US President George W. Bush met on Monday Congo President Denis
Sassou-Nguesso at the White House and discussed the situation in
Darfur, Sudan, the fight against AIDS, and Iran's nuclear
program.
"We had a very constructive discussion about a variety of
issues," Bush told reporters after the meeting. "We talked about
our common commitment to help end the genocide in Darfur."
"I appreciate the president's leadership in helping negotiate a
peace agreement, and I appreciate his leadership in working with
the United Nations so we can get the AU forces blue-helmeted as
quickly as possible," Bush said of Sassou-Nguesso's effort in
making the May 5 Darfur peace agreement.
The African Union has a 7,300-member peace keeping force in
Darfur and is mediating the conflict.
The AU troops are getting support from NATO and the European Union
and are due to hand over to a United Nations force in September
2006.
On AIDS problem in Africa, Bush praised Congo for its effort to
curb the infection of the deadly disease, and reiterated American
desire to help fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in African
continent.
Sassou-Nguesso said he discussed with Bush about terrorism, and
diplomatic efforts to solve Iran's nuclear issue.
(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2006)
