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Skriven 2006-06-14 23:34:30 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0606141) for Wed, 2006 Jun 14
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President Bush Welcomes President Uribe of Colombia to the White House
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 14, 2006

President Bush Welcomes President Uribe of Colombia to the White House
Oval Office

President's Remarks view

˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Global Diplomacy ˙˙˙˙˙

12:06 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all for coming. It's my honor to welcome back to
the Oval Office mi amigo, el Presidente. Mr. President, we're glad you're
here. This is my first chance to be able to congratulate the President for
a very strong victory. I asked him what it's like to win with a lot of
votes. He was obviously a good campaigner that had a message that the
Colombian people appreciated. So first of all, congratulations for a grand
victory.

President Uribe is a personal friend. I'm able to talk very frankly with
him about a variety of subjects. I told him that one of the things I admire
is he's a strong believer in democracy, human rights, human dignity. He's
got a tough job in dealing with narco-terrorist groups in his country, but
he's committed to dealing firmly with narco-terrorism. He's committed to
helping reconcile past differences. He's committed to helping people get
back into society. And I appreciate those commitments. He's committed to
human rights.

We talked about trade. We negotiated a free trade agreement. We've still
got some details to work out, but we committed ourselves to working out
those details and try to get this done as quickly as we can. I will submit
the agreement to Congress once it gets done, and I would hope members of
both political parties understand the importance of a free trade agreement
with this vital ally of ours.

We talked about the neighborhood. We talked about -- he came from a meeting
with some of the Andean neighbors and he brought messages and he shared
some thoughts with me. I appreciate strategizing with the President about
how to make sure our neighborhood is a peaceful and hopeful place.

I told President Uribe that one of the things I will do a better job of is
communicating to the people of South America and Central America my
country's desire to promote justice and education and health. We spend
about $1.6 billion a year in Central and South America. I want the people
to understand that money is meant to help them, to help improve their
lives. I want the people to understand America is a considerate country,
that we care about justice.

And so, Mr. President, I am really pleased you're here. It's good to see
you again. And, again, congratulations on a great victory.

PRESIDENT URIBE: Thank you, Mr. President. I want to repeat my gratitude to
your government, to you personally, to your Congress, to the U.S. public
opinion, for the permanent support of my country. I appreciate your
friendship, your permanent advice, and we have many challenges before us.

One challenge is that Colombia can overcome this long nightmare of
terrorism. I understand the mandate my fellow country citizens have given
me to work harder, and with better results, for my country to get peace,
and the United States cooperation is necessary.

In the last two years we have not gotten the (inaudible) result in dropping
the areas with illegal drugs. One point we have studied this morning with
President Bush is how to speed up the eradication of drugs, because we need
to show better results in this area.

And of course, as President Bush has informed to you, we spoke about our
free trade agreement, and some pending points. And we spoke about the
necessity in Colombia and to all the Central American and South American
countries to improve social cohesion. For I thank President Bush, he's
willing to bring (inaudible) and determination to help us in education, in
social issues, because we need to conduct hand-in-hand our fight against
terrorism with our fight to create social cohesion, not only in Colombia,
but in the whole region, as well.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Gracias, amigo. Thank you very much.

END 12:12 P.M. EDT

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