Contact: White House, Office of the Press Secretary, 202-456-2580

WASHINGTON, March 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following text is a statement by President Bush released by the White House:

Laura and I join in celebrating the 175th anniversary of relations between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Thailand.   The United States and Thailand have long been linked by bonds of trust, appreciation, and friendship.  The Treaty of Amity and Commerce, signed on March 20, 1833, solidified our commitment to working together for mutual benefit and marked the first agreement of its kind between the United States and an Asian nation.  Over the past 175 years, our two governments have worked together on issues such as economic development, healthcare, and security.   Today, we share a commitment to democracy and to free and fair trade as well as a respect for human rights.  Our tradition of cooperation and support remains strong. 

I thank His Majesty the King and the citizens of Thailand for our enduring partnership.  This anniversary is an opportunity to underscore our shared ideal of liberty and reinforce our bonds of friendship and understanding.  We are proud to celebrate this historic day.