    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [January 12, 2008]
    [Pages 73-74]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Welcoming Ceremony in Manama, Bahrain
    January 12, 2008

        Your Majesty, thank you
    very much for bestowing upon me the award. I'm most honored. I accept it
    on behalf of the people of the United States of America. I also thank
    you and the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister for your gracious hospitality. I am really honored to
    be the first U.S. sitting President to have visited your country.
    Perhaps I should say, it's about time.
        The American people have a long friendship with the people of
    Bahrain. For decades, Bahrain has welcomed the United States Navy and is
    now home to our 5th Fleet. Two years ago, I was pleased to sign
    legislation that strengthened our friendship and our relationship. It
    was the free trade agreement with Bahrain; it's America's first such
    agreement with any nation in the Gulf. This agreement is helping to pave
    way to freer and fairer trade between our countries so we can create
    jobs and opportunity and hope in both our lands.
        Our two nations share a common vision for the future of the Middle
    East. Through our alliance, we share the burdens and risks of
    maintaining security as well as defending freedom throughout the region.
    We also believe in the power of democratic reform. Your Majesty, I appreciate the fact that you're on
    the forefront of providing hope for people through democracy. Your
    nation has held two free elections since 2000. And in 2006, your people
    elected a woman to your parliament.
    Bahrain's reforms are making your nation stronger. You're showing strong
    leadership, and you're showing the way forward for other nations.
        Your Majesty, I look
    forward to our meetings later today. I look forward to discussing how we
    continue--can continue to advance peace in the Middle East. I look
    forward to sharing with you my experiences that I had in Israel and the
    Palestinian Territories. I look forward to talking about how we can
    continue to ensure security in the Gulf. Together, we will continue to
    strengthen our friendship and our cooperation, and I'm proud to be with
    you, sir.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:55 p.m. at Sakhir Palace. In his remarks,
    he referred to King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Crown Prince Sheikh Salman
    bin Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, and Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman al-
    Khalifa of Bahrain. He also referred to Lateefa al-Geood, who was the
    first woman elected to the Council of Representatives of the National
    Assembly of Bahrain in 2006.

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