Secretary Rumsfeld Holiday Visit to Iraq

Rumsfeld Cheers U.S. Troops During Surprise Iraq Visit
Source: Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD, Dec. 24, 2004 – During a surprise trip to Iraq Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld today shared Christmas-Eve cheer with U.S. troops serving here and in the cities of Mosul, Tikrit and Fallujah.

Rumsfeld shared Christmas-Eve cheer with U.S. troops serving in Baghdad and in the cities of Mosul, Tikrit and Fallujah. .

The trip had been planned for some time, Rumsfeld told traveling press members on his C-17 plane over the Atlantic Ocean en route to Iraq. The secretary noted he'd not only meet with U.S. troops during the trip, but would also discuss the current military situation in Iraq with senior Iraqi and U.S. leaders.

Rumsfeld also noted that progress of the Iraqi security forces would be discussed, as well as preparations for nationwide Iraqi elections slated for January.

"This is a tough situation in Iraq," Rumsfeld said to the Marines in Fallujah. Yet, he predicted, the Marines and other U.S. service members will be proud of their accomplishments after Iraqis take control of their destiny and become a free, democratic nation.

Afterward, Rumsfeld's helicopter took him to Baghdad, where he attended a meeting with Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the U.S. commander of multinational forces in Iraq, and Metz. The secretary also met with interim Iraqi President Ghazi Al-Yawar.

The secretary then met with wounded troops in Baghdad at the 31st Combat Surgical Hospital. Later, he flew north of Baghdad to visit with troops at Camp Victory North.

Rumsfeld told reporters during the flight to Iraq that Iraqis who'd taken positions in the interim government and security forces had "guts," given the instances of apparent insurgent intimidation of such officials in some parts of the country.

And any attempted intimidation of law-abiding Iraqis, Rumsfeld pointed out, "is a factor that has to be considered in watching how this thing tips."

Donald H. Rumsfeld

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (center) meets with Army Pfc. Anthony Abas (right) and Spc. Donald Arminio (left) from the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season.

DoD photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-082

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (left) shares a laugh with Army Capts. Duane Limpert (2nd from left) and Andy Allen (right) of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season.

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DoD photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-092

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Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld talks to soldiers of the Army's 1st Infantry Division Headquarters, in Tikrit, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season.

DoD photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-148

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld talks to soldiers of the Army's 1st Infantry Division Headquarters, in Tikrit, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season.

Donald H. Rumsfeld 4

DoD photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-198

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Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld greets soldiers from the Army's 1st Infantry Division Headquarters, in Tikrit, Iraq, on Dec. 24. 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season.

DoD photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-215

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (center) meets with Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force while at the Camp Fallujah Dining Facility in Fallujah, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season.

Donald H. Rumsfeld 6

DoD photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-252

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Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld shares a meal with Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at the Camp Fallujah Dining Facility in Fallujah, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season.

DoD photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-323

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld meets Iraqi Interim Government President Ghazi Al-Yawar at the Iraqi Interim Government Building in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season.

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DoD photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-382

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Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld meets with soldiers from the 67th Combat Surgical Hospital at Mosul Airfield, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season.

DoD photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-013

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld shakes hands with a soldier from the Army's 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 24, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to meet with troops and thank them for their service and their sacrifice during this holiday season.

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DoD photo by Master Sgt. James M. Bowman, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Photo by: MSGT JAMES M. BOWMAN, 1ST COMBAT CAMERA SQUADRON
Record ID No. (VIRIN): 041224-F-5586B-038

Statement on House and Senate Resolutions

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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary December 23, 2004

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