[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 19 (Monday, May 12, 2003)]
[Pages 556-558]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's News Conference With President Jose Maria Aznar of Spain

May 7, 2003

    President Bush. Welcome. It's also my honor to welcome an important 
friend of America, President Jose Maria Aznar. I welcome you back to the 
Casa Blanca. It's good to see you again.
    Jose Maria is a man of principle and a man of courage. Under his 
leadership, Spain has been a strong partner in the war against terror 
and has stood with a coalition to liberate the people of Iraq. He 
believes in freedom, freedom for all.
    Together, Spain and America will continue to meet the 
responsibilities of free nations for the peace and security of the 
world.
    We last met in March at the Atlantic Summit in the Azores. The 8 
weeks since have been a momentous chapter in the history of freedom. We 
liberated the people of Iraq from a brutal dictatorship. We brought 
greater security to people of all nations.
    I want to thank the President for Spain's diplomatic support before 
the conflict and for the use of Spanish airspace and bases as the war 
grew closer. I also offer my condolences to the family and friends of 
the two members of the Spanish media who lost their lives while covering 
the hostilities.
    Both Spain and the United States are committed to a stable, 
democratic, and peaceful future for the people of Iraq. Spain has shown 
that commitment by sending medical and engineering units to help the 
Iraqi people, and I thank you for that help.
    Today I moved to ease sanctions imposed by the United States against 
Iraq's old Government. First, based on the authority recently given to 
me by Congress, I am suspending the Iraq Sanctions Act, which restricts 
the export of certain equipment necessary for Iraq's reconstruction.
    Secondly, I am directing Treasury Secretary Snow to relax 
administrative sanctions on American companies and citizens conducting 
business in Iraq that contributes to humanitarian relief and 
reconstruction.
    Soon, at the U.N. Security Council, the United States, Great 
Britain, and Spain will introduce a new resolution to lift the sanctions 
imposed by the United Nations. The regime that the sanctions were 
directed against no longer rules Iraq. And no country in good conscience 
can support using sanctions to hold back the hopes of the Iraqi people.
    Across the globe, Spain and America will continue as strong allies 
in the war against terror. Today the United States took steps to cut off 
financing for the Batasuna organization, because of its ties to the ETA. 
We believe that the people of Spain, like everywhere, have a right to 
live free from terror.
    We'll also work for a better world beyond the war on terror. We are 
committed to expanding trade, which builds prosperity on both sides of 
the Atlantic. We'll work together to address global poverty and the 
terrible diseases, such as HIV/AIDS.
    Spain and the United States will stand on the side of people 
everywhere who are striving for greater freedom, tolerance, and 
opportunity. We are determined to help build peace between the Israelis 
and the Palestinians. Last week's confirmation of Abu Mazen and his 
cabinet permitted the release of the roadmap for peace, developed with 
Russia, the European Union, and the United Nations. Spain and the United 
States are determined to take advantage of this moment of opportunity 
for peace. I'm grateful for the wise counsel and for the friendship of 
Jose Maria Aznar.
    Bienvenidos.
    President Aznar. Good afternoon, everyone. I would, firstly, like to 
thank President George Bush and thank him because of his kind 
invitation. And I want to thank the President personally because, upon 
his initiative, the U.S. Government has taken an extremely important 
decision in the antiterrorist struggle by illegalizing Batasuna,

[[Page 557]]

that has supported--considering it a terrorist organization, as part of 
the terrorist organization that has made so many victims in Spain.
    I want to recall here in the White House precisely that in July 
2001--that is to say, before 9/11--President Bush committed himself very 
firmly in Madrid to solve and help to fight terrorism. So we're speaking 
of deep convictions that unite us.
    So I want you all to know that President Bush has scrupulously met 
his commitment. And today, in a very fundamental support in the struggle 
against terrorism, and I, as President of the Government of Spain, as a 
Spaniard and as a friend, would like to thank him most especially.
    The second thing I wanted to say is that the relationship between 
Spain and the United States is extremely solid, strong. It's firm, and 
we want it to be that way not only now but also in the future. And I 
think that it is based on a shared vision and on shared values, on many 
things--given one clear example, the most serious risk, perhaps, to us 
all, terrorism. But this relationship is based on firm belief in shared 
values and in principles that we defend and that we proclaim and that we 
assume.
    And it's also based on something that is very important, in that 
commitments are met. And that's something these days is worth 
remembering, and that's the value of giving your word. When you give 
your word and you keep it, then that gives rise to trust and that, in 
turn, friendship. And that, I believe, is what serious countries and 
serious governments must do.
    With regard to Iraq, that we've spoken about, I very much appreciate 
all the information that the President shared with me. Well, we've done, 
very simply, very normally, what we had to do. But today, we confront 
the future with optimism from a founded hope for the Iraqi people in 
freedom. Having won freedom for the Iraqis is the best hope we can sow 
for Iraq's future. And we want a democratic Iraq in which the Iraqis may 
decide their own future, they can be--have their own future in their own 
hands, and naturally, that they can live in freedom.
    That is something that Spain is committed to, to Iraq's 
reconstruction. And we will, naturally, cosponsor with our friends and 
partners, the United States, Great Britain, the new resolution that the 
Security Council may take on sanctions.
    Yesterday, I told Secretary-General Kofi Annan that sanctions had to 
be lifted. And I believe it should be done as quickly as possible, 
because they've lost their reason to exist. And with that resolution we 
will also be meeting one of the commitments of the Azores, and that is 
defining the central role of the United Nations in the process.
    One last consideration regarding the Middle East, Israelis, 
Palestinians, the starting out of the roadmap is the expression of a 
firm political commitment of all of us and the expression of President 
Bush's firm political commitment. That opens up possibilities--because 
after the situation in Iraq, now many possibilities opened up--but it 
also opens up responsibilities. Everyone has to meet their 
responsibilities, and we very highly value the steps taken by the 
Palestinian Authority. We wish Abu Mazen success. And we will actively 
cooperate so as to sow the relationship between Israelis and 
Palestinians with coexistence, peace, and hope.
    Thank you very much, Mr. President.
    President Bush. Dos preguntas por lado. Tom [Tom Raum, Associated 
Press].

U.S. Action on Iraqi Reconstruction

    Q. Thank you, Mr. President. How are you doing in getting a 
resolution put together to win the support of some of the critics on the 
Security Council, namely Russia and France? And is the United States 
prepared to ignore the sanctions if the June 3d deadline comes and it's 
necessary?
    And to Mr. President Aznar, what will you be able to do to help win 
the speedy vote you talked about? And do you find that public opinion at 
home is making it harder for you to make such a case?
    President Bush. You want to translate? He managed to violate a rule. 
He asked two questions instead of one question. But that's okay. He's 
been around a long time. Yes, listen, we have--we discussed the 
resolution today. We believe there is a mood to work together to achieve 
a resolution that will expedite the reconstruction of Iraq. The read 
from at least our diplomats at the United Nations is that the kind of--
the atmosphere that

[[Page 558]]

existed prior to the war has changed and that people now want to work 
together for the good of the Iraqi people. I think Jose Maria shares 
that sentiment.
    President Aznar. Absolutely. I hope it's true. For our part, the 
position I've maintained is a clear one, and everyone needs to 
contribute to it within the Security Council. And it's all about the 
Iraqi people, so I hope we're successful.

Death of Spanish Journalist in Iraq

    Q. Well, President Bush, you have expressed your condolences because 
of the death of the two Spanish journalists in Iraq. My question would 
be, do you think this was a mistake, firing against the Palestine Hotel, 
under which fire Jose Couso died? And if so, would you apologize, do you 
think it's necessary to apologize before the Spanish Government and the 
family of these journalists?
    President Bush. I think war is a dangerous place, and I think that 
nobody would kill a journalist intentionally.
    President Aznar. Well, the U.S. Government has already said that 
this was a mistake, and we believe this. I am truly, fully convinced 
that no one would intentionally fire against innocent victims, and in 
this case, the journalists who died. And that's all; that's it. The 
President has often expressed the pain that this produces and his 
condolences because of this. And I think that's clear enough.
    President Bush. Steven [Steve Holland, Reuters].

President's Visit to the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln

    Q. Mr. President, do you have any reaction to Senator Byrd's 
criticism of your aircraft carrier landing?
    President Bush. Exactly--the fact that it was on the fourth hook?
    Q. I guess that's it. No, I think the words were ``flamboyant 
showmanship.''
    President Bush. Yes. No, listen, it was an honor for me to go on the 
U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. I appreciate the chance to thank our troops. It 
was an unbelievably positive experience. And not only was I able to 
thank our troops; I was able to speak to the country and talk about not 
only their courage but the courage of a lot of other men and women who 
wear our country's uniform. I'm glad I did it. It was also a really good 
landing.

U.S. Relations With Chile and Mexico

    Q. The criticism is that--the criticism was made of Chile and Mexico 
that they would not support the resolution in the U.N. Security Council, 
the war against Iraq. What is your opinion of this?
    President Bush. They're friends of ours. Period. We've got great 
relations with Mexico, and we'll continue to have great relations with 
Mexico. We've got an important free trade agreement with Chile that 
we're going to move forward with.
    President Aznar. For my part, I have to say that in addition to 
being our friends, they're family.
    President Bush. Thank you all.

Note: The President's news conference began at 5:58 p.m. in the Cross 
Hall at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister 
Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the Palestinian Authority. President Aznar 
referred to Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations. 
President Aznar spoke in Spanish, and his remarks were translated by an 
interpreter. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of this news conference.