    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [February 18, 2004]
    [Pages 240-241]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia and an Exchange With
    Reporters
    February 18, 2004

        President Bush. A couple statements, and I'm going to answer a
    couple of questions afterwards.
        Mr. President, welcome. I'm glad you're here in the Oval Office.
    Thank you for your friendship. I'm looking forward to a good discussion.
        I want to thank you for working with the United States in the war on
    terror. I want to thank you for your understanding for the need for Iraq
    to be democratic and free. I appreciate the fact that you've got an
    education system that is modern and viable, that women in your country
    are given equal rights. I look forward to talking to you about the need
    to have a press corps that is vibrant and free as well as an open
    political process. There's a lot we can talk about. Tunisia can help
    lead the greater Middle East to reform and freedom, something that I
    know is necessary for peace for the long term.
        So welcome.
        President Ben Ali. Mr. President, thank you for very much for this
    opportunity. I am delighted to be here in the United States, and thank
    you very much for your generous invitation.

        As you know, the Tunisian-U.S. relationships have been always unique
    and ancient. They go back for two centuries. Mr. President, we also look
    forward to increasing and cementing those relationships between the two
    countries in all spheres and every area, in order to continue to support
    the friendship between the two peoples and between the two countries.

        We share principles together, Mr. President, and that is the
    establishment of states on the basis of democracy, human rights, and
    combating terror. We believe that Tunisia is an ally of the United
    States and the relationships between the two countries has strategic
    dimension.

        And I would like to take this opportunity to thank the friendly
    American people who stood by us during our liberation and after our
    independence. Thank you very much.

        President Bush. A couple of questions. Scott [Scott Lindlaw,
    Associated Press].

    [[Page 241]]

    Same-Sex Marriage

        Q. Thanks, Mr. President. More than 3,000 same-sex couples have
    taken vows since San Francisco started issuing marriage licenses to gays
    and lesbians. This Massachusetts court ruling could result in the first
    legally recognized gay marriages in May. Do these developments make you
    any more inclined to endorse a constitutional amendment banning gay
    marriage?
        President Bush. I strongly believe that marriage should be defined
    as between a man and a woman. I am troubled by activist judges who are
    defining marriage. I have watched carefully what's happened in San
    Francisco, where licenses were being issued even though the law states
    otherwise. I have consistently stated that if--I'll support law to
    protect marriage between a man and a woman. And obviously these events
    are influencing my decision.
        Q. Are you close to a decision?
        President Bush. I'm watching very carefully. But I'm troubled by
    what I've seen. People need to be involved with this decision. Marriage
    ought to be defined by the people, not by the courts. And I'm watching
    it carefully.
        Stevie [Steve Holland, Reuters].

    National Economy

        Q. Mr. President, do you think the economy is strong enough to
    produce 2.6 million jobs this year, as your economic report projected?
        President Bush. I think the economy is growing, and I think it's
    going to get stronger. I do think there are some things we need to do.
    We need to make sure the tax cuts are permanent. I look forward to
    continuing to talk about this issue. Uncertainty in the Tax Code could
    affect small-business planning. Uncertainty in the Tax Code will make it
    harder for our citizens to make rational decisions about spending money.
    We need to have an energy policy, open up markets for trade. We need
    less regulation. We need tort reform. There are things we can do to make
    sure the economy grows.
        I'm pleased by the fact that since August, there's been 366,000 new
    jobs, in one survey. There was another survey called the Household
    Account that's been more optimistic. But I'm mindful there are still
    people looking for work, and we've got to continue building on the
    progress we've made so far.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:32 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House.