    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [May 28, 2004]
    [Pages 940-941]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Anders Fogh
    Rasmussen of Denmark
    May 28, 2004

        President Bush. Welcome. Thanks for coming. It's always good to be
    with a friend. Friends are candid with each other. Friends are open, and
    friends are constructive. And that's the kind of conversation we've just
    had and will continue to have.
        I told the Prime Minister that our Government and our coalition will
    transfer full sovereignty, complete and full sovereignty to an Iraqi
    government that will be picked by Mr. Brahimi of the United Nations. He said, ``Do you mean full
    sovereignty?'' I said, ``I mean full sovereignty.'' I then told him that
    we're working closely in the United Nations to get a new Security
    Council resolution, and we're making progress on that resolution.
        I spoke to Vladimir Putin this morning
    about the resolution, and we agreed to work together on behalf of the
    Iraqi people and the new government. I told him that we would come up
    with an arrangement that would enable us to help the Iraqi people secure
    their country so that the country can move toward elections. I told him
    I would continue to work with countries around the world to build
    support for the new Iraqi government so that the Iraqi people have a
    chance to live in a free and just society, just like we do.
        I also want to thank the people of Denmark for their love of
    freedom, their support for human rights, and the commitment of troops to
    Iraq. The moms and dads of those troops need to know they're performing
    brilliantly, Mr. Prime Minister. They're good, strong soldiers who bring
    great credit to your country. I'm proud to have you here. Thanks for
    coming.
        Prime Minister Rasmussen. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I'm
    happy to be back in the White House. I'm here as a friend and ally. And
    today I have confirmed that the Danish troops will stay in Iraq. We will
    stay and finish our job. Our common goal is to assist the Iraqi people
    in building a new, modern, and democratic society.
        We have a lot of negative news from Iraq. What we need now are--is
    some positive news. And I welcome the efforts to achieve consensus in
    the U.N. Security Council on a new Security Council resolution which can
    pave the way for the building of a democratic society in Iraq.
        We need a transfer of full sovereignty to an Iraqi government, an
    Iraqi government which will be provided with all the signs and
    principles of a sovereign government. From June 30, international
    military presence in Iraq will be provided at request from this new
    Iraqi government. Our troops will stay in Iraq as long as the Iraqi
    government decides.
        Finally, we have discussed the tragic events of prisoner abuse in
    Iraqi prisons. I welcome the assurance that these cases will be fully
    investigated and the people responsible will be held accountable. And I
    welcome that the necessary steps will be taken to make sure that nothing
    like this will happen in the future.
        Finally, I would like to emphasize the importance of strength in
    transatlantic relations. In a few days' time, we will commemorate the
    60-year anniversary of the Allied invasion of Europe. We owe a great
    deal to the United States and Europe. Thousands of Americans lost their
    lives in Europe in the fight against Nazi tyranny, in the fight for
    freedom. And let this commemoration also be a reminder of our shared
    values and shared destiny.
        Thank you.
        President Bush. Good job, Mr. Prime Minister. Thank you.

    [[Page 941]]

    Note: The President spoke at 12:01 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Lakhdar Brahimi, Special Adviser
    to the U.N. Secretary-General; and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.