For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 12, 2008

President Bush Arrives in Bahrain
Sakhir Palace
Manama, Bahrain

Video   Presidential Remarks   Audio   Photos

      Middle East Trip

3:55 P.M. (Local)

THE PRESIDENT: Your Majesty, thank you very much for bestowing upon me the award. I'm most honored. I accept it on behalf of the people of the United States of America. I also thank you and the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister for your gracious hospitality. I am really honored to be the first U.S. sitting President to have visited your country. Perhaps I should say, it's about time.

The American people have a long friendship with the people of Bahrain. For decades, Bahrain has welcomed the United States Navy -- and is now home to our Fifth Fleet. Two years ago, I was pleased to sign legislation that strengthened our friendship and our relationship with the free trade agreement with Bahrain -- it's America's first such agreement with any nation in the Gulf. This agreement is helping to pave way to freer and fairer trade between our countries -- so we can create jobs and opportunity and hope in both our lands.

Our two nations share a common vision for the future of the Middle East. Through our alliance, we share the burdens and risks of maintaining security, as well as defending freedom throughout the region. We also believe in the power of democratic reform. Your Majesty, I appreciate the fact that you're on the forefront of providing hope for people through democracy. Your nation has held two free elections since 2000 -- and in 2006, your people elected a woman to your parliament. Bahrain's reforms are making your nation stronger. You're showing strong leadership, and you're showing the way forward for other nations.

Your Majesty, I look forward to our meetings later today. I look forward to discussing how we can continue to advance peace in the Middle East. I look forward to sharing with you my experiences that I had in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. I look forward to talking about how we can continue to ensure security in the Gulf. Together we will continue to strengthen our friendship and our cooperation, and I'm proud to be with you, sir. (Applause.)

END 3:38 P.M. (Local)

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

December 2007   |   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