[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.