[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.
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*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
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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.