    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [October 26, 2007]
    [Pages 1389-1390]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    October 26, 2007

        President Bush. It's my honor to welcome back to the Oval Office
    President Kabila. Thanks for coming, sir, the President of the
    Democratic Republic of the Congo. The last time the President was here,
    we talked about his desire to have free and fair elections in his
    country. Since that time, his country has had free and

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    fair elections. And my first order of business today was to congratulate
    the President for garnering 58 percent of the vote.
        We talked about the need to work together to help consolidate the
    gains. We talked about the need to--for the United States to partner
    with the country to help on economic development. One of the things the
    President recognizes is the need for there to be investment in his
    country, so people can find work and the stability that comes with
    economic development. And I appreciate your recognition of the
    opportunity to work together.
        We talked about the eastern part of his country. And he shared with
    me his strategy to make sure that the Government's reach extends
    throughout the entire country and that there is stability throughout the
    country. And I want to thank you very much for sharing your thoughts
    with me.
        I did bring up my desire to help our friend deal with malaria.
    Malaria is a great concern to me and my wife and
    the Secretary of State. This is an issue
    that can be solved. We hurt when young babies are dying from a mosquito
    bite, knowing full well that a strategy can help save lives. And so the
    President shares the same sense of compassion I do for people all
    throughout the world who are being affected by malaria.
        Mr. President, you are--you've said that you wanted there to be free
    and fair elections, and you delivered. And I appreciate that and
    congratulate you on being a man of your word. And we look forward to
    continuing to work with you, sir, to bring peace and stability to the
    neighborhood. So, welcome.
        President Kabila. Thanks a lot. Well, Mr. President, thanks a lot.
    Of course, this is the second time that we meet in the Oval Office. And
    way back, yes, elections was high on the agenda in 2003. We organized
    those elections. And basically, our priorities have now changed from
    elections; it's now stability, and with stability, peace and
    development. And I emphasized and insisted on the fact that we need
    continued support from the United States in order to achieve these two
    remaining goals, which is peace and stability throughout the whole
    country, and embark on a very, very long journey of development and
    really try to combat poverty, which is the biggest issue not only in the
    Congo but in the region and on the African Continent.
        So thanks a lot for the continued support that we've always had from
    the United States Government and the administration. And together, let's
    move further and further ahead.
        President Bush. Yes, sir.
        President Kabila.  Thank you.
        President Bush. Glad you're here. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:51 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House.