Our forces, as it proves its success overall and as it proves when it received the security file, that these forces proved to be capable of performing. And those who thought that the Iraqi forces, if the American forces can leave, will be incapable of imposing peace and security, these people proved to be wrong. Our forces benefitted from working closely with the American forces and the multinational forces. Our forces became now highly capable and they will continue to do their role and their part to provide the opportunity needed for reconstruction, rebuilding, and developing Iraq.
Iraq has suffered a great deal from being marginalized, from the policies of sectarianism, and from wars. We will work very hard in order not to allow any sectarian behavior an opportunity to flourish. We will work on a national plan where all sons of Iraq and all daughters of Iraq are equal in their contribution and in their services. They will be unified by Iraq; they will not be divided by other elements. We will strengthen the relationship between the people of Iraq.
This is the direction of the Iraqi National Unity government and that made us work very closely in meeting all the challenges that we are facing. It helped us on the security front. It will help us in reconstruction. And we will benefit from the strategic relationship with the United States.
Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Mark Smith of AP Radio.
Q Thanks, Mr. President. I’d like to ask about the flexibility that you spoke about that you said U.S. forces still have in Iraq. Since the handover of control of the cities, the Iraqi government has imposed new limits on how U.S. troops can operate. They can’t patrol on their own; they can’t conduct raids on their own. Did you raise this with Prime Minister Maliki? Did you object to this, or do you think this is just a great sign of increasing Iraqi sovereignty?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I think that we have seen both improved capacity and greater confidence on the part of the Iraqi security forces. We’re very pleased with that. I’m in communications with General Odierno on a regular basis. He provides me a weekly report of how this transition has proceeded. He has been extremely positive about the progress that has been made.
Now, what we’ve seen is, is that there are going to be at times differences in strategy — in the interest of the Iraqi security forces in setting up a checkpoint at some point, and our Armed Forces suggesting that from our experience a checkpoint might create a target for AQI, and so it’s better to be more mobile and to go after them — there are going to be those kinds of strategic and tactical discussions that are continually taking place between the two sides. But overall, we have been very encouraged by the progress that’s been made.