 to the White House. Tonight, we honor His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos bin Saeed, Sultan of Oman. Some time ago, the Queen of England awarded him the Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George on an order that was founded in 1818 with the motto, token of a better age. Your Majesty, after spending time with you today in discussing serious matters of concern to both our nations, I can fully appreciate why our cousins in Great Britain paid you that compliment. Those ancient orders of chivalry, however, tend to associate grace, decency, and other majestic qualities with the past, often the very distant past. But here, Your Majesty, on this side of the Atlantic, we look for such traits in those around us because we seek first and foremost to build a better tomorrow. And it's clear that leaders like yourself, proud yet humane individuals, will indeed make tomorrow a better age for mankind. In my welcoming remarks this morning, I touched on a few of your many wonderful accomplishments. These were not products of a faint heart or indecision. Modern education systems, sophisticated health organizations, the infrastructure for economic progress don't just spring into existence, especially in so short a time. These advances are the result of hard work and good government. They reflect on extraordinary level of leadership. They reflect values which are deeply cherished here and reaffirm our high regard for the people of Oman and for you as an individual. The sultan's enthusiasm for building a well-functioning modern country is a legend. But how many are aware of his enthusiasm for horses? Your Majesty, you probably know I enjoy riding myself. With all your pressing responsibilities, I'm sure you agree that there is nothing so good for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse. I also understand you have an appreciation for Gilbert Sullivan, an interest that's shared by many here in America. Well, we can all be grateful that the sun will never set on Gilbert and Sullivan. But as much as Americans admire and identify with horsemanship and music, Your Majesty, we revere your personal courage and commitment even more. We're keenly aware that the progress you've made for your people was done in spite of a communist-inspired, externally supported insurrection early in your reign. But you are not a man who is easily deterred. In an interview, you said, I go everywhere. I drive my own car. I usually like to drive in the first car of a convoy because that way I can see more of my people and my country. And that's what I live for. And that's what I will die for. Your Majesty, I salute you. The American people are lucky to have you as friends and are proud to stand side by side with the people of Oman. Thank you. God bless you. Mr. President, Mrs. Reagan honored guests. I have been deeply touched by the warmth of the welcome you have extended to me this evening. And by the generous words of appreciation with which you have referred to my country. It is indeed a pleasure for me to visit your great city of Washington again. And this time to do so as a formal expression of the friendship and understanding which exists between our two countries. As I am sure you are aware, the past decade has made heavy demands on Oman. Not only have the most sustained and intensive efforts had to be made in our determination to provide a better life for our people, but at the same time we have fought to preserve our independence from foreign-inspired aggression. Today, happily, that aggression has been defeated and great strides have been made in the improvement of the quality of life of our people. But we are under new illusions. We realize that the important geopolitical position we occupy at the mouth of the Gulf and the unstable situation that exists in the region make it imperative that we develop our country and its defenses to the maximum of our ability. This we are doing and shall continue to do. We do not expect others to shoulder these burdens for us. We fight our own battles, but we realize that in the present state of the world, no country can act in isolation. That a concerted effort must be made by the free world if freedom itself is not to be extinguished. We, therefore, look to our friends for their support just as we offer ours to them in the trails and dangers that jointly face us. This is, therefore, Mr. President, why I am particularly welcome this opportunity to acknowledge the valuable contribution which the United States has made and continues to make to the development and the interests of Oman, the experts, technical and other resources upon which we have been able to draw and the sustaining goodwill with which they have been provided has been of the greatest assistance in the work to improve the quality of life of my people and to safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of our country. Mr. President, the inescapable burdens which lie upon your great country are indeed heavy, but your untiring work for peace and your active concern for the oppressed and underprivileged in this troubled world, command, respect and admiration of all who place the destiny of humanity above cynical, political manipulation and exploitation. In this, your continued search for unacceptable and honorable solution is vital if the dangerous and intractable situation in the Middle East is to be resolved ornably and finally. I have welcomed the opportunity to discuss this and other matters of mutual concern with you and I believe that our frank and constructive exchange of views has made a real contribution to an understanding of the problems which face our two countries and has been a positive step towards their solution. Mr. President, I should like to assure you that you have a man's sympathetic support and understanding in the great work for peace and humanity of which you are engaged. Thank you. We'll have to tell her we said thanks. Here she comes. Well, tonight, as you can well see, it's our pleasure to have two internationally acclaimed operatic stars with us. Robert Merrill has been called one of the greatest baritones of the century, and many Americans, I think, when they think of the toreador song from Carmen, they automatically think Robert Merrill. And Anna Moffo is one of opera's most heralded stars as thrilled audience as the world over. She's received a host of awards and commendations from both sides of the Atlantic, including the Grand Prix du Disque, and most recently the Medal of Achievement awarded to her by the Philadelphia Art Alliance. And I think I speak for all of you. And when I thank them and their accompanist, Meredith or Marion and Kenneth Merrill, for being with them and for all of them, their generosity and sharing their talent with us here this evening. Thank you very much. They didn't use a mic.