The Associated Press
Friday, February 16, 2007; 10:39 PM
WASHINGTON -- President Bush reported progress in Iraq Friday, after hearing Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki brief him on steps being taken by the government in Baghdad. "We appreciate the fact that he's beginning to meet the benchmarks that he set out for his people," Bush said.
The president spoke with al-Maliki by secure videoconference as the Democratic-controlled House debated a resolution rejecting his decision to deploy 21,500 additional troops to Iraq. The House later voted, 246-182, in favor of the nonbinding measure. Bush described his conversation with the Iraqi leader to reporters after an Oval Office meeting with Ryan Crocker, his nominee to be the next U.S. ambassador to Iraq.
The president has said that the success of his new Iraq war plan depends almost entirely on al-Maliki following through on a daunting list of commitments. They include sending more and more capable Iraqi fighters into Baghdad, taking on powerful Shiite militias, investing heavily in reconstruction projects that help Sunnis as well as Shiites, and enacting legislation aimed at promoting reconciliation between the warring sects.
Al-Maliki, in office only since last July, has failed several times before to meet promises made to the United States.
Bush said al-Maliki is making strides in almost every area, by providing extra Iraqi troops on time, making sure that no ethnic or religious factions are ignored in the security operations and approving $10 billion for reconstruction projects and working on a oil revenue-sharing law.
"That's good news for the Iraqi people," the president said. "And it should give people here in the United States confidence that this government knows its responsibilities and is following through on those responsibilities."
Throughout the day, the White House sought to play down the impact of the developments on Capitol Hill, where a Senate vote was set for Saturday to follow the House action. The president made no comment on the resolutions, and his spokesman said he had been too busy to watch any of the debate on television.
In a muted response to the House vote, the White House issued only a paper statement from press secretary Tony Snow. He noted the president's plan is supported by the Iraqi government and U.S. military leadership and urged Congress to provide full funding and flexibility to the troops.
"The president concluded that his new strategy was necessary in order to help the Iraqi government gain control over Baghdad, assume more responsibility for security and pursue reconciliation of all of Iraq's communities," Snow said. "Soon, Congress will have the opportunity to show its support for the troops in Iraq by funding the supplemental appropriations request the president has submitted, and which our men and woman in combat are counting on."
Earlier, Bush said his new ambassador, if confirmed, will carry "a message of urgency to the Iraqi government that our patience is not unlimited and that we expect that government to perform."