[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 50 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Pages 1585-1586]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria

December 13, 2007

    President Bush. Mr. President, it's been my honor to welcome you 
here to the White House. Now, we just had a very extensive and fruitful 
discussion on a variety of issues, and that's what you'd expect when 
friends meet together.
    I--the President is committed to democracy and rule of law. He was 
very articulate in his desire to make sure that the people of Nigeria 
understand that their Government will be fair and transparent and will 
be a government of the people. Mr. President, I am impressed by your 
commitment to reform, your adherence to the concept that rule of law, 
and your belief in transparency. And I congratulate you for being a 
strong leader.
    We also talked about social justice issues, the issue of education. 
The President is committed to seeing to it that compulsory education is 
followed through on in this country, throughout the country, and I 
admire that. And we want to help you. The United States has got a 
program that is dedicated to making sure every child gets a good 
education. It's in our national interests that that be the case.
    It's also in our national interests, Mr. President, to help you, if 
you so desire, on issues like HIV/AIDS and malaria. The President is 
strongly committed to helping the Nigerian families affected by these 
diseases get treatment and help. He understands that there needs to be a 
comprehensive program of prevention, distribution of antiretrovirals, 
and then a capacity to help the orphans who have been left behind as a 
result of this terrible disease. And we're committed through what we 
call PEPFAR, Mr. President. I'm going to the United States Congress and 
ask them to double our commitment because we believe it's in our 
interests to help you if you so desire. It's in our interests from a 
security perspective; it's in our interests from a moral perspective.
    And so we've got a good visit. I'm proud you're here, and I welcome 
you and thank you for your time and for your heart.
    President Yar'Adua. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I feel 
highly honored and privileged to be here and have the opportunity to 
share these few moments with you. These are moments that I'll never 
forget in my life.
    I have briefed Mr. President on the situation in Nigeria, our 
efforts to anchor democracy on the rule of law, to help a credible 
electoral process, and to ensure that the principles of justice, equity 
will guide the conduct of affairs in Nigeria--transparency, 
accountability, and the fight against corruption. And Mr. President has 
expressed the support of himself and the Government of the United States 
and the people of the United States to assist Nigeria to ensure that we 
continue to uphold--[inaudible]--democracy, the rule of law, zero 
tolerance for corruption, and the development of a free market economy 
through economic reforms that we have been effecting for the last 8 
years.
    Now, this will set the principles upon which we'll build and develop 
a free society capable of growing an economy that will cater for the 
development and needs of the people of Nigeria. And in this great effort 
we are making, we find great friendship and assistance from the 
Government and people of the United States. And we are very grateful for 
this expression of support, confidence, and trust.
    We have discussed a wide range of issues beside democracy and the 
rule of law; we

[[Page 1586]]

have--and the economic reforms. We have discussed about the problems of 
HIV/AIDS, the problem of malaria, challenges in education. And the 
United States Government will help us to meet these challenges as we go 
along. And I think this is an excellent humanitarian gesture for which 
I, personally, and the people and Government of Nigeria are extremely 
grateful.
    We have discussed one--security issues and the security within 
Nigeria itself, within the Niger Delta region, and within the Gulf of 
Guinea. And we have also discussed security issues--peace and security 
on the African Continent. And we shall partner with--[inaudible]--to 
assist not only Nigeria but also the African Continent, to actualize its 
peace and security--[inaudible]--initiative, which is an initiative to 
help standby forces of brigade-size in each of the regional economic 
groupings within the African Continent.
    I think what we have discussed has given me hope. And myself, the 
Government, and people of Nigeria are inspired by the United States of 
America's achievement and the principles which guide it. And this is a 
posit we are trading, and the friendship and understanding of the United 
States will propel Nigeria with this inspiration to make the 
transformations that we need to do into a modern nation from an 
underdeveloped nation, capable of meeting the development and needs of 
its people.
    I thank you very much, Mr. President. This is a rare opportunity.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 10:50 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House.