U.S. Officials' Speeches
Secretary Rice Visits Troops in the Palace - At Embassy Meet and Greet
December 18, 2007
Baghdad, Iraq
AMBASSADOR CROCKER: Thank you very much, Madame Secretary. These are just some of the great Americans, Iraqis and third-country nationals that serve the United States in Iraq. US Mission Multinational Force, we are truly one team and one fight. These Americans will be spending this holiday season in Iraq doing our nation's most important work, and we're deeply honored that you've taken time at the end of a long, busy day to come out and say hello to them.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Secretary of State. (Applause.)
SECRETARY RICE: Thank you. Thanks very much. Well, first of all, I want to thank Ambassador Crocker and Christine for their wonderful leadership of this Embassy and all the leadership team, doing a terrific job working with General Petraeus and MNFI. I think we have never had a better example in this country of the complete unity of our military and civilian effort. It is an extraordinary effort because we are trying to do something that is historic and difficult but extremely important, and that is ultimately going to change the face of the Middle East and that's going to change the face of the world. And that's to help the Iraqi people find their way to a stable, democratic country where all Iraqis can have a future and where we can show that the kind of progress that's been made in just the last few months is something that is sustainable and where the little kids that I saw as I went into the red zone for the first time today, the little kids playing soccer and one little boy who was saluting, that's what Iraq's future looks like. And I want you to know that you are the greatest team that America has ever assembled to help that come about.
Now, I come at a time when I know that you are away from family and friends on what is just a great holiday of joy -- the holidays, the Christmas, the Eid that's coming, the Hanukah that has just passed. I know that it's not easy to be away from family and friends because undoubtedly you've got traditions like my family has traditions that you'd like to be a part of. But as you're maybe opening a Christmas present or calling a family member or sending an email from here during the holidays, I want you to know that you're in our hearts and our minds, you're in the thoughts of every American. I have never seen stronger support, indeed admiration, for the people in uniform and for our civilians and for our diplomats who are serving in harm's way out here but serving in a great cause. And so when you open that present out here, remember that next year hopefully you'll be opening it at home and that all across the country as Americans are opening their presents and celebrating and having family time, there will be thoughts and prayers and a moment to think about you.
That's really why I wanted to come tonight, because this is a very special time of the year. It's a time of wishes and dreams. And what you're doing is that you're helping the Iraqi people fulfill their wishes and their dreams.
I want to thank also the Foreign Service Nationals who serve with us, whether they're Iraqi or from other countries, because we couldn't do our work without them. And you all know that.
I want to thank everybody who is here. What I'm going to is I'm going to walk around and take a few pictures and shake a few hands before I head out tonight. I'm sorry I kept you waiting; I was over with the Prime Minister. We were talking about how to keep Iraq moving. But I just wanted to stop by and say from the President, and from the President down to each and every American, thank you, thank you, thank you. You're the greatest and we just admire what you're doing. We're one great team. Thank you. (Applause.)