[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 45 (Monday, November 14, 2005)]
[Pages 1676-1682]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
<R04>
Interview With Foreign Print Journalists
November 8, 2005
The President. First I'm going to make just kind of some general
remarks, and then will be glad to answer some questions for a while.
First, I'm really looking forward to my trip. I'll be having
meetings with the leaders of Japan, China, South Korea, and Mongolia,
and then, of course, will attend the APEC meeting as well as meeting
with ASEAN
[[Page 1677]]
countries. So this is a chance for me to continue to talk about the war
on terror, the need for all of us to work to spread freedom.
I go representing the people of this country, obviously. I go to
represent the workers, as I remind our partners in the Far East that
trade must be not only free but fair. I go to represent the business
people, in reminding people that there must be a strong focus on
intellectual property rights throughout the world. I go to represent
people who believe that we ought to be working together, like I believe,
at the WTO, the Doha round, to advance the round, to see if we can't--I
spent time doing that my recent trip in Latin America; I will continue
that message of working toward a successful Doha round.
And so this will be a good opportunity to explain to our partners
that a successful round in Doha will be good for our respective
countries, our workers, our farmers, our business people. But it will
also help us work together to alleviate poverty. So I've been really
looking forward to the trip.
One other aspect of the trip that is important to me, and I know--
we'll continue our dialog on avian flu, a potential pandemic, and how we
can work together to detect and keep the folks informed about the
possible outbreak of avian flu, how to isolate the flu--the virus, if
it's detected, and what we can do together. This will be an important
way to continue to advance this issue. I've spoken to the President of
China about this issue, for example, and I'm going to bring it up again.
We've got a lot of issues on the table, and so this is an--this will
be a chance to continue to advance those issues. Relations are strong in
the Far East. U.S. relations with Japan and South Korea and China and
Mongolia are excellent. We don't always agree on every issue, but they
are very strong. And this is a chance to continue to advance those
relationships.
And so with that, we'll start with you, Mr. Nishimura.
Japan-U.S. Alliance
Yoichi Nishimura. Thank you, sir, Mr. President. The United States
and Japan recently signed a document on the transformation of U.S.-Japan
alliance, and the realignment of U.S. and Japanese forces in Japan. But
there is a strong local opposition to some of these plans. For example,
the local government in Okinawa has called this relocation of Futenma
Marine Air Corps--Air Station unacceptable. Since these plans for
relocation have implication for a broader transformation plan of your
country, how will you overcome this local strong opposition to the
implementation of the agreement, and more generally, what would you like
to achieve in the Asia-Pacific region through the strengthening of the
U.S.-Japan alliance?
The President. The fact that we reached an agreement on troop
realignment shows the maturity of our relationship. As you know, the
agreement that has been reached was done so in good faith between the
U.S. Government and the Japanese Government. It's an agreement that was
not easy to bring to conclusion, but yet, nevertheless, because our
relationship is strong and vital, we're able to do so.
In a democracy, it's hard--first of all, it's hard to satisfy all
the people all the time. And so--I'm aware that there is a discontent
with the agreement expressed by the folks--some of the folks on Okinawa
toward the Government--the Japanese Government that negotiated the deal.
My attitude is, and my message to the good people in Okinawa is: This is
a good-faith effort. We tried to reach an accord that accommodated a lot
of interests. And it's a positive development.
Secondly, the relationship--it shows the--how strong we are, as an
alliance, as a friendship. This has been a difficult issue, and in that
it got resolved, it should be a sign to people on both sides of this
issue that there is a cordial, frank, relationship that was able to deal
with this sensitive subject.
U.S.-Japan relations are important for our respective countries.
We're trading partners; we're partners in peace. And I want to
congratulate and thank the people of Japan for helping the people of
Iraq establish a democracy. We worked in strong collaboration on a
variety of issues, whether it be helping Afghanistan or whether it be to
tackle disease around the world.
So this is a healthy relationship, and it's good for peace, and it's
good for prosperity of our peoples.
[[Page 1678]]
Mr. Heo.
South Korea-U.S. Relations
Yongbom Heo. Yes, Mr. President. I'd like to also ask about the
relationship between United States and South Korea. Do you have any
specific plans for the strengthening of the alliance, and to improve the
relationship between the United States and South Korea? In that context,
what do you also think of the growing anti-American sentiments in South
Korea?
The President. Well, first of all, the trip will help strengthen the
alliance. Any time I can sit down with a leader and discuss common
opportunities and common problems, that strengthens the relationship.
Secondly, we have shown the people in South Korea that we're able to,
again, deal with the complex issue of military bases in a way that is
thoughtful and sensitive.
As you know, we're realigning our forces and realigning our bases.
The Government is a duly elected Government of the people. It tends to
reflect the will--they reflect the will of the people and this
relationship, and the realigning of the forces reflects the will of the
people. And it's being done in a respectful way. That should strengthen
the relationship.
As well, I want to congratulate the Government and thank the
Government of South Korea for the support in democracy in Iraq. People
there--the Government there has helped the people in Iraq see a way
forward by providing security forces there. I appreciate that very much.
Ours is a very important relationship, and it is one that--one that
is able to accomplish important things, such as working together to make
sure that we have fair trade. And I'll bring that up, of course, with
the President. We don't have a free trade agreement yet with South
Korea, but nevertheless, we've got a lot of trade with South Korea, and
we want it to be mutually beneficial. And the more beneficial trade is
between our countries, the deeper our ties become.
I don't study public opinion polls in South Korea, so I don't know
the basis for the last part of your question. But I mean, I made some
difficult decisions, and I understand not everybody agrees with them.
But one of the things I hope people do agree with in South Korea is that
the United States--they've got a strong friend in the United States.
We've been a friend for a long period of time, and we'll remain a
friend.
Mr. Wang.
China-U.S. Relations
Faen Wang. Thank you, Mr. President. You are going to visit China
for a third time since 2001. As we know, the relationship between two
countries have made considerable headway since you took office. Now it's
your second term in office. How do you assess the relations between
China and the United States at this moment? And how do you anticipate
relations in the coming years?
The President. I would say my personal relationship with President
Hu is very good. I would say relations between the United States is
mixed--or between China and the United States is mixed. On the one hand,
we have got increasing trade and dialog and cooperation. On the other
hand, there is still work to be done on intellectual property rights,
for example, or currency or market access.
And so ours is a complex and important relationship. And I look
forward to visiting once again with the President and talking to him
about these very vital issues. I was very pleased the last time we met
in New York that he openly stated that we need--that China will work
hard on having intellectual property rights. And this is not just an
issue between the United States and China. It's really an issue that
when China cracks down and enforces intellectual property rights laws,
that it will be good for China's standing in the world. People really
don't want to do business in a country if they think their products is
going to be--if the patents will be copied.
And so I appreciate the President's strong statement on intellectual
property rights, and it will be a chance to continue to talk about
intellectual property rights.
I appreciate the Government's position on currency as they begin--
the beginnings of a market-based currency. And that was a strong step
forward. I will remind him that
[[Page 1679]]
this Government believes they should continue to advance toward market-
based evaluation of their currency, for the sake of the world, not just
for the sake of bilateral relations.
There's a--I want to tell him that there's a--that we--again, what
we've discussed in the past, that there's--the trade balance between
China and the United States is bothersome to people here and that we've
got to address the trade balance. And one way to do so is for there to
be market access for U.S. products, continued market access for U.S.
products.
So we've got an important relationship, and it's a good
relationship. But it's one in which I will continue to bring the--our
concerns to the Chinese Government.
Another round.
China-Japan-Korea Relations
Mr. Nishimura. Okay, Mr. President, thank you. It seems the
relationship between Japan and China is currently at an all-time low. We
have heard criticism, concern voiced by China about Prime Minister
Koizumi's recent visit to Yasukuni Shrine. This is, Mr. President,
historically, a sensitive issue between the two countries. As poor
relations between Japan and China have a significant impact on U.S.
national interests in Asia, I suppose, what can the United States do to
address the worsening relationship between the two countries--I mean,
Japan and China--and how would you like to rebuild U.S., Japan and China
relations as a part of your comprehensive diplomacy towards Asia?
The President. What I can do is to urge the leaders of not only
China and Japan to dialog and to try to get the past behind them as we
move forward but also to do the same with the South Korean leader. I
think the issue that you described goes beyond just Japanese-Chinese
relationships, it's probably Japanese-South Korean relationships as
well. And my point to not only the Prime Minister of Japan but to the
respective Presidents is that, look, I understand that there is great
tension as a result of some events that took place in the past. But the
United States and China--I mean, the United States and Japan at one time
were sworn enemies. And now here we are sitting down as friends. In
other words, it's possible to forget the past. It's difficult, but it is
possible.
So I think a useful role for me will be to paint a--talk about the
future and talk about how optimistic the future can be, particularly as
nations are able to work out past differences and focus on what's--and
focus on the future. No question that there's tension. On the other
hand, if you look at capital flows between Japan and China, there is a
significant amount of investment taking place, which indicates to me
that there is a possibility for the relations to improve over time. In
other words, not all aspects of the relationship is negative.
Mr. Heo.
North Korea
Mr. Heo. Thank you, Mr. President.
The President. You probably were going to ask the same question,
weren't you? [Laughter]
Mr. Heo. I would like to ask about North Korean issue.
The President. That's fine, but I thought you were going to ask
about the shrine.
Mr. Heo. Mr. President, you have called Mr. Kim Chong-il, North
Korean leader--Kim Chong-il's regime a ``tyranny'' and North Korea an
``axis of evil.'' What can you do to promote human rights and democracy
in North Korea? And what kind of leadership do you expect from Kim
Chong-il to exercise as the leader of North Korea?
The President. I have been--I have expressed my concerns about the
treatment of men, women, and children in North Korea. I worry about a
society that is going hungry. I worry about forced labor camps. And I do
so--and as I do worry about that, I do so because I am, like many
Americans, a compassionate--share a compassion for all peoples,
regardless of where they live.
I believe a--the measure, the mark of a good leader is one that
cares first and foremost about the human condition of the people that
live in the country. And where there's starvation and hunger, the
leader's responsibility is to address that and, if need be, call upon
others to make sure that food and aid actually get into the mouths of
the hungry. I believe that a humane society is
[[Page 1680]]
one in which people have a voice in government. And so I have talked
about these values. But I've also talked about them in the context of
say, Myanmar. I have warned about the undermining of those values in
other parts of the world. It's a consistent message of my
administration.
As you know, the main focus of the region is to adhere to the
Crawford Declaration that President Jiang Zemin and I stated in
Crawford, which was that there would be a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
And now we're working to achieve that goal--working together--Japan,
China, South Korea, Russia and the United States sitting down at the
table with the North Koreans as a group, saying, ``Here's our goal: For
the sake of peace for all peoples, peoples of South Korea, people of
North Korea, people in the region, let us achieve the goal of a nuclear-
free Korean Peninsula--nuclear weapons-free Korean Peninsula.''
And so we'll be discussing this issue, of course. I'll be discussing
it with the respective leaders about how to achieve that goal. We've
made some progress where we declared that it's our intention to work
with the North Koreans to see to it that they dismantle their nuclear
weapons programs in a verifiable fashion. And so the dialog will
continue on as to how to achieve this noble goal.
Yes, sir.
Taiwan
Mr. Wang. My second question is about Taiwan. The Chinese people are
determined about peaceful reunification with the motherland, but the
secessionist force in Taiwan have never stopped their activities,
causing a threat to peace and stability Cross Strait. What do you think
the United States can do in preventing the secessionist forces in Taiwan
from moving toward independence, while maintaining peace and stability
in the region?
The President. Well, one thing the United States can do is be
consistent in its policy in dealing with the--both China and Taiwan. And
so our policy has been consistent from day one, which is one China,
three communiques, that we do not support independence, and that,
however, we strongly support the Taiwan Relations Act. And it's
important for parties to understand that's the position--that is the
consistent position of this Government, that we also believe and are
heartened when we see dialog beginning to take place between China and
Taiwan. That's a positive development, and I will continue to encourage
that dialog.
Mr. Nishimura.
Six-Party Talks
Mr. Nishimura. Yes, Mr. President.
The President. One more round of questions.
Mr. Nishimura. Thank you very much, sir.
The President. Then you probably have to go back to work.
Mr. Nishimura. Okay.
The President. So do I.
Mr. Nishimura. Let's move to the six-party talks again.
The President. Yes.
Mr. Nishimura. A little bit more in detail.
The President. Okay.
Mr. Nishimura. Actually, the next round of six-party talks beginning
tomorrow in Beijing, so this is previous--the six-party talks. And now
as of today, of course, the United States and Japan have demanded that
North Korea take tangible steps to dismantle its nuclear weapons
program. But North Korea, on the other hand, every day--almost every
day--is insisting that the United States company provide it with light
water reactors. So, Mr. President, there is obviously still a sizeable
gap between North Korea's position and that of other five parties----
The President. Yes.
Mr. Nishimura. ----including Japan and the United States. So, Mr.
President, what would you like to see achieved during the next round,
and what do you think are the most important steps in attaining those
goals?
The President. Yes, thank you. Well, first of all, you're right,
there's a meeting starting, I guess, this week, but it's a 3-day meeting
which is really to prepare for the longer meetings, which will take
place next month.
Secondly, you've assessed our position. It's not the United States'
position, but our position--the five parties that are working with North
Korea to achieve the goal of having a nuclear weapons-free peninsula,
and that
[[Page 1681]]
is that--and that is that we want to see tangible results in the
dismantling of a program, and at the appropriate time we'll discuss the
light water reactor. That's how we interpret the agreement.
So part of the reason to go on a trip like this is to remind people
about the strategy and talk it out with leaders and friends and remind
them that we will stick together and hopefully achieve this noble goal.
Again, it's a goal vital to all the interests of the people in the
region. And it's one that I believe we can achieve by working together.
And this is the--there is a certain degree of patience required when it
comes to negotiating a difficult issue. And there is clearly a need for
us to continue to dialog amongst ourselves, to make sure that we send a
consistent message in order to achieve this goal. It's in people's
interest.
It's definitely in the interest of the people in the region that
there not be a nuclear weapon anywhere on the Peninsula. It's definitely
in Japan's interest; I strongly believe it's in China's interest. I know
it's in Russia's, and for that matter, it's in the U.S. interest. Even
though we're seemingly removed, it's in our national security interest
that we achieve this objective. So this is a very important subject, and
I look forward to continuing to dialog with our partners in peace.
Future U.S. Role in South Korea
Mr. Heo. Thank you, Mr. President.
The President. Make this a good one, because it's your last
question. [Laughter]
Mr. Heo. What kind of new role do you expect United States troops in
Northeast Asia, including South Korea, to do in the future? And what are
you going to deal with their critical issues, such as strategic
flexibility of the United States forces in Korea and the transporting
wartime operational control from the United States forces to Korea?
The President. The first part of your question, the role of U.S.
troops is to provide stability. Obviously, there is--on the Korean
Peninsula, North Korea has got troops massed on the DMZ. Part of the
role and the relationship with the South Korean troops is to provide
stability to the people in the Korean Peninsula.
Now, as you know, we're repositioning our troops and realigning
bases, but we have done so in a way, as we've worked out with President
Roh in such a way as not to diminish the capacity to provide stability.
And secondly, the presence of troops helps provide regional stability.
The arrangement we have on the Korean Peninsula has worked for a
long period of time. And that ought to be the operative model as we go
forward.
China-U.S. Relations
Mr. Wang. China and the United States have enjoyed good cooperation
in various areas, including fighting terrorism, democratic relation, and
the nuclear issues of Korean Peninsula. And a shared interest between
the two countries have increased over time. So what's your comment in
this regard, and where do you think we could expand our cooperation
further, say, in what areas?
The President. Well, first of all, we do have good cooperation. We
trade a lot--that's cooperation. On the other hand, we just want to make
sure--and both sides feel that it's important to have a level playing
field when it comes to trade. Advancing the Doha round is an area where
we can cooperate together.
The avian flu area is an area where we can cooperate together. And I
did have a very good discussion with President Hu about this in New
York. And I'll bring it up again, because I am concerned about a
pandemic. And I'm not suggesting it's going to break out in any country;
but if it were to break out anywhere in the world, it becomes an
international issue. In other words, I'm not saying just because I'm
talking to President Hu that I think it's going to happen in China. All
I'm saying is that if it happens anywhere, China and the United States,
Japan and South Korea, ASEAN countries, APEC countries, everyone is
going to have to work together to identify, contain and respond to an
outbreak. So this is an important area.
We work together in the war on terror. There is a variety of ways
that we can continue to advance an agenda that is based upon peace. And
then, again, this is a complex relationship, as I said. And it's an
area, for example, where I will continue to remind
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President Hu about, for example, my personal faith and the belief that
people should be allowed to worship freely. And a vibrant, whole society
is one that recognizes that certain freedoms are inherent and need to be
part of a complete society. And he's made some very positive statements
and interesting statements about different aspects of freedom.
So this is a vital relationship. China is a vast, significant,
growing economy that is--using more and more energy. And here is an area
where all of us can work together, and that is on how to share
technologies and use technologies in such a way that we become less
dependent on hydrocarbons. Certainly, Japan has an interest in this in
that she imports a lot of hydrocarbons. South Korean Peninsula, same
thing--or South Korea, same thing--and China. The United States uses a
lot of hydrocarbons, and it's in our interest that we develop
technologies so that we use less. It's in China's interest as well. So
energy cooperation, the idea of discussing how to best move forward and
to share technologies makes a lot of sense for our respective people and
the world for that matter.
And so it's a--we've got great opportunities to work together. I'm
really looking forward to going to the three countries represented here.
Every time I go out to the Far East I come back appreciative of the
notion of hard work and entrepreneurship and culture. So I'm looking
forward to the trip. It's going to be--it'll be an important trip.
Thank you all for your time. Very good questions, appreciate it.
Thank you, all.
Note: The interview was taped at 10:30 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
White House for later broadcast. In his remarks, the President referred
to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan; President Hu Jintao and
former President Jiang Zemin of China; President Roh Moo-hyun of South
Korea; Chairman Kim Chong-il of North Korea; and President Nambaryn
Enkhbayar of Mongolia. A tape was not available for verification of the
content of this interview.