For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 8, 2003
Press Gaggle with Scott McClellan
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Nashville, Tennessee
2:50 P.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: The President made four calls, in addition to the
one I read out earlier. He spoke with President Lula of Brazil, Prime
Minister Vajpayee of India, President Musharraf of Pakistan and
President Mbeki. The purpose of all these calls was to talk about the
importance of the World Trade Organization ministerial in Cancun later
this week. And the President noted that an ambitious, successful
outcome in Cancun, especially in agriculture, would benefit all
countries.
In addition to discussing that topic, with Prime Minister Vajpayee,
they also generally discussed the situation in Iraq and progress toward
a new U.N. Security Council resolution. And with President Musharraf,
they also -- the two leaders also discussed continuing cooperation in
the war on terrorism and the upcoming visit of Pakistani Prime Minister
Jamali.
That's the readout.
Q What's this trade thing about? Sorry, I missed it.
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, this is about the WTO ministerial meeting
coming up. The President is strongly committed to expanding trade and
opening markets. And one of the things we've been pushing for is
opening agricultural markets and reducing agricultural subsidies. So
that's something that's important. And the President talked about some
of this, if you'll recall, back in his speech prior to departing for
Africa.
So that's essentially it.
Q When is the Cancun meeting?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know the exact dates. It's this week.
All right, thanks.
END 2:53 P.M. EDT
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