For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 26, 2007

President Bush Attends Secretary of State's Dinner with Annapolis Conference Participants
Department of State
Washington, D.C.

Play Video   Presidential Remarks   Audio   Photos

7:10 P.M. EST

PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam Secretary, thank you for your hospitality. I was wondering where my place is. (Laughter.) I appreciate very much your hosting this important dinner.

Prime Minister Olmert, welcome. President Abbas, Secretary General Ban, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and all those who have gathered here in the cause of peace, welcome to the United States. We're glad you're here.

We've come together this week because we share a common goal: two democratic states -- Israel and Palestine -- living side by side in peace and security.

Achieving this goal requires difficult compromises -- and the Israelis and Palestinians have elected leaders committed to making them. Achieving this goal requires neighbors committed to peace between Israel and a new Palestinian state -- and I'm encouraged by the presence of so many here. Achieving this goal requires the commitment of the international community, including the United States. Tonight I restate my personal commitment on behalf of the United States to all those in the Middle East who wish to live in freedom and peace: We stand with you, at the Annapolis Conference and beyond.

The extremists and terrorists want our efforts to fail. They're working actively to undermine every effort as we try to achieve peace and reconciliation. We offer a more hopeful vision -- of a Middle East growing in freedom and dignity and prosperity. We are here to renew our efforts to achieve this vision. And tonight, I offer a toast to all of our honored guests, and to the future of peace that we can build together.

(A toast is offered.)

END 7:12 P.M. EST

Printer-Friendly Version   Email this page to a friend

• Afghanistan
• Africa
• Budget Management
• Defense
• Economy
• Education
• Energy
• Environment
• Global Diplomacy
• Health Care
• Homeland Security
• Immigration
• International Trade
• Iraq
• Judicial Nominations
• Middle East
• National Security
• Veterans

more issues

News

• Current News
• Press Briefings
• Proclamations
• Executive Orders
• Radio
• Setting the Record Straight

more news

October 2007   |   September 2007   |   July 2007   |   July 2007   |   June 2007   |   May 2007   |   April 2007   |   March 2007   |   February 2007

News by Date

•   |   February 2007
•   |   January 2007
•   |   December 2006
•   |   November 2006
•   |   October 2006
•   |   September 2006
•   |   August 2006
•   |   July 2006
•   |   June 2006
•   |   May 2006
•   |   April 2006
•   |   March 2006
•   |   February 2006
•   |   January 2006
•   |   December 2005
•   |   November 2005
•   |   October 2005
•   |   September 2005
•   |   August 2005
•   |   July 2005
•   |   June 2005
•   |   May 2005
•   |   April 2005
•   |   March 2005
•   |   February 2005
•   |   January 2005
•   |   December 2004
•   |   November 2004
•   |   October 2004
•   |   September 2004
•   |   August 2004
•   |   July 2004
•   |   June 2004
•   |   May 2004
•   |   April 2004
•   |   March 2004
•   |   February 2004
•   |   January 2004
•   |   December 2003
•   |   November 2003
•   |   October 2003
•   |   September 2003
•   |   August 2003
•   |   July 2003
•   |   June 2003
•   |   May 2003
•   |   April 2003
•   |   March 2003
•   |   February 2003
•   |   January 2003
•   |   December 2002
•   |   November 2002
•   |   October 2002
•   |   September 2002
•   |   August 2002
•   |   July 2002
•   |   June 2002
•   |   May 2002
•   |   April 2002
•   |   March 2002
•   |   February 2002
•   |   January 2002
•   |   December 2001
•   |   November 2001
•   |   October 2001
•   |   September 2001
•   |   August 2001
•   |   July 2001
•   |   June 2001
•   |   May 2001
•   |   April 2001
•   |   March 2001
•   |   February 2001
•   |   January 2001

Appointments

• Nominations

Federal Facts

•   |   Federal Statistics

West Wing

•   |   History