    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [March 11, 2007]
    [Page 289]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Discussion on the United States Afro-Colombian
    Outreach Program in Bogota
    March 11, 2007

        Well, Mr. President, thank you very
    much. Laura and I, as well as Secretary of State
    Rice and our Ambassador, are honored that citizens from your country have come to
    share with us stories and concerns that will better enable our
    Government to help. And the reason I say that is because the best
    foreign policy for the United States is to help people realize their
    full potential. That can be done through education, jobs.
        The President and I had a long
    discussion this morning about issues that will help create jobs and
    facilitate the flow of trade, for example, all aiming at helping the
    people in our respective countries realize God-given potential. And so
    we come bringing the greetings of the people of the United States. Our
    Ambassador has briefed me on some of the
    programs that the taxpayers of my country have helped fund. But we're
    really interested in hearing your stories. And Colombia is a fine
    democracy. And the true test of a democracy is for every citizen in that
    country to be able to feel the full promise of society.
        And so we thank you for coming. And, Mr. President, why don't we--we can go around the table, and I'm
    interested in hearing the different stories about the lives of some of
    your citizens.
        Shall we start? How about you, doctor? Do you want to start?

    [At this point, the public portion of the event concluded; the
    discussion continued, however, and no transcript was provided.]

    Note: The President spoke at 4:28 p.m. at Casa de Narino. In his
    remarks, he referred to President Alvaro Uribe Velez of Colombia and
    U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William B. Wood.