Text 5157, 863 rader
Skriven 2007-08-21 23:31:04 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0708213) for Tue, 2007 Aug 21
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President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister
Harper of Canada, and President Calder˘n of Mexico
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary August 21, 2007

President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister
Harper of Canada, and President Calder˘n of Mexico Fairmont Le Chateau
Montebello Montebello, Canada

˙˙White House News

˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Global Diplomacy

11:57 A.M. EDT

PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) Might I, first and foremost, thank
all the people here and the citizens of Montebello for giving such a warm
Quebec welcome. You are quite right to be proud of your beautiful
Montebello manoir and the area.

As the leaders of the three countries, our discussions between President
Bush and myself were very cordial, constructive. Our three countries
maintain peaceful, productive relations and give great contributions to our
people. It is part and parcel of our commitment to democracy, free market,
NAFTA, and the equality of chances to all citizens.

This is a unique moment to look at the individual aspects that we could
look at and the challenges that we have to face. We agreed to discuss the
protection of the consumer and looking at the non-secure products entering
the nations, in particular those going to our children.

We also recognize the fact to find practical, pragmatic solutions to our
mutual environmental challenges. Our countries are working to find our own
sustainable energy and to find national standards on energy efficiency.

Finally -- and this is particularly important for Canada -- we realize that
border security must not threaten the friendly relations that we have. We
undertook agreements on cooperation, standards, regulations, intellectual
property, and research in the energy field. In the framework of this
summit, we met the North American Competitiveness Council. Their leaders
provided us with valuable information on how we could exploit our
partnership in the field of security and prosperity to strengthen our
economies and to create good jobs here in North America.

Our discussions did not merely deal with North America. We also discussed a
number of other international and hemispheric questions: climate change,
and to the next meeting of the Middle East discussions, where our countries
are defending democracy and freedom, and protecting the have-nots.

This summit enabled us to discuss our singular bilateral discussions.
President Bush and myself met yesterday afternoon. We discussed a number of
subjects, in particular our joint commitment to have a secure border that
shall remain open to goods and services, and to the interaction between the
our respective citizens.

President Calder˘n and myself also had a meeting yesterday evening, and I
would like to thank President Calder˘n and his wife Margarita and their
children, Maria, Felipe, for having passed a wonderful time with us last
weekend. We understand that you have had to shorten your stay, due to the
consequences of Hurricane Dean on your country. I sincerely regret the
terrible aspect of this Hurricane Dean on Mexico, but I understand the
concern, that the Mexican authorities have assisted in evacuating a
Canadian citizen.

We have also been able to arrange our agenda yesterday to discuss important
matters for our respective nations. We were able to discuss a number of
different matters, and the flourishing development of trade between our two
countries, and that we shall pursue in the future Canada, United States and
Mexico, our good neighbors and good friends.

As sovereign nations in our modern world, we are not merely independent but
also interdependent. And we are determined to cooperate for our mutual
security, our continued economic growth, and the improvement of our North
American relations are unique in the world.

(Speaks in English.) -- the staff here and the people of Montebello for
their warm Québécois hospitality. You have every reason to be proud of this
magnificent resort and this beautiful region.

As host of this year's North American Leaders Summit, it's my
responsibility and pleasure to report that the discussions between
President Bush and Calder˘n and myself were as cordial as they were
constructive. Our three countries share peaceful and productive relations
that are of considerable benefit of the people of our respective nations.
These relations are rooted in our common commitment to democracy, free and
open markets through NAFTA, and equal opportunity for all of our citizens.
This week's summit has provided an opportunity to share individual
perspectives and to take stock of the challenges that we face together.

We agreed to work together on consumer protection. We have to identify and
stop unsafe goods from entering our country, especially those designed for
our children. We also agreed on the need for practical solutions to our
mutual environmental challenges. Our countries are already working together
to develop clean and sustainable energy, and we're cooperating on national
fuel efficiency standards.

Finally -- and this is especially important for Canada -- we agreed that
border security measures, critical as they are, cannot threaten the bonds
of friendship or commerce between us.

Over the past year we've achieved agreements on regulatory cooperation,
pandemics, intellectual property and research in energy. As part of our
summit, we also met with the North American Competitiveness Council. The
Council's business leaders have provided us with good, practical advice on
how we can build our Security and Prosperity Partnership, to strengthen our
economy, and create good jobs right here in North America.

But our discussions were not focused exclusively in North America. We also
discussed a range of international and hemispheric issues from climate
change to the upcoming APEC meetings, from the Middle East to Haiti, where
all three of our countries are working to advance freedom, democracy, and
development for the most impoverished people.

Moreover, the summit provided opportunities for one-on-one discussions
about our unique bilateral relationships. President Bush and I met
yesterday afternoon. We discussed several matters, including our joint
commitment to a secure border that remains open to the exchange of goods
and services and the interaction of our people.

President Calder˘n and I met last night. First let me take the opportunity
to thank the President, his wife Margarita, and their children Maria,
Felipe, and Juan Pablo, for spending some time this past weekend with our
family. I understand you're cutting your visit short, given the impact of
Hurricane Dean on your country. I regret the cost of this terrible natural
disaster. At the same time, we appreciate the efforts of the Mexican
authorities to secure the evacuation of Canadian citizens.

I'm grateful we were able to arrange our schedules yesterday to meet and
discuss matters formally before your departure. We had the opportunity to
discuss many issues related to the growing relationship between Canada and
Mexico that we're going to lead forward together.

Canada, the United States and Mexico are good neighbors and good friends.
As sovereign countries in the modern world we are both independent and
interdependent, and we're committed to working together on mutual security,
continued economic growth, and expanding our unique North American
relationship.

President Bush.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Prime Minister. Thanks for having us here. I,
too, want to thank the good folks of Montebello for their wonderful
hospitality. The food was good, the hospitality was warm. You picked a
great place to come.

I expressed my country's concerns for the citizens whose lives will be
affected by Hurricane Dean. I respect the fact that President Calder˘n has
decided to get back to Mexico as quickly as possible in a safe way. I want
you to know that U.S. agencies are in close touch with the proper Mexican
authorities, and if you so desire help, we stand ready to help. The
American people care a lot about the human condition in our neighborhood,
and when we see human suffering, we want to do what we can to help
alleviate that. So we wish you all the best.

These meetings are -- I'm not going to try to reiterate what Stephen said.
He went through the list of the meetings. And he's a -- he's right, that we
talked about a lot of issues. I just want to give you the spirit of the
discussions and why I think they're important.

It's our people's interests that Canada and Mexico work closely together.
In other words, there's a good reason why our leaders should come together
on a regular basis. First reason why is to figure out ways to continue to
enhance prosperity. It's in our interests that the Canadian lifestyle be as
strong as it is, and it's in our interests that prosperity spread to
Mexico. If you're a U.S. citizen, you want people that live close to you to
be prosperous. The more prosperity there is in your neighborhood, the more
hopeful your neighborhood is.

NAFTA, which has created a lot of political controversy in our respective
countries, has yielded prosperity. Since NAFTA came to be, trade between
our respective countries has grown from $293 billion a year to $883 billion
a year. Now, for some, those are just numbers; for many, it's improved
wages and a better lifestyle and more hope. And the question that we're
faced with is how do we continue to enhance prosperity so the average
citizen understands the benefits of three countries working together? And I
think we made some good progress toward eliminating barriers and toward
harmonizing regulations to a point where more prosperity will come to be.

And we discussed a lot of other issues. We discussed bilateral issues.
Stephen and I talked about border issues. Of course, Felipe Calder˘n and I
talked about border issues and migration. These are complicated issues, but
they're issues that we can work out in good spirit as friends.

One reason one meets is to reconfirm friendships, is to make sure that not
only at the leaders' level is there conversations taking place that are
friendly, but that that spirit translates throughout our governments. And I
think we've accomplished that objective today.

We also talked, as Stephen mentioned, about international issues, issues
concerning South America, the Middle East. These are meaningful
discussions. I'm glad I came and I'm looking forward to hosting them next
year. Matter of fact, it's in the interests of our countries that we have
these meetings on an annual basis and then have working groups follow
through on the discussion items that -- during our meetings with the
business leaders or our own Cabinet Secretaries.

And so thanks for having me. It's been worthwhile. I appreciate it.

PRIME MINISTER HARPER: Se¤or Calder˘n.

PRESIDENT CALDERŕN: Gracias. (As translated.) Thank you, Prime Minister
Harper and President Bush. In the first place, I would like to thank very
specifically -- I thank you for the solidarity, the understanding and the
support that I have received from you in order to adjust my schedule to
exhaust pending matters and allow me to return in good time in order to
personally tend to the emergency situation that we have to face in the
Yucatan Peninsula.

Your understanding and support is also accompanied by the offers of help
and solidarity to the victims of this natural disaster. So far -- well, it
would be too early to assess the scope of the damages. So far there have
been no fatal victims. We can't be sure yet, but we are monitoring the
situation every minute, monitoring the hurricane. And as a matter of fact,
I'm returning to Yucatan right away, as soon as my aircraft can land, and
supervise the rescue missions.

I would also like to thank very sincerely -- thank you for the hospitality
and for the human warmth, for the very welcoming attitude of Mr. Harper's
family. And I do value this. It was a marvelous weekend for my family, such
a typically Canadian place -- typically Canadian places are amongst the
most beautiful in the world. And I would like to thank your wife, Laureen,
and your children for your offer to spend this time with my family, with my
wife, with my children. And I hope I'll be able to return your very nice
present in Mexico.

Now, this meeting allows me to reenforce the conviction that North America
as a region still has not developed the enormous potential it has, and I'm
more convinced about this today than ever before, that it has to be
developed. There's no doubt that the globalization process that we are
currently experiencing is definitely pressuring throughout competitiveness
of our countries -- and not only countries, but the competitiveness of the
countries that have joined into regions.

Now, Canada, U.S. and Mexico have to act together in order not only to
improve the quality of life of our people, but also to prevent the vast
integration process that we've seen in other parts of the world -- Asia,
Europe, very specifically. We don't want this to displace our producers and
displace opportunities for our consumers.

Now, through working groups that we've established, through the opinions of
the businessmen of all three countries and their recommendations to our
respective governments, it's clear to me that there's an enormous agenda
that has to be developed, carried out. So I believe that we must relaunch
in a stronger way the strength of the relationship between the free
countries of North America. That is to say that each country, each
government is facing within their own public opinion -- particularly in
Mexico, maybe in the U.S. -- they're encountering resistance in relation to
one or another aspect -- investments, integration, border crossings, and
regulatory aspects.

And all these matters, which most of them are covered by the
recommendations of the businessmen that we met, they come to stand still.
And this is a result of the concerns in each country, obstacles to economic
integration of our region. I believe we should reassess -- or we should
have our people reassess -- what all this means to the common citizen, the
region; what it means to the consumers to have better prices and better
quality in the products they consume; also in what it represents for
companies to have access to commodities that are more efficient, more
productive, better quality and better priced; also what it represents to
our workers to have available work, thanks to the fact that North America
can be a fully integrated region.

Now, at the same time, there are complementary characteristics between the
three countries, and this has got to be very specifically addressed in
order to leverage the situation in this new century of globalization.

And we agreed also to prioritize certain issues that have been followed up
on. For example, when it comes to regional competitiveness, it's quite
clear that this is a very important priority. Also the border area issue;
we all want secure and also efficient borders -- borders that will allow
the border crossing of those who build, who contribute, and of course,
prevent border crossings to those that damage our societies: organized
crime, drug trafficking, all the trade in illegal goods.

Also we talked about sustainable development and the challenges facing our
countries by a region and by humanity as a whole. We talked about our
common purpose to find reliable alternatives that will allow us, on the one
hand, to preserve the environment, and at the same time, that will not
force us to detain or stop our development and thereby have an impact on
the prosperity of our people.

We also talked about security. This is a topic that concerns us all, but as
President Bush said, we talked about prosperity. And I believe that this
meeting -- in my case, it's my first meeting, first meeting I'm
participating in -- I think this meeting could be the beginning of a new
age in the framework of the relationship of the three countries, and
particularly if we relaunch trade exchange, and also if we are able to take
advantage of our potential.

I also thank President Bush for his invitation to come to Texas next year
in order to continue with these talks. And also Mexico is interested in
hosting the meeting in 2009 in my beloved, dear, beautiful country.

Therefore the issues were multifarious and we took advantage of the time we
had, although it was reduced because of this emergency situation that we're
facing. I'm very happy that the environment within which we worked was very
positive, very constructive on the part of everyone in attendance. And we
hope that we'll be able to follow up on all the commitments, on the
priorities that we've established and on the recommendations that we've
received from the business sector.

Thank you very much, Prime Minister Harper, for your hospitality. Thank you
to the Canadian people and to the people of Quebec for your hospitality,
and to the staff of this wonderful place in Montebello that treated us so
generously. And, well, we will be at your disposal when you come to us.

MODERATOR: To the press, good afternoon. We'll begin with the press
conference. And just a reminder, it's one question per reporter. We will
start with Ben Feller, Associated Press.

Q Thank you all. Mr. President, yesterday, Senator Levin, Chairman of the
Armed Services Committee, said that the Iraqi parliament ought to oust
Prime Minister Maliki and his government for being politically unable to
deliver political unity there, for utterly failing on that point. I'm
wondering what your reaction is to Senator Levin's comment, and whether you
think Maliki has lost credibility.

And if I may, President Calder˘n --

MODERATOR: I just ask that you limit yourself to one question, please.

Q I'm just wondering the assessment of the damage in your country, the
hurricane damage.

PRESIDENT BUSH: The way I view Iraq is from the security perspective and a
political perspective. I made a decision to send more troops into Iraq to
provide enough security for reconciliation to have the time to take place.
It appears to me -- and I certainly don't want to prejudge General David
Petraeus's report back home -- but there is some progress being made. In
other words, one aspect of my decision is working.

There are two types of political reconciliation that can take place in a
new democracy: One is from the top down, and one is from the bottom up.
Clearly, the Iraqi government has got to do more through its parliament to
help heal the wounds of years -- having lived years under a tyrant. It's
not easy to go from a tyrannical society where the tyrant brutalized his
people and created deep suspicions into one in which people are willing to
work more closely together.

The Iraqi people made a great step toward reconciliation when they passed
the most modern constitution in the Middle East, and now their government
has got to perform. And I think there's a certain level of frustration with
the leadership in general, inability to work -- to come to get, for
example, an oil revenue law passed or provincial elections.

On the other hand, I do want to point out that the Iraqi parliament has met
and passed 60 different pieces of legislation. They do have a budgeting
process that is in the process of distributing a significant amount of
money from the central government to the provincial governments, and the
money they're distributing is oil revenues. So there may not be an oil
revenue distribution law, but there's oil revenues being distributed.

There's bottom-up reconciliation taking place. It's noticeable and tangible
and real, where people at the grassroots level are sick and tired of the
violence, sick and tired of the radicalism, and they want -- and they want
a better life. And they're beginning to reject the extremists that have the
desire to have a safe haven, for example, from which to launch further
attacks on America. In other words, there's a process taking place. And the
fundamental question is, will the government respond to the demands of the
people? And if the government doesn't demand -- respond to the demands of
the people, they will replace the government. That's up to the Iraqis to
make that decision, not American politicians. The Iraqis will decide. They
have decided they want a constitution, they have elected members to their
parliament, and they will make the decisions, just like democracies do.

And the question that we have to face in America is, is it worth it? Does
it matter whether or not this young democracy survives? Is it in our
national interests that this difficult experiment with democracy in the
Middle East work? And I've come to the conclusion that it is. It's in our
interests, because a failed Iraq could easily yield a safe haven from which
the extremists and radicals who once attacked us could attack us again. A
failed Iraq would become a recruiting tool for the very same people that
still want to attack America. And so it's in our interests.

I told you the other day at a press conference -- I don't know if you were
there or not -- but if you don't believe it's in American interests to be
there, you won't find any political reconciliation that is -- that is worth
defending. If you do think it's in our interests, our security interests,
then you'll be able to see political reconciliation taking place, some at
the top and some at the bottom.

Now, Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus will be coming back to brief
the Congress in about a month's time, and I'm looking forward to hearing
their briefing. And I would hope that members of Congress from both
political parties listen very carefully to the report they bring back, as
we all make decisions about what's best for our national security in
regards to this one theater in the war against the extremists and radicals.

PRESIDENT CALDERŕN: (As translated.) What I can tell you, as you are well
aware, Hurricane Dean touched down in Mexico north of Chetumal, which is
the state of Quintana Roo, which is on the borders with Belize, with winds
of 250 and gusts of winds between 350 k. It was a category 5 hurricane;
that is the most dangerous. And the initial reports I have, the most
important, is until today, but I've not discarded it, but there has been no
loss of human life. We still have to know what happened in the most
isolated communities in that area.

Our authorities are all over that area, the civil protection area. People
are there who are experts in dealing with hurricane matters. There was a
power outage to Chetumal, but we have checked with the energy authorities
at the federal level that the power outage will be repaired in the coming
hours, and possibly it is.

The hurricane, fortunately, did not go through the main tourist areas --
CancŁn, Riviera Maya. And the daily routine activities in those cities are
being reestablished. And they had major flooding or incoming tidal waves,
shall we say. But everything has recovered.

I went over the poor Mayan areas, and I have a great deal of concern for
the housing and the lack of services in that general area for the
indigenous people there. And that will be the main area of concern for us
and activities.

It is now going to Campeche, and we have other concerns, insofar as that is
concerned. We have logistical support of the resistance or the maintenance
of electrical lines that provide energy throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.
We have -- in Mérida, we have hydroelectric plants that can come in on an
emergency.

The layout of the Campeche state, which is a very low level, it is almost
at sea level, and there could be a wave increase in height in the tide that
may bring about some flooding and might create more difficulties that will
be more difficult to resolve.

We are then awaiting that Hurricane Dean will enter the Campeche area,
where the main oil production occurs in Mexico. We have ordered the
suspension of oil production. All 20,000 workers have been taken away from
the platforms, and there's about two and a half million oil barrels that
have been lost until now. But we have been able to save lives, and later
again Hurricane Dean will go into Veracruz, and this will create different
problems to those of the Yucatan Peninsula. That is, the increase of the
tidal bore up the rivers, and other spaces to the north of Veracruz.
Fortunately Hurricane Dean was a category 5 but is now a category 3, and is
about to drop into category 2. Our fear is that it will regain strength
once it enters the Gulf of Mexico after Campeche.

But we are ready. The teams are ready, the hydroelectric power is being
restored, and there has not been major material damage in the major
touristic areas that have been hit by other hurricanes. That is what I know
today.

Q President Bush and Mr. Harper, we know the differences between the two
countries insofar as the Northwest Passage is concerned. We heard the
former ambassador, Paul Cellucci, that it would be in the best interests of
security for the United States to recognize this passage as a Canadian
waterway. So we'd like to hear your comments, from both of you. Failing
which there is not a way -- if we could hear to what extent you would be
willing to consider the Northwest Passage to become an international
waterway.

PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) I shall reply, to start off with. I
did hear the comments of the former Ambassador Paul Cellucci. We also know
that there are certain differences of opinion vis-a-vis this passage
between our two nations. But quite honestly, Canada's position is that we
intend to strengthen our sovereignty in the Arctic area, not only military,
but economic, social, environmental and others.

The former agreements of President Reagan and Prime Minister Mulroney in
the '80s, Canada and the United States did resolve their differences in
this area.

(Speaks in English.) -- the statement by former Ambassador Cellucci.
Canada, as you know, is fully committed to strengthening its Arctic
sovereignty on every level, not just military, but economic, society,
environmental, any other method, any other means.

Canada and the U.S. do have differences on certain aspects of the Northwest
Passage. At the same time, since the agreements of Prime Minister Mulroney
and former President Reagan in the late 1980s, Canada and the United States
have been able to manage these differences, and we think we'll be able to
continue to do that.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, we'll manage the differences -- because there are
differences on the Northwest Passage. We believe it's an international
passageway. Having said that, the United States does not question Canadian
sovereignty over its Arctic islands, and the United States supports
Canadian investments that have been made to exercise its sovereignty.

Q (As translated.) Good afternoon. This question is to the three leaders.
The stock markets have gone through a severe crisis in recent weeks. How
close are we to a stock exchange crash, and what measures have you taken so
that it does not affect the real economy?

When you will be presenting your first report, there's an opposition party
that wants to prevent this -- what is the outlook in your view? And do you
believe that the opposition will accept your invitation for a dialogue?

PRESIDENT CALDERŕN: (As translated.) Well, to answer the first question,
the financial problem, which is quite delicate in several markets. What I
can tell you in relation to the case of Mexico, fortunately, our financial
system has been solid enough to resist these critical times. I know that
many central banks in several parts of the world, the European Union, the
Federal Reserve in the U.S., and other central banks, have applied
considerable resources in order to bring liquidity to their financial and
banking systems.

Now, fortunately, in the case of Mexico, this has not been necessary. The
financial system and the banking system is very solid. It took a lot of
work, a lot of money to have such a solid system that would resist
situations like this, but fortunately, it has not required the support of
liquidity from the Central Bank of Mexico.

Currently, the Mexican stock exchange has adjusted fixed income values.
This is the case around the world. However, the Mexican stock exchange was
one of the five that actually had an increase in its value throughout the
world last year, over 50 percent. And obviously the reduction that we're
seeing is somehow or another a form of a correction which will actually
improve the health of the financial markets in Mexico.

Could it have an impact in the real economy? Well, that depends on the
scope of the situation, how it affects the markets, particularly the North
American markets, which affects us most. My belief is that the situation is
beginning to stabilize, and it will depend on the impact that it might have
on the growth of the U.S., which, as you know, Mexico depends on this
growth, on the U.S. growth.

Now, in relation to the second subject, the second issue, I have invited
legislators. I'm a democrat that believes in the basic idea -- that
believes in constructive dialogue, and this is what I'm seeking in
Congress, constructive dialogue. Unfortunately, I still haven't received a
positive answer in relation to this invitation, but I believe, I trust that
in the future there will be greater willingness to talk about issues of
concern for all Mexicans.

I know it's another system, Canada is, but Prime Minister Harper has to
talk to his Parliament just about every day, every week. And I think -- I
would say I would very much like to have an institutional way in Mexico so
that we're able to work and to talk about what we agree with and what we
don't agree with in our country. I'll be willing to talk to anybody that
wants to talk to me, particularly within Congress.

Now, in relation to the attitude of the PRD, or other members of that
party, I respect them and, of course, I appeal to the sense of
responsibility toward the country. And I hope that maturity will prevail,
and common sense, too. So the only thing that will be lost with this is
that anybody that breaks the basic laws of our institutional life -- let's
say that citizens know very well and recognize the maturity and the
responsibility of political parties and the people of our country are able
to punish these attitudes.

PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) -- monetary and financial systems
that monitor it are following it closely. But naturally, there are certain
differences in their assets and liabilities, and some of the major
corporations will have drops in their stocks. That is the normal course.
But I can assure you that the capital situation of our major corporations,
our financial institutions, of our individual persons are very strong.

(Speaks in English.) Our economic and financial institutions that are
responsible for watching these markets are monitoring them closely. At the
same time, just to remind people, it's normal for the price of assets of
various securities or companies or whatever to go up and down in the
marketplace. It's not unusual. I can assure you that the position of the
Canadian financial sector, in particular our banks, Canadian companies in
general, and the household sector, our capital positions are very strong.

PRESIDENT BUSH: The fundamentals of the U.S. economy are strong: Inflation
is down, interest rates are low, the employment picture is strong, exports
are up. We grew at over 3 percent in the second quarter. The fundamental
question is, is there enough liquidity in our system as people readjust
risk? And the answer is, yes, there is.

Q Thank you. As you three leaders meet here, there are a growing number of
people in each of your countries who have expressed concern about the
Security and Prosperity Partnership. This is addressed to all three of you.
Can you say today that this is not a prelude to a North American union,
similar to a European Union? Are there plans to build some kind of
superhighway connecting all three countries? And do you believe all of
these theories about a possible erosion of national identity stem from a
lack of transparency from this partnership?

PRIME MINISTER HARPER: Well, let me begin. And I guess I read some things
from my opposition in Canada -- I'm not sure these are generally expressed
concerns, but a couple of my opposition leaders have speculated on massive
water diversions and superhighways to the continent -- maybe
interplanetary, I'm not sure, as well. (Laughter.) I even -- there were
reports of a former Prime Minister lurking in the hallways -- I have yet to
see him. (Laughter.)

Look, we have an enormous trading commercial relationship. It's important
that the leaders of that trading relationship get together periodically,
have discussions, just as it's important at every level -- ministerial
level, official level -- that they're getting together and talking and
making sure they're working out problems.

You know, we had some business leaders in front of us today; one in
particular said, you know, the rules for jelly beans -- he manufactures
jelly beans -- the rules for jelly bean contents are different in Canada
and the United States; they have to maintain two separate inventories. Is
the sovereignty of Canada going to fall apart if we standardize the jelly
bean? I don't think so. Maybe Mr. Dion thinks so, but I don't think so.

So these are pragmatic, practical discussions. In fact, it was my
predecessor in the Liberal Party who initiated them. And ultimately, of
course, for the decisions, we're responsible to our respective populations.
We're a democratic system and, as President Calder˘n mentioned, I have to
listen to that practical input every single day in parliament.

PRESIDENT CALDERŕN: (As translated.) Well, in fact, I'll be happy with one
step in Mexicali and one in Tijuana. In actual fact, there are several
myths about this meeting, some more jovial, funnier than others. What we
tried to do is simply to meet, talk about our common problems and see what
we can do in practical terms in order to improve the lives of our people.
Whether it's to standardize the parameters for chocolates or medicines, I
think these are common-sense things, and moreover, I think -- I'll tell you
this very clearly -- I think that as a region, we are losing
competitiveness in comparison with other regions in the world.

And it's not a question of customs unions, let alone having an integration
that would actually encroach on the sovereignty and culture and resources
of each country. We simply have to take advantage of this opportunity of
being neighbors and allies in order to generate prosperity and security for
our people. That is the purpose of these meetings.

Now, let me tell you, at times I would even like to work faster, review
more issues, but we have to be very patient. And something that we did talk
about also, which is part of my responsibility, or our responsibilities as
leaders, is to talk to the people and tell them why it's important to have
better trading rules, why it's important not to have so many barriers
between ourselves, why it's important to resolve issues such as
immigration, investment, because that could actually improve the quality of
life for our people. It could mean the Mexican consumers could have better
products, Canadian products, U.S. products and -- well, Mexican products
also -- because there would be more investment in our country, which
requires thousands and thousands of jobs in order to resolve the problems
of the people. And when that happens, when there's investment -- and
there's only investment when there is competitiveness. And we do have a way
to go in that regard.

PRESIDENT BUSH: We represent three great nations. We each respect each
other's sovereignty. You know, there are some who would like to frighten
our fellow citizens into believing that relations between us are harmful
for our respective peoples. I just believe they're wrong. I believe it's in
our interest to trade; I believe it's in our interest to dialogue; I
believe it's in our interest to work out common problems for the good of
our people.

And I'm amused by some of the speculation, some of the old -- you can call
them political scare tactics. If you've been in politics as long as I have,
you get used to that kind of technique where you lay out a conspiracy and
then force people to try to prove it doesn't exist. That's just the way
some people operate. I'm here representing my nation. I feel strongly that
the United States is a force for good, and I feel strongly that by working
with our neighbors we can a stronger force for good.

So I appreciate that question. I'm amused by the difference between what
actually takes place in the meetings and what some are trying to say takes
place. It's quite comical, actually, when you realize the difference
between reality and what some people are talking on TV about.

PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) Might I add, in French, I did not
know that there were these major plots that were mentioned by the head of
the opposition, Mr. Martin, a Liberal prime minister, who initiated these
discussions, I believe, for Mr. Dion. It is a rather regressive step
backwards to this whole question of our NAFTA discussions and SPP.

Q My question is for President Bush. Mr. President, it's become
increasingly likely that Canada will withdraw from its current combat role
in southern Afghanistan in February of 2009. Many Canadians, including
politicians, of different political stripes have suggested that Canada's
military has done its job in the country, that it's played its part, and it
would be time to go home then. I'd like to ask you if you believe that
Canada has done its job and has fulfilled its duties.

PRESIDENT BUSH: I believe Canada is doing a fabulous job in Afghanistan,
and I thank the people of Canada, but more importantly, the people of
Afghanistan thank the people of Canada.

Canadian -- the Canadian people sent some of your finest into harm's way to
enable a young democracy to not only survive, but thrive. And it's been an
important contribution in this global struggle against extremists. We're in
an ideological struggle against people who use murder and death to achieve
political objectives, and the fundamental question is, will free nations
help young democracies survive in the face of this threat? And Canada has
performed brilliantly. And I thank the mothers and fathers, or sons and
daughters of those who lost their life in this -- for the sake of freedom
and peace for the ultimate sacrifice they paid.

Secondly, the Canadian contribution is more than just combat. The Canadian
contribution is to help build institutions for a democracy to survive. So
the contribution has been vast and it's been robust. And this government,
along with its parliament, will make decisions what's best for the Canadian
people and the people of Afghanistan.

The United States is firmly committed to Afghanistan. We view this as a
part of the war against the extremists and radicals. We view this as a
significant portion of the ideological struggle, and we believe that when
democracy prevails in Afghanistan, it will be a major blow toward those who
want to impose a totalitarian view upon others.

We believe, for example, it's important for Afghan girls to get a good
education; I know the Canadian people feel the same way. We believe that
it's important for women to have rights and to serve in the parliament. We
believe peace is achieved when forms of government give people an
opportunity to express themselves in a peaceful way in society. That's what
we believe. And one reason we have that strong belief is we believe in the
universality of liberty. We don't believe freedom is just confined to our
neighborhood; we believe freedom is universal in its application. That's
what we believe. We believe people want to be free, and if given a chance,
they will exercise what is necessary to be free, and that freedom yields
peace.

I'm giving a speech tomorrow where I'm going to talk about our engagement
in Asia and how Asia has been transformed because of liberty. A place where
Canadians and U.S. soldiers died in large numbers is now a place of peace
and prosperity, where governments evolve in their own -- representing their
own traditions and history, but nevertheless evolved in a way with liberty
as its basis.

And the question we're all confronted with, who live in comfortable
societies, is it worth it for our own security to help others realize the
blessings of freedom? And my decision is, absolutely, it is. I think it's
the calling of the 21st century. I think it's the calling of history. And I
appreciate the strong commitment that this government and the Canadian
people have made toward writing the first chapter of what will be laying
the foundation of peace throughout the 21st century.

PRIME MINISTER HARPER: (As translated.) Might I say that our troops are
there. Parliament will make its own decision on the extension of this
mission. But at the same time, you, the Canadians, can be extremely proud
of the work done by our troops, our soldiers, our diplomats, our agents
that are there working to develop the country, working for one of the
peoples that are the poorest in the world. In Kandahar, we have given the
possibility to men, women and children to have some freedom and some safety
and security that we have here in Canada.

I note the passing away -- the dying of the soldier Longtin. And his
brethren, his comrades, are there to uphold those same values, and carry on
-- risk life to help their brothers and sisters in countries abroad.

(Speaks in English.) To repeat that, I think we can all be very proud of
the work that Canadian troops are doing in Afghanistan. Parliament will
make its decision in due course whether it wants to prolong the mission.
But I think our difference there -- our position there, our presence there
has made a real difference in giving just a tiny bit of freedom, the
opportunity and the security that we have as Canadians, that we take for
granted as Canadians.

I note the death, obviously, of a Canadian soldier -- Longtin I think was
the name. We are very fortunate we have a volunteer army, very fortunate to
have men and women who put on the uniform, willing to defend our values,
and also improve -- improve the lives of their fellow human beings and do
so at tremendous personal risk for themselves, and I think we should all
appreciate that.

Q Good afternoon, President Bush and Prime Minister. And I thought that
this summit would be the -- actually Plan Mexico would come out of this,
the combination of three governments to combat the effects of drug
trafficking. What is the obstacle? What is causing the delay? Why don't the
societies of each country know what this plan is about? And can you
actually confirm the support of the United States to Mexico? Apparently it
will increase tenfold, and the levels will be similar to Colombia. We hear
very often the United States wants to take part in this situation against
drugs, this war on drugs, and we see it very clearly in Mexico. Now, what
is it all about? Could you tell us?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Man! Hombre! (Laughter.) We discussed a common strategy to
deal with a common problem, and that is narco-trafficking and violence on
our border. First, let me say that in order to develop an effective common
strategy there needs to be serious consultations between our respective
governments. It's one thing to say, we're interested in working together;
it's another thing to develop a package on both sides of the border that
will be effective in dealing with the problem. That's what our people
expect us to do. They expect us to see a problem and to develop an
effective strategy to deal with that problem.

President Calder˘n and I met in Mexico, and we had a serious discussion to
get this initiative on the table. This is an interim meeting, a meeting for
us to make sure that the strategy that's being developed is -- will be
effective. So we reviewed where we are in the process.

The United States is committed to this joint strategy to deal with a joint
problem. I would not be committed to dealing with this if I wasn't
convinced that President Calder˘n had the will and the desire to protect
his people from narco-traffickers. He has shown great leadership and great
strength of character, which gives me good confidence that the plan we'll
develop will be effective. And the fundamental question is, what can we do
together to make sure that the common strategy works? And that's where we
are in the discussions right now.

There's all kinds of speculation about the size of the package, this, that
and the other. All I can tell you is the package, when it's developed, will
be robust enough to achieve a common objective, which is less violence on
both sides of the border, and to deal with narco-trafficking. And we both
have responsibilities. And that's what the package is entailed to develop.
It's to develop how do we share our joint responsibilities.

It's in our interests that this program go forward. You mentioned Plan
Colombia -- this is not like Plan Colombia. This is different from Plan
Colombia. This is a plan that says we've got an issue on our own border. We
share a border and, therefore, it's a joint program that will mean -- that
won't mean U.S. armed presence in your country. Mexico is plenty capable of
handling the problem. And the question is, is there any way for us to help
strengthen the effort? And so that's what we're studying.

And I can't give you a definitive moment when the plan will be ready, but
we're working hard to get a plan ready. And it's a plan that, once it's
proposed and out there, I strongly urge the United States Congress to
support. It's in our interests, it's in the U.S. interests that we get this
issue solved.

PRESIDENT CALDERŕN: (As translated.) Thank you, President Bush, for your
comments, and also for your question, because this allows us to emphasize
the fact that -- well, the President has already said it's a common
strategy to combat, in a coordinated way, a common problem. Drug
trafficking and violence that's associated to drug trafficking, which is
particularly evidenced on the border between the U.S. and Mexico, cannot be
dealt with in an isolated way. It has to be confronted by, dealt with by
the people and by the governments that are directly affected by this
scourge. And it requires a variety, multiplicity of actions carried out by
society, by governments; in other words, enforcement activities against
criminals, preventive activities, protective activities, prevention and
treatment of addictions with the young.

Now, I agree with President Bush, it's very important to reduce -- well, to
have clear policies to reduce the consumption patterns in terms of drugs,
including Mexico, because this is a main cause of the problem that we're
facing.

Now, last week, for example, last week three federal policemen were
murdered in Mexico -- Mexican policemen, that is -- and they were tortured
in a very cowardly way. And those Mexican policemen fully committed to the
government to free the young Mexicans from drugs and to free Mexican
society from slavery on the part of organized crime based on money and
technology. And I don't want any -- not one single Mexican policeman to
have a logistical disadvantage when facing these criminals. I don't want my
government to be responsible for any omission, any legal omission within a
legal framework that would have been directed towards defeating these
criminals.

So this is a common strategy, because it means that the U.S. will do its
part and Mexico will do its part. Now, what do we want the U.S. to do? To
carry out -- have greater surveillance along the border. We are seeing
high-powered weapons into Mexico, and we know that we can do much more than
we're doing at this point in time. I know that drugs go from Mexico to the
U.S. Both of us have to agree so that there is surveillance, efficient
surveillance, that is, on both sides of the border. We are facing mafias
that are working on both sides of the border. That is quite clear to us.
And I think that we will not be acting in an efficient way as long as they
have a coordinated strategy and we don't. In other words, they're
coordinated on both sides of the border; we are not.

So I would like to introduce into the -- well, we have to be respectful of
our legislation, our respective legislation. I would want to create a
strategy in order to defeat this scourge. And that requires a variety of
instruments, strategies, exchange of intelligence, exchange of technology.
It also means we have to keep in mind issues of sovereignty. I told
President Bush, though, we did not want to have U.S. soldiers working in
our country, as has happened in other countries. I know that that's
typical, of course. But we've said this very clearly, we put forth this
very clearly, and in the framework of our own legislations, we will find a
way out.

And I would also wonder what the men and women are thinking, those who are
suffering from crime, how scared are they, what's the degree of their fear
that has led these groups to be so powerful, to grow so much and they've
essentially taken power in their area of operation. We have developed an
aggressive policy to combat organized crime, and I haven't hesitated to use
our forces to recover the areas. We've taken about 10,000 drug traffickers
to jail, many weapons, 50-millimeter c