[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
[May 8, 2003]
[Pages 449-451]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Prior to Discussions With Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani  bin Khalifa Al of Qatar and an Exchange With Reporters
May 8, 2003

    President Bush. It's my honor to welcome the Amir of Qatar to the 
Oval Office. The Amir has shown great leadership. He has led his country 
to join in a vast coalition to make the world more peaceful, to make the 
world more free.
    Mr. Amir, you made some promises to America, and you kept your 
promises. We're honored to call you friend. We appreciate your steadfast 
support.
    The Amir also has served as a strong example of what is possible in 
his part of the world. He is a reformer. He's promoted a new 
constitution which allows women to vote. He's promoted women into his 
cabinet. He is a strong leader. He believes strongly in education; an 
educated populace is one more likely to realize their dreams.
    So, Your Highness, it's such an honor to have you here, and I 
welcome you, and I want to thank you for your friendship.
    Amir Hamad. I would like to thank the President very much for his 
gracious invitation for me to come and meet with him here at the White 
House. We in Qatar are very keen to have a very unique and strong and 
distinct relationship with the United States, a relationship that it is 
transparent.
    Our military relationship is very good. We are very committed with 
the United States regarding every agreement that we have signed to 
fulfill our part.
    We are also so grateful for the United States, because it is helping 
Qatar in the areas of education and economics and economic development. 
And in Qatar we welcome all American corporations who are willing to 
come and invest in Qatar.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir. Keil [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News].

Iranian Nuclear Weapons Program

    Q. Mr. President, there are reports this morning that Iran may be 
pursuing or accelerating its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Is this of a 
concern to you, particularly

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as you are also trying to deal with a similar situation in North Korea?
    President Bush. Well, I've always expressed my concerns, that of the 
Iranians may be developing a nuclear program. I have done so publicly. I 
have done so privately. As you may recall, I expressed those concerns to 
Vladimir Putin when I went to Russia. And as 
I understand, the IAEA is coming out with a report in June, and we'll 
wait and see what it says.
    But one of the things we must do is work together to stop the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It is a major issue that 
faces the world, and it's an issue in which the United States will still 
lead.
    Stretch--you're not Stretch [Bill Sammon, Washington Times].

Women in Combat

    Q. Mr. President, I know you support our women in the military, but 
sometimes female prisoners of war are treated worse than males. Is it 
time to review the Clinton-era rule change that puts women into combat 
situations?
    President Bush. I will take guidance from the United States 
military; our commanders will make those decisions. I will tell you 
this: When I was on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, I met two women pilots. 
I would have just have been happy to have one of those pilots fly me on 
that carrier as the guy, as ``Loose'' 
``Loose'' flew me on the carrier.
    But in terms of whether or not, you know, the configuration of our 
force and who ought to be fighting where, that's going to be up to the 
generals. That's how we run our business here in the White House. We set 
the strategy, and we rely upon our military to make the judgments 
necessary to achieve the strategy.
     Scott [Scott Lindlaw, Associated Press].

Tax Cut on Dividends

    Q. Mr. President, can you live with a scaled-back tax cut on 
dividends the Senate is talking about now?
    President Bush. Well, first of all, the question is, will the 
Congress respond in a bold enough way to help people who are looking for 
work find a job? That's the fundamental question Congress ought to ask.
    Q. What do you think of this compromise----
    President Bush. And I continually remind people that I want 
something strong enough so people can work. And I will continue 
reminding Congress that they have a responsibility to listen to the 
voices of those who are unemployed. I certainly have heard those voices, 
and you'll see me next week continuing to take that message out to the 
country.
    Holland [Steve Holland, Reuters] and the last question.

Secretary Powell's Upcoming Visit to the 
Middle East/Roadmap for Peace

    Q. Secretary Powell is going to the Middle East this weekend. Are 
you seeing any progress at all on the roadmap? The violence seems to be 
going----
    President Bush. That was supposed to be a dramatic announcement for 
my speech tomorrow at the University of South Carolina: I hereby send 
Secretary Powell to the Middle East. It doesn't sound like it's that 
dramatic anymore. [Laughter] You've jumped the gun on me.
    Q. Sorry, sir. [Laughter]
    President Bush. That's all right. It's your job. That's your job.
    Q. Have you seen any----
    President Bush. Yes, of course we're going to make progress. Yes, 
we'll make progress, absolutely. And the reason why we'll make progress 
is that the Palestinian Authority has now got a leader in the Prime 
Minister ``Abu Mazen'' who has renounced 
violence. And he said he wants to work with us to make the area more 
secure. He understands what we know, that a peace process will proceed 
if and when there is a concerted effort to fight violence.

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    So one of the things I'll be talking to His Highness about--who, by 
the way, is very active in this process--is how do we work with the Arab 
world to encourage the Arab world to assume its responsibilities of 
stopping the funding of terror and to working with the Palestinian 
Authority to encourage the habits of democracy and freedom with the 
Palestinian Authority.
    So I'm very optimistic. That's why I'm sending Secretary Powell 
there--a secret which is no longer a secret. [Laughter]
    Thank you all. Very good work, Holland.

Note: The President spoke at 11:56 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to President Vladimir Putin of 
Russia; Comdr. John P. ``Loose'' Lussier, USN, executive officer, VS-35, 
Naval Air Station North Island, CA; and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas 
(Abu Mazen) of the Palestinian Authority. Amir Hamad spoke in Arabic, 
and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.