    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [September 23, 2003]
    [Page 1189]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations in New York City
    September 23, 2003

        I appreciate being here with the Secretary-General. He's a leader
    and a friend. We look forward to working with the United Nations to
    achieve big objectives. The big objective, of course, is for there to be
    peace and freedom--peace in the Middle East, freedom for people who are
    oppressed.
        I assured the Secretary-General our Nation will still continue to
    provide help for famine and disease. We're mostly going to talk about
    today the need for the United Nations and the free world to work against
    slavery in all forms, particularly the sex slavery that takes place all
    over the world--in our civilized world. The world must combine our
    resources and our will to stop this abhorrent practice.
        Mr. Secretary, thank you, sir. It's great to be back.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:50 a.m. at the United Nations
    Headquarters. A tape was not available for verification of the content
    of these remarks.