Bush Discusses Strategy With Iraqi Vice President

Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi (file photo) (epa) WASHINGTON, December 13, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- U.S. President George W. Bush has held talks with Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi at the White House.

Bush told the highest-ranking Sunni in Iraq's unity government on December 12 that the United States was ready to help the Iraqi government "live up to its words and its ideals."

"Mr. Vice President, my message to you today and to the Iraqi people is, we want to help you," Bush said. "We want to help you be effective, we want [to help] your government live up to its words and its ideals. And I thank you for being a leader of one aspect of Iraqi society -- you're the leader of many Sunnis and you're committed to a government that is Shi'ite, Sunni, Kurdish and everybody else in your country that will help us yield peace. And I welcome you, I thank you, and praise your courage."

Al-Hashimi said he was reassured to learn that although Bush is considering a new strategy in Iraq, he is seeking a "balanced" solution. The Sunni leader said he believes that with the cooperation of Bush administration, success can be achieved "in the foreseeable future."

"During my discussion and dialogue with Mr. President, I had really a frank and positive dialogue and conversation," al-Hashimi told reporters. "We tackled key issues and hopefully at the end of the day I would like to see my comments and observations welcomed, because at the end of the day what I said to Mr. President could be seen as a genuine part [of] the way of achieving success."

Today, Bush meets with officials at the U.S. Defense Department to discuss strategy in Iraq.