[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
[May 18, 2004]
[Pages 907-912]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Interview With Al Zaman
May 18, 2004
Q. Mr. President, I'd like to thank you very much for this
opportunity that you provided to Al Zaman newspaper and the Iraqi media.
I hope that this meeting and interview with you will be meaningful and
will give the Iraqi people the answers they're looking for.
The President. Yes, I look forward to answering your questions. I
want to thank you for coming. Welcome to the White House, and welcome to
America.
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Assassination of Izz al-Din al-Salim/
Iraqi Freedom
Q. Mr. President, a few days ago there was an assassination attempt
of--an actual assassination of Mr. Izz al-Din al-Salim, and you have
described this as a terrorist act. Are there particular groups behind
this assassination? And what are they, specifically? Who is behind this
assassination attempt?
The President. Well, I don't know. I can't name a person yet. We're
looking to find out who did this terrible, terrible deed. The facts will
come out. We'll find the truth.
But one of the truths we do know is that there are some people who
are trying to stop Iraq from being a free country. They hate the thought
of Iraq being free, and so therefore, they're trying to kill people,
innocent lives, to shake our will and to frighten Iraqi people. America
will not be frightened, and I hope that those who love freedom in Iraq
will not be frightened. We must continue to work together to achieve the
objective, which is an Iraq which is free, whole, and at peace, so
people can realize their potential.
We'll find the truth about who killed this good man, and he will be
brought to justice by the Iraqi citizens.
Transition to Iraqi Interim Government
Q. Mr. President, what are your future plans regarding Iraq and the
Iraqi people in developing both their political life and their civic
life?
The President. Sure. June 30th is an important day in modern Iraqi
history, because it's the day that sovereignty will be passed to an
interim government. And when America says something, we mean it. So on
that day there will be a new government, which will begin--which will
replace Mr. Bremer and the
Governing Council. At the same time, America will set up an Embassy,
headed by a very distinguished diplomat named Ambassador
Negroponte. He will have the
responsibility for seeing to it that the reconstruction aid approved by
the American people through the Congress is spent properly. So in other
words, we'll continue with the reconstruction aid.
We will work with the new interim government on security matters.
It's going to be very important for the people of Iraq to realize that
sovereignty has been passed and that America wants to help the new
government prepare the way for elections, help the new government
prepare the way for peace, to help the new government on security
matters by doing two things: one, training Iraq, continuing to train
policemen and Iraqi forces so the Iraqi people take care of their own
security needs against the few who want to stop the hopes of many; as
well as help the Iraqi forces deal with foreign fighters, for example,
who are still in the country and trying to kill people and intimidate
and to create fear.
So we'll have an active role. But the truth of the matter is, Iraq
will be run by Iraqi citizens. The future of Iraq is in your hands.
We're there to help. We're there to help the people realize dreams. The
people of this country are very generous and compassionate people, and
we want you to succeed.
Q. Mr. President, you mentioned now about the transfer of
sovereignty through a political process. But there are those who are
saying that the transfer of sovereignty on June 30th will be an
incomplete sovereignty and not a complete sovereignty. So, Mr.
President, do you have different issues of this----
The President. I do have a different view. It will be a complete
passage of sovereignty. And then we'll work with the government to help
the government achieve objectives. And we'll work with the United
Nations. But what happens on June 30th is that the ministries will be
run by Iraqis. Some ministries, as you know, aren't. I mean, the
coalition--the CPA is making many decisions for the Iraqi people. Now
it's time for the Iraqi people.
Now, people will say, ``Well, can you give us help? We need help in
certain areas.''
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And of course the coalition and America will want to help, but the
decisionmaking process will be Iraqi leadership. This will be a big day.
It's an important day. And then, of course, there will elections to a
general assembly that will then write a new constitution. And there will
be another election. And America wants to help. And I think the interim
government is going to realize it's important for our troops to stay
there to make sure that there is security, and we will do so. We will
help. But this is an important day. It's a transfer of sovereignty, and
people will see that it's a transfer of sovereignty.
Prisoner Abuse in Abu Ghraib Prison
Q. Mr. President, I thank you for this explanation and your
insistence on transferring sovereignty on the 30th of June. I would like
to move into another issue, which is much more sensitive in Iraq. There
is the scandal of the behavior of American soldiers in abusing prisoners
in Abu Ghraib Prison. Some of those prison guards said that they carried
out these acts as instructions coming from higher up. Do you believe,
Mr. President, that there are much more senior people in the
administration who could be behind this?
The President. Let me first speak directly to the Iraqi people
through you on this matter. The actions in that prison did not reflect
the attitude of America and the American people. These humiliating acts
do not reflect our character.
Secondly, the Iraqi people and the world will see that we will
conduct a thorough investigation for the whole world to see so that the
truth will be known as to how these actions might have taken place. In
other words, were there orders; who gave the orders? And the world will
see that--which is very different, by the way, from a process that would
have been under Saddam Hussein. In other
words, you would never know these abuses took place, much less being
able to ask the leader questions as a member of the free press or the
ability for the world to see a very transparent process.
I want to know the truth too, and I look forward to a thorough
investigation. And there will be a thorough investigation. As a matter
of fact, part of the investigation process is to bring people to
justice. And there will be a trial shortly in Iraq, and we will find out
the--in other words, this will be the beginnings of the process where
people will see justice will be meted out for the action of those
guards. But you've just got to know that I'm interested in the truth as
well, just like you're interested in the truth.
And one of the things in our country is people are innocent until
proven guilty. And therefore, with that presumption of innocence,
therefore, the process must be very thorough before you start accusing
people. And that's what you'll see. You'll see this unfold in a series
of hearings and investigations and, in some cases, military trials.
Muqtada Al Sadr
Q. Mr. President, now there are very sad events in the city of
Najaf. There is fighting between the Al Sadr's militia and the coalition
forces. How do you look and see Mr. Al Sadr, and why do you think that
the CPA refused an agreement with Muqtada Al Sadr as some reports
mentioned that the Shi'a religious leaders, such as Sistani, embraced
such an agreement, but it was rejected by the CPA? Don't you think this
is an escalation? And who would be benefited from that escalation?
The President. I've got to tell you--I must tell you, I am not
exactly sure of the agreement to which you refer. I do know a couple of
things: One, that Shi'a leaders are getting very impatient with Al Sadr
and that it's best that the Iraqi leadership take care of him. One of
the things we've insisted--or I've said publicly is that he's been
accused of a crime, and he ought to be tried by Iraqis. And they ought
to settle this issue in a court in Iraq.
[[Page 910]]
Secondly, I've made it very clear that our troops will honor the
great religious shrines in the holy sites and that we'll protect the
holy sites. Now, on the other hand, he's made the decision to occupy the
holy sites, and that's unfortunate.
Thirdly, I will tell you that when militia threaten our troops or
threaten innocent Iraqis, we will protect ourselves and protect them,
because a peaceful Iraq must not have militias running--you know, making
decisions. There needs to order, and there needs to be calm.
But Mr. Sadr, who has made some pretty outlandish statements in the
past, can best be dealt with by Shi'a leadership. And obviously, would
hope this will end his occupation, will end soon.
Now, as to negotiations, I'm not at liberty to comment on it because
I'm not exactly sure about what you're referring to.
Q. There were some negotiations, and there was an agreement between
Muqtada Al Sadr, according to what the press reports said----
The President. Why don't you check on that. Thank you.
Iraqi Reconstruction
Q. Mr. President, I believe that you might agree with me that there
is a slowdown in the reconstruction process of Iraq, and some of the
donors country are not fulfilling their financial obligations. What is
the U.S. intention in motivating those countries to fulfill their
obligations?
The President. Well, that's a very good question. I think, first of
all, the first question is, if I were you I'd ask, ``Will America
fulfill its obligation?'' And the answer is, yes, we will, which is a
lot of reconstruction money.
Now, the expenditure of that money has slowed down from our
perspective because of the security situation. And that's why it's
essential that Iraqis, themselves, stand up and join those who are
anxious for life to improve, to reject the violence of the few people.
It's essential that we be successful at transforming the police force
into--and the forces that are there to protect infrastructure into a
viable force which works, with a good command structure, an Iraqi
command structure, so that projects can forward.
Secondly, I have a chance to speak to leaders of the world in person
here in the next couple weeks, and we'll continue to remind them of the
joint obligation the free world has to see to it that we're successful
in Iraq. And the definition of success is a society which is peaceful
and free, that governs itself, a society in which children can go to
school and which the health care is good and which the infrastructure is
strong, and in which the businesses flourish--all of which I think is
going to happen, by the way--that we all have an obligation to work
toward that day, because a free and peaceful Iraq is in the world's
interest.
And so I'll continue to remind people of their obligations. I will
tell you, though, part of the reluctance for people to come forward is
because of the security situation. People see on their TV screens the
fact that aid workers or reconstruction workers get killed, and it
creates a sense of fear--precisely what the enemy wants. That's why it's
important for the Iraq populace and the leadership here in America to
stand firm in the face of these terrorist attacks and not be
intimidated* and to move forward with a positive program that is going
to make--it's going to change the country in such a positive way.
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*White House correction.
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Syria/Iran/Iraqi Freedom
Q. Mr. President, last question, and it's a two-part question. How
do you view the countries neighboring Iraq? And Syria was punished. Is
it because their position regarding the American presence in Iraq? And
what is the situation regarding Iran? And do you--afraid of Shiite state
and government in Iraq? And what is the message
[[Page 911]]
you'd like to convey to the Iraqi people? Thank you.
The President. That is an excellent question. First, no, my decision
towards Syria was really based upon a series of requests we had of the
Government to reject terrorist organizations, to help fight off cross-
border infiltration into your country, to join us to make the area
peaceful. And our requests were rejected, and therefore, I started a
process as a result of a law passed by the United States Congress.
Secondly, in terms of Iran, my concern with Iran is that they
would--that they believe they can develop a nuclear weapon. I think that
would be a big mistake, and I think it's very important for the world to
work with the Iranians and insist they not develop a weapon.
No, I do not believe that there's going to be a Shi'a theocracy in
Iraq dominated by Iran. I believe the Iraqi people are--want to have
their own country, their own identity, that understand the Shi'a, Sunni,
and Kurd can and must work together for the good of the whole. And I
believe the Iraqi people don't want to be dominated by anybody. They
want the United States to be a friend but the United States to not
dominate. They certainly don't want the Iranians to dominate. Iraq is
plenty capable of being a strong, independent nation, and our objective
is to help them become that nation.
I want the Iraqi people to hear me on this. I'm told that some in
Iraq are very worried that America will lose its will and not help this
important country full of good people become a free country. The Iraqi
people must understand that I will not lose my will, that we will help
Iraq become free and peaceful, that we will stand with those who want a
new Iraq after Saddam Hussein to develop,
where mothers and dads can raise their children in a peaceful world,
where business and shopkeepers can grow their businesses, where the
education system works well, where people can get good health. And I
believe it's possible.
And I call upon the Iraqi people to reject violence, band together
to insist that the country move toward a peaceful tomorrow. Iraq is
changing for the better. I mean, look at the soccer team. The Iraq
soccer team is going to the Olympics as a proud--to represent a proud
new country. And I'm excited. I'm excited for the Olympic team. I'm
excited for the Iraqi people, and I look forward someday to greeting an
Iraqi leader dedicated to peace and freedom, just like I've had the
opportunity to greet you, as a fellow human being, as a person who--I
respect people. I respect their religion. I respect human rights. I
respect human dignity. And that's the kind of society I know will grow
up in Iraq.
This is historic times. They're hard times. But there are better
times ahead, but it requires courage and strength and will. And I want
to thank you for coming to the White House. It's been my pleasure to be
with you, sir.
Q. I thank you very much, Mr. President, for this opportunity once
again. And I hope that you will have many opportunities with the Iraqi
press in the future.
The President. Yes, sir. Thank you. Very good.
Note: The interview began at 4:45 p.m. in the Library at the White
House, and the transcript was released by the Office of the Press
Secretary on May 20. In his remarks, the President referred to Iraqi
Governing Council President Izz al-Din al-Salim, who was killed in a
suicide car bomb attack on May 17 in Baghdad; L. Paul ``Jerry'' Bremer
III, Presidential Envoy to Iraq; former President Saddam Hussein of
Iraq; and Muqtada Al Sadr, Iraqi Shiite cleric whose militia engaged in
an uprising in Iraq that began in early April. The interviewer referred
to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraqi Shiite leader. A tape was not
available for verification of the content of this interview.
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