David Wilkins

Thanks, Goldy, for that very kind introduction and for your friendship. 

President Khaja

Association Members

Mr. Vickers

Distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps

Members of Parliament

Honored guest and friends all: 

 

Thank you for allowing Susan and me to share this very special evening with all of you.

I confess weíve come upon that time in our service here in Canada when moments like this have become bittersweet

Because they mark for us the beginning of the end of our time here. 

For so long Canada was filled with so many ìfirstsî for us:

Our first Canada Day

Our first Question Period

Our first white Christmas

Our first white Easter. 

And now tomorrow, weíll be experiencing our final Canada Day with all of you

And in a few days our last July 4 celebration here in Ottawaitís so hard to believe how fast the time has flown-by

Andas Goldy just mentioned

I guess both Susan and I have really been thinking about time lately with the birth of our first grandbabies

Watching our son Robert with his new son and daughter

And our other son James dote on his new nephew and niece really just took me back

It seems like only yesterday when all James wanted in the whole world was a pet turtle!

 

Well, unlike that turtle who was a little slow on the up-tick

I intend to follow the lead of my president and sprint to the finish line in the 7 months or so I have left to serve my country in yours.

 

As I travel throughout Canada, a lot of folks express concern about how the upcoming elections in the United States might impact our trade relationship ñ especially in terms of NAFTA.

 

While no one can predict the future, I have to believe that no matter who the next president is

He simply wonít be able to ignore the benefits of NAFTA and all it brings to this trade relationship of ours.

And I applaud what your government is doing in advancing free trade in Latin America. 

President Bush has worked vigorously to get Congress to support free trade deals with Colombia

For example

Because the more markets you open to economic prosperity

The more opportunities you advance for the values held sacred by Canadians and Americans alike.

 

Countries that lift themselves out of poverty by engaging in the world marketplace are less likely to become victimized by a host of predatorsfrom terrorists to drug cartels.  

Change may not happen fast enough

But I am a firm believer that when people are exposed to democracy and the principles of justice and human rightsfreedom always finds a way.   

And free trade can help open that door.  

It is but one important tool in a very long and critical war weíre waging in the war on terror. 

 

You know nowit seems like a lifetime ago when I flew to Austin, Texas with a delegation from Columbia, South Carolina to meet with the young and energetic governor of Texas.

It was 1999. 

Governor Bush and his Texas team were laying the groundwork for a presidential run

And I went to Austin to let Bush know early and eagerly that he had strong support in South Carolina.   

None of us sitting there that beautiful fall day could have ever foreseen the terror and chaos that would soon shatter our nationís illusion of invincibility

Or know that history had much bigger plans for this future president and commander-in-chief.

You could fill libraries with whatís been written about the Bush Presidency since September 11, 2001.  

But so much of whatís said and written about George W. Bush is by those whoíve never met him. 

Those who donít know him.

 

So tonight Iíd like to do something Iíve never done before here in Canada. 

And thatís offer a bit of a personal perspective on the president I know:  the man Iím proud to call my friend. 

Iím not asking you to agree with my opinion: 

Some of you may. 

Some of you will not. 

But thatís part of what makes our countries so great ñ our ability and freedom to exchange different viewpoints and ideas. 

And I also offer my opinion as something diplomats rarely presentand that is simply my personal views of a man I respect more today than the day I first met him.    

The brown hair President Bush had when he entered the Oval Office is now gray.  

But what has not changed in seven years is President Bushís resolve to thwart terrorism and protect North America.

I visited him at the Oval Office less than two months after 3,000 innocent people

Including 24 Canadians

Were murdered in New YorkWashington and Pennsylvania. 

 

My country was still deep in mourning after the shock of 9/11

And as soon as I looked at him

I could tell the burden he was carrying was heavy. 

The thing that had always impressed Susan and me most about George Bush was the sense of peace about him

Even in the heat of an intense campaign

He and Laura were always peaceful

So when I saw him that day in the Oval Office

He still had that unshakable peace about him

But there was something else

Looking backI guessIíd just call it a sense of conviction. 

Hereís what he told me

 

I will never forget the Presidentís resolve

And his understanding even then of the crushing decisions yet to come. 

And he was so careful to emphasize from the very beginning the enemy is certainly not Islam: 

The enemy is anyone who hijacks religion to use as a basis for terror and the murder of innocent people. 

 

And Mobeenif youíll indulge me for just a moment here

Iíd like to digress and take this opportunity to personally thank you

This Association

And the Muslim Community across Canada

For all youíve done for not only Susan and mebut for the entire U.S. Mission.

Whatever the issuewhether itís public or cultural affairseconomics or border issuesyou have always extended a hand of friendship and understanding to our Embassy Team. 

I know I speak for all of us at the Embassy when I say our dealings with all of you has enriched our lives and made us especially appreciativeand awarein this post 9-11 world.

Thank you for your friendship.

 

They say that time is a great healerand often itís good and healthy to let go of the past.   

But those who lead us cannot afford to forget the lessons born in great tragedy

Because history can and often does repeat itself.

In the immediate wake of 9-11we were all living with so many fearsfears we donít think much about anymore: 

                     Anthrax

                     The unexpected package in the mail

                     Bio-terrorism

                     Bin Ladenís next move which back then we anticipated every day. 

                     Remember when just getting back on an airplane was an act of faith?

                     So was stepping into an elevatoror climbing to the top floor of a high-rise building. 

 

George W. Bush was just 7-months on the job when he was called to lead our nation through these fears

Through the single worst domestic attack in U.S. history ñ more destructive and deadly than even the strike on Pearl Harbor in 1941. 

And now less than a decade latertwo fragile democracies have been born where terror and tyranny were once the rule.

 

The road in Afghanistan continues to be riddled with danger against a vicious enemy who understands this is his last standthat is why the fight is so bitterand so vital. 

 

And while the march to freedom in Iraq has been particularly difficult and controversialby any measure the military surge there has been a success

                     Roadside bomb attacks and fatalities in Iraq are down by almost 90% over the last year

                     Daily life has improved as al Qaeda has been all but devastated across the provinces

                     And the Iraqi currency and government are both showing tangible signs of strength

In the words of one official with the Council on Foreign RelationsIraq has moved from that of a ìfailed stateî to at least that of a ìfragile oneî. 

 

And Iím also reminded that:

                     With the strength and fortitude of our allied and NATO partners committed to fighting terrorism

                     The smarts and dedication of law enforcement agencies worldwide who have thwarted dozens of terrorist attacks -- including the planned strike on two Air Canada flights in 2006 ñ

                     And the grace of God

 

There has not been another terrorist assault on North America since 9-11.

Certainly, this could not have been accomplished without our friend Canada. 

Right now Canadian heroes are stationed in Afghanistan with our NATO partners fighting the Taliban

And helping to rebuild that country in a thousand significant ways: 

                     Through new schools that Afghan girls are attending for the first time

                     New roads and safe drinking wells

                     Trained Afghan police and military personnel

                     And countless other humanitarian and relief efforts. 

 

I saw Canadaís efforts first hand when I visited your troops in Afghanistan with General Hillier and Minister MacKay at Christmas time simply to thank them for their service to your country.

 

I saw first hand that building a democracy is demanding. 

But we all know that allowing terror and tyranny to breed is devastating.

And that is why we do not turn away.

 

Just after my visit to the Oval Office in 2001

And only a few miles away from the still-smoldering tomb of New Yorkís Twin Towersí

President Bush delivered an address to the United Nationsí General Assembly:

ìWeíre confident,î he said, ìthat history has an Author who fills time and eternity with His purpose.

 

We know that evil is real, but good will prevail against it. 

This is the teaching of many faiths, and in that assurance, we gain strength for a long journey

We did not ask for this mission, yet there is honor in historyís call. 

We have a chance to write the story of our times

A story of courage defeating cruelty and light overcoming darkness

This calling is worthy of any life

And worthy of every nation

So let us go forward, confidentdeterminedand unafraid.î

 

This week as we celebrate both Canada Day and Independence Day in the U.S

May it be in honor of all those men and women of our Armed Services who have bravely answered freedomís call...

They are indeed worthy of our deepest devotion and praise. 

May God bless all of themand all of you.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you this evening

But more importantly thank you for sharing your beautiful country with Susan and me these last three years.

It has been our honor to live here among you and to call you friends. 

May God bless Canada and God bless America.