    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [January 14, 2004]
    [Pages 59-60]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Jose Maria Aznar of Spain
    January 14, 2004

        President Bush. Bienvenidos a mi amigo, a friend of mine, a friend
    of our country, a person who I admire a lot. This is a happy moment and
    a sad moment. It's happy to be with President Aznar. It is sad to
    realize this will be the last time he'll come to the Oval Office as the
    leader of Spain.
        I say ``sad'' because our time together has been very productive for
    the people of America and, I believe, the people of Spain and the people
    of the world. We have worked together to spread freedom, and the world
    is more peaceful today because of the decisions we jointly made.

    [[Page 60]]

        However, this is not the last time I will see the President. I am
    confident that the friendship we have made will last beyond our--my time
    in office and his time in office. I look back--I look forward to
    welcoming him back to America as a non-President. We'll be members of
    the ex-Presidents club.
        And so, Mr. President, I'm really glad you're here. I look forward
    to having dinner with you tonight and your great wife. And again, in front of these cameras, I want to thank you
    for your steadfast leadership, for your courage, for your wisdom, and
    your advice.

    [At this point, President Aznar spoke in Spanish, and no translation was
    provided.]

        President Bush. Thank you all.
        Q. Translation?
        President Bush. He doesn't need to translate for me. I understood
    every word. [Laughter]

    [The interpreter then translated President Aznar's remarks as follows.]

        President Aznar. Good evening, everyone. I want to thank President
    Bush once again for this very warm welcome, for the invitation, for his
    hospitality. For me, it is a satisfaction and an honor to be here with
    him again. I consider him a very good friend. He has been my friend
    during my time as President of the Government of Spain, and I will
    continue to consider him my friend afterwards.
        And a friend--I am a friend of the United States now, and I will
    continue to be a friend of the United States in the future. I consider
    that, at present, the relationship between Spain and the United States
    is closer and tighter than it has ever been.
        I will continue to work to do everything to strengthen the
    relationship, the Atlantic link. I will work for freedom, for human
    rights, for democracy, for stability, prosperity around the world. And I
    know that President Bush will be able to count upon me to continue
    working in that direction. So I will continue to work for the world and
    for the relationship between the United States and Spain.
        President Bush. Adios.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:28 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Ana Botella de Aznar, wife of
    President Aznar. A tape was not available for verification of the
    content of these remarks.