Obama's press conference in Jordan
Posted: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 2:00 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under:
Security
From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones and NBC's Abby Livingston
AMMAN, Jordan -- In his first appearance before the traveling press corps since embarking on his overseas trip, Obama said the message he had received in Iraq was that Iraqis were ready to begin to do more to stand up for themselves, and that there was a growing agreement that more troops and aid were needed for Afghanistan.
“I believe that the best way to support Iraqi sovereignty and to encourage the Iraqis to stand up is through the responsible redeployment of our combat brigades,” he said. “I welcome the growing consensus in the United States and Iraq for a timeline. My view, based on the advice of military experts, is that we can redeploy safely in 16 months so that our combat brigades are out of Iraq in 2010.”
The senator, who declined to criticize McCain or to give him points for his “judgment” with regard to supporting the surge, said he had a “terrific” conversation with Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker and repeated his commitment to withdrawing troops from Iraq carefully.
He reiterated what he said in a prior interview that his role as a candidate for commander-in-chief was to take in all factors -- beyond Iraq -- when dealing with matters of national security. But he also said that he understood that Petraeus was not in favor of a timeline, in part because the general wants the highest level of flexibility to achieve his mission.
And he stressed that he had strong faith in his own foreign policy credentials. "I don't have doubts about my ability to apply sound judgment to the major national security problems that we face. These are difficult questions and, you know, I don't think that anybody believes they have the perfect formula for solving some of these very difficult foreign policy problems,” he said as a way of amending an earlier statement he had made to the effect that he had “never” had doubts about his foreign policy experience. “But I feel very confident in my world view and my ability to shape a discussion that takes all arguments and facts into consideration, and then come up with the best answer.”
The roughly 45-minute press conference was the senator's first public event on the first day of a five-country swing through the Middle East and Europe -- meant to help boost his standing on foreign policy matters in the eyes of American voters.
Obama attributed the security gains in Iraq to the US military, “the increased capabilities of the Iraq security forces, the Sadr cease-fire, and the decision by Sunni tribes to take the fight to Al Qaeda.” He declined to call the surge an outright success, while hailing the work of US troops.
Doubts about political reconciliation
“I believe that the situation in Iraq is more secure than it was a year and a half ago. I think that the definition of success depends on how you look at it,” he said. “Originally, the Administration suggested that the key measure was whether it gave breathing room for a political reconciliation. So far, I think we have not seen the kind of political reconciliation that's going to bring about long-term stability in Iraq. But there's no doubt that security has improved and there's no doubt that the extraordinary sacrifice of American men and women in uniform have contributed to that success.”
The event, held near the Temple of Hercules, part of the Citadel complex on a hill overlooking the city, began with brief statements by Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE), both of whom accompanied Obama on the congressional delegation and both of whom have been mentioned as possible Obama running mates.
Reed and Hagel gave statements in support of setting a timeline for withdrawing troops from Iraq. Hagel said it was important for Iraqis to “take advantage of the momentum” that had been produced over the last year to achieve both short- and long-term political reconciliation and said the goal in Iraq was not just “tactical security success” but “strategic political success.”
“I am more convinced than ever after being in Iraq the last two days on my sixth trip that the leadership of Iraq understand that,” Hagel said. "I think the people of Iraq understand it, and it is now time for the United States to start accepting the sovereignty of that country in ways that are real and that means for us to responsibly start unwinding our military presence.”
The Israel-Palestinian issue
During the press conference, Obama also used the opportunity to express his concerns about the truck attack that occurred just hours earlier in Jerusalem outside the hotel where he is set to spend the night tonight. "I want to make a comment about the events today in Jerusalem,” he said. “Today's bulldozer attack is a reminder of what Israelis have courageously lived with on a daily basis for far too long. I strongly condemn this attack and will always support Israel in confronting terrorism and pursuing lasting peace and security.”
Obama also took two questions on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, from people who appeared to be local reporters. Obama said it was his firm belief that it was in the interests of Israelis and Palestinians to arrive at a peaceful settlement but that it was a difficult process.
"I think it's unrealistic to expect that a US president alone can suddenly snap his fingers and bring about peace in this region,” he said. “What a US president can do is apply sustained energy and focus on the issues of the Israelis and the Palestinians. And I do believe that an ultimate resolution is going to involve two states standing side by side in peace and security, and that the Israelis and the Palestinians are going to both have to make compromises in order to arrive at that two-state solution.”
Obama will address the issue Israeli-Palestinian issue in more depth tomorrow, when he visits Israel and the Palestinian Authority and meets with a series of leaders there.
