Bush assures Iraq of support on surprise visit

updated 2:20 p.m. ET June 13, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq - President Bush assured Iraqis in a surprise visit to Baghdad on Tuesday that the United States stands with them and their new government. “It’s in our interest that Iraq succeed,” he said, seated alongside newly named Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

But he also emphasized, both in his meeting with al-Maliki and in an address to U.S. troops, that the wartorn country’s future is in the hands of the new Iraqi unity government.

“And our job is to help them succeed and we will,” Bush told American forces as he wrapped up his unannounced visit.

The dramatic trip came as Bush sought to bolster support for Iraq’s fledgling government and U.S. war policy at home.

“I’ve come to not only look you in the eye. I’ve also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it keeps its word,” Bush told al-Maliki.

“I’ve come today to personally show our nation’s commitment to a free Iraq,” Bush told cheering American troops assigned to the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone, the heavily fortified Green Zone is where Iraq’s government meets and the U.S. and British embassies are based and a frequent target of insurgent attacks.

“My message to the Iraqi people is this: seize the moment, seize the opportunity to develop a government of and by and for the people,” he said. “I come away from here believing that the will is strong.”

After his talk to the U.S. troops there, Bush flew by helicopter back to Air Force One under the cover of darkness.

A surprise even to officials
Bush traveled to Baghdad less than a week after a U.S. air strike killed terror chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It was his second unannounced visit since the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Al-Maliki, who didn’t know Bush was coming until five minutes before they met, said that Iraq was “determined to succeed, and we have to defeat terrorists and defeat all the hardships.”

“God willing, all the suffering will be over. And all the soldiers will return to their country with our gratitude for what they have offered, the sacrifice,” al-Maliki said through a translator.

Bush made it clear, however, that a U.S. military presence — now at about 132,000 troops — would continue for awhile.

“I have expressed our country’s desire to work with you, but I appreciate you recognize the fact that the future of the country is in your hands,” Bush said.

“The decisions you and your cabinet make will determine as to whether or not your country succeeds, can govern itself, can defend itself, can sustain itself,” he added.

“I am impressed with the cabinet you have assembled,” Bush said.

Iraqi posts all filled
Bush waited until al-Maliki filled the final positions in his government before making the trip. Those posts were filled last Thursday.

The two leaders were seated at a long table in a room with two large television screens, one showing Bush and al-Maliki and the other showing Bush’s aides and advisers at Camp David, Md.

Bush was flanked at the table by al-Maliki and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq.

Bush met with al-Maliki in the palace once used by Saddam but which now serves temporarily as the U.S. Embassy.

“Good to see you,” exclaimed al-Maliki as they met. “Thanks for having me,” Bush responded. They smiled broadly and shook hands vigorously in the high-domed marble room.

The trip was known only to a handful of aides and a small number of journalists sworn to secrecy because of security threats for Bush and members of his entourage.

“Obviously, when you’re entering a situation where the enemy is so active, we have to be extra cautious,” White House counselor Dan Bartlett said.

The prime minister had been invited to the embassy on the pretense of taking part in a video conference with Bush, supposedly at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. The videoconference went on as scheduled, but with Bush appearing alongside al-Maliki.

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