    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [February 22, 2005]
    [Pages 284-289]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With Secretary General Jakob Gijsbert
    ``Jaap'' de Hoop Scheffer of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in
    Brussels
    February 22, 2005

        Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer. Good afternoon. Very good
    afternoon to you. Let me start by--this press conference by echoing what
    was said many times around the table this morning, and that is, thanks
    to President Bush that he is here, showing the continued commitment to
    NATO so shortly after his Inauguration. I mean, I would be unfaithful to
    the discussion if I didn't start like this. So let me say once again on
    my own behalf, Mr. President, thank you for being here. Thank you for
    coming.
        What did we discuss; what have I heard today? I have heard strong
    support for the Atlantic Alliance. I have heard strong support for the
    common values which bind us, in the past, in the present, and in the
    future.
        I have heard strong support for NATO's operations and missions,
    strong support for what we are doing in Afghanistan and our further
    ambitions, strong support for the training mission in Iraq, where we
    have further ambitions in setting up the training academy and where we
    have now fully manned and financed what we committed to do. And you know
    it's the Iraqi Government's first priority, training the Iraqi security
    forces so that their dependence on others can be less than it is at the
    moment. I heard strong support for our continued presence in Kosovo and
    stability in the Balkans.
        I've heard a discussion on the importance of a strong NATO-EU
    partnership. At length, government leaders, heads of state discussed the
    political role of NATO, the stronger political role of NATO, and there
    was a lot of support for what I have been saying over the past 8, 9
    months: that this political role is important, that NATO is a political-
    military alliance, and that we should not shy away from discussing
    political subjects of relevance.
        Many remarks and interventions were made on the Middle East, the
    importance of NATO's Mediterranean dialog, which is being strengthened,
    the importance of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative for these
    activities of NATO in this very pivotal region where security and
    stability is not only important for the region but far beyond. Of
    course, the hopes for progress in the Israeli-Palestinian question were
    discussed, and I think it's important that, by outreaching into the
    region, NATO follow this process, although it does not play a primary
    role.
        Of course, let me come back to Ukraine this morning. There is strong
    support, strong support, first of all, for NATO's bottom line, which is
    NATO has an open door for those European democracies who fulfill the
    obligations, strong support for giving President Yushchenko, in his
    challenging endeavor to bring Ukraine closer to Euro-Atlantic
    integration--to support him in that respect.
        In other words, because I want to be brief, it was an excellent
    summit. It was an excellent summit. It was an excellent idea of the
    President to come here, to have this summit here and now, because there
    is a daunting and challenging task and a daunting and challenging agenda
    waiting for NATO. And we'll go for that agenda. And I'll make proposals
    in the not too distant future on this political role for NATO. And the
    atmosphere was excellent, and that was the way it should be, because
    what binds us are the values. We'll discuss them; we'll have difference
    of opinion, yes, from time to time, but there is a lot more we

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    agree upon, and that is the bottom line. And that's the basis for this
    great Alliance, and that's the way I, in my responsibility, having this
    privilege of being Secretary General, I will run the Alliance.
        Mr. President.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir. It's good to be back here to the
    NATO Headquarters. This is my first trip overseas of my second term, and
    I'm proud to make the home of NATO my first stop. And I appreciate the
    invitation. You've done a fine job of running the meetings. You're doing
    a fine job of being the Secretary General, I want you to know, and I
    appreciate all our friends who were around the table today for their
    strong commitment to NATO.
        It was a healthy dialog, and that strong commitment is important.
    After all, NATO is the most successful alliance in the history of the
    world--think about that, the most successful alliance in the history of
    the world. Because of NATO, Europe is whole and united and at peace. And
    that's a milestone in the history of liberty.
        NATO is the home for nine former members of the Warsaw Pact. You
    know, the leaders of those countries, when they sit around the table,
    bring such vitality to the discussions that we have. See, it's still
    fresh in their memories what it meant to live in a society that wasn't
    free. I said in my remarks today that, you know, sometimes you can take
    a relationship for granted, and it was very important for us not to take
    the NATO relationship for granted. One thing is for certain: The newly
    admitted countries don't take NATO for granted. As a matter of fact,
    they add a vitality to the discussions that I find refreshing and
    hopeful. NATO is an important organization, and the United States of
    America strongly supports it.
        I appreciate so very much the transformation of NATO that's taking
    place. In order for NATO to be vital, it's got to be relevant, and if it
    stays stuck in the past, it's slowly but surely going to fade into
    oblivion. But it's not staying stuck in the past. We've created the NATO
    Response Force--and I want to thank you for your leadership on that,
    Jaap--and the chemical and biological and radiological and nuclear
    battalion. The NATO command structure is streamlined.
        NATO is involved in the Middle East, a world--a part of the world
    desperate for freedom. And I want to thank you for your leadership on
    that. And we had a lot--spent a lot of time talking about the NATO
    contribution to Afghanistan, and it is real and it is important and it
    is substantial. And more countries are committed to providing help for
    the RPTs [PRTs] * as well as the upcoming elections, and I'm most
    grateful.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        * White House correction.
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        And then we discussed the NATO contribution in Iraq. First, many
    member countries have sent troops into Iraq as a part of the liberation
    of Iraq. And I thanked them there, and I reminded them that every life
    is precious, and we appreciate the sacrifices being made by their
    citizens. But 26 nations sat around the table saying, ``Let's get the
    past behind us, and now let's focus on helping the world's newest
    democracy succeed.'' And I appreciated the contributions. And the NATO
    training mission is an important mission, because, after all, the
    success of Iraq depends upon the capacity and the willingness of Iraqis
    to defend their own selves against terrorists.
        So the discussions were fruitful. The Ukraine--the meeting with
    President Yushchenko was, I thought,
    historic. I thought it was really interesting to be sitting next to a
    person--the Secretary General put me right next to President
    Yushchenko--who had just led a revolution, a peaceful revolution, based
    upon the same values that we hold dear. And it was a remarkable moment,
    I thought.
        And we--at least in my intervention and other interventions, we
    welcomed President Yushchenko and reminded
    him that NATO

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    is a performance-based organization and that the door is open, but it's
    up to President Yushchenko and his Government and the people of Ukraine
    to adapt the institutions of a democratic state. And NATO wants to help,
    and we pledged help. I pledged my own Government's help to a fund that
    will help get rid of MADPADS--MANPADS and certain different types of
    weapons. In other words, the country has got work to do, but we want to
    help them achieve that work. It was a remarkable moment. I appreciate
    you inviting him, Jaap, to come.
        We also look forward to working with Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia
    as these states participate in NATO's Membership Action Plan. All in
    all, the meeting was really important. I am really glad I came. It gave
    me a chance to say that the relationship between the United States and
    Europe is a vital relationship, a necessary relationship, an important
    relationship, and our relationship within NATO is the cornerstone of
    that relationship. So, Jaap, thank you for your hospitality. Glad to be
    here.

    Arms Embargo on China

        Q. Mr. President, European countries are talking about lifting their
    15-year arms embargo on China. What would be the consequences of that?
    And could it be done in a way that would satisfy your concerns?
        President Bush. Well, I talked about this issue with President
    Chirac last night and Prime Minister
    Blair, and I intend to talk about it here in a
    couple of hours at the European Union meeting. We didn't discuss the
    issue at NATO, by the way. And here's what I explained. I said there is
    deep concern in our country that a transfer of weapons would be a
    transfer of technology to China, which would change the balance of
    relations between China and Taiwan, and that's of concern. And they, to
    a person, said, well, they think they can develop a protocol that
    isn't--that shouldn't concern the United States. And I said I'm looking
    forward to seeing it and that they need to make sure that if they do so,
    that they sell it to the United States Congress, that the Congress will
    be making the decisions as to whether or not--as to how to react to what
    will be perceived by some, perhaps, as a technology transfer to China.
        But it was an important dialog. It was a very open dialog. There's
    no--it was very constructive. And so they will, as I understand it--and
    I don't want to put words in people's mouth, but I am told that there is
    a--that they've heard the concerns of the United States. They're
    listening to the concerns of the administration as first articulated by
    Secretary of State Rice, and they know the
    Congress's concern. And so they will try to develop a plan that will
    ease concerns. Now, whether they can or not, we'll see.
        Q. So do you think it might fly?
        President Bush. Pardon me? I don't know. It's all speculation at
    this point. The purpose of this trip has been to articulate concerns
    that are being expressed throughout the Government, both in the
    executive branch and legislative branch, about the decision--or the
    potential decision. And I've been listening. And you might call this a
    listening tour, that people have got things on their mind, and they want
    me to hear it, and part of what they've got on their mind is the dialog
    that's taking place with China and the European Union.

    Role of NATO

        Q. Mr. President, about a week ago in Munich, we have had the old
    and the new Rumsfeld--[laughter]--but the thing is----
        President Bush. Same old Bush. [Laughter]
        Q. But the new Rumsfeld is still saying the mission determines the
    coalition. What does that mean, exactly, Mr. President? Does that mean
    that for you, this Alliance, NATO, is just one tool in the American
    toolbox to face crisis?
        President Bush. No, you're going to have to ask Secretary
    Rumsfeld what he meant by that when he
    said it. I'll tell you what

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    I think, and since I'm his boss, it's probably pretty relevant.
    [Laughter] I think it is the vital relationship for the United States
    when it comes to security. And it is a relationship that is--has worked
    in the past and is adjusting so that it works in the future. It's a
    relationship and a organization that needs to make sure that its
    capabilities meet the threats of the 21st century. And so this is a
    vital relationship.
        And as the Secretary General mentioned, that there needs to be a
    political component, a place for us to come and have a strategic dialog.
    He has raised that issue; Chancellor Schroeder raised the issue. And everybody heard Chancellor
    Schroeder loud and clear; everybody heard the Secretary General loud and
    clear, and that is, is that in order for NATO to be relevant, it has to
    be a place where people feel comfortable about talking about strategic
    issues.
        And we do talk about strategic issues. And what Jaap has just said--
    and you're welcome to clarify what you just said, if you feel like it--
    but as he said, he's going to come back with an action plan to make sure
    that NATO's relevance is strong, not only to have the capabilities
    necessary to defend our respective securities but as a place for us to
    have meaningful dialog. Isn't that what you said?
        Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer. I could start by adding, of
    course, it's young Bush and young de Hoop Scheffer who are talking here.
    [Laughter] I mean, that goes without saying. [Laughter]
        To come back to your question, it is, indeed, as President Bush has
    said, it is--NATO is a political-military organization. And when we
    want--in the areas where we operate, be it Afghanistan, be it Kosovo, in
    Iraq--if NATO wants to go on keeping the public, parliamentary support
    for its operations and for its missions, we really need to discuss the
    key political questions surrounding those operations and missions.
        And you cannot deny that when NATO is reinforcing its Mediterranean
    dialog, when NATO is reaching out into the broader Middle East--and you
    know that the reactions have been very positive up until now--it is
    relevant for the NATO Alliance to discuss these issues in the broadest
    sense. You can't do the one without the other. And as President Bush was
    saying, this is the path. I'll try to lead, because a vital Alliance
    means that this Alliance is a vital political-military organization.
    That is the object of the exercise, to say it like this.

    NATO Contributions in Iraq

        Q. Thank you, sir. Some of the contributions on Iraq involve only a
    few people, modest amounts of money. Is this going to be enough, or is
    largely symbolic?
        President Bush. Well, first of all, when you look around the table,
    Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters], that you see countries that have made
    enormous contributions, and the biggest contribution of all is when
    they've sent a person into combat and that person lost their life. That
    is a significant contribution. And the United States of America is
    grateful for those contributions, and we honor every life. The key is to
    make sure that those lives that were lost don't go down in vain, that a
    free and democratic and peaceful country emerges. Every contribution
    matters.
        Twenty-six nations sitting around that table said it's important for
    NATO to be involved in Iraq. That's a strong statement. And NATO is
    involved in Iraq, and NATO is doing a vital mission, which is to help an
    officer corps emerge. The truth of the matter is, in order for Iraq to
    be a secure country, there has to be a chain of command that is
    effective and works, so that commands go from a political body to a
    military, and the military commands goes down so that people enact the
    orders in order to keep the people safe. That is what has to happen. And
    NATO is providing an officer training mission, which is vital.
        Every contribution matters, and every country ought to be proud of
    the fact that they're contributing to the world's newest

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    democracy. This organization is an organization that's based upon
    values, values that have stood the test of time, values that are
    universal, and values that are necessary for the world to be peaceful.
    And the contributions made into Iraq are based upon those values. And I
    am grateful.

    Europe-U.S. Relations/Democracy

        Q. I have two questions, one for the President and one for the
    Secretary General.
        President Bush. Finally, he got a question. [Laughter]
        Q. Well, I'll put my question first to you, Mr. President. The wider
    European audience, it won't be a surprise for you, is still skeptical
    about the policies of your administration, often being considered as
    dictating or unilateral. Now, on this trip, you have launched a sort of
    major charm offensive--at least the Europeans will see it that way.
    [Laughter]
        President Bush. Well, thank you. I appreciate it. First time I've
    been called charming in a while. [Laughter]
        Q. But the question is, what are you going to do really differently
    in your second term to improve transatlantic relations?
        And for the Secretary General, the question is, what should the
    Europeans do to improve transatlantic relations?
        President Bush. Well, our bilateral relations are very strong with
    many countries, like your country. We've had 4 years, great relations.
    And matter of fact, last night, my dinner with President Chirac reminded me that except for one major issue, and that
    being Iraq, we've done a lot together in my first 4 years. If you think
    about it, we've participated in Afghanistan together; we've participated
    in Haiti; we're working on the Global Fund to battle AIDS. I mean,
    there's a lot we have done together.
        The major issue that irritated a lot of Europeans was Iraq. I
    understand that. I can figure it out. And the key now is to put that
    behind us and to focus on helping the new democracy succeed. It's in our
    interests--it's in your country's interests; it's in my country's
    interests that democracy take hold in the greater Middle East.
        The policy in the past used to be, let's just accept tyranny, for
    the sake of--well, you know, cheap oil or whatever it may be and just
    hope everything would be okay. Well, that changed on September the 11th
    for our Nation. Everything wasn't okay. Beneath what appeared to be a
    placid surface lurked an ideology based upon hatred. And the way to
    defeat that ideology is to spread freedom and democracy. That's what
    NATO understands, see. That's one of the reasons why--NATO is one of the
    reasons why Europe is whole and free and at peace, because democracies
    defeat hatred and suspicion.
        And so I will explain--continue to explain as best I can to
    skeptical people about my policy, that it's based on this concept that
    we all share, no matter your views on Iraq or not. And that is, every
    human being deserves to be free and that human dignity is vital and that
    free societies are peaceful societies. And I will make a commitment
    again to you, just like I made yesterday and will continue to make, that
    I'll take those values into the Middle Eastern peace process. As I said
    in my State of the Union, peace is within reach--that's right about
    here. And we've got to work together to achieve that.
        And so my message is, is that the past is--I made some hard
    decisions, as did other leaders, by the way, in Europe, about how to
    enforce 17 different United Nations resolutions on Iraq, not one
    resolution but 17 different resolutions. And we liberated Iraq, and that
    decision has been made. It's over with, and now it's time to unify for
    the sake of peace. And I believe that message--I believe--forget the
    charm part. I believe that message is a message that people can
    understand. And they're beginning to see that the strategy is working.
        Millions of people of voted in Afghanistan. I doubt many of you here
    were writing articles about, ``Oh, gosh, the elections

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    in Afghanistan are going to be incredibly successful.'' It didn't seem
    like it was possible, did it? But yet there's something in everybody's
    soul, in my judgment, that desires to be free. And the people of
    Afghanistan showed that by the millions--not by the handfuls but by the
    millions--when given a chance to vote. Same in Iraq. And there was an
    election in Ukraine--two elections in Ukraine. And then there was the
    election in the Palestinian Territory. Freedom is on the march, is the
    way I like to put it. And the world is better off for it. And I look
    forward to continue to articulate how we can work together to keep
    freedom on the march.
        Thank you all very much.
        Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer. Let me----
        President Bush. Oh, I'm sorry.
        Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer. No, no, no----
        President Bush. He gave me a hand signal that said he didn't want to
    answer. [Laughter] You don't know what this means. [Laughter] That
    means, ``End the press conference.'' [Laughter]
        Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer. I signaled to the President this
    was too difficult a question, but I nevertheless answer very briefly.
        NATO is 26--not 25 plus one or 24 plus 2. NATO showed today that
    these 26 Allies in Europe or the United States of America or Canada will
    and must strengthen this Alliance, this very successful Alliance, which
    is doing--with the West and European participation--all the things I
    started to discuss in my introduction.
        Second remark would be that European integration, including in
    security and defense matters, is important. But in that area, it's of
    the utmost importance that, also, that process takes place in
    complementarity with NATO and without duplication. That's important for
    NATO; it's important for European Union. That's why I want this wide
    NATO-EU agenda that's relevant. European integration is a great process,
    and I always say I'm an Atlanticist and I'm European. But here is the
    point, where we are now standing in NATO Headquarters, where we see the
    primary forum for transatlantic security cooperation, and we'll do that
    at 26 and not at 24 plus 2 or 25 plus one.
        Thank you very much.
        President Bush. Now we're finished. [Laughter]

    Note: The President's news conference began at 2:45 p.m. in the Joseph
    Luns Press Theatre at NATO Headquarters. In his remarks, he referred to
    President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine; President Jacques Chirac of
    France; Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom; and Chancellor
    Gerhard Schroeder of Germany. He also referred to Provincial
    Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), a component of NATO's International
    Security Assistance Force operating in Afghanistan.