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Skriven 2007-06-22 23:30:54 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0706222) for Fri, 2007 Jun 22
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President Bush Welcomes President Nguyen Minh Triet of Vietnam to the White
House
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 22, 2007

President Bush Welcomes President Nguyen Minh Triet of Vietnam to the White
House The Oval Office

˙ /news/releases/2007/06/20070622-2.wm.v.html ˙˙Presidential Remarks
˙˙Audio

˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Global Diplomacy

10:50 A.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you for coming. Laura and I remember
very fondly our trip to your beautiful country. And I remember so very well
the warm reception that we received from your government and the people of
Vietnam.

I explained to the President we want to have good relations with Vietnam.
And we've got good economic relations. We signed a Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement. And I was impressed by the growing Vietnamese economy.

I also made it very clear that in order for relations to grow deeper that
it's important for our friends to have a strong commitment to human rights
and freedom and democracy. I explained my strong belief that societies are
enriched when people are allowed to express themselves freely or worship
freely.

I thanked the President for his continued cooperation on the issue of POWs
and MIAs. I saw firsthand that cooperation when I was in Vietnam. We are
now extending our search to missing remains in some of the coastal regions
of Vietnam.

And I also told the President that Congress recently passed appropriations
measures to help with dioxin, or Agent Orange. It has helped the people of
his country. And, as well, we're firmly committed to helping Vietnam in the
battle against HIV/AIDS.

And so, we welcome you, Mr. President. And thank you for the frank and
candid discussion.

PRESIDENT TRIET: (As translated.) Upon the kind invitation extended to me
by President Bush, I have decided to make this official visit to the United
States. And I would like to thank Mr. President for your warm and kind
hospitality. And also, to you, I would like to extend my thanks to the
American people for their warm hospitality.

Over the last couple of days, I have had the fortunate opportunity to meet
with a large number of American people and American businesses. And
everywhere I went and anywhere I met, I always -- I was always extended
good hospitality and cooperation.

It's very impressive that yesterday I had a chance to visit a farmer who
raised grapes. And the life is very happy, and they have a warmth of
feelings toward Vietnam. And the owner had to hug me several times,
hesitating to say good-bye to us. And that demonstrates the desire for
friendship between our two peoples.

And President Bush and I have had productive and constructive discussions.
And both sides agree that our bilateral relationship has continued to
develop. Especially since Mr. President's last visit to Vietnam, our
relations have witnessed a new, fine development. On the economic front,
our cooperation has been intensified. In addition to that, our cooperation
has also intensified in other areas such as humanitarian cooperation,
science, technology, education and training.

And I sincerely thank the U.S. government and people for your aid to HIV
patients. And we highly appreciate the Congress appropriations for dioxin
and Agent Orange victims. And I believe that the increased and good
relationship between our two country [sic] would benefit not only our two
countries, but also constitute a constructive factor for safeguarding peace
and stability in our region.

And we have also discussed on specific measures of how to advance further
our relations in a wide range of areas, be it political, economic, trade,
investment, education, or training, humanitarian, et cetera. And in short,
our relations are broadened, deepened on a sustainable and effective -- in
a sustainable and effective manner. And as Mr. President has mentioned,
both sides have just signed a Trade Investment Framework Agreement, TIFA,
and many other high-value economic agreements and contracts.

Mr. President and I also had direct and open exchange of views on a matter
that we may different [sic], especially on matters related to religion and
human rights. And our approach is that we would increase our dialogue in
order to have a better understanding of each other. And we are also
determined not to let those differences afflict our overall, larger
interest.

And I also would like to take this opportunity to send a message to
American people, particularly the good feelings from Vietnamese people to
American people. I would like to tell you that Vietnam nowadays is a
stable, peaceful and friendly country. And Vietnamese people want to have a
good consolidarity and friendship with American people. And so if both
peoples both want peace, friendship and solidarity, then we should join
hands and march toward the future.

And on this occasion, I also would like to extend my warmest greetings to
my fellowman living in the United States. And Vietnamese Americans are part
and parcel of the Vietnamese nation. And it is my desire to see them
succeed, and hope they will continue to serve as a bridge of friendship
between our two countries.

And so, once again, I would like to thank Mr. President and the U.S.
government and American people for your warm hospitality.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir.

END 11:04 A.M. EDT

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