    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 21, 2003]
    [Pages 1598-1601]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks With Prime Minister Blair at Sedgefield
    Community College and an Exchange With Reporters in Sedgefield
    November 21, 2003

        Prime Minister Blair. I'd just like to say, first of all, how
    delighted we both are to be at Sedgefield School here, and how wonderful
    the welcome has been from all the teachers and pupils, and what a
    magnificent job of work they do here. I also want to express my real
    pride that the President of the United States of America is here in my
    constituency and in the northeast of England. And everyone is really
    thrilled to see him here and delighted at the honor his presence here
    does us.
        The last 2 or 3 days have been an interesting time, I think, to
    reflect. It's been a time when--with some fairly tragic things going on
    in the world. It's been an opportunity for us to reflect and know that
    amongst the tragedy, the alliance between Great Britain--between the
    United States of America is an alliance that is strong and enduring, of
    immense importance to our two countries. And we've got to continue that
    alliance now.
        And these terrible attacks that happen, the terrorism that we see,
    the destruction, the intent to take innocent life that we see around us
    in our world today should make us just all the more determined to do
    what we need to do to restore order and justice, to bring peace and
    freedom and democracy to people all over the world.
        It's been a fantastic opportunity these last few days just to--as I
    say, to think about this relationship between Britain and the United
    States, to reflect on its history, to assess the strength of it today,
    and to use that strength for a better future for our two countries but
    also for the wider world.
        Mr. President, George, you and the First Lady, Laura, have been
    really welcome here in the northeast. And as I say, it's been a
    fantastic day for people here, and we can't tell you how delighted we
    are to see you.

    [[Page 1599]]

        President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, it's been a great trip. Thanks
    for the invitation. Thanks for the hospitality. You and Her Majesty The
    Queen have made this a special part of our
    life. And it's really good to be in your own constituency. It's clear
    they love you up here, which is always a good sign. [Laughter]
        We--being with the school--the schoolkids here reminds us of our
    solemn responsibility to protect our people and to create the conditions
    necessary for peace to prevail when they become older. That's our
    biggest job, and yesterday's attack in Turkey reminded us that we hadn't
    completed our job yet.
        You know, as the Prime Minister so eloquently said yesterday, the
    terrorists are trying to intimidate the free world. And this man will
    not be intimidated, and neither will I. But more importantly, the people
    of Great Britain won't be intimidated, and neither will the people of
    America. And working together, we will make the world safer and freer
    for boys and girls all across the world, starting with these right here.
        And so, Mr. Prime Minister, it's been a fantastic trip, and we're so
    thrilled to have been here. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality.
    And we look forward to--I look forward to our weekly phone calls to stay
    on the offensive against the enemy. Thank you.
        I've already answered your questions, but if you've got another
    one----

    The West's Response to Terrorism

        Q. Sure, if I may. In light of the tragedy of these terrorist
    attacks, have your--the leaders from either Germany or France, do you
    find there are any indications that they're more empathetic or
    sympathetic to your cause? Do you feel as if there might be more aid or
    troops or even a stronger political alliance with those who have not
    agreed with you?
        Prime Minister Blair. I think the important thing is that when these
    terrible terrorist attacks occur, there's one of two responses. People
    can respond either by being intimidated by it, by feeling, ``Let's
    reduce our profile in this struggle.'' That's one response. Or people
    can respond by saying, ``When we're under attack, we defend ourselves,
    and we go out and fight with renewed strength and determination for what
    we believe in.''
        Because when you look at what we're trying to do and trying to make
    sure that the world--it's not just about security; it's actually about
    recognizing that a world that is more free and stable and prosperous is
    a world that is more secure. When you recognize that that's what we're
    trying to do, and these people are trying by these appalling acts of
    terrorism against wholly innocent people, trying to prevent that world
    happening, then I think the response from everyone is very clear.
        And I believe and hope that that is true, not just in Britain but
    all over Europe. Because, after all, what did we learn in Europe in our
    history, in the history that we share with the United States of America?
    And that is, when freedom is threatened in Europe, we have to fight. And
    the reason why you have a European Union today and we have democracy and
    stability and freedom in Europe is because in the face of attacks upon
    that freedom, we, with our allies, the United States, defended that
    freedom.
        And so I'm sure that people in other countries in Europe will feel
    the same way about that. And I think you saw from the reaction, for
    example, in Italy, when that terrible act of terrorism killed Italian
    citizens who were over in Iraq trying to make that country better, I
    think you could see by that reaction from people in Italy that I think
    there is an instinctive knowledge that when you're attacked by people,
    by these wicked acts, there is only one response that is possible to
    make, and that is to get out there and be absolutely up front and say,
    ``We are not tolerating this. We're going to fight back.''

    [[Page 1600]]

    Germany's Contribution in Afghanistan

        Q. Chancellor Schroeder has said that it's nice that we're going to
    speed up the timetable for handing over power to the Iraqi people, but
    he's still not going to contribute troops or any more money. Is that a
    disappointment?
        President Bush. Chancellor Schroeder
    is committing troops to Afghanistan. And it is very helpful for our
    coalition. Afghanistan is--obviously been a--is a recently liberated
    country from a barbaric regime. And Chancellor Schroeder understands
    that it is essential that Afghanistan be free and democratic and
    peaceful. And I thank him for his significant and strong contribution.

    U.K.-U.S. Alliance

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, you've talked a lot about the alliance
    between the two countries. A lot of your critics this week have said
    that Britain is not getting enough out of this alliance. What do you say
    to that? And do you feel that you've accomplished a lot this week for
    Britain?
        Prime Minister Blair. What I say to that is that people sometimes
    talk about this alliance between Britain and the United States of
    America as if it were some scorecard. It isn't. It's an alliance of
    values. It's an alliance of common interests. It's an alliance of common
    convictions and beliefs. And the reason why we are standing side by side
    with America is not because we feel forced to; it is because we want to,
    because we believe that is the right place to be.
        And as I was saying to you--I was discussing this with--last night
    and was just reflecting, when September the 11th happened, remember--
    obviously many, many American citizens lost their lives--this was the
    worst terrorist attack against British citizens. We're in this together.
    And we didn't--Britain didn't go off and attack Al Qaida. We didn't
    start a war against these people. They came to us. And if you look right
    around the world at the moment, there are something like nationals from
    60 different nations in the world who have lost citizens in these
    terrorist attacks. And it doesn't matter whether you're up front or at
    the back, whether you're people who have got big profile on this or a
    low profile. These people aren't interested in that. This is a
    fundamental struggle.
        And so the reason we have this alliance with the United States, the
    reason I'm proud to have the President here, the reason why I believe
    the vast majority of my country is proud of the alliance with the United
    States, is not because there's some payback that's going to be given to
    us. It's not about that. It's about knowing that this is a struggle in
    which we're both engaged, just as in my father's generation--they knew
    there was a struggle in which we both had to be engaged. And thank
    goodness both of us were, because that's the reason we're standing in a
    free country today.
        President Bush. Listen, thank you. One comment on that. This leader
    and this country are willing to take on hard tasks in the name of
    freedom and peace, and so is America. And by working together, we will
    be able to accomplish a lot in these hard things.
        As I said in my comments, that we are fortunate to have friends--I'm
    fortunate to have a friend like Tony Blair. America is fortunate to have
    friends like the people of Great Britain, because the people of Great
    Britain have got grit and strength and determination and are willing to
    take on a challenge. And we're being challenged. We're challenged by
    killers, cold-blooded killers. And we're going to prevail. And we're
    more likely to prevail working together, and that's the importance of
    the relationship.
        Listen, thank you all. It's been a wonderful time being here in this
    great country.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 2:56 p.m. In his remarks, he
    referred to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom;

    [[Page 1601]]

    and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany.