WASHINGTON, March 22 (UPI) -- Peace in the Middle East is necessary for U.S. security and for development of the region, President Bush said after meeting with Iraq reconstruction leaders.
Gathering at the White House on Thursday, Bush met with representatives from the U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, and the military who are tasked with undertaking joint reconstruction efforts with local communities in Iraq, the American Forces Press Service reported.
"We have a remarkable country, and we have people from different walks of life, different levels of experience, make the decision to serve America by helping a young democracy survive," Bush said after the meeting. "They understand what I understand, and that is, success in Iraq is important for the security of the United States."
Provincial Reconstruction Team leaders are joint civilian-military units that are deployed to Iraq to "provide grassroots support in the development of nationwide governance capacity in Iraq," according to a report from the U.S. inspector general on their role in Iraq. The United States currently has 18 teams of 35-100 members serving in Iraq.
Bush called on Congress to provide full funding for the work of the teams, as well as for the regular military.
"I believe it's important for our commanders on the ground to have the flexibility necessary to make decisions to succeed," Bush said. "We don't want you to go into Iraq and then have unnecessary strings placed upon the money so you can't do your job."
Bush also announced that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will soon travel to the Middle East with the message that peace in the region is a priority of the administration. He said that Rice will work for "a solution that will lead to peace, and that is a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security."
