[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 14 (Monday, April 14, 2008)]
[Pages 501-502]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With Afghanistan Provincial Governors

April 8, 2008

    I've just had a fascinating opportunity to discuss Afghanistan with 
eight Governors. I started off the meeting by telling them I was a 
Governor once. And I--and they were then telling me their stories, their 
concerns. First of all, they universally thanked the American people for 
standing with them as this new democracy takes hold.
    Secondly, there's concerns about unemployment, about economic 
development. Some Provinces are quiet. And the Governor wondered whether 
or not, because it's quiet, people remember the people in the Province 
exist. Other Provinces have got some difficult security problems.
    They shared with me very candidly their concerns about different 
types of operations,

[[Page 502]]

their desire to see to it that the police get better training and better 
equipment.
    And I shared with them our desire to help them succeed, because one 
of the things that really matters in democracy is that local governance 
is strong and good and honest, that the people are being able to see the 
benefits of democracy. And it's hard work in Afghanistan, but I told 
these leaders I think it's necessary work.
    And I want to thank them for coming to America. They've got a very 
busy schedule. They've been to several States. And I think it's going to 
be very important for our fellow citizens to meet these good men and to 
understand the problems they face, and their desire to have their 
families live in peace, and young girls go to school, and be people 
treated with dignity.
    So I want to thank you all for coming. Thank you for the wonderful 
gift, and I'm proud you're here.
    I'm now going to show them the Oval Office, a shrine to democracy. 
Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 4:18 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House.