[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 42 (Monday, October 22, 2001)]
[Pages 1492-1497]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Interview With Asian Editors

October 16, 2001

    The President. Well, thank you for coming. First, let me give some 
introductory remarks.
    First, I'm looking forward to my trip. I leave tomorrow morning. I 
leave with great anticipation of a very positive trip. First, I'm 
looking forward to going to Shanghai. I went there in 1975, when I 
visited my dad. And I understand it's a city transformed; it's a changed 
city. I look forward to seeing the changed city. It's going to be a very 
interesting experience.
    Secondly, I'm looking forward to meeting with world leaders, leaders 
from China, my first experience.
    I'm looking forward to seeing my friend the Prime Minister Koizumi 
again. I've had two or three meetings--three meetings with him, and 
we've got a very good relationship.
    Finally, I'm looking forward to meeting with your leader, as well, 
Kim Dae-jung. He was right here in the Oval Office the last time I saw 
him. I'm looking forward to a second meeting. We've got a lot to 
discuss.
    So on the one hand, we'll have our joint meetings, and then we'll 
have the bilateral meetings. The joint meetings are important; the 
bilateral meetings are very important. And I'm really looking forward to 
it.
    Obviously, I leave at a very difficult time in my country, because 
of these terrorist attacks, the recent anthrax that has made it in the 
news. On the other hand, I think it is very important for me to go, to 
not only discuss our economic interests and our bilateral interests but 
to continue to talk about the war on terrorists, terrorism. And it's 
also important for my Nation to see that I leave because of--that 
international affairs are still a very important part of making the 
world more safe.
    I'll be glad to answer questions.

APEC Summit

    Q. Mr. President, you are going to Shanghai for the APEC Summit. 
Could you tell me your opinion about the summit, and what's your 
expectation?
    The President. Sure. I expect to have a very frank dialog with Jiang 
Zemin about--and I will tell him how important it is for the United 
States and China to have good relations. And I look forward to having an 
honest discussion with other world leaders about a variety of issues.
    Obviously, the Korean Peninsula, we'll talk about the relationship 
between South and North Korea. As far as Japan goes, we'll talk about 
our national defense relations, as well as the Japanese economy, and 
Koizumi will want to know about our economy, as well. And also, with all 
three leaders we'll be talking about trade and the need to fight against 
international terrorism.
    So my expectations are very solid, that this will be a very good and 
a very important meeting.
    Q. Second question?
    The President. We'll go around; everybody will get to ask.

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Upcoming Discussions With President Jiang Zemin of China

    Q. Mr. President, you are going to meet our President, Mr. Jiang 
Zemin. What's the priority topic you're going to discuss?
    The President. I think the first priority is, of course, for Jiang 
Zemin to look me in the eye, take the measure of the American President. 
We've only spoken over the phone. We haven't had a chance to meet. So 
it's to establish a personal relationship.
    I will have met most of the leaders at APEC. I will have not met 
Jiang Zemin. I look forward to meeting him, so he can see that I'm a 
sincere person when I say that I want to have good relations, that I 
understand there will be moments where we agree and moments where we 
disagree, but we'll work to have good relations.
    As you recall, we had a start that tested our relationship, and that 
was over the EP-3 incident. Yet, we were very calm. Both sides were 
calm; both sides gathered the facts; and both sides worked to resolve an 
incident which could have been a difficult incident. But it wasn't. It 
turned out to be a much more peaceful resolution than a lot of people in 
the world thought was possible.
    It was very interesting to get reactions from other world leaders 
during that incident, because they didn't know me. They weren't sure how 
we'd react, and they weren't sure how the chemistry would be between our 
two governments. And I think we showed the world that we can work things 
together. And that's going to be very important.
    Trade is going to be very important for us to discuss, too. I think 
it's going to be very important for us to talk about proliferation. I 
think it's going to be very important for us to talk about human rights. 
There's a wide range of issues that we can discuss. But I know we'll 
discuss them in the spirit of a desire to have good, close relations. 
China is a very important country, and I understand how important it is.
    Q. Mr. President, I have three questions.
    The President. Okay. Each person gets three questions, so you can 
think of another one.

Japan's Role in the War on Terrorism

    Q. Beyond the economic and financial contribution, what kind of role 
do you think Japan can play in fighting the war against terrorists?
    The President. Well, first of all, as you know, the Prime Minister 
has talked about possibly participating with some defense forces, not 
combat forces but defense forces. We're more than open-minded to talk 
about a way for Japan to contribute.
    But I want to remind you that you should not discount the importance 
of disrupting the financial networks of the terrorists. If we starve 
them of money, that's just as effective as conventional armament. And 
also we need to share intelligence; all three countries need to share 
intelligence back and forth. If we hear or see there is a threat on 
Japan or China or South Korea, we will share that information so that 
each of us can protect our own homeland. It's a different kind of war 
we're fighting.
    So the contributions can be varied and different. And each nation 
represented here will contribute in different ways. And I recognize 
that, and we're not going to ask nations to contribute in ways that 
their people won't understand or accept. So there are going to be some 
nations that will contribute in this area and won't be able to help 
here. But that's okay, just so long as we're all focused on the goal of 
ridding the world of terrorism. And we must make that decision now.
    And that's what I look forward to telling all the three world 
leaders. I want them to see how determined I am to succeed, and that I'm 
patient and resolved and will not yield until we send a clear signal to 
terrorists: There will be a consequence, and if you harbor a terrorist 
as a nation, you will be held accountable. And that's just as important, 
and I think all three leaders understand that. I know the Prime Minister 
of Japan does.

Japan and the International Economy

    Q. The second question, Mr. President, what would you like Japan to 
do for revitalizing the world economy after the terrorist attacks?
    The President. Well, I think what Japan needs to do is what Prime 
Minister Koizumi

[[Page 1494]]

campaigned on, and that is to push for significant economic reform, 
significant restructuring to work on bad loans and bad assets, to get 
them off the books, so to speak.
    I felt like the Prime Minister and I, in our discussions about the 
internal situation in Japan, understood each other well. And I have 
always urged him at every conversation to be as bold and as strong as he 
can, because it's very important for the world that the Japanese economy 
be strong and recover.
    Now, we have to do some things in our own country. We have been 
severely affected by the economic--by the attacks, and therefore, we 
need an economic revitalization plan. And we've taken some steps. We've 
spent money to help New York recover. We've spent money, obviously, to 
help our defenses. We've spent money to help our airline industry, which 
has been badly affected. I think we need to cut taxes again. We cut 
taxes in the summer. I want to cut taxes again to offset the spending to 
create a stimulus.
    Finally, however--and this is going to be an important part of the 
meeting--we must confirm our mutual desire to have the world trade more 
freely. It is important for all our economies that we trade freely, that 
markets be open. Listen, I understand there are some issues involved 
with opening markets, but we've got to work toward an ideal of more open 
markets.
    Last question.

Japan and the Future of Afghanistan

    Q. The third question, Mr. President, what kind of a contribution do 
you expect Japan to make to stabilizing future government problem in 
Afghanistan?
    The President. Well, let me say that the last time the Prime 
Minister was here, he told me that the Japanese had dedicated $40 
million to relief in Afghanistan. And I praised him here, in front of 
the American press corps, for that generous contribution.
    I think that goes to show that Prime Minister Koizumi understands 
there is an international role for a stable Afghanistan. I understand 
that we need to worry about what Afghanistan looks like and that we must 
restore a sense of stability in that country and take care of the poor 
people that have been victimized by the Taliban regime.
    On the other hand, I want to assure everybody my focus is on 
achieving the objective, which is bringing the Al Qaida organization 
hiding in Afghanistan to justice and holding the Government that harbors 
them accountable, as well.
    But I appreciate Japan's role. I appreciate the Prime Minister's 
understanding of the need not only to provide short-term relief--like we 
are, as well--but also to be a part of a longer term solution in 
Afghanistan. He understands that, and for that, I'm grateful.
    Last question for here, and then you get three. You were probably 
wondering whether I knew you were even sitting there, but I knew.

China-U.S. Relations

    Q. My last question. The Chinese readers of my paper most want to 
know, what's your idea for the development in the bilateral relationship 
between China and the USA?
    The President. Well, first, the most important thing about a 
relationship between our two nations is for the two leaders to get to 
know each other as people, as individuals. I want to be able to hear 
from your leader, the leader of China, what's on his mind. I'll be able 
to tell more about this leader when I see him and hear him, and he'll be 
able to tell more from me, about me, by listening to me.
    Secondly, I think it's very important for us to continue to foster 
good trading relations. Trade is mutually beneficial to our nations. I 
argued strongly during the campaign and since I've been President that 
China should ascend to WTO----
    Q. Thank you.
    The President. ----because that is a very important part of 
encouraging China to have market-oriented growth. But at the same time, 
it's in our nations' interests.
    I was most pleased with the progress we've made about China 
accepting U.S. farm products as part of the WTO process. It was a very 
important breakthrough. I think it's going to be very important for us 
to discuss areas not only where we agree but areas where we don't agree.
    But one place where we do agree--and it's important for your readers 
to know--is I support a ``one China'' policy. And I also

[[Page 1495]]

expect there to be a peaceful reconciliation of the differences. And I 
look forward to reaffirming that with Jiang Zemin.
    We need to talk about a variety of issues, which we will. And I'm 
confident we can have a very constructive relationship. It starts with 
the desire to have a constructive relationship, and my desire is to have 
a constructive relationship.

Korean Peninsula Security

    Q. As the war on the terrorism goes on, one of the utmost important 
issue for the Korean people should be the security of Korean Peninsula.
    The President. Yes.
    Q. If the war prolongs, as you have expected, 1 or 2 years, and 
North Korea sometime in the future change their reconciliatory stance 
and become hostile again and if there occurs some kind of conflict in 
the Korean Peninsula, how would you respond to that?
    The President. We will fulfill our obligations to the South Korean 
people and to our pact with South Korea. North Korea should not in any 
way, shape, or form think that because we happen to be engaged in 
Afghanistan, we will not be prepared and ready to fulfill our end of our 
agreement with the South Korean Government. They should not use this as 
an opportunity to threaten our close friend and ally South Korea.
    Not only will we have troops there and have them there, we will be 
prepared to defend and stand side by side with our long-time friend the 
South Korean people.

Chairman Kim Chong-il of North Korea

    Q. Thank you. And the second question is, South Korea-North Korea 
talks have been stalled after the inauguration of your administration, 
virtually. And North Korean leader Kim Chong-il has not returned his 
visit, which he has agreed last year. And earlier this month, North 
Korea has canceled the plan, agreed plan to exchange to separate 
families. And things are a little bit changing right now. About all 
these, there are some Korean people blame it, in part, to your 
administration North Korean policy. Do you have any comment on that? And 
I wonder if you have any message concerning about Kim Chong-il?
    The President. I've got a message to Kim Chong-il: Fulfill your end 
of the bargain. You said you would meet. Meet.
    No one in the United States is stopping him from doing this. This is 
a decision he made. He can blame it on who he wants, but he ought to 
fulfill his end of the agreement.
    And secondly, I want to remind your readers that we offered to meet 
with Kim Chong-il. In June of this year we said, ``At a time of your 
choosing, we'll be glad to send a representative to meet with you to 
discuss a variety of issues.'' And yet, he chooses not to meet with us, 
either. He won't meet with you; he won't meet with us, which kind of 
leads me to believe that perhaps he doesn't want to meet. So he can 
blame it on who he wants, but it's up to him to make that decision.
    Secondly, I think that he needs to earn the trust of the world. I 
think he needs to take pressure off of South Korea and off of DMZ. I 
think he needs to say--send a signal, clearest message, that he's for 
peace, not for war. And he can do that very easily by removing 
conventional forces back. That's very simple to do. I know he needs to 
stop spreading weapons of mass destruction around the world. And I look 
forward to--my Government looks forward to explaining that to him, in no 
uncertain terms.
    In the meantime, we have great sympathy for the North Korean people. 
Anywhere there is starvation, Americans, like other nations, worry about 
what causes the starvation. How can people starve in a world where there 
is food? So my heart breaks when I hear the stories of North Korean 
families not being able to feed their children--children are children, 
regardless of who their leaders are--and I'm sad about that.
    I want to applaud Kim Dae-jung for his leadership in instituting the 
Sunshine Policy. As I said right here in the Oval Office, I support the 
Sunshine Policy. I think it makes sense. I think the more interchange 
there is, the more likely it is there will be peace. And after all, 
we're for peace.
    By the way, I fully understand how this issue affects the other 
nations of the Far East, as well. And so we want to have discussions 
with Kim Chong-il. We've made the

[[Page 1496]]

offer to have discussions with Kim Chong-il. But he refuses to talk. And 
I'm always--which makes me wonder, why? Why would he not want to talk? 
What is it about this man who refuses to--not only to talk with us but 
to fulfill an agreement he made with your Government?

U.S. Military Presence on the Korean Peninsula/Reunification

    Q. Actually, I'd like to have two questions, if you allow me, Mr. 
President.
    The President. Okay.
    Q. I'd like to hear your opinion on the reunification of Korean 
Peninsula. And what kind of role the United States can do after the 
reunification? And the status of the American military forces?
    The President. Sure. Let me start with that. The last one's easy. 
We'll have a military presence on the Peninsula. We think it's important 
for providing stability, not only on the Korean Peninsula but throughout 
that part of the Far East, and I think most governments recognize that. 
And so we'll keep a presence there, and I don't have any intention of 
diminishing our presence. As a matter of fact, I think the United States 
plays a very unique role of providing assurance and providing stability, 
and we'll continue that role.
    Secondly, our role--what do I think about the chances for 
reunification? You know, it's hard for me to tell. I would say that I 
am--I believe that anything is possible. However, if a leader refuses to 
meet to discuss reunification, it's going to be hard to achieve. It 
takes two parties, two willing parties, who make the commitment to 
proceed forward.
    I know the leader of South Korea has made that commitment. It's easy 
to see when you talk to him. He's got this firm, fervent belief that 
better relations with North Korea leading to talks about different types 
of reunifications, starting with families, is very important. I mean, 
you can--there's no question in his mind and no question in my mind, 
having talked to him, about his strong belief. But I fully recognize it 
takes two leaders to share the same vision and the same hopes. And it's 
apparent that Kim Chong-il doesn't share the same vision, otherwise 
talks would be ongoing.
    You see, I believe in the art of the possible. I believe if leaders 
want something to happen and they're willing to work to make it happen, 
it can happen. But it requires will and drive and perseverance and 
persistence. And I don't see that from one part of the--one side of the 
equation. I do see it from Kim Dae-jung, however.
    Thirdly, about our role. Well, first of all, we believe that any 
kind of discussions and talks between South Korea and North Korea will 
make the Peninsula more peaceful. Dialog is important, particularly the 
human-to-human exchange, that sometimes people are ahead of their 
governments--you know, the will of the people gets out ahead of a 
government, and that in itself--and I think most people are peaceful 
people. I think most people want there to be peace.
    The timetable of such a reunification is obviously up in air, since 
there's no discussions. But we'd be willing to help. We want to help our 
friend. If this is what our friend and ally South Korea thinks is 
important, we will help. We will help do so.
    Listen, I am interested in--again, I repeat something I said before: 
I want our Government to help starving people. On the other hand, I 
don't want to send aid to a government that doesn't help its people. 
It's one thing to help the people; it's another thing to send the aid 
and then the government doesn't help the people.
    And so I must tell you that I've been disappointed in Kim Chong-il 
not rising to the occasion, being so suspicious, so secretive. I believe 
he must lead his nation into the modern era, starting with making sure 
his people are fed and well treated, and working with his neighbor. He 
ought to assume the responsibility of a good leader and do that.
    But there's time, and we'll see. I look forward to talking to Kim 
Dae-jung this issue. I know he'll bring it up. It's on his mind. He's a 
believer, as we say. He's passionate about the subject. And I appreciate 
that passion very much. I think--I like passionate people. I like people 
who believe in a cause and are willing to lead.
    And I'm looking--as you can tell, this is a part of the world that 
I've thought a lot about. It's a very important part of the world.

[[Page 1497]]

It's significant because not only of the histories and traditions, but 
the future is so strong in all three countries present here. We've got 
great futures. And we want to be friends, and we want to be a part of 
the futures, working together. And I'm confident we can.
    Q. Because of the belief President Kim Dae-jung has, a politically 
difficult time right now.
    The President. Let me tell you, in life, you've just got to do what 
you think is right. That's what a leader does. Leaders take a position 
not because of some poll or focus group; they should take a position on 
what they think is right and suffer the consequences. That's what a good 
leader does.
    Abraham Lincoln is on the wall here. He took a position in what he 
thought was right and stuck by it. He was severely criticized. They made 
fun of him, the press did. They treated him--they accused him of not 
being able to put sentences together sometimes. Sounds familiar. 
[Laughter] But he turned out to be a great President, because he did 
what he thought was right.
    Winston Churchill, he did what he thought was right. George 
Washington--you notice I don't have people in this office who tried to 
figure out what was right. You either know what you think is right or 
not what you think is right. And so I admire a person for taking a 
stand. Sometimes the people like it, and sometimes they don't. But at 
least by taking a stand you believe in, you'll be able to live with 
yourself, which ultimately, to me, that's what's most important for a 
leader, to be able to be comfortable about who you see in the mirror 
when you wake up in the morning.
    Look, I understand the political consequences of making tough 
decisions. You mark my words, people are going to get tired of the war 
on terrorism. And by the way, it may take more than 2 years. There's a 
variety of theaters. So long as anybody's terrorizing established 
governments, there needs to be a war. And so I've asked--you said 1 or 2 
years. I envision something taking longer than that.
    Now, maybe the Afghan theater will be shorter than that or that 
length. Who knows? But we're patient. But some people are going to start 
to say, ``We're tired, but President Bush keeps going on.'' And when 
that happens, I want you to know, I will be doing it because I think 
it's the right thing to do. That's what I'm supposed to do.
    So that's a long answer to a very important question, the most 
fundamental question of all.
    Thank you all for coming. I'm looking forward to my trip.

Note: The interview was taped at 1:47 p.m. in the Oval Office at the 
White House, and the transcript was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 17. In his remarks, the President referred to Prime 
Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan and President Kim Dae-jung of South 
Korea. The following journalists participated: Junichi Hayakawa, Yomiuri 
Shimbun, Japan; Yujun Ren, People's Daily, China; and Ki-sop Shin, 
Yonhap, South Korea. A tape was not available for verification of the 
content of this interview.