    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [June 8, 2004]
    [Pages 1011-1012]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With Chancellor Gerhard
    Schroeder of Germany at Sea Island
    June 8, 2004

        President Bush. Mr. Chancellor, welcome, thanks. It's great to see
    you. I want the folks to know how much I appreciate your willingness to
    work on promoting freedom around the world, and it's an important
    statement, and I appreciate your Government's good work.
        I appreciate very much the Chancellor's help in Afghanistan. That
    country is improving, and that's important. I appreciate our mutual work
    on the U.N. Security Council resolution on Iraq. I look forward to
    continuing our dialog in a spirit of cooperation and friendship, and I'm
    glad you're here.
        Chancellor Schroeder. Thank you very much. And let me say, I love to
    be here, particularly since the weather, compared to what we are used
    to, so nice and so favorable. [Laughter]
        And I think what we're talking about here at this meeting will be
    essentially something that, indeed, forms part of one whole and
    something that is an indissoluble, namely a good world economy on the
    one hand and stable political situation--a stable political environment
    on the other.
        We are willing to give our contribution, and we, indeed, gave our
    contribution to this in Afghanistan, for example, but also

    [[Page 1012]]

    on the Balkans. And let me say that I'm gratified to know that this is
    appreciated.
        I am confident that the resolution, the United Nations Security
    Council resolution on Iraq, will be adopted today. Whatever we can do to
    bring this about, we will certainly do. We think that this resolution
    will be a good basis, a good foundation for enhancing stability, for
    also improving the chances for the Iraqi people, and also to enhance
    stability all around in that region that is--I think we would all
    agree--a difficult one. And I think that this is, indeed, our common
    task. It is something that we shall work on together. And well, thank
    you again for your gracious hospitality.
        President Bush. Thanks, Gerhard. Appreciate you.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:43 p.m. at Dunbar House. Chancellor
    Schroeder spoke in German, and his remarks were translated by an
    interpreter.