    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [June 24, 2005]
    [Pages 1060-1067]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Ibrahim al-
    Jafari of Iraq
    June 24, 2005

        President Bush. Thank you very much. Mr. Prime Minister, I am
    honored to welcome you to the White House. As the leader of Iraq's first
    democratically elected Government in more than 50 years, you are helping
    to lift your country from decades of fear and oppression.
        The Prime Minister is a great Iraqi patriot. He's a friend of
    liberty. He's a strong partner for peace and freedom. For more than two
    decades, he served the cause of Iraqi freedom in exile as a fierce
    opponent of Saddam Hussein's tyranny. Today,
    this medical doctor now serves his people as he works to build a new
    Iraq.
        I told the Prime Minister that the American people share his
    democratic vision for Iraq. I told him of our Nation's deep and abiding
    respect for Islam, for the people of Iraq, and for the potential of the
    nation that now belongs to them.
        Today we meet at a critical moment in the history of this proud
    nation. In just a few days, we will mark the first anniversary of the
    return of Iraq to its people. In the year since then, the Iraqis can
    take credit from [for] * some extraordinary achievements in the face of
    tremendous challenge.
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        * White House correction.
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        Seven months after resuming sovereignty over their nation, the Iraqi
    people defied the car bombers and assassins to hold their first free
    elections in a half century. In April, the newly elected Transitional
    National Assembly formed a Government and appointed Dr. Jafari as the
    Prime Minister. This month, after a spirited debate, the Iraqis reached
    an agreement to expand their constitutional drafting committee to
    include more Sunni Arabs, so that this important community also has a
    strong voice in shaping the future of their country.
        The Prime Minister and I discussed the important work the Iraqis
    have before them in the months ahead. This work includes drafting a
    permanent constitution for a free Iraq, submitting it to the Iraqi
    people for approval, and then holding new elections to choose a
    constitutional Government. These are monumental tasks, yet at every step
    of the way so far, the Iraqi people have met their strategic objectives,
    and the terrorists have failed to stop them. I commend the Prime
    Minister and his fellow Iraqis for their hard work and courage. And I'm
    confident that the Iraqi people will continue to defy the skeptics as
    they assume greater responsibility for their security and build a new
    Iraq that represents their diversity.
        The way ahead is not going to be easy. The killings and roadside
    bombings that we

    [[Page 1061]]

    see underscore that freedom in Iraq is opposed by a violent and ruthless
    enemy with no regard for human life. The enemy includes former members
    of Saddam Hussein's regime. The enemy
    includes criminal elements, and the enemy includes foreign terrorists.
    The terrorists are fighting in Iraq because they know a free Iraq in the
    heart of the Middle East will deal a severe blow to an ideology that
    lives on oppression and fear. By securing Iraqi democracy, we will make
    America and our friends and allies around the world safer.
        The enemy's goal is to drive us out of Iraq before the Iraqis have
    established a secure, democratic Government. They will not succeed. Our
    goal is clear, a democratic and peaceful Iraq that represents all
    Iraqis. Our troops will continue to train Iraqi security forces so these
    forces can defend their country and to protect their people from terror.
    And as Iraqis become more capable in defending their nation, our troops
    will eventually return home with the honor they have earned.
        As the Iraqi people stand up for their freedom, they know that the
    free world is now standing with them. Earlier this week, more than 80
    countries and international organizations came together in Brussels to
    discuss how to help Iraq provide for its security and rebuild its
    country. And next month, donor countries will meet in Jordan to discuss
    Iraqi reconstruction.
        I appreciate Prime Minister Jafari's brave leadership. Prime
    Minister Jafari is a bold man. I've enjoyed my discussions with you,
    Prime Minister. He is a frank, open fellow who is willing to tell me
    what's on his mind. And what is on his mind is peace and security for
    the people of Iraq, and what is on his mind is a democratic future that
    is hopeful.
        I want to thank you for your courage. I want to thank you for your
    understanding about the nature of free societies. I want to thank you
    for helping Iraq become a beacon of freedom.
        Prime Minister Jafari's visit comes at an important time. I want to
    thank you for coming.
        Prime Minister Jafari. Thank you very much.
        President Bush. Welcome.
        Prime Minister Jafari. Thank you very much. I want to thank the
    United States people for their courage and commitment against terrorism
    and for democracy in our country.
        I visited hospital in the past month in Turkey, Muthanna, and
    yesterday in Washington, DC. There were Iraqis and American. They had
    suffered side by side, and they were on a common enemy: terrorism. They
    were fighting for the security of Iraq but also of American. This is not
    the time to fall back--to fall back. We owe it to those who have made
    sacrifices to continue toward the goals they fought.
        I see from up close what's happening in Iraq, and I know we are
    making steady and substantial progress. People said Saddam would not
    fall, and he did. They say the election would not happen, and they did.
    They say the constitution will not be written, but it will. And the
    political process--[inaudible]--including the Sunni Arabs, will further
    undermine the terrorists. They have joined the parliamentary committee
    and the Government, and they will take part in the next elections.

    [At this point, Prime Minister Jafari spoke in Arabic, and his remarks
    were translated by an interpreter.]

        Another time I would like to thank and commend Mr. President for his
    hospitality and his receiving me here and for the subjects we discussed
    together. And also he was frank and transparent, and he gave me very
    good feelings towards the people in Iraq. I would also like to thank the
    American people for standing beside the Iraqi people, going through
    these difficult times. No doubt our people will never forget those who
    stand beside Iraq, particularly at these terrible times. We do
    appreciate

    [[Page 1062]]

    the assistance given by America during the present period of time in
    particular. There is a great achievement in Iraq, there is democracy in
    Iraq, and the people in Iraq defied terrorism, and they refused to
    accept any constitutional association.
        There is about 30 percent of women participating, and this is an
    example of democracy in Iraq and in the region, even in the whole world.
    There are six minister ladies in my Government, and it is my intention
    to add one more woman to be Deputy to the Prime Minister.
        In the new Iraq, there is progress on more than one aspect, even
    though, again, it's all the challenges we have, particularly in
    security. Even though there is a lot of infiltration from the countries
    adjacent to Iraq, moving from inside Iraq itself, but there is a will in
    Iraq to secure security. And so the bombing in Iraq has been reduced a
    lot. And we are making great progress. And we depend on our security
    forces, multinational forces also who work with us, support us, but the
    responsibility in the frontline is for the Iraqis, and everything is
    making progress quantitatively and qualitatively.
        We want to secure love instead of hatred in our country, coexistence
    and cooperation in Iraq instead of cursing each other. The whole people
    of Iraq would like to continue the democracy in Iraq, and they will
    fight for achieving it. So many people said that democracy will never
    stand in Iraq, said that elections will never be held in Iraq, and they
    said also that the Government will never be established in Iraq, and
    they said there would be no constitution. But everything will be there,
    and the whole world will see that changes in Iraq happen because of the
    great will of the people of Iraq and the countries that are assisting
    us.
        We want fraternal relations with all the countries of the world and
    the adjacent countries, keeping our sovereignty against all infiltration
    from the borders of Iraq. We want goodness for all countries of the
    world and wish you all the best for the American people.
        Thank you, very much. Thank you, very much.
        President Bush. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. What we'll do now is
    we'll ask a question--answer a question from the American side and then
    one from the Iraqi side. Thank you, we'll be there in a minute. And
    then--we'll have two a side, in other words.
        I will start with Kelly O'Donnell [NBC News].

    Status of Efforts in Iraq

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. On Iraq, sir, the Vice President has
    described the conditions there, regarding the insurgency as being in its
    last throes. General Abizaid said there has been no significant change
    over the last 6 months. Your spokesman said you agreed with the Vice
    President's assessment. Can you help the American people understand
    these two different views that are coming forward, one from the
    administration, one from top commanders, when your spokesman tells us
    every day you get your information directly from those top commanders?
        President Bush. I do get briefed by our top commanders, as does the
    Vice President. As a matter of fact, about 2
    hours ago, General Abizaid briefed the Vice
    President and myself and the Secretary of Defense about what is taking place on the ground. And there's no
    question there's an enemy that still wants to shake our will and get us
    to leave. And they're willing to use any means necessary. They try to
    kill--and they do kill innocent Iraqi people, women and children,
    because they know that they're--the carnage that they wreak will be on
    TV. And they know that they are--they know that it bothers people to see
    death--and it does. It bothers me. It bothers American citizens. It
    bothers Iraqis. They're trying to shake our will. That's what they're
    trying to do, and so of course we understand the nature of that enemy.

    [[Page 1063]]

        We also understand that there is reason to be optimistic about
    what's taking place. The very same commanders that say that these folks
    are terrible killers are also reminding us that we're making good
    progress. On the one hand, you just heard the Prime Minister talk about
    a new democracy. Remember, the killers tried to intimidate everybody so
    that they wouldn't vote. That was their tactic. If you look back at the
    history of our involvement in Iraq, there was a lot of bombings and
    killings prior to the elections. What they were trying to do is say,
    ``Let's shake the will of not only the Americans but the Iraqi
    citizens.'' And--but nevertheless, the Iraqi citizens wouldn't have
    their will shaken.

        So we're optimistic. We're optimistic that more and more Iraqi
    troops are becoming better trained to fight the terrorists. We're
    optimistic about the constitutional process. There is a political track
    that's moving forward in parallel with the security track. No question
    about--it's difficult. I mean, we hear it every day, of course. So do
    you. You report it every day. It's tough work, and it's hard. The
    hardest part of my job is to comfort the family members who have lost a
    loved one, which I intend to do when I go down to North Carolina on
    Tuesday.

        But nevertheless, progress is being made, and the defeat of the
    enemy--and they will be defeated--will be accelerated by the progress on
    the ground in Iraq that--the establishment of a democratic state that
    listens to the hopes and aspirations of all the people in Iraq will lead
    to the defeat of this enemy. And so that's what this administration
    believes, and we firmly believe it is going to happen.

        Would you like to call on somebody from the Iraq press?

        Prime Minister Jafari. Yes, yes.

        President Bush. Who would you like to call on? Better pick one.

    Timetables for Iraq/Visit of Secretary of State Rice

        Q. [Inaudible]--my first question is, Mr. Bush, we heard here that
    there are Members of the Congress and the Senate, they are asking for a
    schedule for withdrawing your troops from Iraq. Have you discussed this
    with the Government of Iraq or will it be left to the Government to
    decide?
        Mr. Jafari, it was said in the streets of Iraq that the
    administration of America is pressurizing your Government through the
    visit of Ms. Rice in Iraq. Is there a reaction to that with President
    Bush?
        President Bush. Thank you. You've picked up a good American trick,
    which is to ask two questions. [Laughter] Congratulations.
        There're not going to be any timetables. I mean, I've told this to
    the Prime Minister. We are there to complete a mission, and it's an
    important mission. A democratic Iraq is in the interest of the United
    States of America, and it's in the interest of laying the foundation for
    peace. And if that's the mission, then why would you--why would you say
    to the enemy, you know, ``Here's a timetable. Just go ahead and wait us
    out.'' It doesn't make any sense to have a timetable. You know, if you
    give a timetable, you're conceding too much to the enemy.
        This is an enemy that will be defeated. And it's--so I'm not exactly
    sure who made that proposition, but I would--you don't have to worry,
    Mr. Prime Minister, about timetables. And we want to work with you to
    continue to build up the Iraqi forces. See, success will happen in Iraq
    when the political process moves forward, like it is. Again, I remind
    you all, maybe 4 months ago--anyway, the beginning of the winter, there
    was a lot of people here in the country that never thought the elections
    would go forward. They thought the enemy had the upper hand because of
    the death and destruction that we saw on our TV screens. They said,
    ``Well, can't possibly be elections. The Iraqi people don't want to be

    [[Page 1064]]

    free,'' and you know, ``These killers are going to stop the elections.''
    And sure enough, over 8 million people voted because they do want to be
    free.
        And so success will occur as this political process continues to
    move forward. And we spent time talking about making sure that Sunnis
    were a part of the process, and I appreciate the Prime Minister's
    attitude. We made sure we talked about making sure that people's points
    of view are represented, making sure that we stay on--the only timetable
    that I think is going to--that I know is out there is the timetable that
    says, ``Let's have the constitution written by a certain date, and let's
    have it ratified by a certain date, and let's have the election by a
    certain date.'' That's the timetable, and we're going to stay on that
    timetable. And it's important for the Iraqi people to know we are.
        And the second track is to have Iraqis take the fight to the enemy.
    And we're, slowly but surely, getting this training completed. And so we
    spent time today not only hearing about the conditions on the ground and
    the nature of the enemy from Generals Abizaid and General Casey, but we
    also talked about progress in the training mission. And we are making
    good progress when it comes to training Iraqis. One of the interesting
    statistics as to whether or not the Iraqis want to join the fight is
    whether or not they're able to recruit Iraqis to join the army, and
    recruitment is high. In other words, Iraqis do want to be a part of the
    process.
        And so part of the coalition's job is to give these Iraqi units the
    training necessary to be able to fight the terrorists. That's our
    strategy, and it is working, and it is going to work, for the good of
    the country.
        Now, he asked you a question, and it's a very intelligent----
        Prime Minister Jafari. As for the second question on the visit of
    Ms. Rice, Condoleezza Rice to Iraq, the general impression of that visit
    was a general review for the situation there. It was a time for us so
    that--that gave support at Bruxelles, and I think they played a great
    role that the greater opportunity for the Iraqis as a big party. And as
    for the program and the ministers who attended, they all spoke in the
    interests of Iraq, and we thanked her very much for the efforts she
    made. And I spoke about the preparation for her and what she can present
    us of services to Iraq. And I believe she played a great role and will
    play a great role in Bruxelles, and I hope the recommendations will
    reflect on the donor countries so that we get the interest to the Iraqi
    people, particularly for the services. Thank you.

    Status of President's Second Term/U.S. Popular Support for Efforts in
    Iraq

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Declining public support for the
    mission in Iraq and the lack of progress on some of your domestic
    priorities has prompted suggestions that you're in something of a
    second-term slump. Do you worry----
        President Bush. A quagmire, perhaps. [Laughter]
        Q. You can choose the word, sir. Do you worry at all about losing
    some of your ability to drive the agenda, both internationally and
    domestically?
        And Mr. Prime Minister, if I may, does the decline in American
    support for the mission in Iraq have any impact on your Government and
    the people of your country?
        President Bush. No, I appreciate the polls, the question about the
    polls. Look, this is a time of testing, and it's a critical time. We're
    asking Congress to do--to take on some big tasks domestically. I fully
    understood when I went into the Social Security debate that there would
    be a lot of people that wished we hadn't have brought it up. I knew
    that. After all, there are some who, in Congress, that would rather not
    take on the tough issue, make--they're afraid if you take on a tough
    issue, it will make it harder to get reelected.

    [[Page 1065]]

        And so I'm not surprised that there is a, kind of a reaction, the
    do-nothing reaction in Congress toward Social Security, and I'm not
    surprised the American people are saying, ``I wonder why nothing is
    getting done.'' You know, they see a problem, and they're wondering why
    people won't step up and solve the problem. So I'm not surprised about--
    that there's a--people are balking at doing big things. I do think we'll
    get an energy bill that will be good and show the American people
    finally we're willing to put an energy strategy in law that will help us
    conserve more and diversify away from hydrocarbons and develop
    technologies that will enable us to burn coal cleanly, for example.
        Overseas, the idea of helping a country that had been devastated by
    a tyrant become a democracy is also a difficult chore, and it's hard
    work, particularly since there's an enemy that is willing to use suicide
    bombers to kill. It's hard to stop suicide bombers, and it's hard to
    stop these people that, in many cases, are being smuggled into Iraq from
    outside Iraq. It's hard to stop them. And yet they're able to do
    incredible damage. They're damaging not only--you know, they're
    obviously killing Americans, but they're killing a lot more Iraqis. And
    their whole attempt is to frighten the people of both our countries.
    That's what they're trying to do.
        In other words, they figure if they can shake our will and affect
    public opinion, then politicians will give up on the mission. I'm not
    giving up on the mission. We're doing the right thing, which is to set
    the foundation for peace and freedom. And I understand why the Al Qaida
    network, for example, is so terrified about democracy, because democracy
    is the opposite of what they believe. Their ideology is one of
    oppression and hate. Democracy is one that lifts up people and is based
    upon hope.
        I think I said at this press conference here in the East Room, you
    know, ``It's like--following polls is like a dog chasing his tail.'' I'm
    not sure how that translates. But my job is to set an agenda and to lead
    toward that agenda. And we're laying the foundation for peace around the
    world.
        Iraq is a part of the agenda. There's going to be--there were
    elections in Lebanon. We hope Egypt has free and open elections. My
    dream is that there be a Palestinian state living side by side in peace
    with Iraq. I noticed our former Ambassador to Afghanistan is with us,
    who is now going to be the ambassador to Iraq. Afghanistan is a hopeful story. It's still difficult
    because, again, there are terrorists there associated with this--the
    likes of--or are a part of the Al Qaida network that is interested in
    stopping the advance of democracy because democracy is--will be a part
    of their defeat and demise.
        Prime Minister Jafari. Thank you very much. As for the question on
    the reduction of support, Iraq's--the Iraqi people had a specific
    request which is toppling down Saddam Hussein for reasons relating to
    their dignity and their policy--their politics. And after Saddam Hussein
    was removed, through the different efforts of international efforts and
    Iraqis, this was achieved. Right now we have another danger, which is
    terrorism, which is against not only the Iraqi people but all the world
    of the country--of the world, and at any time, doesn't have any
    particular land, but it works everywhere. Geography of terrorism is the
    human beings, themselves. And those people who are doing it are the
    enemies of humanity.
        Once they do it in Washington, once in Spain, once in Iraq. So
    fighting the terrorism and limiting their impact and in order to keep
    the human dignity and civilization requires that we all act together.
    It's not only the duty of Iraqi people but other countries as well. As
    you know, Iraq is rich in oil, in water, in cultivation, as strategy
    and--[inaudible]--and also--but because of the exception of
    circumstances of Iraq, now it has become a poor country, so we have to
    have the impact and the support from other countries.

    [[Page 1066]]

        The success of our Iraqi people is your own success. The people of
    Iraq is civilized. I look forward to support from all other countries of
    the world. You have given us something more than money. You have given
    us a lot of your sons, your children that were killed beside our own
    children in Iraq. Of course this is more precious than any other kind of
    support we receive. You have to be proud before your own people that you
    presented us for the maintenance of democracy in Iraq and to remove the
    dictatorship. We do not forget those who stood beside us at hard times,
    and they are decided to go forward. And there is a lot of difference
    between one month and another, between one week and another. Iraqi
    people are insistent on going along the path for their economy and their
    security, but we do need the help of other countries who will help us,
    to stand beside us.
        Thank you.
        President Bush. Final question, Mr. Prime Minister. Would you----

    Reconstruction in Iraq

    [The reporter spoke in Arabic, and the question was translated by an
    interpreter.]

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, I am a presenter on radio in Iraq. My
    question is for you. For more than 2 years, we've started a change in
    Iraq, but the process of building is very slow. There are secure cities
    in Iraq, Samarra and Kurdistan. When will you begin the reconstruction
    in Iraq? When do we begin to establish the first bases of
    reconstruction? And you know that if you started reconstruction in Iraq,
    it will mean that young people will have something to do, and they will
    leave terrorist activities. So the question is for Mr. Prime Minister.
    There were discussions held with President Bush, and the most important
    thing you discussed with him, we want to know about it. Thank you very
    much.
        President Bush. Sometimes we don't tell you things, you know.
    [Laughter] No, we discussed a lot of important things. We discussed
    democracy. We discussed having the constitution there, and we discussed
    security. We discussed reconstruction.
        We are spending reconstruction money, but you know, you need to ask
    that to the Government. They're in charge. It's your Government, not
    ours. This is the Government that is--that has got the ministries in
    place that spends the money. We're willing to help, and we have helped.
    And I want to thank the Congress and the American people for their
    generosity in helping Iraq rebuild, and we're spending money.
        But remember, your question kind of made it seem like--that we're in
    charge. We're not. You had elections; 8\1/2\ million people voted; and
    this good man is now in charge of the Government. I don't want to be
    passing the buck, as we say, but we're more than willing to help
    reconstruction efforts, but this is a sovereign Government----
        Prime Minister Jafari. Thank you very much.
        President Bush. ----with an elected Prime Minister, by the people of
    Iraq. And so we want to look forward to working with the Government. Our
    role is to help. His role is to govern and lead. And we've got the money
    allocated. Obviously, it's important to get electricity to the Iraqi
    citizens and clean water to the Iraqi citizens. And you know, I was
    pleased to see the other day when I was reading that there's a lot of
    air traffic in and out of the airport now, quite a lot of air traffic.
    In other words, there's commerce beginning to develop. We want to be
    helpful. But the responsibility rests with the people who the Iraqi
    people elected. And that's you, Mr. Prime Minister.
        Prime Minister Jafari. Thank you, Mr. President. Of course, there
    were many points discussed with the President, Mr. Bush, in our special
    meeting, and we talked about so many facts. It was the first meeting
    between us, so we talked directly about

    [[Page 1067]]

    the democracy in Iraq and the constitution, the achievement of the
    constitution, and we decided to continue the case of security until
    everything is well established.
        And at the same time, we thought that there is a Marshall project
    after the Second World War that contributed--the U.S. contributed in
    that and in Truman's Government when they presented assistance to the
    German people. German people had selected Hitler in a democratic process
    that had a 98 percent result, however, we are quite happy with this
    hospitality of the U.S. So Germany was able to work.
        The Iraqi people did not elect Saddam Hussein. In fact, they
    suffered a lot from Saddam Hussein before he attacked the geographical
    adjacent countries. He took their money before he took the money of
    Kuwait. He occupied Kuwait, in fact, as he did, and there is a lot of
    indications to tell us that the Iraqi people are innocent of all that
    had happened. They have to pay off their--so many debts, and we hope
    that all countries will stand beside us to correct this unexceptional
    [exceptional] * situation. They did not commit any crime against any
    people. They are peaceful. But it was Saddam Hussein who committed the
    crimes, and he brought about so many debts and losses to the Iraqi
    people.
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        * White House correction.
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        We look forward to the international community to stand beside us,
    and we believe that this is a humanitarian stance. And we hope that Mr.
    Bush will try to redo a Marshall plan, calling it the Bush plan, to help
    Iraq, to help the Iraqi people. And this would be a very wonderful step
    that they stand beside us.
        President Bush. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Thank you all. Thank
    you.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 11:31 a.m. in the East
    Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to former President
    Saddam Hussein of Iraq; Gen. John P. Abizaid, USA, combatant commander,
    U.S. Central Command; Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., USA, commanding
    general, Multi-National Force--Iraq; and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay
    Khalilzad.