    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [May 7, 2003]
    [Pages 446-449]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With President Jose Maria Aznar Maria of Spain
    May 7, 2003

        President Bush. Welcome. It's also my honor to welcome an important
    friend of America, President Jose Maria Aznar. I welcome you back to the
    Casa Blanca. It's good to see you again.
        Jose Maria is a man of principle and a man of courage. Under his
    leadership, Spain has been a strong partner in the war against terror
    and has stood with a coalition to liberate the people of Iraq. He
    believes in freedom, freedom for all.
        Together, Spain and America will continue to meet the
    responsibilities of free nations for the peace and security of the
    world.
        We last met in March at the Atlantic Summit in the Azores. The 8
    weeks since have been a momentous chapter in the history of freedom. We
    liberated the people of Iraq from a brutal dictatorship. We brought
    greater security to people of all nations.
        I want to thank the President for Spain's diplomatic support before
    the conflict and for the use of Spanish airspace and bases as the war
    grew closer. I also offer my condolences to the family and friends of
    the two members of the Spanish media who lost their lives while covering
    the hostilities.
        Both Spain and the United States are committed to a stable,
    democratic, and peaceful future for the people of Iraq. Spain has shown
    that commitment by sending medical and engineering units to help the
    Iraqi people, and I thank you for that help.
        Today I moved to ease sanctions imposed by the United States against
    Iraq's old Government. First, based on the authority recently given to
    me by Congress, I am suspending the Iraq Sanctions Act, which restricts
    the export of certain equipment necessary for Iraq's reconstruction.
        Secondly, I am directing Treasury Secretary Snow to relax
    administrative sanctions on American companies and citizens conducting
    business in Iraq that contributes to humanitarian relief and
    reconstruction.
        Soon, at the U.N. Security Council, the United States, Great
    Britain, and Spain will introduce a new resolution to lift the sanctions
    imposed by the United Nations. The regime that the sanctions were
    directed against no longer rules Iraq. And no country in good conscience
    can support using sanctions to hold back the hopes of the Iraqi people.
        Across the globe, Spain and America will continue as strong allies
    in the war against terror. Today the United States took steps to cut off
    financing for the Batasuna organization, because of its ties to the ETA.
    We believe that the people of Spain, like everywhere, have a right to
    live free from terror.
        We'll also work for a better world beyond the war on terror. We are
    committed to expanding trade, which builds prosperity on

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    both sides of the Atlantic. We'll work together to address global
    poverty and the terrible diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
        Spain and the United States will stand on the side of people
    everywhere who are striving for greater freedom, tolerance, and
    opportunity. We are determined to help build peace between the Israelis
    and the Palestinians. Last week's confirmation of Abu Mazen ``Abu Mazen'' and his cabinet permitted the release
    of the roadmap for peace, developed with Russia, the European Union, and
    the United Nations. Spain and the United States are determined to take
    advantage of this moment of opportunity for peace. I'm grateful for the
    wise counsel and for the friendship of Jose Maria Aznar.
        Bienvenidos.
        President Aznar. Good afternoon, everyone. I would, firstly, like to
    thank President George Bush and thank him because of his kind
    invitation. And I want to thank the President personally because, upon
    his initiative, the U.S. Government has taken an extremely important
    decision in the antiterrorist struggle by illegalizing Batasuna, that
    has supported--considering it a terrorist organization, as part of the
    terrorist organization that has made so many victims in Spain.
        I want to recall here in the White House precisely that in July
    2001--that is to say, before 9/11--President Bush committed himself very
    firmly in Madrid to solve and help to fight terrorism. So we're speaking
    of deep convictions that unite us.
        So I want you all to know that President Bush has scrupulously met
    his commitment. And today, in a very fundamental support in the struggle
    against terrorism, and I, as President of the Government of Spain, as a
    Spaniard and as a friend, would like to thank him most especially.
        The second thing I wanted to say is that the relationship between
    Spain and the United States is extremely solid, strong. It's firm, and
    we want it to be that way not only now but also in the future. And I
    think that it is based on a shared vision and on shared values, on many
    things--given one clear example, the most serious risk, perhaps, to us
    all, terrorism. But this relationship is based on firm belief in shared
    values and in principles that we defend and that we proclaim and that we
    assume.
        And it's also based on something that is very important, in that
    commitments are met. And that's something these days is worth
    remembering, and that's the value of giving your word. When you give
    your word and you keep it, then that gives rise to trust and that, in
    turn, friendship. And that, I believe, is what serious countries and
    serious governments must do.
        With regard to Iraq, that we've spoken about, I very much appreciate
    all the information that the President shared with me. Well, we've done,
    very simply, very normally, what we had to do. But today, we confront
    the future with optimism from a founded hope for the Iraqi people in
    freedom. Having won freedom for the Iraqis is the best hope we can sow
    for Iraq's future. And we want a democratic Iraq in which the Iraqis may
    decide their own future, they can be--have their own future in their own
    hands, and naturally, that they can live in freedom.
        That is something that Spain is committed to, to Iraq's
    reconstruction. And we will, naturally, cosponsor with our friends and
    partners, the United States, Great Britain, the new resolution that the
    Security Council may take on sanctions.
        Yesterday, I told Secretary-General Kofi Annan that sanctions had to
    be lifted. And I believe it should be done as quickly as possible,
    because they've lost their reason to exist. And with that resolution we
    will also be meeting one of the commitments of the Azores, and that is
    defining the central role of the United Nations in the process.
        One last consideration regarding the Middle East, Israelis,
    Palestinians, the starting out of the roadmap is the expression of a
    firm political commitment of all of

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    us and the expression of President Bush's firm political commitment.
    That opens up possibilities--because after the situation in Iraq, now
    many possibilities opened up--but it also opens up responsibilities.
    Everyone has to meet their responsibilities, and we very highly value
    the steps taken by the Palestinian Authority. We wish Abu Mazen success.
    And we will actively cooperate so as to sow the relationship between
    Israelis and Palestinians with coexistence, peace, and hope.
        Thank you very much, Mr. President.
        President Bush. Dos preguntas por lado. Tom [Tom Raum, Associated
    Press].

    U.S. Action on Iraqi Reconstruction

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. How are you doing in getting a
    resolution put together to win the support of some of the critics on the
    Security Council, namely Russia and France? And is the United States
    prepared to ignore the sanctions if the June 3d deadline comes and it's
    necessary?
        And to Mr. President Aznar, what will you be able to do to help win
    the speedy vote you talked about? And do you find that public opinion at
    home is making it harder for you to make such a case?
        President Bush. You want to translate? He managed to violate a rule.
    He asked two questions instead of one question. But that's okay. He's
    been around a long time. Yes, listen, we have--we discussed the
    resolution today. We believe there is a mood to work together to achieve
    a resolution that will expedite the reconstruction of Iraq. The read
    from at least our diplomats at the United Nations is that the kind of--
    the atmosphere that existed prior to the war has changed and that people
    now want to work together for the good of the Iraqi people. I think Jose
    Maria shares that sentiment.
        President Aznar. Absolutely. I hope it's true. For our part, the
    position I've maintained is a clear one, and everyone needs to
    contribute to it within the Security Council. And it's all about the
    Iraqi people, so I hope we're successful.

    Death of Spanish Journalists in Iraq

        Q. Well, President Bush, you have expressed your condolences because
    of the death of the two Spanish journalists in Iraq. My question would
    be, do you think this was a mistake, firing against the Palestine Hotel,
    under which fire Jose Couso died? And if so, would you apologize, do you
    think it's necessary to apologize before the Spanish Government and the
    family of these journalists?
        President Bush. I think war is a dangerous place, and I think that
    nobody would kill a journalist intentionally.
        President Aznar. Well, the U.S. Government has already said that
    this was a mistake, and we believe this. I am truly, fully convinced
    that no one would intentionally fire against innocent victims, and in
    this case, the journalists who died. And that's all; that's it. The
    President has often expressed the pain that this produces and his
    condolences because of this. And I think that's clear enough.
        President Bush. Steven [Steve Holland, Reuters].

    President's Visit to the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln

        Q. Mr. President, do you have any reaction to Senator Byrd's
    criticism of your aircraft carrier landing?
        President Bush. Exactly--the fact that it was on the fourth hook?
        Q. I guess that's it. No, I think the words were ``flamboyant
    showmanship.''
        President Bush. Yes. No, listen, it was an honor for me to go on the
    U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. I appreciate the chance to thank our troops. It
    was an unbelievably positive experience. And not only was I able to
    thank our troops; I was able to speak to the country and talk about not
    only their courage but the courage of a lot of other men and women who
    wear

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    our country's uniform. I'm glad I did it. It was also a really good
    landing.

    U.S. Relations With Chile and Mexico

        Q. The criticism is that--the criticism was made of Chile and Mexico
    that they would not support the resolution in the U.N. Security Council,
    the war against Iraq. What is your opinion of this?
        President Bush. They're friends of ours, period. We've got great
    relations with Mexico, and we'll continue to have great relations with
    Mexico. We've got an important free trade agreement with Chile that
    we're going to move forward with.
        President Aznar. For my part, I have to say that in addition to
    being our friends, they're family.
        President Bush. Thank you all.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 5:58 p.m. in the Cross
    Hall at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister
    Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the Palestinian Authority. President Aznar
    referred to Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations.
    President Aznar spoke in Spanish, and his remarks were translated by an
    interpreter. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of this news conference. The Presidential
    determination suspending the Iraq Sanctions Act is listed in Appendix D
    at the end of this volume.