    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 18, 2003]
    [Pages 1348-1351]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Gloria Macapagal-
    Arroyo of the Philippines and an
    Exchange With Reporters in Manila, Philippines
    October 18, 2003

        President Macapagal-Arroyo. I'd like to thank President Bush for
    coming to the Philippines on this state visit. It affirms the warm and
    deep relations between our two countries. It's another building block in
    the revitalized and maturing alliance, rooted in shared histories and
    shared values, a common interest in global peace and prosperity, as well
    as a real commitment of combating terrorism and advancing freedom.
        I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the United States for its
    support for the Philippines as a nonpermanent member of the Security
    Council for the term 2004 to 2005 and also for designating the
    Philippines as a major non-NATO ally.
        I also welcome the Joint Defense Assessment named by our respective
    defense agencies. It recognizes that the world today requires a new
    perspective on political and economic security. The assessment
    recognizes the determination of the Philippines to take greater
    responsibility for its own political and economic security, even as it
    acknowledges that strong relations with the U.S. will contribute greatly
    to peace and prosperity, stability and security, especially from
    terrorism. Indeed, we must close ranks and stand firm against terrorist
    threats, however grave, however armed, and from whatever quarter.
        When those violence happened in May 2001, the Philippines chose to
    fight terrorism, compensating for such modest means that it commands
    with an unshakable resolve to defeat it once and for all.
        I thank President Bush for continued security assistance which
    enhances the means to defeat terrorism. I also appreciate the help of
    President Bush for increased economic assistance to alleviate poverty
    and other socio-economic ills from which terrorism draws its strength. I
    take pride in the robust economic ties that bind the Philippines and the
    United States.
        This past week, in preparation for this visit, we witnessed the
    launching in the Philippines of Convergys, the largest customer care
    service company in the world, which is hiring 3,000 workers in its first
    year of operation. We also witnessed the launching of a new $50 million
    investment of Ford to launch the Philippines as an export hub for the
    world. We received $33 million of new USAID money for educational
    assistance in the conflict-affected areas, and we celebrated the
    electrification of 1,650 barangays with a contribution of one million
    pesos per barangay from Mirant, CalEnergy, and San Roque, all in
    preparation for your visit, Mr. President.
        I look forward to the rest of my talks with President Bush and the
    officials of his administration. Once again, thank you, Mr. President,
    and thanks to Mrs. Bush for making this state visit to the Philippines.
        President Bush. Madam President, thanks. It's been a--this is going
    to be a

    [[Page 1349]]

    great trip, thanks to your wonderful hospitality. I want to thank you
    and your Government for such wonderful arrangements. And I want to thank
    the people of Manila for being so friendly to Laura and me as we drove through the streets. There was an
    outpouring of enthusiasm and waving that really made us feel great, and
    we want to thank your country very much.
        I'm here to continue our important discussions. And I want to remind
    the people of this country what a great leader you've been when it comes
    to fighting terror. You've been strong and stalwart, and that's what's
    needed. The terrorists want to frighten people into inaction. They want
    to create fear and, therefore, have their way. And you have been strong,
    and I appreciate that very much. We want to continue to help you.
        And I also want to thank you for your vision of understanding that
    freedom is important. It's a human right, and where there's human
    suffering and tyranny, that--at the same time, terrorist links--the free
    world must work to change conditions, hopefully in peaceful ways. But
    sometimes tyranny is so stubborn and ignores the reality that we have to
    take tough decisions. And Mr. President, you understand that, and I want
    to thank you very much for that.
        I also want to continue to work on close ties, particularly when it
    comes to trade and jobs. We want the people of the Philippines working,
    and we want the people of America working. And by having good free trade
    and fair trade, we can help both countries.
        And finally, I want to thank you very much for working together on
    matters of education. We've got a great education initiative, and you
    recognize, like I recognize, that education is the best way to fight
    poverty. And therefore, education is also a great way to enhance
    democracy.
        Thank you for your leadership. Thanks for your hospitality. I'm
    looking forward to the rest of the day in this beautiful country.
        President Macapagal-Arroyo. Thank you.
        President Bush. If it's all right, we've got, obviously, some
    anxiety built up in our press corps there--[laughter].
        Q. Mr. President----
        President Bush. Yes. Speaking about anxiety, yes--[laughter]--the
    dean of the traveling crowd here.

    Terrorist Threat in the Philippines

        Q. How serious do you think the terrorism threat is here in the
    Philippines? And what specifically can you do to help President Arroyo
    deal with it?
        President Bush. Well, I think the Abu Sayyaf is serious. It's
    serious because there are no rules when it comes to a crowd like the Abu
    Sayyaf. They kidnap. They kill. They maim. And there's only one way to
    deal with them, and that's to find them and to bring them to justice,
    which is precisely what the Arroyo Government has been doing.
        I was briefed before you all came in about the progress made against
    the Abu Sayyaf group. Not only has the leadership been slowly but surely
    brought to justice, but many members of the Abu Sayyaf have been brought
    to justice.
        The best thing we can continue to do within our respective
    constitutions and/or budgets is to work in a close, cooperative way,
    starting with intelligence sharing and then providing the assets and the
    capacity and training to move quickly when a particular target is found.
    The cooperation between the United States and the Philippines is strong.
    The success against this particular group is a model for the region, as
    far as I'm concerned, and I want to thank the President for that.
        President Macapagal-Arroyo. Thank you.

    APEC Summit Agenda

        Q. Mr. President, you're trying to put security on the agenda at
    APEC. Do you think some leaders of this region, some countries are not
    doing enough to crack down on terrorism?

    [[Page 1350]]

        President Bush. No, I think security is on the agenda. What I'm
    trying to do and will do is to remind people that the war on terror goes
    on. See, the easiest thing to do is to think the war on terror is over
    with. It's certainly the most comfortable approach. And I just will
    remind people that, in view of the United States, that the United States
    is still threatened and our friends are threatened, and therefore, we
    must continue to cooperate and work. And the good news is that I don't
    have to convince Madam President of that. She understands that as well
    as anybody in the region.
        We'll also, of course, talk about jobs. And I want our people
    working, and I know the President wants the people of the Philippines
    working. And trade is important. It's an important way to lift lives on
    both sides of the Pacific. But it's also important to have free--fair
    trade. In other words, we want the trade to be--markets to be equally
    open. And that's an important conversation that I will have with the
    members of APEC.
        And the other thing, of course, is a chance to renew friendships and
    to be able to kind of continue discussions that I had been having in the
    past. The President and I, gosh, we've talked a lot. We've met a lot,
    and we've talked a lot. These meetings are important ways to keep our
    friendships going and to keep our common interests alive.
        Q. Mr. President----
        President Bush. Stretch [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News]. We call him
    Stretch. [Laughter]
        President Macapagal-Arroyo. I can see why. [Laughter]

    U.N. Security Council Resolution on Iraq

        Q. You got a resolution through the U.N. this week, but some of the
    countries that opposed the war, going back to last year, France,
    Germany, Russia, still haven't come forward with any contributions. Do
    you think this--and some members of your administration cautioned us
    against assuming there will be any major inflow of contributions,
    troops, and money, as a result of this. Do you think that's a realistic
    outlook on things?
        President Bush. Well, first, let me thank those countries for their
    vote at the U.N. That was a very important vote. And as a matter of
    fact, the first thing that the President and I discussed, and the first
    thing that Prime Minister Koizumi and I
    discussed was the vote at the U.N. It's important for these countries
    around the world to see the U.N. act the way the U.N. acted in a 15 to
    nothing U.N. Security Council resolution vote. It was a strong vote.
        And as to whether or not they'll participate, time will tell. But
    I--take, for example, Germany. Germany is participating in the aftermath
    of certain battles in the war on terror. And that is in Afghanistan;
    they're making a very serious, important contribution. And for that we
    are very grateful. And there will be other ways for nations to
    contribute in the overall war on terror.
        And I'm pleased with the progress we are making in Iraq. The
    President and I discussed that progress, and it's measurable progress.
    For example, we had a goal of 1,000 schools to open after the end of the
    conflict, and it wasn't 1,000 schools that were refurbished and opened,
    but it was 1,500--1,500 schools. And the electricity is coming on, and
    the water is more pure. And I can cite a series of examples where life
    is improving for the Iraqi citizen.
        It is still a dangerous place because there are still haters and
    thugs and terrorists who are willing to take innocent life. And the
    reason why is, is because they want America to leave. They want to
    create the conditions of fear, and therefore, we'll say, ``Well, we've
    had enough.'' But we're not leaving. See, we're not leaving until we
    complete the task.
        And I am pleased with progress. And one of the President's ministers
    was there, talking about education matters and the

    [[Page 1351]]

    need for us to continue to work together to improve the lives of the
    Iraqi citizens, and we will. It's in our interest that Iraq be free and
    peaceful. It will help change the world.
        And I want to thank the President for her strong support. There are
    Philippine citizens there today.
        All right, thank you all.

    Note: President Macapagal-Arroyo spoke at approximately 2:30 p.m. at
    Malacanang Palace. In his remarks, President Bush referred to Prime
    Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. Portions of these remarks could not
    be verified because the tape was incomplete.