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Obama Praises Troops During Surprise Visit to Iraq
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WASHINGTON, April 7, 2009
– In a surprise visit to Iraq today, President
Barack Obama declared to troops in Baghdad that
now is the time for Iraqis “to take
responsibility for their country.”
Obama’s stop to visit some 1,500 troops,
government civilians and contractors at Camp
Victory’s Al Faw Palace in Baghdad was his first
to Iraq as president.
Obama promptly thanked the troops for their
service and personal sacrifice “under enormous
strain … through controversy and difficulty and
politics.”
"You have performed brilliantly in every mission
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has been given to you. You’ve
kept your eyes focused on just doing your job,”
Obama said. “You have given Iraq the opportunity
to stand on its own as a democratic country.”
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The next 18 months will be critical for
the Iraqis to make political accommodations and resolve
their constitutional differences, he said.
The United States is committed to Iraq’s
success, and will continue to work with Iraq’s security
forces and government to ensure Iraq remains stable. The
U.S. military still remains an important aspect to Iraq’s
stability, and Obama said he hopes Iraq will continue to be
a “good neighbor and a good ally.”
“We can’t do it for them,” he said. “But what we can do is
make sure that we are a stalwart partner; that we are
working alongside them.” |
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Obama also stressed that
although the spotlight has shifted to
Afghanistan, it’s important not to lose focus in Iraq. He said military efforts
in Iraq “have to be even more focused."
“Obviously we’ve spent a lot
of time trying to get Afghanistan right,” he
said. “But I think it’s important for us to
remember that there’s still a lot of work to be
done here.”
In closing, the president
assured the audience that "we have not forgotten
what you have already done; we are grateful for
what you will do; and as long as I'm in the
White House, you're going to get the support you
need and the thanks that you deserve from a
grateful nation." |
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In
a press availability prior to speaking to the
troops, Obama told reporters that the upcoming
national elections may resurface unresolved
political and religious issues.
“It’s very important for [the United
States] to use all of our influence to encourage parties to
resolve these issues in ways that are equitable and fair,”
he said.
Following his visit with Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno,
commander of Multinational Force Iraq, and his troops, Obama
met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President
Jalal Talibani. | |
By
Army SFC Michael J. Carden
Photos by Lee Craker
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2009
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