[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
[September 27, 2003]
[Pages 1201-1206]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



The President's News Conference With President Vladimir Putin of Russia at Camp David, Maryland
September 27, 2003

    President Bush. Thank you all for coming. I'm proud to welcome my 
friend Vladimir Putin to Camp David. President Putin has visited the 
White House; he's visited our ranch in Crawford; and now he visits Camp 
David. I'm honored to have him here, and I appreciate the great dialog 
we've had last night and today.
    For decades, when the leaders of our two countries met, they talked 
mainly of missiles and warheads, because the only common ground we 
shared was the desire to avoid catastrophic conflict. In recent years, 
the United States and Russia have made great progress in building a new 
relationship. Today, our relationship is broad, and it is strong.
    Russia and the United States are allies in the war on terror. Both 
of our nations have suffered at the hands of terrorists, and both of our 
Governments are taking actions to stop them. No cause justifies terror. 
Terrorists must be opposed wherever they spread chaos and destruction, 
including

[[Page 1202]]

Chechnya. A lasting solution to that conflict will require an end to 
terror, respect for human rights, and a political settlement that leads 
to free and fair elections.
    President Putin and I talked about expanding our cooperation in Iraq 
and in Afghanistan. The President and I agree that America, Russia, and 
the entire world will benefit from the advance of stability and freedom 
in these nations, because free and stable nations do not breed 
ideologies of murder or threaten people of other lands. I was encouraged 
that it is clear that our Governments will continue to work together on 
this very important matter, a matter of freedom and peace.
    The President and I also discussed ways to broaden Russian-American 
military cooperation. We're determined to improve our joint ability to 
fight terror, to keep peace in troubled regions, and stop the spread of 
weapons of mass destruction. We strongly urge North Korea to completely, 
verifiably, and irreversibly end its nuclear programs. We strongly urge 
Iran to comply fully with all of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-
Proliferation Treaty. We're seeking to intensify our missile defense 
cooperation, because both of our countries are threatened by outlaw 
regimes that could be armed with deadly weapons.
    We welcome the growing economic relationship between our two 
countries. We will continue to work together to expand cooperation in 
the energy sector. We recognize lower trade barriers and mutual 
investment will benefit both our nations. American and Russian officials 
are meeting more often and discussing broad range of issues.
    Old suspicions are giving way to new understanding and respect. Our 
goal is to bring the U.S.-Russian relationship to a new level of 
partnership. I respect President Putin's vision for Russia, a country at 
peace within its borders, with its neighbors, and with the world, a 
country in which democracy and freedom and rule of law thrive. Because 
of the President's vision and his desires, I'm confident that we'll have 
a strong relationship which will improve the lives of our fellow 
citizens as well as help make the world more peaceful.
    Mr. President, welcome.
    President Putin. Thank you very much. Good afternoon, ladies and 
gentlemen. First of all, I would like to cordially thank the President 
of the United States of America, Mr. Bush, for his invitation. Our host 
has created, beginning yesterday, a very relaxed and tranquil atmosphere 
conducive to having a calm and open, very frank talk on the major 
problems and on the broader picture of relations between Russia and the 
United States.
    Our talks today have once again confirmed that our relations are 
based on a clear vision and a clear understanding of special 
responsibility of Russia and the United States for ensuring 
international security and strengthening strategic stability. We have 
convinced--we have proven once again that our partnership is not subject 
to political dealmaking.
    Despite all the difficulties that we have to overcome, the spirit 
and the basic principles of our relationship have remained the same, 
mutual confidence, openness, predictability, and consideration, and 
respect of interests of each other. We value very much the level of 
relationship that we have reached with the United States.
    According to already established tradition, President Bush and I 
have focused on specific issues. And fight against terrorism continues 
to be among priorities of our cooperation. I agree with the assessment 
that the President of the United States has just given. In this sphere, 
we act not only as strategic partners but as allies. Our agencies are 
conducting an open and professional dialog on the entire range of 
questions in this sphere, including attempts by terrorist organizations 
to commit new terrorists' acts and to gain access to weapons of mass 
destruction.
    We have also discussed today about the implementation of provisions 
of the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions. After

[[Page 1203]]

the ratification of the treaty, its implementation, in our assessment, 
is going successfully. We intend to take this work under our control in 
the future as well.
    Russia and the United States intend to pursue close cooperation for 
strengthening international regimes and nonproliferation mechanisms. We 
discussed in detail the situation around nuclear programs of Iran and 
North Korea. In our--it is our conviction that we shall now give a clear 
but respectful signal to Iran about the necessity to continue and expand 
its cooperation with IAEA.
    As to the North Korean nuclear problem, I believe that the primary--
the priority now is to unblock the conflict situation around the Korean 
Peninsula to create a favorable climate, favorable atmosphere for a 
constructive dialog. And Russia believes that ensuring nuclear 
nonproliferation regime should be accompanied by extending to North 
Korea guarantees in this sphere of security. We intend to continue our 
joint work with the United States in resolving this issue.
    I would like to stress separately the situation around Iraq. Our 
countries, just like the entire international community, have a common 
task, to ensure the speediest possible settlement and normalization of 
the situation in Iraq. We want to see Iraq a free, democratic, and 
united state. We believe that in solving the very difficult problems 
that the people of Iraq are facing today, an important role shall be 
played by the provisional Governing Council of Iraq, along with the 
Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
    We also talked about the situation in the Middle East. And we 
believe that there is no reasonable alternative to consistent 
implementation of the roadmap.
    Significant attention during the negotiation was paid to Russian-
American cooperation in trade and economic sphere. I would like to 
remind you that in the first 6 months of 2003, the volume of Russian-
American mutual trade has increased more than by one-third. It's a good 
platform for future progress.
    There is also good grounds for future cooperation in energy sphere. 
We are also improving cooperation in the sphere of information and 
communication technologies and in the exploration of space.
    And in conclusion, I would like to draw the primary result of our 
negotiations. We have succeeded in reaching substantial progress on the 
way of forming the relations of real and mutually respectful partnership 
between Russia and the United States. I would like to thank President 
Bush for his constructive approach and for his interest in the 
discussion of all the questions, of all the issues that we have touched 
upon. This was a very useful meeting.
    President Bush. Thanks. We'll take a couple of questions here, two 
per side.

Iran and the IAEA/Russian Stance on Iraq

    Press Secretary Scott McClellan. 
Jennifer [Jennifer Loven, Associated Press], with the AP.
    Q. Yes, sir. You mentioned that you talked about Iran. Did you 
receive any specific commitments from President Putin that Russia would 
stop selling nuclear technology to Iran?
    And to Mr. Putin, did you--are you ready to make any commitments now 
to contribute either troops or resources in Iraq? And if not, what will 
help you to get there?
    President Bush. We share a goal, and that is to make sure Iran 
doesn't have a nuclear weapon or a nuclear weapons program. We also 
understand that we need to work together to convince Iran to abandon any 
ambition she may have, ambitions toward the development of a nuclear 
weapon. What's important is we understand it's in our national interest 
that Iran doesn't develop a nuclear weapon.
    So the most important thing that came out of these meetings was a 
reaffirmation of our desire to work together to convince Iran to abandon 
her ambitions, as well as

[[Page 1204]]

to work with other nations so that there is a common voice on this 
issue. You heard the President say that the IAEA process must go 
forward. We firmly agree. I found this part of our discussions to be 
very satisfactory, from the U.S. point of view.
    President Putin. We indeed paid much attention to this issue. I 
would like to reiterate that Russia has no desire and no plans to 
contribute in any way to the creation of weapons of mass destructions, 
either in Iran or in any other spot, region in the world. I would like 
to reiterate that we comply firmly with the provisions of the Non-
Proliferation Treaty, because this course is in our national interest.
    As to the joint work, we are ready to proceed. As to our possible 
participation in the normalization of the--in the settlement in Iraq, in 
the normalization of life in Iraq, Russia is interested in seeing it 
occurring as soon as possible.
    At the same time, we understand that this is a very complicated 
process that should be based on a solid legal and administrative base 
and should go ahead stage by stage. The degree and the extent and level 
of Russia's participation in the restoration of Iraq will be determined 
after we know the parameters of the resolution--of the new resolution on 
Iraq.

Russia-U.S. Relations/U.S. Visa Policy

    Q. First question, addressed to both Presidents. There is an opinion 
that Russian-American relations have, nevertheless, a declarative 
character. Have you given any specific instructions to your Governments 
the--as you discussed it in your communique?
    President Bush. Yes. Da.
    Q. And the second question----
    President Bush. No, we only got one question, please. You've already 
asked two, one to me and one to him. Now you want to ask four, two to me 
and--no, forget it.
    Q. Two parts----
    President Bush. Oh, two parts of the same question?
    Q. Because my colleague asked two questions, on Iraq and Iran--
[laughter]--[inaudible].
    President Bush. Yes, okay. [Laughter] I knew she set a bad 
precedent. [Laughter]
    Q. So the next question is for you, Mr. President Bush. Sir, the 
question is, as you know, as you probably do know, Mr. President, that 
visa practices implemented by your embassies abroad, including by your 
Embassy in Russia, with respect to those people who would like to travel 
to the United States, and that does not add sympathies to--does not add 
sympathies. And do you know that even journalists who came here to cover 
your visit had to undergo a special interview at the Embassy in Moscow? 
And do you expect any changes to take place in these practices?
    And as a followup question, does my question--will my----
    President Bush. No wonder you got interviewed. [Laughter]
    Q. And as a followup question, can I be assured that my question 
will not lead to a denial of visa for me, personally? [Laughter]
    President Bush. That's right. No. Nyet. [Laughter] No, the President 
raised the issue of visas. He expressed concern that our visa policy was 
cumbersome and didn't expedite the travel of legitimate journalists and 
business people and artists and educators. Our intention is not to slow 
down visits. Our intention is to make sure that visitors who come are 
reasonable people. What is happening is, is that policy--visa policy 
changed after September the 11th, 2001, and we're trying to make it as 
modern and as efficient as possible. And we've got some work to do.
    And it was so long that you asked your first question, I'll try to 
remember what it was. Oh, yes. Yes, we've got a checklist of things we 
need to work through. In other words, we understand that it's one thing 
to set a strategic vision for our relationship, but there must be 
practical consequences of the relationship. We're tasking

[[Page 1205]]

different agencies and agencies' heads with discussions and action plans 
that we will be able to monitor.
    President Putin. Regarding declarative character of the relations 
between Russia and the United States, where do, as we say in Russia, 
legs grow; where do such questions come from? This happens because 
people expect from us constantly some kind of revolutions. Now, just 
positive development in the relationship is no longer sufficient for 
them. I would like to point your attention that due to rapprochement 
between Russia and the United States, we manage to establish and to 
create in the world an atmosphere and trust--of trust and strategic 
stability.
    This had very practical results, including in such sensitive areas 
as combating terrorism. I have never said this in public. I'm going to 
do it today. When counterterrorist operation began in Afghanistan, we 
were approached by people through several channels--we were approached 
by people who intended to fight against Americans in Afghanistan. And if 
by that time President Bush and I had not formed appropriate 
relationship, as we have--so no one knows what turn would the 
developments in Afghanistan had taken. You know what was the Russia's 
position, and it helped to a great extent to achieve further results 
that we have achieved in Afghanistan and was for a very good purpose.
    I have just said that in only 6 first months of this year, the 
volume of our mutual trade has increased by more than one-third. We are 
talking about Russia's balanced policy in the world energy sphere. We 
conduct a very high-level energy dialog with the United States, 
including at the very top level. And it's difficult to say what prices 
would be now--how high prices for fuel in international energy markets 
would be now, if we had not had such dialog.
    We continue to pursue cooperation in such sensitive areas as space. 
And it is indeed so that upon the results of today's meeting, we have 
compiled a checklist of different issues on which we have given 
instructions to specific agencies in our Government. That is why our 
cooperation is not declarative but extremely concrete and pragmatic.
    President Bush. The next questioner will ask one question, in 
defiance to the precedent-setting by the AP reporter.
    Press Secretary McClellan. Caren [Caren 
Bohan], with Reuters.

Support for Iraqi Reconstruction

    Q. Mr. President, are you disappointed that more countries have not 
come forward with pledges of aid for Iraq's reconstruction?
    President Bush. I am pleased with the amount of cooperation we're 
receiving, a coalition of nations inside of Iraq working hard to bring 
security to that country as well as to help rebuild a country. I 
recognize that some countries are inhibited from participation because 
of the lack of a U.N. resolution. We are working to get a satisfactory 
resolution out of the U.N. We spent some time discussing that today.
    As well there will be donor conference--a donor conference that we 
will be attending and look forward to getting more participants. It is 
in the national interest of free nations that Iraq be free and peaceful. 
And one of the things that interested me about Vladimir's comments was 
that he recognizes that we cannot allow power vacuums to exist into 
which rogue nations will enhance their capacity to hurt free nations.
    So our message is twofold: On the one hand, it's in the interest of 
nations to work for a secure and peaceful Iraq; and secondly, it's in 
our moral interest to help the Iraqi people get back on their feet after 
living under such tyranny. Remember, we discovered torture chambers, 
rape rooms, and mass graves where children and women as well as men had 
been brutalized and buried.

[[Page 1206]]

Russia-U.S. Relations

    Q. The question is for both Presidents. Now we can state that 
despite differences over Iraq, these differences have not led to the 
worsening of relations either between you, personally, or between our 
two countries. How can it be explained? Due to what reasons did it 
actually happen?
    President Bush. Trust. Listen, I--Vladimir and I had some very frank 
discussions about Iraq. I understood his position. He understood mine. 
But because we've got a trustworthy relationship, we're able to move 
beyond any disagreement over a single issue. Plus, I like him. He's a 
good fellow to spend quality time with.
    President Putin. Thank you, George, for your warm words. I would 
like to confirm everything that has been said by the President and to 
send him a response.
    I would like to add just one thing. There are two reasons why such 
problems between our states and between us, personally, have not 
emerged. We had differences over Iraq in terms of practical ways how to 
resolve this problem, but we had understanding on the essence of this 
problem. And the second and the most important point, fundamental 
interests of our two countries are much more solid, are much stronger 
than the developments that you have just mentioned. And in our actions, 
we wish to be guided by these strategic interests of our two countries 
without excessive emotions or ambitions.
    Thank you.
    President Bush. Good job. Thank you.

Note: The President's news conference began at 11:04 a.m. In his 
remarks, President Putin referred to Ramiro Armando de Oliveira Lopes da 
Silva, acting U.N. Special Representative for Iraq. President Putin 
spoke in Russian, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.