Statement by the Press Secretary: President to Welcome Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Crawford

President and Mrs. Bush will welcome Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan to their ranch at Crawford, Texas on May 22-23, 2003. Japan stands as a committed ally and firm supporter of coordinated efforts to tackle the major security challenges we face today. The President looks forward to comprehensive discussions with Prime Minister Koizumi on the reconstruction of a liberated Iraq, strengthening a united strategy to deal with the North Korean nuclear threat, and exploring closer cooperation on global economic and security issues.