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Skriven 2006-05-16 23:34:28 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (060516d) for Tue, 2006 May 16
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Remarks by President Bush and Prime Minister Howard of Australia in An
Exchange of Toasts
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 16, 2006

Remarks by President Bush and Prime Minister Howard of Australia in An
Exchange of Toasts



REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND PRIME MINISTER HOWARD OF AUSTRALIA IN AN
EXCHANGE OF TOASTS

State Dining Room

8:07 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. Prime Minister, Mrs. Howard, distinguished guests:
Welcome to the White House. This is going to be a joyous occasion because
we're honoring two really good friends. We wish you a warm welcome. We
thank the Howards for making a long journey. And thanks for spending so
much time with us here in the states.

Our partnership is broad and it's deep. Australia and America are working
together to expand trade and to counter threats of nuclear proliferation,
to make the latest energy technologies available to all nations. In the
global war on terror we have no better ally than Australia and John Howard.
And in the spread of freedom to create lasting peace, we have no better
friend than Australia and John Howard.

Mr. Prime Minister, we value your courage and your faithfulness and your
strength, and I value your friendship. Laura and I have cherished every
visit with you and Janette. We really appreciated the chance to plant those
trees yesterday at the Australian Embassy. (Laughter.) We wanted to bring a
Texas tree up, but they don't grow too well here in Washington. (Laughter.)
But I know those trees are going to grow strong and sturdy, just like our
friendship has grown strong and sturdy.

I was thinking about how to really describe John Howard and his leadership
in Australia, and I thought I would remind everybody what Ronald Reagan
used to say, it was "morning in America." And Mr. Prime Minister, that's
still true for our country. We're really an optimistic people and we firmly
believe the best days are ahead for our country. I know you feel the same
way about Australia. It's also comforting to know that on the other side of
the world it's already morning in Australia. (Laughter.)

Mr. Prime Minister, Laura and I offer a toast to you and Janette, to our
allies and to the great people of Australia.

(A toast is offered.) (Applause.)

PRIME MINISTER HOWARD: Mr. President and Mrs. Bush, ladies and gentlemen:
For the Australians present, can I say to you and your charming wife, we
are greatly honored by the wonderful courtesy and hospitality that you've
extended to us, not only tonight, but in the days before on this visit of
ours to Washington. You've spoken of the friendship between our two
countries. It is a friendship rooted not only in history, but it's a
friendship and partnership rooted very firmly in common values.

I share your sense of optimism, Mr. President, about the future. The world
will need America just as much in the future as the world has needed
America in the past, and as the world needs America at the present. Those
foolish enough to suggest that America should have a lesser role in the
affairs of the world should pause and think whether they really mean what
they say, because a world without a dedicated, involved America will be a
lesser world, a less safe world, a more precarious world.

And if I have a single message for the people of your great country, and
that is: The world continues to need America, and the world will be a
better place for the involvement and the commitment of the people of the
United States of America in the years that lie ahead.

I value very much the friendship between our two countries. I value very
much the personal friendship I have with you, Mr. President. You're a
staunch friend, you're a faithful ally, you're a strong leader; you have
articulated the interests of your country and of the free world at a time
of unique and different challenge. And for that I thank you and pay tribute
to you.

Janette and I warmly reciprocate the kind things that you've said about us.
We greatly value those things and we thank you most warmly for your very
gracious hospitality.

Can I ask you to join me in a toast to the enduring friendship of the
people of Australia and the people of the United States.

(A toast is offered.) (Applause.)

END 8:12 P.M. EDT

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