Rice with Swedish FM Carl Bildt Before Meeting

Remarks with Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Bildt Before Their Meeting

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Washington, DC
May 22, 2007

SECRETARY RICE: Welcome. It's good to have you here. We are going to be talking at a time in which there are many, many issues before us.

FOREIGN MINISTER BILDT: Too many.

SECRETARY RICE: Too many, that's right. But I just know that we will have a chance to talk about the Middle East and, of course, the concerns focused particularly today on Lebanon where the Siniora government is fighting against a very tough extremist foe. But Lebanon is doing the right thing to try to protect its population, to assert its sovereignty and so we are very supportive of the Siniora government and what it is trying to do. But welcome.

FOREIGN MINISTER BILDT: Thanks for much, very nice to be here. We will be covering I think a very wide range of issues -- Middle East. Lebanon is a source of major concern, the possibilities of getting a peace process going. I think we might exchange a few words about Russia; it's a possibility. We have some outstanding issues coming up in Southeastern Europe and a number of other issues.

SECRETARY RICE: We've got our work cut out for us.

FOREIGN MINISTER BILDT: Absolutely.

SECRETARY RICE: So we'll (inaudible).

FOREIGN MINISTER BILDT: Thanks very much.

2007/411

Released on May 22, 2007

ENDS

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