12 June 2009
White House Document on Change in Iraq, June 12, 2009
(Series of documents central to Obama administration’s agenda)
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DELIVERING ON CHANGE: IRAQ
Series of documents central to Obama administration’s agenda
THE PRESIDENT ARRIVED FACING AN UNPRECEDENTED ARRAY OF CHALLENGES, AND HAS MET THEM WITH A BOLD, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. HE PASSED THE MOST AMBITIOUS RECOVERY PACKAGE IN HISTORY TO ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC CRISIS. HE KEPT FAITH WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THROUGH A GOVERNMENT THAT IS OPEN, TRANSPARENT, AND ACCOUNTABLE. AND HE RESTORED AMERICA’S ALLIANCES ABROAD, AS WELL AS OUR AMERICAN VALUES HERE AT HOME.
THIS IS FIFTH IN A SERIES OF DOCUMENTS THAT DESCRIBES ISSUES THAT ARE CENTRAL TO THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S AGENDA OF CHANGE. THEY CAN BE FOUND AT HTTP://WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV/ISSUES/
THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND IRAQ
One of the most important issues before the Obama administration is responsibly ending the war in Iraq. President Obama devoted portions of his June 4th speech in Cairo, Egypt, to this issue:
“Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: "I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be."
Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future -- and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. And I have made it clear to the Iraqi people -- I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq's sovereignty is its own. And that's why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's democratically elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012. We will help Iraq train its security forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.”
Earlier, in a speech on February 27 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, President Obama laid out the American strategy to “leave Iraq to Iraqis” and the White House created the following three part strategy to define how America will responsibly end the war in Iraq.
The President introduced his plan by saying: “The United States will pursue a new strategy to end the war in Iraq through a transition to full Iraqi responsibility…As we carry out this drawdown, my highest priority will be the safety and security of our troops and civilians in Iraq. So we will proceed carefully, and I will consult closely with my military commanders on the ground and with the Iraqi government. There will surely be difficult periods and tactical adjustments. But our enemies should be left with no doubt: This plan gives our military the forces and flexibility they need to support our Iraqi partners, and to succeed.”
A Three-part strategy
On his first full day in office, President Obama ordered a comprehensive review of United States Iraq policy by military commanders on the ground, the Joint Chiefs, Secretary Gates, and his national security team. That review led to the President’s announcement of the three-part plan to responsibly end the war in Iraq. The strategy is designed to make the United States more secure by transitioning to Iraqi responsibility and by allowing the United States to focus on a broader set of national priorities. The Administration will pursue broad support for this plan and other major national security priorities by consulting closely with the Congress, on a bi-partisan basis, and by working closely with friends and allies.
1. Responsible Removal of Combat Brigades
Based on the recommendations of his military commanders and national security team, the President has chosen a timeline that will remove all U.S. combat brigades from Iraq over the next 18 months. By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end and Iraqi Security Forces will have full responsibility for major combat missions.
After August 31, 2010, the mission of United States forces in Iraq will fundamentally change. Our forces will have three tasks: train, equip, and advise the Iraqi Security Forces; conduct targeted counterterrorism operations; and provide force protection for military and civilian personnel.
The President intends to keep our commitment under the Status of Forces Agreement to remove all of our troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.
2. Sustained Diplomacy
Iraq’s future is now its own responsibility and the long-term success of the Iraqi nation will depend upon decisions made by the Iraqi people. A strong political, diplomatic, and civilian effort on our part can advance progress and help lay a foundation for lasting peace and security. A new American Ambassador will be supported by the courageous and capable work of American civilian personnel, diplomats and aid workers.
We will work to support Iraqi national elections in 2010, help improve local government, serve as an honest broker for Iraqi leaders as they resolve difficult political issues, increase support for the resettlement of Iraqi refugees, and help strengthen Iraqi institutions and their capacity to protect rule of law, confront corruption, and deliver services.
3. Comprehensive Engagement Across the Region
The future of Iraq is inseparable from the future of the broader Middle East. It is time for Iraq to be a full partner in a regional dialogue and for Iraq’s neighbors to establish productive and normalized relations with Iraq. Going forward, the United States will pursue principled and sustained engagement with all nations in the region, including Iran and Syria. We have already begun to renew our diplomacy in the region, to refocus on: eliminating al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan; preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon; and actively seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Arab world.
Finally, the President made a commitment to give our men and women in uniform the resources and clear direction they deserve and to build our civilian national security capacity so that we can use all elements of American power to achieve our objectives in the world.
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