[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 12 (Monday, March 31, 2008)]
[Page 422]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following Discussions With King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa of 
Bahrain

March 25, 2008

    President Bush. Your Majesty, welcome back to Washington. It is such 
a pleasure to see you. I still have such fond memories of our trip to 
the Kingdom of Bahrain. His Majesty and I were reminiscing about the 
sword dance that you put on. It was spectacular. And you've got a--not 
only do you have a beautiful country, but you've got a prosperous 
country and a country that is a great friend of the United States. It's 
just such a honor to welcome you back here.
    We had a good discussion--and we'll continue our discussion over 
lunch--on a variety of subjects. First, I do want to thank the Kingdom 
for sending an ambassador to Iraq. That's a very strong move that 
indicates a willingness to lead, as well as a willingness to send a 
signal that when a young democracy like Iraq is beginning to make 
progress, that it is important for the neighborhood to recognize that 
progress. And I really do want to thank Your Majesty for that.
    We talked about security measures, the need to work together on 
joint security operations. I congratulated His Majesty on Bahrain's 
leadership of a joint task force that's--that is enabling nations to 
learn how to work together in order to keep the peace.
    All in all, it's been what you would expect: a visit that's cordial 
and comfortable and amongst friends. And so, Your Majesty, welcome back, 
and thank you for coming.
    King Hamad. Thank you. Thank you. I would like to thank the 
President for his kind invitation and his great support to Bahrain and 
to the stability and prosperity of our region.
    And concerning sending back ambassador--an ambassador to Iraq, Iraq 
is an Arab state. Iraq is a founder of the Arab League, so it deserves 
all the support that it can get from other brother Arabs.
    And the discussion today focused on bilateral relations concerning 
the free trade agreement, which we have signed, and concerning the 
energy as well, which yesterday was signed by the Secretary of State and 
our Foreign Minister. And we talked about security matters, which really 
are the most important issue for maintaining the development and the 
prosperity in our region.
    And I came all the way to thank the President for what he has done 
for Bahrain and for our region and for the whole world--stability and 
security in fighting terrorism and extremism. And we hope we achieve our 
common goals by having a stable world.
    So thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.
    President Bush. Thank you, Majesty. Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 11:32 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. King Hamad referred to Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalid bin 
Ahmad al-Khalifa of Bahrain.