[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 24 (Monday, June 17, 2002)]
[Pages 1004-1006]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister John Howard of 
Australia and an Exchange With Reporters

June 13, 2002

    President Bush. We're going to have an opening statement; the Prime 
Minister will. I will call upon an American reporter. The Prime Minister 
will call upon an Australian reporter. I will then call upon an American 
reporter. The Prime Minister will finish by calling on an Australian 
reporter.
    Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
    Prime Minister Howard. Thank you.
    President Bush. The United States has got a great friend in 
Australia, and I've got a personal friend in the Prime Minister. And I 
want to thank you for your steadfast support when it comes to fighting 
terror.
    I reminded the people here in the meeting that the last time the 
Prime Minister and I visited here in America was on September the 10th, 
and our world was changed forever the next day. I found it really 
interesting that one of our best friends was with the President of the 
United States the day before the attack. And our best friend will be 
with us

[[Page 1005]]

at the end of this war, too, and that's really comforting to know.
    I look forward to working with you on a variety of issues. I look 
forward to coming to your country one day. The Prime Minister invited me 
to go down to Australia. I'd love to go. But I want to welcome you very 
much--an honor to call you friend.
    Prime Minister Howard. Thank you very much, Mr. President. There is 
something rather poignant about us meeting again in this Oval Office and 
remembering the last time was the 10th of September. I said to the 
Congress yesterday that America had no better friend anywhere in the 
world than Australia. I want to put on record the admiration of the 
Australian people for the tremendous leadership that you've displayed, 
Mr. President, over the past 9 months.
    Australia is a firm and faithful friend, and we are in there with 
you in the fight against terror. It still has a long way to go, and I 
think it's very important that the people don't imagine that the fight 
is anywhere near complete. And there will be a lot of commitment on our 
part, and we do respect and admire the contribution that you're making 
as the leader of the world's response.
    And personally, can I thank you very warmly for your welcome and 
that of your administration. It was a real honor to address the other 
part of the United States Government yesterday and to talk to some of 
the Congressmen and to understand the processes of your form of 
democracy. We each have our own challenges. You have yours; I have mine. 
[Laughter]
    But it's great to be here. And I said yesterday that Americans and 
Australians like each other and they find it easy to relate to each 
other. And I've certainly found that, at a personal level, with you, Mr. 
President. And thank you very much.
    President Bush. Stretch [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News].

Future Palestinian State

    Q. Mr. President, Secretary of State Powell has been talking to Arab 
and Middle Eastern media in recent days about you very soon having a 
timeline for Palestinian statehood. And he's also raised the possibility 
of a provisional or temporary Palestinian state to get the ball moving. 
Do those statements reflect your views? And how soon could we anticipate 
something from this?
    President Bush. I'm--listen, I'm listening to a lot of opinion. I 
met today with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia. The Prime Minister 
and I talked about the subject. And I think it's probably wise for 
people not to spend a lot of time speculating.
    I'm going to lay out my vision at some point in time. It's going to 
be a vision that will help lead toward two states living side by side. 
People are going to have to be--in order to achieve that vision, people 
are going to have to take responsibility. Israelis are going to have to 
be responsible; Palestinians are going to have to be responsible; the 
Arab world is going to have to assume responsibility to achieve this 
vision.
    And there's one thing for certain that I strongly believe, and that 
is that we must build the institutions necessary for the evolution of a 
Palestinian state which can live peacefully in the region and provide 
hope for the suffering Palestinian people.
    Mr. Prime Minister.
    Prime Minister Howard. [Inaudible]

Iraq

    Q. Mr. Prime Minister, Vice President Dick Cheney has said in recent 
days that the problem of Iraq requires a direct response from both the 
United States and its allies. I just wonder whether you discussed that 
issue, whether, Mr. President, there was any timeline on what you would 
require from Australia?
    Prime Minister Howard. Well, we discussed it. I think what's been 
said by the administration earlier on this was repeated. Clearly, Iraq's 
behavior has been--in relation to the weapons of mass destruction--has 
been offensive to many countries, including the United States and 
Australia. But the question of any action by the United States is a 
matter for the United States. And I've indicated before in Australia, 
and I repeat now, that if there are any approaches made to Australia, 
we'd consider them in the circumstances, at the time, if they occur.
    President Bush. Yes, I told the Prime Minister there are no war 
plans on my desk. I haven't changed my opinion about Saddam

[[Page 1006]]

Hussein, however. He is--this is a person who gassed his own people and 
possesses weapons of mass destruction. And so, as I told the American 
people and I told John, we'll use all tools at our disposal to deal with 
him. And of course, before there is any action--military action--I would 
closely consult with our close friend. But there are no plans on my desk 
right now.
    Yes, John [John Roberts, CBS News].

New Source Review

    Q. Mr. President, on the New Source Review changes that were 
announced by the EPA today, environmental groups say that this is a 
giveaway to industry that will actually increase pollution at these 
dirtiest powerplants. One former member of the EPA who joined that 
organization under ``Bush 41'' said today that the new rules are 
disgraceful, sir. And I'm wondering what your opinion is.
    President Bush. They're absolutely wrong. The New Source Review 
reforms, coupled with the clear skies legislation, will reduce pollution 
by approximately 70 percent. This administration is committed to clean 
air, and we're going to work vigorously to achieve clean air.

Trade Promotion Authority

    Q. Mr. President, if Congress gives you trade approval, will a trade 
deal be a priority with Australia? And will Australian farmers get 
better access to American markets?
    President Bush. Yes. I talked to John about the importance of trade. 
The qualifier was, if Congress were to give me trade promotion 
authority; I appreciate you qualifying it that way. I urge Congress to 
give me trade promotion authority, so----
    Prime Minister Howard. So do I. [Laughter]
    President Bush. ----so we can have fruitful discussions with our 
friend. But first things first. And as you know, a bill passed the 
House, and one passed the Senate. And now it's time for them to get 
together and get the bill to me. And I would--more than willing to ask 
my man Zoellick to talk to the Australians, but only until and after we 
get TPA.
    Listen, thank you all for coming.

Note: The President spoke at 2:41 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. In his remarks, President Bush referred to Minister of Foreign 
Affairs Saud al-Faysal al Saud of Saudi Arabia; President Saddam Hussein 
of Iraq; and U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick.