    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [March 19, 2008]
    [Pages 396-398]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Mikheil
    Saakashvili of Georgia
    March 19, 2008

        President Bush. Mr. President, welcome back to Washington. I was
    just reminiscing with the President about my trip to Georgia, about the
    unbelievably good food, and about the dancing. He was wondering whether
    I'd come back and start my dancing career there, and I told him I'd
    probably better quit while I'm ahead.
        We had a good discussion. I admire the President. I admire what
    Georgia has gone through and what Georgia is doing. We had an
    interesting talk about a couple of subjects, one of which is the
    economic opportunities in Georgia. This is a country which has adopted a
    very simplified tax code. It's easy for people to understand. I told the
    American people I tried to simplify our Tax Code. It's difficult to do.
    I congratulate you on simplifying yours, and I congratulate you about
    your rates of growth.
        We talked about Georgia's contribution to democracy movements, not
    only her own but to democracy and freedom movements in places like Iraq.
    The citizens of Georgia must know that the troops that have been
    provided there are brave, courageous professionals and have made a
    significant difference. And we want to thank you for that, Mr.
    President.
        We talked about the need for there to be peaceful resolutions of
    conflicts while recognizing the territorial integrity and sovereign
    borders of Georgia.
        And finally, we, of course, talked about NATO. The Bucharest summit
    is coming up. Georgia's aspirations will be decided at the Bucharest
    summit. MAP application, of course, as the President full well knows,

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    is not membership. MAP is a process that will enable NATO members to be
    comfortable with a country eventually joining. I believe that NATO
    benefits with a Georgia membership. I believe Georgia benefits from
    being a part of NATO. And I told the President the message I'll be
    taking to Bucharest soon.
        And so, Mr. President, thanks for coming. I'm pleased you're here.
    I'm glad you brought your wife. Turns out,
    our wives are out having lunch together on the
    town here in DC. And I just told Laura to keep the tab down. [Laughter]
    I'm working on Government pay these days. But thank you for coming.
        President Saakashvili. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I mean,
    I'm incredibly thrilled to be back in the Oval Office. And you know,
    we've been essential part of your freedom agenda. I was not President
    when I heard your speech in Warsaw, when you spoke about freedom between
    Baltics and Black Sea. And that was extremely visionary speech because
    you spoke about the Black Sea at the moment when nobody wanted to look
    in our direction. And I think we are--what we are up to now is to
    implement this freedom agenda to the end, for the sake of our people,
    for the sake of our values, for the sake of what United States means for
    all of us, because the U.S. is exporting idealism to the rest of the
    world.
        And we believe that, you know, we have very, very strong
    partnerships. We have a very, very strong partnership in democracy
    building. We have a very strong partnership in our military cooperation,
    because I'm very proud that Georgian troops in Iraq are not just
    controlling and are present there protecting people, but are having
    success in doing so. And certainly this is something that we will state
    over generations.
        I have to thank you, Mr. President, for your unwavering support for
    our freedom, for our democracy, for our territorial sovereignty, and for
    protecting Georgia's borders for--and for Georgia's NATO aspirations. I
    think this is a very unequivocal support we are getting from you.
        And you know, this is the last year of your administration, but I
    can tell you, what you've done for--not only for my country but what
    you've done for all over the region will be remembered greatly and will
    be remembered as absolutely revolutionary change of way of thinking, of
    environment, of giving chances to the people who never thought about
    having those opportunities and chances before. That's what America is
    all about. That's what Bush freedom agenda is all about. And we are very
    proud to be part of that agenda, Mr. President.
        You should know that this will stay as a photographic memory in our
    people's mind, and we will always remember it. We'll never--and we are
    very grateful, of course. You will dance Georgian dance much better than
    I do. [Laughter] You are invited back to come. You've shown considerable
    talent. [Laughter] I know you're not Georgian, you're a Texan. But we
    are pretty close. [Laughter] But deep in your mind, you should have
    something Georgian. [Laughter]
        President Bush. That's right. [Laughter]
        President Saakashvili. That's for sure. And, I mean, we certainly--
    and if you don't want to dance with us, then you can come and bike with
    us or do anything. But you're always welcome----
        President Bush. Thank you, sir.
        President Saakashvili. ----back as somebody who really put Georgia
    firmly on the world's freedom map--and not only Georgia but many of the
    countries in the region--and gave us a chance. I think we will continue
    this cooperation.
        I thank you for your support today. We've heard today everything we
    wanted to hear from the leader of the free world, and I think that's
    going to give a new opportunities opening to my people. I'm bringing
    back hope and inspiration.
        President Bush. Thank you, buddy.
        President Saakashvili. Thanks.
        President Bush. Thank you all.

    [[Page 398]]

    Note: The President spoke at 11:58 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Sandra E. Roelofs, wife of
    President Saakashvili.