[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 22 (Monday, May 31, 2004)]
[Pages 963-964]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen 
of Denmark

May 28, 2004

    President Bush. Welcome. Thanks for coming. It's always good to be 
with a friend. Friends are candid with each other. Friends are open, and 
friends are constructive. And that's the kind of conversation we've just 
had and will continue to have.
    I told the Prime Minister that our Government and our coalition will 
transfer full sovereignty, complete and full sovereignty to an Iraqi 
government that will be picked by Mr. Brahimi of the United Nations. He 
said, ``Do you mean full sovereignty?'' I said, ``I mean

[[Page 964]]

full sovereignty.'' I then told him that we're working closely in the 
United Nations to get a new Security Council resolution, and we're 
making progress on that resolution.
    I spoke to Vladimir Putin this morning about the resolution, and we 
agreed to work together on behalf of the Iraqi people and the new 
government. I told him that we would come up with an arrangement that 
would enable us to help the Iraqi people secure their country so that 
the country can move toward elections. I told him I would continue to 
work with countries around the world to build support for the new Iraqi 
government so that the Iraqi people have a chance to live in a free and 
just society, just like we do.
    I also want to thank the people of Denmark for their love of 
freedom, their support for human rights, and the commitment of troops to 
Iraq. The moms and dads of those troops need to know they're performing 
brilliantly, Mr. Prime Minister. They're good, strong soldiers who bring 
great credit to your country. I'm proud to have you here. Thanks for 
coming.
    Prime Minister Rasmussen. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I'm 
happy to be back in the White House. I'm here as a friend and ally. And 
today I have confirmed that the Danish troops will stay in Iraq. We will 
stay and finish our job. Our common goal is to assist the Iraqi people 
in building a new, modern, and democratic society.
    We have a lot of negative news from Iraq. What we need now are--is 
some positive news. And I welcome the efforts to achieve consensus in 
the U.N. Security Council on a new Security Council resolution which can 
pave the way for the building of a democratic society in Iraq.
    We need a transfer of full sovereignty to an Iraqi government, an 
Iraqi government which will be provided with all the signs and 
principles of a sovereign government. From June 30, international 
military presence in Iraq will be provided at request from this new 
Iraqi government. Our troops will stay in Iraq as long as the Iraqi 
government decides.
    Finally, we have discussed the tragic events of prisoner abuse in 
Iraqi prisons. I welcome the assurance that these cases will be fully 
investigated and the people responsible will be held accountable. And I 
welcome that the necessary steps will be taken to make sure that nothing 
like this will happen in the future.
    Finally, I would like to emphasize the importance of strength in 
transatlantic relations. In a few days' time, we will commemorate the 
60-year anniversary of the Allied invasion of Europe. We owe a great 
deal to the United States and Europe. Thousands of Americans lost their 
lives in Europe in the fight against Nazi tyranny, in the fight for 
freedom. And let this commemoration also be a reminder of our shared 
values and shared destiny.
    Thank you.
    President Bush. Good job, Mr. Prime Minister. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 12:01 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Lakhdar Brahimi, Special Adviser 
to the U.N. Secretary-General; and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.