Pubdate: Sun, 24 Mar 2002
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2002 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: The Associated Press
Note: edited for Drug War content

PRESIDENT BUSH'S COMMENTS IN PERU

Excerpts of statements made by President Bush and Peruvian President 
Alejandro Toledo during a news conference held in Lima, Peru, on 
Saturday, as reported by The Associated Press.

QUESTION: President Bush, you are in a region now that's been 
devastated by terrorism and subversion and drug trafficking for over 
three decades. You are offering us the Peace Corps. I would ask you 
if you're willing, as president of the most powerful nation on earth, 
to lead a Marshall Plan for South America?

BUSH: I appreciate that. I think I said more than just the Peace 
Corps, if I'm not mistaken, in my opening comments. Obviously, our 
nation is committed to this part of the world. I have come to Peru as 
the first sitting president to express our solidarity with Peru and 
the people, as well as expressed my appreciation for a reformer who 
got elected who's willing to defend the institutions that make 
democracy go.

I'll repeat, if you'd like me to, go through the litany of things I 
just said: the Andean Trade Preference Act, bilateral action on 
investment, money for education, money to fight drugs. We've tripled 
the amount of money, I believe it was $50 million up to $195 million, 
available.

And so, I think our commitment is -- I think our commitment speaks 
for itself. And I appreciate so very much the chance to come and 
explain it to the Peruvian people, that ours is more than just words. 
Ours is deeds and action.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh