    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [August 30, 2007]
    [Pages 1148-1150]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Interview With Kensuke Okoshi of NHK Japan
    August 30, 2007

    Japan-U.S. Relations/Japan's Antiterrorism Law

        Mr. Okoshi. Thank you, Mr. President. My first question is on the
    U.S.-Japan alliance. It has been said that relationship between our two
    countries grew closer than ever before under your leadership. On the
    other hand, in Japan, the opposition party blocked the extension of the
    antiterrorism special law, which can be seen as a symbol of the U.S.-
    Japan alliance. How serious do you think this is?
        The President. First of all, we do have a good relationship with
    Japan, and it's an important relationship. The relationship between the
    United States and Japan is good for the American people, I believe it's
    good for the Japanese people, and I believe it's good for stability in
    not only Southeast Asia but where we cooperate in other parts of the
    world. And so therefore, I would hope that the Government would keep
    this important law in place so that Japan and the United States and
    other nations can continue to work for peace and stability. And it's an
    important piece of legislation, as far as we're concerned.

    President's Meeting With Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan

        Mr. Okoshi. Will you talk about this issue, about the extension of
    the antiterrorism special law with Prime Minister Abe at the next
    meeting in Sydney?
        The President. I'm not exactly sure what he wants to talk about. I'd
    be happy to talk about anything he wants. Of course, I'll be wanting to
    make sure that our relationship remains as close as it is. Secondly,
    we'll be talking about economic issues. Thirdly, I know we'll be talking
    about North Korea, and I will once again make it clear that the abductee
    issue is an important issue for the United States of America. We want
    this issue resolved.
        This battle against extremism and radicalism that is manifested in
    two theaters right now, which is Afghanistan and Iraq, is going to be a
    subject matter. And to the extent that we can work together, it's going
    to be helpful for peace. The Japanese presence helps peace, helps
    achieve peace. And that's what we want. We'll talk about every aspect of
    our relationship.

    [[Page 1149]]

    Six-Party Talks

        Mr. Okoshi. On North Korea, in conjunction with six-party talks,
    there has been an effort regarding the U.S.-North Korea bilateral
    meeting. Do you regard this softer and more direct approach towards
    North Korea as a success?
        The President. The discussion was as a part of the six-party talks.
    I am not for undermining the six-party talks. As a matter of fact, the
    six-party talks is the most successful forum, because I want to make it
    clear to the North Koreans that should they choose to ignore what
    they've agreed to do, that it's not just the United States that will be
    at the table, but China and, of course, Japan and South Korea and
    Russia. So in other words, there's got to be a sense of accountability
    if somebody says they're going to do one thing, like shut down their
    weapons programs, and they don't do it. And there's going to be better
    accountability when they have said that to five countries as opposed to
    one. And so it's important that we all stay at the table.
        My approach hasn't changed. My approach is firm. They're making some
    progress now. Obviously, we want to make sure that this continues. But
    the reactor has been shut down. But they've got a lot more work to do.

    Abduction of Japanese Citizens

        Mr. Okoshi. How much will the abductee issue be taken into
    consideration in terms of removing North Korea from the State Sponsors
    of Terrorism?
        The President. I told the Prime Minister this
    is an important issue for me. Our Ambassador, Ambassador Schieffer, asked me to meet the mom of a young girl who had been
    abducted. And that's probably the most--one of the most profound
    meetings I've had in the Oval Office, to see her emotion, to feel her
    sense of hurt as a result of the callous actions of a state.
        And so the abductee issue is an important issue. Of course the
    Japanese are concerned that what will happen is, is that we'll conclude
    the nuclear weapons issue and then forget about the abductee issue. And
    the answer is, I won't forget about the abductee issue.

    Military Operations in Iraq

        Mr. Okoshi. Moving on to Iraq. You made a decision to implement
    surge. And so far, what are some of the things that have met with your
    expectation, and on the other hand, what are the elements that have
    fallen short?
        The President. First of all, the surge, from a military perspective,
    from a security perspective, is successful. There are still suicide
    bombers, and there are still these murderers who are killing people, but
    we're slowly but surely, along with the Iraqis, taking back
    neighborhoods and Provinces. Al Anbar Province used to be a safe haven--
    not a safe haven, used to be kind of the grounds where it looked like Al
    Qaida was going to be the predominant force, and now we've got them on
    the run. And so there's been success in the security.
        That's not to say everything is perfect, but there's been good
    successes. At the grassroots level, in other words at the local level,
    when people feel secure, they start asking questions about what does it
    take to create peace so their families can grow up peacefully. In other
    words, when the thugs get removed and people start saying, ``I've got a
    different attitude,'' that's called reconciliation. They're beginning to
    say, ``What do we need to do to build on this momentum so we can live in
    peace?''
        At the Government level, they're still struggling with--frankly--
    trying to recover from a dictatorship. And it takes a while. And we've
    asked them to--hopefully, they would pass some laws--some laws they
    haven't passed. But I believe, one, we can succeed; two, I know it's
    important that we do succeed. And I'm looking forward to our people on
    the ground coming back and charting a way forward so that we can
    continue to be in a position to succeed.

    [[Page 1150]]

    Environment

        Mr. Okoshi. Moving on to your climate change. Are you really
    inviting the major emitters, including China, to Washington, DC, at the
    end of this month? What kind of initiatives or roadmaps do you have in
    mind for the post-Kyoto framework?
        The President. Yes, look, I think we need to make sure that we get
    the major emitters, the big economies of the world that are emitting
    greenhouse gases to the table so that we can all be at the same table.
    And the first step toward coming up with a common accord is to recognize
    there's a problem and set a goal, a reduction goal, because I believe
    once you get people to sign up to a goal, it makes it easier to begin to
    get--ask them to sign up to a solution.
        So that's the purpose. The purpose is to set up a process that
    includes everybody. Now, the United States, by the way, has reduced
    greenhouse gas emissions last year. We grew our economy at about 3
    percent, and our greenhouse gases went down. So our strategy is
    beginning to work. But the truth of the matter is, if we really want to
    be serious about solving this problem, the question is, how fast can we
    get new technologies to the marketplace? And the countries that are
    going to be leading the way and developing new technologies will be the
    United States and Japan.
        For example, I believe that the Japanese battery makers will be
    coming to the market, hopefully, relatively soon, with a new battery
    that will enable us to drive a regular-size automobile for 40 miles on
    electricity. That will, of course, achieve a couple of objectives: one,
    less dependence on oil, which will help both our countries; and two, it
    will help us clean up the environment. And so technologies is going to
    really make an enormous difference. And to the extent that the United
    States and Japan cooperates on technologies, it will help the world.
    We're wealthy nations, and these developing nations are going to look to
    us to help them develop technologies that will enable them to grow their
    economies and, at the same time, be better stewards of the environment.
        So the way I see it is, post-Kyoto is going to be setting goals,
    helping countries with the technological developments they need so that
    each country could meet the goal it sets. And collectively we'll have
    done a better job on the environment.
        Mr. Okoshi. Time is up. Thank you very much, Mr. President----
        The President. Thank you, sir.
        Mr. Okoshi. ----for spending time for Japanese people.
        The President. Glad to do it. Proud to be a friend. Thank you.

    Note: The interview was taped at 3:50 p.m. in the Map Room at the White
    House for later broadcast. In his remarks, the President referred to
    Sakie Yokota, mother of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korean
    authorities. The transcript was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on August 31.