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Vice President of the United States - Richard B. Cheney

          Visit to Iraq 2008

Staff Sgt. Shane Lindsey, second right, and PFC Veronica Alfaro, far right, salute Vice President Dick Cheney after being awarded the Bronze Star Tuesday, March 18, 2008, during a rally for U.S. troops at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
Staff Sgt. Shane Lindsey, second right, and PFC Veronica Alfaro, far right, salute Vice President Dick Cheney after being awarded the Bronze Star Tuesday, March 18, 2008, during a rally for U.S. troops at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
Vice President Dick Cheney is greeted by General David Petraeus, Commanding General of Multi-National Forces Iraq, as his wife Mrs. Lynne Cheney and daughter Liz Cheney deplanes in Baghdad, Monday, March 17, 2008. The visit is the Vice President's third to Iraq and comes during the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the U.S.-led campaign to liberate the Iraqi people. Vice President Dick Cheney participates in a classified briefing with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, left, and Commanding General of Multi-National Forces Iraq General David Petraeus, right, in the Green Zone in Baghdad. Later in the day the Vice President ventured outside the Green Zone to meet with Iraqi leadership to discuss energy legislation, long-term security issues and the development of Iraqi diplomatic relationships with neighboring countries.
Vice President Dick Cheney meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Monday, March 17, 2008 at the Prime Minister's residence in Baghdad. In remarks following their meeting, the Vice President said, "I was last in Baghdad 10 months ago, and I can sense as a result of the progress that's been made since then that there have been some phenomenal changes, in terms of the overall situation, both with respect of the security situation, where Iraqi and American forces have done some very good work, as well as with respect to political developments here in Iraq." Vice President Dick Cheney shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki following their meeting Monday, March 17, 2008 at the Prime Minister's residence in Baghdad. "I found the Vice President a man who understands very well and is very keen about Iraq's success," said Prime Minister Maliki, adding, "I believe these visits really cement and support the relationship between the two countries, the success that we achieve in Iraq against terrorism, and in the war against terrorism."
Vice President Dick Cheney meets with the Chairman of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq Sayyed Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim Monday, March 17, 2008 at the Hakim residence in Baghdad. During a statement following their meeting the Vice President said, "There is still a lot of difficult work that must be done, but as we move forward, the Iraqi people should know that they will have the unwavering support of President Bush and the United States in consolidating their democracy." Vice President Dick Cheney meets with Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Mashhadani Monday, March 17, 2008, during a visit to Mashhadani's home in Baghdad. During his visit to Baghdad the Vice President met with Iraqi leadership to discuss energy legislation, long-term security issues and the development of regional diplomatic relationships.
Vice President Dick Cheney listens to a reporters question Monday, March 17, 2008 during press availability with General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker (not pictured) inside the Green Zone in Baghdad. "This week marks the fifth anniversary since we launched into Iraq in March of '03," said the Vice President during the press availability, adding, "If you reflect back on those five years, I think it's been a difficult, challenging, but nonetheless successful endeavor; that we've come a long way in five years, and that it's been well worth the effort." Vice President Dick Cheney answers a reporter's question Monday, March 17, 2008, during press availability inside the Green Zone in Baghdad. In later commenting on the day's briefings from U.S. officials and Iraqi leadership the Vice President said that he will be "pleased to be able to return next week to Washington and report back to the President that we are making significant progress in Iraq."
Vice President Dick Cheney talks with U.S. troops during breakfast Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Following a day of meetings in Baghdad the Vice President and Mrs. Cheney were overnight guests at the base. White House photo by David Bohrer U.S. troops hold the American flag as they await Vice President Dick Cheney's arrival to a rally Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
Vice President Dick Cheney receives a welcome Tuesday, March 18, 2008, to a rally for U.S. troops at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Vice President Dick Cheney delivers remarks Tuesday, March 18, 2008 to U.S. troops during a rally at Balad Air Base, Iraq. "During this deployment, ladies and gentlemen, you've seen incredible progress on the ground in Iraq -- not just as witnesses, but as participants," said the Vice President, adding, "The President and I, and your fellow citizens, want nothing more than have you and all of your comrades return home safely at the end of this tour of duty. We're going to do everything we can to make that happen."
Vice President Dick Cheney awards PFC Veronica Alfaro with the Bronze Star Tuesday, March 18, 2008, during a rally for U.S. troops at Balad Air Base, Iraq. "I can't describe the feeling I had when he awarded me the Bronze Star," said Alfaro, 2nd Platoon senior medic, Bravo Company. "It is definitely a moment I will always remember and cherish; I will never forget it." Staff Sgt. Shane Lindsey, second right, and PFC Veronica Alfaro, far right, salute Vice President Dick Cheney after being awarded the Bronze Star Tuesday, March 18, 2008, during a rally for U.S. troops at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
Vice President Dick Cheney greets U.S. troops and poses for pictures Tuesday, March 18, 2008, during a rally at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Vice President Dick Cheney autographs a hat during a rally for the troops Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
Vice President Dick Cheney is greeted by Kurdish Regional Government President Massoud Barzani Tuesday, March 18, 2008 upon arrival to the president's residence in Irbil, Iraq. The Vice President's visit to Irbil comes on the second day of an unannounced trip to Iraq where he has met with Iraqi leadership, U.S. officials and U.S. troops. Vice President Dick Cheney greets Iraqi Kurdish officials Tuesday, March 18, 2008 upon arrival to the residence of the president of the Kurdish Regional Government in Irbil, Iraq.
Vice President Dick Cheney meets with Kurdish Regional Government President Massoud Barzani Tuesday, March 18, 2008 in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil. During the press availability following the meeting, the KRG president voiced his appreciation of the sacrifices given by Americans to liberate the Iraqi people and said, "We will be with you in one trench, and without any hesitation or reservation, to fight terrorism and also to succeed in our efforts in the democratic process and also in building a free and prosperous Iraq."

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Visit to Iraq 2008: Part 2