For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 21, 2001
Remarks by President Bush and President Chirac of France in Photo Opportunity
Jolly Marina Hotel
Genoa, Italy
Listen to the President's
Remarks
5:06 P.M. (Local)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President,
thank you for coming by. I'm looking forward to our
discussion. The meetings have been very productive here in
Genoa. We've discussed a lot of important issues and agreed
upon -- had some important agreements, starting with the need to
advance trade in the new round of global trade discussions.
We also understand that countries such as
France and the United States must assume more responsibility, helping
nations help themselves, particularly on the continent of
Africa. We had a fantastic meeting last night with some of
the continent's leaders. President Chirac was most eloquent
about Africa and our responsibilities, and world leaders agreed with
him, and I did, too.
And as well, I'm very concerned about the
violence. It's a tragic loss of life that
occurred. It's also tragic that many police officers have
been hurt, men and women who have been trying to protect
democratically-elected leaders and our necessary right to be able to
discuss our common problems.
I -- in Washington, D.C., Mr. President, I
said as clearly as I could, and I'll say it here again, those who claim
to represent the voices of the poor aren't doing so. Those
protesters who try to shut down our talks on trade and aid don't
represent the poor, as far as I'm concerned.
I appreciate the work of the Italian
government, the Mayor of Genoa, the good people of this country for
providing a secure atmosphere where the G8, democratically-elected
leaders, as well as leaders from Africa, Central America, Asia --
leaders who represent the poor of the world could come -- the poor of
the world, by the way, who spoke very clearly and eloquently about the
need for nations such as ours to open up our markets; nations such as
ours to help develop education infrastructures; nations such as ours to
forgive debt --
PRESIDENT CHIRAC: And health.
PRESIDENT BUSH: And health,
absolutely, and health. So this has been a very productive
meeting. It's been productive because we've met and agreed;
it's also very productive because it gives me a chance to continue
dialogue with a friend such as Jacques Chirac. People may
not remember, but even before I became sworn in as President, in
between the election, when it finally ended and my swearing-in, the
first world leader I met with was President Chirac.
I knew him to be a man of
principle. He articulated his principles to me then, and he
continues to do so, for which I am most grateful.
So, Mr. President, thank you for being
here. I'm honored to have you.
PRESIDENT
CHIRAC: Merci. I must say that I absolutely share
the feelings expressed by President Bush, share as concerns the
efficiency of the organization of the summit, the efficiency which has
been somewhat overshadowed by the events. But it was,
indeed, a very positive summit. And it has enabled us to become aware
of the problems of populations of Asia and Africa.
Last night at dinner was very
instructive. We have spoken with mainly African leaders who
have decided to take greater control over their own destiny, and we
have pledged ourselves to support them in their desire for sustainable
development.
Obviously, we have all been traumatized by
the events. I shall not give any judgment, except to say
that the elected leaders of our countries have to consider the problems
that have brought tens of thousands of our compatriots, mainly from
European countries, to demonstrate -- to demonstrate their concern, to
demonstrate their wish to change. And my last thoughts will
be for the people of Genoa, who have been, indeed, as traumatized as we
have by the events in the city.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Mr.
President. Thank you very much.
END 5:14 P.M. (Local)
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