Transcript: Bush, Martin Media Availability

BUSH: Yes. I shared a deep disgust that those prisoners were treated the way they were treated. Their treatment does not reflect the nature of the American people. That's not the way we do things in America. And so I didn't like it one bit.

But I also want to remind people that those few people who did that do not reflect the nature of the men and women we've sent overseas. That's not way the people are, it's not their character, that are serving our nation and the cause of freedom. And there'll be an investigation, I think it'll be taken care of.

QUESTION: Mr. President, could you tell us what you'd like to see Canada doing on Iraq, both diplomatically and in terms eventually of getting possibly police and troops on the ground there?

BUSH: My first answer to that is, I want Canada to do what it feels comfortable doing in Iraq. And that's what I've told the prime minister before.

Canada is an independent nation. Canada can make its decisions based upon her own judgment.

The prime minister shares my deep desire for there to be peace in the world. And to the extent that the country feels comfortable in helping that, we're grateful.

Canada's doing a lot in the Afghanistan. Canada's doing a lot in Haiti. Canada is a contributor to reconstruction in Iraq.

And I am grateful to be able to talk to a friend who shares the same goal, which is affecting behavior in a way that's based upon our values of human rights, human dignity and freedom. And we've got no better partner in understanding the power of free societies.

You know, there's a lot of people in the world who don't believe that people whose skin color may not be the same as ours can be free, can self-governed.

BUSH: I reject that. I reject that strongly. I believe that people who practice the Muslim faith can self-govern. I believe that people whose skins aren't necessarily -- you know, are different color than white can self-govern. And the prime minister -- I don't want to put words in his mouth, but I think he shares that great sense of optimism and possibility. And it's good to have a friend who shares that with us.

Would you like to have the first ladies come on up?

MARTIN: I've got to say that I really do like sharing a press conference with you. You answer those questions perfectly.

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: Thank you. Record that.

MARTIN: If you could just give me two seconds, I'm going to translate -- they want it.

BUSH: Some of these guys understand French over here.

(LAUGHTER)

Raise your hand, Gregory.

MARTIN: (SPEAKING IN FRENCH)

BUSH: Listen, thank you all.

END