[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 24 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Pages 1027-1032]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's News Conference With President Jacques Chirac of France 
in Paris, France

June 5, 2004

    President Chirac. Very well, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, let 
me tell you how happy I am to welcome the U.S. President most warmly. He 
has come to Europe on the occasion, of course, of the commemoration of 
the 60th anniversary of D-day. And tomorrow during the course of the 
ceremonies which will take place in Normandy and in the presence of the 
veterans and, in particular, of the American veterans of Operation 
Overlord, I will have the opportunity to say to America and to Americans 
just how deeply grateful we are to them today, how grateful we are in 
the knowledge of the sacrifices they made, of the blood that they 
spilled--their own blood--for the liberation of our country and of 
Europe as a whole. And I will say to them that France says thank you and 
that France does not forget.
    Now, on the occasion of the celebratory ceremonies, President Bush, 
who has come to Europe, went first to Italy, as you know, and today has 
joined us in France, which has enabled us to run through a certain 
number of issues, especially in light of the up-and-coming summits, 
major summits that are going to be taking place in June, the G-8 in Sea 
Island in a few days time and the Istanbul Summit, later summit at the 
end of the month.
    As you can imagine, we had very open, honest, confident discussions 
on a host of different issues pertaining to the world today. I say open 
and sincere and trusting, because from time to time, I read comments 
that are not actually very reflective of the truth. France and the U.S. 
have 200 years of shared

[[Page 1028]]

history, and for 200 years now, for two centuries now, we have defended 
the same and upheld the self-same values, which are the values of 
democracy, of peace, of human rights. And therefore, dialog has always 
been easy and made easy because of that, on those matters on which we 
see likewise and also on other issues. And there are a number of issues 
in which we are standing shoulder to shoulder, and we discuss them and 
run through them, and that is all that pertains to peace and stability 
throughout the world.
    We, of course, touched upon our very strong cooperation in terms of 
our fight against terrorism, and in that connection, we have, over the 
last 2 years, considerably strengthened our cooperation, our 
collaboration. Likewise, in combating proliferation, a subject--
[inaudible]--on which we have like-minded views and exemplary 
cooperation, as, indeed, evidenced by PSI program cooperation or the 
vote on Resolution 1540 of the U.N. Security Council.
    We touched upon regional crises and, in particular, operations to 
maintain peace where French and American soldiers are working together. 
I think here of Afghanistan, where France is part and parcel of 
Operation Enduring Freedom. Likewise, also, still in connection with 
Afghanistan, the international force which is going to be commanded 
shortly by a French general in Kabul. We also have excellent cooperation 
in the Balkans, be it in Bosnia, be it in Kosovo. We have cooperated to 
avoid, to stem off the worst in Haiti, and that's also in quite 
exceptionally good ways.
    We have expressed our common anxiety in light of what is happening 
in Africa and, in particular, what we see looming in Kivu--in the Kivu 
region, and all that that means in terms of threats to peace and 
stability in the region. And we're very worried about the peace and 
stability of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
    Now, on the subject of Iraq, where we all know that our countries 
have had somewhat different approaches and solutions about a vision of 
the situation which was not similar. That being said, we share one and 
the same conviction today, namely, that there is no alternative to 
restoring peace and therefore to restoring security and development in 
Iraq and that no effort must be spared in achieving this.
    And evidently, the discussions taking place within the U.N. Security 
Council basically aimed at adopting a resolution, which given the 
present state of affairs in Iraq, must say loud and clear that the 
international community is hellbent on achieving one objective, which is 
returning sovereignty to an Iraqi government, which will give hope to 
Iraqis and the people of Iraq. So we are entirely like-minded on that.
    And I believe that things are moving in the right direction. 
Discussions have been characterized by a very positive spirit, and I 
very much hope that very shortly, in the next few days, we will come up 
with a resolution which indeed reflects what to us is of the essence, 
namely, to give the Iraqis themselves the sense that they have recovered 
their own sovereignty and that their own destiny is in their own hands, 
because that seems to us a sine qua non for any future solution to the 
problems which this country necessarily faces.
    Of course, we also touched upon the conflict in the Middle East 
because, as I said to the President, we are very worried when we see 
that this conflict is continuing to spread, with all the knock-on 
effects, regionally speaking and beyond the region. And we cannot ignore 
the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese dimensions of the problem. And 
on the subject of Lebanon, precisely, we have expressed renewed 
conviction and belief that Lebanon has to be ensured that its 
independence and sovereignty are guaranteed.
    Within a few days, we'll be meeting again at the G-8 Summit at Sea 
Island, where we will discuss decisions to be taken, talks to be entered 
into, in respect of a certain number of issues having to do with growth, 
development, employment, security, obviously, the fight against 
terrorism, and proliferation, but also development in general and 
sustainable development in particular.
    So, before I give the floor to President Bush, I should like to 
conclude by once again expressing to him my warmest welcome.
    President Bush. Thank you, Mr. President. Laura and I are honored to 
be back in this beautiful country on the anniversary

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of a momentous day in the history of freedom.
    Tomorrow I will join the President and other leaders at the Normandy 
beaches to commemorate the Allied landing 60 years ago. We will honor 
the many thousands of veterans, living and lost, who took part in that 
battle. It will be a time to reflect on the sacrifices that helped to 
defeat fascism and to restore the liberty of France and of Western 
Europe.
    We will also remember the timeless lessons that D-day teaches, that 
sacrifices must always be borne in the defense of freedom, that free 
nations working together can overcome danger, and that the deepest 
source of strength of any army is the values for which it fights.
    I appreciate all the hard work, Mr. President, that went into 
planning this year's D-day ceremonies, and I congratulate you and all 
those involved. It's going to be a spectacular day.
    I also appreciate the chance to talk to the President and to hear 
his views on a variety of issues, on the common challenges we face. 
Today we discussed the future of Iraq as a free and democratic state. 
Our coalition will soon hand over full sovereignty to an Iraqi 
government. Iraq's new Prime Minister Alawi and his cabinet are working 
hard to provide security and to prepare their country for national 
elections that will bring forward new leaders empowered by the Iraqi 
people. The interim government is the first step in a political process, 
outlined in the transitional administrative law, which will lead to the 
first democratic elections in Iraq's history, elections to take place no 
later than January 2005. At the request of the interim government, the 
request of the Prime Minister, multinational forces will remain in Iraq 
to help this new government succeed in its vital work.
    Free Iraq deserves the full support of the international community, 
and I appreciate our discussions. The Iraqi people want and deserve 
freedom, peace, and prosperity, and the nations of the world have a 
responsibility to help them achieve that. Members of the U.N. Security 
Council are working with Iraq's new leaders toward a new resolution that 
will express international support for Iraq's interim government, that 
will reaffirm the world's security commitment to the Iraqi nation, and 
encourage other U.N. members to help in joining the Iraqi people as they 
establish a representative government.
    The President and I discussed our common goals in the broader Middle 
East. We seek freedom and the peace that freedom brings. We seek 
political and social reform, the true stability that results when people 
are free to live and think and worship as they choose. We know that 
freedom cannot be imposed from abroad, but free nations can and must 
choose to ally ourselves with reformers wherever they are and with 
reform wherever it occurs.
    I fully know that democratization is not the same as Westernization. 
Nations as different as Romania and the Philippines, Nicaragua and 
Senegal and Turkey show that freedom takes different forms around the 
globe and that new liberties can find an honored place amidst ancient 
traditions. Democratic governments in the Middle East will reflect their 
own cultures and their own traditions. America and France are working 
with many allies and friends in the region and beyond to support the 
increase of reform, which will serve as the antidote to terror.
    As the President mentioned, we'll be going to Sea Island, Georgia, 
where we will discuss ways to build partnerships between the world's 
great democracies and the nations of the broader Middle East. I look 
forward to those discussions. Later this month we'll bring the same 
message and the same challenge to the NATO Summit in Turkey.
    The President and I also share--had discussions about the Holy Land. 
We seek two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace 
and security. I support the establishment of a Palestinian state that is 
viable, contiguous, sovereign, and independent. And I realize that 
security is the foundation for peace and the starting point for all 
progress in the Middle East.
    I believe that Israel needs a truly responsible partner in achieving 
peace. I believe the Palestinian people deserve democratic institutions 
and responsible leaders. So for the sake of peace, I'm committed to 
helping the Palestinian people establish a democratic and

[[Page 1030]]

viable state of their own. And I look forward to working with President 
Chirac to achieve that objective.
    The United States and France also agree that the people of Lebanon 
should be free to determine their own future, without foreign 
interference or domination.
    Our two nations are working together to bring peace and security to 
other parts of the globe. We're in Haiti together. We're in Afghanistan 
together. We're working to ensure that Iran meets its commitments to the 
IAEA and does not develop nuclear weapons. The President talked about 
our mutual concerns on the continent of Africa.
    We're proud countries with deep traditions rooted in freedom and 
equality and justice. These common values enable us to work together for 
the good of world peace, and I look forward to doing that with you, Mr. 
President.
    Thank you for your hospitality.
    Now--Jim Angle [FOX News].

Coalition Security Arrangement With Iraqi Interim Government/U.N. 
Security Council Resolution

    Q. Thank you, Mr. President. As we understand, there has been an 
exchange of letters between the new interim government in Iraq and the 
coalition. I wonder if you could tell us a little something about that, 
Mr. President.
    And President Chirac, if I may, sir, I assume you've been told about 
this. Do you now believe that the new Iraqi government will get full 
sovereignty? And do you have any remaining objections about a new U.N. 
resolution?
    President Bush. One of the issues that I have been asked about quite 
frequently was whether or not the Iraqi government would be able to 
determine its security needs. And I said, ``Absolutely. That's the 
definition of sovereignty.'' And I also assured the American people at 
several news conferences that we have entered into these kind of 
security agreements in the past that recognize the sovereignty of the 
host government. And the exchange of letters does just that. The 
exchange of letters between the Prime Minister and the coalition lays 
out the parameters of security, of the security cooperation in Iraq. And 
this is a positive step forward.
    President Chirac. On the subject of the resolution, again, I repeat 
what I said earlier on. I think we have progressed. We have moved 
forward positively, and we should be able to put the finishing touches 
to this text very shortly. Now, yes, we still have to qualify the matter 
pertaining to security arrangements that establish relations between the 
Iraqi government--the government that, obviously, we wish to see 
sovereign and full authority--and the multinational force. And as you 
rightly said, an exchange of letters between the Iraqi government and 
the international force whose thrust has to be picked up in the language 
of the resolution is happening right now. And I hope all of this can 
take place very speedily.
    In my view, in my view, what is important here, in all the 
technicalities of all of this, what is important is to ensure that the 
Iraqi people, that the Iraqis truly have the sense that they have 
recovered their independence, their sovereignty, and that they hold 
their own destiny in their hands. I think that that is the only way 
forward if we want to solve the considerable problems that are arising 
in this country and to be able to contain the very strong forces in 
situ, as it were. And I feel it's very important that we send no 
negative signal to the Iraqis in the sense that we might in any way be 
undermining their sovereignty, because that would undermine their 
confidence.
    Yes, a question?

France-U.S. Relations/Abu Ghraib Prison

    Q. Thank you, sir. I would have a question for Mr. Bush. Once, 
President Kennedy said, ``Everyone has two countries, their own and 
France.'' And why is it that your policy tends to be pushing your 
country and France to divorce?
    Second point, some in public opinion have accused you of state 
terrorism, and do you not believe that what has happened in Abu Ghraib 
has put you in the same basket, as it were, as Saddam Hussein, 
especially in the eyes of an international tribunal and especially in 
light of the unfound weapons of mass destruction?

[[Page 1031]]

    President Bush. To paraphrase President Kennedy: There's America, 
and then there's Texas.
    We have great relations with France. We work closely with the French 
Government on a lot of issues. I just laid out a lot of the issues that 
we're working together on, as did the President. We're working to stop 
proliferation. We're working in Haiti. We're working on the continent of 
Africa. We're working to feed the hungry. We're working to make sure 
that the pandemic of AIDS gets--that the people get the help they need 
to arrest the pandemic of AIDS in Africa. No, there are a lot of issues 
we work on.
    As for the prison abuse issue, I am--I was humiliated, as was most 
of my country. Those soldiers didn't reflect the character of the 
American people. They didn't--they stained our honor, and the world will 
see a full investigation of those--of that humiliation, which will stand 
in stark contrast to what takes place in states run by tyrants. And 
there will be a full investigation in a transparent way, and those that 
violated rules will be held to account.
    Gregory [David Gregory, NBC News]. Monsieur Gregory. [Laughter]

France's Role in the Middle East/Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction

    Q. President Chirac, given the fact that your Government also 
believed that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq prior to 
the war, do you believe that there was a worldwide intelligence failure? 
And despite your opposition to the war, do you believe that Iraq is 
better or worse off today?
    Mr. President, what role specifically would you like the French to 
play in Iraq going forward? Merci.
    President Bush. Listen, the French are going to provide great 
advice. President Chirac has got good judgment about the Middle East, 
and he understands those countries well. The French are going to work 
together to put out a U.N. Security Council resolution that sends a 
clear signal the free world is united in helping Iraq. And those are 
great contributions, for which I am grateful, and so is my Nation.
    Q. President Chirac--Monsieur Presidente?
    President Chirac. Yes, you said that the French Government, if I've 
understood you rightly, prior to the war had stated that there were 
weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and that is not correct. I have 
always said that I had no information that would lead me to believe that 
there were or were not, for that matter, weapons of mass destruction in 
Iraq. That's a fact. All the information available to us at that time 
and on that subject did not allow us to take a stand or to reach any 
conclusion, which is why I said to President Bush that I, personally, 
was incapable of saying whether or not there were weapons of mass 
destruction.

Conditions in Iraq

    Q. Do you believe that--despite your opposition to the war, do you 
believe that today Iraq is better or worse off?
    President Chirac. Well, one thing is for certain sure, which is the 
tyrannical regime of Saddam Hussein is no longer in power, and that is a 
positive thing. It's a positive step. What's less positive is that there 
is a degree of chaos prevailing, and our problem today is to try and 
contain--or build upon what has been achieved in positive terms. In 
other words, open the way to what could be a form of democracy and 
ensure that the forces which are in a confrontational mode be pacified. 
But this is something we will see further down the road. We have 
certainly not put the difficulties behind us. Do not believe that. We 
are in a situation which is extremely precarious.
    Q. Mr. President, to what extent is the comparison made by President 
Bush between the liberation of Europe from nazism 60 years ago, which 
we're celebrating today, or tomorrow rather, and the liberation of Iraq 
by American forces a year ago--to what extent do you feel that this 
comparison is just and justified?
    President Chirac. I fully understand what led President Bush to 
establish or to make this comparison, if only for the reasons of 
circumstance. I mean, what are we celebrating today and tomorrow? And I 
think, nonetheless, that history does not repeat itself, and it is very 
difficult to compare historical situations that differ, because history 
is not repetitive. And there is a situation

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which we defined earlier on in Iraq, prevailing in Iraq, which has to be 
contained and has to be mastered. There's a lot to be done. We are going 
to have to roll up our sleeves and put a lot of our hearts and our minds 
into doing this. And, perhaps--perhaps, we will succeed.
    Thank you.

Note: The President's news conference began at 7:41 p.m. at the Elysee 
Palace. In his remarks, President Bush referred to Prime Minister Ayad 
al-Alawi of the Iraqi interim government. President Chirac referred to 
former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. President Chirac spoke in 
French, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.