    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [December 6, 2005]
    [Pages 1817-1819]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Director-General Lee Jong-wook of the World Health Organization and an Exchange
    With Reporters
    December 6, 2005

        President Bush. It's been my honor to welcome the Director of the
    World Health Organization, Dr. Lee, to the Oval Office, where we've just
    had an extensive conversation with high-ranking officials in my
    administration about the international strategy to deal with a possible
    pandemic of avian flu.
        And I want to thank you, Dr. Lee, for staying on top of this issue,
    for raising the

    [[Page 1818]]

    consciousness of the world, for helping to develop an international
    response, and for working so closely with Mike Leavitt and Julie Gerberding and
    Bob Zoellick of the State Department.
    This is a remarkable collaborative effort to do our duty to help people.
        The other thing that's really interesting, I found out, is Dr. Lee
    told me we're very close to eradicating polio. And I want to
    congratulate you--from the world, by the way--and I want to congratulate
    you for your good work on that issue.
        Director-General Lee. Thank you.
        President Bush. You're a good public servant. I'm just proud to
    welcome you here to the Oval Office.
        Director-General Lee. Well, thank you very much. Clearly, we've been
    working on avian flu and pandemic flu for many years. But it really
    didn't take off until the President launched this initiative in
    September in New York. And then after that, he mentioned--he raised this
    issue with many head of state. That really made a difference. I'm very
    honored to be here.
        And about polio eradication, it was a teamwork. I appreciated the
    effort of the United States, especially the AID and CDC. And in the
    presence of the Secretary and also the Director, Julie Gerberding, that
    it is wonderful to be able to say that we are about to eradicate polio.
        President Bush. Thank you, Dr. Lee.
        Answer a couple of questions. Nedra [Nedra Pickler, Associated
    Press].

    Insurgency and Terrorist Attacks in Iraq

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Insurgents in Iraq claim that they have
    taken a U.S. citizen hostage. We also have a U.S. peace activist who is
    being held. Is there anything you can do to get them back?
        President Bush. We, of course, don't pay ransom for any hostages.
    What we will do, of course, is use our intelligence gathering to see if
    we can't help locate them.
    The best way to make sure that Iraq is a peaceful society is to continue
    to spread democracy. And clearly there are some there who want to stop
    the spread of democracy. There are terrorists there who will kill
    innocent people and behead people and kill children, terrorists who have
    got desires to hurt the American people.
        And it should be--the more violent they get, the clearer the cause
    ought to be, that we're going to achieve victory in Iraq and that we'll
    bring these people to justice. We will hunt them down, along with our
    Iraqi friends, and at the same time, spread democracy.
        Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters], yes.

    Democracy Efforts in Iraq

        Q. Sir, Howard Dean says the idea that the U.S. will win in Iraq is
    just plain wrong, and he's comparing the war to Vietnam. Is that a fair
    comparison, and what do you think about his comments?
        President Bush. I know we're going to win, and our troops need to
    hear, not only are they supportive but that we have got a strategy that
    will win. Oh, there's pessimists, you know, and politicians who try to
    score points. But our strategy is one that is--will lead us to victory.
    The only thing that the enemy has got going for them is the capacity to
    take innocent life and to get on our TV screens with this devastation
    that they cause. These people cannot stand free societies. They have no
    regard for the human condition. They'll kill women and children at the
    drop of a hat, all aimed at frightening the American people and trying
    to get us to withdraw. And if we were to withdraw, the likes of
    Zarqawi, who is a sworn ally of bin
    Laden, would have a safe haven from which to
    plot and plan.
        The lessons of September the 11th are lessons this country must
    never forget. We've got to take each threat seriously. We've got to stay
    on the offense. In the long run, a democracy will help eradicate the
    conditions that allow these people to find any kind of support.

    [[Page 1819]]

        And so our strategy is twofold. On the one hand, we'll stay on the
    offense. We'll train Iraqi soldiers so they can take the fight to the
    enemy. And on the other hand, we'll continue to work with the Iraqi
    people to spread democracy.
        And the American people must take notice of the fact that the people
    of Iraq are showing incredible courage in the face of this violence. I
    mean, after all, there was an election last January to put a
    Transitional National Government in place; then they voted on a
    Constitution. And in a short period of time, they're going to be voting
    for a new government. They vote by the millions, which stands in stark
    contrast to the society in which they lived under the tyrant, Saddam
    Hussein, who, by the way, is now on trial, as
    he should be on trial.
        I think his trial is indicative of the change that has taken place
    in the Iraqi society. In the old days, if Saddam and his cronies didn't like you, you didn't get a
    trial. You were just put to death or tortured. Today, there is a system,
    a judicial system in place that will give Saddam Hussein a chance to
    make his case in court, as well as giving those who have been tortured
    by Saddam Hussein a chance to step forth and provide witness to the
    brutality of this man.
        I--our troops need to know that the American people stand with them,
    and we have a strategy for victory. And of course, there will be debate
    and, of course, there will be some pessimists and some people playing
    politics with the issue. But by far, the vast majority of people in this
    country stand squarely with the men and women who wear the Nation's
    uniform.
        Carl [Carl Cameron, FOX News Channel].

    Detention Facilities Abroad

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Does your administration have any plans
    to change the policy of renditioning and/or the detention centers
    allegedly being placed in Europe?
        President Bush. Carl, first of all, I don't talk about secret
    programs, covert programs, covert activities. Part of a successful war
    on terror is for the United States of America to be able to conduct
    operations, all aimed to protect the American people, covertly.
        However, I can tell you two things: One, that we abide by the law of
    the United States; we do not torture. And two, we will try to do
    everything we can to protect us within the law. We're facing an enemy
    that would like to hit America again, and the American people expect us
    to, within our laws, do everything we can to protect them. And that's
    exactly what the United States is doing. We do not render to countries
    that torture. That has been our policy, and that policy will remain the
    same.
        Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:11 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Ronald Schultz and Tom Fox,
    American citizens taken hostage in Iraq; senior Al Qaida associate Abu
    Musab Al Zarqawi; and Usama bin Laden, leader of the Al Qaida terrorist
    organization. A reporter referred to Howard Dean, chairman, Democratic
    National Committee.