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01 October 2003

Pakistani Prime Minister Jamali Visits President Bush

Leaders discuss bilateral relations and war on terror

Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali met with President Bush in the Oval Office October 1 to discuss matters of mutual interest, including bilateral commerce and efforts to combat terrorism.

Prime Minister Jamali also looked forward to discussing his efforts to reestablish democratic rule in Pakistan since assuming the post of prime minister following the October 2002 general elections. The 2002 elections allowed Pakistan's National Assembly to reconvene for the first time since its dissolution in 1999.

Following are the remarks of President Bush and Prime Minister Jamali preceding their meeting:

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
October 1, 2003

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND PRIME MINISTER JAMALI OF PAKISTAN IN A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

The Oval Office

11:41 A.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BUSH: Listen, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you. It's my honor to welcome you to the -- honor to welcome you to the Oval Office. I look forward to our discussions. We will have discussions here in the Oval Office, then we'll go to have lunch. And over lunch we'll discuss a wide range of issues -- our mutual desire to fight terror; our keen desire to bring stability and peace throughout the world. Look forward to discussions about our bilateral relations in regards to commerce, and opportunities to enhance the livelihood of our fellow citizens.

There's a lot of Pakistani Americans who are pleased you are here today, sir. And on their behalf, I welcome you to the Oval Office. And it gives me a chance to say publicly how much we appreciate the friendship of Pakistan.

PRIME MINISTER JAMALI: Thank you, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT BUSH: You're welcome.

PRIME MINISTER JAMALI: Well, I can see you're pleased. I'm sure that the Pakistan community is pleased that I'm here. And Pakistan is helping as a partner -- is a partner as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned; as far as our bilateral relations are concerned. We want a long, lasting friendship with the United States, and that is why I'm here -- to bring a message of the new democratic setup which I set in Pakistan the last ten months. And, in short, we intend getting that through. Of course, with a pat on the back as far as President Bush is concerned. (Laughter.) Will that be all right?

Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir. Glad you're here.

END 11:44 A.M. EDT

(end transcript)

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