[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 9 (Monday, March 6, 2006)]
[Pages 350-352]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Interview With Pakistan Television

February 24, 2006

Pakistan-U.S. Relations

    Q. Mr. President, you are paying a visit to Pakistan at a very 
crucial juncture, at a time when changes are being experienced in the 
region. And people of Pakistan are pinning a lot of hope on your visit 
because they think many problems are there and your visit will play a 
very vital role in it. So what is your vision for making this trip more 
meaningful and productive?
    The President. The first thing that's really important for people to 
understand is that relations between our countries oftentimes depend on 
the relations between the leaders. In other words, President Musharraf 
and I can set a tone for the relationship because

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of our capacity to talk to each other. And it's important to be with 
each other and to share concerns and to talk about ideas. And so one 
object of the trip is to continue what is a good relationship. A good 
relationship between me and the President tends to permeate throughout 
our Government.
    Secondly, I--and one reason we've got a good relationship is, we 
speak frankly with each other. Listen, I understand he has got a 
difficult job--made really difficult by the fact that people have tried 
to kill him, as you know. Extremists have decided that he is a obstacle 
to their vision and therefore, have tried to kill him. And so he's not 
only a man who's shown great courage in the face of adversity, but he 
does have a vision of how to work together to achieve common objectives.
    Secondly, I want the people of Pakistan to know that the American 
people care about them, that ours is a relationship that's much bigger 
than just the war on terror; that when our Chinooks flew supplies into 
the rural part of Pakistan, it wasn't out of a sense of just, kind of, 
pure diplomacy, it was out of a sense of care and concern about the 
individuals. And I understand sometimes people may have--wonder about 
our motives, wonder about America's true concerns. And this will give me 
a chance to speak to the people of Pakistan and say, ``Look, we care for 
you,'' and remind people that in our country, there's great Pakistani 
Americans. We're a rich society because we've got people from around the 
world, including people who were born and raised in Pakistan, and have 
now chosen America as a home. And so it's a trip that's of goodwill and 
importance.
    Q. Mr. President, there is a common perception that the relations 
between the United States and Pakistan have fluctuated in the past. So 
what measures would you suggest to make it more durable and sustainable 
for the days to come and the long-time perspective?
    The President. Yes, that's a really good question, because, again, 
we want people to understand this relationship is a vital relationship 
that will exist throughout the years. One way we can do that is increase 
trade opportunities before our countries--between our countries. And 
we'll be talking about a bilateral investment treaty.
    Secondly, student exchanges. And I understand there's been some 
issues with visas, and we've got to work through those, because I 
believe the more Pakistani youngsters who come to America to study will 
get to really see what America is all about. And as more Americans that 
go there to study--will see what Pakistan is all about.
    And so there's ways for us, beyond the war on terror--and by the 
way, the war on terror is a critical aspect of our relationship; don't 
get me wrong. But the other thing that's interesting and I think 
important for the people of Pakistan to know is that President 
Musharraf, in his democracy initiative, can show the whole Muslim world, 
and the world itself, that it's possible to have a religious--that is 
not extreme and a state that listens to people and responds to the needs 
of people. And that's a really important message that Pakistan can show 
the world. And I will, of course, continue to talk to my buddy and my 
friend about his goals for a democratic Pakistan.

Kashmir

    Q. Mr. President, an early solution to the whole issue of Kashmir, 
about which you have also mentioned in your speech at the Asia Society--
that is vital for the region. So, in your view, being a close friend of 
both Pakistan and India, what role the United States can play in 
resolving this issue?
    The President. Well, I started to play a role in my speech, and I 
spoke out on the issue and encouraged the President and the Prime 
Minister of India to continue down the road of solving the issue with a 
solution that's acceptable to all sides.
    And that's very important. There's a temptation sometimes for 
countries to try to jump in the middle of dialog. I believe a lasting 
solution can be achieved. I've seen the progress that's been made in the 
relationship from when I first became President. You might remember an 
early time in my Presidency; there was real tension. And now, all of a 
sudden, there's some very encouraging signs--transportation exchanges--
not transportation exchanges--new transportation opportunities, trade. 
In just my discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister, 
there appears to be a different attitude. And

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part of it has to do with trust, but there's got to be tangible 
progress; I recognize that. And so I will use my trip to urge the 
leadership to continue solving this issue, with the idea that it can be 
solved.

Pakistani Economy

    Q. Mr. President, what economic incentive would you offer to 
Pakistan during the forthcoming visit?
    The President. Well, trade is very important. And one of the steps 
on a robust trading relationship is what's called the Bilateral 
Investment Treaty, and that's an important part of the process. And 
believe me, every time the President talks to me, he's talking about 
markets, and I understand that. But he also understands that there's 
some steps needed before this robust trade.
    I must applaud the President's vision for the Pakistan economy. And 
in our world, politics, there's a lot of talk and a lot of, kind of, big 
noise. But the truth of the matter is, what matters is results. And 
Pakistan's economy is strong, and that's good news. That's really good 
news for the people of Pakistan. First and foremost, because, obviously, 
if people can make a living and do well, they can see the benefits of 
democracy--tangible benefits of living in a system where people are free 
to express themselves, but where the marketplace is the economic 
determinant.

War on Terror

    Q. Coming to another subject, what strategy the United States has 
adopted for conquering terrorism in Pakistan, in a very holistic manner?
    The President. First of all, freedom defeats an ideology of hatred. 
And the enemy--I say ``the enemy'' because they'll kill--they--innocent 
Pakistanis; they kill innocent Americans. We need--more Muslims have 
died at the hands of Al Qaida and these extremists than anybody else. 
These--I don't view these people as religious people. I view them as 
people who have taken a great religion and kind of twisted it to meet 
their means.
    And so they have a vision. And it's not a vision--it's a vision that 
doesn't recognize the freedom of people to worship. It's a vision that 
doesn't understand the--that recognize the importance of women in 
society or free speech. And so the way to defeat that vision is with a 
better vision, more hopeful, and democracy provides that vision.
    We are in close coordination, of course, with the Government of 
Pakistan. We share a mutual interest. Nobody should want foreign 
fighters in their soil wreaking havoc. And it's hard for a part of a 
country to develop if there are people in that part of the country that 
are willing to kill innocent life to achieve an objective. And so we 
share short-term objectives with the Pakistani Government. We also share 
the long-term objective, and that is--that's freedom.
    Q. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
    The President. I'm looking forward to the trip. And I really 
appreciate you coming.
    Q. Thank you very much. I'm grateful and honored.
    The President. Thank you, sir.

Note: The interview was taped at approximately 11:20 a.m. in the Map 
Room at the White House for later broadcast and was embargoed by the 
Office of the Press Secretary until 9:00 p.m. In his remarks, the 
President referred to President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan; and Prime 
Minister Manmohan Singh of India. A tape was not available for 
verification of the content of this interview. This item was not 
received in time for publication in the appropriate issue.