[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 23 (Monday, June 7, 2004)]
[Pages 1004-1008]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's News Conference With Prime Minister John Howard of 
Australia

June 3, 2004

    President Bush. Good morning. Thanks for coming. A couple of opening 
statements and then we'll answer two questions from each side.
    It is my honor to welcome back to the White House my friend and our 
ally, Prime Minister John Howard. He is a close friend of mine. I 
appreciate the frequent discussions we have. I value his advice. I 
appreciate his clear vision.
    Our two nations were allies in every major conflict of the last 
century. We've each lost citizens in the first war of the new century. I 
will never forget standing with the Prime Minister on September the 
10th, 2001, the day before the world changed forever.
    Americans will never forget the vicious attack in Bali which claimed 
the lives of dozens of innocent Australians. Today, Australians and 
Americans are standing together on the frontlines of freedom. As members 
of the common coalition, our two nations helped to free the people of 
Afghanistan and Iraq from the grip of tyranny. Today, we're working 
together to help the Afghan and Iraqi people build free societies and 
prevent tyranny's return.
    Today the Prime Minister and I discussed our coalition's progress in 
Iraq. That country

[[Page 1005]]

took a major step 2 days ago when the new interim government was named. 
That government will assume full sovereignty later this month. Our 
coalition will remain in Iraq to help them along the path of freedom. 
The new Iraqi government's foremost task will be to prepare Iraq for a 
national election no later than January of next year and to work with 
our coalition to provide the security that will make that election 
possible. A sovereign Iraq deserves the full support of the 
international community as it works to establish a representative and 
freely elected system of government in the months ahead.
    We're working toward a new Security Council resolution that will 
express international support for Iraq's interim government, reaffirm 
the world's security commitment to the Iraqi people, and encourage other 
U.N. members to join in the effort of building a free Iraq. I appreciate 
the Prime Minister's advice and support for the ongoing process. Today 
I'll leave for Europe, and then we'll host the G-8 Summit.
    I will discuss--continue to discuss with world leaders our common 
responsibility to help the new government of Iraq and our common 
opportunity to help the--advance the momentum of freedom in the broader 
Middle East. Freedom must succeed in Iraq. In the long run, the defeat 
of terror requires the triumph of hope. A free Iraq rising in the heart 
of the Middle East will show the people of that region a clear 
alternative to the bitterness that feeds terror. Freedom is the true 
foundation of stability, prosperity, and peace. By working for freedom 
in the Middle East, we make America, Australia, and the world safer.
    The United States and Australia are committed to the principles of 
human dignity. Today I assured the Prime Minister that my Nation will 
conduct a full accounting of the cruel and disgraceful abuse of Iraqi 
detainees. He strongly reflected his Government's and the Australian 
people's desires to make sure that the Australians being held in 
Guantanamo are not only treated fairly but their cases are brought to 
finality. And I appreciated your candid discussion, Mr. Prime Minister.
    We also, of course, discussed issues that affect our economies. Just 
last month, our two nations signed an important free trade agreement 
that would eliminate nearly all tariffs on manufactured goods, open 
international markets, and deepen our strong economic ties. This 
agreement is good for both countries. And our Congress and the 
Australian Parliament should ratify the free trade agreement as soon as 
possible. I assured the Prime Minister that I'll work with leadership in 
the Congress--in our Congress to move this agreement forward.
    Australia and the United States have never been closer. Our 
closeness is based on a shared belief in the power of freedom and 
democracy to change lives. As the Prime Minister has said, ``The war on 
terror is not a contest of civilization. It is a contest of 
convictions.'' Our victory hinges on the free world's willingness to 
protect and encourage democratic values. I look forward to seeing the 
Prime Minister in France later this week as we commemorate the Normandy 
landings. It will be a fitting time to remember our partnerships in past 
wars of freedom as well as the sacrifices we have made together in our 
current struggle.
    Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
    Prime Minister Howard. Thank you, Mr. President. May I express to 
you personally and to your wife, Laura, and to the members of your 
administration my gratitude for the very warm welcome that you've 
extended to me and my wife and the other members of my party. You 
reminded me, Mr. President, that the first occasion on which we met in 
our respective positions was, indeed, the 10th of September, 2001, at 
the naval dockyard not far from here, and then we later continued our 
discussions at the White House.
    Since then, we have worked together not only as leaders of two 
countries that share the values of democracy, share the values of 
aspirational people who believe in economic achievements and individual 
liberty, but we've also worked together very closely in the war against 
terror. We continue to work closely with you and share your aspirations 
for a free and democratic Iraq.
    The establishment of the Iraqi interim government is a major step 
forward. It is a light to the future, so far as Iraq is concerned. It is 
a visible demonstration of the willingness

[[Page 1006]]

of Iraqi leaders to stand before their people and to show leadership.
    The Western World, the countries of the free world have a lot at 
stake in relation to Iraq. If the democratic future of Iraq can be 
achieved, that will have beneficial consequences not only in Iraq, but 
it will also be a wonderful demonstration in the Middle East and around 
the world that democracy is not something which is confined to countries 
that have historically enjoyed it. I regard that as something of an 
arrogant attitude on behalf of those who think that in some way 
democracy cannot be extended to countries that haven't regularly enjoyed 
it over past decades.
    In recent weeks, the news out of Iraq has not been as positive as we 
would have liked, and the reasons for that are understood. But that has 
not altered Australia's view. We will keep a presence in Iraq. We will 
maintain a presence in Iraq until the job assigned to the individual 
force elements of the ADF have been completed. This is not a time--it is 
the worst time imaginable--for allies to be showing any weakness in 
relation of the pursuit of our goals in Iraq. And I express my strong 
support for the leadership that the President has continued to display, 
particularly through some of the more difficult aspects of recent weeks.
    We did take the opportunity of canvassing the free trade agreement, 
and I share very much the President's hope that the legislative 
processes in both of our countries can be disposed of as soon as 
possible. From Australia's point of view, this is a great opportunity to 
link our strong economy with the strongest economy the world has ever 
seen.
    The economic relationship between Australia and the United States 
can only get better in so many areas, and I had the opportunity in 
California of discussing growing energy links between our two countries.
    I've welcomed the assurances the President has given me regarding 
the proper treatment of the two Australian detainees in Guantanamo Bay.
    I also want to take this opportunity of emphasizing that the 
relationship between our two countries, which goes back a long way, to 
which the President referred, is very much a relationship which is built 
on shared values. We are both countries that treasure the democratic 
tradition. We are both countries that treasure individual freedom. We 
are both countries that believe in individual effort and reward for that 
effort.
    Ours is a society, as is the United States, that encourages people 
to work hard and to seek reward for that hard work and, providing they 
pay their fair share of tax, to keep what they earn and to build on it 
and to invest for the future. Unless you have an aspirational society 
built on those principles, economic progress cannot be achieved.
    We have been through, as nations, many struggles together. As the 
President said, we've been engaged together in every major conflict, 
beginning in World War I. But the thing that binds us together more than 
anything else is a common belief in certain fundamental values. And for 
me, the greatest opportunity that an occasion such as this presents is 
to reaffirm that common commitment.
    We will differ. We will have changed emphasis. We will not agree on 
everything, but at the end of the day, if you share values in common, 
the relationship between two nations will always be sure, will always be 
predictable, and above all, will be enduring.
    President Bush. Thanks, John.
    Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

CIA Employee Identity Disclosure Investigation

    Q. Mr. President, why have you consulted an attorney in the CIA leak 
investigation? Have you received any indication from prosecutors that 
they want to question you? And what could you tell them that might shed 
some light on this case?
    President Bush. I've told our administration that we'll fully 
cooperate with their investigation. I want to know the truth, and I'm 
willing to cooperate myself. And you need to refer your questions to 
them.
    In terms of whether or not I need advice from my counsel, this is a 
criminal matter. It's a serious matter. I have met with an attorney to 
determine whether or not I need his advice, and if I deem I need his 
advice, I'll probably hire him.
    Q. Mr. President----
    President Bush. Yes.

[[Page 1007]]

Australian Detainees at Guantanamo Bay

    Q. The Prime Minister said he got an assurance from you that the two 
Australians in Guantanamo Bay will get fair treatment. Can you give a 
guarantee they haven't been mistreated to this point, and when will you 
make a decision, or when will there be a decision made on whether they 
face trial?
    President Bush. Yes. It is my understanding that Hicks--the Hicks 
case will be referred to the military shortly and that the other case is 
proceeding as well. And we are--the military is fully investigating any 
allegations as to whether or not they have been mistreated.
    Let's see here. Morgan--David Morgan [Reuters]. Is that you?
    Q. That's me.
    President Bush. Okay.

Coalition Security Arrangement With Iraqi Interim Government

    Q. Mr. President, Secretary Powell has made it clear that Iraq would 
have no veto power over U.S.-led forces after the formal handover on 
June 30th. Why do you believe that countries like France and Russia 
would back a U.N. Security Council resolution if the understanding is 
that it would leave the Iraqi government powerless to stop an unwelcome 
military offensive within its borders?
    President Bush. Let me tell you this: The government of Iraq will be 
fully sovereign. And that means that our coalition will be there with 
the consent of the fully sovereign government, and that's what the U.N. 
resolution is going to say.
    Now, Prime Minister Alawi has made it clear that he wants help from 
the coalition to deal with the security issues so that the country can 
have free elections. That's what he has said. He is the Prime Minister, 
and that's what he had said. We've had these arrangements before, these 
security arrangements, with other countries. We're good about forging 
relationships on the ground, respecting the sovereignty of the country, 
and at the same time being able to do our jobs that the host government 
expects to be done. And I am confident we'll work out a mutually 
acceptable security arrangement with the fully sovereign Iraqi 
government.
    No other questions? This is unbelievable. You better hurry--no, no, 
no--Australian--sorry, Elisabeth [Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times], 
you're not Australian. That's the second time in a row.
    Prime Minister Howard. Mr. Lewis, Steve Lewis, The Australian.
    President Bush. Nice try, though. She tried to become Australian. 
[Laughter]
    Q. President Bush, if I could ask you a question----
    President Bush. Where are you? There you are.
    Q. Just here.
    President Bush. Thank you.

Australian Elections and Commitment to Iraq

    Q. Mr. Howard and yourself reaffirmed the commitment that Australia 
and the U.S. have to staying the course in Iraq. But you would be aware 
the alternative Prime Minister in Australia, Mark Latham, has promised 
to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq by Christmas----
    President Bush. Yes.
    Q. ----if he wins the election. What signal----
    President Bush. That, that----
    Q. What signal would that send to the Iraqi people and the other 
members of the coalition?
    President Bush. I think that would be disastrous. It would be a 
disastrous decision for the leader of a great country like Australia to 
say that, ``We're pulling out.'' It would dispirit those who love 
freedom in Iraq. It would say that the Australian Government doesn't see 
the hope of a free and democratic society leading to a peaceful world. 
It would embolden the enemy who believe that they can shake our will. 
See, they want to kill innocent life because they think that the Western 
World and the free world is weak, that when times get tough we will 
shirk our duty to those who long for freedom, and we'll leave. And I--
anyway.
    Q. Mr. President, can I ask you and Prime Minister Howard----
    President Bush. No, you can't anymore. Thank you all very much for 
coming.

Note: The President's news conference began at 9:53 a.m. in the Rose 
Garden at the White House.

[[Page 1008]]

In his remarks, he referred to Australian citizen David Hicks, a 
detainee at the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and Prime 
Minister Ayad al-Alawi of the Iraqi interim government. Prime Minister 
Howard referred to his wife, Janette.