    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [March 21, 2006]
    [Pages 539-540]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Ellen Johnson
    Sirleaf of Liberia
    March 21, 2006

        President Bush. It has been such an honor to welcome you, Madam
    President, to the Oval Office. I find that one of the interesting parts
    of my job is to be able to talk to pioneers, and Madam President, you're
    a pioneer. You're the first woman elected President to any country on
    the continent of Africa. And that requires courage and vision and the
    desire to improve the lives of your people. And I congratulate you on
    that.
        You know, I can remember, it wasn't all that long ago that Laura--that would be Laura Bush--and Condi Rice came back from the inauguration of this good
    person. I said, ``Okay, tell me what kind of person am I going to be
    dealing with,'' and they said, ``Capable, smart, a person who is a doer,
    a person committed to a bright future for Liberia.'' And we welcome you.
        The President and I have had a good discussion. We discussed ways
    that the United States Government can help this country get on its feet
    toward a democracy. We talked about education. We talked about security.
    We talked about--we also talked about the neighborhood. I asked the
    President her advice on a variety of issues. I told her that part of a
    friendship is one in which we can speak directly with each other about
    how best to deal with keeping the peace and making sure that health care
    initiatives are robust and effective. I also shared with her some of my
    thoughts about the world beyond the continent of Africa. And so I--we
    really had a good discussion.
        And so, Madam President, thank you. I want to thank your delegation.
    Laura and I look forward to having you for lunch
    here in a little bit. But all in all, I think it was a very good first
    visit.
        President Johnson Sirleaf. Mr. President, as I mentioned to you, on
    behalf of the Liberian people, I would like to thank

    [[Page 540]]

    you--thank you, thank your administration, thank the American people,
    thank the U.S. Congress--for all the support that our country has
    received in making this important transition from war to peace.
        Our people have new hope. They have new promise in the future as a
    result of the strong position you took that enabled us to get this
    opportunity for national renewal. We have taken the necessary first
    steps to restoring dignity to our people, starting to fix our economy,
    to get our international credibility and reputation back. And we're
    confident that Liberian people are ready to do what it takes. They're
    back at work; our country is open for business. We're beginning to put
    in all the processes that will enable us to manage our resources that
    God has been so good to us in giving us, for the good of our people.
        We want you to know that Liberia is going to do all it can to
    justify the confidence that you have given to us. Liberia, we think, has
    the potential to become the U.S. success story in Africa. We'll be
    working within our own borders; we'll be working with our neighboring
    states to bring peace, stability, and development to our subregion.
    We'll be working with our African leaders to ensure that the example we
    set on this transition will be one that can fuse many of our--many of
    other countries and other people in Africa.
        As the first democratic-elected woman, I represent the expectations
    and aspirations of women in Liberia, in Africa and, I dare say, the
    world. And I must be able to deliver for them. My performance must
    justify.
        Again, we just want to thank you for the encouragement and the
    support that you have given us to enable us to meet these enormous
    challenges of development.
        President Bush. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you. Good job.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:58 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House.