Remarks prior to discussions with Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of qatar and an exchange with reporters

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, May 12, 2003

So one of the things I'll be talking to His Highness about--who, by the way, is very active in this process--is how do we work with the Arab world to encourage the Arab world to assume its responsibilities of stopping the funding of terror and to working with the Palestinian Authority to encourage the habits of democracy and freedom with the Palestinian Authority.

So I'm very optimistic. That's why I'm sending Secretary Powell there--a secret which is no longer a secret. [Laughter]

Thank you all. Very good work, Holland.

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:56 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to President Vladimir Putin of Russia; Comdr. John P. "Loose" Lussier, USN, executive officer, VS-35, Naval Air Station North Island, CA; and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the Palestinian Authority. The Amir spoke in Arabic, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.