For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 4, 2006

President Bush Meets with United Nations Ambassador John Bolton
The Oval Office

	President's Remarks

3:49 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: I received the resignation of Ambassador John Bolton. I accepted. I'm not happy about it. I think he deserved to be confirmed. And the reason why I think he deserved to be confirmed is because I know he did a fabulous job for the country.

And I want to thank you and Gretchen for serving in a very important position, and doing so in a way that a lot of Americans really appreciate, John. We're going to miss you in this administration. You've been a stalwart defender of freedom and peace. You've been strong in your advocacy for human rights and human dignity. You've done everything that can be expected for an Ambassador.

And I accept your letter, and I wish you and Gretchen all the very best.

AMBASSADOR BOLTON: Many thanks.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

END 3:50 P.M. EST