- Afghanistan
- Africa
- Budget Management
- Defense
- Economy
- Education
- Energy
- Environment
- Global Diplomacy
- Health Care
- Homeland Security
- Immigration
- International Trade
- Iraq
- Judicial Nominations
- Middle East
- National Security
- Veterans
more issues
|
Home >
News & Policies >
March 2008
|
Printer-Friendly Version
Email This Page
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 13, 2008
President Bush Participates in Video Teleconference with Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Team Leaders and Brigade Combat Commanders
Roosevelt Room
Fact Sheet: Helping Afghanistan Achieve Sustainable Progress
11:27 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: As you can see here on the screen in front of me, we've got assembled in Afghanistan -- thanks to Ambassador Wood -- PRTs, which is Provincial Reconstruction Teams, made up of military and civilian personnel, all aiming to help the Afghans recover from unbelievable brutality of the Taliban and have a society that's capable of meeting the needs of its people. We've also got two members of the PRT here present with us.
Our strategy in Afghanistan is, one, to provide enough security so civil
society can move forward. Any counter -- effective counterinsurgency
strategy will require more than just military action. It requires a
military-civilian interface. And so if you look on the screen you see
brave and courageous Americans in uniform and not in uniform, because
they're a part of this strategy to help Afghans, one, understand the
blessings of good governance -- in other words, the folks are attempting to
fight corruption at the local level so that the local citizens are able to
have a positive outlook about their government. We're also working to
educate people, build roads, provide good health care. And our fellow
citizens are there on the ground in some difficult circumstances, all
aiming to help this young democracy survive and thrive. And there are
difficulties, but we're also making progress.
And the best thing we got going for us, not only do we have brave and compassionate citizens willing to serve, but we've also got an ideology based upon liberty, which stands in stark contrast to the ideology of the thugs and murderers called the Taliban. And the job at hand is to help these folks recover, help the Afghans realize there's a better future for them. And it's hard work, but it's necessary work for the security of our country.
And so it's been a great pleasure for senior members of my administration to hear the stories, to hear the issues that they face. I'm enriched by the experience, and I do want to thank you very much for serving our country. And as I mentioned to you earlier, please thank your families for them standing by you during these -- during your time of service.
God bless you all, and thank you for your time.
END 11:29 A.M. EDT
