    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [June 4, 2008]
    [Pages 749-750]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel
    June 4, 2008

        President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, welcome back. First of all, I
    want to thank you and your good bride for being
    such gracious hosts to Laura and me. I loved my
    trip to Israel. It was really a meaningful trip, and a lot of it had to
    do with your gracious hospitality. So I welcome you back here to
    Washington. You come back as my friend; I'm glad to see my friend.
        I'm looking forward to our discussions on the issues that we have
    spent a lot of time discussing up to now. We'll be, of course, talking
    about the Palestinian issue, the peace process. Now, we'll be talking
    about Lebanon. I'm looking forward to your wisdom about how you see the
    Syrian issue. And finally, we're going to spend a lot of time talking
    about Iran. Iran is an existential threat to peace, and it's very
    important for the world to take the Iranian threat seriously, which the
    United States does, as the Prime Minister will tell you. And we will
    continue our discussions about that subject as well.
        So glad you're here. Good to see you.
        Prime Minister Olmert. Thank you very much, President.
        President Bush. Yes, sir.
        Prime Minister Olmert. Thank you. Well, I am delighted to be again
    at the Oval Office as a guest of my friend President Bush. We enjoyed
    tremendously your visit in Israel. From a national point of view, people
    of Israel were absolutely excited and moved by your spectacular speech
    in the Knesset, which was the best expression of the United States
    commitment to the security and the well-being of the State of Israel,
    which was appreciated by everyone in the State of Israel.
        And we had many discussions, that you have mentioned, on the main
    issues: the peace process with the Palestinians, situation in Lebanon,
    the contacts that, hopefully, may lead to pull out Syria from the axis
    of evil, which is very important; and also, naturally, about the main
    threat to

    [[Page 750]]

    all of us, which is Iran. And as you said, President, indeed we talked
    all about this.
        From a personal point of view, I can only say that I admire your
    friendship and your commitment and your emotions, as they were expressed
    in such a powerful manner in your visit to the State of Israel.
        President Bush. Thank you.
        Prime Minister Olmert. And they loved you and Laura very much. And
    part of my mission is to make you feel this way. Thank you very much.
        President Bush. Thank you very much.
        Prime Minister Olmert. Thank you.
        President Bush. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:54 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Aliza Olmert, wife of Prime
    Minister Olmert.