[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
[January 30, 2003]
[Pages 107-109]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Silvio 
Berlusconi of Italy and an Exchange With 
Reporters
January 30, 2003

    President Bush. I will make an opening statement; Silvio will make 
an opening statement; we'll have one question from the Americans, one 
question from the Italians. We're running a little late. We'd like to 
spend hours answering your questions, but the problem is we've got other 
matters to work on.
    First, it's my honor to welcome Silvio Berlusconi back. He is a 
personal friend. Italy is a great friend of America; America is a great 
friend of Italy. The Prime Minister and I will of course be talking 
about a lot of matters, the most significant matter will be how to keep 
the peace, how to make the world a peaceful place.
    I am most grateful that the Prime Minister signed a letter, along 
with other leaders of European countries, which clarified the issue that 
we're dealing with, and that is that Saddam Hussein who the other day in 
commenting about this process said this is a matter of weeks, not 
months. In other words, for the sake of peace, this issue must be 
resolved. Hopefully, it can be done peacefully. Hopefully, the pressure 
of the free world will convince Mr. Saddam Hussein Dickens. 
Only one question.
    President Bush. I would have answered it, but they said no. 
[Laughter] But I don't even know the question. Go ahead.
    Prime Minister Berlusconi. We will never forget that we owe our 
freedom--our freedom, our wealth to the United States of America, and 
our democracy. And we also will never forget that there have been many 
American young lives that were lost and sacrifice themselves for us.
    So for us, the United States is not only our friend, but they are 
the guarantee of our democracy and our freedom. And I already had the 
opportunity to say this to President Bush: Every time I see the U.S. 
flag, I don't see the flag only representative of a country, but I see 
it as a symbol of democracy and of freedom.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thanks.

Note: The President spoke at 12:13 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. Except for his opening remarks, Prime Minister Berlusconi spoke 
in Italian, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.

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