Bush to Press G8 to Keep Up Pressure on Extremists, Iran

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

July 2, 2008 - President Bush will emphasize during next week's G8 summit in Japan that the war against violent extremism is a long-term struggle while urging continued support in Iraq and Afghanistan, he told reporters today. Speaking in the White House Rose Garden, Bush said he'll also encourage participants at the Group of Eight's annual summit in Hokkaido, Japan, to keep up pressure on Iran so it abandons its nuclear weapons development plans.

Bush said he strongly disagrees with those who consider extremists simply "a bunch of disgruntled folks who occasionally come and hurt us" rather than a very real long-term threat to the United States and its interests.

"That's not the way I feel about it," he said. "This is an ongoing, constant struggle to defend our own security and, at the same time, help people realize the blessings of liberty."

Bush said he intends to discuss operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan at the G8 summit and to ask participants to continue to help.

The president conceded that U.S. casualty rates in Afghanistan are up, but insisted coalition and Afghan security forces are making important headway. "It's been a tough month in Afghanistan, but it has also been a tough month for the Taliban," he said. "One reason why there have been more deaths is because our troops are taking the fight to a tough enemy."

Extremists don't like the fact that the United States is denying them the safe haven they once enjoyed in Afghanistan, he said. "America is pressing an ideology that is opposite of theirs, and so of course there is going to be resistance," he said.

Bush expressed confidence that the strategy in Afghanistan, which includes not only confronting the Taliban and al-Qaida, but also promoting the growth of a free society with good economic, education and health policy, will succeed.

"We are constantly reassessing to see if we need to change tactics in order to achieve our objective," he said.

Meanwhile, Bush noted that the number of Afghan and coalition troops there has doubled over the last two years. The United States is "constantly reviewing troop levels" to ensure they're adequate, he said.

The president expressed condolences to families who have lost loved ones in the fight in Afghanistan as well as Iraq. "I am so appreciative that in a time of danger, Americans are willing to step up and volunteer and sacrifice," he said.

Asked about Iran's continued interest in securing nuclear weapons, Bush insisted that that world community must stick together and continue applying pressure to discourage Iran's efforts.

While "all options are on the table," Bush said, the best way to deal with the issue is through diplomacy. Together, the world community needs to send Iran the message that it will be isolated and suffer economic hardship if it continued trying to enrich uranium, he said.

"I've also made it clear that you can't solve a problem diplomatically unless there are other people at the table with you," Bush said. "And that is why we have been pursuing multilateral diplomacy when it comes to convincing the Iranians that the free world is sincere about insisting that they not have the technologies necessary to develop a nuclear weapon."

Bush said progress is being made, and he added that he's encouraged to see world leaders "stand up and speak out about the need to keep the coalition active and keep the pressure on."

Sheik Meeting Leads to Information on al Qaeda in Iraq

By Sgt. Luis Delgadillo, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

Jan. 7, 2008 - In a vital and encouraging boost to the fight against al Qaeda in Iraq, local sheiks met with coalition forces officials Jan. 4 to discuss future concerned citizen programs. Sheiks from areas surrounding Sayafia spoke with Army Col. Terry Ferrell, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and Army Col. Dan Ball, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade.

The sheiks introduced themselves to Ferrell and Ball and told the leaders of crimes and injustices that al Qaeda had perpetrated. In one instance, an Iraqi man described being forced from his home by al Qaeda operatives who now use his property as a safe house. He pleaded with both leaders to help him get his property back, to which Ferrell replied, "That's what I'm here to do."

Ferrell also told the sheiks that he hopes they are serious about their commitment to the area.

"We're going to work with you, and we're going to kill anyone who is a threat to the Iraqi population," he said.

The sheiks shared information with Ferrell about the whereabouts and strength of al Qaeda forces. Ferrell emphasized to the community leaders that providing such information is the most important thing they can do.

Ferrell also urged the sheiks not to arm their respective communities and have people hunt for insurgents. Militias are illegal in Iraq, and citizen groups need to focus their efforts on providing information on terrorist activities in their villages, he said.

In a written statement issued by Multinational Force Iraq on behalf of the command and the U.S. Embassy, coalition military leaders praised the sheiks' efforts to cooperate in taking their communities back from insurgents.

"MNF-I applauds Iraq's political, civic, and religious leadership for their courage and commitment to the new Iraq," the statement said. "As tribal sheiks and leaders from councils and other organizations gathered in recent weeks to denounce violence and work toward common goals of peace and economic prosperity, the people of Iraq have found strength in their unified vision for Iraq's future. Gathering in response to calls from their leaders, Iraqis are banding together to drive out extremists and restore security in their neighborhoods. Iraqis from all communities are against al Qaeda (in) Iraq and other extremists and are sending a strong message on the importance of achieving reconciliation and unifying Iraq.

"As Iraqis look forward and frame a common vision for building their war-torn nation," the statement continued, "MNF-I and the U.S. Embassy will continue to partner with the government of Iraq to assist them in their efforts to restore essential services and help them achieve their goals."

(Army Sgt. Luis Delgadillo serves with 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office. This report also includes information from a Multinational Force Iraq news release.)