For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 21, 2008

President Bush and President Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia Exchange Toasts
Executive Mansion
Monrovia, Liberia

Video   Presidential Remarks   Audio

      Africa Trip 2008

12:54 P.M. (Local)

PRESIDENT JOHNSON SIRLEAF: President Bush, Mrs. Bush, members of the United States delegation, Mr. Vice President, officials of government, honorable members of the national legislature, fellow Liberians, friends of Liberia, please let me ask you to rise and raise your glasses, join me in drinking lustily -- (laughter) -- to the health, prosperity of the President, government, and people of the United States, and to the great friendship that Liberia enjoys with our number one partner. (Applause.)

(A toast is offered.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam President, I want to make sure I've got the following correctly: Here, they call you the "Iron Lady." (Applause.) And here they call you "Ma." (Applause.) And I call you friend. (Applause.)

We are honored to be here. Laura and I are thrilled to be here with our delegation to end what has been a very productive trip to the continent of Africa. I can't think of a better place to finish than in -- with our dear friend, Liberia. (Applause.)

It is easy to destroy a country; it is hard to rebuild a country. And I, Madam President, I want you to know that the United States of America supports you as you rebuild your country. (Applause.) We share a special history with Liberia. It's a history that is deep, and I want the people of your beautiful country to know that our help is just beginning. (Applause.)

And so, Madam President, I propose a toast to you, and the strength of your leadership, and the quality of your character, and to the good people of Liberia. May God bless. (Applause.)

(A toast is offered.)

END 12:57 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

January 2008   |   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