[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 12 (Monday, March 22, 2004)]
[Page 424]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Saint Patrick's Day Shamrock Presentation Ceremony With 
Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland

March 17, 2004

    Taoiseach, thank you very much. Thanks for the lovely gift of 
shamrocks. It is a beautiful symbol of a beautiful land. Laura and I 
welcome you back to the White House. We're honored to have you join us 
to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.
    This day is always a happy one for Americans. In some places, 
Americans get a little too happy. [Laughter] Today we reaffirm the bonds 
of friendship between our countries. We remember a courageous man who 
preached a gospel of peace. We celebrate a heritage that is claimed by 
millions of my countrymen. There's an Irish saying that there is luck in 
sharing. For more than two centuries, your country and mine have shared 
responsibilities. We've shared aspirations, and we have shared values.
    From my Nation's earliest days, Americans of Irish descent have 
helped to establish and define America's most cherished principles. 
They've helped to defend the liberty of their adopted homeland. Today, 
the people of the United States and the people of Ireland continue to 
share so much. Our economies are more closely linked than ever. 
Together, we are fighting terrorism, a danger that has brought 
destruction and grief to Americans and Irish alike and to the world.
    I join the Taoiseach in sending condolences to the people of Spain 
as they remembered their murdered countrymen. I thank you for your 
strong support in our common struggle.
    Our nations are also standing for peace and justice in places like 
the Balkans and Afghanistan and beyond. We share a common vision for 
Northern Ireland. We seek a lasting peace for the people of Northern 
Ireland, a peace that will allow people to live free of terror and 
intimidation.
    We seek a region that is stable and prosperous and tolerant and 
locally governed. I commend Prime Minister Ahern and Prime Minister 
Blair and all of those who are working so hard to implement the Good 
Friday Agreement. I call for a permanent end to all political violence. 
There's no place for paramilitaries in a democratic society. The 
partnership of America and Ireland is close. It is lasting, and it is 
important to the peace of the world.
    I look forward to this summer to visiting Ireland for the EU and 
U.S. Summit, to strengthen the essential partnership between the United 
States and Europe. Taoiseach, may the friendship between your people and 
mine prove as strong in the years to come as it has in the centuries 
past.
    May all the people of our nations have a happy Saint Patrick's Day. 
We ask God's blessings on the people of Ireland, and may God continue to 
bless the United States. Welcome.I57Note: The President spoke at 10:25 
a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his remarks, he 
referred to Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom. The 
transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included 
the remarks of Prime Minister Ahern.