    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [September 23, 2008]
    [Pages 1234-1235]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks During a Meeting With Members of the Iraq Coalition in New York
    City
    September 23, 2008

        President Bush. Mr. President, it is a
    pleasure to be with you, and it's a pleasure to be with nations that
    have helped your democracy grow. A lot of people around the world have
    made sacrifices along with the Iraqi people to enable a country to
    emerge from the shadows of tyranny, become a hopeful example for nations
    around the world.
        I applaud your leadership, Mr. President.
    And I want to thank those around the table for showing courage and
    vision and resolve. Many of the troops of the countries represented here
    have returned home, but they have done so on success. And I want to
    applaud your steadfast leadership and thank the people of your
    respective countries for making the sacrifices so that others can live
    in a free society.
        Mr. President, we've still got work to
    do, but there is no doubt that the situation in Iraq has changed
    substantially. There's no doubt that mothers are able to send their
    child to school without fear of carnage. Oh, there's still killers
    amongst your--in your midst, but your Government has been steadfast in
    bringing people to justice who are trying to undermine your democracy.
        So I look forward to working with you. And I want to thank you for
    being here, and I thank you for honoring those in this room today and
    the peoples of their country.
        Mr. President. Yes, please.
        President Jalal Talabani of Iraq. Mr. President, I am grateful for
    your kind words. And I'm here, on behalf of the Iraqi people, to express
    my deepest appreciation for all countries who participated in the
    breaking Iraq from worst kind of dictatorship.
        Of course, noble and responsible nations must bear their sacrifice
    in order to free the oppressed and bring citizens from the worst kind of
    dictatorship. Nevertheless, on behalf of the people of Iraq, I want to
    express my deepest condolences for your brave soldiers and civilians who
    have lost their lives while standing up for our shared values of freedom
    and democracy.
        Thank you, Mr. President, for your brave leadership and your
    decision to liberate Iraq from worst kind of dictatorship. And thanks
    for all friends and their countries and Governments who participated
    from the beginning to liberate our country and rebuild a new Iraq, a
    democratic, federated, united, independent Iraq, which will help to
    promote democracy in the Middle East and help peace and security in the
    Middle East.
        Thank you again, all of you, and you, Mr. President.
        President Bush. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:08 p.m. at United Nations Headquarters.
    The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.

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