[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: GEORGE W. BUSH (2001, Book I)]
[June 30, 2001]
[Pages 752-754]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 752]]

Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Junichiro 
Koizumi of Japan and an Exchange With 
Reporters at Camp David, Maryland
June 30, 2001

    President Bush. It is my honor to welcome the Prime Minister of a--
of our close friend and ally. We had a 2-hour meeting, a very frank and 
open discussion. There's no question we will work together. There's no 
question in my mind our relationship will never be stronger than under 
our leadership.
    We talked about security matters. We talked about economics, and I 
want to praise the Prime Minister for his vision for reform for the 
Japanese economy. He's willing to make difficult choices, and that's 
what a leader does.
    We talked about the environment. We talked about baseball. And we 
talked about the need to make sure that we work for a more peaceful 
world. And I'm confident we'll be able to do so.
    So, Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
    Prime Minister Koizumi. It was a wonderful meeting, and I believe we 
were able to establish a relationship of trust. It was a heart-to-heart 
meeting. This was truly a wonderful meeting. I did not feel--or I did 
not, at the outset, believe that I would be able to establish such a 
strong relationship of trust with the President in my first meeting. 
This was much more than I had expected.
    In the Genoa summit, upcoming summit, and during the President's 
visit to Tokyo this fall, I am certain that we will be able to have an 
even closer relationship during our meetings.
    President Bush. We'll answer a few questions.
    Mr. Prime Minister.
    Q.  I have a question for both of you, if you don't mind. First----
    President Bush. It's typical, by the way. He's given one question, 
and of course, he asks two.

Japan's Economy/Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change

    Q. I thought it was one each. [Laughter]
    Sir, Mr. President, the Prime Minister acknowledges that his reforms 
will slow the economic growth in Japan, at least in the short term. 
Wouldn't that threaten to drag down our economy, as well?
    And to you, Mr. Prime Minister, do you still think that President 
Bush's position on the Kyoto treaty is disappointing? And if so, why 
hasn't your country ratified it, or at least pledged to do so, without 
the United States?
    President Bush. Let me first answer. First of all, the Prime 
Minister recognizes that there needs to be deep and meaningful reform. I 
talked to him about our experiences in Texas in the eighties, where we 
acted--or the marketplace acted, we acted to remedy a situation in which 
we had bad loans, nonperforming assets, and there was some pain. But as 
a result of making the very difficult decisions, our economy was 
restructured and came back stronger than before.
    I support the Prime Minister--strongly support the Prime Minister's 
reform agenda for the economy. He reminded me that in the course of 
winning his election, he had to appeal to the people of Japan and made a 
very strong, direct appeal in laying out this aggressive agenda. And we 
support him strongly.
    I believe, Ron [Ron Fournier, Associated Press], it's in our 
Nation's best interests that the Japanese economy flourish, that it's 
strong and vibrant. And we had a very meaningful discussion, ranging 
from economic restructuring and reform to trade, the new global round of 
WTO, as well. And I believe he's the leader that Japan needs for this 
moment in her history.

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    He wants you to talk about Kyoto.
    Prime Minister Koizumi. I am not disappointed at the President's 
position. The President is enthusiastic about environmental issues, and 
there is still time to discuss this issue.
    I believe if the United States and Japan were to cooperate in 
dealing with environmental issues, we will be able to create means which 
will be more effective in dealing with the global warming issue and also 
in reducing our gas emissions. And I believe that in doing so, we will 
further be able to cooperate with the rest of the world.
    Presently, I do not have the intention of proceeding without the 
cooperation of the United States. To the very last moment, I will work 
with the United States in cooperating on environmental issues. There's 
still time left to discuss ways to cooperate with each other.

President's Discussions With Prime Minister

[At this point, a question was asked in Japanese, and a translation was 
not provided.]

    Prime Minister Koizumi. No, we did not exchange nicknames, like 
Ron--[inaudible]--in the eighties. [Laughter] But we still had a meeting 
in which we were able to have a truly frank exchange of views in a 
friendly manner. It was very warm, and it was a very truly enjoyable, 
meaningful meeting.
    Only people who are called hen-jins are able to proceed with reforms 
or making changes. But when I say hen-jin, this is not strange or 
eccentric, but this means extraordinary. [Laughter]

Vice President Dick Cheney

    Q. Mr. President, are you concerned about the Vice President's 
health, and do you think perhaps he should slow down?
    President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, my great friend and the Vice 
President of our country went to the hospital today and put a pacemaker 
on his heart. It's a procedure that is viewed as something not out of 
the ordinary for the people who have had a heart condition. I'm told the 
operation went well. I'm going to speak to him in about an hour. I look 
forward to hearing his strong and steady voice on the phone.
    No, I don't think he ought to slow down. I think he ought to listen 
to his body. I think he ought to--which he has been doing. I think he 
ought to work at a pace that he is comfortable with. And I know Dick 
Cheney well, and if I were to say, ``You've got to slow down, Mr. Vice 
President,'' he's going to say, ``Forget it,'' because he's got a job to 
do. And he's a valuable member of my administration. He and his doctors 
made the right decision. And I'm told that he's going to be back to work 
Monday morning, and I look forward to seeing him in the Oval Office 
Monday morning. But I'm going to speak to him directly.
    Q. They did put it in?
    President Bush. They did put it in.

Japan's Economy/President's Discussions With Prime Minister

    Q. Mr. President, after the meeting with the Prime Minister for 
almost 2 hours now, did you find out why he's so popular in Japan? Did 
you wholeheartedly support his economic reform plans, which could result 
in very slow growth in Japan for as long as 3 years? Didn't you have any 
reservations at all about his plans, namely, implications for the global 
economy and for the U.S. economy?
    President Bush. I have no reservations about the economic reform 
agenda that the Prime Minister is advancing. He talks about tackling 
some difficult issues that some leaders in the past refused to address.
    I came--I knew the Prime Minister was dynamic; I've heard that; I've 
read it. But you don't really realize how dynamic he is until you have a 
chance to witness his conversation. He's got a great sense of humor. He 
loves to laugh, but he's a courageous leader, as well. And I admire a 
person who recognizes that his duty is not

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to avoid but to lead. His duty is to speak plainly to the people of his 
country. And I believe strongly that we will have a good relationship, 
not only to foster what's in the best interests of our country--
countries--and in the region, but we'll have a good personal 
relationship, as well. After all, he's the only world leader I've ever 
played catch with, with a baseball.
    Listen, thank you all for coming.
    Prime Minister Koizumi. In meeting with President Bush, I instantly 
felt that with this person I will be able to give my frank views, and I 
will be able to speak from the bottom of my heart. He has that kind of 
an atmosphere within himself. And with our common, shared values between 
Japan and the United States, I am certain that I will continue to be 
able to have these frank exchange of views with him.
    President Bush. Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 11:09 a.m. outside the Holly Cabin. Prime 
Minister Koizumi spoke in Japanese, and his remarks were translated by 
an interpreter.