    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [May 29, 2003]
    [Pages 557-567]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 557]]

    Interview With Print Journalists
    May 29, 2003

        The President. I've got a couple of opening comments, and we'll go
    around the table a couple of times and answer your questions.
        First, I'm really looking forward to my trip. We're involved with a
    lot of interesting initiatives that will help the world grow toward
    peace and freedom, and this trip will be an opportunity to not only to
    talk about American values but to talk with friends, allies, important
    parties about how working together we can achieve grand goals, the goals
    of peace, the goals of freedom, the goals of hope and prosperity.
        I start off in Poland. It's my second trip to Poland since I've been
    the President. I'm going to Krakow; I'm going to Auschwitz. I'm going to
    give a speech, which I'm still working on right now, but it's a speech
    that reminds us that together we can achieve the big objective. It's a
    speech, really, to Europe that says that our common values are strong
    and that we welcome the emergence of countries like--free countries like
    Poland, and as well as we must be reminded of the lessons of the past.
        I'm going to Auschwitz to see firsthand one of the greatest lessons
    of the past, that there's evil in this world and that the only way to
    deal with the evil is together. And we did so in the past, and now
    there's--you know, terrorism and killing of innocent people is evil, and
    we've got to work together to achieve the same objectives that were
    achieved in the past, and that is peace and freedom.
        And then I go on to St. Petersburg to not only honor the great city
    of St. Petersburg, their 300th anniversary, but also to have an
    important dialog with Vladimir Putin. It'll
    be a dialog that will really show the world that in spite of our
    disagreements over what happened in Iraq, that our relationship is
    strong and that we can move together in positive ways.
        Then I go to the G-8. I know the press corps is going to be--you
    know, they'll be observing the G-8 as a great--you know, will this turn
    into a meeting--a confrontational meeting? The answer is absolutely not.
    It's an opportunity to talk with some who agreed with us on Iraq and
    some who didn't, about how we move forward. And I've laid the groundwork
    for the trip by talking about some great goals that wealthy nations can
    achieve.
        One, of course, is to fight AIDS in Africa. Another which is to
    enhance trade, so that people have a chance to rise out of poverty, and
    others address famine as well as to continue to keep our focus on
    dealing with those terrorists who would like to hold the world--
    blackmail the world as well as to kill innocents, take innocent life.
        I then go from there to the Middle East. It's going to be a
    significant visit. One, it says that I am committed to the peace
    process; that I look forward to working with the new Palestinian
    leadership as well as Ariel Sharon to make it
    clear to the world that we have--as leaders, we have the intention of
    working together to achieve peace, that there's a commitment, a personal
    commitment, not just by me but a personal commitment by Prime Minister
    Abbas ``Abu Mazen'' as well was Prime Minister
    Sharon, to work together to achieve peace; and that there are
    responsibilities that all of us have as leaders, not only responsibility
    to the new Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, not only the
    responsibility of the Israeli Prime Minister, but a responsibility for
    the leadership in the Arab world to fight terror, prevent killers from
    stopping the process from going forward.
        And so the first stop will be in Sharm el-Sheikh, in Egypt. I'm
    really looking forward to the visit. President Mubarak has

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    urged me, consistently urged me to come to Sharm el-Sheikh, and this is
    my chance to see this spectacular part of Egypt. And that's where I'm
    going to meet with the Arab leaders, some of the Arab leaders, to talk
    about shared responsibility. I want them to hear from me firsthand the
    commitment of the United States of America to move toward peace in the
    Middle East. And I want them also to hear from me firsthand that I
    expect them to be partners in the process.
        And then I'm going to go to Jordan. Of course, I'll see the King of
    Jordan. ``Abu Mazen'' and of Israel, and I'm looking forward to these meetings. I believe in
    the possibilities of peace. I trust the Prime Minister of the
    Palestinian Authority when he condemns terror. I believe that provides
    an opening for the United States and others to expend the necessary
    energies to move the process forward.
        I will remind them that I was the first President ever to stand up
    and say I am for two states, living side by side in peace. And I did so
    at the United Nations. I still have that vision. I believe it's
    possible. So I will talk to these two leaders about our mutual desire to
    move the process forward.
        And then I go to Qatar, where I'll meet with General Franks and Jerry Bremer  Paul ``Jerry'',
    III to talk about the reconstruction of Iraq. I'll also meet
    with Amir of Qatar bin Khalifa Al and then speak
    to our troops, and head home. And this is a trip I'm looking forward to.
        Let me answer some questions. Why don't we start here?

    Issues of Trust in the Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, obviously your vision
    and your principles are quite commendable. The trouble is that so many
    people still have suspicions; they are afraid. Why do you think people
    remain suspicious and afraid of either your staying power, sir, or
    whether, you know--well, please go ahead and then I'll ask my----
        The President. No, I understand your question. Oftentimes, we live
    in a processed world--you know, people focus on the process and not
    results. What I'm going to say to people who are suspicious of our
    motives: Let's work together to achieve positive results.
        And I fully understand, for example, the Middle East--it's a
    suspicious world. There are suspicions of motives. And until people see
    the emergence of a Palestinian state, there will be suspicions; until I
    can prove for the average Palestinian citizen, there will be suspicions.
    And so I fully understand the skepticism. I mean, after all, we're
    dealing in a world where there's a lot of heartbreak, a lot of death, a
    lot of sorrow, a lack of hope. And until there is noticeable change,
    there is going to be suspicions.
        I've got great confidence in what America stands for. I have said to
    our country and to the world many times that in order for there to be
    peace, there must be freedom. And I believe that a free Palestinian
    Authority and a free Palestinian people will yield to peace in that part
    of the world. Therefore, we're striving toward the development of such a
    state. And until people begin to see, however, the results of that
    vision, people will be skeptical.
        And the only thing I can do is to continue to speak out as clearly
    as I can about the values which motivate our foreign policy and motivate
    me personally and work hard to achieve results, tangible results. And
    when people see results, when the

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    people see that the Iraqi people are more free and that their economy
    begins to develop, when people see that the Iraqi people have control of
    their own oil for the benefit of the Iraqi people, then some of the
    suspicions will be turned aside.
        I'll never win the hearts of the terrorists, nor am I trying to,
    because the terrorists have got one thing in mind, murder to stop peace.
    And it stands in stark contrast to what I believe, which is freedom to
    bring peace.
        So, you know, there are some--I would never try to win their hearts
    and minds over--that are absolutely bent upon stopping not only what the
    United States is trying to do but a lot of other nations as well. So my
    answer to your question is: I understand skepticism; I understand the
    attitudes of some; but I refuse to be stopped in my desire to rally the
    world toward achieving positive results for each individual.
        I have said many times that freedom and human dignity is not
    America's gift to the world; it is the Almighty God's gift to each and
    every individual. And I firmly believe that. And it's that principle
    which motivates my desire to see to it that the Palestinian mother or
    father can raise their child in a comfortable environment, knowing that
    their child can have a good education and the possibility of a peaceful
    life.
        And I feel the same way about the Israeli citizen who grows up, a
    child who grows up in an environment where they can go to the market
    with their mother or father and get blown away. We must stop that kind
    of violence and provide hope for people.

    Palestinian State/Israeli Settlements

        Q. Mr. President, a followup on the skepticism. Of course there is a
    lot of concern in the area, over and above the hope, because of your
    strong commitment. So what do you think will happen if the rush for the
    settlements continue? And how would it affect your vision of having a
    Palestinian state with borders and with land, a viable Palestinian
    state?
        The President. Well, I believe that's important that there be a
    viable Palestinian state. I mean, it is the vision. I believe a viable
    Palestinian state with the institutions necessary for democracy and
    freedom to prevail, the institutions bigger than the occupants of the
    offices which they hold, is very important to gain the confidence not
    only of the neighborhood, the confidence of the Israelis, the confidence
    of other Arab nations, but the confidence of the free world as well.
        So I believe the emergence of a Palestinian state is very important.
    I have consistently said that the Israelis are going to have to deal
    with the settlement issue and that there is a part of the process is
    going to be a focus on the settlements. I fully understand that
    settlement expansion is not in concert with the development of a state.
    And we will deal with that.
        And I will also remind everybody, however, that the process--in
    order for the process to go forward, in order for there to be confidence
    of all parties, there must be an absolute determined effort to fight off
    terror, to not allow the few to destroy the process. I believe we can
    make progress, otherwise I wouldn't be going.

    France-U.S. Relations

        Q. Yes. Well, since I'm French, I'll ask you a French question.
        The President. In French or in American? [Laughter]
        Q. Well, I'll try to do it in American. [Laughter] A number of
    American high officials have repeatedly said that France would have to
    pay the price for its opposition to your policy in Iraq. So far, we
    didn't see much as far as reprisals are concerned. Have you forgiven
    France?
        The President. I look forward to working with France to achieve
    common objectives. Listen, let me be realistic. There is a sense of
    frustration and disappointment amongst the American people toward the
    French

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    decision. That's realistic. People didn't understand the decisions by
    the French leadership to thwart the desire for the American--the
    American desire and the desire of others to work on security and
    freedom, security for our countries and freedom in Iraq.
        However, that's not going to influence my policy. My decision is to
    go and to say the French Government: Let us work together for a Europe
    which is whole, free, and at peace, a Europe in which countries are
    allowed to be friends of the United States and at the same time
    participate in institutions such as the European Union; that rivalry
    will end up weakening our efforts to jointly deal with issues like
    security and peace and AIDS and trade.
        So, no, I will have a good discussion with Jacques Chirac, and I'm looking forward to going to the G-8, not only
    talking to Jacques Chirac; I'll talk with others who have not
    necessarily agreed with our Iraq policy. We've got a lot of work to do.
    And I've got work to do to convince the skeptics in France that the
    intentions of the United States are positive. And the French leadership
    has got work to do to convince the American people that they are
    concerned about the security of our country. And I will look forward to
    conducting that work with Jacques Chirac.

    Russia-U.S. Relations

        Q. Mr. President, please allow me in genuine Texan style to grab the
    bull by the horns.
        The President. Okay. [Laughter]
        Q. It's quite obvious that your personal relations with Mr. Putin
    are much more developed, much more warm than the relations between
    Russia and the United States.
        The President. That's interesting.
        Q. At least there is no Jackson-Vanik amendment between George and
    Vladimir.
        The President. That's right. [Laughter]
        Q. And this situation----
        The President. We need to get rid of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, I
    want you to know. Make sure the Russian people know that.
        Q. And this difference between your personal relations and the
    relations between our countries creates negative feelings in the Russian
    public opinion and among Russian elites. And that's why I think it
    somehow hinders President Bush for his--in his quest for further
    democratization and westernization of Russia.
        My question is, what do you want to undertake to upgrade the
    Russian-American relations to the same level as your personal relations
    with Mr. Putin, including, of course, the Jackson-Vanik amendment, which
    became in Russia, unfortunately, the litmus paper of our relations?
        The President. Right.
        Q. And by the way, our Russian Jews are a little bit indignant that
    they are replaced by the American chicken. And instead of, ``Let my
    people go,'' now they say, ``Let our chicken come.'' [Laughter] And we
    don't understand in Russia how the genuine American eagle can defeat an
    artificial American chicken. [Laughter]
        The President. Well, first of all, at least we're arguing about
    chickens and not about whether or not we've got enough missiles pointed
    at each other.
        Q. Yes. [Laughter] By the way, Mr. President, before you start
    answering my question, you can already do something in improving our
    relations. I brought two books. If you sign them, you will improve the
    relations. It is for my----
        The President. Okay. I'm certainly not going to try to influence
    your story. [Laughter]
        Q. Oh, no, no--[laughter]--for my Presidential library, which has
    all the signed books and pictures of all American Presidents, beginning
    with Eisenhower and, of course, your highly esteemed father.
        The President. You don't look that old. [Laughter]
        Q. Well, I'm 75.
        The President. Okay, well, you're a young 75. Thank you, sir, for
    your question.

    [[Page 561]]

        First of all, Vladimir Putin and I do
    have a good relationship. And that is an important beginning in order to
    make sure the relationship is positive throughout our respective
    Governments. If we had a poisonous relationship, it would be awfully
    difficult to convince others in our Governments to work closely
    together. And so that's a positive beginning.
        Secondly, I did take note that the Moscow Treaty was overwhelmingly
    approved by both Houses in the Duma. That's a positive sign. As a matter
    of fact, if you think back, people--if you put this in historical
    context, this treaty is pretty darn good progress early in our
    respective administrations. I mean, it happened quickly, which is a
    positive sign. In other words, Vladimir and I
    made the decision that we'll work together to create better conditions
    and make the world a more peaceful place.
        One way to enhance relations between our Governments is to have a
    meaningful and real strategic dialog throughout our entire Government on
    key matters, so that the participants in both our Governments recognize
    that we are willing to not only share information but to deal with
    issues before they become problems and to work together in a
    collaborative way to show the world that we can handle and deal with
    some of the large issues, such as proliferation, for example.
        So therefore, we've got Spence Abraham,
    our Secretary of Energy, working very closely with his counterpart.
    Secretary Veneman has got a task force set up to
    work very--Agriculture Secretary--to work very closely with her
    counterpart not only on chickens, but on other issues dealing with our
    farm communities.
        This dialog, this kind of strategic framework was initiated at my
    request--and I think at Vladimir's request as
    well. But Condi, when she went over to
    Russia, began the setting in place this capacity for our two Governments
    to relate on a variety of issues in a consistent way.
        Now, I agree with Vladimir, we need to
    get rid of Jackson-Vanik, and have talked to our--some of the folks on
    the Hill to deal with this issue. And I would like to get rid of
    Jackson-Vanik. I think it's an important symbol to say to the Russian
    people, ``The past is over. Now we move forward in a positive
    relationship.''
        Yes, sir.

    Roles of NATO and the United Nations

        Q. Mr. President, a very quick question. What role, if any, you
    foresee for international organizations like the U.N. or NATO in the
    future, for instance, in the war against terrorism and any other
    international conflict?
        The President. Yes, good question. NATO--I see a robust role for
    NATO, which says that NATO must reform herself. NATO has got to be a
    military collaboration that is modern, that can move quickly, that's got
    the newest weapons. I will speak to NATO when I go to Poland. It's part
    of my speech in Krakow. And it's--I'm a strong advocate of NATO. As you
    know, I, with Warsaw, talked about the expansion of NATO, which,
    thankfully, came to fruition and had been ratified--the expansion has
    been ratified in our United States Senate, overwhelmingly so.
        NATO is now--its vision is beyond the old days of when the Soviet
    Union posed a threat to Europe. NATO is now willing to take on new
    assignments, all aimed at creating the same conditions of the past, in
    other words, a peaceful and free world. And that's why NATO is now in
    Afghanistan. I welcome that.
        NATO will play a supportive role for Poland in Iraq. I want to thank
    the Polish people for their--and the Government--for sending, I believe,
    8,000 or 9,000 troops to run a sector in Iraq. And NATO has agreed to
    help in that sector, help the Polish troops. I think that--my point to
    you is NATO is becoming more modern, and a more modern NATO is going to
    be very

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    useful for dealing with the true threats that we face in the 21st
    century.
        In terms of the United Nations, it's going to be important for all
    of us to work to keep the United Nations a strong and viable
    institution. And I think a useful dialog at some point in time will be
    how to make sure the United Nations has adapted to the threats we face.
        Obviously, it was a frustrating experience to have gone to the
    United Nations and spent a lot of time and a lot of debate on whether or
    not United Nations resolutions should be upheld. I believe they should.
    I believe in this world, when you say something, you'd better mean it.
    And I gave the speech, as you might remember, on September the 12th,
    2002, in the United Nations, the day after the anniversary of the
    attacks on our country. And I said to the United Nations, ``You have
    passed resolution after resolution after resolution''--I think is said
    it 12 times--and my point was, ``Do you mean it?''
        And my answer in a rhetorical--if that's a rhetorical question, my
    answer to you is, I hope they mean it, because I want the United Nations
    to be an effective body. However, its effectiveness is undermined when
    they say something and nothing happens. And therefore, we've got to, all
    of us who care about the United Nations, must figure out how to make it
    effective in the future.
        Q. Mr. President, if you would permit me a couple of detailed
    questions.
        The President. Sure. Do I need to write these down, because my
    memory is getting somewhat--[laughter].

    Iraq

        Q. I'm getting that too. [Laughter]
        Sir, on the issue of Iraq, it looks like a messy situation. Security
    is not established. Are you worried about a lengthy American-British
    occupation of Iraq? And on the Palestinian issue----
        The President. Let me answer that one first.
        Q. Then will you permit me the Palestinian question?
        The President. Yes. And that you admitted you've got a flawed memory
    like I do. [Laughter]
        First of all, you made a broad statement, ``the security
    situation,'' as if all of Iraq is--there's lawlessness in all of Iraq.
    That's simply not the case. A lot of Iraq is improving from the pre-war
    conditions, and that's important to know.
        Now, there's no question that there's lawlessness inside of Baghdad,
    for example, and regions north of Baghdad. And we are dealing with that.
    And we will deal with that for the sake of the Iraqi people, who want
    most--first and foremost, to have a secure life, food on the table,
    lights in their house, running water, sewage that works. They want the
    conditions of life that everybody yearns for, which is a comfortable
    lifestyle so their families can be secure. They want to work. And we're
    making progress on all fronts.
        I fully understand the degree of difficulty, and it's created by the
    fact that these people have been enslaved by a torturous ruler for many,
    many years. And therefore, I don't expect the conditions to improve
    automatically after 70 days. And it's going to take a while.
        And therefore, to answer your question--I don't view it as an
    occupation, by the way. I view it as a group of nations. You said
    ``British and Americans.'' There are many, many nations who are involved
    in the contribution of help so that the Iraqi people are able to
    establish their own Government and have comfortable lives and can be a
    free society. And it's going to take a while.
        And I remind you that it's like the writing of the Constitution.
    America, after our revolution, did not write its Constitution overnight.
    As a matter of fact, it probably took, what, 11 years or so. From the
    Articles of Confederation to the United States Constitution took 11
    years. We live in a

    [[Page 563]]

    world now where everything has to happen yesterday.
        Press Secretary Ari Fleischer. Thirteen.
        The President. What?
        Press Secretary Fleischer. Thirteen.
        The President. Thirteen years. My man
    corrected--I'm sorry. He won't be correcting me much longer. [Laughter]
    He'll be a pundit. [Laughter] Don't worry, he will be correcting me, but
    on TV. Get him on your TV show. [Laughter]
        Anyway, 13 years, as my man corrected me.
        The process will take a while. I am in touch with Jerry
    Bremer.  Paul ``Jerry'', III I mentioned to you
    that I will see him when I go over to Qatar. We get a report all the
    time. And we are making progress, slowly but surely. And that's--and it
    makes sense, given the conditions.
        And it's important we succeed. And so, therefore, our coalition of a
    lot of countries will stay the course, until such time as the Iraqi
    people--the life is improved and the Iraqi people would be in a position
    to, you know, run themselves. Freedom is going to be a beautiful thing
    in this part of the world. It's a very powerful sentiment that I believe
    all people feel.
        And therefore, one of our ambitions and one of our values is to
    create the conditions necessary for the Iraqi people to run their own
    Government. And you'll see over time here that they'll be getting--a
    group of people will be coming together to write a constitution. And you
    know, it'll be a constitution written by the Iraqis, for the Iraqis, and
    of the Iraqis. And we believe that's possible.
        Now, look, I recognize there are some in the world who say Iraq
    can't run themselves. I refuse to condemn people. I mean, ``They need a
    dictatorship in order for the country to survive.'' Forget it. I don't
    believe that. It's just not in my makeup. That's just not what I think.
    I think people--I think the Iraqi people are plenty competent about
    running themselves. It's just going to take a while to go from a society
    in which one person dominated and killed and murdered people in order to
    stay in power.
        I mean, we've discovered an unbelievable amount of graves. And by
    the way, we've discovered weapons manufacturing facilities that were
    condemned by the United Nations; biological laboratories described by
    our Secretary of State to the whole world,
    that were not supposed to be there, in direct violation of the U.N.
    resolution, have been discovered.
        Q. Thank you, sir.
        The President. Thanks for giving me a chance to say that, so the
    American press, in particular, could hear it--off the record, of course.
    [Laughter]

    Palestinian Authority/Middle East Terrorists

        Q. Sir, on the Palestinian issue, what if the government of Mr.
    Abbas really becomes unable--no matter how much it puts up an effort to
    produce--eliminating these operations, the suicide bombings--what if he
    fails? Is this a failure of the peace process, of the roadmap? Would you
    then give it up? And then can you afford, really, sir, to pressure Mr.
    Ariel Sharon in a pre-reelection stage? Can you really do that?
        The President. Of course I can. I don't know about--listen, if I
    were afraid of making the decisions necessary, for political reasons, to
    move the process forward, I wouldn't be going. I believe peace is
    possible, and I believe that I have a responsibilities, now that the
    conditions are such, to move the process forward.
        And what are those conditions? Well, there's a new Palestinian
    leader ``Abu Mazen'' who is openly, firmly
    committed to fighting terror. And I believe he can be successful,
    particularly when the Arab world helps him. I believe the conditions are
    such that people are so sick and tired of a hopeless situation in that
    part of the world that together we can defeat the forces of terror and
    dismantle the forces of terror.
        That's not to say that a suicider could slip through, and it's
    possible, but we will

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    not allow the evil designs of a few to stop the process that can provide
    such hope for a lot of people. So I believe, with the right effort and
    the right focus and the leadership, not only of the United States and
    Israel and the Palestinian Authority but the leadership of Egypt and
    Saudi Arabia and other nations of concern, Jordan, that we can defeat
    terror, the forces of terror that would like to stop the process.
        Yes, ma'am.

    Egypt-U.S. Relations/Cooperation With Arab Governments

        Q. Okay. Mr. President, you mentioned today that you want to have
    commitment from the parties about the peace process. Do you want to
    have, like, concrete steps? Are you going to ask them for concrete
    steps, like what?
        The President. Well----
        Q. And----
        The President. Pardon me, sorry to interrupt you. Go ahead.
        Q. Yes. And then in Sharm el-Sheikh, what do you want--what do you
    look to get from the Arabs? And you are meeting with President
    Mubarak also. Would it include something
    bilateral or----
        The President. Sure.
        Q. And what kind?
        The President. Well, listen, President Mubarak and I have had a lot
    of meetings and a lot of conversations. And I'm confident that he will
    bring up bilateral relations. As you know, we've got a very strong
    commitment to Egypt, particularly a funding commitment. And we want to
    look forward to a--I will talk to him about economic reforms. And
    there's no telling what he'll talk to me about. We've got such a good
    relationship that he doesn't need to pre-clear it with anybody. He can
    say what's on his mind. I'll be glad to visit with him about it.
        Yes, I mean, first of all, we have a roadmap which talks about
    specific things people need to do. The most constructive thing that the
    Arab nations can do is to stop funding terrorism to the extent that--is
    to stop the funding of terrorism, make sure you get that right--is the
    work to cut off monies to terrorists whose design it is to stop any
    peace process. And that's important. To me, that's the most fundamental
    task.
        Secondly, as conditions improve, it would be very helpful if those
    in the neighborhood provide financial resources to help the economy of a
    new Palestinian state begin to grow. It's going to be very difficult for
    a Palestinian state to emerge unless there's economic activity.
        I recently met with the finance minister of the Palestinian
    Authority, was very impressed by his grasp of
    finances, by the fact that he believes that in order for there to be
    confidence amongst the Palestinians and confidence in the world that
    they've got to fight corruption. Listen, stories used to emerge out of
    the--in the old days, of the Palestinian Authority that much of the aid
    went to enhance a few, as opposed to the people. And I don't stand for
    that, at least from American perspective. We're not going to let corrupt
    elites take aid that's supposed to go help the people.
        And so when the institutions evolve and confidence emerges that the
    develop aid will go to help the Palestinian people, which I want it to
    do, that will be a useful role for the Arab world. And I look forward to
    working with them on it. But the main thing is for them to see me and my
    commitment to the process. And it's one thing to read about it in
    stories; it's another thing to look a person in the eye and tell them,
    ``Let's work together.'' And that's what I'm looking forward to doing.
        I've got very good relations with President Mubarak and Crown Prince Abdullah ``Abu Mazen'' somebody that''--you see, the old
    leader of the Palestinian

    [[Page 565]]

    Authority is somebody who had a chance to lead
    and didn't. He has been in power a long time, and the life of the
    Palestinian people have gotten worse, not better. I remember what
    happened at Camp David during the tenure of my predecessor. It was a good lesson.
        So I've always said, we need to be able to work with somebody who is
    committed to peace. And I believe the new Prime Minister
    ``Abu Mazen'' is committed to peace. And therefore, I want to
    share that with the leaders.

    Israeli Security/Conditions for the Peace Process

        Q. Sir, can you assure that the other party is committed without
    reservations?
        The President. The Israelis? Yes, I believe----
        Q. Without reservations. It's a big problem to the Palestinians now.
        The President. Well, there's a reservation, and there should be a
    reservation of all parties, and that is the reservation of security. In
    other words, people aren't going to go forward with a process unless
    there is a full commitment to enhance the security of all people. And
    remember, terrorist killers not only affect the security of the
    Israelis; they affect the security of the Palestinian people. You can't
    have a Palestinian state if people continue to blow up the process.
        And therefore, it's in all our interest to work together on
    security. And I'm convinced that as the area becomes more secure, as the
    institutions necessary for a democracy to emerge, that we'll have a
    positive partner in Israel. I believe that. I believe they want peace.
    Most Israelis understand two states, side by side in peace, is in their
    national interest.
        And so I think the ingredients for peace are very possible. But you
    say, ``Are there conditions?'' You bet. There's conditions, of course.
    And the conditions are to work together to stop the killers from
    stopping the process, and I share that condition too. And I suspect a
    lot of the Arab leaders share that condition as well, because they fully
    understand the consequences of terrorist groups of taking innocent life.
        Yes, sir.
        Press Secretary Fleischer. Make this the
    last question.
        The President. I'll answer shorter.
        Q. All right. So, 30 years ago----
        The President. Somebody very important, very important is waiting.

    Group of Eight

        Q. Okay. Thirty years ago, the G-7 or G-8----
        The President. Oh, it's only Condi.
    Well, I take it back. [Laughter]
        Dr. Rice. Your TV people.
        The President. That's later. Later.
        Q. Thirty years ago, the G-7 or G-8 summit was set up to coordinate
    the big powers----
        The President. It wasn't 30 years ago, was it? Twenty----
        Q. Twenty-five or----
        The President. Whatever.
        Q. He'll know. [Laughter]
        Press Secretary Fleischer. Twenty-seven
    point two. [Laughter]
        Q. Well done. They were set up to coordinate the big powers, the
    economic strategists.
        The President. Yes.
        Q. Given the risk of deflation, will there be such a concerted plan
    in Evian? Or will it be everyone for himself, with the U.S. capitalizing
    on the slide of the dollar?
        The President. Yes, that's a great question. It is very important
    that we do spend time talking about our respective economies. It is
    essential that the G-8 meeting--remember why it was first started,
    because much of it--many of the grand goals that we have, together, are
    very difficult to achieve if the economies, our respective economies,
    aren't strong.
        You just heard me talk about a hopeful Palestinian state will
    require trade and commerce. And if the wealthier nations aren't
    generating cashflow and the capacity

    [[Page 566]]

    to be able to trade with other countries, then it's going to be
    difficult to achieve our goals.
        And so, absolutely, I will tell them that here at home we are--have
    got sound monetary and fiscal policies. After all, I just signed a tax
    bill yesterday that will cut the taxes by $350 billion, which will help
    energize growth here in America. I will reiterate our strong dollar
    policy. I will talk to--listen to their plans and initiatives to reform
    their economies.
        I had a very good discussion with Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan about economic matters. We want the
    Japanese economy to be strong. As a matter of fact, we want the European
    economies to be strong. We want there to be vibrant growth. It is more
    likely somebody in America will be able to find a job if our closest
    trading partners have got vibrant economies.
        So we need to spend a lot of time on this subject. And I will remind
    them that we have a great opportunity on the next round of the World
    Trade Organization to advance a free trade agenda, which I believe will
    make it more likely people in our respective countries can work. But it
    will make it more likely that nations will be able to rise out of
    poverty. And so, yes, it's a very good question. And we will focus on
    the economy.

    France-U.S. Relations

        Q. Just a followup, if I may.
        The President. Yes----
        Q. You got rid of the policy that----
        The President. I'm a patient man. [Laughter]
        Q. ----reprises against the French----
        The President. My whole family laughed when they heard that.
    [Laughter] Go ahead.
        Q. You didn't exactly answer the question.
        The President. Especially my daughters. [Laughter]
        I answered the question. I look forward to----
        Q. The reprisals on the French.
        The President. No, I answered it. You see--what do you mean, didn't
    exactly answer the question? You've got my answer on your tape machine.
        Q. So were reprisals?
        The President. No, you've got my answer on the tape machine. It's an
    old trick they use in the American press corps too, ``You didn't answer
    my question.'' What are you talking about? I spent 15 minutes answering
    your question. You might not like the answer but, nevertheless, I did
    answer it, absolutely answered it. And I loved the question. [Laughter]
    I look forward to working with the French.

    Russia, NATO, and the World Trade Organization

        Q. Mr. President, do you visualize Russia as a member of the World
    Trade Organization, and in the future, the member of the NATO?
        The President. I think that the question on NATO is a question that
    will be answered over time, but first things first. Let's deal with the
    framework we've now set up, which is a great advance and a tribute to
    Vladimir Putin's leadership and our NATO
    leader's desire to have a unique relationship with Russia.
        In terms of the WTO, it is in our national interest that Russia join
    the WTO. And Russia is going to have to make some internal decisions as
    to whether or not they're willing to conform to the guidelines of the
    WTO. But we--I strongly support Russia's admission in the WTO.
        Final question.

    Religious Tolerance

        Q. Yes, sir. Thank you. Do you see the issue of restitution of
    Jewish property as a problem in Polish-American relations? And will you
    talk about this in----
        The President. You know, it has not made it to--it hasn't made it to
    my desk. And so, therefore, if it is a problem, it is a problem that
    hasn't been brought to my

    [[Page 567]]

    attention. In other words, a lot of Polish Americans have yet to express
    themselves to the point where it has become an issue here in the White
    House.
        I think it's very important--let me speak to the broader issue of
    Jewish relations around the world. It is very important for all of us to
    reject anti-Semitism wherever it is found, just like it's very important
    for us to reject those who condemn Islam. Our Nation is one that
    believes in freedom of religion, and we respect and tolerate people's
    religious faiths, no matter what their faith.
        And so my greater concern about Judaism and Europe is that society
    resist and thwart a culture which would tolerate any kind of
    antireligious fervor, anti-Semitism, or an anti-Islamic bent. In other
    words, one of the things I did I thought was most important was right
    after September 11th, went to a Islamic center here. I wanted to send a
    signal that the evil people who hijacked a great religion should not
    condemn that religion. In other words, Americans shouldn't hold Islam
    accountable for the deaths.
        And so one of the things we believe here in America is religious
    tolerance. And I will continue to speak out on religious tolerances in a
    clear fashion.
        As I said, I'm going to Auschwitz for a reason. I want to go--I want
    to see Auschwitz. I've studied a lot of history. I've been told it's a
    powerful experience. But I also want to send a clear signal that all of
    us must work together to make sure that kind of evil never happens again
    to anybody.
        At any rate, I'm looking forward to going. I want to thank you all
    for your interest. Very good interview. Pass those books over here.

    22d Amendment

        Q. Mr. President?
        The President. Yes.
        Q. What do you think about a third presidential term in the United
    States?
        The President. Against it. [Laughter] I'm only supportive of a
    second term these days. [Laughter]

    Note: The interview was taped at 10:11 a.m. on May 29 in the Roosevelt
    Room at the White House for later broadcast. The transcript was released
    by the Office of the Press Secretary on May 30. In his remarks, the
    President referred to President Vladimir Putin of Russia; Prime Minister
    Ariel Sharon of Israel; Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and
    Finance Minister Salam Fayyad of the Palestinian Authority; President
    Hosni Mubarak of Egypt; King Abdullah II of Jordan; Gen. Tommy R.
    Franks, USA, combatant commander, U.S. Central Command; L. Paul Bremer
    III, Presidential Envoy to Iraq; Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of
    Qatar; President Jacques Chirac of France; former President Saddam
    Hussein of Iraq; Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia; and Prime
    Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. A tape was not available for
    verification of the content of this interview.