    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [July 6, 2004]
    [Pages 1240-1242]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Discussion With Prime Minister David
    Oddsson of Iceland and an Exchange With
    Reporters
    July 6, 2004

        President Bush. It's my honor to welcome the Prime Minister of
    Iceland to the Oval Office.
        Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for coming.
        I'll have an opening statement. He'll have an opening statement.
    We'll answer a couple of questions.
        I remember my first NATO meeting, and I walked in, and the person
    who greeted me and made me feel most at home was my friend here. And
    I've never forgotten that. Iceland has been a steady friend of the
    United States of America, and they have been an important friend.
        We had an interesting discussion on some important issues, and it
    was a frank discussion. And that's what you expect among friends. It was
    open and honest. And the Prime Minister is a person who cares deeply
    about the security of his country and the welfare of his people, and
    that's why he's been such an effective leader for the good people of
    Iceland.
        Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
        Prime Minister Oddsson. Thank you so much, Mr. President. I'm very
    happy to be here, not least on the President's birthday. It's a
    privilege.
        President Bush. Thank you for remembering.
        Prime Minister Oddsson. Well, we discussed some things--I will make
    two points. You had just recently, a week ago, in a NATO meeting in
    Istanbul, a very good meeting, I think, not least because of the firm
    leadership of the President and his open manner, his easy-speaking
    manner that everybody understands when he speaks. And he changed the
    atmosphere inside NATO for the better. The past is behind us. People are
    united to a future. Secondly, we had the opportunity to discuss the
    defense issues in Iceland, which is very

    [[Page 1241]]

    important to us. And the President is looking on that in a positive way.
    But of course, he has to see the issue from all sides. This was a
    fruitful discussion about the future. Thank you.
        President Bush. Yes.
        A couple of questions. Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

    2004 Election

        Q. Mr. President, the Republican National Committee says that John
    Edwards is disingenuous, inexperienced, and unaccomplished. I wonder, do
    you agree with that? Is that the tone that you want to set in talking
    about----
        President Bush. Listen, I welcome Senator Edwards on the ticket. The Vice President called him early this morning to say--after the
    announcement was made--to say that he welcomes him to the race, and as
    do I. And I look forward to a good, spirited contest.
        Have you got somebody from your press corps?
        Prime Minister Oddsson. Okay. From Iceland somewhere?

    Iceland-U.S. Defense Relations

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, did you reach an agreement on the defense
    treaty with Iceland?
        Prime Minister Oddsson. That was never--the meeting--was to have an
    agreement. Now, today I had the opportunity to explain my view of the
    issue to the President, and he is looking into my position and the
    Iceland position, but he had an open mind.
        President Bush. Yes. Let me comment on this, about--this is an issue
    related to the F-15s, for the American press. We've got four F-15
    fighters stationed there. The Prime Minister pressed very hard for us to
    keep the fighters there. He was very eloquent, very determined that the
    United States keep the troops there. And I told him, I said I'm open-
    minded about the subject. I want to make sure I understand the full
    implications of the decision as to whether or not to leave them there.
    And we will gather more information. He is going to provide information
    about the basing there in Iceland and the requirements there. I will
    talk to the respective departments here, and I will make a measured
    judgment as to the finality of this issue.
        I told the Prime Minister I'm--I appreciate our alliance. I
    appreciate his friendship. I fully understand the arguments he's made,
    and we will work together to solve the issue.
        Holland [Steve Holland, Reuters], where are you?

    Central Intelligence Agency

        Q. Here, sir. Thank you. There's a story today that the CIA held
    back information from you that Iraq had abandoned its WMD programs. Is
    that true? And what's your timetable on nominating a new CIA director?
    Are you going to wait until after the election?
        President Bush. I haven't made up my mind on the nomination process.
    Secondly, I will wait for the report, the Senate report, to come out.
    This is information from the report of the United States Senate,
    Chairman Roberts' committee. I will look at the
    whole report.
        I will tell you, however, that I know that Saddam Hussein was a threat. He was a threat to the neighborhood. He
    was a threat to the people of Iraq. He harbored terrorists. Mr.
    Zarqawi, who continues to kill and maim
    inside of Iraq, was in the country prior to our arrival. Saddam Hussein
    had the intent. He had the capability. And the world is better off
    without Saddam Hussein in power. And the world will be more peaceful
    when this Iraqi Government, under Prime Minister Allawi, emerges and there are elections.
        And that's what we're seeing. We're seeing a transformation in a
    part of the world that needs liberty and freedom. And so I look forward
    to the full report, and I'll react to it when I see it.

    [[Page 1242]]

        Anybody else?
        Prime Minister Oddsson. Well, I just--on this, I must say I agree
    with the President about Iraq. The future of Iraq is--the future of the
    world is much better because of the undertaking that the United States,
    United Kingdom, and their alliances took there. And without that done,
    the situation in that area of the world would be much more dangerous
    than it is now. There's hope now. There was no hope before.
        President Bush. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.

    [At this point, all present sang ``Happy Birthday'' to the President.]

        President Bush. Thanks. You actually call that singing? [Laughter]
    No, it was beautiful.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:59 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq; senior Al Qaida associate Abu Musab Al Zarqawi; and Prime Minister
    Ayad Allawi of the Iraqi Interim Government.