    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 23, 2002]
    [Pages 847-854]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With Chancellor Gerhard
    Schroeder of Germany in Berlin
    May 23, 2002

    [The Chancellor's remarks are joined in progress.]

        Chancellor Schroeder. ----welcome you most warmly here to the garden
    of the Chancellery. We have exceedingly been looking forward to this
    visit of the U.S. American President, George W. Bush. And the results of
    our conversations I think are such that we have every reason to be
    pleased.
        U.S. American are in an exceedingly healthy state. It's a very
    friendly atmosphere; that has become abundantly clear in all of our
    conversations. But I also think that there is a tremendous amount of
    agreement between the two of us and our two countries as regards the
    assessment of the situation around the world.
        Now, to begin with, we have started to talk about, very intensely,
    about the U.S. American-European relations. I think what the American
    President and the Russian President have agreed together regarding
    questions of disarmament, but also regarding the process of approachment
    of Russia towards NATO, that that is of historic importance. And I would
    very much say that--and we both agree that this process is going to be
    topped by what we're going to be doing in Rome on the 28th of May
    together. The world is going to be a safer place for it, and I think
    it's a tremendous success not only of America but of this special U.S.
    American President.
        We then, obviously, talked about the ongoing necessity to continue
    with our joint fight against international terrorism. And I have been
    able to brief the President about my visit to Kabul and about the
    necessity of maintaining the protection force on the ground, the ISAF.
    They are the force to guarantee a minimum of security and, therefore, a
    minimum perspective of hope of reconstruction for people in this
    country. This is also important: We want to rebuild economic and social
    structures in the country. We're very much in agreement that we have
    every reason to trust the interim Government with Interim President
    Karzai and to give them all of the support that they need to move their
    country forward as a way of their own momentum.
        Now, we very much agree that it is necessary and important to make
    sure we move the peace process forward in the Middle East. I have
    emphasized very strongly that the President's speech in Washington was a
    milestone regarding this situation. He went in and made it abundantly
    clear what we all believe in--at least we, too, certainly believe in--
    that Israel has got a guaranteed--[inaudible]--right of safe existence
    within strong and reliable borders, that it needs to be recognized by
    all of its neighbors, and that by the end of the day, certainly there is
    going to be an independent Palestinian state too.
        And we're very much agreed that this is a job to be done by the
    international community of states, certainly by means of the Quartet
    that arose from Madrid--the United States of America, the United
    Nations, Europe, and Russia. Now, this Quartet is hopefully going to
    support the constructive process as well as they can, because we really
    need stability and peaceful development for this region, specifically.
        We very much share the concern about the existing conflict between
    Pakistan, on one hand side, and India on the other hand. And we're very
    much agreed that we have to do whatever we can to bring a peaceful
    solution to this conflict. I mean, we must make sure that no further
    escalation happens over there.

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        Now, moreover, we addressed questions of interest regarding trade
    with one another. We also addressed some other issues that are in
    existence regarding our bilateral relations.
        Thank you.
        President Bush. Well, thank you, Chancellor. It's an honor to be
    here in this historic city. I want to thank you for your hospitality,
    and I want to thank you for treating Laura so well.
        The Chancellor and I have met--I think it's now five times, and I
    value our friendship. I appreciate the frank discussions we have. I'm
    here to let the German people know how proud I am of our relationship,
    our personal relationship, and how proud I am of the relationship
    between our two countries. Germany is an incredibly important ally to
    the United States of America. We respect the German people. We
    appreciate democracy in this land. We appreciate the struggles that
    Germany has gone through, and we value the friendship going forward.
        My speech today at the Bundestag will talk about the problems that
    we can solve together, that we share so much particularly when it comes
    to values and a deep and abiding concern for humanity and for peace. One
    of the things I like about Gerhardt is, he's willing to confront
    problems in an open way. And he is, hopefully like people consider me, a
    problemsolver, that we're willing to use our respective positions to
    solve problems, such as making sure our respective homelands are secure
    from terrorist attack. I'm going to talk clearly about that today, about
    the need for us to continue to cooperate and to fight against terror--
    people who hate freedom, people who are challenging civilization itself.
        I want to thank again the German people and the German Government
    for the commitment to Afghanistan. The Chancellor made a very tough but,
    I think, correct decision in sending troops to Afghanistan, and those
    troops have performed brilliantly. I know you've lost life, as have we.
    And our hearts go out to the families of the soldiers who died. But in
    my judgment, the sacrifice is necessary, because we defend freedom, and
    freedom is precious.
        We talked about weapons of mass destruction and the need for us to
    be concerned about weapons of mass destruction. As I will mention in my
    speech, one way to help our mutual security is to work together to solve
    regional problems, and we spent a lot of time talking about the Middle
    East. The German Government has been very helpful in helping set the
    foundation for peace. Both of us agree that there ought to be two
    states, a Palestinian state and obviously the Israeli state, living side
    by side in peace, and we're working in that direction. A hot topic
    today, of course, in the world and one that we spent a lot of time
    talking about is, as Gerhardt mentioned, the India-Pakistan issue.
        My point is, is that we've got a reliable friend and ally in
    Germany. This is a confident country led by a confident man, and that's
    good. That's good for world peace. It's good for those of us who love
    and embrace freedom.
        So, Mr. Chancellor, thanks for--thanks for giving me a chance to
    come and visit with you. Thanks for your hospitality. Thanks for giving
    me a chance to speak to the Bundestag here in a little bit.
        We'll be glad to answer a couple of questions for you.
        Chancellor Schroeder. There is the possibility to put three
    questions from each side. Please, possibly, that the guests could start.
        President Bush. Did he just call on you? Okay--[laughter]--okay, I'm
    sorry. Ron [Ron Fournier, Associated Press], have you got a question?
    [Laughter]
        Q. I do----
        President Bush. That's right.
        Q. This is a question to President Bush----
        President Bush. Wait a minute. How many questions are you going to
    ask?

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    Intelligence Before September 11 Attacks/Iraq

        Q. Should the American people conclude there were some intelligence
    lapses before September 11th? And can you please explain why you oppose
    an independent commission to look into the matter and why you won't
    release the August 6th memo?
        And quickly to you, sir, do you think there should be a regime
    change in Iraq?
        President Bush. Well, first of all, I've got great confidence in our
    CIA and FBI. I know what's taken place since the attacks on September
    the 11th. Our communications between the two agencies is much better
    than ever before. We've got a much better--doing a much better job of
    sharing intelligence.
        I, of course, want the Congress to take a look at what took place
    prior to September the 11th. But since it deals with such sensitive
    information, in my judgment, it's best for the ongoing war against
    terror that the investigation be done in the intelligence committee.
    There are committees set up with both Republicans and Democrats who
    understand the obligations of upholding our secrets and our sources and
    methods of collecting intelligence. And therefore, I think it's the best
    place for Congress to take a good look at the events leading up to
    September the 11th.
        The other question?
        Q. The August 6th memo----
        President Bush. Oh, yes. Well, one of the things that is very
    important, Ron, is that the information given to the President be
    protected, because we don't want to give away sources and uses and
    methodology of intelligence gathering. And one of the things that we're
    learning is, in order to win this war on terror, we've got to have the
    best intelligence gathering possible. And not only have we got to share
    intelligence between friends, which we do, but we're still at war; we've
    still got threats to the homeland that we've got to deal with. And it's
    very important for us to not hamper our ability to wage that war. And so
    there are ways to gather information, to help improve the system without
    jeopardizing the capacity for us to gather intelligence, and those are
    the ways I support.
        Chancellor Schroeder. Saddam Hussein is a dictator, there can be no
    doubt, nothing else. And he does act without looking after his people at
    all, whatsoever. We're agreed when it comes to that. And we're also
    agreed to the fact that it is up to the international community of
    states to go in and exercise a lot of political pressure in the most--
    possible way. The United Nations have decided to do so as well. We need
    to pressurize him so that international arms inspectors can get into the
    country to find out what weapons of mass destruction can be found in his
    hands. I mean, there is no difference there between President Bush and
    myself when it comes to the assessment of this situation.
        We then obviously also talked about the question as to what should
    happen in the future, what could happen in the future. I have taken
    notice of the fact that His Excellency, the President, does think about
    all possible alternatives. But despite what people occasionally present
    here in rumors, there are no concrete military plans of attack on Iraq.
    And that is why, for me, there is no reason whatsoever to speculate
    about when and if and how. I think such speculation should be forbidden.
    That certainly is not the right thing for a Chancellor, and I am in this
    position.
        We will be called upon to take our decision if and when, after
    consultations--and we've been assured that such consultations are going
    to be happening--and then we'll take a decision. And before that, I
    think we should not speculate about serious questions like this one.

    Situation in the Middle East

        Q. Mr. President--[inaudible]--Chancellor, looking beyond Iraq,
    given the fact that Syria, too, in U.S. terminology, is a state sponsor
    of terrorism, given the fact

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    that Saudi Arabia is anything but a democratic, rule-of-law, pluralistic
    society, how do both of you want to have this whole region, the Middle
    East, look like once the fight against terror is over?
        President Bush. Yes, it's a great question. Would you care to go
    first, Mr. Chancellor? [Laughter] I'll be glad to answer it, if you
    like.
        First, you need to know that in order for the region to be peaceful
    and hopeful, there must be a resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli
    conflict. I believe that strongly. And that's why my Government and I
    feel strongly that we've got to work toward a vision of peace that
    includes two states living side by side.
        And the positive news is that many Arab leaders understand that they
    have got to be a part of the process now. We spent a great deal of time
    talking to the Saudis, for example--you mentioned the Saudis. They must
    be a party to the process. They have--sometimes in the past, the process
    has not gone forward because there hasn't been, as we say in America,
    the buy-in by the parties; they haven't been a party to the process. And
    I'm pleased to report, as you can probably see in your newspapers, they
    are now; they're involved.
        I think one of our--and the reason I mention that is because I think
    their involvement to a process that I'm optimistic will succeed will
    then enable us to continue to more likely have an effect on promoting
    values that we hold dear, values of rule of law and democracy and
    minority rights. The institutions of change are more likely to be
    effective with our ability to achieve a peace in the Middle East. And so
    much of the ability to promote reform, which we're for, hinges on our
    abilities and capacities to get something done. And it's going to take a
    while, I believe, but nevertheless, we are making progress. And my
    administration spends a great deal of time on the Middle East, because
    we understand it is a linchpin for convincing regimes to adopt the
    habits of freedom that sometimes we take for granted in our respective
    countries.
        Chancellor Schroeder. Well, I don't think I've got to add a lot to
    what's been said, but possibly so much. I think there cannot be peace in
    the Middle East without the United States of America and without them
    being active in this field. And it was not without reason that I pointed
    to the tremendously important speech of the President. It's very
    important. And that is why we support the efforts towards peace
    undertaken by the United States, but also by all other members of the
    so-called Quartet. We are supporting this in the framework of the
    European Union, but we're also doing it through bilateral channels. And
    my impression is--and here yet again, I fully agree with the President--
    that a certain degree of progress is visible in this process.
        Now, obviously, we cannot be satisfied with the degree of progress,
    but still we have moved a little bit, and there is no alternative to the
    way that the President just described. There is no such thing as a magic
    formula to solve this tremendously difficult problem. Nobody has such a
    formula. And that is why I think the task that the President just
    described is certainly one that needs to be seriously supported by the
    European Union and us, bilaterally.
        President Bush. Steve Holland, Reuters.
        Q. Thank you very much.
        President Bush. A fine man, fine man.
        Chancellor Schroeder. We'll see that once he's put his question.
    [Laughter]
        President Bush. There you go.

    Russia and Iran

        Q. When you meet with President Putin tomorrow, how are you going to
    talk him into ending nuclear cooperation with Iran?
        President Bush. Well, that's a--that's going to be a topic. One way
    to make the case is that if you arm Iran, you're liable to get the
    weapons pointed at you, that you've got to be careful in dealing with a
    country like Iran. This is a country that doesn't--it's not transparent;
    it's not open.

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    It's run by a group of extremists who fund terrorist activity, who
    clearly hate our mutual friend Israel. And you know, it's very
    unpredictable. And therefore, Russia needs to be concerned about
    proliferation into a country that might view them as an enemy at some
    point in time. And if Iran gets a weapon of mass destruction deliverable
    by a missile, that's going to be a problem. That's going to be a problem
    for all of us, including Russia.
        So that's how I'm going to make the case. We've got a lot of work to
    do with Russia. I will continue to make the case. As you know, Steve, I
    have brought that subject up ever since I've started meeting with
    Vladimir Putin.
        The good news is, we're--our relationship is a friendly
    relationship; that I view President Putin as
    a friend. I view Russia as a friend, not as an enemy. And therefore,
    it's much easier to solve these difficult issues, an issue like
    proliferation, amongst friends.
        And I want to appreciate the Chancellor's kind words about
    tomorrow's treaty signing. It's going to be a positive development for
    America and, I believe, a positive development for Europe. And then, of
    course, we're going to Rome afterwards, and that, too, will be a
    positive development for Europe and America. And it is within the--it's
    in this positive relationship and positive atmosphere that we're more
    likely to be able to achieve satisfaction on nonproliferation.

    Iraq

        Q. Mr. President, the Chancellor just said that your Government does
    not seem to be very specific right now when it comes to plans to attack
    Iraq. Is that true, sir? And could you, nevertheless, try to explain to
    the German people what your goals are when it comes to Iraq?
        And secondly, by German standards, Germany has already shouldered a
    huge burden in military terms of the fight against terrorism. Are you
    satisfied with that, or do you want Germany to do more?
        President Bush. First, what the Chancellor told you is true.
        Chancellor Schroeder. Of course it is. [Laughter]
        President Bush. I'm surprised anybody would doubt your word,
    Chancellor. [Laughter]
        Yes, look, I mean, he knows my position, and the world knows my
    position about Saddam Hussein. He is a
    dangerous man. He is a dictator who gassed his own people. He's had a
    history of incredible human rights violations. And he is a--it's
    dangerous to think of a scenario in which a country like Iraq would team
    up with an Al Qaida-type organization, particularly if and when they had
    the capacity--had the capacity, or when they have the capacity to
    deliver weapons of mass destruction via ballistic missile. And that's a
    threat. It's a threat to Germany; it's a threat to America; it's a
    threat to civilization itself. And we've got to deal with it. We can
    play like it's not there. We can hope it goes away. But that's not going
    to work. That's not going to make us safer.
        And I told the Chancellor that I have no war plans on my desk, which
    is the truth, and that we've got to use all means at our disposal to
    deal with Saddam Hussein. And I appreciate
    the German Chancellor's understanding of the threats of weapons of mass
    destruction, and they're real. Now, I know some would play like they're
    not real. I'm telling you: They're real. And if you love freedom, it's a
    threat to freedom. And so we're going to deal with it, and we'll deal
    with it in a respectful way.
        The Chancellor said that I promised consultations. I will say it
    again: I promise consultations with our close friend and ally. We will
    exert a unified diplomatic pressure. We will share intelligence. We love
    freedom and so does the Chancellor, and we cannot allow these weapons to
    be in a position that will affect history.

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        Listen, history has called us to action. I don't want to be in a
    position where we look back, and say, ``Why didn't they lead? Where were
    they when it came to our basic freedoms?'' And we are going to lead.
        What was your other part of your question? That's what you get for
    asking long questions, or what I get for answering long answers.

    Germany's Role in the War on Terrorism

        Q. That's perfectly all right. The second question was, sir, that
    Germany has already shouldered a huge burden in military terms, and do
    you expect more----
        President Bush. Germany has shouldered a significant burden, and we
    are very grateful for that. The Chancellor and I talked about how to
    make sure we complete the task in Afghanistan, which is to continue
    chasing down the killers, by the way, and to find them before they hit
    us, but as well is to leave institutions behind so that Afghanistan can
    run herself, so Afghanistan can be a peaceful nation, so Afghanistan can
    function. And we both recognize that our presence is going to have to be
    there for a--for quite awhile. And the Chancellor made that commitment,
    and I appreciate that. I'm very satisfied with the commitment of the
    German Government.
        Yes, Terry [Terry Moran, ABC News].

    Disposition of the Russian Nuclear Arsenal

        Q. Thank you, sir. On the subject of weapons of mass destruction,
    the strategic arms agreement you'll sign in Moscow does not address what
    many people say is now the greatest threat posed by the Russian arsenal
    of weapons of mass destruction, and that's proliferation to terrorists
    or rogue states because of insufficient security. What specific plan do
    you have to address that issue with President Putin? Do you believe the
    Russian Government is doing a good job securing those weapons? And what
    do you say to critics of this arms deal who say that by taking the
    material off the warheads, you provide more opportunities for terrorists
    to get them?
        President Bush. Well, I guess to start with the critics, I'd say,
    would you rather have them on the launchers? Would you rather have the
    warheads pointed at people? I would think not.
        Secondly, this issue about the so-called loose nuke issue has been
    around for quite a while. This isn't anything new. This is a problem
    that we are jointly working on. As you know, Terry--and others may not
    know--we've got what's called Nunn-Lugar, which is a significant
    expenditure of taxpayers' money to help Russia dispose of and dismantle
    nuclear warheads, which we're willing to do. As a matter of fact, the
    '03 budget is nearly a billion dollars toward that end.
        We're working with Chancellor Schroeder on what's called 10-plus-10-
    over-10: $10 billion from the U.S., 10 billion from other members of the
    G-7 over a 10-year period, to help Russia securitize the dismantling--
    the dismantled nuclear warheads.
        And President Putin understands that. He
    understands the need to work closely with all of us. Listen, he
    understands that a loose nuke could affect his security as it affects
    somebody else's security. He's a wise man; he's aware of the issues that
    we confront. That's why he's one of the best partners we have on the war
    against terror. He understands the implications and consequences of
    terror. And he also recognizes that a nightmare scenario is a dirty bomb
    or some kind of nuclear bomb in the hands of a--in the hands of any kind
    of terrorist organization.
        Chancellor Schroeder. Last question.

    President's Security Bubble/Addressing Issues of Hope

        Q. Mr. President, at the present you are visiting a kind of ghost
    town around here. Do you feel a bit of pity about not to meet the Berlin
    people--[inaudible]--visit first? And then secondly, when discussing

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    ways to find a--[inaudible]--peace, did you discuss on social and
    developmental matters too, these means? Is there a chance that you'll
    come back to the table to sign the Kyoto treaty?
        President Bush. No. [Laughter]
        Q. Then what are your aims, concerns in the Johannesburg summit in
    August? Will you take part of it--[inaudible]?
        President Bush. Okay. Let's see, part one of a four-part question. I
    live in a bubble. That's what happens when you're the President. So
    unfortunately, I don't get to see as much of Berlin as I'd like to see.
    That's just life. So when I come back at some point in my life, Mr.
    Chancellor, you can show me around. We'll go fishing together.
        No, I don't--yes, of course, whether it be in Berlin or Moscow or
    anywhere else, I mean, I'm a person who likes--I like to meet people. I
    like--I enjoy people. I had one small glimpse of Berlin last night when
    we went to a restaurant. It was my pleasure to shake hands with
    everybody or most everybody in the restaurant. I enjoy that. It
    frustrates me not to be able to see this growing city. But that's just
    life in the bubble. That's just what happens when you're the President,
    and I knew that going in, so I'm not griping about it.
        Yes, the human condition is very important to me. I mean, it is--and
    that's one way to make sure that the terrorists are less likely to be
    effective in their recruiting, is to promote those conditions necessary
    for human beings to realize their full potential, such as good health
    and good education and prosperity--those habits necessary for the growth
    of prosperity. And I will address that in my speech to the Bundestag.
        And I don't know whether or not you followed it, but we've laid out
    an initiative called the new Millennium Fund, where after 3 years our
    Government will be spending $5 billion a year--new money--for
    development. And that money is going to go promote--to countries which
    are willing to fight corruption and promote rule of law. Look, you can
    give all kinds of money to corrupt societies, but it's not going to help
    the people; it will help the few. And I'm tired of that. I want to
    encourage reforms in society that help people.
        You know, I'm desperately concerned about AIDS. I know the
    Chancellor shares my grief. And we've put a significant amount of money
    on the table. But eventually I hope to see a strategy that will work.
    It's one thing to commit money; it's another thing to insist that the
    money actually work and start saving people's lives. And when that
    happens, we'll commit more money.
        So, you bet, we're going to talk--we've talked about and will
    continue to talk about the human conditions necessary to really make
    sure the whole world is able to be free and at peace.
        Thank you all.
        Chancellor Schroeder. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 1:28 p.m. in the
    courtyard at the Kanzleramt. Chancellor Schroeder spoke in German, and
    his remarks were translated by an interpreter. In his remarks, President
    Bush referred to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and President
    Saddam Hussein of Iraq. Chancellor Schroeder referred to Chairman Hamid
    Karzai of the Afghan Interim Authority; and ISAF, the International
    Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The transcript released by the
    Office of the Press Secretary did not include the complete opening
    remarks of Chancellor Schroeder. A portion of this news conference could
    not be verified because the tape was incomplete.

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