[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 22 (Monday, June 9, 2008)]
[Page 782]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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.