[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 21 (Monday, May 24, 2004)]
[Pages 927-931]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Interview With Al Zaman

May 18, 2004

    Q. Mr. President, I'd like to thank you very much for this 
opportunity that you provided to Al Zaman newspaper and the Iraqi media. 
I hope that this meeting and interview with you will be meaningful and 
will give the Iraqi people the answers they're looking for.
    The President. Yes, I look forward to answering your questions. I 
want to thank you for coming. Welcome to the White House, and welcome to 
America.

Assassination of Izz al-Din al-Salim/Iraqi Freedom

    Q. Mr. President, a few days ago there was an assassination attempt 
of--an actual assassination of Mr. Izz al-Din al-Salim, and you have 
described this as a terrorist act. Are there particular groups behind 
this assassination? And what are they, specifically? Who is behind this 
assassination attempt?
    The President. Well, I don't know. I can't name a person yet. We're 
looking to find out who did this terrible, terrible deed. The facts will 
come out. We'll find the truth.
    But one of the truths we do know is that there are some people who 
are trying to stop Iraq from being a free country. They hate the thought 
of Iraq being free, and so therefore, they're trying to kill people, 
innocent lives, to shake our will and to frighten Iraqi people. America 
will not be frightened, and I hope that those who love freedom in Iraq 
will not be frightened. We must continue to work together to achieve the 
objective, which is an Iraq which is free, whole, and at peace, so 
people can realize their potential.
    We'll find the truth about who killed this good man, and he will be 
brought to justice by the Iraqi citizens.

Transition to Iraqi Interim Government

    Q. Mr. President, what are your future plans regarding Iraq and the 
Iraqi people in developing both their political life and their civic 
life?
    The President. Sure. June 30th is an important day in modern Iraqi 
history, because it's the day that sovereignty will be passed to an 
interim government. And when America says something, we mean it. So on 
that day there will be a new government, which will begin--which will 
replace Mr. Bremer and the Governing Council. At the same time, America 
will set up an Embassy, headed by a very distinguished diplomat named 
Ambassador Negroponte. He will have the responsibility for seeing to it 
that the reconstruction aid approved by the American people through the 
Congress is spent properly. So in other words, we'll continue with the 
reconstruction aid.
    We will work with the new interim government on security matters. 
It's going to be

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very important for the people of Iraq to realize that sovereignty has 
been passed and that America wants to help the new government prepare 
the way for elections, help the new government prepare the way for 
peace, to help the new government on security matters by doing two 
things: one, training Iraq, continuing to train policemen and Iraqi 
forces so the Iraqi people take care of their own security needs against 
the few who want to stop the hopes of many; as well as help the Iraqi 
forces deal with foreign fighters, for example, who are still in the 
country and trying to kill people and intimidate and to create fear.
    So we'll have an active role. But the truth of the matter is, Iraq 
will be run by Iraqi citizens. The future of Iraq is in your hands. 
We're there to help. We're there to help the people realize dreams. The 
people of this country are very generous and compassionate people, and 
we want you to succeed.

Transfer of Sovereignty

    Q. Mr. President, you mentioned now about the transfer of 
sovereignty through a political process. But there are those who are 
saying that the transfer of sovereignty on June 30th will be an 
incomplete sovereignty and not a complete sovereignty. So, Mr. 
President, do you have different issues of this----
    The President. I do have a different view. It will be a complete 
passage of sovereignty. And then we'll work with the government to help 
the government achieve objectives. And we'll work with the United 
Nations. But what happens on June 30th is that the ministries will be 
run by Iraqis. Some ministries, as you know, aren't. I mean, the 
coalition--the CPA is making many decisions for the Iraqi people. Now 
it's time for the Iraqi people.
    Now, people will say, ``Well, can you give us help? We need help in 
certain areas.'' And of course the coalition and America will want to 
help, but the decisionmaking process will be Iraqi leadership. This will 
be a big day. It's an important day. And then, of course, there will 
elections to a general assembly that will then write a new constitution. 
And there will be another election. And America wants to help. And I 
think the interim government is going to realize it's important for our 
troops to stay there to make sure that there is security, and we will do 
so. We will help. But this is an important day. It's a transfer of 
sovereignty, and people will see that it's a transfer of sovereignty.

Prisoner Abuse in Abu Ghraib Prison

    Q. Mr. President, I thank you for this explanation and your 
insistence on transferring sovereignty on the 30th of June. I would like 
to move into another issue, which is much more sensitive in Iraq. There 
is the scandal of the behavior of American soldiers in abusing prisoners 
in Abu Ghraib Prison. Some of those prison guards said that they carried 
out these acts as instructions coming from higher up. Do you believe, 
Mr. President, that there are much more senior people in the 
administration who could be behind this?
    The President. Let me first speak directly to the Iraqi people 
through you on this matter. The actions in that prison did not reflect 
the attitude of America and the American people. These humiliating acts 
do not reflect our character.
    Secondly, the Iraqi people and the world will see that we will 
conduct a thorough investigation for the whole world to see so that the 
truth will be known as to how these actions might have taken place. In 
other words, were there orders; who gave the orders? And the world will 
see that--which is very different, by the way, from a process that would 
have been under Saddam Hussein. In other words, you would never know 
these abuses took place, much less being able to ask the leader 
questions as a member of the free press or the ability for the world to 
see a very transparent process.
    I want to know the truth too, and I look forward to a thorough 
investigation. And there will be a thorough investigation. As a matter 
of fact, part of the investigation process is to bring people to 
justice. And there will be a trial shortly in Iraq, and we will find out 
the--in other words, this will be the beginnings of the process where 
people will see justice will be meted out for the action of those 
guards. But you've just got to know that I'm interested in the truth as 
well, just like you're interested in the truth.
    And one of the things in our country is people are innocent until 
proven guilty. And

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therefore, with that presumption of innocence, therefore, the process 
must be very thorough before you start accusing people. And that's what 
you'll see. You'll see this unfold in a series of hearings and 
investigations and, in some cases, military trials.

Muqtada Al Sadr

    Q. Mr. President, now there are very sad events in the city of 
Najaf. There is fighting between the Al Sadr's militia and the coalition 
forces. How do you look and see Mr. Al Sadr, and why do you think that 
the CPA refused an agreement with Muqtada Al Sadr as some reports 
mentioned that the Shi'a religious leaders, such as Sistani, embraced 
such an agreement, but it was rejected by the CPA? Don't you think this 
is an escalation? And who would be benefited from that escalation?
    The President. I've got to tell you--I must tell you, I am not 
exactly sure of the agreement to which you refer. I do know a couple of 
things: One, that Shi'a leaders are getting very impatient with Al Sadr 
and that it's best that the Iraqi leadership take care of him. One of 
the things we've insisted--or I've said publicly is that he's been 
accused of a crime, and he ought to be tried by Iraqis. And they ought 
to settle this issue in a court in Iraq.
    Secondly, I've made it very clear that our troops will honor the 
great religious shrines in the holy sites and that we'll protect the 
holy sites. Now, on the other hand, he's made the decision to occupy the 
holy sites, and that's unfortunate.
    Thirdly, I will tell you that when militia threaten our troops or 
threaten innocent Iraqis, we will protect ourselves and protect them, 
because a peaceful Iraq must not have militias running--you know, making 
decisions. There needs to order, and there needs to be calm.
    But Mr. Sadr, who has made some pretty outlandish statements in the 
past, can best be dealt with by Shi'a leadership. And obviously, would 
hope this will end his occupation, will end soon.
    Now, as to negotiations, I'm not at liberty to comment on it because 
I'm not exactly sure about what you're referring to.
    Q. There were some negotiations, and there was an agreement between 
Muqtada Al Sadr, according to what the press reports said----
    The President. Why don't you check on that. Thank you.

Iraqi Reconstruction

    Q. Mr. President, I believe that you might agree with me that there 
is a slowdown in the reconstruction process of Iraq, and some of the 
donors country are not fulfilling their financial obligations. What is 
the U.S. intention in motivating those countries to fulfill their 
obligations?
    The President. Well, that's a very good question. I think, first of 
all, the first question is, if I were you I'd ask, ``Will America 
fulfill its obligation?'' And the answer is, yes, we will, which is a 
lot of reconstruction money.
    Now, the expenditure of that money has slowed down from our 
perspective because of the security situation. And that's why it's 
essential that Iraqis, themselves, stand up and join those who are 
anxious for life to improve, to reject the violence of the few people. 
It's essential that we be successful at transforming the police force 
into--and the forces that are there to protect infrastructure into a 
viable force which works, with a good command structure, an Iraqi 
command structure, so that projects can forward.
    Secondly, I have a chance to speak to leaders of the world in person 
here in the next couple weeks, and we'll continue to remind them of the 
joint obligation the free world has to see to it that we're successful 
in Iraq. And the definition of success is a society which is peaceful 
and free, that governs itself, a society in which children can go to 
school and which the health care is good and which the infrastructure is 
strong, and in which the businesses flourish--all of which I think is 
going to happen, by the way--that we all have an obligation to work 
toward that day, because a free and peaceful Iraq is in the world's 
interest.
    And so I'll continue to remind people of their obligations. I will 
tell you, though, part of the reluctance for people to come forward is 
because of the security situation. People see on their TV screens the 
fact that aid workers or reconstruction workers get killed,

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and it creates a sense of fear--precisely what the enemy wants. That's 
why it's important for the Iraq populace and the leadership here in 
America to stand firm in the face of these terrorist attacks and not be 
intimidated * and to move forward with a positive program that is going 
to make--it's going to change the country in such a positive way.
    * White House correction.

Syria/Iran/Iraqi Freedom

    Q. Mr. President, last question, and it's a two-part question. How 
do you view the countries neighboring Iraq? And Syria was punished. Is 
it because their position regarding the American presence in Iraq? And 
what is the situation regarding Iran? And do you--afraid of Shiite state 
and government in Iraq? And what is the message you'd like to convey to 
the Iraqi people? Thank you.
    The President. That is an excellent question. First, no, my decision 
towards Syria was really based upon a series of requests we had of the 
Government to reject terrorist organizations, to help fight off cross-
border infiltration into your country, to join us to make the area 
peaceful. And our requests were rejected, and therefore, I started a 
process as a result of a law passed by the United States Congress.
    Secondly, in terms of Iran, my concern with Iran is that they 
would--that they believe they can develop a nuclear weapon. I think that 
would be a big mistake, and I think it's very important for the world to 
work with the Iranians and insist they not develop a weapon.
    No, I do not believe that there's going to be a Shi'a theocracy in 
Iraq dominated by Iran. I believe the Iraqi people are--want to have 
their own country, their own identity, that understand the Shi'a, Sunni, 
and Kurd can and must work together for the good of the whole. And I 
believe the Iraqi people don't want to be dominated by anybody. They 
want the United States to be a friend, but the United States to not 
dominate. They certainly don't want the Iranians to dominate. Iraq is 
plenty capable of being a strong, independent nation, and our objective 
is to help them become that nation.
    I want the Iraqi people to hear me on this. I'm told that some in 
Iraq are very worried that America will lose its will and not help this 
important country full of good people become a free country. The Iraqi 
people must understand that I will not lose my will, that we will help 
Iraq become free and peaceful, that we will stand with those who want a 
new Iraq after Saddam Hussein to develop, where mothers and dads can 
raise their children in a peaceful world, where business and shopkeepers 
can grow their businesses, where the education system works well, where 
people can get good health. And I believe it's possible.
    And I call upon the Iraqi people to reject violence, band together 
to insist that the country move toward a peaceful tomorrow. Iraq is 
changing for the better. I mean, look at the soccer team. The Iraq 
soccer team is going to the Olympics as a proud--to represent a proud 
new country. And I'm excited. I'm excited for the Olympic team. I'm 
excited for the Iraqi people, and I look forward someday to greeting an 
Iraqi leader dedicated to peace and freedom, just like I've had the 
opportunity to greet you, as a fellow human being, as a person who--I 
respect people. I respect their religion. I respect human rights. I 
respect human dignity. And that's the kind of society I know will grow 
up in Iraq.
    This is historic times. They're hard times. But there are better 
times ahead, but it requires courage and strength and will. And I want 
to thank you for coming to the White House. It's been my pleasure to be 
with you, sir.
    Q. I thank you very much, Mr. President, for this opportunity once 
again. And I hope that you will have many opportunities with the Iraqi 
press in the future.
    The President. Yes, sir. Thank you. Very good.

Note: The interview began at 4:45 p.m. in the Library at the White 
House, and the transcript was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on May 20. In his remarks, the President referred to Iraqi 
Governing Council President Izz al-Din al-Salim, who was killed in a 
suicide car bomb attack on May 17 in Baghdad; L. Paul Bremer III, 
Presidential Envoy to Iraq; former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; and 
Muqtada Al Sadr,

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Iraqi Shiite cleric whose militia engaged in an uprising in Iraq that 
began in early April. The interviewer referred to Grand Ayatollah Ali 
al-Sistani, Iraqi Shiite leader. A tape was not available for 
verification of the content of this interview.