[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 30 (Monday, July 30, 2001)]
[Pages 1078-1079]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Jacques Chirac of France in 
Genoa, Italy

July 21, 2001

    President Bush. Mr. President, thank you for coming by. I'm looking 
forward to our discussion. The meetings have been very productive here 
in Genoa. We've discussed a lot of important issues and agreed upon--had 
some important agreements, starting with the need to advance trade in 
the new round of global trade discussions.
    We also understand that countries such as France and the United 
States must assume more responsibility, helping nations help themselves, 
particularly on the continent of Africa. We had a fantastic meeting last 
night with some of the continent's leaders. President Chirac was most 
eloquent about Africa and our responsibilities, and world leaders agreed 
with him, and I did, too.
    And as well, I'm very concerned about the violence. It's a tragic 
loss of life that occurred. It's also tragic that many police officers 
have been hurt, men and women who have been trying to protect 
democratically elected leaders and our necessary right to be able to 
discuss our common problems.
    In Washington, DC, Mr. President, I said as clearly as I could, and 
I'll say it here again, those who claim to represent the voices of the 
poor aren't doing so. Those protesters who try to shut down our talks on 
trade and aid don't represent the poor, as far as I'm concerned.
    I appreciate the work of the Italian Government, the mayor of Genoa, 
the good people of this country for providing a secure atmosphere where 
the G-8, democratically elected leaders, as well as leaders from Africa, 
Central America, Asia--leaders who represent the poor of the world could 
come--the poor of the world, by the way, who spoke very clearly and 
eloquently about the need for nations such as ours to open up our 
markets, nations such as ours to help develop education infrastructures, 
nations such as ours to forgive debt----
    President Chirac. And health.
    President Bush. ----and health, absolutely, and health. So this has 
been a very productive meeting. It's been productive because we've met 
and agreed. It's also very productive because it gives me a chance to 
continue dialog with a friend such as Jacques Chirac.
    People may not remember, but even before I became sworn in as 
President, in between the election, when it finally ended and my 
swearing-in, the first world leader I met with was President Chirac. I 
knew him to be a man of principle. He articulated his principles to me 
then, and he continues to do so, for which I am most grateful.
    So Mr. President, thank you for being here. I'm honored to have you.
    President Chirac. Merci. I must say that I absolutely share the 
feelings expressed by President Bush, share as concerns the efficiency 
of the organization of the summit, the efficiency which has been 
somewhat overshadowed by the events. But it was, indeed, a very positive 
summit. And it has enabled us to become aware of the problems of 
populations of Asia and Africa.
    Last night at dinner was very instructive. We have spoken with 
mainly African leaders who have decided to take greater control over 
their own destiny, and we have pledged ourselves to support them in 
their desire for sustainable development.
    Obviously, we have all been traumatized by the events. I shall not 
give any judgment, except to say that the elected leaders of our 
countries have to consider the problems that have brought tens of 
thousands of our compatriots, mainly from European countries, to 
demonstrate--to demonstrate their concern, to demonstrate their wish to 
change. And my last thoughts will be for the people of Genoa, who have 
been, indeed, as traumatized as we have by the events in the city.
    President Bush. Thank you, Mr. President.
    Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 5:06 p.m. at the Jolly Marina Hotel. In his 
remarks, he referred to Mayor Giuseppe Pericu of Genoa. President Chirac 
spoke in French, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter. A 
tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.

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