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Bush, Koizumi Meet at White House
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=12D31A2:3919ACA President Bush says
US, Japan share common values of democracy, free enterprise and a deep
respect for human rights President Bush is meeting with Japanese Prime
Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the White House to discuss the fight
against terrorism and efforts to convince North Korea to give up
nuclear weapons.

An honor guard of American soldiers welcomed the Japanese leader to
the White House on his last official visit as prime minister.







George Bush, right, shakes hands with Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi
during arrival ceremony on South Lawn of White House, ThursdayMr. Bush
and Mr. Koizumi have built a strong friendship over the last five
years, a bond that the president says shows how much relations between
their countries have changed since the end of World War II.



"Decades ago, our two fathers looked across the Pacific and saw
adversaries, uncertainty, and war," the president said. "Today, their
sons look across that same ocean and see friends and opportunity and
peace."

President Bush says Japan and the United States share common values of
democracy, free enterprise and a deep respect for human rights.

He thanked the prime minister for Japan's commitment to the fight
against terrorism. Japan is the third largest contributor to Afghan
reconstruction and sent troops to Iraq.

"The people of Japan can be proud of the contribution their
self-defense forces have made in the war on terror, and Americans are
proud to serve alongside such courageous allies," Mr. Bush said.

Prime Minister Koizumi said the two leaders have cooperated on a
series of international issues, from fighting terrorism to convincing
North Korea to give up nuclear weapons.

"Japan and the United States are allies on various matters, not simply
of bilateral relations, but on the questions of how best we, our two
countries, could cooperate together as allies in addressing various
international issues," Mr. Koizumi said.

Their day of meetings will end with an official dinner at the White
House. The president and prime minister travel to the southern state
of Tennessee Friday for a private tour of Graceland, the home of the
late Rock and Roll legend, Elvis Presley.


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