[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 11 (Monday, March 19, 2007)]
[Pages 314-315]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to a Discussion on the United States Afro-Colombian 
Outreach Program in Bogota

March 11, 2007

    Well, Mr. President, thank you very much. Laura and I, as well as 
Secretary of State Rice and our Ambassador, are honored that citizens 
from your country have come to share with us stories and concerns that 
will better enable our Government to help. And

[[Page 315]]

the reason I say that is because the best foreign policy for the United 
States is to help people realize their full potential. That can be done 
through education--jobs.
    The President and I had a long discussion this morning about issues 
that will help create jobs and facilitate the flow of trade, for 
example, all aiming at helping the people in our respective countries 
realize God-given potential. And so we come bringing the greetings of 
the people of the United States. Our Ambassador has briefed me on some 
of the programs that the taxpayers of my country have helped fund. But 
we're really interested in hearing your stories. And Colombia is a fine 
democracy. And the true test of a democracy is for every citizen in that 
country to be able to feel the full promise of society.
    And so we thank you for coming. And, Mr. President, why don't we--we 
can go around the table, and I'm interested in hearing the different 
stories about the lives of some of your citizens.
    Shall we start? How about you, doctor? Do you want to start?

Note: The President spoke at 4:28 p.m. at Casa de Narino. In his 
remarks, he referred to President Alvaro Uribe Velez of Colombia; and 
U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William B. Wood.