Statement by the Press Secretary: President Bush to Welcome President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo to the White House

President Bush will welcome President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo to the White House on June 5, 2006. The President looks forward to working with President Sassou-Nguesso, the current Chairman of the African Union. The two leaders will discuss implementation of the May 5, 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement, NATO assistance to strengthen the African Union Mission in Sudan and the follow-on U.N. mission, United Nations authorization to promptly transition to a U.N. peacekeeping force, and ways to strengthen democracy and improve the lives of the Congolese people.