[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
[October 14, 2003]
[Pages 1335-1337]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Interview With Taro Kimura of Japan's FUJI TV
October 14, 2003

    The President. Glad you're here. Ready to go.

Japan's Reconstruction Aid for Iraq

    Mr. Kimura. Thank you very much, Mr. President, for this interview. 
I'm sure Prime Minister Koizumi is looking forward to have you over 
there. Actually, he is preparing a package for Iraqi reconstruction 
which includes $5 billion aid for the next 4 years and sending a couple 
of hundred Japanese self-defense forces over there for the humanitarian 
operation. Do you think Japan fulfilled her responsibility with this 
package?
    The President. Yes. I'm very pleased. Prime Minister 
Koizumi and I are good friends. I admire 
him a lot, and I spoke to him about Japan helping in Iraq, just like 
Japan helped in Afghanistan. And he assured me he would work hard to 
develop a good package. It sounds like he has done so, and I'm grateful 
and thankful.
    We've got great relations between America and Japan. We will keep 
them that way. And part of good relations is we see problems, and we 
work together, and see opportunities. And a free Iraq is a--a peaceful 
Iraq is a wonderful opportunity for Japan and the United States to work 
together to

[[Page 1336]]

achieve because a free and peaceful Iraq will change the world in a 
positive way.

North Korea/Japanese Abductees

    Mr. Kimura. Another subject, Mr. President, that the Prime Minister 
will bring up is the North Korean problem.
    The President. Yes, yes.
    Mr. Kimura. And he is working very hard to resolve the issue of 
abductees, Japanese.
    The President. Yes.
    Mr. Kimura. What could your administration do to help him realizing 
the reunification of the abductees' status?
    The President. Well, that's a very interesting question. The primary 
objective of the five countries who are now engaged with North Korea is 
to get rid of nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula. That's our 
primary objective, and that ought to be our focus.
    A major issue with the Prime Minister, 
of course, is the abductees. I've always said that the fact that North 
Korea kidnaped or abducted these people talks to the nature of the 
administration in North Korea. And of course, we will send strong 
signals that we object to that kind of behavior, that that is not a 
civil behavior.
    But the first objective is for all of us to work together for the 
sake of peace and security, particularly in your part of the world, to 
get rid of any nuclear weapons and/or ambitions for nuclear weapons.
    Mr. Kimura. For example, do you think it's possible that your 
administration demand North Korea to include this abduction program in 
whatever the comprehensive package----
    The President. Well, I think it's very important. I'll talk to the 
Prime Minister about this, of course. I 
know this is a very sensitive subject, and I've spoken out about this 
terrible practice, a terrible part of history, that the North Koreans 
abducted. But the first thing we got to do is focus on our overall 
objective, and that is to make sure that the peninsula is nuclear 
weapons-free. And that's in Japan's interest, of course. And right now 
that's where our focus is.
    Mr. Kimura. I understand--or I read Bob Woodward's book. And you've 
said you loathe Kim Chong-il. Do you still feel that same way?
    The President. When I know a leader starves his people, allows his 
people to starve, and know there's detention camps and it's not a free 
society--it's a very, closed totalitarian society--he and I don't agree, 
obviously, on freedom and peace. And I hope that Kim Chong-il realizes that when five nations speak, we're very serious, 
and that it's in his country's interest to get rid of nuclear weapons 
and/or programs to develop nuclear weapons. Because the five countries 
that are now speaking in one voice are saying as clearly as possible to 
Mr. Kim Chong-il, ``You need to change for your good and for the good of 
the country.''

Monetary Policy

    Mr. Kimura. There is speculation in Tokyo that you will speak to Mr. 
Koizumi to let dollar-yen rate float and not let the Japanese financial 
institute to intervene in the market. Is this the case?
    The President. Well, I will talk to him about, one, our Government's strong dollar policy. 
And I will remind him that our position when it comes to currency 
exchanges is that the market ought to decide the relative values of 
currencies based upon the fiscal policy of each government, the monetary 
policy of each government, the future economic picture of each country. 
And that's what I will remind him. This will not be the first time that 
we have discussed dollar policy and/or trade matters.
    Mr. Kimura. Lastly, I remember you've enjoyed yakitori when you were 
in Tokyo, the barbecued chicken.
    The President. Yes, I did. [Laughter]
    Mr. Kimura. And I wonder whether you will bear tasting sushi this 
time. I know you're not really particularly in favor of the raw fish.

[[Page 1337]]

    The President. Well, I'm a beef man. You know I like good beef. 
Japan's got some of the greatest beef in the world. And--but I'm also, 
hopefully, a good enough guest not to demand a particular menu from my 
host. The Prime Minister and I have eaten 
a lot of meals together. And I'm confident that he will put together a 
good meal for both the First Lady, Laura, and me. 
And I really am looking forward to seeing him. He is--he is a great 
friend. He is an interesting man. I really enjoyed being around him. You 
know, one of the--he came to my ranch. And he and I sat down apart from 
the house in a beautiful part of the ranch and had a very long 
discussion just on a personal basis. And it meant a lot to me. He's a 
leader of a great country and a great friend of the United States. And 
I'm grateful for our relationship.
    Mr. Kimura. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
    The President. Yes, sir, you're welcome.

Note: The interview was taped at 3:10 p.m. in the Library at the White 
House, and the transcript was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 18. In his remarks, the President referred to Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan; and Chairman Kim Chong-il of North 
Korea. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this 
interview.