U.S. President George W. Bush welcomed Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the White House to honor the United States and Liberia's relationship, the White House said on Thursday. Bush and Sirleaf made brief statements to the press after meeting in private, the White House said. The two leaders discussed the United States' commitment to help relieve Liberia's debt, aiding Liberian children in getting a good education, and helping the country combat malaria, Bush said. “Malaria is one of the greatest killers in our country [Liberia], particular among our young children. And so we'll be working to make sure that we get a program where we can have some measurable actions so we can reduce this scourge that afflicts our children,” Sirleaf said. This weekend, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will meet in Washington, DC and plans to discuss Liberian debt relief, Bush said. Bush congratulated Sirleaf's efforts on encouraging Liberian parents to send their children to school, and stressed that the United States views universal education for children as very important, he said. Liberia is one of four African countries that are part of a universal education initiative, Sirleaf said. “The President [Sirleaf] is committed to universal education in Liberia, and have made great strides since the days of your civil strife [in Liberia],” Bush said. Bush also reiterated his support with malaria initiatives in Liberia that has the possibility of reducing “death of young children…a death that we can cure,” he said. Sirleaf took the opportunity to reiterate Liberia's commendation of the United States' efforts that “set us [Liberia] on this road to peace, and a road that's enabled us to get the progress we have today,” she said.
