The President speaks to the Nation from the Oval Office to announce the end of America's combat role in Iraq.
Having returned hours earlier from a conversation with troops at Fort Bliss, Texas - troops who had seen every phase of what has become one of America's longest wars - the President spoke to the Nation for just the second time from the Oval Office to announce the end of America's combat role in that war. Americans in high school today may barely remember a time when America was not in combat in Iraq, and young adults - including so many of our troops who have sacrificed so much - have almost by definition gone their entire adult lives in a country divided over the war. Today, as the President put it, was a day to begin to "turn the page" - a day when America could turn its focus towards building itself back up from a devastating recession.
Over all that time, though, as the President pointed out, "there has been one constant amidst those shifting tides":
At every turn, America's men and women in uniform have served with courage and resolve. As Commander-in-Chief, I am incredibly proud of their service. And like all Americans, I'm awed by their sacrifice, and by the sacrifices of their families.
The Americans who have served in Iraq completed every mission they were given. They defeated a regime that had terrorized its people. Together with Iraqis and coalition partners who made huge sacrifices of their own, our troops fought block by block to help Iraq seize the chance for a better future. They shifted tactics to protect the Iraqi people, trained Iraqi Security Forces, and took out terrorist leaders. Because of our troops and civilians -- and because of the resilience of the Iraqi people -- Iraq has the opportunity to embrace a new destiny, even though many challenges remain.
So tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country. Having drawn down 100,000 troops since taking office, a much smaller force will stay to train and assist the Iraqi forces during the transition period. The President was unambivalent on what would happen after that time: "all U.S. troops will leave by the end of next year."
The President mentioned that Vice President Biden is in Iraq now, having spent the day meeting with Iraqi leaders about working with America's diplomatic team going forward.
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SOURCE: WhiteHouse.gov
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