17 October 2001
Transcript: Bush Will Discuss Terrorism, Economic Issues at APEC
(October 16 interview in Oval Office with Asian editors) (4370)
President Bush says it is important that he and Chinese leader Jiang
Zemin meet face-to-face during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting October 20-21 in Shanghai.
Bush, speaking with a group of Asian editors in the Oval Office of the
White House October 16, also emphasized the importance of his meetings
with the leaders of Japan and the Republic of Korea.
"I leave at a very difficult time in my country, because of these
terrorist attacks, the recent anthrax that has made it in the news,"
Bush said.
However, he said, it is important for him to go to the APEC meeting to
discuss economic issues and U.S. bilateral interests with various APEC
members, and to continue to press the issue of combatting
international terrorism.
Bush told the editors that he would speak with Jiang Zemin about the
need for the United States and China to have good relations. Bush said
with Japan's Prime Minister Koizumi he would discuss both defense and
economic issues, while with Seoul's Kim Dae-jung he would focus on
issues relating to the divided Korean peninsula and attempts at
engaging the communist regime in Pyongyang in talks.
Bush said the United States is ready to stand by its commitments to
the Republic of Korea.
The President also expressed his appreciation for the help offered by
Japan's Koizumi in the fight against international terrorism, adding,
"I want to remind you that you should not discount the importance of
disrupting the financial networks of the terrorists.
"If we starve them of money, that's just as effective as conventional
armament," Bush said.
Bush also stressed the importance of sharing intelligence on terrorist
activities.
"If we hear or see there is a threat on Japan or China or South Korea,
we will share that information so that each of us can protect our own
homeland. It's a different kind of war we're fighting," he said.
Bush assured his audience that his focus remains on "bringing the al
Qaeda organization hiding in Afghanistan to justice, and holding the
government that harbors them accountable, as well."
Following is the White House transcript of Bush's October 16 interview
with Asian editors:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
Released on October 17, 2001
Interviewed on October 16, 2001
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN ROUNDTABLE INTERVIEW WITH ASIAN EDITORS
The Oval Office
1:47 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you for coming. First, let me give some
introductory remarks.
First, I'm looking forward to my trip. I leave tomorrow morning. I
leave with great anticipation of a very positive trip. First, I'm
looking forward to going to Shanghai. I went there in 1975, when I
visited my dad. And I understand it's a city transformed, it's a
changed city. I look forward to seeing the changed city. It's going to
be a very interesting experience.
Secondly, I'm looking forward to meeting with world leaders, leaders
from China, my first experience. I'm looking forward to seeing my
friend, the Prime Minister Koizumi, again. I've had two or three
meetings -- three meetings with him, and we've got a very good
relationship.
Finally, I'm looking forward to meeting with your leader, as well, Kim
Dae-jung. He was right here in the Oval Office the last time I saw
him. I'm looking forward to a second meeting. We've got a lot to
discuss. So on the one hand, we'll have our joint meetings; and then
we'll have the bilateral meetings. The joint meetings are important,
the bilateral meetings are very important. And I'm really looking
forward to it.
Obviously, I leave at a very difficult time in my country, because of
these terrorist attacks, the recent anthrax that has made it in the
news. On the other hand, I think it is very important for me to go to
not only discuss our economic interests and our bilateral interests,
but to continue to talk about the war on terrorists, terrorism. And
it's also important for my nation to see that I leave because of --
that international affairs are still a very important part of making
the world more safe.
I'll be glad to answer questions.
Q: Mr. President, you are going to Shanghai for the APEC Summit. Could
you tell me your opinion about the summit, and what's your
expectation?
THE PRESIDENT: Sure. I expect to have a very frank dialogue with Jiang
Zemin about -- and I will tell him how important it is for the United
States and China to have good relations. And I look forward to having
an honest discussion with other world leaders about a variety of
issues.
Obviously, the Korean Peninsula; we'll talk about the relationship
between South and North Korea. As far as Japan goes, we'll talk about
our national defense relations, as well as the Japanese economy. And
Koizumi will want to know about our economy, as well. And also, with
all three leaders we'll be talking about trade and the need to fight
against international terrorism.
So my expectations are very solid, that this will be a very good and a
very important meeting.
Q: Second question?
THE PRESIDENT: We'll go around, everybody will get to ask.
Q: Mr. President, you are going to meet our President, Mr. Jiang
Zemin. What's the priority topic you're going to discuss?
THE PRESIDENT: I think the first priority is, of course, for Jiang
Zemin to look me in the eye, take the measure of the American
President. We've only spoken over the phone. We haven't had a chance
to meet. So it's to establish a personal relationship.
I will have met most of the leaders at APEC. I will have not met Jiang
Zemin. I look forward to meeting him, so he can see that I'm a sincere
person when I say that I want to have good relations; that I
understand there will be moments where we agree and moments where we
disagree, but we'll work to have good relations.
As you recall, we had a start that tested our relationship, and that
was over the EP-3 incident. Yet, we were very calm, both sides were
calm, both sides gathered the facts and both sides worked to resolve
an incident which could have been a difficult incident. But it wasn't.
It turned out to be a much more peaceful resolution than a lot of
people in the world thought was possible.
It was very interesting to get reactions from other world leaders
during that incident, because they didn't know me, they weren't sure
how we'd react; and they weren't sure how the chemistry would be
between our two governments. And I think we showed the world that we
can work things together. And that's going to be very important.
Trade is going to be very important for us to discuss, too. I think
it's going to be very important for us to talk about proliferation. I
think it's going to be very important for us to talk about human
rights. There's a wide range of issues that we can discuss. But I know
we'll discuss them in the spirit of a desire to have good, close
relations. China is a very important country. And I understand how
important it is.
Q: Mr. President, I have three questions.
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Each person gets three questions, so you can
think of another one.
Q: Beyond the economic and financial contribution, what kind of role
do you think Japan can play in fighting the war against terrorists?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, as you know, the Prime Minister has
talked about possibly participating with some defense forces -- not
combat forces, but defense forces. We're more than open-minded to talk
about a way for Japan to contribute.
But I want to remind you that you should not discount the importance
of disrupting the financial networks of the terrorists. If we starve
them of money, that's just as effective as conventional armament. And
also we need to share intelligence; all three countries need to share
intelligence back and forth. If we hear or see there is a threat on
Japan or China or South Korea, we will share that information so that
each of us can protect our own homeland. It's a different kind of war
we're fighting.
So the contributions can be varied and different. And each nation
represented here will contribute in different ways. And I recognize
that, and we're not going to ask nations to contribute in ways that
their people won't understand or accept. So there are going to be some
nations that will contribute in this area, and won't be able to help
here. But that's okay, just so long as we're all focused on the goal
of ridding the world of terrorism. And we must make that decision now.
And that's what I look forward to telling all the three world leaders.
I want them to see how determined I am to succeed, and that I'm
patient and resolved, and will not yield until we send a clear signal
to terrorists: there will be a consequence and, if you harbor a
terrorist as a nation, you will be held accountable. And that's just
as important, and I think all three leaders understand that. I know
the Prime Minister of Japan does.
Q: The second question, Mr. President, what would you like Japan to do
for revitalizing the world economy after the terrorist attacks?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think what Japan needs to do is what Prime
Minister Koizumi campaigned on, and that is to push for significant
economic reform, significant restructuring to work on bad loans and
bad assets, to get them off the books, so to speak.
I felt like the Prime Minister and I, in our discussions about the
internal situation in Japan understood each other well. And I have
always urged him at every conversation to be as bold and as strong as
he can, because it's very important for the world that the Japanese
economy be strong and recover.
Now, we have to do some things in our own country. We have been
severely affected by the economic -- by the attacks and, therefore, we
need an economic revitalization plan. And we've taken some steps.
We've spent money to help New York recover. We've spent money,
obviously, to help our defenses. We've spent money to help our airline
industry, which has been badly affected. I think we need to cut taxes
again. We cut taxes in the summer. I want to cut taxes again to offset
the spending to create a stimulus.
Finally, however -- and this is going to be an important part of the
meeting -- we must confirm our mutual desire to have the world trade
more freely. It is important for all our economies that we trade
freely, that markets be open.
Listen, I understand there are some issues involved with opening
markets, but we've got to work toward an ideal of more open markets.
Last question.
Q: The third question, Mr. President, what kind of a contribution do
you expect Japan to make to stabilizing future government problem in
Afghanistan?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, let me say that the last time the Prime Minister
was here, he told me that the Japanese had dedicated $40 million to
relief in Afghanistan. And I praised him here, in front of the
American press corps, for that generous contribution.
I think that goes to show that Prime Minister Koizumi understands
there is an international role for a stable Afghanistan. I understand
that we need to worry about what Afghanistan looks like and that we
must restore a sense of stability in that country and take care of the
poor people that have been victimized by the Taliban regime.
On the other hand, I want to assure everybody my focus in on achieving
the objective, which is bringing the al Qaeda organization hiding in
Afghanistan to justice, and holding the government that harbors them
accountable, as well. But I appreciate Japan's role. I appreciate the
Prime Minister's understanding of the need not only to provide
short-term relief -- like we are, as well -- but also to be a part of
a longer-term solution in Afghanistan. He understands that and for
that, I'm grateful.
Last question for here, and then you get three. You were probably
wondering whether I knew you were even sitting there, but I knew.
Q: My last question. The Chinese readers of my paper most want to know
what's your idea for the development in the bilateral relationship
between China and the USA?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first, the most important thing about a
relationship between our two nations is for the two leaders to get to
know each other as people, as individuals. I want to be able to hear
from your leader, the leader of China, what's on his mind. I'll be
able to tell more about this leader when I see him and hear him. And
he'll be able to tell more from me, about me, by listening to me.
Secondly, I think it's very important for us to continue to foster
good trading relations. Trade is mutually beneficial to our nations. I
argued strongly during the campaign, and since I've been President,
that China should ascend to WTO --
Q: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: -- because that is a very important part of encouraging
China to have market-oriented growth. But at the same time, it's in
our nations' interests.
I was most pleased with the progress we've made about China accepting
U.S. farm products as part of the WTO process. It was a very important
breakthrough. I think it's going to be very important for us to
discuss areas not only where we agree, but areas where we don't agree.
But one place where we do agree -- and it's important for your readers
to know -- is I support a one China policy. And I also expect there to
be a peaceful reconciliation of the differences. And I look forward to
reaffirming that with Jiang Zemin. We need to talk about a variety of
issues, which we will. And I'm confident we can have a very
constructive relationship. It starts with the desire to have a
constructive relationship, and my desire is to have a constructive
relationship.
Q: As the war on the terrorism goes on, one of the utmost important
issue for the Korean people should be the security of Korean
Peninsula.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q: If the war prolongs, as you have expected, one or two years, and
North Korea sometime in the future change their reconciliatory stance
and become hostile again, and if there occurs some kind of conflict in
the Korean Peninsula, how would you respond to that?
THE PRESIDENT: We will fulfill our obligations to the South Korean
people and to our pact with South Korea. North Korea should not in any
way, shape or form think that because we happen to be engaged in
Afghanistan we will not be prepared and ready to fulfill our end of
our agreement with the South Korean government. They should not use
this as an opportunity to threaten our close friend and ally, South
Korea.
Not only will we have troops there and have them there, we will be
prepared to defend and stand side-by-side with our long-time friend,
the South Korean people.
Q: Thank you. And the second question is, South Korea-North Korea
talks have been stalled after the inauguration of your administration,
virtually. And North Korean leader, Kim Chong-il, has not returned his
visit, which he has agreed last year. And earlier this month, North
Korea has cancelled the plan, agreed plan to exchange, to separate
families. And things are a little bit changing right now. About all
these, there are some Korean people blame it, in part, to your
administration, North Korean policy.
Do you have any comment on that? And I wonder if you have any message
concerning about Kim Chong-il?
THE PRESIDENT: I've got a message to Kim Chong-il: fulfill your end of
the bargain; you said you would meet -- meet. No one in the United
States is stopping him from doing this. This is a decision he made. He
can blame it on who he wants, but he ought to fulfill his end of the
agreement.
And, secondly, I want to remind your readers that we offered to meet
with Kim Chong-il. In June of this year we said, at a time of your
choosing, we'll be glad to send a representative to meet with you to
discuss a variety of issues. And, yet, he chooses not to meet with us,
either. He won't meet with you; he won't meet with us -- which kind of
leads me to believe that perhaps he doesn't want to meet.
So he can blame it on who he wants, but it's up to him to make that
decision.
Secondly, I think that he needs to earn the trust of the world. I
think he needs to take pressure off of South Korea and off of DMZ. I
think he needs to say -- send a signal, clearest message, that he's
for peace, not for war. And he can do that very easily by removing
conventional forces back. That's very simple to do. I know he needs to
stop spreading weapons of mass destruction around the world. And I
look forward to -- my government looks forward to explaining to that
to him, in no uncertain terms.
In the meantime, we have great sympathy for the North Korean people.
Anywhere there is starvation, Americans, like other nations, worry
about what causes the starvation. How can people starve in a world
where there is food? So my heart breaks when I hear the stories of
North Korean families not being able to feed their children. Children
are children, regardless of who their leaders are. And I'm sad about
that. I want to applaud Kim Dae-jung for his leadership in instituting
the Sunshine Policy. As I said, right here in the Oval Office, I
support the Sunshine Policy. I think it makes sense. I think the more
interchange there is, the more likely it is there will be peace. And
after all, we're for peace.
By the way, I fully understand how this issue affects the other
nations of the Far East, as well. And so we want to have discussions
with Kim Chong-il. We've made the offer to have discussions with Kim
Chong-il. But he refuses to talk. And I'm always -- which makes me
wonder why? Why would he not want to talk? What is it about this man
who refuses to -- not only to talk with us, but to fulfill an
agreement he made with your government?
Q: Actually I'd like to have two questions, if you allow me, Mr.
President.
THE PRESIDENT: Okay.
Q: I'd like to hear your opinion on the reunification of Korean
Peninsula. And what kind of role the United States can do after the
reunification? And the status of the American military forces?
THE PRESIDENT: Sure. Let me start with that. The last one's easy.
We'll have a military presence on the Peninsula. We think it's
important for providing stability, not only on the Korean Peninsula,
but throughout that part of the Far East. And I think most governments
recognize that. And so we'll keep a presence there. And I don't have
any intention of diminishing our presence. As a matter of fact, I
think the United States plays a very unique role of providing
assurance and providing stability. And we'll continue that role.
Secondly, our role -- what do I think about the chances for
reunification? You know, it's hard for me to tell. I would say that I
am -- I believe that anything is possible. However, if a leader
refuses to meet to discuss reunification, it's going to be hard to
achieve. It takes two parties, two willing parties, who make the
commitment to proceed forward.
I know the leader of South Korea has made that commitment. It's easy
to see when you talk to him. He's got this firm, fervent belief that
better relations with North Korea leading to talks about different
types of reunifications, starting with families, is very important. I
mean, you can -- there's no question in his mind, and no question in
my mind, having talked to him about his strong belief. But I fully
recognize it takes two leaders to share the same vision and the same
hopes. And it's apparent that Kim Chong-il doesn't share the same
vision, otherwise talks would be ongoing.
You see, I believe in the art of the possible. I believe if leaders
want something to happen, and they're willing to work to make it
happen, it can happen. But it requires will and drive and perseverance
and persistence. And I don't see that from one part of the -- one side
of the equation. I do see it from Kim Dae-jung, however.
Thirdly, about our role. Well, first of all, we believe that any kind
of discussions and talks between South Korea and North Korea will make
the Peninsula more peaceful. Dialogue is important, particularly the
human-to-human exchange, that sometimes people are ahead of their
governments -- you know, the will of the people gets out ahead of a
government, and that in itself -- and I think most people are peaceful
people. I think most people want there to be peace.
The timetable of such a reunification is obviously up in air, since
there's no discussions. But we'd be willing to help. We want to help
our friend. If this is what our friend and ally, South Korea, thinks
is important, we will help. We will help do so.
Listen, I am interested in -- again, I repeat something I said before:
I want our government to help starving people. On the other hand, I
don't want to send aid to a government that doesn't help its people.
It's one thing to help the people, it's another thing to send the aid
and then the government doesn't help the people.
And so I must tell you that I've been disappointed in Kim Chong-il not
rising to the occasion, being so suspicious, so secretive. I believe
he must lead his nation into the modern era -- starting with making
sure his people are fed and well-treated, and working with his
neighbor. He ought to assume the responsibility of a good leader, and
do that.
But there's time, and we'll see. I look forward to talking to Kim
Dae-jung this issue. I know he'll bring it up. It's on his mind. He's
a believer, as we say. He's passionate about the subject. And I
appreciate that passion very much. I think -- I like passionate
people. I like people who believe in a cause, and are willing to lead.
And I'm looking -- as you can tell, this is a part of the world that
I've thought a lot about. It's a very important part of the world.
It's significant, because not only of the histories and traditions,
but the future is so strong in all three countries present here. We've
got great futures. And we want to be friends, and we want to be a part
of the futures, working together. And I'm confident we can.
Q: Because of the belief President Kim Dae-jung has, a politically
difficult time right now.
THE PRESIDENT: Let me tell you, in life, you've just got to do what
you think is right. That's what a leader does. Leaders take a
position, not because of some poll or focus group. They should take a
position on what they think is right, and suffer the consequences.
That's what a good leader does.
Abraham Lincoln is on the wall here. He took a position in what he
thought was right, and stuck by it. He was severely criticized. They
made fun of him, the press did. They treated him -- they accused him
of not being able to put sentences together sometimes. Sounds
familiar. (Laughter.) But he turned out to be a great President,
because he did what he thought was right.
Winston Churchill, he did what he thought was right. George Washington
-- you notice I don't have people in this office who tried to figure
out what was right. You either know what you think is right, or not
what you think is right. And so I admire a person for taking a stand.
Sometimes the people like it, and sometimes they don't. But at least
by taking a stand you believe in, you'll be able to live with yourself
which, ultimately, to me, that's what's most important for a leader,
to be able to be comfortable about who you see in the mirror when you
wake up in the morning.
Look, I understand the political consequences of making tough
decisions. You mark my words, people are going to get tired of the war
on terrorism. And by the way, it may take more than two years. There's
a variety of theaters. So long as anybody's terrorizing established
governments, there needs to be a war. And so I've asked -- you said
one or two years. I envision something taking longer than that.
Now maybe the Afghan theater will be shorter than that, or that
length. Who knows? But we're patient. But some people are going to
start to say: we're tired, but President Bush keeps going on. And when
that happens, I want you to know, I will be doing it because I think
it's the right thing to do. That's what I'm supposed to do.
So that's a long answer to a very important question, the most
fundamental question of all.
Thank you all for coming. I'm looking forward to my trip.
2:15 P.M. EDT
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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