Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 8/30/2010

2:22 P.M. EDT

MR. GIBBS:  Good afternoon.  Let’s start with one very quick scheduling update.  On Monday, September 6, 2010 — Labor Day — President Obama will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he will attend the Milwaukee Laborfest, organized by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, and make remarks there on the economy.  So, more details on the exact time of departure a little bit later on. 

Yes, ma’am.

Q    Obviously two big elements of foreign policy in play this week.  Does the President think that ending the combat mission in Iraq in any way affects the prospect of Middle East peace?

MR. GIBBS:  Look, I would say, first and foremost, that throughout the President’s time in the White House — and as you know and remember, that one of the very first things the President did upon walking into the Oval Office was to initiate calls around — into the region about a lasting, long-term Middle East peace process.  So we have always believed that it was in the interest of those in the region to seek that long-term, lasting peace, separate and apart from any other regional issue. And I think the White House still continues to believe that’s very much the case.

I will say — and you’ll hear this a little bit from the President tomorrow — as we are ending our combat role in Iraq there are additional national security priorities and additional domestic priorities that we can and will be focusing on as a result of that.

Q    Is there any connection, though, between your ending a divisive conflict in Iraq — does that lay any groundwork for going into these Middle East peace talks?

MR. GIBBS:  Well, look, again, I think part of that is — part of it has always been in the best interest of those involved to seek a lasting peace.  That’s been our belief since the beginning of this process.  I think if anything, the two represent long-term commitments that this President and this White House have made and sought through to the end.

On Iraq, we are completing a drawdown of almost 100,000 troops that even when the President — not to mention when the President talked about during the campaign, but even when the President walked through a plan at Camp Lejeune, many did not think was possible. 

And in terms of direct talks, obviously it’s the beginning of a process and an important one at that