    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [May 18, 2008]
    [Pages 695-696]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Iraqi Leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh
    May 18, 2008

        President Bush. I just had a discussion with the Vice President, the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of
    the sovereign nation of Iraq. I told them that I'm impressed by the
    progress that's taking place, the security progress. We talked about
    Basra and the success of the Iraqi Government in Basra in dealing with
    Shi'a extremists.
        We talked about the economic progress that is being made. We also
    talked about the fact that there's--more work needs to be done, that
    this is--you know, there's still problems. But the good news is, is that
    these three leaders recognize the problems, and they have got solutions
    to deal with the problems.
        And finally, we talked about the need for the people in the Middle
    East to understand the importance of a successful Iraq. And these three
    men are courageous men. They're smart, capable people who are--who
    represent the Iraqi people with a lot of dignity.
        And I welcome you here, Mr. Vice President. Thank you for coming.
        Vice President Abd Al-Mahdi. Thank
    you, Mr. President. We had a very good meeting with President Bush, who
    always supported Iraq. And we assessed the progress that we did on all
    levels: security, politics, even economical progress. It's a regular
    relationship, and international community progress has been marked all
    of the--on those levels.
        We also assessed the future, what we should do in the future, the
    long-term relationship, other issues of economic kind, and also the
    regional issue.
        So we are working together, really, Iraq with the United States. And
    we were always optimistic, even in the worst days. And we now--today, we
    realize how--the importance of our work, of the cooperation between the
    United States and Iraq, and we'll continue that.
        President Bush. Thank you all.
        Vice President Abd Al-Mahdi. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:43 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Sharm El
    Sheikh. Participating in the meeting were Vice President Adil Abd Al-
    Mahdi, Deputy Prime Minister

    [[Page 696]]

    Barham Salih, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Mahmud Zebari of
    Iraq.