    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [January 14, 2003]
    [Pages 48-50]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Aleksander
    Kwasniewski of Poland and an Exchange
    With Reporters
    January 14, 2003

        President Bush. What we're going to do here is have a couple of
    opening statements, two questions from the American press, two questions
    from the Polish press.
        Let me first start by saying how much I'm honored that my friend the
    President of Poland is back in Washington. We're thrilled you're here.
    My only regret is that you didn't bring your beautiful wife with you, the First Lady of Poland.
        But we're here to have a substantive talk on a lot of issues, issues
    ranging from the war on terror to the recent decision by the Polish
    Government on the purchase of U.S.-made aircraft, how best to implement
    that decision, to let the Polish people benefit so the decision is not
    only good for the defense ministry of Poland, but it's good for the
    people of Poland.
        And the President cares deeply about the people of Poland, and we'll
    have a good discussion along those lines. I've got no better friend in
    Europe today than Poland. One of the reasons why is because this man has
    made a commitment to work together, as equal partners, in the war on
    terror, on the desire to lift the--find freedom for people who live in
    misery.
        And so Mr. President, we're so glad you're back, and welcome back to
    the Oval Office.
        President Kwasniewski. Thank you.
        President Bush. I appreciate you.
        President Kwasniewski. Mr. President, dear friends, so after very
    short time--because I paid official visit to the United States July last
    year--I am again in Oval Office, in White House in Washington, and I
    think this is a good sign that our cooperation, our relations are very
    active and very friendly.
        Now we'll have consultations. We will discuss all the problems
    concerning war against terror, at the national situation. And I think
    today is the best time to discuss, because before action, before last
    decisions, it's necessary to exchange opinions, of experiences, of some
    ideas. And that is very

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    substantial element of my trip to Washington now.
        Second, what President Bush mentioned, Poland decided to have your
    fighter F-16. It was very transparent, very open, and very well prepared
    tender, and I think we have a chance not only to have good place for
    Polish army, not only to have a good contribution to our NATO
    membership, but we have a chance to open new chapter in the economic
    relations between Poland and United States, and this is the next reason
    of my visit and of our discussion.
        America has unique chance to accelerate economic activities,
    investment activities in Poland. We are open, we are prepared, we have
    good practice, we have specialists. And what is my satisfaction, America
    wants to do it. That's what is good news, good message for all of us
    here in the United States and Poland as well.
        President Bush. Fournier [Ron Fournier, Associated Press].

    North Korea

        Q. Thank you, sir. Jack Kelly has very publicly promised North Korea
    energy aid in exchange for Pyongyang giving up its nuclear program.
    Isn't that rewarding North Korea for bad behavior, something you
    promised never to do?
        President Bush. First of all, there's a big concern here in our
    country about North Korea, and I'm absolutely convinced this issue will
    be solved in a peaceful way. I want to remind the American people that
    prior to North Korea making the decision it made, that I had instructed
    our Secretary of State to approach North
    Korea about a bold initiative, an initiative which would talk about
    energy and food, because we care deeply about the suffering of the North
    Korean people.
        And then the North Koreans made a decision. And the decision they
    made was to ignore international norm, ignore treaties that they had--
    agreements that they had reached and start building potential nuclear
    weapons, enriching uranium. And now they have expelled--are in the
    process of kicking out IAEA* people.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        *White House correction.
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        I view this as an opportunity to bind together nations in the
    neighborhood and around the world to make it clear to the North Koreans
    that we expect this issue to be resolved peacefully, and we expect them
    to disarm. We expect them not to develop nuclear weapons. And if they so
    choose to do so--their choice--then I will reconsider whether or not we
    will start the bold initiative that I talked to Secretary Powell about.
        People say, ``Well, are you willing to talk to North Korea?'' Of
    course we are. But what this Nation won't do is be blackmailed. And what
    this Nation will do is use this as an opportunity to bring the Chinese
    and the Russians and South Koreans and the Japanese to the table to
    solve this problem peacefully.
        President Kwasniewski. I agree. I think in the Korean case
    absolutely not to compare with Iraq's case. And we have a chance to
    discuss about North Korea with very serious partners which are thinking
    the same way; I mean Japan, Russia, China, South Korea. We have a chance
    to propose something very positive to North Korea, maybe not for
    regime--because when I read some information about this regime, it's not
    so easy to propose something--something special. But absolutely, I am
    sure that we have enough possibilities to propose positive solution for
    this case, but with all international partners.
        President Bush. Would you care to call on somebody from Poland,
    Polish press?

    War on Terror

        Q. Can the war of terror be decisively won? This is a question for
    both Presidents. And what would be Poland's role in the war of terror--
    on terror?
        President Bush. Let me start. You bet the war on terror can be won.
    And not only can it be won; we're going to win

    [[Page 50]]

    it. And the way you win it is you work together. You share intelligence.
    You complement each other's efforts. If we find somebody thinking about
    doing something to our friends in Poland, we'll share the information
    with this Government and vice versa. We will work together to cut off
    money. And we will hunt the killers down, one at a time. And that's
    exactly what we are doing and exactly what we are going to do.
        We're going to find them. They think they can hide in a cave in the
    outer reaches of Afghanistan. We will go in the cave and find them. And
    one by one, we are dismantling this terrorist network. It requires a lot
    of communication. It requires a lot of cooperation. And it requires a
    lot of patience. And this Government has got all three.

    Polish American Community

        Q. Mr. President, there are 10 million of the Polish Americans in
    the United States. What is your perception about the Polish Americans?
        President Bush. I think that one of the greatest contributions to
    Poland--to our country is Polish Americans, people who are enterprising,
    hard-working, God-fearing, family-loving people. One of the great
    strengths of our country is our diversity, and part of our diversity is
    the fact that a lot of our citizens were born in Poland and/or their
    fathers and mothers were born in Poland or their grandparents were born
    in Poland. Truly, one of the great blessings and gifts from Poland to
    this country is the Polish heritage.
        Scott.
        Q. Sir, Mr. President, the U.N. weapons inspectors say they need
    until----
        President Bush. I mean Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters]. Is your name
    Steve or Scott?

    U.N. Weapons Inspectors

        Q. The weapons inspectors say they need until March, maybe 6 months,
    maybe a year. Is this what you had in mind when you went to the U.N.
    back in September?
        President Bush. What I have in mind for Saddam Hussein is to disarm. The United Nations spoke with one voice.
    We said, ``We expect Saddam Hussein, for the sake of peace, to disarm.''
    That's the question: Is Saddam Hussein disarming? He's been given 11
    years to disarm. And so the world came together, and we have given him
    one last chance to disarm. So far, I haven't seen any evidence that he
    is disarming.
        Time is running out on Saddam Hussein. He
    must disarm. I'm sick and tired of games and deception. And that's my
    view of timetables.
        Thank you all very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:28 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Jolanta Kwasniewska, wife of
    President Kwasniewski; and President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. A reporter
    referred to Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific
    Affairs James A. Kelly.