    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [September 19, 2005]
    [Pages 1456-1457]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Thaksin
    Chinnawat of Thailand
    September 19, 2005

        President Bush. It's been my honor to welcome the Prime Minister of
    Thailand back to the--to Washington. Thank you for coming, Mr. Prime
    Minister.
        Prime Minister Thaksin. Thank you.
        President Bush. Laura and I were just talking
    the other evening about what a wonderful visit we had to your country
    when you hosted APEC. It's reminded me--when I was thinking about that
    visit, reminded me of our close friendship. The Prime Minister is a
    person who believes in markets and free enterprise and freedom. And I'm
    really, really pleased he's here.
        We had a--we talked about a lot of subjects. One subject that I'm
    particularly interested in is avian flu and the need for our countries
    to work together. Thailand is a leader in putting systems in place that
    will track the virus as it attacks different birds and watches very
    carefully to make sure that there's no bird-to-human transmission in his
    country. He's willing to work in the neighborhood, for which I'm
    grateful. All of us need to be mindful of this potentially devastating
    disease. And we've got a good friend and a very thoughtful leader when
    it comes to that subject.
        We talked about North Korea. We talked about the neighborhood. We
    talked about our economies. We would like to get a free trade agreement
    concluded here as quickly as possible, and the Prime Minister made that
    very clear to me.
        All in all, it was a very good visit, covering a lot of subjects,
    and I'm not surprised, because I'm visiting with a good friend.
        So, welcome, Mr. Prime Minister.
        Prime Minister Thaksin. Thank you, Mr. President. It's my pleasure
    to visit Washington, DC, again. It's my third time during Prime
    Ministership, and this trip I have been--discussed with the President
    about the bilateral and also the regional--in Asia as well. And we had a
    very good conversation.
        I committed to President Bush that we are pressing ahead with the
    FTA, and also we will work closely with U.S. by drafting the plan of
    action in the cooperation between our two countries and also with the
    third country as well if the two countries would like to work together
    with, in helping or in working with other countries.
        I also want to welcome the President to meet with the ASEAN seven
    during APEC meeting in November in Korea.
        President Bush. Finally, I do want to thank the Prime Minister and
    His Majesty for sending relief supplies
    to our folks that have been affected by Hurricane Katrina. This good
    country has just come through a tsunami, and they're on their way to
    recovery. And yet they were able to, through their--because of their
    generous hearts,

    [[Page 1457]]

    ship help. And so thanks very much, and please thank His Majesty for his
    generous contribution to the folks down there.
        Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:52 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to King Phumiphon Adunyadet of
    Thailand.