    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [November 7, 2005]
    [Page 1671]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in a Discussion on Panama's Future in Panama City
    November 7, 2005

        Mr. President, thank you for your
    invitation. I told the President earlier I was really looking forward to
    stopping here in Panama for a variety of reasons. First, I'm proud of
    the job he's done. He's fought corruption. He's been a strong fiscal
    steward of the people's money. This economy is growing.
        Secondly, I wanted to see the Panama Canal. It's a marvel. It's a
    fantastic opportunity to see this great engineering feat. And at my
    press availability today, I said how proud I was of the people of Panama
    for managing this canal in a professional way, for the good of commerce
    around the world.
        Thirdly, I think it's very important for us always to reconfirm the
    importance of democracy in our hemisphere. And Panama is a strong
    democracy, a democracy that believes in the freedom to worship, the
    freedom to speak, the freedom of the press, the notion that everybody
    has got a voice. And so it's an opportunity to say thank you for those
    of you who are working so strong to make sure your democracy flourishes.
        So Laura and I are really thrilled to be
    here. It's been a magnificent trip. I'm sorry it's not longer. I told
    the President, after I'm President,
    I'll come back and go fishing with him. [Laughter] In the meantime,
    thanks for having us. I'm proud to be here.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:30 a.m. at Salon Miraflores. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    these remarks.