    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [November 18, 2006]
    [Page 2100]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea in Hanoi, Vietnam
    November 18, 2006

        President Roh. Today President Bush and I had a very good discussion
    on the North Korean nuclear issue. We agreed on the principle that North
    Korea should dismantle its nuclear weapons and its nuclear program, that
    our two countries fully support the U.N. Security Council Resolution
    1718, and our two countries will implement this resolution in a faithful
    manner.
        Although the Republic of Korea is not taking part in the full scope
    of the PSI, we support the principles and goals of the PSI and will
    fully cooperate in preventing WMD materiel transfer in the Northeast
    Asia region. And we also agreed that we will actively seek to resolve
    the North Korean nuclear issue within the six-party talks framework and
    also by actively engaging in bilateral talks within this framework.
        In conclusion, the President and I had very satisfactory discussions
    on this issue, and we had very useful and indepth discussions on
    resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.
        President Bush. Mr. President, I agree. We had a discussion like you
    would expect allies to have a discussion. We are allies in peace. We are
    allies in working to improve the lives of our fellow citizens.
        We did discuss 1718, Resolution 1718 and our mutual desire to
    effectively enforce the will of the world. I appreciate the cooperation
    we're receiving from South Korea on the Proliferation Security
    Initiative. Our desire is to solve the North Korean issue peacefully.
    And as I've made clear in a speech as recently as two days ago in
    Singapore, that we want the North Korean leader
    to hear that if he gives up his weapons and nuclear weapons ambitions,
    that we would be willing to enter into security arrangements with the
    North Koreans as well as move forward new economic incentives for the
    North Korean people.
        I appreciate your commitment to peace, and I appreciate our mutual
    friendship, Mr. President. And I've enjoyed yet another meeting in our
    quest to achieve our common objectives.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 8:38 a.m. at the Sheraton
    Hanoi. In his remarks, he referred to Chairman Kim Jong Il of North
    Korea. President Roh spoke in Korean, and his remarks were translated by
    an interpreter.