President Declares the Iraq War Over, It's Time to Turn the Page

'No victory lap' as Operation Iraqi Freedom Ends

"Tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended," the president stated. "Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country."

While the mission has now officially ended, the country is still in chaos and the fighting continues. Approximately 50,000 American troops remain in harm's way in Iraq as they assist national forces and provide counter-terrorism training.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - On March 23, 2003 at 5:34am Baghdad time Operation Iraqi Freedom began. On Tuesday night, more than eight years later, President Barack Obama has announced that this combat mission is officially over.

"Tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country."

The president also reminded viewers that he had followed through on the pledge he had made during the campaign for president.

 "This was my pledge to the American people as a candidate for this office. Last February, I announced a plan that would bring our combat brigades out of Iraq, while redoubling our efforts to strengthen Iraq's security forces and support its government and people. That is what we have done. We have removed nearly 100,000 U.S. troops from Iraq. We have closed or transferred hundreds of bases to the Iraqis. And we have moved millions of pieces of equipment out of Iraq."

As he told the returning soldiers earlier today at Fort Bliss, however, this is not a declaration of triumph.

"I'm going to make a speech to the nation tonight. It's not going to be a victory lap. It's not going to be self-congratulatory. There's still a lot of work that we've got to do to make sure that Iraq is an effective partner with us."

In the eight years of fighting more than 4,400 Americans have lost their lives and the number of wounded has surpassed 30,000.

While the mission has now officially ended, the country is still in chaos and the fighting continues. Approximately 50,000 American troops remain in harm's way in Iraq as they assist national forces and provide counter-terrorism training.

Fiercely opposed to the war, the President on Tuesday also faced the delicate task of announcing the end of the conflict while not diminishing the sacrifices made by these troops or the importance of the war where there was no winner.

"The United States has paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people. We have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in Iraq and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home. We persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people - a belief that out of the ashes of war, a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibilities. Now, it's time to turn the page."

Without greatly politicizing the decision, he referenced the beginning of the war under former President George Bush and even gave definition to some of the positive aspects of the conflict.

"From this desk, seven and a half years ago, President Bush announced the beginning of military operations in Iraq. Much has changed since that night. A war to disarm a state became a fight against an insurgency. Terrorism and sectarian warfare threatened to tear Iraq apart. Thousands of Americans gave their lives; tens of thousands have been wounded. Our relations abroad were strained. Our unity at home was tested.

"The Americans who have served in Iraq completed every mission they were given," he stated. "They defeated a regime that had terrorized its people. Together with Iraqis and coalition partners who made huge sacrifices of their own, our troops fought block by block to help Iraq seize the chance for a better future.

"They shifted tactics to protect the Iraqi people; trained Iraqi Security Forces; and took out terrorist leaders. Because of our troops and civilians -and because of the resilience of the Iraqi people - Iraq has the opportunity to embrace a new destiny, even though many challenges remain."

The president confirmed what had been reported earlier, that he had called President Bush earlier in the day.

"This afternoon, I spoke to former President George W. Bush. It's well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush's support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hopes for Iraqis' future."

He also related the conflict to our role in world leadership.

"This milestone should serve as a reminder to all Americans that our future is ours to shape if we move forward with confidence and commitment," he said. "It should also serve as a message to the world that the United States of America intends to sustain and strengthen our leadership in this young century."

The prime time speech was also used to communicate a message of encouragement for the continued development of the country of Iraq. Obama talked in positive ways about their future and our commitment to their success.

"Tonight, I encourage Iraq's leaders to move forward with a sense of urgency to form an inclusive government that is just, representative, and accountable to the Iraqi people. And when that government is in place, there should be no doubt: the Iraqi people will have a strong partner in the United States. Our combat mission is ending, but our commitment to Iraq's future is not."

The military spotlight then shifted to Afghanistan, where the President has weighed in with a great deal more personal support and commitment.

 "As was the case in Iraq, we cannot do for Afghans what they must ultimately do for themselves. That's why we are training Afghan Security Forces and supporting a political resolution to Afghanistan's problems. And, next July, we will begin a transition to Afghan responsibility. The pace of our troop reductions will be determined by conditions on the ground, and our support for Afghanistan will endure. But make no mistake: this transition will begin - because open-ended war serves neither our interests nor the Afghan people's."

In addition to his remarks concerning our military conflicts, the President shifted from talking as Commander in Chief to Economist in Chief. Moving the spotlight closer to home, he returned to a more familiar campaign mode.

"Our most urgent task is to restore our economy, and put the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs back to work. To strengthen our middle class, we must give all our children the education they deserve, and all our workers the skills that they need to compete in a global economy.

"We must jumpstart industries that create jobs, and end our dependence on foreign oil. We must unleash the innovation that allows new products to roll off our assembly lines, and nurture the ideas that spring from our entrepreneurs. This will be difficult. But in the days to come, it must be our central mission as a people, and my central responsibility as President."

At the end of his speech, the president referred once more to the initial reason for the address - the end of a war with no victory lap.

"In an age without surrender ceremonies, we must earn victory through the success of our partners and the strength of our own nation. Every American who serves joins an unbroken line of heroes that stretches from Lexington to Gettysburg; from Iwo Jima to Inchon; from Khe Sanh to Kandahar - Americans who have fought to see that the lives of our children are better than our own.

"Our troops are the steel in our ship of state. And though our nation may be traveling through rough waters, they give us confidence that our course is true, and that beyond the pre-dawn darkness, better days lie ahead.

"Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America, and all who serve her."

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