    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [May 17, 2008]
    [Pages 692-693]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    May 17, 2008

        Good morning. I'm speaking to you from the Middle East, where
    Laura and I are on a trip to Israel, Saudi
    Arabia, and Egypt.
        When Air Force One touched down at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, I
    was greeted by Israel's President and Prime
    Minister. I joined them in celebrating an
    historic milestone: Israel's 60th anniversary as an independent nation.
    And I assured them that Israel could count on America as a strong and
    steady ally long into the future.
        During our visit, I had conversation with Israel's leaders about
    their efforts to forge peace with the Palestinians and our shared belief
    that a peace agreement is possible this year. I also had the opportunity
    to address members of the Knesset, Israel's elected legislature. I
    reminded these democratic leaders that America was the first nation in
    the world to recognize Israel's independence. I told them that 60 years
    later, America is proud to be Israel's best friend in the world. I
    reaffirmed the principles that make our alliance strong: a love of
    liberty, a devotion to justice, and a respect for human dignity. And I
    said that standing firm on these ideals is the surest way to defeat the
    extremists and build a future of peace for people throughout the Middle
    East.
        For Laura and me, this visit to Israel was an
    especially moving experience. We toured the Bible Lands Museum, saw the
    Dead Sea Scrolls, and visited Masada, an inspiring shrine to Jewish
    courage and sacrifice in the first century. From the window of our hotel
    room, we had a magnificent view of the Old City of Jerusalem, home to
    some of the holiest sites in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. And on
    our final morning in the city, we met some of Israel's young people,
    talented and hopeful citizens who gave me confidence in Israel's future.
        On Friday, we visited another of America's friends in the Middle
    East, Saudi Arabia. I had a series of productive meetings with King
    Abdallah at his farm.
    We celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the
    United States and Saudi Arabia. We reaffirmed our shared objectives of
    peace in the Holy Land, a secure and united Iraq, and a sovereign,
    independent Lebanon that is free of outside interference. We talked
    about oil production and gasoline prices. We discussed the King's
    efforts to diversify his nation's economy and the importance of
    political reform. And I thanked him for Saudi Arabia's strong commitment
    to fighting terror.
        Our final stop is Egypt, where we are visiting the beautiful resort
    city of Sharm el-Sheikh. I am meeting with a number of key leaders from
    the region, including President Mubarak of Egypt, President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, King Abdullah of Jordan, President Karzai of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Gilani of Pakistan, and several senior officials from
    Iraq's democracy.
        I will also address the World Economic Forum in the Middle East. I
    will stress the importance of building dynamic and diverse economies
    that unleash the creativity and enterprise of citizens throughout the
    region, especially women and young people. I will make clear that the
    only way to ensure true prosperity is to expand political and economic
    freedom. And I will urge leaders across the region to reject spoilers
    such as the regimes in Iran and Syria, move past old grievances, and
    embrace the changes necessary for a day when societies across the Middle
    East are based on justice, tolerance, and freedom.
        Reaching that day will not be easy. But with continued leadership
    from America and our friends in the region, I am confident that it can
    happen. And when that

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    day arrives, the Middle East will be more hopeful, the world will be
    more peaceful, and the American people will be more secure.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7 p.m. on May 15 at the King David
    Hotel in Jerusalem, Israel, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. e.d.t., on May
    17. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on May 16, but was embargoed for release until the broadcast.
    Due to the 7-hour time difference, the address was broadcast between the
    President's meetings with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and
    President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority in Sharm el-Sheikh,
    Egypt. In his address, the President referred to President Shimon Peres
    and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel; and King Abdallah bin Abd al-
    Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. The Office of the Press Secretary also
    released a Spanish language transcript of this address.