    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [December 11, 2003]
    [Pages 1705-1707]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Cabinet Meeting and an Exchange With Reporters
    December 11, 2003

        The President. I want to thank the members of my Cabinet for coming
    for what will be the last Cabinet meeting of the year 2003. I've just
    heard from each Cabinet member about the accomplishments in the year
    2003. This has been an historic year. America is safer. America is more
    prosperous. America is a better place because of the actions this
    administration has taken.
        In order to secure America, we liberated the people of Iraq from a
    brutal tyrant, and now we're in the process of rebuilding that country,
    along with others, and we're making good progress.

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        In order to make sure people could find work in America, we proposed
    and Congress passed an economic stimulus package, and that package is
    making a significant difference on our economy. Our economy is strong;
    it is vibrant. People are finding work, but we won't rest until
    everybody who wants to find a job can find one.
        The country is better off for a lot of reasons. A significant piece
    of legislation was passed by the Congress, which I recently signed, and
    that is the Medicare reform bill. We took on a tough issue; we worked
    with Congress to make sure that we fulfilled a promise to America's
    seniors by modernizing and strengthening Medicare.
        This has been a year of accomplishment. We also recognize we've got
    a job to do, to continue to do for the American people, to keep this
    country safe and prosperous and strong and a better place for all our
    citizens. And we look forward to working with the Congress in the year
    '04 to accomplish those objectives.
        Today is Mel Martinez's, the fine
    Secretary of HUD, last meeting. Mel has served our country with class
    and distinction. I'm proud, Mel, to have had you on this team. Good job.
        Secretary Martinez. Thank you, sir.
        The President. I'll answer a couple of questions--that would be two
    questions. Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

    Iraqi Reconstruction Contracts

        Q. Mr. President, what did the leaders of France, Russia, and
    Germany say to you yesterday about being excluded from contracts,
    reconstruction contracts in Iraq? And can those countries be considered
    for the contract if they forgive debt that's owed by Iraq?
        The President. Let me make sure everybody understands that men and
    women from our country, who proudly wear our uniform, risked their life
    to free Iraq. Men and women from other countries in a broad coalition
    risked their lives to free Iraq. And the expenditure of U.S. dollars
    will reflect the fact that U.S. troops and other troops risked their
    life.
        Now, we want to work with all countries. We have a common goal, and
    that is to see that Iraq is free and peaceful. It is in every nation's
    interest that Iraq be free and peaceful, and we welcome contributions.
    We welcome people's willingness to participate in this difficult yet
    important job of rebuilding Iraq.
        Holland [Steve Holland, Reuters].
        Q. Sir, Chancellor Schroeder says international law must apply in
    this case. What's your understanding of the law?
        The President. International law? I better call my lawyer. He didn't
    bring that up to me. I asked President Chirac
    and Chancellor Schroeder and President
    Putin to see Jim Baker to talk about debt restructuring. If these countries want
    to participate in helping the world become more secure by enabling Iraq
    to emerge as a free and peaceful country, one way to contribute is
    through debt restructuring. And so Jim Baker, with the consent of the
    Secretary of State, is going to go over and
    talk to these leaders about that. But I don't know what you're talking
    about, about international law. I've got to consult my lawyer.

    Iraqi Debt Relief

        Q. Can I clarify one thing?
        The President. Yes, you may clarify something.
        Q. Thank you very much.
        The President. Depends on what it is, though. [Laughter]
        Q. Same issue.
        The President. Okay.
        Q. You seem to be saying that the boots on the ground are the only
    qualifications for--but what about the forgiveness of debt? Isn't that a
    fairly substantial----
        The President. It is. It would be a significant contribution for
    which we would be very grateful. What I'm saying is, in the expenditure
    of taxpayers' money--and that's what we're talking about now--the

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    U.S. people, the taxpayers, understand why it makes sense for countries
    that risk lives to participate in the contracts in Iraq. It's very
    simple. Our people risk their lives; coalition--friendly coalition folks
    risk their lives; and therefore, the contracting is going to reflect
    that. And that's what the U.S. taxpayers expect.
        Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:51 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq; President Jacques Chirac of France; Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
    of Germany; President Vladimir Putin of Russia; and James A. Baker III,
    the President's personal envoy on the issue of Iraqi debt. A tape was
    not available for verification of the content of these remarks.