[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 28 (Monday, July 14, 2003)]
[Pages 901-902]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following Discussions With President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of 
Uganda and an Exchange With Reporters in Entebbe, Uganda

July 11, 2003

    President Museveni. So here is your chance to see the heart of 
Africa, because from where we are to Cape Town is about 5\1/2\ hours by 
plane. From here to Alexandria is 5 hours. From here to Senegal is 7 
hours

[[Page 902]]

by plane. From here to the Indian Ocean is 3 hours. To reach the center 
of the continent is only 2 hours. And no tour will be complete--
[inaudible].
    But we are most grateful that--[inaudible]--support, the financial 
support. But most important, the opening of the markets, because when 
somebody buys what I produce, he is giving me a little support. Why? 
First of all, he is giving me money--[inaudible]--because once I produce 
is a great example.
    So we are very, very grateful you are helping, United States. Thank 
you so much.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir. Mr. President, thank you for your 
hospitality. We have come at your invitation to herald your leadership. 
You have been a strong advocate of free trade because you understand the 
benefits of trade. My administration supports AGOA and the promises and 
opportunities that AGOA brings. You have been a strong leader in helping 
to resolve regional disputes. I want to thank you for that leadership.
    And your country, as you noted, is strategically located in the 
heart of Africa. And therefore, you're drawn into a lot disputes. And 
you've done an excellent job of using your prestige and your position to 
help resolve those disputes. And we--I will continue to work with you to 
bring peace on the continent.
    And finally, Mr. President, you have been a world leader, not just a 
leader on the continent of Africa but a world leader in the fight 
against HIV/AIDS. You have shown the world what is possible in terms of 
reducing infection rates. You have been honest and open about the AIDS 
pandemic and, therefore, have led your people to seek prevention and 
treatment and help and love.
    And so Mr. President, we come to herald your leadership and to 
assure you and to assure the people of Uganda that when it comes to the 
struggle against hopelessness and poverty and disease, that you've got a 
friend in the United States. Thank you very much, sir.
    President Museveni. Thank you.
    Assistant Press Secretary Reed Dickens. Thank you all.
    Q. Mr. President, can you take a question, sir, on the----
    Assistant Press Secretary Dickens. Thank you all.
    Ugandan Spokesperson. Those--you had the statements from our two 
Presidents. And actually we are asking you that you report what you've 
seen here. So we are pleased, really----

State of the Union Address

    Q. With all due respect, Mr. President, can you take a question, 
sir?
    President Bush. Sure.
    Q. Why--can you explain how an erroneous piece of intelligence on 
the Iraq-Niger connection got into your State of the Union speech? Are 
you upset about it, and should somebody be held accountable, sir?
    President Bush. I gave a speech to the Nation that was cleared by 
the intelligence services. And it was a speech that detailed to the 
American people the dangers posed by the Saddam Hussein regime. And my 
Government took the appropriate response to those dangers. And as a 
result, the world is going to be more secure and more peaceful.

Note: The President spoke at approximately 3 p.m. at the Imperial 
Botanical Beach Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to former President 
Saddam Hussein of Iraq. A tape was not available for verification of the 
content of these remarks.