For Immediate Release
December 16, 2004

Global Message

From remarks by President Bush and Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, The Oval Office, 12/15/04

Italy and the United States share the desire to spread freedom and peace. The two countries also understand the need for democracy to succeed in Afghanistan and Iraq, and that they must continue to fight the war on terror.

The United States government has been very clear to the countries in Iraq's neighborhood that they are expected to help establish a society in which people are able to elect their leaders.

Iraq's neighbors must work with the Iraqi Interim Government to enforce the borders, and to help stop the flow of people and money that aim to help terrorists in Iraq.

For the good of the region, it is important to have a peaceful Iraq. It is important to have its varied religions come together under the Iraq's Transitional Administrative Law.