    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [February 27, 2007]
    [Pages 199-200]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With President Elias Antonio Saca
    Gonzalez of El Salvador
    February 27, 2007

        President Bush. Puesta bienvenidos a mi amigo, el Presidente de
    nuestro amigo de El Salvador. Gracias. Thanks for coming. We spent a lot
    of time talking together, because I value the advice of the President.
        We talked about a lot of subjects. We talked about the fact that the
    first year of the trade agreement between the United States and El
    Salvador is coming up. And the President told me that a lot of people
    are benefiting--a lot of people in his country are benefiting from the
    opportunity presented by trade. And I told him that people in our
    country benefit from the relationship. Under his leadership, the economy
    of El Salvador is strong. And I congratulate you for your leadership.
        We talked about interesting opportunities available. And one, of
    course, is biofuels. We both recognize that the development of biofuels
    is in our national interests. And I thank you for your vision.
        We talked about the Millennium Challenge Account that the President
    has ably led. And it's going to enable people in the northern part of
    his country to realize the benefits of free trade and commercialism.
        I expressed my concerns and our condolences about the three
    gentlemen who were recently assassinated, which led us into a broad
    discussion about security and my desire to help the President deal with
    security issues.
        And finally, the President reminded me that TPS expires next
    September. Every time he comes to the Oval Office, he's expressed his
    deep concern and strong support for his citizens that may be here in our
    country. And I assured him that I was openminded to his request, but
    more importantly, I'm working hard to get a comprehensive bill,
    immigration bill, passed out of the United States Congress.
        And so, once again, we had a substantial and meaningful
    conversation. And that's what you expect when you have two friends
    together. Gracias, senor.
        President Saca Gonzalez. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
        We have talked extensively with the President on varied--array of
    issues. And I spoke to President Bush about how meaningful his trip to
    Latin America is going to be, because this is going to give a signal
    that the United States is interested in Latin America.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir.
        President Saca Gonzalez. We have talked about free trade. On March
    1st, the CAFTA agreement that is with El Salvador with the United States
    of America is going to be 1 year old. And during this year, we have
    increased, in 20 percent, all our

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    exports. And our economy has doubled its size. So there's no doubt that
    free trade has allowed this to become true.
        We have also talked about the Millennium Account, and the project to
    develop the northern part of El Salvador is going to be a complete
    success, and very soon, we're going to have the first disbursements
    made. And we wanted that to be--the project of the development of the
    northern part of our country to become a success story for the
    Millennium Account.
        We also talked about the TPS with President Bush today. And the
    President always has a very positive answer for El Salvador. But more
    importantly, today is the comprehensive immigration reform. And we will
    have to wait and see what happens between the Executive and the Congress
    of the United States. We have more than 2 million Salvadorans living
    here in the United States. The majority are legal citizens; many are
    already North Americans. And the President has always been very
    sensitive to this issue of the Salvadorans here, for which I feel very
    grateful.
        President Bush. Thank you.
        President Saca Gonzalez. We talked about regional security and its
    importance, and also the combat to drug dealing and the combat to the
    gangs. And we have found many points of coincidence with the President.
        And we also talked with the President about biofuels and the
    importance of biofuels, and how necessary it is, you know, to develop
    biofuels in the region so that we need less gas and less oil to have our
    cars run. And in El Salvador, we're about to pass a new law on biofuels,
    and it's almost ready. And we want to work hand in hand with President
    Bush for the development of these biofuels in the region.
        And anyway, I always feel so comfortable, you know, sitting down and
    talking with my good friend every time that I come here. Thank you for
    receiving me.
        President Bush. Gracias, senor. Gracias.
        President Saca Gonzalez. Gracias.
        President Bush. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:51 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. President Saca Gonzalez spoke in Spanish, and his remarks were
    translated by an interpreter.