[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 46 (Monday, November 24, 2008)]
[Pages 1438-1440]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Interview With Raul Tola of America TV

November 20, 2008

President's Upcoming Visit to Peru/APEC Summit

    Mr. Tola. Okay. Mr. President, a pleasure to be with you.
    The President. Thank you, sir.
    Mr. Tola. You're about to travel to Lima, Peru, again. You're going 
to the APEC. This is your last trip as President----
    The President. Yes.
    Mr. Tola. ----of the United States of America. How would you like to 
remember both trip and APEC?
    The President. Well, first of all, I remember Peru fondly from my 
last visit in 2002, and I'm looking forward to going back. I think it 
will be said, when people analyze the relationship between the United 
States and Peru, that during my time in office and the time of President 
Toledo and Garcia, we worked hard to put a good relationship in place.
    And so, on the one hand, I'll be able to go and confirm the 
importance of the bilateral relationship, and then I'll go to a very 
important meeting. And APEC is an important meeting this time, 
particularly given the financial situation in the world. APEC comes 
right after the economic summit we had here in America. So it means that 
it has the chance to embrace the principles, but it also has a chance 
for countries that did not participate in the summit here in Washington 
to express their views.
    So I'm looking forward to it. It's a very important meeting.

Peru-U.S. Relations

    Mr. Tola. Mr. President, you built a relationship with Peru because 
you have a close friendship with President Toledo----
    The President. Si.
    Mr. Tola. ----with former President Toledo, which held the 
negotiations in favor of FTA----
    The President. Si.
    Mr. Tola. ----which was finally approved. Now we have President 
Garcia in Peru, and elected President Obama in your country. Do you 
think this new situation is going to change the relationships between 
the two countries?
    The President. No, I don't think so. I really don't. First of all, 
President Garcia is muy amable. And President-elect Obama will find him 
to be a straightforward man.
    Secondly, the foundation is very strong. And so I anticipate and 
believe that bilateral relations with Peru and the United States will 
continue to be vibrant and strong and respectful. It's important for the 
American President--and I know President Obama will be this way--is to 
respect the leaders, the culture, and the people of different countries.

Latin America-U.S. Relations

    Mr. Tola. Let's talk about Latin America, Mr. President. Sometimes 
it's said that at the beginning of your administration you were very 
interested in building up a strong relationship with Latin America, but 
9/11 changed the priorities for the United States.
    The President. Yes.
    Mr. Tola. Is it true?
    The President. No, it really isn't. I understand that. I mean, a lot 
of my--you know, when I was on TV, for example, after 9/11, I was 
talking about securing the United States and the war on terror. And so 
I'm certain a lot of people in the neighborhood, Central and South 
America, said, ``Well, he's only focused on the Middle East; he doesn't

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really seem to care about us.'' But I've traveled. And in order to 
defeat that attitude, I came to Central and South America a lot as 
President. I've been to your country twice. And secondly, more important 
than trips, though, is policy. Free trade agreements with nations in the 
region are important for development. Social justice programs focusing 
on health and education for citizens in the region are--indicate our 
desire to help improve the human condition; the Millennium Challenge 
Account for countries in the region. So in other words, the record 
speaks about our deep desire to be good neighbors and to have friends.

U.S. Foreign Policy

    Mr. Tola. But sometimes it's said that the lack of policies in 
foreign affairs gears through Latin America empowered some political 
tyrants, like President Chavez.
    The President. Yes. No, I strongly disagree with that. I can 
understand pundits. There's a lot of pundits everywhere, but I believe 
that our policies have, obviously, set a different example of what's 
available for people. And ours is a country that believes strongly in 
social justice. We believe good societies must have educated people. 
It's hard to be hopeful if there's not good health. And finally, ours is 
a country that promoted free and fair trade, which is the best way to 
help nations develop their economies. I mean, in other words, you're a 
Peruvian farmer, you'd like to be selling into U.S. markets, and--
because it's a big market. Nothing wrong with selling in the Peruvian 
market or in countries bordering Peru or throughout South America. But 
also, it gives you an option to sell into U.S. markets. And that's the 
best way to help people make a living.
    And we have--obviously, there's a philosophical difference of 
opinion. And the only thing the United States tries to do is to show the 
human side of the philosophy that most leaders embrace, which is 
freedom, free markets, free trade, and social justice.

U.S. Influence Abroad/Next Administration

    Mr. Tola. Mr. President, elected President Obama said that at the 
very first day of his administration, he will withdraw troops from Iraq 
in a period of 18 months. It also is obvious that we are all in a middle 
of a huge global financial crisis. Do you think that this marks the end 
of an era which started with President Reagan and highlighted the United 
States hegemony with both military and economically?
    The President. No, I don't think so. I think the United States is 
still going to be a leader. It's going to be important for whoever the 
President is, whether it be--obviously, President-elect Obama, but 
Presidents following--that the United States build close alliances and 
friendships. That's exactly what this administration does. I mean, a 
classic case is with Peru. We've worked hard to have a good, strong, 
bilateral relations.
    And the President-elect is going to be facing difficult decisions. 
My job, as the sitting President, is to help him as he transitions into 
the job. I want him to succeed. And I want him to be able to have a 
economic platform that is good for the country. Now, obviously, we're in 
difficult times economically. We've taken some very strong measures here 
during my Presidency. And I'm very hopeful that these measures will make 
it easier for President-elect Obama, not harder.
    I've worked hard on a lot of fronts. I think America is more secure 
now than it was. Democracy is more vibrant in parts of the world that 
didn't see democracy. Trade is--agreements are more abundant now. I have 
given it my all. And now I am very hopeful that the man who succeeds me 
as President of the United States succeeds in his job.

Presidential Transition

    Mr. Tola. One last question, President--Mr. President. Elected 
President Obama said in his slogan, his campaign slogan, that change is 
the main thing for America.
    The President. El cambio.
    Mr. Tola. El cambio--yes.
    The President. You know, when I campaigned for office, I said I was 
for change. Everybody who campaigns is for change. And that's a very 
effective slogan, and he ran a very effective campaign. And the American 
people spoke loud and clear.
    And now it's--it will be his turn in 2 months to assume the great 
honor of being President. And I want to help him and help

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his team transition into office. And I really do wish him all the best. 
It's going to be very important that he be given a good start. And 
that's what we're going to do.

    Mr. Tola. Thank you, Mr. President.

    The President. Si. Gracias.

Note: The interview was taped at 11:11 a.m. in the Map Room at the White 
House for later broadcast. Mr. Tola referred to President Hugo Chavez 
Frias of Venezuela. The transcript was released by the Office of the 
Press Secretary on November 21. The Office of the Press Secretary also 
released a Spanish language transcript of this interview. A tape was not 
available for verification of the content of this interview.