| PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam President, Attorney Arroyo, it is a high honor for
Laura and me to host you at the White House. Madam President, I know you attended college
here in Washington, so perhaps I should say, welcome back -- or, as they say at
Georgetown, Hoya Saxa. (Laughter.)
With your visit, the
Philippines and the United States affirm our strong friendship, our common commitment the
fighting terror, and our shared determination to promote freedom.
Our nations are
natural partners. We are connected by an ocean, united by a shared history, and sustained
by the bonds of family and culture. More than 2 million Americans have family ties to the
Philippines. Some are with us tonight, and you're welcome. Filipino Americans strengthen
America's culture, our economy, and our government. And we are privileged that they call
this country their home.
The United States
and the Philippines are also joined by common values, especially the value of human
freedom. And when freedom comes under attack, our countries respond.
Madam President,
you've been a fierce fighter of terrorism in your own country. You've earned the respect
of the American people for your resolve. And after September the 11th, you were one of the
first leaders to contact me and express your strong support for the war against terror.
And you have not wavered.
The President was
also a strong and persuasive voice on the need to disarm Saddam Hussein and to liberate
the Iraqi people.
Madam President, for
your leadership and for your friendship, I thank you.
Seventeen years ago,
the Filipino people restored their nation's democratic tradition and inspired lovers of
freedom across the globe. In the years since, the Philippines has emerged as a stronger
and more confident nation. The Philippines is building its prosperity on the foundation of
markets, and building its future on a foundation of democracy. These commitments are
opening new opportunities for the Filipino people, and setting a hopeful example for other
nations traveling the road to freedom.
President Arroyo is
playing a large role in her nation's success. Her bold and determined leadership has
opened a new chapter in the friendship between our countries, and is responsible for
revitalizing our strong alliance.
In his last poem,
Jose Rizal, one of the founders of the Filipino independence, referred to his native land
as the "Pearl of the Orient Seas." More than a century later, this
"pearl" is admired the world over for its beauty, its progress, and its
wonderful people.
Madam President, it
will be my pleasure to visit the Philippines later this year, with you as my host. And
Laura and I, and the American people are honored to have you and your husband as our
guests here tonight. Would you please join me in a toast to the enduring friendship
between the Philippines and the United States.
(A toast is
offered.)
PRESIDENT ARROYO:
Thank you, President Bush, and Mrs. Bush. Thank you on behalf of the 8 million Filipinos
for honoring our country with this state visit.
The bonds between
our two countries run deep. We've stood side-by-side at every crucial point in modern
history. World War, the second; the cold War; Korea; Vietnam; and now, the war against
terrorism.
I visit you at a
time of great change -- change in the way economies work; change in the way wars are
fought; change in the way countries organize or disintegrate. But in two things, there
must be no change -- in the way governments treat people; and in the manner by which
friends stand by each other. In the first case, with care and justice; and in the second
case, with courage and steadfastness. In a time of crisis, friends do not ask, why; they
ask, how.
The Philippines and
America are friends. To guide our friendship in the 21st century, our meeting today was
essential, so that we can develop a strategic framework for this century based on mutual
respect and mutual help. Our talks focused on stopping terrorism, fighting poverty, and
undertaking economic reform on both sides -- meaning, offering more markets to each other,
and less resistance to mutual trade and investment.
My fundamental
concern in the Philippines is the need to lick mass poverty. Central to this concern is
the task of building a strong republic -- a republic able to keep crime and terrorism
totally at bay; a republic free from vested and corrupt interests that subvert free
markets; a strong republic empowered to execute good policy and provide essential services
to all our people.
In this task, we
value America as a partner, a partner in our common desire to create the kind of world in
which we want both our countries to exist -- a world of progress and ever-widening
prosperity; a world of justice, freedom, and peace. These are within the grasp of modern
economies and modern technology, and men and women of firm resolve and goodwill.
And how do we define
a man or a woman of firm resolve and goodwill? It was once thought difficult to take a
firm stand against tyranny, and nearly impossible to cope with terrorism. Now, the world
knows better, especially after March 20th. Indeed, it's not easy, but, clearly, it can be
done, with fearless leadership and iron resolve, combined with a bold strategic vision,
and an unfailing sense of justice. I'm describing President Bush.
Only a strong and
steadfast partnership, such as that between our two countries, can respond to the manifold
and threats and challenges that the world working towards freedom and prosperity must
face. I hope ever more countries join this partnership. Two are better than one. Three are
harder to break. Four and more, nothing can prevail against them.
On that note of hope
for an ever-widening partnership of the good to complete the greater task of the coalition
of the willing, I invite you all to join me in a toast for the continued success and good
health of President and Mrs. Bush, and the relations between out two countries. Mabuhay!
(A toast is
offered.) |