    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [April 13, 2003]
    [Pages 338-340]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Rescue of U.S. Prisoners of War and an Exchange With
    Reporters
    April 13, 2003

        The President. Today is a great day for the families, comrades,
    loved ones of the seven missing in action who are free. I'm really
    pleased, for all those who have been praying for their safety, that they
    are safe.
        We still have missing in action in Iraq; we will continue to look
    for them. We pray that they too will be safe and free one of these days.
    But it's just a good way to start off the morning, to have been notified
    that seven of our fellow Americans are going to be home here pretty
    soon, in the arms of their loved ones.
        I'll answer a few questions. Scott [Scott Lindlaw, Associated
    Press].

    Syria

        Q. Mr. President, Secretary Rumsfeld said today he thinks Syria is
    harboring some Iraqi leadership. Could Syria face military action if
    they harbor these people?
        The President. Well, Syria just needs to cooperate with us. We've
    made--I made that clear on Friday. I will, if need be, reiterate it
    today. The Syrian Government needs to cooperate with the United States
    and our coalition partners and not harbor any Ba'athists, any military
    officials, any people who need to be held to account for their tenure
    during what we are learning more and more about. It was one of the most
    horrendous governments ever.
        Q. Could they face military action if they don't cooperate?
        The President. They just need to cooperate.

    Prayer

        Q. You have been talking a lot about prayer, and today is Palm
    Sunday. What role do you think faith and prayer had in this rescue?
        The President. I think it played--first of all, I know it helps
    sustain and comfort those who mourn, those who are worried, those who
    are concerned about their loved ones. You know, I went to the hospital
    on Friday and met some of our brave troops and their families. And a lot
    of them told me that they had been sustained by prayer,

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    been comforted by the Almighty during what had to have been incredibly
    difficult times for them--to get the phone call that a loved one had
    been wounded or hurt and then not knowing whether the person would live
    and then being able to be reunited with them here in Washington.
        They told me that they felt like prayers had been answered. Prayer
    is powerful. One of the great things about this country is a lot of
    people pray, and I know a lot of people are praying for the families of
    those who grieve and the families of those who wonder whether or not
    their loved ones will ever return.

    Conditions in Iraq

        Q. Mr. President, some of our colleagues in Iraq are saying while
    the Iraqis are grateful that the coalition forces freed them from Saddam
    Hussein, they're frustrated and even scared about the chaos, the looting
    going on.
        The President. Yes. You know, it's amazing, the statue comes down on
    Wednesday and the headlines start to read, ``Oh, there's disorder.''
    Well, no kidding. It is a situation that is chaotic because Saddam
    Hussein created the conditions for chaos. He
    created conditions of fear and hatred, and it's going to take a while to
    stabilize the country.
        But just like the military campaign was second-guessed--I'm sure the
    plan is being second--but we will be successful. And there will be----
        Q. [Inaudible].
        The President. Let me finish, please. There will be more stability.
    There will be more medicine. There will be more food delivered over
    time, and it's happening as I speak.
        Have you got a followup question?

    President's Message to the Iraqi People

        Q. I just want to ask what your message is to the Iraqi people who
    are wondering about----
        The President. You're free, and freedom is beautiful. And you know,
    it'll take time to restore chaos and order--order out of chaos. But we
    will.
        Yes, John [John Cochran, ABC News].

    North Korea

        Q. Sir, given the success of American military forces, is this a
    message that people like Syrians and the North Koreans should take to
    heart? Do you think the North Koreans are taking it to heart?
        The President. Well, John, I think that people have got to know that
    we are serious about stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction
    and that each situation requires a different response. But we are making
    good progress in North Korea. We have made it clear that we think that
    the best way to deal with their proliferation is through a multinational
    forum. It looks like that might be coming to fruition. That's very good
    news for the people in the Far East who are concerned about North Korea
    and their willingness to develop nuclear weapons. We're making progress
    on all fronts.

    Syria

        Q. Do you think there are weapons of mass destruction in Syria?
        The President. I think that we believe there are chemical weapons in
    Syria, for example. And we will--each situation will require a different
    response, and of course, we're--first things first. We're here in Iraq
    now. And the second thing about Syria is, is that we expect cooperation,
    and I'm hopeful we'll receive cooperation.
        All right. Have a beautiful day.

    Iraq Victory Declaration

        Q. When do you think you'll declare a victory? And will you be the
    one to declare victory if it comes?
        The President. That's going to be--yes, Friday, I'm--did you watch
    my press conference on Friday?
        Q. I did.

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        The President. Do I need to say it again, then? Surely you watched
    it. [Laughter]
        Q. Tommy Franks is going to call the shots? [Laughter]
        The President. Tommy--no, listen, we set
    clear objectives here in Washington. We gave our military what they
    needed to achieve the objectives. And when those objectives are met, we
    will hear from our commanders on the ground that they have been met. And
    that's when the so-called ``victory declaration'' will come forth.
        Q. Mr. President, will you go on national television when the time
    is right?
        The President. I'm on national television right this second. And
    it's an honor to be here on national television. And it's a great day to
    be on national television--seven
    Americans are
    alive. Seven
    people who were
    missing are now alive. And I am so pleased for their families and loved
    ones. It is--Patsy [Patricia Wilson, Reuters], have you got anything?

    Syria/North Korea

        Q. Yes, sir. Now that there's a vacancy on the axis of evil, is
    Syria a good candidate?
        The President. We will deal with each situation as it arises. We're
    making progress on the Korean Peninsula. Everybody knows our position,
    which is that we expect there to be a nuclear-weapons-free Peninsula.
    The good news is it's a position shared by the Chinese; it's a position
    shared by the South Koreans; and it's a position shared by the Japanese.
    So we've got common interests, and working together, I am very hopeful
    we'll be able to achieve those interests diplomatically.
        Have a great day. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:53 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House upon returning from Camp David, MD. In his remarks, he referred to
    former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; and Gen. Tommy R. Franks, USA,
    combatant commander, U.S. Central Command. The Office of the Press
    Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.