    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [January 24, 2006]
    [Pages 123-124]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of Pakistan
    January 24, 2006

        President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, welcome. We have just had a
    wide-ranging discussion, which one should expect when we've got a
    strategic relationship like we have with Pakistan. I think the
    relationship with Pakistan is a vital relationship for the United
    States, and I want to thank the Prime Minister and thank the
    President for working closely with us on a
    variety of issues. We're working closely to defeat the terrorists who
    would like to harm America and harm Pakistan.
        We talked about the importance of trade and commerce and investment,
    and we also talked about the world response to the terrible tragedy that
    Pakistan has gone through. It's hard to imagine the devastation. The
    country lost 75,000 people; 4 million people were made homeless. I was
    very pleased that the United States, our taxpayers, our military could
    contribute to helping the people of Pakistan recover. They are our
    friends, and we consider this friendship to be a vital friendship for
    keeping the peace.
        And so, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for coming. I'm really looking
    forward to going to your country. I'll be traveling to India and
    Pakistan in March. And I want to thank you for your invitation and your
    hospitality in advance.
        Prime Minister Aziz. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for
    receiving us. The United States and Pakistan have a multifaceted
    relationship, covering a host of areas. It goes back in history, and the
    people of Pakistan value the relationship very much.
        Let me, at the outset, say that the assistance the United States has
    given to Pakistan--the Chinooks, the MASH hospitals, the engineers, and
    the financial assistance after the earthquake--has touched the

    [[Page 124]]

    hearts and minds of all Pakistanis--and including your private sector
    and civil society. We really appreciate what has been done, and it will
    help restore the lives of the people who've been impacted by the
    earthquake. A sense of caring and sharing always builds a better
    relationship between countries. And that's what we are seeing between
    Pakistan and the United States.
        Mr. President, we have a multifaceted relationship, and our
    discussions today, which we'll continue later, have covered a host of
    areas: the economic side, trade and investment--we are very keen to
    expand that. Pakistan has a growing economy, and U.S. investors can take
    part in this growth.
        We also strive for peace in our area. It's an area which has a lot
    of challenges, and we are pursuing peace with all our neighbors. We want
    a solution of all disputes, including the Kashmir dispute. We want to
    see a strong, stable Afghanistan. We are against proliferation of
    nuclear weapons by anybody, and we want to fight terrorism in all its
    forms and manifestations. There is no good terrorist or bad terrorist,
    and terrorism knows no borders. Our coalition with the United States in
    fighting terrorism is very important to all of the world and all of
    civil society.
        We are delighted we are here to share this time with you, and the
    people of Pakistan and the President and all of our Cabinet and various
    stakeholders in Pakistan are looking forward to your visit, because we
    think that this is an important visit for building relations further
    between our two countries and serving the cause of peace in the world.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:50 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to President Pervez Musharraf of
    Pakistan.