President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to Baghdad to try to bolster the new government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday, days after US forces killed al Qaeda's chief in Iraq.
"And so I have come to not only look you in the eye; I've also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it will keep its word," Bush told Maliki, who faces violence across Iraq and a new threat of vengeance from the slain al Qaeda leader's successor.
The White House said Bush would be on the ground for more than five hours and would also meet US troops. His first visit since Thanksgiving in November 2003 came six days after a US air strike killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al Qaeda in Iraq.
Only Vice President Dick Cheney, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were aware Bush had slipped away from Camp David abruptly on Monday night.
Aides said he was in the cockpit of Air Force One when it landed in Baghdad with a sharp bank and quick landing. He then took an 8-minute helicopter ride in searing heat to the fortified "Green Zone" for talks with the Iraqi cabinet and US commander in Iraq General George Casey at the US embassy. Bush's meeting with the Iraqi cabinet was connected by video to Camp David, where Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rice remained.
The president told Maliki he carried heavy responsibilities. "The decisions you and your cabinet make will determine as to whether or not your country succeeds, can govern itself, can defend itself, can sustain itself," he said. The Iraqi prime minister said his cabinet was determined to defeat the insurgents so US and other forces could withdraw.
"God willing all the suffering will be over, all the soldiers will return to their countries with our gratitude, for what they have offered, the sacrifices," he said. The US death toll in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion is for withdrawal of some 130,000 US troops. On Monday he reiterated they would stay until conditions improved to the point where they could be withdrawn.
Bush's poll numbers have dipped to some of the lowest of his presidency, largely because of Iraq. The killing of Zarqawi, and news on Tuesday that White House aide Karl Rove will not be charged in a CIA leak case, have offered some comfort. Bush also told Maliki he had heard reports Iran was "interfering" in Iraq and said that had to stop, Iraqi government sources who attended the talks said. Iran has denied the allegations.
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