Vice President Joe Biden and President Jalal Talabani delivered these remarks in Baghdad, Iraq

President Talabani. This is a very happy occasion in which we host and welcome our dear friend, the friend of the Iraqi people, Vice President Joe Biden. He was our friend when he was in his days at the Senate, and he has always stood for us on the side of the Iraqi people. We welcome him, a very warm welcome.

Vice President Biden. Well, Mr. President, thank you very much. It's a pleasure to be back here in Baghdad. This is my fourth visit since being elected Vice President, and third since being sworn in. As a matter of fact, I've been here so often, I'm probably becoming a nuisance.

And, Mr. President, it's always a pleasure to be with you. As—I met this morning with the U.N. Special Representative, Mr. Melkert, with Prime Minister Maliki, with Speaker Samarrai'e. And I had lunch with a group of elected officials, Iraqi elected officials, over lunch. And the point of my visit is that Iraq remains a central priority for President Obama. Our administration is absolutely committed to a successful, stable, representative, and just Iraq. And we are committed to building an enduring partnership between Iraq and the United States.

Mr. President, that's why I'm here, and that's why one of the main issues discussed today with all the parties was how the United States accelerates its efforts, our efforts, in implementing the Strategic Framework Agreement—including by developing close bonds of commerce, investment, education, and culture.

As President Obama made clear last year, we will end our combat mission of our troops this summer and draw down our forces in compliance with the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement. But even as we draw down our military, Mr. President, we will ramp up our political, diplomatic, and economic engagement with Iraq.

It is often said that the true test of democracy is not the first election, but the second election. Just last month, Iraqi political leaders passed a historic election law, which for the first time endorsed an open list for national elections. And now, you all are working together to ensure that the March 7th national election will be inclusive, transparent, and fair.

In my talks with Iraqi leaders today, one of the things we discussed was the recent controversy regarding the proposed disqualification of some of the candidates running for election. I want to make it clear: I am not here to resolve that issue. This is for Iraqis to do, not for me.

After today's discussions, though, I am confident that Iraq's leaders are seized with the problem and are working for a final, just solution. The issue is not the goal of holding individuals accountable for their past actions, but the process of disqualification itself. Iraqi leaders understand that if the Iraq people and the international community see the process as fair and transparent, it will enhance the credibility of the election.

Let me also be clear: The United States condemns the crimes of the previous regime, and we fully support Iraq's constitutional ban on the return to power of Saddam's Baath party. At the request of the Iraqi government, we will help Iraqis living in the United States participate in the election by making out-of-country voting available. We are also prepared to support the request of the U.S.—for U.S. election observers. This support is only one small example of our commitment to Iraq's democracy.

On another point, let me make—take this opportunity to express my personal regret for the violence in Nisour involving Blackwater employees in 2007. The United States is determined—determined to hold accountable anyone who commits crimes against the Iraqi people.

While we fully respect the independence and integrity of the U.S. judicial system, we were disappointed by the judge's decision to dismiss the indictment, which was based on the way in which some evidence had been acquired. A dismissal, I want to make clear, is not an acquittal.

And today, I am announcing that the United States government will appeal this decision. Our Justice Department will file that appeal from the judge's decision next week.

Mr. President, flying from the airport last night over Baghdad, I saw a city alive with great possibilities. One of the things that has changed fundamentally since my first flight over the city in 2003—bright lights were all over the city where not long ago there was darkness. And there were bustling traffic jams where I once saw empty streets.

And so I'm convinced, Mr. President, that Iraq's best days will still come, they are still ahead and the partnership between our two countries will grow even stronger. And I thank you, Mr. President, for your hospitality.

Thank you, Mr. President.

President Talabani. Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Welcome.

Vice President Biden. Thank God you're here. Thank God you're here.

Secretary Hillary Clinton delivered these remarks in Washington, DC

Q. Hello, my name is Bahar Godani. I'm an intern at the State Department, and I would at the A bureau. I'm also an ethnic Kurd. And I heard that today you are meeting with the Kurdish President Masoud Barzani. And I was wondering what our State Department has to gain from not only just speaking to him, but specifically towards the elections that are coming up. I heard they were pushed back again, so what is it—what is our agenda and where have the talks led so far, since you're excellent at foreign policy?

Secretary Clinton. Well, thank you. Right. Well, I will be meeting with President Barzani. He met with President Obama and Vice President Biden yesterday. Really, we have three messages.

One is to encourage the Kurdish leadership to work toward a peaceful resolution of some of the disputed boundaries, particularly around Kirkuk; to support the elections and the election of a legitimate government that can be put into place as soon as possible—the Kurds will have a major role in determining who ends up in those positions—and to reassure President Barzani and other Kurdish leaders that the United States is very supportive of Kurdish aspirations and the security of the Kurdish people, but we do expect that the Kurdish leadership will take an important role in trying to stabilize Iraq, trying to work with the Sunni and Shia leadership, for the betterment of the entire country. So working out the oil revenue law, for example, is something that is very important to all Iraqis. And it will benefit all Iraqis if it can be finalized.

So it'll be a message of both reassurance and requests about what we would like to see the Kurdish leadership do going forward.

President Barack Obama delivered these remarks in Washington, DC

President Obama. Good afternoon, everybody. Today, the people of Iraq went to the polls to choose their leaders in Iraq's second national election. By any measure, this was an important milestone in Iraqi history. Dozens of parties and coalitions fielded thousands of parliamentary candidates, men and women. Ballots were cast at some 50,000 voting booths. And in a strong turnout, millions of Iraqis exercised their right to vote, with enthusiasm and optimism.

Today's voting makes it clear that the future of Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq. The election was organized and administered by Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission, with critical support from the United Nations. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis served as poll station workers and as observers.

As expected, there were some incidents of violence, as al Qaeda in Iraq and other extremists tried to disrupt Iraq's progress by murdering innocent Iraqis who were exercising their democratic rights. But overall, the level of security and the prevention of destabilizing attacks speaks to the growing capability and professionalism of Iraqi Security Forces, which took the lead in providing protection at the polls.

I also want to express my admiration for the thousands of Americans on the ground in Iraq—for our civilians and our men and women in uniform who continue to support our Iraqi partners. This election is also a tribute to all who have served and sacrificed in Iraq over the last seven years, including many who have given their lives.

We are mindful, however, that today's voting is the beginning and not the end of a long electoral and constitutional process. The ballots must be counted. Complaints must be heard, and Iraq—with the support of the United Nations—has a process in place to investigate and adjudicate any allegations of fraud. A parliament must be seated, leaders must be chosen, and a new government must be formed. All of these important steps will take time—not weeks, but months.

In this process, the United States does not support particular candidates or coalitions. We support the right of the Iraqi people to choose their own leaders. And I commend the Iraqi government for putting plans into place to ensure security and basic services for the Iraqi people during this time of transition.

We know that there will be very difficult days ahead in Iraq—there will probably be more violence. But like any sovereign, independent nation, Iraq must be free to chart its own course. No one should seek to influence, exploit, or disrupt this period of transition. Now is the time for every neighbor and nation to respect Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

A new Iraqi government will face important decisions about Iraq's future. But as today's voting demonstrates, the Iraq people want disagreements to be debated and decided through a political process that provides security and prosperity for all Iraqis.

And as they go forward, the Iraqi people must know that the United States will fulfill its obligations. We will continue with the responsible removal of United States forces from Iraq. Indeed, for the first time in years, there are no—now fewer than 100,000 American troops serving in Iraq. By the end of August, our combat mission will end. As I said last year when I announced our new strategy in Iraq, we will continue to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces, carry out targeted counterterrorism operations with our Iraqi partners, and protect our forces and civilians. And by the end of next year, all U.S. troops will be out of Iraq.

In the weeks and months ahead, the United States will continue to work closely with the Iraqi people as we expand our broad-based partnership based on mutual interest and mutual respect. And in that effort, I'm pleased that Vice President Biden will continue to play a leading role.

On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the Iraqi people on their courage throughout this historic election. Today, in the face of violence from those who would only destroy, Iraqis took a step forward in the hard work of building up their country. The United States will continue to help them in that effort as we responsibly end this war, and support the Iraqi people as they take control of their future.

Thanks very much.

Secretary Hillary Clinton delivered this statement in Washington, DC

Secretary Clinton. I congratulate all the people of Iraq who participated in national elections today and over the past three days. There is no better rebuke to the violent extremists who seek to derail Iraq's progress. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost friends and loved ones, and we salute the determination of the Iraqi people to reaffirm their commitment to democracy and to chart their own future free of fear and intimidation.

Thanks to the efforts of the Iraq High Electoral Commission and the Iraqi Security Forces, which organized the voting and ensured security at thousands of polling sites throughout the country, men and women from all parts of Iraq were able to go to the polls and choose their leaders freely.

I also would like to commend Ambassador Hill, General Odierno and all the U.S. civilian and military personnel who supported this historic effort.

Iraqis have chosen a new government to lead their country at a critical time. In the coming months, we will work together with Iraqi leaders as our partnership continues its transition to a primarily civilian focus, with the goal of building a long-term, multidimensional relationship between our two nations—a relationship that will contribute to stability in the Middle East and growing peace and prosperity in Iraq.

Secretary Hillary Clinton delivered this statement in Washington, DC

Secretary Clinton. Today I had the privilege of meeting with twenty-two Iraqi women provincial council leaders and an influential civil society leader from Anbar. These women are visiting the United States to participate in an exchange of ideas on public service in the U.S. and in Iraq.

Some of these women ran in the March 7 national elections and I commend their courage and commitment to the development of democracy, civil society and economic growth in Iraq, with the full participation of Iraqi women. All of these leaders demonstrate the important role of women in creating strong societies that are peaceful, stable, and tolerant.

I look forward to Iraq's transition to a new government that is inclusive and representative of the interests of all the Iraqi people. In the coming months, we will work together as our partnership continues its transition to a primarily civilian focus, with the goal of building a longterm, multidimensional relationship between our two nations—a partnership that will contribute to stability in the Middle East and growing peace and prosperity in Iraq.