Contact: White House, Office of the Press Secretary, 202-456-2580
Roosevelt Room
11:53 A.M. EDT
PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you very much. Welcome. Thank you.
Mr. President, thank you very much for joining us. Today we're going to sign an important agreement between the
First, Laura and I loved our trip to your country. It was most interesting. I still vividly remember the fierce-looking warrior on horseback. And I was reminded of how thankful I am I've never met him on a battlefield. (Laughter.) I remember the skill of the horsemen. I remember the warm hospitality. I remember the yaks milk. (Laughter.) And I remember your gracious and kind words, sir. And I want to thank you again, sir, and the people of your wonderful country for such warm hospitality for Laura and me.
I also want to thank you very much for your strong support in the war against radicals and extremists. After our nation was attacked on September the 11th by cold-blooded murderers, you and your country stood in solidarity with the American people. And since then you have been a stalwart in helping defeat extremists by helping young democracies survive and thrive. And I want to thank you and the Mongolian people for supporting the young democracies in
The Millennium Challenge Account is an important part of our foreign policy. It's an opportunity for the
The Millennium Challenge Compact encourages countries to make a firm commitment to basic principles, principles that mean the government will listen to their people and respond to the needs of the people. And today, Mr. President, we honor the success of your country and the commitment of your government to basic principles. That's what we're doing. We hope that the $285 million will help you modernize your railroad and infrastructures, all aiming to make sure that the market economy you put in place inures to the benefit of your people.
Congress must understand how important this program is for
And so, Mr. President, I welcome you to the mic. I want to thank you for coming, and then I look forward to signing the document.
PRESIDENT ENKHBAYAR: Mr. President, it's indeed a great pleasure to be here in
On behalf of the entire nation, its government and the people of
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thanks very much.
PRESIDENT ENKHBAYAR: The idea of rewarding the successful democracies through supporting their goals inspire the Mongolians from the beginning of this initiative. We welcome the concept for -- we sense that the initiative will eventually contribute to the betterment of the life of ordinary people.
We have to always remember, and I know that those are the people who elect us, and sometimes criticize us and say whatever they think about us.
PRESIDENT BUSH: So it happens there as well? (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT ENKHBAYAR: As a partner country of the MCC program,
These areas are in the line with
I am confident that the compact program will have a truly transformational impact on
It should be noted that the compact is about opportunity and excess [sic]. We want our people to seize this opportunity to improve their livelihood with training and employment, to participate and benefit from the country's economic growth; to have access to high-quality service and education.
Hand-in-hand action has to have the trophy, says a Mongolian proverb. I'm certain that this compact will inspire long-lasting, fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation between the
Mr. President, friends and colleagues, thank you again for this memorable occasion. And I would like to again invite President Bush to visit
PRESIDENT BUSH: That's right. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT ENKHBAYAR: And I hope that he will again enjoy the hospitality of the Mongolian people.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir. (Applause.)
(The compact is signed.) (Applause.)
END 12:03 P.M. EDT