Remarks by President Bush and President Saca of El Salvador in Photo Opportunity.

WASHINGTON -- Oval Office

10:56 A.M. EST

PRESIDENT BUSH: Bienvenidos, a mi amigo, el amigo de los Estados Unidos, Presidente Saca. Thanks for coming, Mr. President. We just had an extensive discussion.

I first want to congratulate the President on winning a distinguished

honor with the IRI award. It's a recognition of strong leadership. The President deserves the award because he's been a strong leader, not only at home, but in the region. The Salvadoran economy is strong, in part because the President fought hard to have a free trade agreement called CAFTA. And a strong leader always worries about his people.

And so today the President wanted to know how his people in the United States are doing, how the people from his great country are doing here in the country. And I thank you for your compassion and your heart for your fellow citizens.

We share a concern about the drug issue and the crime issue. We're in the process of finalizing a strategy to help the Central American countries deal with these issues. And I've asked the President to take the lead, and he has been a strong regional leader, as well as a leader in his home country.

Y por fin, I want to thank the people of El Salvador for being such strong supporters in the war against extremists and radicals. I appreciate the sacrifice of your troops, Mr. President, and their families, as we work jointly to help others realize the blessings of liberty and freedom, particularly in Iraq.

Bienvenidos.

PRESIDENT SACA: (As translated.) Thank you very much, Mr. President. We've had a very broad conversation with President Bush, our friend, our ally, historically in our struggle to build a democratic El Salvador. Twenty years ago we were in the midst of a war. Today we live in peace and democracy and economic growth.

We have discussed with President Bush about free trade and openness. I'm a true believer that free trade generates openness and opportunities for the low income people. President Bush was always a strong leader to push CAFTA through.

We have also spoken about the support that the United States has given us, especially on the security issue. The President has seen with good eyes the security, the regional security plan that we have prepared. And he has asked financial support to the Congress for this plan. The President is showing a great identification with Mexico and Central America, which is also important for the stability in the United States.