Contact: White House, Office of the Press Secretary, 202-456-2580

LIMA, Peru, Nov. 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following are remarks by President Bush and Prime Minister Harper of Canada before meeting:

JW Marriott Hotel Lima
8:17 A.M. (Local)

PRESIDENT BUSH:  I'm pleased to be with a good friend and a strong leader, Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  It's been a joy to work with you.   And we've accomplished a lot together, relations between the United States and Canada are strong -- sometimes complicated, but nevertheless based on common values.  I appreciate your candor, your strength of character and your consistent philosophy.  So I'm looking forward to good discussions.  I'm looking forward to this APEC -- I think it's very important for us to continue to work together during the time of economic turmoil.

I want to thank you for coming to Washington last weekend and thank you for your solid contributions.

PRIME MINISTER HARPER:  Well, I appreciate that, Mr. President, and I've appreciated the candor of our relationship, I've appreciated your openness.  We've had many things we've agreed on and a few we haven't, but you've always been willing to listen.  And Laureen and I certainly wish Laura and you all the best if I don't see you again before the 20th of January.

PRESIDENT BUSH:  Before forced retirement.  (Laughter.)

END               8:18 A.M. (Local)