Start Date: Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Last Modified: Tuesday, May 5, 2020
End Date: Friday, December 31, 9999
PRESIDENT PERES: I am extremely happy to receive here the Secretary of State of the United States. Whenever Condoleezza Rice arrives in our region, she brings hope and challenges and freshness. And I think maybe this time, more than ever before. It's not a simple proposition, highly complicated. It has to deal with a lot of politics, with a lot of issues. But looking back, I do believe that the Secretary was able to lead a policy that makes us nearer, more than ever before, to the conclusive chapter of the negotiations with the Palestinians. I think the Israeli people are anxious to see this. Madame Secretary, we are nearing our 60th birthday, which will be on May 2008. My hidden hope is that we shall celebrate it in an atmosphere of peace. And I shall use your good offices to invite President Bush to participate at the 60th anniversary of the Israeli state. United States did so much for us to enable us to remain free and secure. We are deeply thankful to you, to the President, and it will give us a great deal of honor if you will receive our invitation. Thank you. SECRETARY RICE: Thank you. Thank you very much. And thank you, Mr. President, for welcoming me here. I am so delighted to be with you. This is my first meeting with you as President of the state of Israel, but not my first meeting with you. I have benefited over the years of our relationship from your wisdom, from your courage, from your life story. I have benefited from the inspiration that you give to all of us in our quest for peace because you are someone to whom the whole world looks as a statesman and as a fierce fighter for peace. I know that the people of Israel are very fortunate to have you as President. Congratulations on your election to that post. But you are, of course, not just beloved by the people of Israel, but by all who love peace and all who love democracy, hope and freedom. Thank you for all that you have done and that you will do as the United States and Israel move together to try and bring a more hopeful and a more peaceful world. Thank you for having me here. PRESIDENT PERES: Thank you. Thank you very much. 2007/T14-6
Madame Secretary, we are nearing our 60th birthday, which will be on May 2008. My hidden hope is that we shall celebrate it in an atmosphere of peace. And I shall use your good offices to invite President Bush to participate at the 60th anniversary of the Israeli state. United States did so much for us to enable us to remain free and secure. We are deeply thankful to you, to the President, and it will give us a great deal of honor if you will receive our invitation. Thank you.
SECRETARY RICE: Thank you. Thank you very much. And thank you, Mr. President, for welcoming me here. I am so delighted to be with you. This is my first meeting with you as President of the state of Israel, but not my first meeting with you. I have benefited over the years of our relationship from your wisdom, from your courage, from your life story. I have benefited from the inspiration that you give to all of us in our quest for peace because you are someone to whom the whole world looks as a statesman and as a fierce fighter for peace. I know that the people of Israel are very fortunate to have you as President. Congratulations on your election to that post. But you are, of course, not just beloved by the people of Israel, but by all who love peace and all who love democracy, hope and freedom.
Thank you for all that you have done and that you will do as the United States and Israel move together to try and bring a more hopeful and a more peaceful world. Thank you for having me here.
PRESIDENT PERES: Thank you. Thank you very much.
2007/T14-6
Condoleeza Rice
08/01/07