National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley
Comments on the Importance of Prime Minister Maliki’s Address to Congress
“I think one of the things that is very important is, as important as this issue is and as important as Lebanon is, there’s a real opportunity here, which I hope we don’t miss, for the elected leader of the Iraqi people to come to the American people and do what he’s done: express appreciation for the sacrifice Americans have made of blood and treasure to try and bring democracy and freedom to Iraq. He expressed it today, expressed condolences for families who have lost loved ones in that service.
“And it’s an issue that is important to Iraq. It is an issue that is important to the United States. It’s been an issue for Republicans and Democrats — how to get Iraq right. “
“And now we have an elected leader of Iraq who’s come to the United States for a period of four days and to explain his plan going forward. And I hope we don’t miss — that the administration, the press and the Congress doesn’t miss the opportunity to hear from this man and from his cabinet what their plan is going forward, because it’s terribly important that Iraq succeed in order to bring freedom and stability to Iraq, for what a democratic Iraq will mean for the region over the longer term. “
Stephen Hadley, National Security Advisor
Special White House Briefing
July 25, 2006