    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 24 (Monday, June 19, 2006)]
    [Pages 1137-1138]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks Following Discussions With President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia

    June 14, 2006

        President Bush. Thank you all for coming. It's my honor to welcome
    back to the Oval Office mi amigo, el Presidente. Mr. President, we're
    glad you're here. This is my first chance to be able to congratulate the
    President for a very strong victory. I asked him what it's like to win
    with a lot of votes. [Laughter] He was obviously a good campaigner that
    had a message that the Colombian people appreciated. So first of all,
    congratulations for a grand victory.
        President Uribe is a personal friend. I'm able to talk very frankly
    with him about a variety of subjects. I told him that one of the things
    I admire is, he's a strong believer in democracy, human rights, human
    dignity. He's got a tough job in dealing with narcoterrorist groups in
    his country, but he's committed to dealing firmly with narcoterrorism.
    He's committed to helping reconcile past differences. He's committed

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    to helping people get back into society. And I appreciate those
    commitments. He's committed to human rights.
        We talked about trade. We negotiated a free trade agreement. We've
    still got some details to work out, but we committed ourselves to
    working out those details and try to get this done as quickly as we can.
    I will submit the agreement to Congress once it gets done, and I would
    hope members of both political parties understand the importance of a
    free trade agreement with this vital ally of ours.
        We talked about the neighborhood. We talked about--he came from a
    meeting with some of the Andean neighbors, and he brought messages, and
    he shared some thoughts with me. I appreciate strategizing with the
    President about how to make sure our neighborhood is a peaceful and
    hopeful place.
        I told President Uribe that one of the things I will do a better job
    of is communicating to the people of South America and Central America
    my country's desire to promote justice and education and health. We
    spend about $1.6 billion a year in Central and South America. I want the
    people to understand that money is meant to help them, to help improve
    their lives. I want the people to understand America is a considerate
    country, that we care about justice.
        And so, Mr. President, I am really pleased you're here. It's good to
    see you again. And again, congratulations on a great victory.
        President Uribe. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to repeat my
    gratitude to your Government, to you personally, to your Congress, to
    the U.S. public opinion, for the permanent support of my country. I
    appreciate your friendship, your permanent advice, and we have many
    challenges before us.
        One challenge is that Colombia can overcome this long nightmare of
    terrorism. I understand the mandate my fellow country citizens have
    given me to work harder and with better results for my country to get
    peace, and the United States cooperation is necessary.
        In the last 2 years, we have not gotten the--[inaudible]--result in
    dropping the areas with illegal drugs. One point we have studied this
    morning with President Bush is how to speed up the eradication of drugs,
    because we need to show better results in this area.
        And of course, as President Bush has informed to you, we spoke about
    our free trade agreement and some pending points. And we spoke about the
    necessity in Colombia and in all the Central American and South American
    countries to improve social cohesion. For I thank President Bush, he's
    willing--his willingness and determination to help us in education, in
    social issues, because we need to conduct hand in hand our fight against
    terrorism with our fight to create social cohesion, not only in Colombia
    but in the whole region as well.
        President Bush. Gracias, amigo. Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:06 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of these remarks.