In my remarks the other day I suggested that we are moving on opening discussions and negotiation to end the violence in Iraq. I also suggested in no uncertain terms that continuing violence is unacceptable and will be brought to an end by whatever means are necessary. In those remarks I suggested that we would consider any option that holds a potential solution to the escalation of chaos in this region.
In considering this more deeply it becomes apparent that the trajectory of political interests in the region shows a strong indication that the solution lies in the partitioning of Iraq into more or less ethnic regions and allowing the establishment of separate nations and governments along these lines. Several experts make the case that this is likely to happen as a natural consequence of the violence and hard drawn ethnic interests. This seems to me a reasonable direction for the discussion and negotiation to take. It presents itself as the most likely route to conclude violence and begin mature discussions about the future of the region.
Therefore, we endorse this as a possibility and are beginning to take action that will lead in this direction. Our military people have been directed to immediately begin planning for a redeployment of troops to protect the existing boarders of Iraq. We have set as a mission for these troops that they stand as a bulkhead ready to stop individuals or groups bringing the implements of war into the country and stop the incursion of troops from any of the surrounding nations on the previously sovereign boarders of Iraq. They are assigned to insulate Iraq from the influences that are now or could in the future contribute to violence in the country. In conjunction with this we are opening talks with NATO, the Chinese, the Russians, the Europeans and any other country that is interested in sending peace keeping troops to police the interior of Iraq during this period of transition and until new national governments in the partitioned regions are mature and working in peaceful cooperation. We believe it is in all countries best interest that the violence in this region end. We anticipate that talks with the many sovereign nations of the world will reveal this action as positive and they will be interested and compelled to assist.
I characterized the situation yesterday as an emergency, a fire in the middle of the world petro-station. I believe this characterization is suitably dramatic to make it clear that the situation can not be left to burn out of control. It must be extinguished before it spreads.
The only rational course is to reorganize how we are thinking and acting in response to this emergency and be prepared and have the courage required to use whatever means are necessary to contain and extinguish the inferno. Power is an absolute. It is either used or lost. Now the United States has the power to bring an end to this violence and to reorganize the region to allow its people to live in peace and prosper into the future. I have called for peace, discussion, negotiation and an end to violence. We are prepared to take any and all steps that will move the situation in this direction. It is reasonable that every country and individual can find in this initiative a place to stand proudly and speak up for the peace and prosperous future that should be every human’s birth right.
Our course has changed but our resolve that people and nations are entitled to freedom, liberty and peace has not. The United States will act as I have suggested with new eyes in a search for peace but will not tolerate any effort from extremist factions or otherwise that compromises the search and eventual discovery and establishment of peace in the region. All of the operational departments of our government that can contribute to this effort have been notified and directed to on this initiative as a priority matter.
I have a great deal to do and will not be taking questions. Thank you for your time this morning.