[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
[November 20, 2002]
[Pages 2097-2100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
[[Page 2097]]
The President's News Conference With President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic in Prague, Czech Republic
November 20, 2002
President Havel. I am very grateful to President Bush for coming to
the present NATO summit one day earlier in order to pay some kind of a
working visit to the Czech Republic. He is the third President of the
United States who has come to visit us in the 13 years since the
collapse of the Iron Curtain, and I believe that this is a telling
feature of the quality of our relationship.
In our first conversation that has just ended, we have touched upon
several issues, although, of course, not on all the issues that we would
like to discuss. President Bush explained the position of the United
States on Iraq, and I made it clear that I believe that if this issue is
discussed within the NATO deliberations, as it obviously will be, that I
would deem it desirable if the outcome of this discussion was reflected
in some way in the final documents. We also raised the subject of
transformation of the North Atlantic Alliance, and I believe that there
was full agreement between us on this matter.
I have made every effort to extend a truly cordial welcome to
President Bush, and I will extend an equally cordial reception to all of
the prominent guests coming for this summit. Perhaps the heart that is
now shining above Prague Castle may represent a sign of this cordiality
with which the Czech Republic and me, personally, receive the
distinguished guests coming to the summit meeting.
President Bush. Mr. President, thank you for your hospitality. I
want to thank you, and I want to thank the Czech people for welcoming
not only me and our delegation but welcoming many of the leaders of the
world to a city which is recovering from devastating floods. The fact
that you were able to host us in such fine fashion speaks to the great
character of the Czech people.
And speaking about character, your life has shown that a person who
dedicates himself to freedom can literally change the course of a nation
and change the course of history. And I'm honored to be in your presence
again. The people of the Czech Republic must understand that your
President is greatly admired in America. I'm proud to call you friend.
Before I make a few comments, I do want to say something for
domestic consumption, if that's all right with you. Yesterday, the
United States Senate voted overwhelmingly to better protect America and
voted overwhelmingly to help people find work. And I want to thank the
Members of the United States Senate for working with this administration
to do the right thing for the American people.
And tomorrow we vote on whether or not to expand NATO. I strongly
support a Europe which is whole, free, and at peace. I welcome the idea
of countries joining NATO whose history has taught them the need to
protect freedom at all costs, countries whose admission to NATO will
invigorate our Alliance. The admission of these countries will not only
help us militarily achieve peace, but the admission of these countries
will affect the soul of this most important Alliance.
We did talk about Iraq. There is universal recognition that Saddam
Hussein is a threat to world peace. There's
clear understanding that he must disarm in the name of peace. And we
hope he chooses to do so. Tomorrow we'll discuss the issue. We'll
consider what happens if he chooses not to disarm. But one thing is
certain: He'll be disarmed, one way or the other, in the name of peace.
We also talked about NATO capabilities. We recognize it's a hard
task to change
[[Page 2098]]
the military strategy of this important Alliance. As I explained to the
President, I've tried eliminating some weapons systems in the United
States. It is a difficult job. But it is a necessary job to transform
our strategy, our military strategy, to meet the true threats we face.
The enemy is not Russia. The enemy is global terrorists who hate
freedom. And together we can work to defeat that enemy, in the name of
freedom.
Mr. President, thank you for having us. This is an historic meeting,
an historic city, an historic country, led by an historic figure.
We'll answer some questions.
Czech-U.S. Relations/Iraq
Moderator. The first one. Czech Radio.
Q. I have one question for President Bush, and a second question for
President Havel.
President Bush, you have said some lofty words here. The Czech
Republic----
President Bush. I said some what?
Q. Lofty words. [Laughter]
President Bush. No one has ever accused me of being a poet before,
but thank you. [Laughter]
Q. The Czech Republic has been a member of NATO for 3 years now. For
3 years, we have been an ally of the United States. Are we, to your
mind, a good ally, and do you count on us in a war with Iraq?
And the question for President Havel, 12 years ago you met in these
halls with the father of the President of the United States, President
George Bush, the elder. Now you are meeting with his son. The situation
both in the Czech Republic and in the United States has changed fairly
substantially in those 12 years. Have the relations between the two
countries changed as well?
President Bush. Well, first, the Czech Republic is not only a good
ally; it's a great ally. I can say that with confidence because I have
heard the President speak about this country's commitment to freedom and
peace. And the first test of that friendship came right after September
the 11th. The world for our country changed on September the 11th, and
the Czech Republic responded quickly.
Secondly, as to Iraq, it's very important for our nations, as well
as all free nations, to work collectively to see to it that Saddam
Hussein disarms. If the collective will of
the world is strong, we can achieve disarmament peacefully. However,
should he choose not to disarm, the United States will lead a coalition
of the willing to disarm him. And at that point in time, all our
nations--we will consult with our friends, and all nations will be able
to choose whether or not they want to participate.
President Havel. President Bush, the elder, and I met during very
dramatic times, and we have forged a lasting bond of friendship. In
fact, I twice visited him at Kennebunkport after he left office. And I
trust that after I leave office, which will be quite soon, my friendship
with George Bush, the younger, will continue just as well.
As for the relationship between our two states, I believe that they
have not only been gradually improved and have grown stronger, but they
have developed into something that is actually taken for granted now,
especially by the younger generation. And I believe that we do share a
great deal of mutual confidence.
NATO/Iraq/Germany
President Bush. Ron.
Moderator. Ron Fournier of the Associated Press.
Q. Mr. President, you just talked about the collective will of the
world, and I'm wondering--[inaudible]--you said you hope NATO comes
along----
President Bush. You hope what?
Q. You said that you hope NATO comes along with you and Saddam
Hussein will disarm one way or another. And yet, I don't hear any
discussion about NATO collectively taking up arms against Iraq should
war be necessary. Why is that? Why settle
[[Page 2099]]
for just niche contributions from individual allies? And also, what role
do you see Germany----
President Bush. What role do I see----
Q. What role do you see Germany taking in a war against Iraq?
President Bush. Well, first, thank you for the ``if we should go to
war against Iraq.'' War is my last choice, my last option. I hope we can
do this peacefully.
It is possible that Saddam Hussein gets
the message that we're serious about disarmament and he should fully
disarm. That's possible. The possibility becomes more real if he
understands that there is a true consequence for his failure to disarm.
And there is a true consequence. There's a serious consequence, as the
U.N. resolution addresses.
Now, you asked about two different parts of NATO. First, by
``niche'' I mean that in order for there to be an effective NATO, some
countries can specialize and provide excellence. And the classic example
is the Czech Republic's ability to deal with biological weapons, the
aftermath of a biological weapon attack. The Czech Republic is one of
the very best in the world at a chemical and biological response
capability. And that's what I was referring to when I talked about the
capacity of each country to contribute a part of an effective strategy,
a military strategy, as we head into the 21st century. It's a vision
which is yet to be implemented, but it's a vision which will be
discussed here in Prague.
Of course, the key reason we're here is to talk about NATO expansion
and the benefits of NATO expansion, not only to encourage the spread of
freedom in Europe but also to be able to deal with the true threats we
face in order to defend our freedoms. And my answer, as far as Iraq
goes, is exactly what I've said previously: If the decision is made to
use military force, we will consult with our friends, and we hope that
our friends will join us.
And as to Germany's role, it's a decision Germany will make, just
like it's a decision the Czech Republic will make, just like it's a
decision Great Britain will make. It's a decision that each country must
decide as to how, if, and when they want to participate and how they
choose to participate. The point is, is that we will have plenty of
consultations with our friends.
Future of NATO/Iraq
Moderator. [Inaudible]
Q. Again, one question for President Bush; the next question for
President Havel.
President Bush, what do you expect will change after the Prague NATO
summit in the Euro-Atlantic relationship? What will be--the United
States expecting from NATO? And on the other hand, what do you think
that the NATO Allies will expect from the United States?
And a question for President Havel. Do you think that a clear
commitment to take an action against Iraq will be expressed at this NATO
summit? And will you support such as that?
President Bush. Well, first, I think our NATO partners should expect
a continued positive and active presence in this most importance
Alliance from the United States. Our country is committed to NATO. A
strong and vibrant NATO is in the best interest of America, so we'll be
active and good partners.
And we expect the same from our NATO friends. But it's very
important for us to recognize that in order for NATO to be relevant as
we go into the future, the military capacities of NATO must be altered
to meet the true threats we face. NATO must transition from an
organization that was formed to meet the threats from a Warsaw Pact to a
military organization meant--structured to meet the threats from global
terrorists.
And the people of the Czech Republic should understand that the
threat from global terrorists is real. These people hate freedom. They
are coldblooded killers who
[[Page 2100]]
will take innocent life in the name of a hijacked religion.
Ours is a war not against a religion, not against the Muslim faith,
but ours is a war against individuals who absolutely hate what America
stands for and hate the freedom of the Czech Republic. And therefore, we
must work together to defend ourselves. And by remaining strong and
united and tough, we'll prevail.
President Havel. I share the opinion of President Bush, and of all
reasonable people, that it would be better to achieve Iraq's disarmament
without using force. If, however, the need to use force does arise, I
believe that NATO should give an honest and speedy consideration to its
engagement as an alliance.
Let us realize that it is not the United States but the European
part of the Alliance that directly borders on that country, and I
believe that this kind of a test of its attitude, of its capability to
reach agreement, and of its operative capabilities might be, at the same
time, a test of its new identity and of its meaning in the world of
today.
Moderator. Final question. Steve Holland, Reuters.
Q. Mr. President, you've said that you have a zero tolerance
attitude toward Iraqi violations. Secretary Rumsfeld and Kofi Annan say
they're looking for a pattern of behavior over time. Which is right? How
do you reconcile these two?
President Bush. Well, I think there is--we were talking about
whether or not Saddam Hussein, you know,
shooting at our airplanes, what that means--we'll deal with that. The
United States will take appropriate action.
The thing that's important to--for people to understand is, what we
want to see is whether or not he's going to
cooperate, whether or not he's heard what the world has said--whether or
not he's heard what the world has said through the U.N. Security Council
resolution.
See, what happens is, people tend to focus on the inspectors as if
the inspectors are the end. The final--the thing that's important, the
final point of determination is whether or not he is disarmed.
So, what we're going to be looking for, and I hope the world joins
us, is whether or not this man is cooperating
with the will of the world. See, the world has recognized--many members
of NATO have recognized that a Saddam Hussein and Iraq which possesses
weapons of mass destruction is dangerous. Imagine a Saddam Hussein with
a nuclear weapon. It's important for the Czech people to understand this
is guy who has poisoned his own people. He's got such hate in his heart,
he's willing to use a weapon of mass destruction not only on his
neighborhood but on the people of his country.
He is a danger. And so, therefore, what
we're looking for is to determine whether or not he is willing to
cooperate, whether or not he has got the message that he must disarm.
The United Nations has said 16 different times, ``You must disarm.''
And 16 times, he's said, ``Oh, of course, I
will,'' but never did. And so, the game's over with. We're through with
that. And now he's going to disarm, one way or the other. In the name of
peace, he will be disarmed.
Thank you all.
Note: The President's news conference began at 9:35 a.m. at Prague
Castle. President Havel spoke in Czech, and his remarks were translated
by an interpreter. Some reporters asked their questions in Czech, and
the questions were translated by an interpreter. In his remarks,
President Bush referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. A reporter
referred to Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations.