For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
May 8, 2006

Mrs. Bush's Remarks Upon Departure From Costa Rica
San José International Airport
San José, Costa Rica

3:01 P.M. EDT

MRS. BUSH: Good afternoon. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be here in Costa Rica for the inauguration of President Arias.

Today I had the opportunity to convey to President Arias the United States' strong support and partnership with Costa Rica. We have a history of a long friendship, and I'm very, very happy to have been the one to get to give him the very best wishes of the American people.

Twenty years ago President Arias led this country, Costa Rica, to a peace that it still enjoys today. And that was an unimaginable event at the time. Costa Rica is still a democracy that's an example for the world, and Costa Rica's democracy shows every country that if you have strong, democratic institutions, it leads to the best for the people of that country.

Earlier this morning I had a chance to visit a school in Costa Rica. As a teacher and a librarian myself, I love to visit schools around the world, and I know that you have quite a treasure in your children. I want to wish President Arias, the education minister, and all the teachers and children in Costa Rica the very best as everyone focuses on education to make sure every single child in Costa Rica gets a great education.

And once again I speak on behalf of President Bush and the American people as we wish President Arias very best wishes and congratulations on his inauguration, and also send our very best wishes and love to the people of Costa Rica.

Muchas gracias. Thank you all.

END 3:04 P.M. (Local)