    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 10, 2005]
    [Pages 777-781]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With President Mikheil
    Saakashvili of Georgia in Tbilisi,
    Georgia
    May 10, 2005

        President Saakashvili. I'll say a few words in English. I want to
    welcome you, Mr. President, for this historic occasion. You know, right
    now we have in the streets of Tbilisi, as they are telling me, more than
    150,000 people assembled, and I can tell you, no event in the history of
    this country has ever assembled anything close to these numbers. It
    shows the importance of this visit.
        I can tell you, and you were seeing yesterday, crowds--
    unfortunately, I didn't see them on the networks--I mean, there were CNN
    and the others--but they were there and we could see them, the crowds
    along the airport. And of course, it was very genuine. This is not North
    Korea here. You cannot tell people to go out unless--if they don't feel
    like it. [Laughter] And it was a very--I mean, for me, it was something
    very emotional. The posters they made were very emotional.
        You know, outside this building, 18 months ago, also 100,000
    Georgians came in defense of democracy with a dream of living free. And
    in the weeks and months after the Rose Revolution, no country stood
    closer to Georgia than the United States, whether it was diplomatic
    support, economic aid, security assistance, or--[inaudible]--the United
    States was there. For this support, the Georgian people will be
    eternally grateful.
        So I once again want to welcome Mr. President to Georgia. The
    partnership between the U.S. and Georgia is about more, and we should
    make it very clear, the strategic interests--more than oil pipelines,
    more than any kind of economic or military cooperation. It's about
    shared values and our shared belief in freedom and in democracy.
        And President Bush is a man of vision who believes in the triumph of
    liberty over forces of tyranny. I know he was also inspired by our
    journey toward democracy. President Bush is in Georgia because we agree
    that free people cannot rest while tyranny exists. We know that our
    liberty must be defended from those who seek to extinguish it. And of
    course, when we are together, that's much more hopeful and much more
    efficient.
        That's why over 800 troops are in Iraq, Georgian troops side by side
    with the Americans and Iraqis and many others, to defeat those who live
    only to kill, to enslave, to frighten people. That is why Georgians are
    in Afghanistan and NATO-led missions, and that is why we appreciate the
    U.S. support for our NATO aspirations, just like the U.S. supported
    Ukraine on its NATO aspirations.
        The United States supports the territorial integrity of Georgia,
    sovereignty of Georgia, within its internationally recognized borders.
    We appreciate this support and recognize our responsibilities. We will
    peacefully resolve our disputes with our long-suffering South Ossetian
    and Abkhaz citizens and the territories. We will widen and deepen our
    democratic reforms to better the lives of Georgians. And we seek
    friendly relations with all our neighbors. And we know we can count on
    the support of the United States in all these vital tasks.
        Mr. President, you are a decisive and visionary leader. Georgia is
    humbled and honored that you have come to visit our small country, but
    great land. We Georgians have a belief that guests are a gift from God,
    and you are a most treasured guest. Mr. President, welcome.
        President Bush. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm--first, I'm so
    grateful for your hospitality. Laura and I really
    enjoyed our time last night. I learned firsthand what it means to be fed
    by a Georgian. I'm really

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    full. [Laughter] And the food was great. I should have eaten my meal
    first and then danced. [Laughter]
        The cultural dancing and singing was spectacular. It was really
    impressive. And I want to thank those who put on the performance last
    night.
        I also appreciate our visit today. We had a very frank discussion.
    That's what I like about the President. He speaks his mind. If he's got
    something on his mind, he'll tell you. What I find on his mind is very
    refreshing; he loves democracy and loves freedom, and he loves the
    people of Georgia.
        The Rose Revolution was a powerful moment in modern history. It not
    only inspired the people of Georgia; it inspired others around the world
    that want to live in a free society. I think people will look back at
    this moment in history and be--and marvel at the courage of people who
    have said, ``I want generations to grow up in a hopeful world.''
        And so, Mr. President, thank you for setting such a good example,
    you and your people. I appreciate the reforms you have put in place
    here. Georgia has come a long way very quickly. The President recognizes
    there's a lot of work to be done to leave the foundations, institutional
    foundations in place so that no one will ever be able to overturn
    democracy--that's an independent judiciary, rule of law, a free media.
    He was complaining about the media, which is a good sign. [Laughter] It
    means you're free. I sometimes complain about ours but not too publicly,
    of course.
        I'm looking forward to the meeting with members of the civil
    society. The President kindly set up a meeting where I will remind
    people that a truly democratic society is one that honors and respects
    minorities. This is a very diverse country. You've had a great tradition
    of honoring minorities in this country, and your democracy will continue
    to do so.
        We talked about NATO. The President is very clear about his
    intentions to meet the obligations to join NATO. And Mr. President, we
    look forward to working with you to meet those obligations. NATO is a
    very important alliance for the United States of America. It's a place
    where we have our strategic conversations with our transatlantic
    friends, and we want to help you achieve your objective there.
        I thank the President again; I want to thank the people of Georgia
    for contributing troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. You've got a fine group
    of people that are helping serve the cause of freedom. We discussed the
    way forward in Iraq, discussed the importance of a democracy in the
    greater Middle East in order to leave behind a peaceful tomorrow.
        We talked about the peaceful resolution of regional issues. And I
    look forward to working with the President on his request, if he so
    chooses, to help deal with some of these issues, like stuff he says
    here--[inaudible]. But one of the things that I was most appreciative of
    is his full understanding of the need and the desire to settle these
    issues peacefully. And I'm confident, with good work and cooperation, we
    can solve them peacefully, or he can solve them peacefully, with our
    help.
        This has been a visit I've really been looking forward to. I look
    forward to going into Freedom Square--think about that, Freedom Square--
    to represent my country and to give our thanks to the Georgian people
    for the example they've set and the pledge to the Georgian people that
    you've got a solid friend in America.
        Thank you, Mr. President.
        President Saakashvili. Thank you, Mr. President. So we'll have,
    like, two questions each. First, I guess, Georgian journalists, and then
    whoever.
        Q. Shall I ask the question in Georgian?
        President Bush. You can ask anybody you want. You can ask me----

    Military Bases in Georgia

        Q. I have a question regarding--to Mr. President, President Bush.
    Did you have

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    a conversation with Putin regarding the military bases, with old
    military bases from Georgia? Do you think this question and this issue--
    this question will be the decision of the OSCE Summit?
        President Bush. This question was about the presence of military
    troops--Russian troops in Georgia. We discussed this at the meeting with
    President Putin at his house. He knew that I
    was coming to Georgia, of course. I said I was looking forward to
    talking to my friend President Saakashvili and was confident that the
    issue of military bases would come up. After all, we discussed this--
    [inaudible]--and I've discussed this issue with the Russians before as
    well. So this isn't the first time I've had this conversation with
    President Putin on this issue. [Inaudible]--an agreement in place--
    [inaudible]--said to the Russians, we want to work with the Government
    to fulfill--[inaudible]--and I think that is a commitment, an important
    commitment for the people of Georgia to hear, and it's a--it shows
    there's grounds for work to get this issue resolved.
        Jennifer [Jennifer Loven, Associated Press].

    Democracy in Georgia

        Q. Sir, how important is it for the United States to step into
    issues like that troop issue to ensure democratic progress? And also,
    does your commitment to democracy mean that separatist regions deserve
    independence if they want it?
        President Bush. Two points to that question. One, my commitment to
    democracy means that democracies can solve their problems in peaceful
    ways. And in terms of separatist movements within a--within Georgia,
    that, one, the issue can be resolved peacefully; secondly, it will be
    resolved in a transparent way. The President has put a way forward that
    encourages autonomy and self-government but does not encourage dividing
    up this great country. It would seem like to me to be a very reasonable
    proposition. But his commitment--and an important commitment--is one
    that this issue will be resolved peacefully.
        And secondly, it's always important for the United States to stand
    strongly for democracy and freedom. That's what we believe in. And so
    standing with the President of Georgia should send a message that we
    embrace freedom movements and we stand with young democracies and we
    want to help where we can help build the institutions that outlast the
    moment, so that future generations of Georgians can grow up in a free
    society. And we've got a great partner in President Saakashvili. He is a
    strong believer in democracy. And I appreciate his leadership on the
    issue.
        President Saakashvili. Well, just to add one thing, that certainly I
    believe that--I believe in strong self-government. I myself came to
    this--to my office from self-government. I know what self-government
    means. I know how people can feel strongly about their identities.
    Georgia's strength is its diversity. It's not its weakness; it's our
    strength.
        Now, the problem with those regions are, especially with Abkhazia,
    that they're throughout almost whole populations. So we are talking
    about democratic choice. First, those people should be able to regain
    their property, to regain their right to be there, to regain their right
    to be safe, and rules for their self-government, rules for autonomy,
    rules for all kind of arrangement that would materialize their rights.
        It's not like this, that you throw out the people and then you hold
    elections with 10 percent of the population to decide, and you call it
    democracy. It's not democracy. It's something else. And that's why it's
    so important to speak about peace, about peaceful settlements, about
    democratic choices within the framework of peace, because when guns
    speak, then people cannot materialize their rights. That's obvious for
    us. And we suffered a lot, and this region suffered enough from the
    conflicts, and we

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    don't want any more of them. And this is our very strong position.

    U.S. Role in Resolution of Georgian Conflict

        Q. Question to Mr. Bush. You discussed the settlement--[inaudible]--
    in Georgia, and United States will play an active role in this process.
    In specific, what kind of help United States can offer to Georgia for
    conflict resolution? Because Georgian Government has a position to
    settle this resolution peacefully and this conflict peacefully, do you
    think that the main problem is outside force--third force?
        President Bush. [Inaudible]--disputes. And first, I'm confident that
    the Government of Georgia has got a good strategy to move forward to
    resolve the disputes. And obviously, if the President were to call and
    wanted me to make a phone call or two, I'd be more than happy to do so.
    But this is a dispute that is going to be resolved by the Georgian
    Government and by the folks in the separatist region.
        The United States cannot impose a solution, nor would you want us
    to. But what we can do is we can help. We can work with international
    bodies and work with the U.N., for example. We can work with other
    groups, all aimed at helping resolve this issue peacefully. But this is
    an issue that will be resolved by the duly elected Government of Georgia
    in a peaceful way. And the President has, as just mentioned, reached out
    in a constructive way, suggested autonomy and self-government, but he
    doesn't want to--he wants the country to remain intact. And we're more
    than willing. Listen, we talk quite often. When he calls, if he's got
    some suggestions where I can--where he thinks I can help and I think it
    makes sense, I will be glad to do so.

    Georgia-Russia Relations

        Q. Did you get President Putin to see the importance of democracies
    on his border? And you've also complimented a recent speech he gave on
    democracy. But has he taken any concrete steps to satisfy your concerns?
        President Bush. Well, he gave the speech,
    I think, 3 days ago, and it was--or maybe 4 or 5 days ago--it was a very
    constructive speech, I thought, where he did talk about the benefits of
    democracy for his people. And democracies are peaceful countries. And
    when you have peaceful countries on your border, it--you benefit. And
    Georgia is a peaceful country. Georgia is a democracy. The people here
    are trying to right the wrongs of the past and move forward. The
    President spends a lot of time talking to me about economic
    improvements, entrepreneurship and small businesses and vitality of the
    economy so people can make a living. And when you have countries focused
    on the needs of the people, it tends to make them peaceful neighbors.
        And so, over time, any country will recognize the benefits of
    democracy on her border. And I'm confident Russia will recognize the
    benefits of having democracies on her border. And Georgia is a great
    example of a peaceful democracy that wants to resolve whatever lingering
    disputes there may be in a peaceful fashion.
        And so I want to, one, again thank the President for his hospitality
    and for setting such a vivid example of what is possible when the people
    speak. And it's this democratic movement that took place here in Georgia
    that is going to help transform the greater Middle East. And that's
    important for people in Georgia and around the world to understand, that
    democracies in the greater Middle East will make the world a more
    peaceful place. A democracy in Iraq will send such a strong and vivid
    example to others about what is possible. And democracies are peaceful
    societies. And one of the things that we all long for--at least I long
    for; I'm confident the President does as well--is to leave behind a more
    peaceful world for our children and grandchildren.

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        So, thank you, Mr. President. Thank you all for the press
    conference.
        President Saakashvili. Thank you.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 10:27 a.m. at the
    Parliament Building. In his remarks, he referred to President Vladimir
    Putin of Russia. Some reporters spoke in Georgian, and their questions
    were translated by an interpreter. A portion of this news conference
    could not be verified because the tape was incomplete.