    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [February 25, 2004]
    [Pages 266-268]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Mikheil
    Saakashvili of Georgia and an Exchange
    With Reporters
    February 25, 2004

        President Bush. Here's what we're going to do. I will make a
    statement. The President will make a statement. I will then call upon an
    American correspondent to ask a question. The President will call upon a
    Georgian correspondent. We'll have two questions per side.
        Mr. President, welcome. We followed the revolution that took place
    in your country very closely. We appreciate your firm commitment to
    democracy and freedom. We've had a very interesting discussion. I know
    firsthand that the President will do everything he can to earn the
    confidence of the people of Georgia by representing their will, by
    fighting corruption, by working for a system based upon integrity and
    decency and human rights.
        I'm impressed by this leader. I'm impressed by his vision. I'm
    impressed by his courage. I am heartened by the fact that we have such a
    strong friend, a friend with whom we share values.
        So Mr. President, welcome to the Oval Office. I appreciate the
    candid discussion we've had, and I'm proud to call you friend.
        President Saakashvili. Thank you. It's a great honor, for me and for
    the people of Georgia, to be here in this Oval Office. It's not--our
    cooperation is very deep. We consider ourselves as very close ally and
    friend of the United States. We are proud to be friend of the United
    States. I am speaking on behalf of every Georgian.
        I have to say that this cooperation, friendship--the U.S. helped us
    when we needed it most, and would like peoples--other peoples in Europe
    will never forget that. But our cooperation is--that held friendship is
    not only about security. It's not only about economy. Primarily it's
    about our shared values. And we are part of--proud part of antiterrorist
    coalition. We have forces in Iraq. We are cooperating on other issues.
        We are also working very hard on our improved relations with Russia.
    I had a very interesting conversation with President Putin in Moscow,
    and I believe Russia should become our reliable partner and we should
    improve our relations.
        But at the same time, we believe that America's help is absolutely
    essential, and we are grateful. We will stay grateful, and we want to be
    not only close ally, but we want to be strong ally. Georgia will become
    stronger. Georgia will become more democratic. Democracy is top
    priority. Freedom of speech is top priority. Free enterprise, free
    market is top priority. And I think Georgia can become a role model for
    the whole region. And this is very important. We need U.S. help in that.
        Regarding our revolution, it was the proudest moment of my own life
    and of life of the whole generation. And we are so proud that we were
    supported in our fight for democracy and for people's right to choose by
    the United States, and Washington was the first to come and help us. And
    I'm sure we'll never forget that.
        Mr. President, I really enjoyed being here at the White House. Thank
    you very much.
        President Bush. Thank you. Hold on a second, please. Deb [Deb
    Riechmann, Associated Press], we're going to----
        Q. What do you think about----
        President Bush. Hold on, please. Will somebody translate----
        President Saakashvili. It's in English.
        President Bush. I understand. I understand. Hold on for a second.
    The way this is going to work is this.
        Q. I'm from Georgia.
        President Bush. I know you are, excuse me. We're going to start with
    the American

    [[Page 267]]

    press, and then there will be a Georgian press, and then there will be
    an American press, and then there will be a Georgian press. That's the
    best way to maintain order, so we don't have everybody yelling at the
    same time.
        Deb.

    Federal Deficit/Social Security

        Q. Mr. President, Chairman Greenspan today suggested trimming Social
    Security benefits for baby boomers to deal with the rising budget
    deficit. Do you think this is a good idea, a good way to ease the
    deficit, which is expected to top over $520 billion this year?
        President Bush. First of all, let me talk about the short-term
    deficit. The best way to trim the deficit is to follow the budgetary
    plan I submitted to the United States Congress. We presented a plan that
    will cut the deficit in half over the next 5 years. I haven't talked to
    the Chairman or read his comments. I need to
    see exactly what he said. My position on Social Security benefits is
    this, that those benefits should not be changed for people at or near
    retirement.
        As you know, in the 2000 campaign, I articulated a point of view
    that we ought to have personal savings accounts for younger workers that
    would make sure those younger workers receive benefits equal to or
    greater than that which is expected. I still maintain the same position,
    but I haven't seen his comments completely.

    Georgia's Rose Revolution

        Q. What do you think about Rose Revolution in Georgia?
        President Bush. The Rose Revolution? It was an historic moment. It
    was a moment where the people spoke. It was a moment where a Government
    changed because the people peacefully exercised their voice and raised
    their voice. And Georgia transitioned to a new Government in an
    inspiring way.
        The President and I discussed the ramifications of the Rose
    Revolution around other parts of the world. The possibility of people
    taking charge of their own lives and transforming society in a peaceful
    way is a powerful example to people around the world who long for
    freedom and long for honest government.
        And so the Rose Revolution is an inspiring moment of history. And
    again, I want to congratulate the President and his team for insisting
    that democracy prevail through peaceful means.
        Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters].

    Situation in Haiti

        Q. Mr. President, in Haiti, the rebels are advancing and a power-
    sharing deal has collapsed. Are you prepared to let President Aristide
    be overthrown?
        President Bush. Secretary Powell and I
    have been in close consultations on this subject. We still hope to be
    able to achieve a political settlement between the current Government
    and the rebels. We are watching the situation very carefully. The
    Secretary of State has been in touch with Canadian officials and French
    officials and Caribbean officials, all aimed to convince the parties to
    come to the table and effect a peaceful solution.
        In terms of our own planning here, I have made it abundantly clear
    to the Coast Guard that we will turn back any refugee that attempts to
    reach our shore. And that message needs to be very clear as well to the
    Haitian people. We will have a robust presence with an effective
    strategy. And so we encourage, strongly encourage the Haitian people to
    stay home as we work to reach a peaceful solution to this problem.
        Q. Do you think it's possible you'll have to send troops there?
        President Bush. What we are--incident to a political settlement, we
    will encourage the international community to provide a security
    presence. And that is also being discussed right now. But first things,
    first,

    [[Page 268]]

    Steve, is to work on a--is to work on a political solution.

    Georgia-Russia Relations

        Q. ----very complicated problems, with Russian bases problems----
        President Bush. Well, I appreciate you bringing up the Russian bases
    problem. We expect the Russian Government to honor the Istanbul
    commitment. The Istanbul commitment made it very clear that Russia would
    leave those places. We will continue to work with the President and
    President Putin on that commitment.
        I also appreciate very much the President's work with the Russians.
    It's important that relations between Georgia and Russia be positive. I
    found it a very positive move and a very sophisticated move by the
    President that his first trip was to Russia, and I encouraged that. I
    thought it was a smart thing to do. And we will work with Vladimir
    Putin, with whom I've got a good
    relationship, to make sure relations are good with Georgia. It's
    important for the Georgian people to have good and strong and peaceful
    relations with Russia. There's a lot we can work on. We can work
    together to fight terror. Hopefully, as the Georgia economy approves--
    improves--and I'm confident it will--there will be opportunities for--
    business opportunities.
        So the President has got a good vision and this has been a good
    trip. I believe in his abilities, and I appreciate his vision. And the
    people of Georgia will be well served by his leadership.
        Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:26 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to President Vladimir Putin of
    Russia. A reporter referred to President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of
    Haiti. A portion of these remarks could not be verified because the tape
    was incomplete.