Excerpts from Remarks at White House Summit on International Development
October 21, 2008
President George W. Bush
- “During times of economic crisis, some may be tempted to turn inward – focusing on our problems here at home, while ignoring our interests around the world. This would be a serious mistake.”
- “America is committed – and America must stay committed – to international development for reasons that remain true regardless of the ebb and flow of the markets.”
- “We believe that development is in America’s security interests…We are committed to development because it is in America’s long-term economic interests…And we are committed to development because it is in America’s moral interests.”
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
- “As we’ve seen, every country is sharing the impact of this current crisis. And so, too, must we all share the responsibility for implementing an effective response globally, nationally, and locally.”
- “A key component of the broader response, though, must be renewed action to promote global trade and development…Similarly, all of us must remain committed at this time to the principles and practices that are proven to reduce poverty…”
- “For the United States, supporting international development is more than just an expression of our compassion. It is a vital investment in the free, prosperous, and peaceful international order that fundamentally serves our national interest.”
- “Finally, we recognized that deepening and broadening international development is not only a moral imperative, but a strategic interest and an economic interest. So we made development, together with diplomacy and defense, an equal pillar of our security strategy.”
- “But what we cannot do – what we must not do – is to allow our generosity and our concern for others to fall victim to today’s crisis. Reneging on our commitments to the world’s poor cannot be an austerity measure.”
