Obama Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq
By Paula Wolfson
Istanbul, Turkey
07 April 2009
U.S. President Barack Obama is in Iraq. He traveled to the Baghdad area from Istanbul.
The stop in Iraq was a surprise addition to the president's first overseas trip in office.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said he went to Iraq to thank American troops stationed there and to consult with Iraqi leaders about the need for progress on the political front.
President Obama is in the process of drawing down U.S. forces from Iraq and building them up in Afghanistan. Gibbs told reporters traveling with the president on Air Force One that Iraq was chosen for a visit in part because of its proximity to Turkey.
But he said the deciding factor was Mr. Obama's desire to show the troops they have his attention, his appreciation and his respect.
The president had hoped to helicopter into Baghdad from the city airport to meet personally with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani. But poor visibility resulted in a change of plans.
Gibbs said Mr. Obama is motorcading to a U.S. military base to meet with the troops and their commanders, and will speak with Iraq's leaders by telephone.
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