[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[February 26, 1992]
[Pages 318-319]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Alberto 
Kenyo Fujimori of Peru in San Antonio, Texas

February 26, 1992

Drug Summit

    Q. Mr. President, what do you hope to accomplish at the drug summit, 
sir?
    President Bush. Well, I think we've already--we're going to build on 
the first meeting, the Cartagena meeting, and we're going to get maximum 
cooperation. We're going to redouble our efforts on the demand side and 
on the supply side. So, it's the big picture with very able leaders from 
south of our border that continue to address themselves to this problem. 
And there's been marvelous cooperation between the countries.
    Q. The Ecuadorean President said today that his country needs more 
U.S. dollars. What's your response to him, sir?
    President Bush. Well, I'll be discussing it with him when I see him.
    Q. President Fujimori, will cutbacks in U.S. aid hamper your drug-
fighting efforts?
    President Fujimori. From the supply side, we can, we think we can do 
a lot on this side, but also we need the better comprehension and 
coordination.
    President Bush. And that's all the things we'll be talking about.
    Q. Do you need more U.S. money?
    President Fujimori. Also. [Laughter]
    President Bush. Everybody does, including us.
    President Fujimori. That's the answer they want? [Laughter]
    Q. President Bush, do you believe this summit is going to be of any 
value?
    President Bush. I think there's a lot of value. I think the first 
one was--President Fujimori was not at it, but I believe that it

[[Page 319]]

set the ground rules, it set some objectives. I think this one will do 
the same thing. We have a broader number of countries here; cooperation 
is good. And we've got to talk about how we can do more on the supply 
and certainly on the demand side, something that we in the United States 
are very concerned about also.
    So, I view this as a very special opportunity to meet with leaders, 
men who are doing a good job in their countries and who are determined 
to whip this narcotics threat just as we are. So I'm looking forward to 
it.

                    Note: The exchange began at 3 p.m. at the Marriott 
                        Rivercenter Hotel. A tape was not available for 
                        verification of the content of this exchange.