    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 6, 2003]
    [Pages 1254-1255]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Welcoming Ceremony for President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya
    October 6, 2003

        President Bush. Mr. President, Madam First Lady, members of the Kenyan delegation, on behalf of the
    American people, Laura and I are pleased to
    welcome you to the United States. This is the first state visit by the
    leader of an African country during my administration and the first
    visit of President Kibaki since his historic election last year.
        Under President Kibaki's leadership, Kenya is pursuing important
    reforms and making the difficult and necessary and rewarding transition
    to permanent, multiparty democracy. Mr. President, your courage serves
    the Kenyan people well, and you honor the American people with your
    visit.
        Kenya is a nation of rich traditions and ancient history. The Great
    Rift Valley, which runs through Eastern Kenya from Lake Rudolf to Lake
    Victoria, is known as the ``cradle of civilization.'' The story of Kenya
    is inseparable from the story of mankind. And out of this proud past,
    Kenya is building a modern, prosperous, and peaceful future. In building
    that future, Kenya will have a partner in the United States.
        Our countries face common challenges, and we meet them with shared
    values. Both our nations are threatened by terrorists, and both have
    suffered. In one savage act 5 years ago in Nairobi, members of the Al
    Qaida network murdered more than 200 Kenyans and Americans. Our
    countries grieved together then and after September the 11th and after
    the attack last November in Mombasa.
        Yet we have done more than grieve. We are working together to defeat
    the terrorists, to cut off their funding, to deny them sanctuary, and to
    bring them to justice. There can be no compromise with this evil, and
    the Government of Kenya is a vital ally in the ongoing war against
    terror.
        We're also working together to create a better world, to end long-
    simmering conflicts, and to alleviate the suffering caused by poverty
    and hunger and disease. Our

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    goal is to end the hopelessness that feeds terror and to help spread the
    blessings of liberty that are the birthright of every man, woman, and
    child on this Earth.
        The partnership between our nations is sustained by the friendship
    between our people. Some 7,000 Americans live in Kenya. Thousands of our
    citizens love to travel to Kenya. One of the Peace Corps' largest
    programs is in Kenya, helping to encourage private enterprise, to fight
    AIDS, and to improve the nation's schools.
        Every year, thousands of Kenyans come to study at American
    universities, more than from any other African country, including two of
    the President's children. And the United States is enriched by the many
    Americans who trace their ancestry to Kenya, many of whom live right
    here in Washington. Kenya and the United States have been friends since
    the days of Jomo Kenyatta and John F. Kennedy.
        Mr. President, I'm proud to join you in carrying our friendship
    forward in this new century. Welcome to the White House, and welcome to
    the United States of America.
        President Kibaki. Mr. President, thank you for your kind remarks. I
    wish to thank you for--Mr. President, the Government, and the people of
    the United States, for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me
    and my delegation since our arrival. I feel privileged to have been
    accorded such a great honor and look forward to successful deliberations
    on matters of mutual interest to our two nations.
        Mr. President, Kenya values the warm and cordial friendship that
    exists between the two nations. Following our successful democratic
    elections last December, my Government is determined to uphold
    democratic values, human rights, good governance, and the rule of law,
    and to empower our people.
        We thank the Government and the people of the United States for
    supporting Kenya to achieve democratic change. Mr. President, we are
    committed to deepening our ties with the United States.
        I commend you for your various initiatives for supporting
    development in Africa and, in particular, the recent announcement of 15
    billion U.S. dollars' assistance in the fight against HIV/AIDS,
    tuberculosis, malaria, of which Kenya is a beneficiary.
        We equally welcome your personal efforts in promoting trade and
    investment opportunities through AGOA. Your recent announcement of the
    Millennium Change Account Initiative will help promote sustainable
    development in Africa.
        Mr. President, our two nations have been victims of international
    terrorism. Kenya stands with the United States and the international
    community in fight against this global menace, in our conviction that no
    just cause can be served by taking away innocent lives.
        Finally, Mr. President, I look forward to fruitful discussions on
    the various issues affecting our two nations, the Horn of Africa, and
    the international community.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:21 a.m. on the South Grounds at the White
    House, where President Kibaki was accorded a formal welcome with full
    military honors. In his remarks, President Bush referred to Lucy Kibaki,
    wife of President Kibaki.