    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [November 10, 2007]
    [Pages 1455-1461]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany in Crawford
    November 10, 2007

        President Bush. I want to thank you for coming. The Chancellor and I
    have had a series of discussions on important subjects, starting with a
    dinner we had last night. And then we got up this morning and had the
    wonderful opportunity to walk across some of the ranch. It was a
    glorious morning. The sun was beginning to rise; the birds were
    beginning to chirp. And we were able to have a meaningful discussion on
    a lot of issues. And then we completed our discussions here in what is
    my office.
        Madam Chancellor, I'm really glad you gave me an excuse to come down
    to Texas. And I'm really glad you and Professor Sauer came. You can imagine how conducive it is to have
    meaningful, strategic discussions in an environment outside of our
    respective capitals. And that's what we did.
        We discussed Afghanistan. I do want to thank the German people for
    their strong support of this young democracy. And I appreciate the
    German troops who are far from home, who are helping people realize the
    blessings of liberty.
        We discussed Iran and our deep desire to solve this important issue
    diplomatically. And I believe we can solve it diplomatically, and it is
    more likely we do so when the United States, Germany, and other nations
    work collaboratively to send a common and firm message to the Iranians
    that it is--the free world does not think you should have the capacity
    to be able to make a nuclear weapon. And we will work according--
    together accordingly.
        We talked about Iraq. I want to thank Chancellor Merkel for
    understanding that success in Iraq is important for Middle Eastern
    peace. I fully understand that our nations have had difference of
    opinion on this issue, but now that this Iraqi democracy is emerging, I
    really appreciate the fact that Germany has been a constructive partner
    in the compact--constructive partner with Iraq in the compact. And I
    appreciate very much the fact that the German Government is committed to
    help train police in the UAE.
        I want to thank the Chancellor for her clear vision on issues such
    as Kosovo and Burma and Lebanon. We discussed the Middle Eastern peace.
    The upcoming Annapolis Conference is an important moment as we head
    toward two states living side by side in peace.
        We had a very good discussion on Doha and the need for Germany and
    Europe and the United States to work closely together with developing
    nations such as Brazil and India to advance the Doha round. I
    appreciated very much the Chancellor's briefing on her trip to India. It
    helps a lot for

    [[Page 1456]]

    those of us who are engaged in international politics to get advice from
    people who have seen firsthand the attitudes and--of important players
    such as India.
        And finally, we had a meaningful and long discussion on climate
    change. And once again, I assured Angela that I care deeply about the
    issue; that the United States is willing to be an active participant and
    try to come up with solutions that bring comfort to people around the
    world; that it is possible to have the technologies necessary to deal
    with this issue without ruining our economies. It's hard to deal with
    the climate change issue if you're broke. It's easier to deal with the
    climate change issue if you've got the revenues and finances that enable
    you to invest in new technologies that will change how we live and, at
    the same time, enable us to grow our economies and, at the same time,
    enable us to be good stewards of the environment.
        And so, Madam Chancellor, the mike is yours.
        Chancellor Merkel. Well, yes, thank you very much, Mr. President,
    dear George. First of all, allow me to thank you very warmly for the
    possibility to meet with you here in Texas and to have this exchange of
    views. I would also like to extend this word of gratitude to you on
    behalf of my husband, who accompanies me here to this, what we also in
    Germany would call a very beautiful spot----
        President Bush. Thank you.
        Chancellor Merkel. ----a very beautiful part of this planet, of this
    world. It enables us to appreciate a little bit the vastness of the
    territory here and also the beauty and the sheer variety of species that
    you have here.
        So we again were able to see this for ourselves this morning. Thank
    you again for making this possible, to have this stroll with you and to
    appreciate the beauty of this part and to have again an exchange of
    views on a number of subjects.
        President Bush. Jawohl. [Laughter]
        Chancellor Merkel. Let me say, first of all, that we did make the
    best possible use of our time to exchange our views on a number of
    issues. We did talk about Afghanistan, as the President already said,
    where we just recently were, and where we say that together with the
    Afghan Government, we need to do more in order to help them continue to
    build up the police and to continue to also build up the army there,
    improve that, and go on with the training that we have already embarked
    on.
        We addressed the issue of Iran. We were at one in saying that the
    threat posed through the nuclear program of Iran is indeed a serious
    one. We both share this view, but that we also were of the opinion that
    we think that this issue can be solved through diplomatic means, that
    the next step then obviously would be a resolution. There is already
    work underway to prepare for this next step.
        We have also been very clear in saying that if the talks with the
    representatives of Iran and Mr. Solana, as the representative on the
    European Union side, do not yield any results, then further steps will
    have to be made. Also, if the reports remain unsatisfactory--that the
    International Atomic Energy Organization puts on the table
    unsatisfactory--then we need to think about further possible sanctions.
    And we do not only need to think about them, but we also have to then
    talk and agree on further possible sanctions, if all of these conditions
    are [not]* met.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        *White House correction.
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        We then also said that Germany needs to look somewhat closer at the
    existing business ties with Iran. There are certain companies that have
    business with Iran. We have already done that. And we need to look, as
    the situation unfolds, whether we have to have a closer look again at
    that and possibly need to work together with our German business
    community. I will talk

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    with them again on further possible reductions of those commercial ties,
    as we have already sort of launched that in that tendency already now.
        We then addressed the issue of the Middle East. And I said that it
    is in the interest of the German Government--and we will indeed do
    everything we can to support all of the efforts that the American
    administration is making in order to turn the upcoming conference in
    Annapolis into a success. We want the peace process to make progress,
    and we think that the conference--the upcoming conference in Annapolis
    is indeed a possibility to bring this success about.
        We then had an exchange of views on the current situation in
    Lebanon. Germany having a contingent there, serving with the UNIFIL
    mission, obviously has a very great interest in seeing the situation
    there stabilizing and progress being made in that country. And also, we
    assured the Government of Mr. Siniora of our continued support. We would
    like to--for this Government to be a strong one, and we think it is in
    our interests, in both of our interests that this situation remains
    stable.
        On Kosovo, we did discuss this issue as well. There are currently
    talks going on, and indeed those talks are heading into a crucial phase.
    We call, at this point in time, on both the Kosovo side and the Serbian
    side to try their utmost to bring about a sensible solution to the
    problem there. And what we can do to foster that, we will do.
        We did discuss also--the President raised this issue also with me of
    the world trade round. We then discussed also the issue of the United
    Nations reform of the Security Council, and there we do think that it
    will be necessary to have further exchanges on that particular issue.
    And we do hope that--some progress has been made already in this
    respect, and we hope further progress will be underway. We're going to
    continue to talk about that.
        We then obviously also discussed the issue of the upcoming climate
    conference in Bali. And I think that this is a very good chance of
    turning this conference into a success. There are a lot of things where
    the U.S. and the European Union share views, where we are at one, and
    where I think that possibilities for cooperation may unfold. There are
    still, admittedly, also areas where we do not completely agree yet,
    where there are differences of opinion, but I think that this is a very
    crucial time to really set the agenda for a post-Kyoto regime. And we do
    hope--and we will do everything we can in order--to turn this conference
    in Indonesia into a success.
        Thank you.
        President Bush. Two questions a side. John Yang [ABC News].

    War on Terror/Pakistan

        Q. Mr. President, this morning Benazir Bhutto said that the
    Pakistanis' people's passion for liberty is threatening to explode.
    First, have you had any more further discussions with General Musharraf?
    And are you concerned that the continuing unrest within Pakistan is
    distracting that country's leadership and military from the struggle
    against the Taliban and Al Qaida?
        President Bush. First, on Al Qaida, we do share a common goal, and
    that is to eradicate Al Qaida. That goal obviously became paramount to
    the American people when Al Qaida killed 3,000 innocent souls on our
    soil. And since then, the United States of America, along with strong
    allies and friends, has been in pursuit of Al Qaida.
        I vowed to the American people we'd keep the pressure on them. I
    fully understand we need cooperation to do so, and one country that we
    need cooperation from is Pakistan. That cooperation has been made easier
    by the fact that Al Qaida has tried to kill leaders in Pakistan several
    times. And so we share a common goal.
        Secondly, we share a goal with the Pakistani people, and that is to
    live in a free society. I haven't spoken to President
    Musharraf since I did earlier this week,

    [[Page 1458]]

    but he knows my position, and he knows the position of the U.S.
    Government. I do want to remind you that he has declared that he'll take
    off his uniform, and he has declared there will be elections, which are
    positive steps.
        We also believe that suspension of the emergency decree will make it
    easier for the democracy to flourish. And so our message is consistent
    and clear. Our message is also clear to Al Qaida: We will find you, and
    we'll bring you to justice before you can hurt innocent people.
        Q. President----
        President Bush. It's good to see you again.
        Q. Thank you very much.
        President Bush. You're looking like a cowboy. [Laughter]
        Q. Yes, well, I try. The boots are missing.
        President Bush. Yes, okay. [Laughter]

    U.S. Foreign Policy/Iran

        Q. But, Mr. President, is the--is it right to say that you have much
    more a multilateral approach towards the solutions of the problems of
    the world than you had maybe 2 years ago?
        And the question to both of you: How much patience do you have with
    Iran? When is the time where diplomacy doesn't work anymore? And do you
    think that the Chinese and Russian Government is doing enough in the
    Iran crisis?
        President Bush. I felt I was pretty multilateral the first 4 years
    of my administration. After all, I went to the United Nations on the
    Iraq issue and on the Afghanistan issue and said, we got a problem;
    let's work together to solve it. I would like to remind you that U.N.
    Security Council Resolution 1441 was unanimously approved by 15 nations.
    And the declaration was, disclose, disarm, or face serious consequences.
    And in the case of--in that case, the tyrant didn't disclose, and so he
    faced serious consequences.
        I happen to be the kind of person that when somebody says something,
    they better mean what they say. And although some nations didn't agree
    with that, there was a multilateral effort in Iraq from the get-go, and
    there's been a multilateral effort since the fall of Saddam Hussein. And
    it's important for the multilateral effort to continue, because
    democracies are the great alternative to the tyrannies espoused by
    coldblooded killers such as Al Qaida.
        Now, on Iran, what the Iranian regime must understand is that we
    will continue to work together to solve this problem diplomatically,
    which means they will continue to be isolated. And what the Iranian
    people must understand is that we respect their heritage and respect
    their traditions and respect their potential, but it's their Government
    that has made the decisions that are denying them a bright future. And
    so we'll continue to work very closely together.
        And finally, I don't feel comfortable answering your hypothetical
    question as to----
        Q. China and Russia?
        President Bush. Oh, excuse me; that's not hypothetical. [Laughter] I
    thought you were saying, how long. Yes, well, that falls in the
    hypothetical category.
        China and Russia--we working hard with them. My last visit with the
    Chinese President was in Sydney, Australia, and I
    told him the top of my agenda is Iran. And I fully understand that China
    has got energy needs, but a sure way to disrupt energy supply not only
    in Iran and the Middle East, if the Iranians were to develop a nuclear
    weapon and decided to do something with it. And so therefore, now is the
    time to solve the problem.
        And I had a good talk with Vladimir Putin on the very same subject. He understands that a nuclear-
    armed Iran will be dangerous to his security and the security of the
    world. And no responsible leader wants the Iranians to be able to
    threaten world peace.
        Chancellor Merkel. Well, the next diplomatic step, after all, has
    already been devised, has already been envisaged and is

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    there to be taken, as it were. But for this next diplomatic step to
    work, we obviously then, again, will need the engagement; we will need
    the support of both China and Russia.
        And let me say that I am deeply convinced that if the Security--if
    the United Nations Security Council were then to announce sanctions,
    that this would be the clearest message that you can get, that you can
    send, and the clearest message that you can convey to Iran, irrespective
    of the possibilities, obviously, of individual countries also sending
    that clear message, European countries as well. But I think at least
    that is true for me, at the center of all of our efforts has to be
    sanctions that will then be called by the United Nations Security
    Council.
        Let me say also that I'm deeply convinced that the diplomatic
    possibilities have not yet been exhausted; that diplomatic possibilities
    are there; that we can solve this by using diplomatic means, and also,
    we want to solve this by diplomatic means.
        President Bush. Steven Lee Myers [New York Times]. Would that be
    you?
        Q. Thank you very much.
        President Bush. Step forth, Steven Lee.
        Q. I wanted to follow up a bit on Pakistan, if I may.
        President Bush. Sure.

    Pakistan

        Q. Are you at all concerned that General Musharraf may not live up
    to the promises that you said he's made to you? And are you concerned,
    as Secretary Gates suggested yesterday, that the distraction, the
    internal turmoil in Pakistan is actually--or could have an effect on the
    effort in Afghanistan? Thank you.
        President Bush. Thank you, Steven Lee. I take a person for his word
    until otherwise. I think that's what you have to do. I mean, when
    somebody says this is what they're going to do, then you give them a
    chance to do it. I can tell you this, that President
    Musharraf, right after the attacks on
    September the 11th, made a decision, and the decision was to stand with
    the United States against the extremists inside Pakistan. In other
    words, he was given an option: Are you with us, or are you not with us?
    And he made a clear decision to be with us, and he's acted on that
    advice.
        I want to remind you that if you're the chief operating officer of
    Al Qaida, you haven't had a good experience. There has been four or five
    number-threes that have been brought to justice one way or the other.
    And many of those folks thought they could find safe haven in Pakistan.
    And that would not have happened without President Musharraf honoring his word.
        He fully understands the dangers of Al
    Qaida. Benazir Bhutto fully understands the
    dangers of Al Qaida. By far, the vast majority of people in Pakistan
    want to live in a free and peaceful society, and they understand the
    dangers of Al Qaida, because Al Qaida is a group of ideologues who
    murder innocent people to achieve their political objectives.
        And so I believe that we will continue to have good collaboration
    with the leadership in Pakistan. My concern is for the Pakistani
    democracy--for the sake of the Pakistani people, proceed as--back on
    track as quickly as possible. President Musharraf said that he would take off his uniform; he said there
    will be elections after the new year. And our hope is that he would
    suspend this emergency decree to allow this society, which is on the
    path to democracy, to get back on the path to democracy.
        And I think about this issue a lot. One of the things that I pledged
    to the American people is that we will continue the hunt for Al Qaida
    leadership. They're still plotting and planning attacks on the United
    States of America. And our most important responsibility is to protect
    the American people from attack. I will also remind people that the
    great alternative to their vision--their dark, dim vision for humanity--
    is freedom. Freedom has got the capacity to turn enemies into allies.
    Freedom has

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    got the capacity to bring peace. And that's why the work to help these
    young democracies is vital work for the peace for our children and
    grandchildren.
        And that's why I applaud the Chancellor's efforts in Afghanistan and
    her concerns about the democracy in Lebanon and her desire for there to
    be a Palestinian democracy and to help--the willingness to begin to help
    this young democracy in Iraq. It's all part of this global struggle
    against extremists and radicals who murder people, who will kill people
    to achieve their objective. And the fundamental question is, will free
    societies have the will, the courage, and the determination to stand up
    to them? And one of the things I have found in this leader is she does
    have that vision. And I appreciate it a lot.

    Germany/United Nations Security Council

        Q. It's on reforming the United Nations. Could you tell us please,
    both, what kind of progress that you made in your talks on this issue?
    And more specific to you, Mr. President, the German Government, in the
    past, frequently declared to be ready to take more responsibilities
    within the United Nations, including a permanent seat in the Security
    Council. So far, you haven't been very positive on that. Tell us why.
        President Bush.  You're right; I've been studiously noncommittal.
    [Laughter] I have taken a position, which is the long-held position of
    U.S. Governments, and that is, Japan should have a seat. Beyond that,
    I've made no commitment, except this: that we're for U.N. Security
    Council reforms, and that I'm willing to listen to good ideas. And
    Angela brought up some good ideas today. And so----
        Q. [Inaudible]
        President Bush. It's up to her to tell you. I don't like to put
    words in leaders' mouths. I don't particularly like it when people put
    words in my mouth, either, by the way, unless I say it. But she can tell
    you what she came up with.
        But I will tell you that it intrigued me, and my--as I said--listen,
    I stood up in front of the U.N. and said precisely what I'm telling you
    now, that we're openminded. There's a good nonanswer for you. [Laughter]
        Chancellor Merkel. Well, from my side, the people who know me, know
    me as a person who is sort of success oriented, in the sense that I
    don't think one ought to comment each step on the way towards a success.
    But the message that I received today, and that was a very heartening
    message, was that the President and the administration of the United
    States are interested in the reform of the U.N. Security Council. And in
    this overall complex of issues that relates to that, they will also,
    obviously, be of interest who will then be the members of that reformed
    Security Council.
        I, for me personally, see this issue of a Security Council reform to
    be a very important one. But what is also important, obviously, is to
    try to enlist the support of the other very important countries who are
    members of the Security Council, and hear particularly those countries
    that have veto powers in the Security Council, to see to it that they
    have also a great interest in seeing the Security Council reformed.
        So in this overall context, it has certainly been a good message
    that I heard today, that there is also an interest in that here. I found
    this with the President today. And now we will have to keep an eye on
    further steps to be taken along the way in order to achieve that goal.
    We will try and find allies for this cause. And again, it is in
    Germany's interest, as I said previously in public, to have a permanent
    seat on the Security Council. We will not call on each and every country
    that we talk to, to comment on each and every step along the way. We're
    going to continue to work towards reform. And I think it is of the
    essence that we have heard here today. And this is why this was such an
    important message there: that is not only in the interests of Germany,
    but it is also an interest that

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    was explained to us here and clearly stated by the U.S. administration.
        President Bush. Yes. I'm now going to go feed the Chancellor a
    hamburger. [Laughter] Right here in Crawford, Texas. No, well, I mean
    back over there. Thank you all.
        Chancellor Merkel. Obviously, for me, as a person who originally
    came from Hamburg----
        President Bush. Yes.
        Chancellor Merkel. ----it's even more important. [Laughter]
        President Bush. Hamburger.
        Thank you.
        Chancellor Merkel. Thank you.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 11:45 a.m. at the Bush
    Ranch. In his remarks, he referred to Joachim Sauer, husband of
    Chancellor Merkel; President Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister
    Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan; President Hu Jintao of China; and President
    Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. Chancellor Merkel referred to European
    Union Foreign Minister Javier Solana Madariaga; and Prime Minister Fuad
    Siniora of Lebanon. Chancellor Merkel spoke in German, and her remarks
    were translated by an interpreter.