Remarks by President Bush and President Kikwete of Tanzania in an Exchange of Toasts

Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

6:58 P.M. (L)

PRESIDENT KIKWETE: Distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentlemen. It's not time for speeches, because I think we spoke enough the whole day, in the morning, later in the afternoon. It's time for dinner, it's time for us to enjoy after this long and hard, arduous day.

All that I wanted to say is, once again, thank you very much for honoring us with this great visit. It's a great honor for us. You have made us proud. It's a visit that has reaffirmed the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between theUnited States of America and the United Republic ofTanzania. So your coming here certainly cements these friendly relations.

So it is quite a pleasure for me, on behalf of the government and the people of the United Republic ofTanzania, to propose a toast: To your good health, and the good health of Madame Laura Bush, to the friends cementing and blossoming of the friendship between theUnited States of America and the United Republic ofTanzania.

(A toast is offered.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you very much, sir, for your gracious and warm hospitality. Madame, thank you very much. Mr. President, thank you for coming back fromGermany today, Laura and I are touched. This has been a spectacular trip. It's not over, because tomorrow we're going to tour more of your country.

PRESIDENT KIKWETE: You'll be --

PRESIDENT BUSH: I'll be -- (laughter.) But I must say that our trip here has exceeded my expectations. I knew you were an accomplished government. After all, you've dramatically reduced malaria. You're in the process of dramatically reducing HIV/AIDS. My country has awarded you the largest Millennium Challenge Grant ever in the history of our nation, all because your government is committed to honest, decent government for the people.

I have been extremely touched, as has Laura, by the outpouring of support by the great people ofTanzania. And so, Mr. President, I too would like to propose a toast: To you and your family, to the people ofTanzania, and to our friendship, may it be long lasting.

(A toast is offered.) (Applause.)

END 7:02 P.M. (L)

SOURCE White House Press Office

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