[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 31 (Monday, August 11, 2008)]
[Pages 1110-1115]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Interview With Foreign Radio Journalists in Bangkok

August 7, 2008

    The President. I am in Bangkok, and one of the reasons I've come is 
not only to pay my respects to the Government and the people of 
Thailand, but also to be in a position to speak about freedom in Burma. 
I just had lunch with some people that are deeply concerned about the 
future of Burma, people that were involved in the student marches of 
'88, people involved with humanitarian assistance. I was regretful that 
my wife couldn't join us, because she's an articulate spokesman for the 
people of Burma; but she's on the border on this mission of saying to 
the Burmese people: You have friends, and you're not alone; and the 
United States cares about you.
    So, I want to thank you for giving me the chance to answer your 
questions, and I'll be glad to do so now. Why don't we just go around 
the table?
    Q. Mr. President, it's an honor to be with you, and many thanks, 
giving a chance to--this roundtable discussion.
    The President. Thank you.
    Q. My name is Thein Htike Oo, from Voice of America; Toe Zaw Latt 
from Democratic Voice of Burma; and Soe Win Than from BBC. We have one 
lady here from Radio Free Asia, May Pyone Aung.
    The President. Good, thank you. Welcome.

U.S. Aid to Burma

    Q. I would like to start a couple questions about the relief aid 
policy of United States.
    The President. Yes.
    Q. Recent relief operation, the Burmese regime didn't allow the U.S. 
Navy ship aid through the Pacific come, and international community, the 
U.S. obviously was really frustrated. I would like to know, if Burma 
faced another catastrophe or disaster, are you going to try to help, or 
are you going to--[inaudible]--Burmese regime again?
    The President. Well, absolutely. But first of all, we care about the 
human condition, human suffering. And there's no question, there was 
huge human suffering when the cyclone came through. I can remember the 
day it hit. I was told that this was going to be a major disaster for 
the people, and so I ordered our Navy ships in the area to be prepared 
to sail toward the Burmese area to provide aid and logistics and 
management. We're very good about dealing with major emergencies. And 
interestingly enough, we were involved with a military mission in the 
area, so we were prepared to send a robust package in.
    Unfortunately, the Government, the military leader chose not to 
allow for there to be immediate help. No telling how many lives could 
have been saved, or how much human suffering could have been dealt with 
more effectively had there not been the slow response of the military 
dictator.
    But now our aid, along with other people--other countries' aid, is 
beginning to move. In answer to your question, yes, our Government will 
respond if there's another catastrophe. And hopefully, the military 
people have learned a lesson: That there needs to be truthfulness at the 
highest levels of government. People have got to understand and listen 
to reality and understand that nations and people want to help when 
there's suffering. And so, we will respond. In the meantime, we're going 
to keep pushing for freedom.

Burmese Government's Acceptance of Foreign Aid

    Q. During the time, a lot of Burmese people, they were expecting a 
sort of humanitarian intervention, even though the Burmese regime didn't 
allow the aid. So why it didn't happen, or what is the reason----
    The President. We chose to go through the normal routes. We wanted 
to basically say, here's your opportunity to receive aid. I'm 
disappointed that the military dictator chose not to allow the aid in 
quickly. But I don't think it would have been helpful for the Burmese 
people had there been a conflict over the delivery of aid. What we don't 
want to do is compound a terrible situation. In other words, if we just 
sent in--sent people in, our military in without visas or permission 
from the Government, there's no telling what the reaction would have 
been. And so therefore, we were trying to make the problem better, not 
worse.

[[Page 1111]]

    And so, yes, I--no question, there was frustration on the delays, 
but I felt the best way to do so was the way we ended up doing it. My 
only point is, is that there's--if there's another catastrophe, and 
let's pray there's not, but if there is, the Government will now see 
that they have nothing to fear by welcoming in U.S. aid and other 
countries' aid. They ought to welcome that.
    And now the question is, how quickly can the delta region rebuild? 
And of course, we'd like to help on that too. We spent about $57 
million, or over $50 million of help so far. And we do so generously. We 
care about the stories we hear. And we want the farmers to get seed and 
fertilizer so they can grow and feed their families and feed the people 
in their area and, hopefully, grow enough for the country.

Joint Military Exercises

    Q. Now, I don't take too long. Now, the United States has proposed 
civil military relief exercise with the countries in this region, and 
recent ASEAN meeting endorsed that relief exercise, and probably next 
year the Philippine will host. So, they agree to cooperate relief 
exercise.
    The President. That's good.
    Q. I wonder, if the countries in this region agree to cooperate, are 
you going to invite this exercise to include Burmese military regime or 
North Korea?
    The President. That's an interesting question. I don't know, I 
haven't thought that through yet, to be frank with you. I can't answer 
your question, because you're the first person who's asked me that 
question. I will take it back to Washington and under consideration. 
Interesting idea, I have no--but I can't say yes or no right now.
    Q. Thank you.
    The President. Thank you. Yes, very good.
    Yes, sir.
    Q. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
    The President. Toe Zaw Latt.

Burma-International Community Relations/China

    Q. There's no real consensus on how to deal with Burma in 
international community. How will the United States try to overcome this 
impasse, most recently seen at the Security Council over Burma?
    The President. Well, what we've got to do is continue to work with 
countries on the Security Council and explain to them that what matters 
most in life is the human condition, and that individual rights are 
important. And we just have a lot of work to do to convince people that 
the status quo in Burma--that life can be better, let me put it that 
way. And it's in their interest that life is better, particularly China.
    China is an important country on the United Nations Security 
Council; they're an important country in the world; obviously, Burma's 
neighbor. And we--I hope that I can use my good relations with the 
Chinese leadership to convince them that the way forward is for there to 
be more civic participation, more citizen participation in the future of 
the country; and that the perfect way to do that is to explain to them 
how backward the Government was when it came to the response for the 
natural disaster. Hopefully, that will open up eyes.
    But no question, there's a lot of diplomacy that needs to be done to 
convince others that people like Aung Suu San Kyi [Aung San Suu Kyi] * 
deserve to be free, and political prisoners ought to be free. And the 
reason I'm talking to you today is because I want those in prison and 
their families to know that we care about them and think about them.
    * White House correction.

China-U.S. Relations

    Q. Do you think there will be some common ground that the United 
States and Chinese Government can work together?
    The President. Well, I hope so. I mean, it's in the common ground, 
for example, that the Burmese be a peaceful country. I mean, we care 
about that. Whether or not the Chinese will agree that somebody like 
Aung Suu San Kyi [Aung San Suu Kyi] * ought to be free and ought to be 
the center of foreign policy like it is for us, I don't know. We just 
have to work it hard.

[[Page 1112]]

President's Upcoming Visit to China/Meeting With Chinese Leadership

    Q. Soe Win Than from BBC. Picking up on this China relation, you are 
going to China today----
    The President. I am soon.
    Q. ----you will be meeting the highest Chinese leadership tomorrow.
    The President. Yes.
    Q. And you said you would mention Burma to those leaders. You 
haven't been able to convince them until now.
    The President. Right.
    Q. How optimistic are you that you will be able to convince, and how 
are you going to go about doing this time, sir?
    The President. Well, you know, look, it's--I've mentioned Burma a 
lot to the Chinese leadership, and it's--I've mentioned Darfur; I've 
mentioned Tibet; I've mentioned religious freedom inside China. So, 
there's a lot of subjects to discuss with the Chinese leadership. And 
it's just a matter of continuing to make the case. I have--I'm sure the 
Chinese leader's mind is going to be on the Olympics. This is a big deal 
for the people of China. One of the reasons I'm going is to be able to 
pay my respects to the people of China, and well as to be in a position 
where I can bring up these issues with the Chinese Government.
    We'll see. I'm just--it's--to me, this is a process of continually 
having a consistent message, speaking to the people of Burma, letting 
the prisoners know we care about them, and pressing hard at the 
international level. I make no promises to your listeners except that 
we'll continue to try.

Burma-U.S. Relations

    Q. Yes. One thing is the relationship with the regime. Then you have 
been probably the President who is more committed for the Burmese 
democratic movement. But the United States tough line against Burma 
sometimes entrenched the generals there, and some people would say that 
given the example of the Nargis Cyclone relief efforts, then if you have 
had this kind of relationship with the generals then you could be able 
to do more. So----
    The President. Yes, it's an interesting question. I understand your 
point. We have been tough, because we believe that the general has been 
very stubborn in not allowing certain freedoms, and we believe that's 
wrong. We believe that those arrested in the marches of '88 ought to be 
released from prison. There's about 2,000 political prisoners who are 
being held simply because they had a belief that was contrary to what 
the general thinks.
    You notice I'm saying ``general'' because it's generally viewed as a 
one-man regime. I know there's others that support him.
    But, yes, I have been and--because I believe that--as a matter of 
fact, just signed a bill that's going to continue the sanction regime, 
particularly when it comes to jade and precious gems.
    That's an interesting question, had we had a different relationship, 
one, what would it say to the reformers? But also, would it have changed 
the number of days required to let relief in? It's hard for me to tell. 
What I'm concerned about is the general wasn't being given full 
information, that he wasn't fully aware of reality. And I don't think 
his reaction was because of relations with the United States; I think 
his reaction was--is because he was in denial to a certain extent about 
the realities on the ground.
    But I'm constantly--look, my mission, so long as I'm the President, 
which is 6 more months, is to think about ways to relieve human 
suffering and how to help people inside Burma. And if I thought it would 
make--help us achieve the objective by changing the relationship with 
the Government, I'd give it serious consideration. But I don't 
necessarily agree with that premise. I wish there was a magic wand to 
wave; there isn't. On the other hand, the people that are listening to 
your radio broadcast has got to know that the President of the United 
States and a lot of other people in America are concerned and care about 
how they live and want them to be free and want them to realize the 
beauties of a Burmese-style democracy. And whether that happens tomorrow 
or not is doubtful. Nevertheless, what is important, though, if for 
there to be a strong voice in laying out that vision. And that's what 
I'll continue to do.
    Yes, ma'am.

[[Page 1113]]

President's Lunch With Burmese Activists

    Q. Mr. President, you just met a group of Burmese activists and then 
you share views with them on Burma's struggle. What do you see and what 
do you get from having lunch with them?
    The President. First of all, there's a lot of courageous people that 
have made a decision to work hard on behalf of the rest of their 
citizens to achieve a free society. Secondly, that they have great hopes 
that the United States will continue to speak out, that the United 
States will not abandon our belief in the universality of freedom. 
Thirdly, they were--I asked--I said, if you were me, what would you do? 
And I got a variety of opinions. And it was fascinating to hear voices 
of people who have actually been on the frontlines of change.
    I came away with the impression that they're very grateful to the 
American people for the generous support. Sometimes our generosity is 
not--actually ends up in the hands of the people as quickly as it 
should; but nevertheless, that they are--there seems to be a general 
awareness that the American people care. And there was a--there's a 
certain reality, a certain sense that there are--one of the things I 
came away with: There are people who may even be wearing the military 
uniform who understand that the status quo is not acceptable, and there 
needs to be a better way forward.
    But a lot of the frustration was focused on a single person--the 
general in charge of the country, and that--there was a belief that he 
didn't seem to care that much about the plight of the average citizen. 
And so, hopefully, U.S. pressure and U.S. focus will get him to think 
more about the average person and care about the way the average person 
lives.

Burmese Democracy Movement

    Q. Many critics said that our opposition itself is also very much 
divided, and they are not united enough against the military regime, and 
that--do you think that the United States can help prepare them for 
their future democratic Burma?
    The President. Well, first of all--that was an interesting 
question--I didn't think they were very divided--at least the crowd I 
was with. But I thought they were pretty united in their dream for a 
better Burma.
    You know, one of the things that obviously the people involved in 
the democracy movement have got to think through is how do you get from 
here to there. In other words, it's not easy to go from a very fierce 
military one-man rule to democracy. And so therefore, it needs to be 
well thought-out. And you have a very good point, and that is, is that 
there is a--is there a focused roadmap to get to a better tomorrow? It's 
hard for me to tell just in that conversation. Obviously, that's going 
to be a concern for--it must be a concern for people.
    One thing is for certain, is the Constitution is a sham. The rewrite 
of the Constitution is just a--it's not a good document; it's not a fair 
document. So therefore, there needs to be a constitution at some point 
in time that will enable Burma to be a federal state that--based upon 
the will of the people.

Burmese Elections

    Q. Follow up on that. The military regime will hold a election in 
2010, and they began preparing this month for election. And then what is 
U.S. stand on this election?
    The President. My stand is they ought to be open and fair, and I 
doubt they will be. I think the Constitution is a sham constitution, and 
therefore--but, you know, I--this is a society that's not interested in 
democracy. They have proved they're not interested in democracy. If 
they're interested in democracy, they'd let the prisoners out of prison, 
for starters. The political prisoners would be a given to chance to 
leave and live in a free life. That's the first test, not election under 
a sham constitution.
    And so, you know, they'll play like the election was fair and all 
this--to justify their behavior. And I think people like yourself ought 
to be speaking out that the elections, unless certain conditions are 
met, can't possibly be fair.

U.S. Policy on Burma

    Q. We understand, and the Burmese listeners also understand, how you 
and the First Lady are compassionate for Burmese people, how much you 
strongly support to the freedom for Burma. But I wonder, place here

[[Page 1114]]

the new administration--will be installed, and any chance the policy 
changes from the United States and----
    The President. I would be very surprised. I know both candidates and 
the--freedom for Burma is a bipartisan issue. And the Burmese people--
it's not just the President that thinks about the citizens of Burma. 
There's a lot of people in our Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, 
that feel the same way. And so, I think the Burmese people are going to 
have a consistent friend in the United States.

China's Role in Burma Situation

    Q. You're talking to the China authorities. Do you think China can 
play a role to make situation better in Burma?
    The President. I think--oh, yes, I think China could play a 
different role. I do. The question is whether they want to or not. And 
so I'll--I will bring up the Burma--Burmese issue again to President Hu 
Jintao, who I like. He's an easy man to talk to. And they just got 
different interests at times from the United States. And so, I've got to 
work hard to see if I can't convince him that we share the same goals. 
It's not going to be easy, but I'll try to do so.

Thailand and ASEAN's Role in Burma Situation

    Q. Wonder will Thailand and ASEAN in Southeast Asia----
    The President. Yes, Thailand can help. ASEAN can help. They need to 
send a signal. Obviously, Thailand was very helpful when it came to 
helping with the cyclone--aftermath of the cyclone. After all, this is a 
staging center for a lot of our materials and other peoples'--countries' 
materials that came through. Yes, and they can continue to work the 
issue. We just got to make sure that ASEAN delivers a message that is 
inspiring to the people of Burma.

International Community's Role in Burma Situation

    Q. Mr. President, besides sanction and travel restrictions on the 
generals in Burma, do you--have you ever thought of alternative 
strategies work on Burma--under U.S. and then with the international 
community?
    The President. A different strategy?
    Q. Yes.
    The President. You mean, trying to convince--well, I think our 
strategy is the right strategy, the U.S. strategy. And if your question 
is, do I--am I trying to convince others to join us on the strategy? 
Well, yes. In other words, it would be better if we could all speak with 
one voice. And I've been in--you know, it hadn't been that hard with 
some countries, like the European countries, for example. But it's been 
difficult with some of the countries in the neighborhood here because we 
don't share the same goals.
    My goal is democracy. Their goal is stability and--at times. And 
that's not necessarily the--I'm for stability too. Don't get me wrong. 
But I'd like to see the system move toward a free society. I want to see 
these prisoners released. I want to see people treated better. I've got 
a friend who helps deal with the rape victims along the border. These 
women are being raped--she says, systemically raped by the military as 
part of their campaign of fear. That stuff has got to end in order for 
me to feel comfortable with any other policy toward Burma.
    And that's a--this is a priority. In other words, there's--and 
others have different priorities. And so therefore, it's hard to find 
common ground, but we'll continue to try to do so.
    Okay, last--yes. Then I got to go to the games. [Laughter] I'm 
cheering the American Olympic team.

U.S. Foreign Policy in Asia

    Q. I'm going tonight too, sir. You have the conviction and idea to 
bring freedom and democracy to Burma, but some people would say that the 
United States doesn't have much strategic interest in Burma, unlike 
Afghanistan. Where does Burma fit in, sir?
    The President. I think so long as there's human suffering like there 
is here in Burma, then this will be of strategic importance to the 
United States. Look, no question, we've got a lot of issues on our 
platter, but I think about Burma a lot. Maybe one reason why is my wife 
was such a activist on the subject.
    But nevertheless, I gave a speech today in Thailand that talked 
about how America is, in many ways, a Pacific nation, and that I think--
I know the center of gravity of a

[[Page 1115]]

lot of policy is shifting to the Far East. And therefore, Burma, the 
Burmese issue is--will be an integral part of any Far Eastern policy. 
And no question, America's strategic interests lie in a lot of places, 
but they lie here as well. And so long as this issue festers, then it 
will have the attention of the American policymakers.
    Thank you all for your time. Very good job.
    Q. Thank you very much.

Note: The interview began at 1:38 p.m. at the U.S. Ambassador to Burma's 
residence. In his remarks, the President referred to Senior Gen. Than 
Shwe, Chairman, State Peace and Development Council of Burma; Aung San 
Suu Kyi, leader of the National League of Democracy in Burma; and 
President Hu Jintao of China. A tape was not available for verification 
of the content of this interview.