For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 19, 2003
Remarks by President Bush and President Arroyo in An Exchange of Toasts
The State Dining Room
8:33 P.M. EDT
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.) (Applause.)
END 8:40 P.M. EDT
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