[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 43 (Monday, October 29, 2007)]
[Pages 1415-1416]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With President Joseph Kabila of the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo

October 26, 2007

    President Bush. It's my honor to welcome back to the Oval Office 
President Kabila. Thanks for coming, sir, the President of the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo. The last time the President was here, 
we talked about his desire to have free and fair elections in his 
country. Since that time, his country has had free and fair elections. 
And my first order of business today was to congratulate the President 
for garnering 58 percent of the vote.
    We talked about the need to work together to help consolidate the 
gains. We talked about the need to--for the United States to partner 
with the country to help on economic

[[Page 1416]]

development. One of the things the President recognizes is the need for 
there to be investment in his country, so people can find work and the 
stability that comes with economic development. And I appreciate your 
recognition of the opportunity to work together.
    We talked about the eastern part of his country. And he shared with 
me his strategy to make sure that the Government's reach extends 
throughout the entire country and that there is stability throughout the 
country. And I want to thank you very much for sharing your thoughts 
with me.
    I did bring up my desire to help our friend deal with malaria. 
Malaria is a great concern to me and my wife and the Secretary of State. 
This is an issue that can be solved. We hurt when young babies are dying 
from a mosquito bite, knowing full well that a strategy can help save 
lives. And so the President shares the same sense of compassion I do for 
people all throughout the world who are being affected by malaria.
    Mr. President, you are--you've said that you wanted there to be free 
and fair elections, and you delivered. And I appreciate that and 
congratulate you on being a man of your word. And we look forward to 
continuing to work with you, sir, to bring peace and stability to the 
neighborhood. So, welcome.
    President Kabila. Well, Mr. President, thanks a lot. Of course, this 
is the second time that we meet in the Oval Office. And way back--yes, 
elections was high on the agenda in 2003. We organized those elections. 
And basically, our priorities have now changed from elections; it's now 
stability, and with stability, peace and development. And I emphasized 
and insisted on the fact that we need continued support from the United 
States in order to achieve these two remaining goals, which is peace and 
basic stability throughout the whole country, and embark on a very, very 
long journey of development and really try to combat poverty, which is 
the biggest issue not only in the Congo but in the region and on the 
African Continent.
    So thanks a lot for the continued support that we've always had from 
the United States Government and the administration. And together, let's 
move further and further ahead.
    President Bush. Yes, sir.
    President Kabila.  Thank you.
    President Bush. Glad you're here. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 9:51 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House.