Posted: 4/7/2009 9:02:07 AM EDT
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/04/07/president-obama-makes-surprise-visit-iraq/
Obama Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq, Meets With Top Commander President Obama all but declared victory in Iraq in a surprise visit to U.S. troops outside Baghdad. FOXNews.com Tuesday, April 07, 2009 President Obama all but declared victory in Iraq Tuesday, telling U.S. troops during a surprise visit to Camp Victory that they had given the Arab nation an opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country. That, he said, is an extraordinary achievement. "Here's a couple things I want to say. Number one, thank you," the president bellowed as he addressed troops at a stopover at the tail end of a marathon overseas trip. Obama said the next 18 months are critical to the mission. U.S. troops are expected to be out of the country by the end of 2010. "You've kept your eyes focused on just doing your job and because of that, every mission that's been assigned, from getting rid of Saddam to reducing violence to stabilizing the country to facilitating elections, you have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country. That is an extraordinary achievement and for that you have the thanks of the American people," he said. Obama, who opposed the war in Iraq, said that it is time for the Iraqis to "take responsibility for their country and for their sovereignty," which will require political accommodations. He said the U.S. "can't do it for them but what we can do is make sure that we're a stalwart partner that we are working alongside them." Obama said U.S. troops will be committed to training security and civilian forces, which will help Iraq achieve a more effective government. He said the Iraqis will know that "they have a steady partner with us." "You will be critical in terms of us being able to make sure that Iraq is stable that it is not a safe haven for terrorists, to make sure that they're a good neighbor and a good ally and we can start bringing our folks home," he said. Obama spoke for just six minutes with the nearly 700 troops who gathered at the base that was formerly a palace for Saddam Hussein. Obama met with National Security Adviser James Jones; the head of command in Iraq Gen. Ray Odierno and others before walking out into the glitzy, over-the-top main room where troops gathered under a huge chandelier and intricate gold work. Obama's appearance pleased troops interviewed by reporters. They said they were gratified the new president came to visit so soon after taking office. "We love you," shouted a few troops. The president shouted he loved them back. "We have not forgotten what you've 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 that you need and the thanks that you deserve from a grateful nation. So thank you so much everybody, God bless you, God bless the United States of America," he said. Obama landed in Baghdad late Tuesday afternoon for his first trip to Iraq as president –– his third overall. His visit comes as he begins to execute plans to shift U.S. troops from Iraq, a war he opposed as a candidate, to Afghanistan. "There is still a lot of work to do here," Obama said, but he praised the "significant political progress" he's seen in Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other Iraqi leaders were to meet with Obama at Odierno's home on the base located outside Baghdad. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama chose to visit Iraq rather than Afghanistan because it was closer to Turkey, where he was flying from, and provides Obama to opportunity to consult with Iraqi officials about critical "political solutions." Gibbs said Obama also wanted to visit troops still fighting in the country. "Our men and women who are in harm's way, either in Iraq or Afghanistan, deserve our utmost respect and appreciation," Gibbs said. Obama flew into the country hours after a car bomb exploded in a Shiite neighborhood of the capital city, a deadly reminder of the violence that has claimed the lives at least 4,266 members of the U.S. military since March 2003. In his briefing, Odierno told the president that despite the recent uptick in violence, bombing incidents are still at their lowest since the war began. The visit came at the conclusion of a long overseas trip that included economic and NATO summits in Europe and two days in Turkey. Shortly before leaving Turkey, the president held out Iraq as an example of the change he seeks in policies inherited from former President George W. Bush. "Moving the ship of state takes time," he told a group of students in Istanbul. He noted his long-standing opposition to the war, yet said, "Now that we're there," the U.S. troop withdrawal has to be done "in a careful enough way that we don't see a collapse into violence." In office only 11 weeks, Obama has already announced plans to withdraw most U.S. combat troops on a 19-month timetable. The drawdown is to begin slowly, so American forces can provide security for Iraqi elections, then accelerate in 2010. As many as 50,000 troops are expected to remain in the country at the end of the 19 months to perform counterterrorism duties. Tuesday's trip was Obama's third to Iraq overall. He met with U.S. commanders and troops last summer while seeking the presidency. Because of security concerns, the White House made no advance announcement of the visit, and released no details for his activities on the ground. It was the last stop of an eight-day trip in which Obama sought to place his stamp on U.S. foreign policy. He and other world leaders pledged cooperation to combat a global recession, and he appealed with limited success for additional assistance in Afghanistan, a war he has vowed to intensify. The new president drew large crowds as he offered repeated assurances that the United States would not seek to dictate to other countries. "I am personally committed to a new chapter of American engagement. We can't afford to talk past one another, to focus only on our differences, or to let the walls of mistrust go up around us." Obama said before leaving Turkey. The visit to a nation that straddles Europe and Asia was designed to signal a new era. He had pledged as a candidate to visit a majority-Muslim nation in his first 100 days in office. |
The pictures make me sick. 
Wonder if the assfucked shiteating libtards will tear into Obama like they did President Bush when he went to Iraq. Obama makes surprise stop in Iraq By Jennifer Loven - The Associated Press Posted : Tuesday Apr 7, 2009 12:57:26 EDT BAGHDAD — Cheered wildly by U.S. troops, President Barack Obama flew unannounced into Iraq on Tuesday and promptly declared it is time for Iraqis “take responsibility for their country” after America’s commitment of six years and thousands of lives. “You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country,” the president said as he made a brief inspection of a war he opposed as candidate and now vows to end as commander in chief. “That is an extraordinary achievement.” A total of 4,266 U.S. troops have lost their lives in Iraq since March 2003, and Obama said American forces had “performed brilliantly ... under enormous strain.” “It is time for us to transition to the Iraqis,” he said as an estimated 600 troops cheered. “They need to take responsibility for their country.” Obama flew unannounced into Iraq and was shielded by heavy security from the moment he stepped off a gleaming white and blue Air Force One. The plane touched down a few hours after a car bombing, in a Shiite neighborhood of the capital city, punctuated a recent surge in violence in the war-ravaged country. Many thousands of Iraqis have died in the six years of war in addition to the American losses. Obama spoke favorably of political progress but also expressed concern that recent gains could deteriorate with the upcoming national elections. “It’s important for us to use all of our influence to encourage the parties to resolve these issues in ways that are equitable. I think that my presence here can help do that,” he said. Obama wore a business suit as he descended the steps of his plane after a flight from Turkey. He shook hands with Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in the country, then stepped into an SUV for a brief ride to Camp Victory, the main American military base in Iraq. Under gray skies, the motorcade rolled past troops standing at attention. “It was wonderful to see the troops out there,” Obama said. “I’m so grateful; they put their heart and souls into it.” 
President Barack Obama hugs military personnel April 7 while visiting Camp Victory in Baghdad. 
With the U.S. flag hanging behind him and troops on stage, President Barack Obama talks to U.S. service members April 7 during his trip to Camp Victory in Baghdad. 
President Barack Obama is greeted by Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, upon his April 7 arrival in Baghdad. |