    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [June 21, 2005]
    [Pages 1030-1032]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Phan Van Khai of Vietnam
    June 21, 2005

        President Bush. There will be two opening statements this morning.
    Mr. Prime Minister, welcome. I want to thank you for the constructive
    visit we just had. We discussed a wide range of subjects. We discussed
    our economic relations. And I noted that the Vietnamese economy is
    growing quite substantially. We talked about our desire for Vietnam to
    join the WTO. We talked about security issues and a mutual desire to
    coordinate in the war on terror.
        We talked about humanitarian issues. As the Prime Minister noted,
    the United States is supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS in Vietnam,
    and he gave me a report on the progress about our mutual desire to help
    those who suffer with HIV/AIDS. We signed a landmark agreement that will

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    make it easier for people to worship freely in Vietnam.
        And finally, I want to thank the Prime Minister for his Government's
    willingness to continue to work on the--on finding the remains of those
    who lost their lives in Vietnam. It's very comforting to many families
    here in America to understand that the Government is providing
    information to help close a sad chapter in their lives.
        And finally, the Prime Minister graciously invited me to Vietnam. I
    will be going in 2006. I'm looking forward to my trip. I'm also looking
    forward to the APEC Summit that Vietnam will be hosting.
        Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
        Prime Minister Khai. Thank you very much Mr. President, ladies and
    gentlemen.
        At the invitation of President George W. Bush, it gives me the great
    pleasure and honor as the first Vietnamese Prime Minister to pay an
    official visit to the United States. And this event, in itself, shows
    that Vietnam-U.S. relations have in fact entered a new stage of
    development. My visit to America this time coincides with the 10th
    anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations.
        During the talks that I had with Mr. President, Mr. President and I
    were pleased to note the significant developments in the two countries'
    relations, including the good progress made in addressing the various
    issues left over by the past as well as the various steps to be taken to
    expand our relations in the future.
        Mr. President and I also shared the view that proceeding from the
    interest of the two countries and given the new developments in the
    region and the world, the two countries' relationship should be
    enhanced. And we should aim to build a friendly relationship,
    constructive partnership, a comprehensive cooperation on a long-term and
    stable basis as well as on the basis of equality, mutual respect and
    benefits.
        We believe that America can find in Vietnam a potential cooperation
    partner. We have a population of 80 million people, which means a huge
    market for American businesses. And these people are also very hard
    working, creative, and dynamic. And they are now working very hard to
    achieve the goal of building Vietnam into a strong country with wealthy
    people and a democratic and advanced society.
        Vietnam is also actively integrating itself into the world economy
    and wishes to be a friend and reliable partner of all countries in the
    international community. I also highly appreciate Mr. President's strong
    support for Vietnam's early WTO accession, and we agreed that Vietnam's
    accession will be in the benefits of both countries, and we agree to
    continue with our bilateral negotiations with the aim of concluding
    those very soon.
        Mr. President and I also agreed that there remain differences
    between our two countries due to the different conditions that we have--
    the different histories and cultures. But we also agreed that we should
    work together through constructive dialog based upon mutual respect to
    reduce those differences in order to improve our bilateral relations.
        On international issues, Mr. President and I exchanged views on the
    recent developments in Asia and the Pacific, which we are both concerned
    about. And we also agreed on the needs to improve the effectiveness of
    APEC for which the 2006 APEC Summit in Vietnam will be an important
    milestone.
        I am also delighted that President Bush has accepted my invitation
    to visit Vietnam and to attend the 2006 APEC Summit, and we also welcome
    your support for the organization of this summit.
        I am fully confident that my visit to America this time will help
    uplift the relationship between our two countries to a new height, and
    may I finally wish America prosperity and happiness to her people.
        I thank you very much for your time.
        President Bush. Thank you very much.

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    Note: The President spoke at 10:01 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. Prime Minister Khai spoke in Vietnamese, and his remarks were
    translated by an interpreter. A tape was not available for verification
    of the content of these remarks.