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Friday March 14, 2003 04:13

by Daithi

'Bush at Shamrock Ceremony Thanks Ireland for Anti-terror Support'

U.S. State Dept. release on the Taoiseach's visit

Bush at Shamrock Ceremony Thanks Ireland for Anti-terror Support

President Bush took the occasion of a Shamrock Ceremony at the White
House March 13 to thank the Republic of Ireland for its support in
Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Bosnia, its participation in the global
anti-terrorism campaign and its help in securing United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq.

As part of the annual ceremony, Irish Prime Minister or "Taoiseach"
Bertie Ahern presented Bush with a bowl of shamrocks.

Bush also spoke of the historic progress achieved in recent years
towards lasting peace in Northern Ireland. "Now, all parties can, and
must, build on this progress, so that the people of Northern Ireland
can replace old resentments with new cooperation and new hope," he
said.

Following is the White House transcript of the President's remarks:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
March 13, 2003

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN SHAMROCK CEREMONY

The Roosevelt Room

9:38 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Taoiseach, and welcome back to the
White House. Laura and I are honored you came and really glad you're
here.

On behalf of the American people, I thank you for the bowl of
shamrocks and the good fortune they promise. This annual gift
symbolizes the deep and enduring friendship between our two countries.
The strong ties between Ireland and the United States reach back
centuries.

These strong ties have been affirmed at critical moments in our
country's history. It is said that during the Revolutionary War an
Irish-American woman, Lydia Darragh, provided valuable intelligence to
George Washington's troops, helping prevent a planned British
offensive. During the Civil War the famed Irish Brigade fought
valiantly on the Union side in terrible battles, some not far from
where we stand.

And throughout America's history, we have benefitted from the industry
and the talents and the ideals of millions of Ireland's sons and
daughters. Today, our two countries share a deep commitment to
building a world of peace and security and prosperity and freedom.
We've stood together in Afghanistan, in Kosovo, in Bosnia and beyond,
to stop aggression and to alleviate suffering. Ireland is a valued
member of the coalition against global terror. And we thank you, sir.

The American people appreciate Ireland's work on U.N. Security Council
-- on the U.N. Security Council to help secure passage of the
Resolution 1441. That resolution demanded that Iraq disarm itself of
all weapons of mass destruction. We appreciate our own support for
ensuring that the just demands of the world are enforced. The
responsibilities of freedom are not always easy to bear, but Ireland
and America are joined by a common commitment to freedom's defense
against tyranny and terror.

Our two countries also stand together in another cause, working to
achieve lasting peace in Northern Ireland. Recent years have seen
historic progress thanks to the tireless efforts of Prime Minister
Ahern and Blair and many other people who long for peace. Now, all
parties can, and must, build on this progress, so that the people of
Northern Ireland can replace old resentments with new cooperation and
new hope. America has long supported this vital work, and today, that
support endures and continues. We will help where we can.

St. Patrick's Day reminds us of the close ties of family and
friendship between our countries, but everyday -- every day of the
year, America is proud to call Ireland a friend.

Taoiseach, may good fortune be yours, may your joys never end, may
good luck be with you wherever you go, and your blessings outnumber
the shamrocks that grow. Welcome. (Applause.)

9:44 A.M. EST

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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Comments (8 of 8)

nootrul

by Paddy X

Sat Mar 15, 2003 01:42

As Devil Eire put it: Ireland is neutral, but neutral on the side of the 'free democracies'.

Congrats for what?

by Badman

Fri Mar 14, 2003 15:26

Issuing appeals that they know will be ignored while they undermine effective action in Shannon. What brave r-r-revolutionaries.

Irish TDs who asked that Ahern and others not meet Bush

by Jim Monaghan

Fri Mar 14, 2003 12:27

Congrats to Joe Higgins and co who circulated an appeal that Irish political representatives not meet Bush in the present circumstances.
Jim Monaghan

BEGRUDGERS! Bertie should get a medal.

by Tim

Fri Mar 14, 2003 11:46

Stop moaning, our Fianna Fail Fuhrer is a brave man, and I think he should get the highest award Bush can bestow.

The Exxon-Mobil medal of valour...

just don't ask me where it should be pinned.

Bush puppeteering

by Gaillimhed

Fri Mar 14, 2003 10:31

Irelands not a valued member of anything, Bush puts Ahern up there as a wee leprechaun marionette to assist him in hoodwinking the irish-american constituency into believing that their green and far-away homeland and its twee inhabitants fully endorse bush's war plan in deed and in spirit. Ahern the handkissing bastard.

Reply to 'normal Irish person'

by Damien

Fri Mar 14, 2003 10:18

How would you know what nationality any of the protesters are? What's normal about promoting a war, particularly one in which more people will be killed in the first day than in the entire 30 years of the troubles here?

Amen to that.

by Normal Irish Person

Fri Mar 14, 2003 07:07

"Ireland is a valued
member of the coalition against global terror. And we thank you, sir".

After all the harm these protesters have done, and most of them not even Irish.

Not all one way

by San Patricio

Fri Mar 14, 2003 04:22

At least the San Patricio Battalion stood up to be counted, not like that wimp ahern.

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Comments (8 of 8)