    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [June 10, 2004]
    [Pages 1018-1019]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Jacques Chirac of France at Sea Island
    June 10, 2004

        President Bush. It's good to have yet another discussion with
    Jacques Chirac. We had a wonderful visit in Paris. And again, I want to
    thank you for your hospitality. The food was superb, the hospitality
    warm----
        President Chirac. Here, also.
        President Bush. ----and our discussions were meaningful.
        We continued our discussions about world poverty and world peace. Of
    course, we talked about Iraq. We had our differences in the past. But
    we're friends, and friends are able to discuss the future. And our hope
    is for peace and freedom around the world.
        We consulted on some NATO--we're partners in NATO. We talked about a
    lot of issues, and one of the issues that we talked about was NATO and
    whether or not there is a continued role in Iraq for NATO. I assured the
    President we will continue to consult closely. The point is, is that we
    understand that the Iraqi people need help to defend themselves, to
    rebuild their country, and most importantly, to hold elections.
        And I appreciate the chance to visit with Jacques.
        President Chirac. Can I first of all say, as I said yesterday, tell
    President Bush our gratitude and our feelings of gratitude and our
    feelings of gratitude of the French people as a whole, in the context of
    the D-day celebrations. D-day was something that was terribly important
    for all the French people, and once again I'd like to thank the
    President for having made the trip and having heard, himself, the French
    people speak their words of thanks and gratitude and friendship. It was
    very moving for us.
        And I also wanted to come and congratulate him for the way in which
    the G-8 was organized and conducted. It is a success.
        We had an opportunity during the summit to discuss a number of
    issues. We've just reviewed some with our colleagues from the Middle
    East yesterday; we'll be doing so with our colleagues from Africa today.
    And this gave us an opportunity of reviewing the major areas of concerns
    for today's world, to better understand each other and also to prove our
    efforts for peace, development, and human rights.
        And as I said, I'd like to thank once again the President for the
    hospitality here. The President was kind enough to mention French
    cuisine, but I can tell you that over the last few days, this cuisine
    here in America was certainly on a par with French cuisine, and I ask
    the President to convey my thanks to the chef.
        President Bush. He particularly liked the cheeseburger he had
    yesterday. [Laughter]
        President Chirac. It was excellent. [Laughter]
        President Bush. Thank you.

    [[Page 1019]]

    Note: The President spoke at 9:45 a.m. at Dunbar House. President Chirac
    spoke in French, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter. A
    tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.