*EPF206 05/25/2004
Text: Bush Invites Middle East Leaders to G-8 Summit
(Discussions to focus on reforms in greater Middle East) (230)

President Bush has invited the leaders of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan and Yemen to meet with leaders of the Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized countries at the summit in Sea Island, Georgia, June 9.

According to a May 24 statement issued by the White House press secretary, the summit will discuss how the G-8 "can support political, economic, and social freedom in the greater Middle East."

Following is the text of the White House statement:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release May 24, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

President Bush Invites Leaders from the Greater Middle East to the G-8 Summit in Sea Island

President Bush has invited the leaders of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, and Yemen to meet with G-8 leaders on June 9, 2004, in Sea Island, Georgia.

He looks forward to a discussion of how the G-8 can support political, economic, and social freedom in the greater Middle East. The President hopes that these leaders will discuss their efforts to pursue democracy and reform in their countries.

The President anticipates that the G-8 will respond to calls for reform from the region with offers of concrete support that will help reformers implement their plans.

(end text)

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

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