    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [April 21, 2008]
    [Pages 542-543]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Discussion With Prime Minister Stephen
    Harper of Canada in New Orleans
    April 21, 2008

        President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you, sir, for your
    personal friendship. Thank you for your leadership. I don't know if the
    people of Canada understand the leadership role you took in Romania, but
    it was strong and effective. And I want to congratulate you in front of
    your media about the job you did. Not only did you represent your
    country well, you represented universal values, and you spoke clearly
    about them. And so I thank you for that.
        We had a good visit. I'm always interested in making sure that if
    there's any bilateral tensions or bilateral issues, that I know of them
    so that we can work collaboratively to deal with them. And in the past,
    one such issue was whether or not our people could travel back and forth
    between our respective countries in a way that didn't inconvenience
    them, or if our borders were--being able to flow smoothly so it didn't
    inconvenience trade. And I think we've worked through those issues.
        I can remember the last time we visited, there was great concern
    about whether or not the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative would be
    counterproductive to our friendship and relationship. And I thank your
    government, thank your ministers, and the people in your staff for
    working hard to find a way that meets our laws and didn't inconvenience
    the people of Canada or the United States. So I'm pleased with that
    progress.
        We also talked about the importance of trade between Canada and the
    United States, and Canada and Mexico, and the United States and Mexico.
    And I assured the Prime Minister that I'm a strong advocate for free
    trade. I believe it's in our nations' interests that we continue to have
    a free trade agenda. All of us want to make sure we're treated fairly,
    and we can do

    [[Page 543]]

    that. And this summit comes at an opportune time to reaffirm the
    benefits of the trading arrangements between our three nations.
        Canada and the United States have got a very unique and important
    relationship, and I really appreciate the chance to spend time with you
    and visit about these--about the issues of concern.
        Finally, the Prime Minister is very articulate on the subject of
    climate change. And I assured him that my speech in the Rose Garden was
    a sincere speech, a speech that laid out a strategy that I think will be
    effective. And I look forward to continuing to work with you on that
    issue.
        But thanks, good to see you.
        Prime Minister Harper. It's nice to see you again. Thank you for the
    warm welcome and hospitality.

    [At this point, Prime Minister Harper spoke in French, and no
    translation was provided.]

        Prime Minister Harper. I'll just say once again, delighted to be
    here in New Orleans, originally a francophone city, in fact, founded by
    New France----
        President Bush. That's true.
        Prime Minister Harper. ----my dad's favorite American city, I was
    telling him. We discussed a lot of things to do with the border, to do
    with environment, energy, trade, and commercial relations. And as you've
    mentioned, we've made some considerable progress on some of these
    things.
        That said, what I appreciate most, what I've appreciated in our
    relationship over the past couple years, has been the fact that whether
    we agree or disagree, we're always able to talk very frankly, very
    upfront. The President has never promised me anything he couldn't
    deliver, and that's always appreciative--appreciated.
        We have some important joint work going on, not just in this
    continent but around the world, including in Afghanistan. I appreciate
    your words about Bucharest, and I can tell you our armed forces look
    very much forward to working in partnership with your people in
    Kandahar.
        So I'm sure we'll have a great summit. And see you again at the G-8.
    And I feel we've got a few more of these to go through before it's over.
    [Laughter]
        President Bush. Thank you, sir.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:19 p.m. at the Windsor Court Hotel.