For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 11, 2003
President Bush Thanks Ugandan President for Leadership
The Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel
Entebbe, Uganda
3:00 P.M. EDT
PRESIDENT MUSEVENI: So here is your chance to see the heart of
Africa. Because from where we are to Cape Town is about five-and-a-half
hours by plane. From here to Alexandria is five hours. From here to
Senegal is seven hours by plane. From here to the Indian Ocean is
three hours. To reach the center of the continent is only two hours.
And no tour will be complete (inaudible).
But we are most grateful that (inaudible) support, the financial
support. But most important, the opening of the markets, because when
somebody buys what I produce, he is giving me a little support. Why?
First of all, he is giving me money (inaudible) because once I produce
is a great example.
So we are very, very grateful you are helping, United States.
Thank you so much.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, sir. Mr. President, thank you for your
hospitality. We have come at your invitation to herald your
leadership. You have been a strong advocate of free trade because you
understand the benefits of trade. My administration supports AGOA and
the promises and opportunities that AGOA brings. You have been a
strong leader in helping to resolve regional disputes. I want to thank
you for that leadership.
And your country, as you noted, is strategically located in the
heart of Africa. And therefore, you're drawn into a lot disputes. And
you've done an excellent job of using your prestige and your position
to help resolve those disputes. And we -- I will continue to work with
you to bring peace on the continent.
And finally, Mr. President, you have been a world leader -- not
just a leader on the continent of Africa, but a world leader in the
fight against HIV/AIDS. You have shown the world what is possible in
terms of reducing infection rates. You have been honest and open about
the AIDS pandemic, and therefore have led your people to seek
prevention and treatment and help and love.
And so, Mr. President, we come to herald your leadership and to
assure you and to assure the people of Uganda that when it comes to the
struggle against hopelessness and poverty and disease that you've got a
friend in the United States. Thank you very much, sir.
PRESIDENT MUSEVENI: Thank you.
MR. DICKENS: Thank you, all.
Q Mr. President, can you take a question, sir, on the --
MR. DICKENS: Thank you, all.
UGANDAN SPOKESPERSON: Those -- you had the statements from our
two presidents. And actually we are asking you, that you report what
you've seen here. So we are pleased, really --
Q With all due respect, Mr. President, can you take a
question, sir?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Sure.
Q Why -- can you explain how an erroneous piece of
intelligence on the Iraq-Niger connection got into your State of the
Union speech? Are you upset about it, and should somebody be held
accountable, sir?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I gave a speech to the nation that was cleared by
the intelligence services. And it was a speech that detailed to the
American people the dangers posed by the Saddam Hussein regime. And my
government took the appropriate response to those dangers. And as a
result, the world is going to be more secure and more peaceful.
Q But, sir, how did it get into your speech if it was
erroneous?
PRESIDENT MUSEVENI: Thank you so much.
END 3:05 P.M. EDT
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