[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
[August 4, 2005]
[Pages 1305-1309]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



The President's News Conference With President Alvaro Uribe Velez of Colombia in Crawford, Texas
August 4, 2005

    President Bush. Thank you all. Welcome. Laura 
and I are very pleased to welcome President Uribe and his gracious wife, 
Lina, to our home here in Crawford. 
President Uribe is a strong and principled leader. I admire his 
determination. I appreciate his vision for a peaceful and prosperous 
Colombia.
    Our two nations are working together to fight drug trafficking and 
terrorism and to promote security, democracy, and the rule of law 
throughout the Americas. President Uribe's leadership and the courage of 
the Colombian people are creating a bright future for Colombia. The 
Colombian Government implemented a comprehensive strategy, known as Plan 
Colombia, to reduce the illegal drug trade, revitalize Colombia's 
economy, strengthen its democratic institutions, and improve the 
security of its people. The United States provided critical assistance 
for Plan Colombia, and the plan is producing results.
    Violent crime in Colombia is at its lowest level in 16 years. Since 
2002, murders, kidnappings, and terrorist acts in Colombia have all 
declined significantly. Colombia is also making great progress in 
reforming its justice system. These gains in security and the rule of 
law are helping the Colombian economy grow by more than 4 percent last 
year. And as Colombia has improved its security and economy, it has also 
emerged as a leader in our hemisphere.
    Colombia shares our commitment to advancing economic growth, trade, 
and democracy in the Americas. Colombia is also sharing its expertise 
with Afghanistan to combat terrorism and narco-trafficking in that new 
democracy. And America is very grateful for your support.
    America will continue to stand with the people of Colombia. I will 
ask the Congress to sustain our commitment to follow-on programs for 
Plan Colombia so Colombia can build on its progress and win its war 
against the narco-terrorists. Our strategic partnership is vital to the 
security, prosperity, and freedom of both our countries and the 
Americas.
    Mr. President, thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your 
friendship, and welcome.
    President Uribe. Mr. President, thank you very much, and I also want 
to thank your wife, Laura, and all of your team. 
Thank you for welcoming Lina, my delegation, and myself to your home 
here and for sharing with us here in this wonderful place in Texas.
    As you have well said, both of our countries have a strategic 
relationship that is based on mutual trust, which is aimed at deepening 
democracy, at combating terrorism, and on building social cohesion. Our 
agenda is very important for the present and the future of both of our 
peoples so that Colombia can free itself from the scourge of terrorism.
    The great enemy of Colombian democracy is terrorism. And our great 
partner in defeating terrorism has been the Government and the people of 
the United States. Allow me to say here to the rest of the world that 
U.S. cooperation has been exemplary. It has gone beyond rhetoric, and it 
has, in fact, been cooperation that has been put in practice. And all 
democratic countries need to know that, that cooperation should be 
realistic and put into practice.
    We have made progress, and we are winning, but we have not won yet. 
And that is why it is important to continue with this cooperation, as 
you have said, that you have asked from the Congress, President Bush. We 
cannot leave this task half-finished. We must take it all the way to the 
end. We

[[Page 1306]]

need a definitive victory for both democratic peoples of Colombia and 
the United States, and also, we must keep that objective in mind as we 
build upon our results to keep moving forward to that final goal.
    We trust that we will soon be able to announce the successful 
completion of our free trade agreement, an agreement built on trust, an 
agreement that can help bring our democratic peoples closer together and 
in more solidarity. The key word in Colombia today is ``trust.'' This is 
the mutual trust that is the basis of the relationship with the United 
States. It is trust that we want to create among Colombian people 
themselves.
    So that Colombians can gain trust in their homeland, we are working 
on five elements of a modern democracy. Number one is democratic 
security, security for all citizens, security for pluralism, security 
for all ideas and for all citizens.
    The second element is respect for public freedom. In Colombia we've 
had a dictatorship of terrorism, but the people, the Government, and the 
nation of Colombia that are fighting terrorism will do so by respecting 
public freedom. They want to serve as an example, because that's the 
difference between what has happened in our country and in other Latin 
American countries, where it was government dictatorships. Here we have 
a democratic government that has full respect for public freedom and 
that fully intends to defeat terrorism.
    The third element is to build social cohesion, which is necessary in 
order to have sustainable democracy and a sustainable security policy. 
The election of Ambassador Moreno as President of the IDB represents a 
great opportunity for our continent. It represents a new hope for us to 
combat poverty and to build social cohesion.
    The fourth element is transparency. The fifth is respect for the 
independence of institutions. Transparency in public affairs, 
transparency in friendship, transparency in partnership and in agreement 
and in disagreement--transparency is critical for modern democracies in 
order for the people to have trust in the government that guides them.
    The fifth element is respect for the independence of our 
institutions, which is important for the rule of law. This is critical 
for a modern democracy. Colombia deepens its respect for its independent 
institutions, especially now that we're combating--in this moment of 
time, when we're combating terrorism.
    Thank you once again, President Bush, for your friendship, for your 
solidarity, and you honor us by welcoming us here to your home.
    President Bush. We'll answer two questions a side. Nedra [Nedra 
Pickler, Associated Press].

Space Shuttle Discovery

    Q. Thank you, Mr. President. The Discovery Space Shuttle mission has 
been dominated by repairs and questions about safety. Do you think the 
return to space was premature? And are you worried about Discovery's 
return next week?
    President Bush. First of all, I had the honor of speaking to the 
folks of--that are on that mission. And it was a great experience to be 
talking to bold explorers. And secondly, like a lot of Americans, I was 
amazed at the procedures that took place to repair the craft. It's 
pretty remarkable. I believe that the mission is important, and I know 
that the mission directors will make the right decision about how to 
proceed.
    Ours is a country that values the safety of our citizens, 
particularly those we ask to take risk in space. And there will be a lot 
of deliberation, a lot of thought that goes into the decision as to 
whether or not those brave souls can--should return on that vehicle. And 
I know that NASA has been very closely in touch with the White House. 
Andy Card has been in touch with the Administrator on a regular basis. But I've got the confidence--all the 
confidence that they will make the right decision.

[[Page 1307]]

    Let me also say that it is important for our fellow citizens to 
understand that we're going to take the NASA mission beyond the current 
mission, that we'll be using--we want--the plan right now is to phase 
out the shuttle by 2010 and then begin to put a strategy in place that 
will use the moon as a launching spot for further exploration.
    I know the--at least the people I've talked to inside NASA are 
excited about the mission, the reinvigoration of the vision of 
exploration. And I appreciate the Administrator working on getting that 
strategy in place, so that when the decision is made to finally get rid 
of this phase of exploration, we'll be ready to take on the new phase. 
And that's important for the American people to understand, that, one, 
exploration is important; two, there will be some good coming out of 
exploration; and, three, that we've got a new vision embraced by NASA 
and its pioneers.
    Go ahead and ask a question.

Human Rights and Terrorism in Colombia

    Q. If you could answer in Spanish, that will be great. But really, 
either one of you can answer. I was wondering if Venezuela came up at 
all and whether or not you had a chance to discuss the advances in human 
rights investigations in Colombia?

[At this point, President Uribe answered the question in Spanish, and no 
translation was provided.]

    Q. Did you discuss Venezuela and human rights?

[President Uribe answered the question in Spanish.]

    Q. Mr. President----
    President Bush. Hold on a second. Why don't you translate that, 
please.
    Interpreter. Colombia's threat from terrorism--Colombia faces a 
threat from terrorism from--funded by drug trafficking. This is a threat 
that can affect the entire neighborhood, that can affect our entire 
continent. Because when Colombian terrorists cannot kidnap within our 
borders, they're forced to kidnap outside in our neighboring countries. 
This terrorism--this kind of terrorism knows no limits; it knows no 
ethics. And that is why it must be defeated in Colombia. And we must do 
this by getting cooperation from our neighboring countries. And that is 
what we aspire to at the highest levels.
    As far as our human rights, this was discussed with great 
seriousness and with great respect. Our security policy must be 
sustainable. In order for it to be sustainable, there must be respect 
for human rights, and there must be transparency so that it can be 
respected by public opinion. The respect for human rights needs 
transparency. This is what we work for in Colombia every day.
    President Bush. Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters].

 Zawahiri Videotape/War on Terror

    Q. Thanks, sir. Al Qaida's number two, Dr. Al-Zawahiri, is warning 
that attacks will continue until U.S. troops leave Iraq. How serious a 
threat is this? And after so many marines were killed this week, what's 
being done to improve their safety?
    President Bush. First, let me say that we mourn the loss of every 
fallen troop. And the community outside of Cleveland, Brook Park, Ohio, 
suffered mightily over the last couple of days. It's--the people of 
Brook Park and the family members of those who lost their life, I hope 
they can take comfort in the fact that millions of their fellow citizens 
pray for them. I hope they also take comfort in the understanding that 
the sacrifice was made in a noble cause.
    We're laying the foundation of peace for generations to come. We're 
defeating the terrorists in a place like Iraq so we don't have to face 
them here at home. And as well we're spreading democracy and freedom to 
parts of the world that are desperate for democracy and freedom.

[[Page 1308]]

    The comments by the number-two man of Al Qaida make it clear that 
Iraq is a part of this war on terror, and we're at war. In other words, 
he's saying, ``Leave.'' As I have told the American people, one, that 
people like Zawahiri have an ideology that is dark, dim, backwards; they 
don't trust--they don't appreciate women. If you don't agree to their 
narrow view of a religion, you'll be whipped in the public square. 
That's their view, and they have tactics to help spread that view. In 
other words, they've got goals. They want to spread that point of view 
throughout the world, starting in the broader Middle East. And part of 
their goal is to drive us out of the broader Middle East, precisely what 
this Zawahiri said. In other words, he's threatening.
    They have come up against a nation that, one, will defend itself. 
Zawahiri is a part of that team that attacked us on September the 11th, 
2001. He was part of an Al Qaida group that said, ``Well, we'll try to 
achieve our objective in attacking America.'' They must not have 
understood the nature of our country. I vowed then that we would stay on 
the offense against these people. We owe it to the American people and 
other freedom-loving countries to bring these killers to justice. And 
that's what they are: They're terrorists, and they're killers. And they 
will kill innocent people, trying to get us to withdraw from the world 
so they can impose their dark vision on the world. That's what they're 
trying to do. And the comments today by Mr. Zawahiri absolutely 
reinforce what I've just told you.
    We will stay the course; we will complete the job in Iraq. And the 
job is this: We'll help the Iraqis develop a democracy. They're 
writing--in the process of writing a constitution, which will be 
ratified in October, and then they will elect a permanent government. 
It's also important for our citizens to understand that progress has 
been made, particularly when 8-plus million people got to vote in the 
face of Zawahiri and Zarqawi and these 
killers.
    We're also training Iraqis. Our troops will come home as soon as 
possible. ``As soon as possible'' means when those Iraqis are prepared 
to fight. As Iraq stands up, our coalition will stand down.
    The Iraqis want to live in a free society. Zawahiri doesn't want 
them to live in a free society. And that's the clash of ideologies, 
freedom versus tyranny. We have had these kinds of clashes before, and 
we have prevailed. We have prevailed because we're right. We have 
prevailed because we adhere to a hopeful philosophy, and we have 
prevailed because we would not falter.
    Go ahead and ask----

Human Rights in Colombia

    Q. Also the question is for President Bush. Did you talk about the 
necessity and the importance of the creation of international community 
that can verify the application of the justice and peace law and also 
its implementation?
    President Bush. We did talk about human rights. I talked about human 
rights. The Secretary of State Arroz--
[laughter]--talked about human rights. The President assured us--a 
couple of points that are important to understand--one, that there is an 
independent judiciary, in other words, independent from Government, that 
will adjudicate these disputes; secondly, that there is a new prosecutor 
reporting to the independent judiciary that will follow through on the 
cases; and, thirdly, that he is committed to seeing to it as best as 
possible that progress be made on these cases.
    And we talked about specific cases. And I listened intently and 
believe that he is interested in following through on these cases, so 
that the world will hear loud and clear that Colombia is a nation of law 
and human rights and human dignity.

[President Uribe answered the question in Spanish, and no translation 
was provided.]

[[Page 1309]]

    President Bush. Yo le comprendo. Vamos a comer. [Laughter] I told 
him I understood him. We're going to go eat. Thank you very much. 
Appreciate you. Gracias.
    Q. What's on the menu? What's on the menu?
    President Bush. Carne.
    Q. Carne.
    President Bush. Necesito preguntar a mi esposa. I've been thinking 
about business. She's been thinking about the 
food.

Note: The President's news conference began at 11:47 a.m. at the Bush 
Ranch. In his remarks, he referred to National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Administrator Sean O'Keefe; Ayman Al-Zawahiri, founder of 
the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and senior Al Qaida associate; senior Al 
Qaida associate Abu Musab Al Zarqawi; and Secretary of State Condoleezza 
Rice. President Uribe referred to Columbia's Ambassador to the U.S. Luis 
Alberto Moreno Mejia, President-elect, Inter-American Development Bank. 
President Uribe spoke in Spanish, and his remarks were translated by an 
interpreter, except where noted above.