[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 24 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Pages 1037-1038]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to Discussions With Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of 
Germany at Sea Island

June 8, 2004

    President Bush. Thanks. It's great to see you. I want the folks to 
know how much I appreciate your willingness to work on promoting freedom 
around the world, and it's an important statement, and I appreciate your 
Government's good work.
    I appreciate very much the Chancellor's help in Afghanistan. That 
country is improving, and that's important. I appreciate our mutual work 
on the U.N. Security Council

[[Page 1038]]

resolution on Iraq. I look forward to continuing our dialog in a spirit 
of cooperation and friendship, and I'm glad you're here.
    Chancellor Schroeder. Thank you very much. And let me say, I love to 
be here, particularly since the weather is--compared to what we are used 
to--so nice and so favorable. [Laughter]
    And I think what we're talking about here at this meeting will be 
essentially something that, indeed, forms part of one whole and 
something that is an indissoluble, namely a good world economy on the 
one hand and stable political situation--a stable political environment 
on the other.
    We are willing to give our contribution, and we, indeed, give our 
contribution to this in Afghanistan, for example, but also on the 
Balkans. And let me say that I'm gratified to know that this is 
appreciated.
    I am confident that the resolution--the United Nations Security 
Council resolution on Iraq will be adopted today. Whatever we can do to 
bring this about, we will certainly do. We think that this resolution 
will be a good basis, a good foundation for enhancing stability, for 
also improving the chances for the Iraqi people, and also to enhance 
stability all around in that region that is--I think we would all 
agree--a difficult one. And I think that this is, indeed, our common 
task. It is something that we shall work on together. And well, thank 
you again for your gracious hospitality.
    President Bush. Thanks, Gerhard. Appreciate you.

Note: The President spoke at 3:43 p.m. at Dunbar House. Chancellor 
Schroeder spoke in German, and his remarks were translated by an 
interpreter. A tape was not available for verification of the content of 
these remarks.