    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [Pages 1449-1453]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Traian Basescu of Romania and an Exchange With Reporters
    July 27 2006

        President Bush. The Prime Minister and I will take a couple of
    questions a side after opening statements--Mr. President, excuse me.
    Welcome.
        President Basescu. Thank you.
        President Bush. The President and I are friends. Romania and the
    United States are friends, and we're allies. And as such, we've had an
    in-depth discussion about a variety

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    of subjects. We talked about the international scene and how we can work
    together to promote democracy and peace. We talked about the
    neighborhood, and I assured him that the United States position on
    Moldova is that we support the territorial integrity of Moldova.
        We talked about bilateral relations. One of the--of course, the
    issues that's on the President's mind is visa policy. He was very
    articulate and strong in his position that the United States must be
    forward-leaning when it comes to granting visas to the citizens of
    Romania. I listened very carefully. I assured him that there is a way
    forward; there's a roadmap that we'd like to work with our friends and
    allies on, and we will pay very careful attention to what the President
    said.
        We've got a lot on our agenda because we're friends. And I do want
    to thank the people of Romania for their strong support for the young
    democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan. And your contribution, Mr.
    President, has been worthwhile and meaningful, and I know the Iraqi
    people are grateful, and so am I.
        So welcome back to the Oval Office.
        President Basescu. Thank you very much, Mr. President. In fact, we
    meet each other after one year; compare it with what we discussed last
    year. We conclude that both parties fulfilled assumed obligations.
    Romania will continue to remain an ally of the United States in
    supporting the democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan, in supporting
    democratic regimes in these countries like a key of freedom on the area.
        In same time, we analyze together the bilateral relations and the
    problems which are around Black Sea, around of the region where Romania
    exists. We analyzed the Western Balkans situation; we analyzed the
    situation of Moldova and the necessity having Republic of Moldova in his
    territory unaffected by anybody.
        In same time, we conclude that we have to continue our cooperation
    in economical area, in political area, and in security area. And in same
    time, Romania will contribute with peace possibilities in spreading the
    democracy around of Romania, mainly on the Black Sea region.
        That's all in a few words. I thank you very much, Mr. President, for
    our discussion.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir.
        Jennifer [Jennifer Loven, Associated Press].

    Situation in the Middle East

        Q. Thank you, sir. Israel's Justice Minister said that the lack of a
    call from the international community for an immediate cease-fire
    essentially gives Israel a green light to push harder. And the top
    general there says there will be several more weeks of fighting. Is your
    administration okay with these things?
        President Bush. I believe this: I believe that, as Condi said yesterday, the Middle East is littered with
    agreements that just didn't work. And now is the time to address the
    root cause of the problem. And the root cause of the problem is
    terrorist groups trying to stop the advance of democracies.
        Hizballah attacked Israel. I believe Hizballah--I know Hizballah is
    connected to Iran. And now is the time for the world to confront this
    danger. Look, we care deeply about the loss of life. And I'm troubled by
    the destruction that has taken place in Lebanon. You know, we grieve
    when Lebanese families lose innocent life. I've urged that there be
    caution when it comes to dealing with Hizballah. On the other hand, I
    fully understand that whatever is done diplomatically must address the
    root cause. And the root cause is terrorist activities. One of the
    things I said initially when these incidents first started happening was
    that it's important for the Lebanese democracy to survive and to become
    strong.
        And so what you're watching is American policy aiming to address the
    root cause and aiming to strengthen Lebanese democracy so that we can
    have peace. I view this

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    as a clash of forms of government. I see people who can't stand the
    thought of democracy taking hold in parts of--in the Middle East. And as
    democracy begins to advance, they use terrorist tactics to stop it.
        And so I appreciate my Secretary of State's hard work. There's a lot of diplomacy being done.
    There's a lot of discussions about how to go forward. Yesterday's
    meetings were successful in this way: It showed a diplomatic way
    forward. And so you're seeing a lot of diplomacy take place.
        But our objective is to make sure those who use terrorist tactics
    are not rewarded, and at the same time, help those who have suffered as
    a result of the responses.
        Q. So several more weeks of fighting is okay to achieve those goals?
        President Bush. My goal is exactly what I said it was, and that is
    to hopefully end this as quickly as possible and, at the same time,
    making sure there's a lasting peace--not a fake peace, not a fake, you
    know, kind of circumstances that make us all feel better, and then, sure
    enough, the problem arises again. And that's the goal of the United
    States. And we're working toward that end, and we're working hard
    diplomatically. Look, as soon as we can get this resolved the better,
    obviously, but it must be real. And it can't be fake. And so there's a
    serious diplomatic effort going forward, led ably by my Secretary of
    State.
        You want to ask somebody from the Romanian press?

    Romania's Participation in International Affairs

        Q. Is there any role for the Romanian--for Romania in the American
    foreign policy strategies besides its participation within the American-
    led coalitions in Iraq and Afghanistan?
        President Bush. Absolutely. I spent a lot of time listening to my
    friend's advice on the Black Sea region. We're going to spend time over
    lunch talking about specific issues related to the Balkans. And
    Romania's role in this area and in her neighborhood is a vital role, one
    that I listen very carefully to his advice on, because this area of the
    world is one where there's emerging democracies. And it's an area of the
    world that is--where there has been historical conflict, and it's an
    area of the world where we've got to pay attention to it. And so the
    Romanian role is a vital role.
        And so, as I say, we're going to spend time strategizing about the
    role over lunch.
        Holland [Steve Holland, Reuters].

    War on Terror

        Q. Sir, thank you. Dr. Zawahiri has surfaced again with a new
    videotape urging Muslims to fight and become martyrs because of the
    conflict in Lebanon. What's your reaction to that?
        President Bush. My answer is, I'm not surprised people who use
    terrorist tactics would start speaking out. It doesn't surprise me. I
    am--Zawahiri's attitude about life is
    that there shouldn't be free societies, and he believes that people
    ought to use terrorist tactics, the killing of innocent people, to
    achieve his objective. And so I'm not surprised he feels like he needs
    to lend his voice to terrorist activities that are trying to prevent
    democracies from moving forward.
        Al Qaida has made it clear about their vision for the future, and
    it's one that is exactly opposite to what the American people believe
    and this Romanian President believes, and that is, people ought to be
    free: free to worship, free to speak their minds, free to participate in
    the process.
        And so, you know, here's a fellow who is in a remote region of the
    world putting out statements basically encouraging people to use
    terrorist tactics to kill innocent people to achieve political
    objectives. And the United States of America stands strong against Mr.
    Zawahiri and his types.

    U.S. Visa Policy

        Q. Mr. President, sir, about a visa waiver, how soon can Romanians
    expect to travel

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    to U.S. without a visa? And when taking this decision that Romanians are
    expecting, are you going to take under consideration, for instance, that
    Romanians will probably want to come and work in the United States in
    huge numbers? Is that the problem for the United States?
        President Bush. No, no. It's an interesting question you bring up,
    however. I told the President we're dealing with an immigration debate
    here in the United States and that I'm hopeful that we'll get a
    comprehensive immigration bill that will accommodate people who want to
    work here, but we want them to work here on a temporary basis and in a
    legal way.
        No, the issue with the visa policy first started because of what was
    an overstay problem based upon a history of people traveling to the
    United States during a different era. In other words, a lot of people
    during the previous era that era would be one defined by a nonfree
    society versus a free society--would come to the United States on a
    temporary visa and then would overstay their visa. And we have laws on
    the books that say countries who had people come and overstay their
    visas, therefore, must be viewed differently than others.
        Now, one of the first changes we have made is that we have said,
    ``Okay, that's a bygone era. Now let's look toward the future.''
    Secondly, we've said to countries, ``We want to work together on a
    roadmap to make sure the visa policy will work.'' And that's where we
    are with Romania as well as other countries. And so each country has to
    develop its own roadmap based upon its own particular circumstances.
        And that's what we're doing, Mr. President. The answer is, as
    quickly as we can get these issues resolved, the better. But we've still
    got work to do.
        President Basescu. If you allow me, Mr. President, mainly for the
    American journalists. Romanians don't look at the United States like
    immigration area. In fact, as a member of European Union, the Romanians
    have a lot of places to work around Romania.
        The problem which we have now--and for this reason, I raised the
    subject of visas in discussions with the President--is in connection
    with our students, which are more and more present in American
    universities, with our intelligent peoples, which are working in IBM or
    in Oracle, with our business peoples--and if you look at the volume of
    the business in the last 3 years, was three times increased. And now a
    businessperson from Romania, in order to obtain a visa coming in United
    States, discussing about developing the business, need minimum 3 months.
        And, in fact, the Romanians don't look at the United States like a
    place to immigrate illegally or to find a working place. This problem
    was settled for Romanians in Europe. We already have the people spread
    around of Europe, like Romania have people from Europe, from other
    countries which work in Romania. Romania will not be illegal immigration
    problem, or a problem from the point of view of jobs which exist in the
    United States.
        Thank you, Mr. President.
        President Bush. Good job. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:58 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Ayman Al-Zawahiri, founder of the
    Egyptian Islamic Jihad and senior Al Qaida associate. A reporter
    referred to Minister of Justice Haim Ramon of Israel.

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