    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [July 11, 2003]
    [Pages 859-860]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Yoweri Kaguta
    Museveni of Uganda and an Exchange
    With Reporters in Entebbe, Uganda
    July 11, 2003

        President Museveni. So here is your chance to see the heart of
    Africa, because from where we are to Cape Town is about 5\1/2\ hours by
    plane. From here to Alexandria is 5 hours. From here to Senegal is 7
    hours by plane. From here to the Indian Ocean is 3 hours. To reach the
    center of the continent is only 2 hours. And no tour will be complete--
    [inaudible].
        But we are most grateful that--[inaudible]--support, the financial
    support. But most important, the opening of the markets, because when
    somebody buys what I produce, he is giving me a little support. Why?
    First of all, he is giving me money--[inaudible]--because once I produce
    is a great example.
        So we are very, very grateful you are helping, United States. Thank
    you so much.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir. Mr. President, thank you for your
    hospitality. We have come at your invitation to herald your leadership.
    You have been a strong advocate of free trade because you understand the
    benefits of trade. My administration supports AGOA and the promises and
    opportunities that AGOA brings. You have been a strong leader in helping
    to resolve regional disputes. I want to thank you for that leadership.
        And your country, as you noted, is strategically located in the
    heart of Africa. And therefore, you're drawn into a lot disputes. And
    you've done an excellent job of using your prestige and your position to
    help resolve those disputes. And we--I will continue to work with you to
    bring peace on the continent.
        And finally, Mr. President, you have been a world leader, not just a
    leader on the continent of Africa but a world leader in the fight
    against HIV/AIDS. You have shown the world what is possible in terms of
    reducing infection rates. You have been honest and open about the AIDS
    pandemic and, therefore, have led your people to seek prevention and
    treatment and help and love.
        And so Mr. President, we come to herald your leadership and to
    assure you and to assure the people of Uganda that when it comes to the
    struggle against hopelessness and poverty and disease, that you've got a
    friend in the United States. Thank you very much, sir.
        President Museveni. Thank you.
        Assistant Press Secretary Reed Dickens.
    Thank you all.
        Q. Mr. President, can you take a question, sir, on the----

    [[Page 860]]

        Assistant Press Secretary Dickens. Thank
    you all.
        Ugandan Spokesperson. Those--you had the statements from our two
    Presidents. And actually we are asking you that you report what you've
    seen here. So we are pleased, really----

    State of the Union Address

        Q. With all due respect, Mr. President, can you take a question,
    sir?
        President Bush. Sure.
        Q. Why--can you explain how an erroneous piece of intelligence on
    the Iraq-Niger connection got into your State of the Union speech? Are
    you upset about it, and should somebody be held accountable, sir?
        President Bush. I gave a speech to the Nation that was cleared by
    the intelligence services. And it was a speech that detailed to the
    American people the dangers posed by the Saddam Hussein regime. And my Government took the appropriate
    response to those dangers. And as a result, the world is going to be
    more secure and more peaceful.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 3 p.m. at the Imperial
    Botanical Beach Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to former President
    Saddam Hussein of Iraq. A tape was not available for verification of the
    content of these remarks.