    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [November 28, 2006]
    [Pages 2121-2126]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With President Toomas Ilves of Estonia in Tallinn
    November 28, 2006

        President Ilves. Again, I'm very happy to greet the President of the
    United States, George W. Bush, in our fall weather here in Tallinn.
    Unfortunately, the weather isn't better than it is, but that's how it
    happens. This visit and these very open meetings that we have had,
    President Bush has had with me as well as with the Prime Minister,
    Andrus Ansip, truly prove that Estonia and the United States are close
    allies.
        One of the main messages today was the message of freedom to those
    states who, like us, have chosen the way to democracy and freedom and
    will not bow to pressure from any of their neighbors, and by these
    countries we mean Georgia, Ukraine, the Balkan States. We should not
    hesitate to support these states. And we should not falter when any of
    our allies are losing hope or faith, and we will help them in every way
    we can.
        We will also not falter in making Afghanistan more secure, where
    Estonian soldiers are helping to protect the welfare of Afghan citizens,
    again, together, hand in hand with the United States. NATO's greatest
    foreign operation in the post-cold war period--it is the greatest
    challenge of the postwar period. It is a challenge not only for the
    neighbors of these countries but also for the whole world, as was proved
    by September the 11th.
        We are hoping to strengthen the ties between European countries and
    the United States. Conflicts between us are minor or nonexistent, and
    any issues will be easy to resolve. President Bush's visit to Tallinn is
    taking place at a time immediately before the summit of NATO in Riga.
    This summit shows how far the Baltic States have developed and how
    strong the support of our allies is for us. We want to give a strong
    message at the summit, and that is that the doors to NATO are not closed
    and this is becoming a very mature, good organization.
        And I want to tell Mr. Bush, welcome to Estonia.
        President Bush. I'm proud to be the first sitting American President
    to visit Estonia. I'm really glad I came. Yours is a beautiful country
    and a strong friend and ally of the United States. I appreciate the warm
    welcome I've received. My only regret is that Laura is not with me. She's receiving the Christmas tree at
    the White House. She sends her very best, Mr. President.
        We had a lot--we had a really good discussion. The President and I
    spent a lot of time talking about the issue of freedom and liberty and
    peace. I appreciate very much the leadership Estonia is providing inside
    NATO.
        We talked about how our nations can cooperate to achieve common
    objectives and promote common values, values such as human dignity and
    human rights and the freedom to speak and worship the way one sees fit.
        Estonia is a strong ally in this war on terror. I appreciate so very
    much the President's understanding of the need to resist tyranny. Of all
    the people in the world who understand what tyranny can do, it's the
    Estonian people. I appreciate very much the fact that Estonia is helping
    others resist tyranny and realize their dreams of living in a free
    society.

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        In Afghanistan, Estonians are serving as a part of NATO's
    International Security Assistance Force in a dangerous Province that the
    extremists, the Taliban, seeks to control. I appreciate the fact that
    your forces are serving bravely, Mr. President. The people of Estonia
    need to be proud of their military. It's a fine military. And the
    commitment of your people is important to helping secure the peace.
        I appreciate the troops that you have sent to Iraq. I also
    understand Estonian soldiers have been wounded and two soldiers have
    given their lives. We hold their families in our hearts. We lift them up
    in prayer. And Americans are grateful to be serving alongside such brave
    allies.
        Estonia is sharing its democratic experience with other nations. You
    have made a very successful transition to democracy, and you're helping
    other nations do the same, and that is a vital contribution to world
    peace. I appreciate the fact that you're training leaders from Georgia
    to Moldova to the Ukraine. I appreciate the assistance programs you're
    providing to the Afghan people. I also appreciate the fact that you work
    with your neighbors and through the European Union to promote freedom in
    this region and around the globe.
        This morning the Prime Minister and I had a
    chance to meet as well, and he introduced me to some of your citizens
    who are helping to build democracies, and I thanked them for their work.
    We also discussed how Estonia has built a strong economy and raised the
    standard of living for the people. I appreciate the fact that you've got
    a flat tax; you got a tax system that's transparent and simple. I also
    am amazed by the e-governance you have here in your country. You really
    are on the leading edge of change, and you're setting a really strong
    example.
        We talked about the fact that Estonians want to be able to travel to
    America visa-free. Both the President and the Prime Minister made this a important part of our discussions. They
    made it clear to me that if we're a ally in NATO, people ought to be
    able to come to our country in a much easier fashion. It is clear to me
    that this is an important issue for the Estonian people as well. I
    appreciate their leaders being straightforward and very frank. There's
    no question where they stand.
        I am pleased to announce that I'm going to work with our Congress
    and our international partners to modify our Visa Waiver Program. It's a
    way to make sure that nations like Estonia qualify more quickly for the
    program and, at the same time, strengthen the program's security
    components.
        The new security component of the Visa Waiver Program would use
    modern technology to improve the security regime for international
    travelers to and from the United States. In other words, we need to know
    who is coming and when they're leaving. And the more we can share
    information, the easier it will be for me to get Congress to make it
    easier for Estonians to travel to the United States.
        We want people to come to our country. We understand a lot of
    Estonians have relatives in America. It's in our Nation's interest that
    people be able to come and visit, and it's important, at the same time,
    to make sure that those who want to continue to kill Americans aren't
    able to exploit the system.
        I'm going to go to Riga right after our lunch. We have an ambitious
    agenda there. More than 50,000 NATO soldiers are providing security in
    six missions on three continents. These deployments have shown that our
    alliance remains as relevant today as it was during the height of the
    cold war.
        Our alliance defends freedom and, so doing, helps make us all more
    secure. We will discuss NATO's largest deployment, and that is
    Afghanistan. We're partnering with Afghan security forces to defeat the

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    Taliban and strengthen that young democracy. To succeed in Afghanistan,
    NATO allies must provide the forces NATO military commanders require.
    And I appreciate Estonia's commitment. Like Estonia, member nations must
    accept difficult assignments if we expect to be successful.
        In Riga, we'll discuss how our alliance must build on what we have
    learned in Afghanistan. We will continue to transform NATO forces and
    improve NATO capabilities so that our alliance can complete 21st century
    missions successfully. The threat has changed. Our capabilities must
    change with the threats if NATO is to remain relevant. The President
    understands that, and I appreciate our discussion along those lines
    today.
        We're also going to discuss NATO's further enlargement. By inviting
    qualifying democracies to join our alliance at the next NATO summit in
    2008, we'll continue to build a Europe that is whole, free, and at
    peace.
        I want to thank you for your hospitality again. I know the people of
    this country are proud of their accomplishments. The American people
    would be amazed at what your country has done, and I'm proud for you.
    And I'm proud to call you friend. Thank you, Mr. President.
        President Ilves. Thank you, Mr. President.
        President Bush. Is there some questions?

    U.S. Visa Policy

        Q. I have a question for both Presidents. Mr. Bush, you said that
    you really appreciate everything that Estonia has done and that the U.S.
    is very interested in seeing Estonians visit your country. But you, as
    President, when will you be proposing to Congress this change in the
    visa laws to give us visa-free travel? And the second part of the
    question is, what should Estonia do in order to help you resolve this
    issue more quickly?
        President Bush. ----to work on our 3-percent requirement, and at the
    same time, assure Members of Congress that in loosening the visa waiver
    issue, or changing the visa waiver issue, that we'll still be able to
    protect our country from people who would exploit the Visa Waiver
    Program to come to our country to do harm. And that process is beginning
    shortly.
        President Ilves. And I may add that Estonia is constantly--has been
    raising this question. I had a very long discussion, even back when I
    was a delegate in European Parliament. I would say that we have come
    quite a long way from the time we started these discussions 2 years ago
    with Nick Burns. And we are prepared--when the security requirements
    have been clarified, have been explained, then we will be able to
    implement them in our passports. And that is simply a technical problem,
    but it is resolvable.
        President Bush. Are you going to call on anybody?

    Russia-Georgia Relations

        Q. First, my respect to both of you, Mr. Bush, Mr. Ilves. A question
    for Mr. Bush: You said that you discussed with Mr. Ilves the situation
    in Georgia. Estonia and the United States have helped in the development
    of this country of Georgia, and we are hoping to see some progress--in
    this country. But the conflict between Russia and Georgia is putting a
    stop to this. What do you think we should do to help resolve this
    conflict between Russia and Georgia?
        President Bush. Precisely what we ought to do is help resolve the
    conflict and use our diplomats to convince people there is a better way
    forward than through violence. We haven't seen violence yet. The idea is
    to head it off in the first place. I spoke to Vladimir Putin about this very subject when I saw him in the Far
    East last week. I know that the President has spoken with President
    Saakashvili as well. The tenor of the
    conversation appears to be improving to me, that people understand that
    the best way to resolve their differences is to sit

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    down at the table and solve them diplomatically. And so we'll continue
    to work along those lines.
        I don't know if you want to add anything to that.
        President Ilves. Briefly, just that we sincerely hope that Russia
    will understand that a democratic state on its borders is not a danger
    to Russian security. And we hope Russia will understand that
    authoritarian states at its borders will not guarantee its own
    stability.
        President Bush. That's Deb [Deb Riechmann, Associated Press], AP.
    Yes, Deb.

    War on Terror/Democracy in the Middle East

        Q. Mr. President, thank you, sir. What is the difference between
    what we're seeing now in Iraq and civil war? And do you worry that
    calling it a civil war would make it difficult to argue that we're
    fighting the central front of the war on terror there?
        President Bush. You know, the plans of Mr. Zarqawi was to foment
    sectarian violence. That's what he said he wanted to do. The Samarra
    bombing that took place last winter was intended to create sectarian
    violence, and it has. The recent bombings were to perpetuate the
    sectarian violence. In other words, we've been in this phase for a
    while. And the fundamental objective is to work with the Iraqis to
    create conditions so that the vast majority of the people will be able
    to see that there's a peaceful way forward.
        The bombings that took place recently was a part of a pattern that
    has been going on for about 9 months. I'm going to bring this subject
    up, of course, with Prime Minister Maliki
    when I visit with him in Jordan on Thursday. My questions to him will
    be: What do we need to do to succeed? What is your strategy in dealing
    with the sectarian violence? I will assure him that we will continue to
    pursue Al Qaida to make sure that they are unable to establish a safe
    haven in Iraq.
        I will ask him, What is required and what is your strategy to be a
    country which can govern itself and sustain itself? And it's going to be
    an important meeting, and I'm looking forward to it.
        Q. ----people who are saying that we're moving forward to a full war
    are wrong?
        President Bush. Deb, there's all kinds of speculation about what may
    be or not happening. What you're seeing on TV has started last February.
    It was an attempt by people to foment sectarian violence, and no--no
    question, it's dangerous there and violent. And the Maliki Government is going to have to deal with that violence,
    and we want to help them do so. It's in our interest that we succeed. A
    democracy in the heart of the Middle East is an important part of
    defeating the radicals and totalitarians that can't stand the emergence
    of a democracy.
        One of the interesting things that's taking place--and people have
    got to understand what's happening--is when you see a young democracy
    beginning to emerge in the Middle East, the extremists try to defeat its
    emergence.
        That's why you see violence in Lebanon. There's a young democracy in
    Lebanon run by Prime Minister Siniora. And that
    Government is being undermined, in my opinion, by extremist forces
    encouraged out of Syria and Iran. Why? Because a democracy will be a
    major defeat for those who articulate extremist points of view.
        We're trying to help get a democracy started in the Palestinian
    Territory. Prime Minister Olmert has reached
    out, at one point, to Prime Minister Abbas--or President Abbas. And you know what happens as soon as he
    does that? Extremists attack, because they can't stand the thought of a
    democracy. And the same thing is happening in Iraq. And it's in our
    mutual interest that we help this Government succeed.
        And no question, it's tough, Deb; no question about it. There's a
    lot of sectarian violence taking place, fomented, in my opinion, because
    of these attacks by Al

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    Qaida, causing people to seek reprisal. And we will work with the
    Maliki Government to defeat these elements.
        By far, the vast majority of the people want to live in peace.
    Twelve million people voted. They said, ``We want to live under a
    Constitution which we approved.'' And our objective must be to help them
    realize their dreams. This is the--this is an important part of an
    ideological struggle that is taking place here in the beginning of the
    21st century. And the interesting contribution that a country like
    Estonia is making is that people shouldn't have to live under tyranny--
    ``We just did that; we don't like it.'' They understand that democracies
    yield peace. This President is a strong advocate for democracies because
    he understands what it means to live under subjugation, and he
    understands the hope that democracy brings to regions of the world. And
    I appreciate your steadfast leadership.
        Toby [Tabassum Zakaria, Reuters]. Last question?
        Q. Yes.
        President Bush. I'll follow your instructions.

    Iran-Iraq Relations

        Q. Mr. President, would direct talks between the United States and
    Iran and Syria help stem the violence in Iraq? And would you agree to
    such a step?
        President Bush. I think that, first of all, Iraq is a sovereign
    nation which is conducting its own foreign policy. They're having talks
    with their neighbors. And if that's what they think they ought to do,
    that's fine. I hope their talks yield results. One result that Iraq
    would like to see is for the Iranians to leave them alone. If Iran is
    going to be involved in their country, they ought to be involved in a
    constructive way, encouraging peace. That is the message that the
    Iranians--the Iraqis have delivered to the Iranians. That's the message
    that Prime Minister Maliki has made clear,
    that he expects the neighbors to encourage peaceful development of the
    country.
        As far as the United States goes, Iran knows how to get to the table
    with us, and that is to do that which they said they would do, which is
    verifiably suspend their enrichment programs. One of the concerns that I
    have about the Iranian regime is their desire to develop a nuclear
    weapon, and you ought to be concerned about it too. The idea of this
    regime having a nuclear weapon by which they could blackmail the world
    is unacceptable to free nations. And that's why we're working through
    the United Nations to send a clear message that the EU-3 and the United
    States, Russia, and China do not accept their desires to have a nuclear
    weapon.
        There is a better way forward for the Iranian people. And if they
    would like to be at the table discussing this issue with the United
    States, I have made it abundantly clear how they can do so, and that is,
    verifiably suspend the enrichment program. And then we'll be happy to
    have a dialog with them.
        But as far as Iraq goes, the Iraqi Government is a sovereign
    government that is capable of handling its own foreign policies and is
    in the process of doing so. And they have made it abundantly clear, and
    I agree with them, that the Iranians and the Syrians should help, not
    destabilize this young democracy.
        Thank you.
        President Ilves. Thank you very much.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 11 a.m. at the National
    Bank of Estonia. In his remarks, he referred to President Vladimir V.
    Putin of Russia; President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia; Prime
    Minister Nuri al-Maliki of Iraq; Prime Minister Fuad Siniora of Lebanon;
    Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel; and President Mahmoud Abbas of the
    Palestinian Authority. President Ilves spoke in Estonian, and his
    remarks were translated by an interpreter.

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