1:37 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, folks.  I want to give you a brief update on an extremely
important development in Iraq.  Early this morning on -- early in the morning October 18th (sic
April 18th), Iraqi security forces with the support of U.S. forces killed the two most senior
leaders of al Qaeda Iraq during a series of joint security operations near Tikrit, Abu Ayyub
al-Masri and Abu Umar al-Baghdadi.  The former leaders of AQI are the ones who plotted,
planned, and executed terrorist attacks against the Iraqis in recent past, as well as against
Americans.

Their deaths are potentially devastating blows to al Qaeda Iraq.  But equally important, in my
view, is this action demonstrates the improved security strength and capacity of Iraqi security
forces.  The Iraqis led this operation, and it was based on intelligence the Iraqi security
forces themselves developed following their capture of a senior AQI leader last month.

In short, the Iraqis have taken the lead in securing Iraq and its citizens by taking out both
of these individuals.  This counterterrorism operation is the culmination of a lot of
cooperation and very hard work by Iraqi and U.S. forces to degrade AQI over the past several
months and years.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the U.S. soldier who was killed while
supporting this assault.  I apologize.  I hate to mention the death of an individual American
without mentioning their name because I don’t want it to sound like it’s just a line.  But
the family has not been informed yet, and that’s the only reason I’m not releasing the name
of this young hero.

We also commend all the troops and civilians serving in Iraq who continue to put themselves in
harm’s way in service of our country, and in the service of a secure and peaceful Iraq.

To consolidate these security gains and honor the sacrifice that so many have made is now
incumbent upon Iraqis’ political leaders to take the next and important necessary step to
form an inclusive and representative government that meets the needs and aspirations of the
Iraqi people.

We remain committed to end our combat mission in Iraq this summer, by the end of August 2010,
and in accordance with the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement that was signed a couple of years ago
to remove all U.S. forces from Iraq by the end of 2011.

As we complete this security transition, we will continue to work to build a lasting
partnership with the Iraqi people and their government based on the many shared interests we
have that go beyond the military cooperation we’ve had of late, including the economy,
education, cultural exchanges, and the development of a strong economy for Iraq.

For today, I want to mark this important milestone as the Iraqi people stand up to those who
would deny them peace, freedom, as well as security.  There will be more difficult days ahead,
but this operation is evidence, in my view, that the future of Iraq will not be shaped by those
who seek to destroy that country, but belong to those who are building a strong and unified
Iraq as I’m confident the Iraqis will do.

Thank you very much.

END
1:40 P.M. EDT