I want him to succeed,” Bush said in Kabul, Afghanistan, December 14. “These nations need to know that the United States has been with them, is with them, and will be with them.”

In his fourth and final presidential visit to Iraq, Bush hailed Iraq’s dramatic security improvements and political progress, made possible by increasingly capable Iraqi military and police forces, the U.S.-led coalition’s 2007 “surge” strategy, and Iraqis joining allied forces to confront extremism under the “Anbar Awakening” — key developments that have culminated in a 90 percent decline in violence and have set Iraq on a solid path toward reform, rebuilding and development.

“There is hope in the eyes of Iraqis' young,” Bush said. “This is a future of what we've been fighting for — a strong and capable, democratic Iraq that will be a force of freedom and a force for peace in the heart of the Middle East.”

Bush met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the presidency council, followed by talks with senior parliamentary leaders, before joining Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to formally sign two agreements that mark a new phase in U.S.-Iraqi relations — a strategic framework outlining future cooperation and a status of forces agreement, allowing the continued presence of U.S. forces in the country and defining their security role, as authorized by Baghdad. (See “United States Hails Iraqi Ratification of Security Pact.”)

“By signing these agreements we're showing the people of Iraq the United States of America keeps its word,” Bush said. “We are leaving the next president with a stable foundation for the future.”

By June 2009, most of the 146,000 members of coalition forces stationed at more than 400 bases across Iraq will redeploy to bases outside populated areas and begin preparing for a pullout scheduled for the end of 2011. Obama has said he would like to complete the withdrawal within 16 months of taking office — or around April 2010.

Many challenges remain ahead but the United States will remain ready to help, Bush said, acknowledging lingering public frustrations at the pace of change, as illustrated by Iraqi journalist Muntader al-Zaidi, who angrily threw his shoes at the podium where Bush and Maliki were holding their press conference.

“All I can report is it is a size 10 shoe,” Bush joked, unharmed in the melee. “That’s what happens in free societies.”

“Quiet Surge” Under Way in Afghanistan

Bush traveled on to Afghanistan, where the United States and the 39-nation NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are helping Afghans to rebuild their country after decades of conflict, but continue to face a tough fight against Taliban and al-Qaida militants, who have established safe havens along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

A “quiet surge” of U.S. forces is under way, Bush said, while ISAF has welcomed a new French deployment pledged at NATO’s 2008 Bucharest Summit in Romania, among additional allied troop contributions. (See “Afghan Army Becoming More Effective Force, U.S. General Says.”)

These counterinsurgency efforts, Bush said, also include continued international commitments to expand civilian-military provincial reconstruction teams and other initiatives to help Afghans build an effective democratic government that can deliver essential services, confront corruption and create new economic opportunities for its citizens.

Stabilizing Afghanistan is a top foreign policy priority identified by Obama, and a top agenda item in the incoming administration’s discussions with the White House during transition.

“Just like you've been able to count on this administration, you will be able to count on the next administration, as well," Bush said in a press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. “It is in our interest that Afghanistan's democracy flourish.” (See “International Community Investing in Afghanistan’s Future.”)