For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 10, 2004
President Bush, President Chirac Remarks
Remarks by the President and President Chirac of France in Photo Opportunity
Dunbar House
Sea Island, Georgia
9:45 A.M. EDT
PRESIDENT BUSH: It's good to have yet another discussion with
Jacques Chirac. We had a wonderful visit in Paris. And, again, I want
to thank you for your hospitality. The food was superb, the
hospitality warm --
PRESIDENT CHIRAC: Here, also.
PRESIDENT BUSH: -- and our discussions were meaningful.
We continued our discussions about world poverty and world peace.
Of course, we talked about Iraq. We had our differences in the past,
but we're friends and friends are able to discuss the future. And our
hope is for peace and freedom around the world.
We consulted on some NATO, we're partners in NATO. We talked about
a lot of issues, and one of the issues that we talked about was NATO
and whether or not there is a continued role in Iraq for NATO. I
assured the President we will continue to consult closely. The point
is, is that we understand that the Iraqi people need help to defend
themselves, to rebuild their country -- and, most importantly, to hold
elections.
And I appreciate the chance to visit with Jacques.
PRESIDENT CHIRAC: (As translated.) Can I first of all say, as I
said yesterday, tell President Bush our gratitude and our feelings of
gratitude and our feelings of gratitude of the French people as a
whole, in the context of the D-Day celebrations. D-Day was something
that was terribly important for all the French people, and once again
I'd like to thank the President for having made the trip and having
heard, himself, the French people speak their words of thanks and
gratitude and friendship. It was very moving for us.
And I also wanted to come and congratulate him for the way in which
the G8 was organized and conducted. It is a success.
We had an opportunity during the summit to discuss a number of
issues. We've just reviewed some with our colleagues from the Middle
East yesterday, we'll be doing so with our colleagues from Africa
today. And this gave us an opportunity of reviewing the major areas of
concerns for today's world, to better understand each other and also to
prove our efforts for peace, development and human rights.
And as I said, I'd like to thank once again the President for the
hospitality here. The President was kind enough to mention French
cuisine, but I can tell you that over the last few days, this cuisine
here in America was certainly on a par with French cuisine and I ask
the President to convey my thanks to the chef.
PRESIDENT BUSH: He particularly liked the cheeseburger he had
yesterday. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT CHIRAC: It was excellent. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you.
END 9:50 A.M. EDT
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