[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 39 (Monday, October 2, 2006)]
[Page 1677]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan 
and President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan

September 27, 2006

    President Bush. Tonight it's my honor to host a dinner with 
President Musharraf of Pakistan and President Karzai of Afghanistan. 
These two men are personal friends of mine; they are strong leaders who 
have a understanding of the world in which we live; they understand that 
the forces of moderation are being challenged by extremists and 
radicals. And we're working closely together to help improve the lives 
of the people in Afghanistan and the people in Pakistan.
    President Musharraf kindly greeted me to Pakistan. I had the great 
privilege of meeting many in his Government. I met people in the civil 
society there. I met those who were helping the Pakistan citizens who 
were--whose lives were turned upside down by the devastating earthquake. 
I saw the compassion of this Government, and I was very proud that the 
American people were helping them recover.
    I also had the opportunity to visit President Karzai. He's leading a 
young democracy. It's a democracy that was formed as a result of the 
Afghan people voting, having shed itself, with American help, from the 
Taliban regime.
    We've got a lot of challenges facing us. All of us must protect our 
countries, but at the same time, we all must work to make the world a 
more hopeful place. And so today's dinner is a chance for us to 
strategize together, to talk about the need to cooperate, to make sure 
that people have got a hopeful future.
    It's very important for the people in Pakistan and Afghanistan to 
understand that America respects religion, and we respect the right for 
people to worship the way they see fit. We welcome Muslim leaders here 
in the White House. I look forward to having dinner with friends of mine 
who don't happen to share the same faith I do, but nevertheless share 
the same outlook for a hopeful world.
    As we work for a more hopeful world, we will continue to make sure 
that extremists, such as Usama bin Laden, that wants to hurt my friend 
here as well as upset the democracy in Afghanistan, is brought to 
justice. The main thing I was looking forward to talking about is how 
the United States Government and the people of the United States can 
help these two countries provide a foundation for hope. And so I want to 
thank you for coming. We're proud to have you here, Mr. President.
    President Musharraf. My pleasure.
    President Bush. Proud to have you here, Mr. President. Let's go eat 
dinner. Thank you, sir.
    President Musharraf. Thank you very much.
    President Karzai. Thanks very much.

Note: The President spoke at 7:35 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Usama bin Laden, leader of the Al 
Qaida terrorist organization.