    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [November 20, 2008]
    [Pages 1381-1384]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Interview With Raul Tola of America TV
    November 20, 2008

    President's Upcoming Visit to Peru/APEC Summit

        Mr. Tola. Okay. Mr. President, a pleasure to be with you.
        The President. Thank you, sir.
        Mr. Tola. You're about to travel to Lima, Peru, again. You're going
    to the APEC. And this is your last trip as President----
        The President. Yes.
        Mr. Tola. ----of the United States of America. How would you like to
    remember both trip and APEC?
        The President. I will--first of all, I remember Peru fondly from my
    last visit in 2002, and I'm looking forward to going back. I think it
    will be said, when people analyze the relationship between the United
    States and Peru, that during my time in office and the time of President
    Toledo and Garcia, we worked hard to put a good relationship in place.
        And so, on the one hand, I'll be able to go and confirm the
    importance of the bilateral relationship, and then I'll go to a very
    important meeting. And APEC is an important meeting this time,
    particularly given the financial situation in the world.

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    APEC comes right after the economic summit we had here in America. So it
    means that it has the chance to embrace the principles, but it also has
    a chance for countries that did not participate in the summit here in
    Washington to express their views.
        So I'm looking forward to it. It's a very important meeting.

    Peru-U.S. Relations

        Mr. Tola. Mr. President, you built a relationship with Peru because
    you have a close friendship with President Toledo----
        The President. Si.
        Mr. Tola. ----with former President Toledo, which held the
    negotiations in favor of FTA----
        The President. Si.
        Mr. Tola. ----which was finally approved. Now we have President
    Garcia in Peru, and elected President Obama in your country. Do you
    think this new situation is going to change the relationships between
    the two countries?
        The President. No, I don't think so. I really don't. First of all,
    President Garcia is muy amable. And
    President-elect Obama will find him to be a
    straightforward man.
        Secondly, the foundation is very strong. And so I anticipate and
    believe that bilateral relations with Peru and the United States will
    continue to be vibrant and strong and respectful. It's important for the
    American President--and I know President Obama
    will be this way--is to respect the leaders, the culture, and the people
    of the different countries.

    Latin America-U.S. Relations

        Mr. Tola. Let's talk about Latin America, Mr. President. Sometimes
    it's said that at the beginning of your administration you were very
    interested in building up a strong relationship with Latin America, but
    9/11 changed the priorities for the United States.
        The President. Yes.
        Mr. Tola. Is it true?
        The President. No, it really isn't. I understand that. I mean, a lot
    of my--well, you know, when I was on TV, for example, after 9/11, I was
    talking about securing the United States and the war on terror. And so
    I'm certain a lot of people in the neighborhood, Central and South
    America, said, ``Well, he's only focused on the Middle East; he doesn't
    really seem to care about us.'' But I've traveled. And in order to
    defeat that attitude, I came to Central and South America a lot as
    President. I've been to your country twice. And secondly, more important
    than trips, though, is policy. Free trade agreements with nations in the
    region are important for development. Social justice programs focusing
    on health and education for citizens in the region are--indicate our
    desire to help improve the human condition; the Millennium Challenge
    Account for countries in the region. So in other words, the record
    speaks about our deep desire to be good neighbors and to have friends.

    U.S. Foreign Policy

        Mr. Tola. But some pundits said that the lack of policies in foreign
    affairs gears through Latin America empowered some political tyrants,
    like President Chavez.
        The President. Yes. No, I strongly disagree with that. I can
    understand pundits. There's a lot of pundits everywhere, but I believe
    that our policies have obviously set a different example of what's
    available for people. I mean, ours is a country that believes strongly
    in social justice. We believe good societies must have educated people.
    It's hard to be hopeful if there's not good health. And finally, ours is
    a country that promoted free and fair trade, which is the best way to
    help nations develop their economies. I mean, in other words, you're a
    Peruvian farmer, you'd like to be selling into U.S. markets, and--
    because it's a big market. Nothing wrong with selling in the Peruvian
    market or in countries bordering Peru or throughout South America. But
    also, it gives you an option to sell into

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    U.S. markets. And that's the best way to help people make a living.
        And we have--obviously, there's a philosophical difference of
    opinion. And the only thing the United States tries to do is to show the
    human side of the philosophy that most leaders embrace, which is
    freedom, free markets, free trade, and social justice.

    U.S. Influence Abroad/Next Administration

        Mr. Tola. Mr. President, elected President Obama said that at the
    very first day of his administration, he will withdraw troops from Iraq
    in a period of 18 months.
        The President. Yes.
        Mr. Tola. It also is obvious that we are all in a middle of a huge
    global financial crisis. Do you think that this marks the end of an era
    which started with President Reagan and highlighted the United States
    hegemony with both military and economically?
        The President. No, I don't think so. I think the United States is
    still going to be a leader. It's going to be important for whoever the
    President is, whether it be--obviously, President-elect Obama, but Presidents following--that the United States
    builds close alliances and friendships. That's exactly what this
    administration does. I mean, the classic case is with Peru. We've worked
    hard to have a good, strong, bilateral relations.
        And the President-elect is going to be
    facing difficult decisions. My job, as the sitting President, is to help
    him as he transitions into the job. I want him to succeed. And I want
    him to be able to have a economic platform that is good for the country.
    Now, obviously, we're in difficult times economically. We've taken some
    very strong measures here during my Presidency. And I'm very hopeful
    that these measures will make it easier for President-elect Obama, not
    harder.
        I've worked hard on a lot of fronts. I think America is more secure
    now than it was. Democracy is more vibrant in parts of the world that
    didn't see democracy. Trade is--agreements are more abundant now. I have
    given it my all. And now I am very hopeful that the man who succeeds me
    as President of the United States succeeds in his job.

    Presidential Transition

        Mr. Tola. One last question, President--Mr. President. Elected
    President Obama said in his slogan, his campaign slogan, that change is
    the main thing for America.
        The President. El cambio.
        Mr. Tola. El cambio, yes.
        The President. You know, when I campaigned for office, I said I was
    for change. Everybody who campaigns is for change. And that's a very
    effective slogan, and he ran a very effective
    campaign. And the American people spoke loud and clear.
        And now it's--it will be his turn in 2 months to assume the great
    honor of being President. And I want to help him and help his team
    transition into office. And I really do wish him all the best. It's
    going to be very important that he be given a good start. And that's
    what we're going to do.
        Mr. Tola. Thank you, Mr. President.
        The President. Si. Gracias.

    Note: The interview was taped at 11:11 a.m. in the Map Room at the White
    House for later broadcast. Mr. Tola referred to President Hugo Chavez
    Frias of Venezuela. The transcript was released by the Office of the
    Press Secretary on November 21. The Office of the Press Secretary also
    released a Spanish language transcript of this interview.

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