[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 23 (Monday, June 9, 2003)]
[Pages 731-732]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao 
Barroso of Portugal

June 6, 2003

    President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, welcome back. It's such an honor 
to have you here.
    I have been most impressed by Jose's leadership style, his candor, 
and his honesty. And I appreciate very much his friendship. We have had 
a lot of dialogs over the past months. Of course, he welcomed me and 
others to the Azores. And I value his advice. He's a good, honest fellow 
who cares deeply about basic values. He cares deeply about peace and 
freedom. And I treasure my relationship with the Prime Minister.
    I'm really glad you came. I want to thank you for being here. I look 
forward to a good, candid discussion today and a good lunch and, on 
behalf of the American people, welcome you back to the Oval Office.
    Prime Minister Durao Barroso. Thank you very much, Mr. President, 
for this warm welcome. I believe that recent trials put our nations even 
closer. It was a great European that once said that no noble things can 
be done without risks. You were able to take great risks in Iraq; we 
supported you.
    Now you are taking great risks in the Middle East peace process. Let 
me congratulate you for that initiative, for reenergizing the peace 
process. I think the United States of America and Europe--Portugal being 
a European country--we have a lot to do together, and I am very much 
looking forward to this opportunity to discuss with you and, always with 
the spirit of friendship that exists between the Portuguese and the 
American people, discuss all these ideas.
    And we'll stand by you, because I think that what you have been 
doing is really great achievement. We have won the war. Now we all have 
to win the peace. And I think that we are going to reach that goal.
    President Bush. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 11:22 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these 
remarks.

[[Page 732]]