[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.