Pool Report: Biden-Maliki Meeting

BIDEN MALIKI MEETING
7-3-09

HERE IS A ROUGH TRANSCRIPT. ALL DIRECT QUOTES. BOTH MEN SPOKE THROUGH A TRANSLATOR. Sorry for typos. When you see ellipses it's a break in the quotes.

MALIKI:
we welcome the vice president of ht eunited staes of amer,ca mr
Our discussision was about the different items that were in the two agreements between the untied states and iraq.
And on the different iems that strengthen our relationships dialogue and all the details that entail such a relationship
The what we avhe seen lsat week on june 30 confirms the credibility of the agreements that are in palce eween iraq nad the untied staes these agreements are being faithfully committed to in an atmpshere of dialogue and positive attitude…..
We have discussed wth mr vice president the way he looked at how we can continue form this point on to put in practice the items of the agreements….and this agremee….initiativie entails details in all the different areas whether economics, political military cultural educational, mamn nay different areas we ill be copeating
I have seen very clearly tha keen determination form the vice presidne tand his administration to support iraq on a politicl leel and in the democratic area and a great readiness to give us or to lend anywhere we ask a lending hand and support….in respect to the overeingy of both countries we are looking also for ways for exchange that support the interests opf both parties.
And indeed we look forward t our visit to the united astates and we hve discussed it with mr vic epresiden and we look forward to meet with businessmen and repreentiave of univesities with companies in the area of educaoitn scientific cioopratoin…
We ..let me affirm again the positive atmosphere thtw was among us and I is very encouraging to see that after the common partnership and common efforts bewen the united sates forces and the Iraqi forces and the coalition partners in deerring and curibng and dfeating al qaeda in iraq we are looking forwead form this point on to strengthen our bilateral relatioshisp and cooperation

BIDEN
The prime minser and I have had a ver prdocutive discussion. Also prior to this met wit hthe two vice presidents as ell as the speaker and I want to thank the prime minister ofr his hospitality.
And I want to commend th eprme minser and his collague sfor the leadership. Pres obam asked me to return to iraq with a very very clear message th eunitd states is committed to iraqs probress and iraqs success.

Several days ago we marked a very important tmilestone on the raod to a stable secure and self rliant iraq the withdrawal of American force, combat force from Iraqi cities…
We pledged to do that by june 30 and we did. We made good on our committmetn as stet by pres obama to remove comba forces from iraq by next summer as wel land ult withraw all us force sform iraq b the en dof 2011
In recent days the enemeise of iraq have once again tried to reignite sectarian biolelce through several deadly bombings. They will fail, they will fail beca esiraqs future belongs to those who are attemptint to build idraq not those who are attempting to destroy it
As the united sates continues to draw down its forces we will continue to help train equip and spport Iraqi security forces…and as the prime minster mentioned the united sates will support iraqs leaders in its efforts to build an effective transparent and accountable govt both at the nationaland provincial levels capable of providing th exueiryt and the services that the people iraq need
At the same time were building ties with ocmmece and culture science education as called for in our strategic frameowk agremet nand thse ties are gowing and will the be ht basisi for a long term relationsip and we look forweard to beginning that as the prime minister visits the united states very shortly.

The president and I appreciate that iraq has traveled a great distance over the past yaer but there is a hard road ahead if iraq is going to find lasting peace and stability. Its not over yet.
Inb my judgemetn the prime minser is correct I point ing out that there is still poltical stteps hta tmust be taken and Iraqis must use the political process to resolve their remaining differences an dadvance their national instret snad we stand ready if aske,d and if helpful to help in that process….mr pm ;let me conclude by restating what I said at the outset.
The reason pres obama asked me to come is that even as we draw down our military forces its our desire to built up our partnership with the prime minster with pres talibani, with other govt leaders of the people of iraq becuae your future,  successful future is very much in our interst.