[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 34 (Monday, September 1, 2008)]
[Pages 1162-1163]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of 
Tanzania

August 29, 2008

    President Bush. It is such an honor to welcome a man I've come to 
admire a lot to the Oval Office, President Kikwete of Tanzania. He comes 
representing a great country; he also comes representing the African 
Union. And therefore, we've had a wide-ranging discussion about our 
bilateral relations, as well as the President's kindly giving me a 
briefing on how he sees the different situations and opportunities on 
the continent of Africa.
    Laura and I will never forget our trip to your country. First of 
all, it's a beautiful country. The people were so gracious and so 
friendly. And I came back to America telling our fellow citizens how 
proud they would have been to have seen the outpouring of affection for 
the American people, as a result of the American people's generosity in 
such matters as education or HIV/AIDS or the President's Malaria 
Initiative.
    I am confident in saying to the American people that your money is 
being spent wisely and compassionately in Tanzania. And a lot of it has 
to do with the leadership of the President. He stood up and said, 
``We've got a problem, and I'm going to take the lead.'' And his 
Government has been responsive to the needs of the people.
    And, Mr. President, I can't thank you enough, on behalf of the 
American people, for your compassion and your leadership.

[[Page 1163]]

    I also am looking forward to continuing our discussions on issues 
like Zimbabwe or Darfur. These are issues that the President is most 
familiar with. It's the President--issues in which he has got good 
judgment about how to proceed on these matters.
    And so, Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you 
here to the Oval Office.
    President Kikwete. Thank you. Well, thank you, President. First, I 
thank you for the invitation. It's an honor for me; it's an honor for 
Tanzania; it's an honor for Africa. Well, I came here to say thank you 
very much on behalf of the people of Africa, on behalf of the people of 
Tanzania. You have done so much for Africa----
    President Bush. Thank you.
    President Kikwete. ----so much for Tanzania. When you compare, no 
U.S. President has done so much for Africa and for Tanzania as you have 
done.
    AGOA has been extended. It extends the horizons of the possibilities 
of economic growth in Africa. PEPFAR is helping us tackle the HIV/AIDS 
scourge. Many lives--many, many children now who were--who would have 
been orphaned are no longer orphaned because of that. PMI has helped us 
so much in the fight against malaria. Many innocent lives of children--
women and children--are being saved. And Tanzania is one of those 
examples of the great successes of PMI.
    Malaria in Zanzibar has almost been--is being eliminated now. In the 
past, there used to be 50 percent cases being reported in hospital; now 
it's only 1 percent that's been reported in hospital, thanks to PMI.
    And there are a number--of course, our biggest challenge now in 
Zanzibar is how to sustain that success, because only 20 miles on the 
mainland, in Dar es Salaam, malaria is still there. So if people go to 
Zanzibar with malaria, then the problem is--our biggest challenge is how 
to sustain it. And we are working together with the PMI and CDC on how 
to respond to this kind of situations.
    Of course, with the MCA, again, the support you've given us to 
infrastructure development in the country, it's again--it helps us build 
the capacity, to tackle poverty and inland development in the country.
    So all that I can say really--I came here to say thank you so much 
for the support. Well of course, you saw it yourself when you came home, 
how the people came in huge numbers----
    President Bush. They were.
    President Kikwete. ----huge numbers. I was even amazed when they 
poured in the streets. There the issue was really to express their 
appreciation to you and to the people of the United States for the 
generous support that you have been extending to our country.
    Of course, we discussed the issues on the continent. We again--we 
thank you for your leadership. We'll continue to work together. Zimbabwe 
is a common problem. Darfur is a common problem. We are in the 
frontline. But of course, when those of us who are on the frontline 
always look toward--look to the rear--[laughter]--to continue to support 
us. And there has been such extraordinary support of us in the 
continent.
    We continue to work together.
    President Bush. Thank you.
    President Kikwete. I thank you, President.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir.
    Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 11:50 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House.