    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [July 3, 2003]
    [Pages 828-830]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Interview With the Voice of America
    July 3, 2003

    Liberia

        Vincent Makori. Mr. President, if the U.S. was to send a
    peacekeeping force to Liberia, what role will it play and what
    limitations will you have?
        The President. I haven't made up my mind, Vincent, whether we are
    going to send a so-called peacekeeping force. I have made up my mind
    there needs to be stability in Liberia, and one of the conditions for a
    peaceful and stable Liberia is for Mr. Charles Taylor to leave the country.
        And so we're working the issue now. And I say ``we,'' it's my--of
    course, the Secretary of State, the very capable Colin Powell, is working with Kofi Annan,
    who is also working with others on the continent to facilitate that type
    of move.

    [[Page 829]]

        As well, there was a meeting today with ECOWAS leadership as to what
    the nature of a so-called peacekeeping force might look like. And that's
    very important information for me, the decisionmaker on this issue, to
    understand what the recommendations might be. I have yet to get those
    recommendations, but I expect I will in the next couple of days.
        Mr. Makori. Mr. President, you have asked Mr. Charles Taylor to step
    down for the sake of peace. What will be your response to him if he does
    not heed your advice?
        The President. Oh, I think we'll have to wait, Vincent, on that. You
    know, I suspect he will, and so therefore, I'm an optimistic person. I'm
    not going to take ``no'' for an answer. My hope is--it's not only my
    voice. It's the voice of a lot of others saying the same thing, and I
    think it's very important for us to be positive about having a good
    outcome.
        Mr. Makori. And given the historical ties between the United States
    and Liberia, does the U.S. have a moral obligation to intervene in
    Liberia?
        The President. Well, there's no question there is a--it is a unique
    relationship between Liberia and the United States, and I suspect that's
    why we're--I don't suspect; I know--that's why we're very much engaged
    in the discussions about how to bring a peaceful and secure Liberia to
    be. I mean, it's--yes, there is a unique history between the United
    States and Liberia.

    Democracy in Africa

        Mr. Makori. Mr. President, because all this boils down to
    leadership, what is the best thing the U.S. can do to discourage
    despotic and dictatorial rulerships in Africa and promote democracy,
    true democracy?
        The President. Well, I appreciate that question. One thing is, we
    can help deal with the AIDS pandemic. A society which is ravished by
    AIDS is a society which is likely to be unstable. And therefore, if we
    can bring good health care to the millions who suffer and love to the
    orphans whose parents might have died from AIDS, it makes it easier to
    have a stable platform for growth.
        Secondly, trade: I'm a big backer of what they call AGOA, which is
    trade agreements between African countries and the United States. Trade
    is more likely to make societies prosperous. Our aid program needs to
    promote the habits necessary for the evolution of a free society. In
    other words, we're not going to give money to corrupt rulers, and we're
    not going to give money to nontransparent societies. The American
    taxpayer and this American President believes that in return for aid--
    and we've got a generous amount of aid available--we expect people to
    take care of their people by educating them and creating good health
    care. We expect there to be market-oriented economies growing. And we
    expect the rulers to be thoughtful and mindful of who they represent,
    and that is the people of their country, not themselves or their ruling
    elite.

    War on Terror in Africa

        Mr. Makori. Mr. President, on the area of terrorism, which parts of
    Africa do you consider the hotspots for terrorism, and what role is the
    U.S. playing, especially with the regional leaders, to ensure that you
    are achieving the desired result?
        The President. Well, unfortunately, a hotspot now is your country,
    Kenya. And we're very closely working with the Government there. And I
    will tell you, the Kenyan Government is very strong when it comes to
    fighting terror. The best thing we can do is share intelligence, is to
    work closely with the intelligence services of a particular country and
    then, when we find information, provide that information and encourage
    the Government to act. And Kenya has done a good job of working with the
    United States to protect Kenya. And that's what we want. We want people
    to be able to defend themselves against terror.

    [[Page 830]]

        And unfortunately, some terrorists have been--and this has all come
    to light recently--obviously, there was a bombing in Kenya, and now it
    looks like there may be some action there as well. But the Government is
    making some very strong moves.
        Mr. Makori. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
        The President. Vincent, thank you, sir.

    Note: The interview was taped at 1:25 p.m. in the Map Room at the White
    House for later broadcast. In his remarks, the President referred to
    President Charles Taylor of Liberia; and Secretary-General Kofi Annan of
    the United Nations. A tape was not available for verification of the
    content of this interview.