and of them of the east iraq has traditionally played a very important role in the iraq system of government always was influential in what happens around the region so it is important the sense of iraq is not a us domestic policy issue as you sometimes see in the news here iraq is important for the region for all the neighbors that has you know the way that iran interacts with iraq is very important how the neighbors for example syria and jordan how secure they feel on their rocky border fence how secure they feel on the other side of the border with israel so it is it is impossible to try to say that the two a completely separate issues and the two are also you know obviously both are very important for the u.s. and terms of their presence internationally abroad you know thanks so much for being here thank you. now before we go tonight there is yet another major announcement out of the google powerhouse in silicon valley the internet giant is come up with the priority inbox a way for g. mail to sort out your mail for you the idea is the g. mail picks up on what mail you read what you don't

the united states has paid a huge price to put the future of iraq in the hands of its people. we have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in iraq and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home. we persevered because of a belief we share with the iraqi people, a belief that out of the ashes of war a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. through this remarkable chapter and the history of the united states and iraq we have met our responsibilities. now it's time to turn the page. as we do, i'm mindful that the iraq war has been a contentious issue at home. here, too, it's time to turn the page. this afternoon i spoke to former president george w. bush. it's well known that he and i disagreed about the war from its outset. yet no one can doubt president bush's support for our troops or his love of country and commitment to our security. as i've said, there were patriots who supported this war and patriots who opposed it. and all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women and our hopes for iraqis' fut

the united states has paid a huge price to put the future of iraq in the hands of its people. we have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in iraq and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home. we persevered because of a belief we share with the iraqi people. a belief that out of the ashes of war a new beginning could be borne in this cradle of civilization. through this remarkable chapter in the history of the united states and iraq, we have met our responsibilities. now, it's time to turn the page. as we do, i'm mindful that the iraqi war has been a contentious issue at home. here, too, it's time to turn the page. this afternoon, i spoke to former president george w. bush. it's well known that he and i disagreed about the war from its outset. yet, no one can doubt president bush's support for our troops or his love of country and commitment to our security. as i've said, there were patriots who supported this war and patriots who opposed it. and all of us are united in appreciation for our service men and women and our hopes for ei q

i do believe that having gone in there with the idea of sharing the moneys of the iraq -- to the iraq people and each one registering and at the same time they were registering to get proceeds -- given to the people. then they may have had more cooperation from iraq as a whole. since they didn't, most of the people were trying to save the moneys for certain people to profit from and mainly the leaders. they're not getting the response that they would get overall from the whole country. and so if they change the situation now, they could probably get everybody to participate, the sunnis, the kurds, every individual get equal amount. that would be the solution. thank you. host: from "usa today" -- the number of u.s. children in foster care has dropped 8% in one year, more than 20% in the past decade, according to federal figures. the drop is due largely to a shift of the policies of state and county child welfare agencies. that's according to terri braxton of the child welfare league of america. she says agencies have been shortening stays in foster care, speeding up adoptions and expan

the ongoing security at the aend of our combat mission in iraq. the ongoing security challenges we face and the need to rebuild our nation here at home. i know this historic moment comes at a time of great uncertainty for many americans. we've now been through nearly a decade of war. we've endured a long and painful recession. and sometimes, in the midst of these storms the future that we're trying to build for our nation, the future of lasting peace and long-term prosperity may seem beyond our reach. but this milestone should serve as a reminder to automatic americans that the future is ours to shape. if we move forward with confidence and commitment. we it should serve as a message to the world that the united states of america intends to sustain and strengthen our leadership in this young century. from this desk, seven and a half years ago, president bush announced the beginning of military operations in iraq. much as changed since that night. a war to disarm a straight became a fight against an insurgency. terrorism and sectarian warfare, thre

we have often heard about ending the war in iraq. we haven't heard much about winning the war in iraq. if we honor what our men and women fought for, we cannot turn our backs now on what they have achieved. when we support our troops, we support them all the way, and there is no such thing as supporting our troops but not the mission they are there to fight for. [applause] >> victory in iraq was the only option in 2007, and it is the only option now. >> the american legion understands that, and the american museum understand that. that's why we're here today talking about our troops returning home in success instead of gradual surrender. of course, too many of our own have returned home from iraq to be laid to rest. there sacrifices have not been in vain. and i know legion airs give -- legionnaires think of them in heart and deed. one fallen soldier's wife once worked in my congressional office. sergeant clay was one of the united states marine's killed in folugia in 2006. before he died, he left a letter for his family to be read in

the future of iraq in the hands of its people. we said our young men and our young woman to make sacrifices. we have sent the best resources abroad. we persevere a we share a lot with the iraqi people. out of the ashes of war and to new beginnings is born and crated a new civilization. to this remarkable chapter in the history of the united states and iraq we have met our responsibilities. now, it is our time to turn the page. as we do i am mindful that the pretentious issue at home that here too it is time to turn the page. this afternoon i spoke to former president george w. bush. it is well known that they agreed for the war and that known can doubt president bush's support for troops or his love of country and our security. with that said will take the support of the war and all of us are united with appreciation for our service men and women. our hopes for a rocky future. the greatness of our democracy is grounded in the abilities to move beyond our differences. we need to learn her mark experiences and confront the many chal

the economy and the rut this country, the anxiety the american people feel has replaced iraq. it is gone. >> and as uncertain as the situation in iraq remains, there is greater uncertainty in afghanistan right now. u.s. officials are deeply worried about the afghan president, hamid karzai. that's it for our special coverage this hour. we'll have a lot more cnn's coverage of the president's historic speech continues right now. >> larry: tonight the u.s. combat mission in iraq is officially over. >> this milestone should serve as a reminder to all americans that the future is ours to share. >> larry: 7 1/2 years of battle, 4,400 american troops among thousands of dead. >> like all americans, i am awed by their sacrifice and by the sacrifices of their families. >> larry: was it worth it? now a change of mission. what happens next? what does it mean for the united states and the world next on "larry king live." in a couple moments we'll check in with david axelrod, senior adviser to the president. he's at the white house. first let's get reaction to the address from those in iraq.

from about 15 feet and said "you the iraq guy." and i said "um, in what sense am i the iraq guy?" "i've seen you on the t.v." >> rose: (laughs). >> and i said "do you remember why i was on there?" "no, he says i don't remember that." i said "do you remember who i work for?" he said "i don't." he was impatient, he obviously had business to do. he was out of brooklyn or something. >> rose: welcome to television. >> he says "alls i remembered is you needed a [no audio] hair cut." so there's something to be said for that. it gives me a certain recommend. >> rose: how is iraq going to end? >> god. i have rather somber thoughts about that. >> rose: somer? >> yes, we all hoped-- whether you supported or didn't support the war-- that america would find an exit that was honorable for america that left behind a country add what had... you know, by the time of the surge they had reformulated what the objective would be. it's no longer democracy. it was a government able to defend its own territory. something to that effect. i'm not sure that

a hypothetical, you said the deed was iraq -- the gauge was iraq. if the iraqi government in the next year feels that as was already said, that the perception in the region will be of a vacuum if there is no u.s. military presence, and if they raised the idea of a new agreement, are we ruling out cooperation on that front? also, as far as the civilian presence, can you say something about the protection of that presence? there has been stories of the 6000-man private army. whatever there is going to be. we all know that there are still serious security problems. and will this greatly enhanced civilian presence be able to get out of its compounds and engage with the iraqi people? >> thanks, trudy. you are right -- again, i do not want to get into a hypothetical discussion about what an iraqi government might or might not asked for. right now, we need to see that the government forms, and then we will engage with the government. if the iraqis put any issue on the table for discussion, we are prepared to discuss it, but beyond that, there's no point di

the united states has paid a huge price to put the future of iraq in the hands of its people. we have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in iraq and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home. we persevered because of a belief we share with the iraqi people. a belief that out of the actions of war a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. through this remarkable chapter in the history of the united states and iraq. we have met our responsibilities. now, it's time to turn the page. as we do, i'm mindful that the iraq war has been a contentious issue at home. here too it's time to turn the page. this afternoon i spoke to former president george w. bush. it's well known that he and i disagreed about the war from its outset. yet no one can doubt president bush's support for our troops or his love of country and commitment to our security. as i've said there are patriots who supported the war and patriots who opposed it. and all of us are united to the love of our men and women and our hope for the iraqi future. our coun

the last combat brigade in iraq has completed its mission and the u.s. transition is to an advisory and assist role with operation be gone. >> larry: we're back. before we talk about afghanistan, pete, i didn't give you a chance to elaborate on what disappointed you in the speech. >> well, what disappointed me about the speech is that he didn't give credit, i believe, where credit is due. he talked about the last convoy driving out peacefully. he talked about improvements on the street, but he was unwilling to really be gracious and give credit to former president bush and say, hey, when times were tough, when folks like himself, when president obama wanted to turn the page early in 2006 and 2007, president bush said, no, we're going to stick to the fight, add more troops and change strategy. we did. that's what brought about the opportunity and the stability for us to draw down to 50% troops. i think he could have been more gracious in talking about the surge and the former president. >> larry: jon, the president talked tough tonight about afghanistan.

would have been under saddam to look at the trauma, the psychological trauma inflicted on iraq by the ba'ath party and saddam over a period of 30 years. all of that it can accept. if i had to do it over again i would have looked at that because it was the fractured pitch thatter that society in part along with saddam terror overground as government going underground as an insurgency that made the american venture in iraq next to impossible to achieve. >> couric: from london john and john when we come back. captioning sponsored by rose communications this is charlie rose. >> rose: on someday two of our visit to london we are joined by john micklethwait. he's editor and chief of the "economist" magazine. i'm pleased to have him back on this program to talk about tony blair and david cameron and europe and many other issues, welcome. >> thank you for having me again. >> rose: tony blair. put in the perspective what you think he is about now, how you think britain will respond to this book which seems to be selling very well. >> i think it's very interesting. the last two times before the

iraq just isn't one of them and i will ask where the engine in the war in iraq are today will have a discussion on the neo cons and their current influence in washington d.c. policy circles. and again this is own seat which all the headlines at home once the. president obama and live t.v. address says the rockies are responsible for their own future and the end of u.s. combat operations that means america can start focusing on economic recovery. dollars in any village a bullet to get a drug to commit suicide it knows they get an edge and eight craving that big and good will come of those sorts of. new designated gambling zones failed to get a whole big round in remote parts of the country plans and for russia and us they get. those the headlines from all seen on let's go back to they are going to shut. down.

involvement in iraq, syrian involvement in iraq is a recognition of how important iraq is in the region. it's one of the reasons why we're not going to abandon iraq, why we're going to continue to build a long-term partnership with them, because iraq's going to continue to be a very, very important country in a very, very important region. host: let's get to the calls. maria joins us on our democrats line from dallas. hi, maria. caller: hi, c-span. this is a great show. i think that the votes are going to be the difference makers in this election. i think the latino votes have been alienated with all of the ruckus going on, is going to be the biggest change. host: you're talking about the midterm elections here in november, correct? caller: oh, yes. i think this is going to set the elections in november. i think this is going to be a big deal. host: as a democrat, what are you hoping to see happen in iraq? are you satisfied with the direction president obama is going in? caller: oh, yes, i'm very satisfied with that. our website that we created, www.republicanscantdrive.com, we say the

michael, was the iraq war the right thing to do? >> well, bob, you know the british prime minister, tony blair, has just come out with an autobiography, and he makes the point in there that the removal of saddam hussain from power was a great good. i agree with tony blair that the iraq war is tragic. it has been in the loss of life that's been sad. it was the right thing to do. >> if you had known in 2003 what the costs would be, the costs in lives and money and everything, would you still have favored it? >> bob, the cost of lives and money -- and every war is a miserable cost, painful cost. and i think looking back on any war you want to say, is any war worth it after we see what the results are? that can't be coider without considering what was going on before -- what saddam did to his own people, what he did to his neighbors, the threat that he posed to so many parts of the world. >> bill, was it worth it? >> i don't think so. and equally important, a large majority of the american people don't think so either. and in a democrac

: the president addressed the political divisions over going to the war in iraq in the first place, and he named his predecessor former president bush. >> i'm mindful that the iraq war has been a contentious issue at home here too, it's time to turn the page. this afternoon i spoke to former president george w. bush. it's well known that he and i disagreed about the war from its outset. yet no one can doubt president bush's support for our troops or his love of country and commitment to our security. as i've said, there are patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. >> the president talked at length about afghanistan, and made clear the commitment by the u.s. there, although the president has sent more troops, is not open ended. >> next august we will begin a transition to afghan responsible beability. the pace of our troop reductions will be determined by conditions on the ground. and our support for afghanistan will endure. but make no mistake, this transition will begin because open ended war serves neither our interests nor the afghan people's. >> this was largely

president obama marked the end of the iraq war last night with a prime-time address from the oval office, but numerous questions remain tonight about the american long term commitment, so first of tonight, a conversation with john burns, a former baghdad chief for "the new york times." also with us tonight, laura lippman, with her new novel "i'd know you anywhere." john burns and author laura lippman. >> all i know is his name is james, and he needs extra help with his reading. >> i am james. >> yes. >> to everyone making a difference, you help us all live better. >> nationwide insurance supports tavis smiley. with every question and every answer, nationwide insurance is proud to join tavis smiley in working to improve financial literacy and remove obstacles to economic empowerment, one conversation at a time. nationwide is on your side. >> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. [captioning made possible by kcet public television] >> ending this war is not in the interest of iraq. it is in our own. the united states has paid a huge price to put the fut

iraq, at the iraq assistance groups. the insignia is the same as that approve for multinational force iraq, originally approved in january 2005, amended in february 2005. the start represents a vision of unity among the people of iraq -- star represents a vision of unity among the people of iraq. the colossal statue of the mess n winged-- mesopotamia an bull represents strength and protection of the people. u.s. division northcom u.s. division south, u.s. division central -- u.s. division north, u.s. divisions upcoming u.s. division central -- u.s. division south, u.s. division at central. it serves as a rallying point for soldiers. this symbolic passing of the unit's colors is a time-honored tradition that signifies the command from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. the history, traditions, and accomplishments of the unit are embodied in its colors, and although commanders may come and go, the colors always remained steadfast. with the passing of the colors, the legacy is also past, well as the responsib

the iraq war divided the country, and those divisions were deep and bitter. >> i'm mindful that the iraq war has been a contentious issue at home. here, too, it's time to turn the page. >> in the battle of iraq, the united states and our allies have prevailed. >> reporter: president obama's predecessor who launched the war and rejoiced in the success of its early stages, saw his presidency ultimately crippled by it. here, too, though, president obama sought to make a gesture of reconciliation. >> this afternoon, i spoke to former president george w. bush. it's well known that he and i disagreed about the war from its outset. yet, no one can doubt president bush's support for our troops or his love of country and commitment to our security. the greatest of our democracy is grounded in our ability to move beyond our differences. and to learn from our experience, as we confront the many challenges ahead. >> reporter: but for most, this moment is one for reflection. defense secretary robert gates was overcome with emotion at the thought of what has been given and lost in this war. >> the cou

the fact of the matter is, we're not there yet. >> the debate of iraq. one of the topics we'll get to on the "roundtable" this morning, with george will, paul krugman. mary jordan, and "new york times" columnist tom friedman. welcome to you all. and, of course, while the president did spend a lot of this last week on foreign policy, he's going to be turning to domestic policy this week. so let me start. he's going to have a big speech in cleveland on wednesday. what does he have to say, george? >> he has to say things are going to get better fast. he can't plausibly say that. in december 2007, when the recession began, at point until now, americans have lost about $10 trillion of net household wealth because of housing values, 401(k)s, and all the rest. they were highly leveraged. they had household to consumer debt. they're still slowly shedding debt. only 25% of americans tell people that they think their income will be better next year than this year. all these add up to reasons why people are not spending. and why corporations are sitting on a sum of

the troops became the center piece of moving from iraq to the economy. i mean.... >> lehrer: through afghanistan. >> and then to the economy. we had to show the same kint of mettle and dedication and courage that they had shown here at home. we owed it to them to do it. but in answer to your question, jim, what did lincoln say at gettysburg? a little note the world won't long remember. he was excessively modest in his own words. i can't imagine that this speech will be learned by elementary school kids. >> lehrer: just to not pick up on that. david, the idea that the the president, you know, this is a war without surrender , ceremonies, and that we've had a lot of those. is he essentially saying we have to get used to that? this is the way modern wars will be ... have been and will be. is that something.... >> not necessarily true. i mean yugoslavia there was a winner and a loser. i'm not sure he's always right that. i guess he's right in this case because it will be decades before conflict and violence ends. i thought if was a sentence that's going to b

and the place to start was iraq and that's why iraq was then on the agenda. so... because sad dam was in breach of the u.n. resolutions and used chemical weapons in the iran war, used them against his own people, thousands died as a result of it. so that was why it was on the agenda from then on and my attitude to it, this is what led to the actions we took with respect to libya, a.q. khan, what we were trying to do then and trying to do still in relation to iran, north korea, and so on. from then on my view was the calculus of risk changes, you can not afford to let this proliferation occur. >> rose: here is what intrigues me about you, too. you seem to say about iran the fear to do nothing if you are a leader gnawed at you. gnawed at you. and therefore the iraqi invasion and therefore the potential of iran having nuclear weapons. the fear of that. >> yeah. i mean... >> rose: you lived more by fear than hope. >> (laughs) no, no, i think i'm basically hopeful. but... and i think the fear of doing the prime minister's questions is a little different. >> rose: i was

but the benchmark in iraq does give mr. obama a notch on his belt. >> foreign policy moments allow the president to step forward and to fill his role, be presidential and show he's the commander. and that's good for a president who's having a tough time. >> reporter: the president did say tonight that his central responsibility as president is the economy and that his most urgent task is to fix it so that millions of people can get jobs again. but his focus for the moment remains focused on foreign policy. tomorrow he begins meeting with middle eastern leaders here at the white house as he immerses himself in the search for peace between israel and the palestinians. harry? >> smith: bill plante at the white house tonight. thank you. iraq's prime minister told his people today their country is now sovereign, independent, and on equal footing with the united states. but as we've mentioned, the u.s. mission there is not ending, it's changing. terry mccarthy traveled to a checkpoint in the northwest where americans are still in

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involvement in iraq, syrian involvement in iraq is a recognition of how important iraq is in the region. it's one of the reasons why we're not going to abandon iraq, why we're going to continue to build a long-term partnership with them, because iraq's going to connue to be a very, very important country in a very, very important region. host: let's get to the calls. maria joins us on o democrats line from dallas. hi, maria. caller: hi, c-span. this is a great show. i thin that the votes are going to be the difference makers in this election. i think the latino votes have been aliened with all of the ruckus going on, is going to be the biggest change. host: you're talking about the midterm elections here in november, correct? caller: oh, yes. i think this is going to set the elections in november. i think this is going to be a big deal. host: as a democrat, what are you hoping to see happen in iraq? are you satisfied with the direction president obama is going in? caller: oh, yes,'m very satisfied with that. our website that we created, www.republicanscantdre.com, we say the republicans

just to iraq but the region. right now, it is a very fragile coalition. can you address further the importance, particularly for the kurdish, in the coalition? i am just observing and i deal with other areas of the world usually, like pakistan. i have been observing what is going on with the kurds. on 16th street, they have their own sort of that many embassy. what i call it that? i do not know. with that in mind, the region, the need, and everything, can both of these take a little further to the kurdish issue? >> thank you. one of the things that we said to all of our people is that the united states is deeply committed to helping the kurds sustain the significant gains that have made in iraq in terms of being fully and meaningfully integrated into the life and their ship of the nation but also retaining the day in and day out control of their daily lives. this is something we could strongly about. what is very interesting is that in the context of the discussions going back and forth there is an understanding

in iraq as it comes to the close of combat operations. we're not given a reedout of exactly what happened, but it's the same courtesy call he made before he announced this plan a year and a half ago on his way to camp lejeune in north carolina. >> george, we were talking about former president bush, and that night, that moment he spoke, it is now seven years, five months and 13 days ago. let's listen. >> at this hour, american and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger. >> that war over 7 1/2 years made president bush one of the most unpopular presidents of modern times. and president obama's opposition to the war got him into the oval office. it's why he won the primaries. large reason he became president of the united states. >> tonight, he spoke respectfully of the former president and their disagreement. well, we've been talking about those who have left, what about the 50,000, the american troops who will stay in iraq. what are they

the iraq war divided the country and those divisions were deep and bitter. >> i'm mindful that the iraq war has been a contentious issue at home. here, too, it's time to turn the page. >> in the battle of iraq, the united states and our allies have prevailed. >> reporter: president obama's predecessor, who launched the war and rejoiced so theatrically in the success of its early stages, saw his presidency ultimately crippled by it. here too, though, president obama sought to make a gesture of reconciliation. >> this afternoon i spoke to former president george w. bush. it's well known that he and i disagreed about the war from its outset. yet no one can doubt president bush's support for our troops or his love of country and commitment to our security. >> reporter: but for most, this moment is one for reflection. defense secretary robert gates was overcome with emotion at the thought of what has been given and lost in this war. >> the courage of these men and women. their determination. their sacrifice. and the sacrifice of their families. along with the service and sacrifice of so many

almost three years to the day this week marks the start of the iraq war. it led to a series of events in a bloody eight year war between iran and iraq which contributed to the 1991 gulf war which in turn set up a decade of sanctions and containment of iraq followed by the 2003 invasion of iraq by the united states and its coalition partners which leads us to where we are today. one of the consequences of the invasion of iraq was that the united states government's possession of massive numbers of government documents and they enabled us to have access to many former iraqi government decisions that have provided us with some unique insight into the function of the former regime and the attitudes of key decision makers and has enabled us to flesh out historical records to some degree on a series of events leading up to the iran-iraq war. war and what happened to the 1991 gulf war as well as the run-up to the innovation in 2003. we have here today to of our panelists who have been working to mind this trove of documents and interviewed former regime officials

the u.s. -- not only in iraq's interest. we persevered because they believe we shared with the iraqi people, a belief that a new beginning can be born in this cradle of civilization. >> but can it? the situation in iraq is fragile which is why america's vice president flew to baghdad to mark the moment in the pressure nouri al maliki to come up with a stable political settlement. >> speaking on television today, maliki said his country is an equal partner with the u.s., iraq is sovereign and independent. it is also safer. there is occasional violence but a semblance of normality has returned. it is a far cry from the brutal years after the invasion when insurgents may iraq one of the most violent places in the world. i iraqis grew painfully used to burying their dead. the numbers are disputed but at least 150,000 iraqis are thought to have died since the invasion. in 2008 u.s. policy changed, a surege of american troops brought greater stability and the political opportunity for president obama's speech tonight. >> this shou

the increase in the price of oil so they put about ten dollars per barrel to the cost of iraq war which cost the u.s. economy about two hundred fifty billion dollars that was cash that was taken out of the economy it was capital and sent to the middle east look i made a prediction on this show that the insider is responsible for nine eleven like you know dick prince over there eric parents friends over there a blackwater they would go to countries with extra do extradition agreements erik prince is now already in a country without an extradition agreement and i predict we're going to see this for. cheney as well i think cheney and bush rumsfeld certainly they will all go to these countries to get outside of the reach of folks who will be wanting to have them accountable for the nine eleven that they created the iraq war that they created the cost a million iraqi civilians of gold blood because what tony blair just admitted to a power play for oil remember blair was saying no blood for oil it's not blood for oil it is blood for oil you lying sack of dog dirt you know you should be ashame

, is the war in iraq really over? was the sacrifice worth it? >> palle always and the balance over time i think remains to be seen. >> alaska senator lisa marie caskey throws in the towel. >> i don't see a scenario where the primary will turn out in my favor of them atop another win for sarah palin and tea party. >> lasting peace will only be achieved with mutual and painful concessions from both sides. >> mideast peace talks -- will president obama succeed where others before him have failed? hurricane earl is happening and storm clouds return for congress in washington. ♪ >> president obama spoke to be a nation from the oval office this week seven years after the united states invaded iraq. he said the american combat mission has ended and he has kept his promise to the american people. >> this was my pleasure to the american people as a candidate for this office. last february, i announced a plan that wowod bring our combat brigades out of iraq by redoubling our efforts to strengthen their security forces and sup

that has unfolded after the iraq war. police in maryland have shot dead a radical environmentalists who held three people hostage at the headquarters of the discovery television channel. the gun man named james lee has objected to the coverage of green issues. hostages were unharmed. our correspondent was at the scene. >> [unintelligible] this ended after a four-hour standoff with police shooting dead a man who held the one -- been holding captive three employees. he walked into the building with explosives strapped to his body. we know that that man was james lee, an individual with a vendetta against the discovery channel. he claimed they channel promoted procreation and was contributing to the world's overpopulation. he also said he held the discovery channel responsible for some of america's immigration problems. even though it ended with police shooting him dead, investigations were continuing with officers scouring the building for further explosive devices he may have planted. >> at least 25 people have been killed

of iraq in the hands of their people. we have met our responsibility. >> but in a prime time address from the oval office, they said the united states commitment to a self reliant iraq continues. >> troops will remain in iraq with a different mission, advising and assisting iraq troops. >> republican leaders in congrey america's success in iraq is not because of president barack obama, but inpiet of him because as a senator he opposed the surge that many credit for turning the tide of the convict. the top house republicans said this in a vail swipe. >> one lawmaker rejected the ida saying and again i'm quoting, in fact, i think we will do the reverse. >> with one combat mission compe , president barack obama made it clear the fight against terrorism and the war in afghanistan are far from over. >> and because of our draw down in iraq, we are now able to apply the resources necessary to go on offence. >> president barack obama repead and praised all those that sacrificed during the iraq war. he also talked about the econom

james roberts, bbc news. >> the leader who said it was wrong to take the british to the iraq war. here's our editor. nick robbins. >> is this man your next prime minister? will he lead labor back to power? to have any chance. mi miliband. david, i have known what as extraordinary person you are. and now you have again shown to everybody else with the graciousness. what an extraordinary person you are. thank you >> david miliband expected to make this speech. watch and listen. the woman gordon brown called a successor. >> i do believe we were wrong to take britain to worry and we need to be honest about that >> watching stony faced, three leaders who voted for the war. including brother david. he appears to ask, you voted for you. why are you clapping? i am clapping because you know i'm supporting him. >> we did not build alliances and underminded the united nations. america has drawn a line on iraq and so should we. >> a new generation has taken control and together. we will change britain. thank you very much. >> he got that make that speech for having the ruthlessness to take on

the iraq thing is simply trying to remind the world that iraq is now sovereign and we have been there for many years and the iraq themselves wanted us to have them turn over their own sovereignty. >> we were a liberator, nancy. we were a liberator in iraq, we weren't a foreign power that was trying to take over. >> that is not the point and nor is that what he said. that's not what he was saying. >> he said governed by a foreign power. >> right and the u.n. resolution went in. >> we're not trying to govern iraq. >> let her finish her answer to that. you were saying the u.n. resolution. >> the u.n. has been governing iraq for years and they just finished and handed the sovereignty back to iraq and he's praising the sovereignty in iraq and that's something he is emphasizing they are now democratic and that's a positive thing and that's all he was trying to say on that point. overall, i think the speech was very much, we have to work together to address these problems and together we can make progress. whether the world will respond is the big question. he has a lot of work to do. >> tha

that the american combat mission in iraq has ended. operation iraqi freedom is over. the iraqi people now have the responsibility for the security of their country. >> more than 4400 american dead, the cost of overt $7 billion. the president said americans had paid a heavy price. he did not say whether it was worth it. the marine who owned these stars and stripes that draped be a statue of saddam hussein in 2003 it believes it was. >> in incredibly proud of what i have seen their -- yes we incredibly proud of what i have seen there. people blow each other up all the time over there, and that is that. but i hope it will go back to a functioning country, however it decides to function. >> the tyrant has fallen and iraq is free. >> president bush was quick to declare victory, just as iraq was to descend into chaotic civil war. richard armiger it was the secretary of state -- armitage was the secretary of state. >> i am not sorry we invaded, but i am terribly sorry for the manner by which we invaded. we were unprepared. i do not think we t

speaking from the oval office there on the withdraw of combat forces from iraq marking the end of the american combat mission there and saying it is now time to turn the page. as the president just said, no one has invested more in the iraq war than families who have lost loved ones to the fighting. ktvu's mike mibach live in walnut creek where he just watched the president's address alongside gold and blue star moms. mike mibach has more now. >> reporter: sorry about that gasia, we had some problems -- issues with the audio in here. if we can just have someone turn that down. as you know gasia a lot of men and women in the bay area fought in the war in iraq. many of them lost their lives fighting in that war including ben thortlesen. his mother mary joining us. your thoughts right off the top. >> i think that the speech was really good. and i you know, i'm very -- it's hard for me to get my arms around the whole reason that we're there. and so, i have to put that aside and just embrace the fact that my son chose to take this on and to do this and you know he's a hero for that. >> rep

the and not heard much about winning the war in iraq. if we honor what our men and women fought for, we cannot turn our backs now on what they have achieved. when we support our troops, we support them all the way. and there is no such thing as supporting our troops but not the mission they were there to fight for. [applause] victory in iraq was the only option in 2007 and it is the only option now. the american legion understands this. and the american people understand this. that's why we're here today talking about our troops coming home in success instead of surrender. to many of our own have returned home from iraq laid to rest. their sacrifices have not been in vain. i know that legionnaires' give their also that the families of our fallen are held up in our hearts. staff sergeant daniel clay is one of the fallen heroes. his wife, lisa, once worked in my congressional office as my personal assistant. sgt clay was killed in felucc allujah. he left a letter for his family to be read in case he did not make a home. he wrote, "what we

that the united states has paid a high price for the iraq war. her blue star turned gold when her son was killed in iraq. killed in the last day of 2008, a husband, son and new father. >> i tell his son that that we are all very proud of his daddy. >> he died doing what he loved. >> reporter: now mr. obama has ended combat operations in a war he says would have not have started if he wasn't president. take a look here. these are pictures of just some of the other men and women from northern california we know through their military service and their deaths. there are many many more. remember marane michael williams from concord killed just four days after the u.s. invasion began 7.5 years ago. >> it was pretty rough. >> reporter: from livingston 24- year-old karina lau, the first california woman lived in iraq, her participants youngest child. we watched some families grieve their losses. >> i knew my son was one of them. >> reporter: then turn their grief into action for peace. the defense department puts the number of u.s. troops killed in iraq