    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 15 (Monday, April 15, 2002)]
    [Pages 577-582]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Tony Blair of the
    United Kingdom in Crawford, Texas

    April 6, 2002

        President Bush. Good morning. Laura and I are very honored to have
    our friends Tony and Cherie Blair and their family visit us here in
    Crawford. We appreciate the rain that the Prime Minister brought with
    him--[laughter]--and so do the other farmers and ranchers in the area.
    Mr. Prime Minister, thanks for bringing it.
        Prime Minister Blair. My pleasure, George. [Laughter]
        President Bush. It is always a pleasure for any American President
    to welcome the Prime Minister of Great Britain, because ours is a
    special and unique relationship. And our relationship is strong because
    of my respect for the Prime Minister. I appreciate his advice. I
    appreciate his counsel, and I appreciate his friendship.
        This morning I conveyed to the Prime Minister the condolences of the
    American people for the recent passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
    The Queen Mother. This remarkable woman is warmly remembered on both
    sides of the Atlantic for her grace and her strength and particularly
    for her inspiration she provided during the darkest days of World War
    II.
        Today, the bond between our peoples that she symbolized is stronger
    than ever. Our nations share more than just a common language and a
    common history. We also share common interests and a common perspective
    on the important challenges of our times.
        No nation has been stronger in fighting global terrorism than Great
    Britain. I'm extremely grateful for the Prime Minister's courageous
    leadership since September the 11th. And the world is grateful for all
    that Great Britain has contributed in the war against terror, everything
    from special forces to ground forces to naval forces to peacekeepers.

    [[Page 578]]

        The Prime Minister and I both understand that defeating global
    terror requires a broad based, long-term strategy. We understand the
    importance of denying terrorists weapons of mass destruction. And we
    understand the importance of adapting NATO to meet new threats, even as
    NATO prepares to take on new members and forges a new relationship with
    Russia.
        The Prime Minister and I also agree that, even as we work to make
    the world safer, we must also work to make the world better. Our
    countries will continue to work closely to bring greater hope and
    opportunity to developing nations.
        We also had extensive conversations about the situation in the
    Middle East. Both our nations are strongly committed to finding a just
    settlement. Both of us agree on the fundamental elements that a just
    settlement must include. We share a vision of two states, Israel and
    Palestine, living side by side in peace and in security.
        We agree that this vision will never be realized through terrorism
    and that it can only be realized through a political process. We agree
    that the Palestinian leadership must order an immediate and effective
    cease-fire and crackdown on terrorist networks. And we agree that Israel
    should halt incursions in the Palestinian-controlled areas and begin to
    withdraw without delay from those cities it has recently occupied.
        The Prime Minister and I agree to work closely in the weeks and
    months ahead on these difficult issues. We have a common reading of
    history. We understand that each of our nations stands taller when we
    stand together. And that's why our nations will continue to stand
    together against freedom's enemies. And that's why we'll continue to
    work together, for not only the good of our own people but for good of
    peace in the world.
        Mr. Prime Minister.
        Prime Minister Blair. Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, if I
    could begin by thanking you and the First Lady for their very kind and
    gracious welcome that you have given to myself and my family, and also
    thank the people of Crawford and McClellan County for their kind
    welcome, too. And it's a real pleasure to be with you here.
        And as you might expect, we've had very detailed discussions
    covering all the issues, from the topics of the moment through to issues
    like trade and bilateral issues between us. Of course, much of our
    discussion has focused on the situation in the Middle East. And I agree
    entirely with what the President said just a moment or two ago, not just
    in relation to what must happen in the immediate term but also as to the
    only basis upon which there will be and can be a viable and lasting
    peace there, that is a state of Israel, secure in its own borders,
    recognized by the entirety of the Arab world, and also a viable
    Palestinian state where people can live side by side with each other.
        We discussed, of course, the issues of international terrorism and
    weapons of mass destruction. I would like to pay a particular tribute to
    the President for his courage and for his leadership in the aftermath of
    the 11th of September. And I think that it is worth reflecting that over
    these past few months, although very much still remains to be done, we
    have accomplished, nonetheless, a very great deal in Afghanistan and in
    the pursuit of those responsible for that terrible event on the 11th of
    September. And we will continue to work in any way we can in order to
    make sure that this scourge of international terrorism is defeated.
        We also agreed and made it very clear, as well, that the issue of
    weapons of mass destruction cannot be ducked. It is a threat. It is a
    danger to our world, and we must heed that threat and act to prevent it
    being realized.
        In addition, I was grateful for the President's kind words about the
    contribution Britain has made in Afghanistan. We made that willingly,
    because we believe it is important not just that we root out the last
    remnants of the Al Qaida terrorist network in Afghanistan but also that
    we help that country to go from being a failed state, failing its region
    and its people, to a state that offers some hope of stability and
    prosperity for the future.
        And finally, I would like to say a special thank you to the
    President for his words on Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother--that will
    be deeply appreciated by people of Britain. And as you may know, there
    have been

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    many Americans as well as British people paying their respects to the
    Queen Mother as she lies in state. Ours is, indeed, a very special and
    unique relationship between Britain and the United States of America.
    And I have no doubt at all that under the leadership of President Bush,
    that relationship will strengthen still further. And for that, Britain
    is glad--I know that the United States is--but I believe it is good for
    the wider world, too.
        President Bush. We have now agreed to take three questions apiece.
    We'll start with Ron Fournier [Associated Press], a fine man who works
    for AP--got a couple of kids, cares deeply about the future. [Laughter]
        Prime Minister Blair. I'm just thinking of how I introduce mine,
    now. [Laughter]
        Q. Flattery will get you nowhere, sir.
        President Bush. I've noticed. [Laughter]

    Israeli Incursions Into Palestinian Territories

        Q. Israel is moving deeper into Palestinian territories, and there
    are reports today that she has launched attacks on southern Lebanon.
    Have you failed, Mr. President, to convince Prime Minister Sharon to
    pull back his troops? And why did you wait so long to demand the
    withdrawal and only today adding the caveat, ``without delay''?
        President Bush. My administration's--my words to Israel are the same
    today as they were a couple of days ago: Withdraw without delay. I made
    the decision to give the speech when I did because I was concerned about
    the ability for those of us who were interested in a long-term solution
    to take hold. I was worried about the balance being tipped to the point
    where we weren't able to achieve a long-lasting peace.
        I gave the speech at the right time. And I expect Israel to heed my
    advice, and I expect for the Palestinians to reject terror in the Arab
    world. As Israel steps back, we expect the Arab world to step up and
    lead--to lead against terror, to get into an immediate cease-fire, begin
    the implementation of U.N. Resolution 1042.
        Q. Can I follow up, please?
        President Bush. No. Nice try.
        Prime Minister Blair. Andy Meyer, who works for the BBC, and really
    nothing else need be said. [Laughter] He's got three children.
        Q. Can I just follow up from that and ask the President and the
    Prime Minister, what happens now if the Israelis continue to ignore what
    you've been asking them to do?
        President Bush. I don't expect them to ignore. I expect them to heed
    the call, heed the call from their friends the United States, and heed
    the call from their friends the Great--the people of Great Britain and
    the leadership of Great Britain.
        Q. But if they don't?
        President Bush. Well, that's--as I told you, I think they will heed
    the call.
        Prime Minister Blair. I think that most people in Israel will
    realize that they don't have two greater friends in the world than the
    United States of America or Britain. And we both understand, as well,
    the appalling nature of the acts of terrorism that they have been
    subject to. We understand that. But we are also trying to help secure a
    way out of the present impasse, so that we can get into a political
    process where some of these underlying issues can be resolved
    satisfactory for the long term, because the bloodshed and the carnage
    and innocent people dying, in the end, is not a solution to this issue.
    So I believe that Israel will heed the words of President Bush and will
    do so knowing that he speaks as a friend to Israel.

    President Saddam Hussein of Iraq

        Q. Mr. President.
        President Bush. I don't know you well enough, Adam [Adam Entous,
    Reuters] to be able to sing your praises. [Laughter]
        Q. Thank you. Mr. President, you have yet to build an international
    coalition for military action against Iraq. Has the violence in the
    Middle East thwarted your efforts? And Prime Minister Blair, has Bush
    convinced you on the need for a military action against Iraq?
        President Bush. Adam, the Prime Minister and I, of course, talked
    about Iraq. We both recognize the danger of a man who's willing to kill
    his own people harboring and developing weapons of mass destruction.
    This guy, Saddam Hussein, is a leader who gasses his own people, goes
    after people in his own neighborhood with weapons of--

    [[Page 580]]

    chemical weapons. He's a man who obviously has something to hide.
        He told the world that he would show us that he would not develop
    weapons of mass destruction, and yet, over the past decade, he has
    refused to do so. And the Prime Minister and I both agree that he needs
    to prove that he isn't developing weapons of mass destruction.
        I explained to the Prime Minister that the policy of my Government
    is the removal of Saddam and that all options are on the table.
        Prime Minister Blair. I can say that any sensible person looking at
    the position of Saddam Hussein and asking the question, would the
    region, the world, and not least the ordinary Iraqi people be better off
    without the regime of Saddam Hussein, the only answer anyone could give
    to that question would be, yes.
        Now, how we approach this, this is a matter for discussion. This is
    a matter for considering all the options. But a situation where he
    continues to be in breach of all the United Nations resolutions,
    refusing to allow us to assess, as the international community have
    demanded, whether and how he is developing these weapons of mass
    destruction--doing nothing in those circumstances is not an option, so
    we consider all the options available.
        But the President is right to draw attention to the threat of
    weapons of mass destruction. That threat is real. How we deal with it;
    that's a matter we discuss. But that the threat exists and we have to
    deal with it, that seems, to me, a matter of plain common sense.
        Q. Prime Minister, we've heard the President say what his policy is
    directly about Saddam Hussein, which is to remove him. That is the
    policy of the American administration. Can I ask you whether that is now
    the policy of the British Government? And can I ask you both, if it is
    now your policy to target Saddam Hussein, what has happened to the
    doctrine of not targeting heads of states and leaving countries to
    decide who their leaders should be, which is one of the principles which
    applied during the Gulf war?
        Prime Minister Blair. Well, you know it has always been our policy
    that Iraq would be a better place without Saddam Hussein. I don't think
    anyone can be in any doubt about that, for all the reasons I gave
    earlier, and--you know, reasons to do with weapons of mass destruction,
    also to do with the appalling brutality and repression of his own
    people. But how we now proceed in this situation, how we make sure that
    this threat that is posed by weapons of mass destruction is dealt with,
    that is a matter that is open. And when the time comes for taking those
    decisions, we will tell people about those decisions.
        But you cannot have a situation in which he carries on being in
    breach of the U.N. resolutions and refusing to allow us the capability
    of assessing how that weapons-of-mass-destruction capability is being
    advanced, even though the international community has made it absolutely
    clear that he should do so. Now, as I say, how we then proceed from
    there, that is a matter that is open for us.
        President Bush. Maybe I should be a little less direct and be a
    little more nuanced, and say we support regime change.
        Q. That's a change though, isn't it, a change in policy?
        President Bush. No, it's really not. Regime change was the policy of
    my predecessor as well.
        Q. And your father?
        President Bush. You know, I can't remember that far back. [Laughter]
    It's certainly the policy of my administration. I think ``regime
    change'' sounds a lot more civil, doesn't it? The world would be better
    off without him. Let me put it that way, though. And so will the future.
        See, the worst thing that can happen is to allow this man to
    abrogate his promise and hook up with a terrorist network. And then all
    of a sudden you've got one of these shadowy terrorist networks that have
    got an arsenal at their disposal, which could create a situation in
    which nations down the road get blackmailed. We can't let it happen; we
    just can't let it happen. And obviously, the Prime Minister is somebody
    who understands this clearly, and that's why I appreciate dealing with
    him on the issue. And we've got close consultations going on, and we
    talk about it all the time. And he's got very good advice on the
    subject, and I appreciate that.

    [[Page 581]]

    Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. You say that in the war against
    terrorism, people are either with us or against us. Whose side is
    Chairman Arafat on, and do you think the world would be a better place
    without him?
        President Bush. I think Chairman Arafat--I was asked on British TV
    the other day, have I lost trust in Chairman Arafat? And I said, ``Well,
    he never earned my trust, because he hasn't performed.''
        Somebody told me there's a story floating around that somehow I am
    blaming the Clinton administration for what's going on in the Middle
    East right now. Let's make this very clear, that in my speech I said
    that Mr. Arafat has not lived up to the promises he made at Oslo and
    elsewhere to fight off terror. He hasn't performed. I appreciate what
    President Clinton tried to do. He tried to bring peace to the Middle
    East. I am going to try to bring peace to the Middle East.
        But in order to earn my trust, somebody must keep their word. And
    Chairman Arafat has not kept his word. He said he would fight off
    terror. He hasn't. He needs to speak clearly, in Arabic, to the people
    of that region and condemn terrorist activities. At the very minimum, he
    ought to at least say something.
        And you know, there's all kinds of excuses. But in order to achieve
    lasting peace, both sides must make constructive steps, and we're
    prepared to help and will help. That's why the Secretary of State is
    going to the region. But Chairman Arafat has failed in his leadership,
    and he has let the people down. He had opportunity after opportunity to
    be a leader, and he hasn't led. And I'm disappointed.

    President Saddam Hussein of Iraq

        Q. Present company doubtless excepted, one could think of quite a
    lot of world leaders the world might be better off without.
        President Bush. Thank you for the exception.
        Q. And I'm not sure necessarily whether the Prime Minister would
    agree with you on Yasser Arafat. But can I ask you, I think what
    Europeans have a problem with about expanding any war on terror to Iraq
    is linkage. They can see a linkage between Al Qaida and Afghanistan.
    They can't see a direct linkage to Saddam Hussein.
        Would you accept that there isn't a direct linkage and how,
    therefore----
        President Bush. First of all, I wouldn't accept that. But can't they
    see linkage between somebody who's willing to murder his own people and
    the danger of him possessing weapons of mass destruction, which he said
    he would not develop? I see the linkage between somebody who is willing
    to go into his own neighborhood and use chemical weapons in order to
    keep himself in power and at the same time develop a weapon that could
    be aimed at Europe, aimed at Israel, aimed anywhere, in order to affect
    foreign policy through his--you know, I can't imagine people not seeing
    the threat and not holding Saddam Hussein accountable for what he said
    he would do, and we're going to do that.
        History has called us into action. The thing I admire about this
    Prime Minister is, he doesn't need a poll or a focus group to convince
    him the difference between right and wrong. And it's refreshing to see
    leaders speak with moral clarity when it comes to the defense of
    freedom.
        I intend to speak with clarity when it comes to freedom, and I know
    Prime Minister Tony Blair does as well. And we will hold Saddam Hussein
    accountable for broken promises. And that's what a lot of our discussion
    over there on Prairie Chapel Ranch has been about. And other than eating
    lunch, which we're fixing to go do, we're going to continue our
    discussions.
        Prime Minister Blair. You talked about no linkage there. There is a
    reason why United Nations resolutions were passed, nine of them, calling
    upon him to stop developing weapons of mass destruction. I mean, there
    is a reason why weapons inspectors went in there, and that is because we
    know he has been developing these weapons.
        We know that those weapons constitute a threat. Three days after the
    11th of September when I made my first statement to the House of Commons
    in Britain, I specifically said then this issue of weapons of mass
    destruction has got to be dealt with. And the reason for that is that
    what happened on the 11th of September was a call to us to make

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    sure that we didn't repeat the mistake of allowing groups to develop
    destructive capability and hope that, at some point in time, they
    weren't going to use it. They develop that destructive capability for a
    reason.
        Now, we've made it very clear to you how we then proceed and how we
    deal with this--all the options are open. And I think after the 11th of
    September, this President showed that he proceeds in a calm and a
    measured and a sensible but in a firm way. Now, that is precisely what
    we need in this situation too.
        And as I say to you, never forget he knows perfectly well what the
    international community has demanded of him over these past years, and
    he's never done it.
        President Bush. Thank you all.
        Prime Minister Blair. Thank you.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium
    at Crawford High School. In his remarks, he referred to Cherie Blair,
    wife of Prime Minister Blair, their daughter Kathryn, and Mrs. Blair's
    mother, Gale Booth. A reporter referred to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
    of Israel.