    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [December 10, 2003]
    [Pages 1704-1705]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Members of the Iraqi National Symphony
    December 10, 2003

        Last night Laura and I had the honor of going
    to hear the Iraqi National Symphony play with the Washington Symphony at
    the Kennedy Center. It was an extraordinary event. And today I've had
    the honor of welcoming members of the symphony here at the White House.
    Maestro, you did a superb job. Thank you
    very much.
        I'm also honored to be here with Rend al-Rahim, who is the Iraqi representative to the United States.
    Rend is an articulate defender of freedom and peace. I'm so honored
    you're here, Rend, and we look forward to working with you.
        We've had a very positive discussion here about freedom and hopes
    and aspirations of young and old alike. And I am so impressed by the
    spirit of these musicians. I'm so honored you would come to our country.
        It's very interesting that the Iraqi Symphony is made up of people
    who are Shi'a and Sunni and Armenian and Kurdish. They work for one
    thing, and that is a

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    unified sound, a beautiful sound. And that's the country that is now
    emerging in Iraq, a country that will work together and recognize
    everybody's rights. We're making good progress in Iraq. There's more to
    do, obviously, but the fact that the Iraqi Symphony is here and
    entertaining Americans is a sign of that progress.
        And we thank you all for coming. We wish you Godspeed.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:01 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Mohammed Amin Ezzat,
    conductor, Iraqi National Symphony; and Rend Rahim Francke, head of
    Iraq's Interest Section in the U.S. A tape was not available for
    verification of the content of these remarks.