This is an excerpt from today's meeting between George Bush and Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Three years ago, the smallest displays of joy were outlawed. Women were beaten for wearing brightly-colored shoes. Even the playing of music and the flying of kites were outlawed. Today, we witness the rebirth of a vibrant Afghan culture. Music fills the marketplaces, and people are free to come together to celebrate in open.It warms my heart to see Bush teaching one of the more hallowed traditions of our democratic society -- answering questions. Give Bush credit, he seems to have a flair for hypocrisy.
PRESIDENT KARZAI: Afghanistan has problems, too. Among the problems is the question of drugs. The Afghan government is adamant, the Afghan people are adamant to fight this menace, to end it in Afghanistan and receive your help in that.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. It's been nice visiting the United States again. One likes to stay here and not go, it's such a good country. (Laughter.) Thanks very much.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Get home and get to work, will you?
PRESIDENT KARZAI: Thank you, yes. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: We'll answer some questions, in the tradition of democratic societies. Are you ready? We'll start with Hunt.
PRESIDENT KARZAI: I'm ready. I now know, Mr. President, what the free press means. We have it in Afghanistan.
PRESIDENT BUSH: That's good.
