[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
[October 14, 2003]
[Pages 1344-1346]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Interview With Laurence Oakes of Australia's
Channel 9 TV
October 14, 2003
President's Upcoming Visit to Australia
Mr. Oakes. Mr. President, thanks for speaking to us. What's the main
purpose of your trip to Australia? Are you hoping for greater Australian
contribution to the stabilization and rebuilding of Iraq?
The President. No, the main purpose is to thank the people of
Australia and thank my friend John Howard for
being strong in the face of terror and being understanding that we have
a historic opportunity to bring peace and freedom to parts of the world
that need peace and freedom. It really is the main purpose. Australia is
a great country. I would define our relationship as a unique
relationship. And I'm looking forward to it. I've been there. They tell
me it's kind of like Texas, which is another reason I want to go.
Mr. Oakes. I think that's right. But not everyone agrees--in
Australia, agrees with you on the war. Some members of the opposition
are talking about possibly protesting when you address the Parliament by
wearing white armbands or turning their backs. Would that concern you?
The President. Not at all. No, it means that democracy is alive and
well. It's a--I don't expect everybody to agree with us, but one thing
is for certain, the Prime Minister was strong.
And the Australian
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military performed brilliantly; I mean brilliantly. And I've talked to a
lot of our generals and commanders about how the Australians
participated, and they were just--A-plus was the rating. And I think a
lot of people would like to hear that from the American President, and
I'm going to tell them. And if somebody feels like they want to express
discontent, that's okay. That's democracy.
Iraq
Mr. Oakes. Well, what about the suggestion from your critics that
while you won the war, the peace is being bungled?
The President. They're wrong. We're making great progress in Iraq.
We've got a pretty steep hill to climb. After all, one, we're facing a
bunch of terrorists who can't stand freedom. These thugs were in power
for a while, and now they're not going to be in power anymore, and they
don't like it. And they're willing to kill innocent people. Their
terrorist activities--we'd rather fight them there than here.
And secondly, that life is pretty darn good compared to what it was
under Saddam Hussein. People aren't going to
be tortured. They're not going to be raped. They're not going to
mutilated. There are not going to be mass graves. And plus, that the
infrastructure is improving. I talked to our Secretary of
Commerce today. His exact--he's in Baghdad.
He said, ``Look,'' he said, ``Mr. President,'' he said, ``You're not
going to believe the world here is a lot different than some in America
think it is. There's a burgeoning marketplace.'' He met with women
businessowners. I mean, there's excitement there about a free society
emerging, and it's in our interests that this society be free.
Australian Detainees in Guantanamo Bay
Mr. Oakes. Sir, there are two Australian citizens being held in
Guantanamo Bay.
The President. Yes.
Mr. Oakes. What's going to happen to them? And what do you say to
people in Australia who think they should be either charged or released?
The President. Well, we would be glad to work with the Government on
the issue. And if John wants to discuss it, I'm
more than happy to discuss it. We're working with a variety of countries
that have got people in Guantanamo Bay. These are people picked up on
the battlefield. We're trying to learn more about them to make sure we
fully understand----
Mr. Oakes. Are they being tortured?
The President. No, of course. We don't torture people in America.
And people who make that claim just don't know anything about our
country.
Australia-U.S. Free Trade Agreement
Mr. Oakes. Another issue between the two countries is the--possibly
the free trade agreement.
The President. Yes, sir.
Mr. Oakes. Do you think you will get it, and will you be using this
to push it along?
The President. Yes. I told John that we'd like to get a free trade
agreement done by the end of this year, and I think it's a good
opportunity to say that again. And he and I won't sit down and negotiate
the fine points. That's what we've got fine staffs to do, but at our
level we can encourage the negotiators to move along. Let's get it done.
Let's resolve our differences. Australia is an important friend, an
important economy, and I think trade is in our national interests.
War on Terror
Mr. Oakes. Australians have spent this week at memorial services for
the victims of the Bali bombing. Can you hold out any hope for them that
this--that the war on terrorism is actually getting somewhere?
The President. Yes, Hambali is no longer a problem. He's the guy
that organized the Bali bombing. He won't be bombing anybody anymore.
That's a positive step.
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First of all, I understand what it means to be in a country that
grieves over the senseless death of innocent life. And the Australians
suffered a mighty blow. And the--matter of fact, the other day I was in
Kentucky, you know, politics for a guy running for Governor. And a mother--a fine looking couple walked up, a mom
and dad, said, ``You've got to know, our daughter died in Bali,'' and
tears in his eyes. And I gave him a big hug. And he said, ``Mr.
President, whatever you do, don't stop, so it doesn't happen again.''
The best way to deal with terror is to be on the offensive and to
find these people and bring them to justice. That's why Australia is
such an important partner, equal partner, in the war on terror. John
Howard gets it. He understands. The Prime
Minister knows that we've got to be tough and at the same time create
the conditions where there's an alternative to terrorism, and that's
freedom and peace.
Mr. Oakes. One final question.
The President. Sure.
Australian, British, and U.S. Leaders' Popularity
Mr. Oakes. You're in trouble politically, if you believe the polls.
The President. Why do you say that?
Mr. Oakes. The polls show you dropping in popularity.
The President. Well, actually, there's a poll that showed me going
up yesterday. Not to be on the defensive, but go ahead. [Laughter]
Mr. Oakes. Well, I was going to ask why you think you and Tony Blair
seem to have lost support, but John Howard hasn't?
The President. Well, it must be his charisma. [Laughter] I don't
know. Actually, I'm in pretty good shape politically. I really am. I
didn't mean to sound defensive.
Mr. Oakes. No, sir.
The President. I am. Politicians, by the way, who pay attention to
the polls are doomed to be kind of chasing--trying to chase opinion.
What you need to do is lead, set the tone. And I've taken some tough
decisions. And I will look forward to making the case that the decisions
I have taken will make America more secure, make the world more
peaceful, and make this country more prosperous. And so I'm upbeat about
it. And as to why Howard is maintaining his
popularity and--he married well, and he's smart.
Mr. Oakes. Sir, thank you. And I look forward to seeing you in
Australia.
The President. Yes, sir. Looking forward to it. Thanks.
Note: The interview was taped at 3:44 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 John Howard of Australia; former President Saddam Hussein of
Iraq; Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans; Nurjaman Riduan Isamuddin
(known as Hambali), Al Qaida's chief operational planner in Southeast
Asia; and Kentucky gubernatorial candidate Ernie Fletcher. Mr. Oakes
referred to Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom. A tape was
not available for verification of the content of this interview.