|
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 10, 2008) - The Iraqi people look
upon President Bush as a liberator who delivered them from a brutal
despot, Iraq's chief executive told reporters at the White House
today.
Bush is a hero who saved Iraq "from the worst kind of
dictatorship" under Saddam Hussein, President Jalal Talabani
said.
And Iraq has "no stronger defender" for its people than
Talabani, Bush told reporters after meeting with the Iraqi
president. Talabani has served as Iraq's president since 2005.
"I've known him for a long time," Bush said of Talabani, an
Iraqi from the Kurdish region in the north. Talabani underwent
heart surgery last month at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Talabani "cares deeply about the Iraqi people," Bush said, "and
he has been a strong defender of human liberty."
Increased security brought about by the success of the surge has
enabled Iraqis to rebuild their lives and the United States to
withdraw some 8,000 troops by February, Bush said.
"Iraqis want there to be fewer U.S. troops; the United States
wants there to be fewer U.S. troops," Bush said. "But, both of us
want to realize that vision based upon success."
Iraq and the United States are putting the finishing touches on
a strategic framework agreement, Talabani said, that will define
the status of U.S. forces in Iraq after the U.N. Security Council
resolution expires at the end of the year.
With violence having greatly decreased in Iraq over the past
year, Talabani said, his government and the United States have
achieved notable success against terrorism in Iraq.
"So, we are thankful to you and to your people, your Army,"
Talabani said to Bush. "We hope that the agreement about this
strategic relation will be signed soon." Meanwhile, the Iraqi
parliament is now working to finalize the draft of new election
legislation, Talabani said. Iraq is heavily involved in
reconstruction projects, he added, noting his government "is
rebuilding the country."
Talabani also reported that Iraq has improving relations with
neighbors like Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Iran and other Middle Eastern
countries. In fact, the United Arab Emirates recently posted its
ambassador to Iraq in Baghdad. Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain also have
named ambassadors to Iraq, but they haven't taken up their posts as
of yet.
The Iraqi president also expressed his hope that American and
Iraqi friendship "will continue and will be strengthened."
"We will never forget what you have done," Talabani said to
Bush.
|
