    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [June 13, 2002]
    [Pages 977-980]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister John Howard of Australia and an Exchange With Reporters
    June 13, 2002

        President Bush. We're going to have an opening statement; the Prime
    Minister will. I will call upon an American reporter. The Prime Minister
    will call upon an Australian

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    reporter. I will then call upon an American reporter. The Prime Minister
    will finish by calling on an Australian reporter.
        Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
        Prime Minister Howard. Thank you.
        President Bush. The United States has got a great friend in
    Australia, and I've got a personal friend in the Prime Minister. And I
    want to thank you for your steadfast support when it comes to fighting
    terror.
        I reminded the people here in the meeting that the last time the
    Prime Minister and I visited here in America was on September the 10th,
    and our world was changed forever the next day. I found it really
    interesting that one of our best friends was with the President of the
    United States the day before the attack. And our best friend will be
    with us at the end of this war, too, and that's really comforting to
    know.
        I look forward to working with you on a variety of issues. I look
    forward to coming to your country one day. The Prime Minister invited me
    to go down to Australia. I'd love to go. But I want to welcome you very
    much--an honor to call you friend.
        Prime Minister Howard. Thank you very much, Mr. President. There is
    something rather poignant about us meeting again in this Oval Office and
    remembering the last time was the 10th of September. I said to the
    Congress yesterday that America had no better friend anywhere in the
    world than Australia. I want to put on record the admiration of the
    Australian people for the tremendous leadership that you've displayed,
    Mr. President, over the past 9 months.
        Australia is a firm and faithful friend, and we are in there with
    you in the fight against terror. It still has a long way to go, and I
    think it's very important that the people don't imagine that the fight
    is anywhere near complete. And there will be a lot of commitment on our
    part, and we do respect and admire the contribution that you're making
    as the leader of the world's response.
        And personally, can I thank you very warmly for your welcome and
    that of your administration. It was a real honor to address the other
    part of the United States Government yesterday and to talk to some of
    the Congressmen and to understand the processes of your form of
    democracy. We each have our own challenges. You have yours; I have mine.
    [Laughter]
        But it's great to be here. And I said yesterday that Americans and
    Australians like each other and they find it easy to relate to each
    other. And I've certainly found that, at a personal level, with you, Mr.
    President. And thank you very much.
        President Bush. Stretch [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News].

    Future Palestinian State

        Q. Mr. President, Secretary of State Powell has been talking to Arab
    and Middle Eastern media in recent days about you very soon having a
    timeline for Palestinian statehood. And he's also raised the possibility
    of a provisional or temporary Palestinian state to get the ball moving.
    Do those statements reflect your views? And how soon could we anticipate
    something from this?
        President Bush. I'm--listen, I'm listening to a lot of opinion. I
    met today with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia. The Prime Minister and I talked about the subject.
    And I think it's probably wise for people not to spend a lot of time
    speculating.
        I'm going to lay out my vision at some point in time. It's going to
    be a vision that will help lead toward two states living side by side.
    People are going to have to be--in order to achieve that vision, people
    are going to have to take responsibility. Israelis are going to have to
    be responsible; Palestinians are going to have to be responsible; the
    Arab world is going to have to assume responsibility to achieve this
    vision.
        And there's one thing for certain that I strongly believe, and that
    is that we must build the institutions necessary for the evolution of a
    Palestinian state which can live

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    peacefully in the region and provide hope for the suffering Palestinian
    people.
        Mr. Prime Minister.
        Prime Minister Howard. [Inaudible]

    Iraq

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, Vice President Dick Cheney has said in recent
    days that the problem of Iraq requires a direct response from both the
    United States and its allies. I just wonder whether you discussed that
    issue, whether, Mr. President, there was any timeline on what you would
    require from Australia?
        Prime Minister Howard. Well, we discussed it. I think what's been
    said by the administration earlier on this was repeated. Clearly, Iraq's
    behavior has been--in relation to the weapons of mass destruction--has
    been offensive to many countries, including the United States and
    Australia. But the question of any action by the United States is a
    matter for the United States. And I've indicated before in Australia,
    and I repeat now, that if there are any approaches made to Australia,
    we'd consider them in the circumstances, at the time, if they occur.
        President Bush. Yes, I told the Prime Minister there are no war
    plans on my desk. I haven't changed my opinion about Saddam Hussein, however. He is--this is a person who gassed
    his own people and possesses weapons of mass destruction. And so, as I
    told the American people and I told John, we'll use all tools at our
    disposal to deal with him. And of course, before there is any action--
    military action--I would closely consult with our close friend. But
    there are no plans on my desk right now.
        Yes, John [John Roberts, CBS News].

    New Source Review

        Q. Mr. President, on the New Source Review changes that were
    announced by the EPA today, environmental groups say that this is a
    giveaway to industry that will actually increase pollution at these
    dirtiest powerplants. One former member of the EPA who joined that
    organization under ``Bush 41'' said today that the new rules are
    disgraceful, sir. And I'm wondering what your opinion is.
        President Bush. They're absolutely wrong. The New Source Review
    reforms, coupled with the clear skies legislation, will reduce pollution
    by approximately 70 percent. This administration is committed to clean
    air, and we're going to work vigorously to achieve clean air.

    Trade Promotion Authority

        Q. Mr. President, if Congress gives you trade approval, will a trade
    deal be a priority with Australia? And will Australian farmers get
    better access to American markets?
        President Bush. Yes. I talked to John about the importance of trade.
    The qualifier was, if Congress were to give me trade promotion
    authority; I appreciate you qualifying it that way. I urge Congress to
    give me trade promotion authority, so----
        Prime Minister Howard. So do I. [Laughter]
        President Bush. ----so we can have fruitful discussions with our
    friend. But first things first. And as you know, a bill passed the
    House, and one passed the Senate. And now it's time for them to get
    together and get the bill to me. And I would--more than willing to ask
    my man Zoellick to talk to the
    Australians, but only until and after we get TPA.
        Listen, thank you all for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:41 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, President Bush referred to Minister of Foreign
    Affairs Saud al-Faysal al Saud of Saudi Arabia; President Saddam Hussein
    of Iraq; and U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick.

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