    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [July 19, 2004]
    [Pages 1366-1368]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad bin
    Badawi of Malaysia
    July 19, 2004

        President Bush. We'll have just two statements. Mr. Prime Minister,
    welcome.
        Prime Minister Abdullah. Thank you very much.

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        President Bush. We just had a very wide-ranging discussion. I
    appreciate the Prime Minister's friendship. I want to thank him for his
    leadership. I want to thank him for the cooperation on counterterrorism
    efforts.
        We talked about how we can work together to improve the economic
    condition of both our countries, as well as the Middle East. He had some
    very interesting suggestions about the Middle East. We talked about the
    Israeli-Palestinian issue, and I assured him I am fully committed to the
    development of a Palestinian state that can live side by side with
    Israel in peace.
        We talked about Iraq, and I told him I was pleased with the progress
    being made in Iraq. And the Prime Minister had some helpful suggestions.
    So, all in all, it's been a very constructive meeting.
        I was pleased to hear that there are 7,000 Malaysian students in
    U.S. schools, and I think that's a constructive sign, Mr. Prime
    Minister. And I wish them all the best, and I know they'll be treated
    well here in the United States.
        So welcome, sir.
        Prime Minister Abdullah. Thank you very much, Mr. President, for
    accepting me to come here to call on you in spite of your very busy
    schedule.
        But I would like to say this, that our bilateral relation between
    the United States and Malaysia is certainly very strong. You cannot
    judge our bilateral relations simply on the basis of what you hear--that
    we may have some differences on Iraq or on Palestine. But the foundation
    of the bilateral relation has remained strong all the time. And our
    economic cooperation is excellent, I must say, and our education
    programs, and we have some other cooperation in defense and many areas
    of cooperation, which has made our relation with the United States--our
    relation is very, very, very strong.
        And we believe--and I believe that more can be done, and we have
    already improved a lot. And today I have this assurance from the
    President, himself. And I am certainly grateful you have been able to
    explain to me so many aspects of the issues pertaining to Palestine and
    Israel. There's nothing better than to get from the President of the
    United States, himself, on all these issues because he is very much
    involved. And management of all these problems and issues relating to
    this Palestine and Israel and so--other issues too.
        And we talked about Islam, and we believe that the Muslim countries
    can be helped to better understanding the unique capacity-building. And
    we are also trying to do whatever we can. I think this capacity-building
    can help to reduce poverty, the condition of poverty, and with that,
    deprive the terrorists of their own agenda to hijack these people, and
    to support them.
        And at the same time, I'd like just to tell you that Malaysia is
    ready to send a medical team, a sizable medical team to Iraq.
        President Bush. That's great. Thank you.
        Prime Minister Abdullah. And we hope to be able to also participate
    in reconstruction of Iraq and do whatever job we can to help.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:39 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House.

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