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Obama Makes Unscheduled Stop in Iraq

by Blue Crush | April 7, 2009 at 06:02 am

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Update 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time

The President has now left Iraq - his trip lasting about four hours.

His final words to the U.S. troops, "The main point I want to make is we have not forgotten what you have already done, we are grateful for what you will do, and as long as I am in the White House, you are going to get the support that you need and the thanks that you deserve from a grateful nation. So thank you very much everybody. God bless you."

Click here to read the full transcript.

President Barack Obama has made an unscheduled stop this afternoon in Baghdad, to visit with the troops at Camp Victory.

They are travelling from the airport by motorcade to Camp Victory, instead of the usual helicopter, because there is currently a dust storm in that area.

Chip Reid, Chief White House Correspondent for CBS News, reports that he will be partaking in a medal ceremony with the troops and visiting with PM Maliki later in the day. "He is going to participate in the awarding of ten medals of valor, he's going to meet with General Odierno, the commander here, and talk about how things are going on the ground. He is also going to talk to Prime Minister Maliki about the political solutions that the president says are necessary for success here."

BAGHDAD — Barack Obama has made an unannounced visit to Iraq, capping his first overseas tour as president with a clandestine stop in the war zone that defined his White House bid.

The president landed in Baghdad in the evening after a day of events in Istanbul, Turkey.

This is his third trip to Iraq, but his first as President.

CNN link to this developing story.

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Pythiian1

at 06:11 on April 7th, 2009

Great catch, Blue Crush, on this bit of news. He must have already left the country before the news was released or confirmed.

Blue Crush

at 06:22 on April 7th, 2009

Thanks. I fear for his safety, knowing he's travelling by ground, instead of helicopter. I believe it's just a short distance though. Does anyone know exactly how far it is?