    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [August 29, 2008]
    [Pages 1161-1163]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With President Jakaya Mrisho
    Kikwete of Tanzania
    August 29, 2008

        President Bush. It is such an honor to welcome a man I've come to
    admire a lot to the Oval Office, President Kikwete of Tanzania. He comes
    representing a great country; he also comes representing the African
    Union. And therefore, we've had a wide-ranging discussion about our
    bilateral relations, as well as the President's kindly giving me a
    briefing on how he sees the different situations and opportunities on
    the continent of Africa.
        Laura and I will never forget our trip to
    your country. First of all, it's a beautiful country. The people were so
    gracious and so friendly. And I came back to America telling our fellow
    citizens how proud they would have been to have seen the outpouring of
    affection for the American people, as a result of the American people's
    generosity in such matters as education or HIV/AIDS or the President's
    Malaria Initiative.
        I am confident in saying to the American people that your money is
    being spent wisely and compassionately in Tanzania. And a lot of it has
    to do with the leadership of the President. He stood up and said,
    ``We've got a problem, and I'm going to take the lead.'' And his
    Government has been responsive to the needs of the people.

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        And, Mr. President, I can't thank you enough, on behalf of the
    American people, for your compassion and your leadership.
        I also am looking forward to continuing our discussions on issues
    like Zimbabwe or Darfur. These are issues that the President is most
    familiar with. It's the President--issues in which he has got good
    judgment about how to proceed on these matters.
        And so, Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you
    here to the Oval Office.
        President Kikwete. Thank you. Well, thank you, President. First, I
    thank you for the invitation. It's an honor for me, it's an honor for
    Tanzania, it's an honor for Africa. Well, I came here to say thank you
    very much on behalf of the people of Africa, on behalf of the people of
    Tanzania. You have done so much for Africa----
        President Bush. Thank you.
        President Kikwete. ----so much for Tanzania. When you compare, no
    U.S. President has done so much for Africa and for Tanzania as you have
    done.
        AGOA has been extended. It extends the horizons of the possibilities
    of economic growth in Africa. PEPFAR is helping us tackle the HIV/AIDS
    scourge. Many lives--many, many children now who were--who would have
    been orphaned are no longer orphaned because of that. PMI has helped us
    so much in the fight against malaria. Many innocent lives of children--
    women and children are being saved. And Tanzania is one of those
    examples of the great successes of PMI.
        Malaria in Zanzibar has almost been--is being eliminated now. In the
    past, there used to be 50 percent cases being reported in hospital; now
    it's only 1 percent that's been reported in hospital, thanks to PMI.
        And there are a number--of course, our biggest challenge now in
    Zanzibar is how to sustain that success, because only 20 miles on the
    mainland, in Dar es Salaam, malaria is still there. So if people go to
    Zanzibar with malaria, then the problem is--our biggest challenge is how
    to sustain it. And we are working together with the PMI and CDC on how
    to respond to this kind of situations.
        Of course, with the MCA, again, the support you've given us to
    infrastructure development in the country, it's again--it helps us build
    the capacity to tackle poverty and inland development in the country.
        So all that I can say really--I came here to say thank you so much
    for the support. Well, of course, you saw it yourself when you came
    home, how the people came in huge numbers----
        President Bush. They were.
        President Kikwete. ----huge numbers. I was even amazed when they
    poured in the streets. There the issue was really to express their
    appreciation to you and to the people of the United States for the
    generous support that you have been extending to our country.
        Of course, we discussed the issues on the continent. We again--we
    thank you for your leadership. We'll continue to work together. Zimbabwe
    is a common problem. Darfur is a common problem. We are in the
    frontline. But of course, when those of us who are on the frontline
    always look toward--look to the rear--[laughter]--to continue to support
    us. And there has been such extraordinary support of us in the
    continent. We continue to work together.
        President Bush. Thank you.
        President Kikwete. I thank you, President.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir.
        Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:50 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House.

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