*EPF505 03/12/2004
Transcript: President Bush Honors Victims of Madrid Terrorist Attacks
(Remarks at Spanish Embassy in Washington March 12) (320)

President and Mrs. Bush visited the Embassy of Spain in Washington March 12 to honor the victims of the deadly terrorist bombings in Madrid the day before.

The President said the attacks were "a grim reminder that there are evil people in the world who are willing to kill innocent life," and he offered America's prayers and condolences to the Spanish people. "The United States of America stands firmly with you as we work to make the world more peaceful and more free," he said.

Following is a transcript of the president's remarks:

(begin transcript)

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
March 12, 2004

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPANISH AND AMERICAN PRESS POOLS

Embassy of Spain
Washington, D.C.

1:08 p.m. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Ambassador, thank you for having Laura and me here during this solemn occasion. The United States of America sends our prayers and sympathies to the Spanish people, who mourn the loss of life, who today weep for their loved ones, who wonder about their future now that there's been such tragedy.

The bombings in Spain are a grim reminder that there are evil people in the world who are willing to kill innocent life. I appreciate so very much your government's strong stand against terrorism and terrorist organizations like ETA. The United States of America stands firmly with you as we work to make the world more peaceful and more free.

Killers try to shake our will, they try to shake our confidence in the future. Spanish people will stand firm against this type of killing, and they'll have a friend with the American people. So Mr. Ambassador, we ask for God's blessings for the people of your great country.

Thank you very much for having Laura and me here.

END 1:10 P.M. EST

(end transcript)

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

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