[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: GEORGE W. BUSH (2001, Book I)]
[April 20, 2001]
[Page 424]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Prior to Discussions With Leaders of Andean Nations in
Quebec City, Canada
April 20, 2001

    I want to thank you all for coming. It is my honor to host what I 
think is a very important meeting between the members of the Andean 
coalition and my country. I wanted to visit with the leaders face to 
face. I met President Pastrana before; it's 
good see him again. I have talked on the phone to some of the leaders. I 
want to assure the leaders here that our Nation looks forward to working 
with you, particularly when it comes to trade and commerce.
    I want to assure the leaders that Plan Colombia means more than just 
the country of Colombia--I know that's of concern to the President 
of Ecuador--that we've got plans for all the 
countries in the region. And it's not just on helping to fight drugs. 
It's on making sure that the economies remain strong, that the 
infrastructure for education is in place. It is in our nations' 
interests that we cooperate together.
    And so I appreciate the leaders for being here. It is my honor to 
host this discussion. I look forward to a very frank and honest exchange 
of areas where we can cooperate and, if there are some problems, areas 
that we can work together to solve the problems.
    So thank you all for coming. El honor es mio.

Note: The President spoke at 3:51 p.m. at the Loews le Concorde Hotel. 
In his remarks, he referred to President Andres Pastrana of Colombia and 
President Gustavo Noboa of Ecuador. Prime Minister Javier Perez de 
Cuellar of Peru and Presidents Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil, 
Mireya Moscoso of Panama, Hugo Banzer of Bolivia, and Hugo Chavez of 
Venezuela also participated in the discussions.