Joe Wilson: “I rise today to welcome Romanian President Ion Iliescu to Washington, and I look forward to personally meeting him…”

“I rise today to welcome Romanian President Ion Iliescu to Washington, and I look forward to personally meeting him tonight. He is meeting with President Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and other American officials during his trip. President Iliescu's Romania has become one of America's greatest allies on the war on terrorism, standing side by side with the United States in Afghanistan and now in Iraq. In what is a truly multinational effort, at least 600 Romanian troops are in Iraq working with American forces and military from at least 27 other nations. The Romanian people have a clear understanding of what is at risk in the war on terrorism, as they have a fresh perspective on freedom and liberty. They also know the importance of redevelopment in Iraq, as they have rebuilt their own country over top of the rubble of the former dictator Ceausescu's regime, emerging from communist totalitarianism into new candidacy for NATO membership. I join all my colleagues in welcoming a true friend, Romanian President Ion Iliescu, to America. In conclusion, God bless our troops.”