President Bush Participates in Video Teleconference with Iraq Provincial Reconst

THE PRESIDENT: I've just finished a meeting with our Ambassador, and General Odierno, members of our -- some of the PRTs, Provincial¹ Reconstruction² Teams, in Iraq, for folks who have been spending time in Iraq. We are having success in Iraq. And one of the main reasons why is we're implementing³ an innovative⁴ strategy that combines our military with civilian⁵ expertise⁶ to help people at the grassroots level build a society that will lay the foundation for peace.

And so it's been a fascinating discussion. And I come away with a couple of thoughts. One, America is fortunate to have courageous⁷ souls volunteer to help develop an ally in the war against extremists, to develop a democracy in a part of the world where a lot of people said democracy could never flourish; and secondly⁸, that we are implementing a strategy in the provinces which is effective.

The good thing about our military and our civilians⁹ in the PRTs, they're constantly looking at ways to make sure that we remain effective. And I have asked the press corps¹⁰ to come in here so I could, on TV, thank you all for what you're doing, and thank you for your service. We are fortunate to have citizens such as yourself. Thank you.