    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [January 31, 2002]
    [Pages 159-160]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Chancellor Gerhard
    Schroeder of Germany
    January 31, 2002

        President Bush. Well, we've had a substantial discussion with my
    friend the Chancellor of Germany, Gerhard Schroeder. I appreciate him
    coming over to say hello again. We spent a great deal of time talking
    about our mutual desire to rid the world of terror. And I'm so pleased
    with Germany's cooperation. They've provided troops in Afghanistan,
    troops that have performed really well, according to our military, and I
    want to congratulate you for that.
        I also thanked the Chancellor for hosting the Bonn convention, which
    made a substantial stride toward an Afghanistan that will be able to
    survive after we have ridded it of the Taliban. I appreciate so very
    much the Chancellor's willingness to help Afghanistan help herself, in
    terms of training a police force. I told him we're in the process of
    setting up a plan to help Afghanistan develop her own military. So we're
    linked up well in our mutual desires to leave the world more peaceful.
        So, Mr. Chancellor, I'm so honored you're here. I want to welcome
    you.
        Chancellor Schroeder. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I can only
    absolutely confirm

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    what His Excellency, the President, has just said regarding our
    discussions, particularly focusing, obviously, on the fight against
    terrorism but also about the fight that has happened in Afghanistan and
    that the support that has been rendered by us, too.
        We, as you all know, are very committed to the participation in the
    peace corps in Afghanistan, under the umbrella of the United Nations.
    Obviously, and as the President has just pointed out, we are very
    interested in committing ourselves to training police forces, law
    enforcement forces, within Afghanistan because we find it crucially
    important that such intra-Afghanistan proper homegrown police forces can
    be built up in the process. And in the more long term, obviously, a
    military structure will be needed here, too.
        I obviously wouldn't like to forget the fact that I have
    congratulated the President on the economic performance that the country
    has obviously been able to show. We do see some positive signs here;
    things are being fueled again, which obviously is not just positive and
    good for the U.S.--American economy but also for the global economy,
    too.
        I'm very pleased, indeed, that obviously there are now some hopeful
    signs here, because obviously, as soon as the economy runs smoothly
    again here, that is going to be good for the global economy and,
    therefore, good for Europe and certainly for Germany too.
        President Bush. Thank you, Gerhard.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:10 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. Chancellor Schroeder spoke in German, and his remarks were
    translated by an interpreter.