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Remarks Following Discussions With able day, and I want to thank you very much Prime Minister Stephen Harper of for your candor. Canada in Cancun Prime Minister Harper. Thank you very March 30, 2006 much, Mr. President. [At this point, Prime Minister Harper spoke President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, in French, and no translation was provided.] thank you. This is a—we’ve had a day full of talks. I had a really good meeting with I’ll try to repeat all of that. [Laughter] First the Prime Minister on the choppers, flying of all, just to begin by saying that we had to the Mayan ruins. We’ve also had a very a long meeting both this morning and this good meeting here. We talked about a lot afternoon, the President and I, discussing of subjects. particularly global security issues of national I view the relationship with Canada as a and shared security interests. vital relationship for the United States. The And as you know, we’re cooperating on relationship, of course, is defined Govern- these things in places like Afghanistan, ment-to-Government. It’s also defined peo- Sudan, Haiti. Canada and the United States ple-to-people, and there’s a lot of people in from time to time will disagree on particular my country who respect Canada and have courses of action that should be taken, and great relations with Canadians, and we in- we may have different perspectives and even tend to keep it that way. different interests, but there should be no The Prime Minister, of course, was—made doubt that Canada and the United States an emphatic case for softwood lumber. And share very important common values—values I appreciate his steely resolve to get some- like freedom, democracy, human rights, and thing done. And I assured him that our inten- the rule of law. We believe that these values tion is to negotiate in good faith, in a timely are important not only for Canada and the fashion, to resolve this issue. And I appre- United States, but they are the right of every ciate your—appreciate you pushing. people on the face of the Earth. We may We also talked about the mutual values we disagree on how we get there, but that’s the share: respect for human life and human dig- objective that we share. nity. And along those lines, I want to thank We’re going to meet later on in the spring you very much for two things: One, the quick to further discuss cooperation on some of response that your Government and your these matters. We’re also going to be dis- country gave to those who suffered by cussing some initiatives we’ve taken to task Katrina. It indicates the Canadian people’s some of our officials to discuss some energy desire to help humans when they suffer. I and environmental concerns. We’re anx- appreciate very much your trip to Afghani- ious—we’re in a continental security market, stan and you and your Government’s support and we’re anxious to see our officials discuss of their fledgling democracy, support of peo- not just energy security but how we can har- ple that have been under the brutal thumb ness energy, new energy technology, to make of tyrants—so brutal they wouldn’t let young real progress on greenhouse gas emissions girls go to school—and it’s representing the and also on pollution. So we’ll have some dis- great Canadian tradition of really helping re- cussions in the next few weeks along those store human dignity to people’s lives. lines. The Prime Minister and I talked about a We’re going to move quickly to renew— variety of subjects. We’ve got a lot of com- to sign an agreement to renew NORAD, to mon interests. We’ve got a lot of trade be- take that to Parliament in the not-too-distant tween our countries—nearly half a billion future. dollars in—$500 billion in the year 2005. And Of course, we discussed softwood lumber. that trade means jobs on both sides of the The President has expressed his desire to see border. And it’s our intention to make sure a resolution. I certainly accept at face value that we continue to trade as freely as possible the President’s commitment to that. I just so that our people can benefit. All in all, Mr. reminded the President that Canada’s posi- Prime Minister, I found today to be a valu- tion on this is very clear, and if we don’t see

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a resolution, Canada is certainly going to con- bilateral meetings yesterday and today a tri- tinue to pursue all its legal options as well lateral meeting, a very productive one, fol- as enhanced support for our industry through lowed by an enlarged meeting, trilateral- this battle. wise, with the attendance of the entrepre- We talked about issues like passports, Dev- neurial community, business, and investment il’s Lake, BSE, all areas where there remain of our three countries. Consequently, we will some difficulties and some—[inaudible]— give you full information. but I think we agreed to work together to I would like to ask the Prime Minister of seek some collaboration on all these fronts. Canada, Stephen Harper, to make some In particular—and I didn’t mention this in comments. French—we’ve asked—we’re going to be Prime Minister Harper. Thank you. asking Secretary Chertoff and Minister Day Thank you, President Fox, and ladies and to meet as soon as possible, at the highest gentlemen. I’d like to thank President Fox levels, to do what we can to see how we can first of all. It was a pleasure to meet Presi- accommodate congressional legislation on dent Fox and President Bush to discuss passport travel issues. These present for us issues of importance to our countries and our some pretty significant challenges, and we common will to work together. are concerned about the disruptions to trade and other travel that this may bring about. In North America, we have an economy And let me just end by saying as I think that is integrated; it is not necessary to dif- you heard me say a few days ago, I expressed ferentiate our products. And we have dis- through Ambassador Wilkins, and I’ve had cussed the progress accomplished in the Se- a chance to do it—[inaudible]—how much curity and Prosperity Partnership of North the Government of Canada appreciates the America, and we are committed to consid- actions taken by our allies and our friends ering the private sector. First of all, we be- both in the United Kingdom and in the lieve that it is an engine of competitiveness, United States in the liberation of the hos- made up of members of the private sector, tages that were held in Iraq. You know, Iraq, that will allow us to make our economies in particular, has been a source of some dis- even more competitive. agreement—dare I say some tension—be- Our ministers will be working on this. tween our two peoples, but I think this inci- They will be identifying our priorities, and dent reminds us that when the chips are they will make sure that they are followed down, we all pull together and support each up. We will be cooperating on issues of im- other. I hope that’s a lesson we keep in mind portance—on border security, management for the future. of urgent situations, as well as energy secu- rity. We will prepare a coordinated and ex- NOTE: The President spoke at 5:40 p.m. at the haustive way to approach the issues of the Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun Hotel. Prime bird flu, and we will be guided by common Minister Harper referred to Minister of Public principles. Over the course of the next few Safety Stockwell Day of Canada. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these months, we will be doing everything possible remarks. to ensure the security along our borders and to be able to move our merchandise back and forth. We will be working in the area The President’s News Conference of energy, the area of research and innova- With President Vicente Fox of tion, to be able to deal with clean tech- Mexico and Prime Minister Stephen nologies. Harper of Canada in Cancun We are happy with the discussions of our March 31, 2006 trade ministers on cooperation and of the ne- gotiation of our countries, and we encourage President Fox. Good morning. Welcome them to follow up with this work. for your interest and your presence and at- This meeting has been extremely produc- tendance. We have come to an end in this tive. And Presidents Bush and Fox have ac- productive meeting, as you well know, with cepted my invitation for the next summit

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