[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 50 (Monday, December 22, 2008)]
[Page 1520]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With President Jalal Talabani of Iraq in 
Baghdad, Iraq

December 14, 2008

    President Talabani. Today we have the pleasure and honor of 
receiving our great friend for Iraqi people, President George W. Bush, 
who helped us to liberate our country and to reach this day, which we 
have democracy, human rights, and prosperity gradually in our country. 
Thanks to him and to his courageous leadership that we are here now in 
this building.
    So we are very glad really to have him with us, and we discussed 
with him all our problems very frankly and friendly. And we hope that we 
will continue friendship with him, even he'll be back in Texas.
    President Bush. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you and 
the Vice Presidents for greeting me. I've known these men for a long 
time, and I have come to admire them for their courage and for their 
determination to succeed. I am also here to herald the passage of the 
SFA/SOFA as a reminder of our friendship and as a way forward to help 
the Iraqi people realize the blessings of a free society.
    And the work hasn't been easy, but it has been necessary for 
American security, Iraqi hope, and world peace. And so, Mr. President, 
thank you for your friendship, and thank you for your hospitality. I'm 
looking forward to meeting all the folks who are involved in the 
political process--leading this political process. And I am just so 
grateful that I had a chance to come back to Iraq before my Presidency 
ends.
    President Talabani. You are welcome.
    President Bush. Thank you.
    President Talabani. They want a picture with you, Mr. President.
    President Bush. Oh, absolutely.

Note: The President spoke at 6:01 p.m. at the Salam Palace. In his 
remarks, he referred to Vice Presidents Tariq al-Hashimi and Adil Abd 
Al-Mahdi of Iraq. The President also referred to SFA, the strategic 
framework agreement; and SOFA, the status of forces agreement.