“The withdrawal of U.S. troops from cities and towns marks a critical milestone as Iraqi citizens claim more and more responsibility for their own security.

“Without the dedication and perseverance of our troops and their commanders, the progress made towards freedom, lasting peace and stability would not have been possible. 

“The progress we see in Iraq today is no small testament to the good judgments of our military commanders.  When the lives of our troops and the success of their mission are on the line, these are the leaders we want making the difficult decisions. 

“Congress has a responsibility to exert oversight of all of our combat operations but must never micromanage the decisions of our commanders, including the commander-in-chief.

“I thank the troops for their valiant service and I congratulate the Iraqi people.

“May success in Iraq serve as an inspiration for others in the region to embrace freedom and democracy as their path to a brighter future for themselves and their children.” 

Background:  June 30th is the deadline for U.S. troops to withdrawal from Iraqi cities and towns, and marks the first of three important deadlines regarding U.S. troop presence in Iraq.  All combat brigades are to be withdrawn by August 31, 2010, leaving behind a contingent of 35,000-50,000 non-combat troops to be withdrawn by the end of 2011.  

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