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| U.S. President
George W. Bush speaks as he meets Denis Sassou-Nguesso, president of the
Republic of Congo and head of the 53-nation African Union, in the Oval
Office of the White House in Washington June 5, 2006.
(Xinhua/Reuters) | WASHINGTON,
June 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. 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 tocurb 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, anddiplomatic efforts to solve Iran's nuclear issue. Enditem
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