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President Bush Congratulates President Uribe of Colombia on Hostage Rescue
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 3, 2008

President Bush Congratulates President Uribe of Colombia on Hostage Rescue
National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Maryland

˙ /news/releases/2008/07/20080703-6.wm.v.html ˙˙Presidential Remarks
˙˙Audio


11:56 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak to President Uribe
of Colombia, and he called to give me the good news that hostages had been
rescued, including three Americans that had been held since 2003. I
congratulated the President. I asked him to congratulate his military and
those who had planned it. And I told him what a joyous occasion it must be
to know that the plan had worked, that people who were unjustly held were
now free to be with their families.

So I'm proud of our relationship with Colombia, and I'm proud of my friend,
President Uribe. I appreciate his courage and his strong leadership and the
successful operations they waged.

Thank you very much.

END 11:57 A.M. EDT

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