19 October 2001
Text: Bush Getting Strong Support For Fight Against Terrorism
(Background briefing of Bush's meetings with Asian leaders) (3990)
President Bush received strong support from Republic of Korea
President Kim Dae-jung and China's President Jiang Zemin for the
United States' fight against international terrorism, according to a
senior Bush administration official.
In an October 19 background briefing for reporters in Shanghai, the
senior administration official said Bush brought up counterterrorism
as the first topic of discussion with the two Asian leaders.
The leaders of both countries recognize international terrorism as a
"scourge that affects all stable countries," the official said of the
two Asian presidents.
The Republic of Korea, a longtime American ally, and the People's
Republic of China want to see the fight against terrorism succeed, the
official said.
President Bush told both leaders of his "personal determination" to
see the war on terrorism succeed, the official said. "He found, I
think, ready and willing partners in that effort," the senior
administration official added.
President Bush and China's President Jiang committed themselves to
building "a constructive and mature relationship," the senior official
said.
The President, he went on, told President Jiang that China is not an
enemy. While the two nations may sometimes have disagreements, they
will handle those disagreements "with respect."
The leaders of the United States and China, the official continued,
spoke of areas of cooperation beyond counterterrorism, including
trade, where President Bush reiterated his support for China's
accession to the World Trade Organization.
The President said there were still some trade issues to be dealt with
as China's accession to the WTO takes place, mentioning in particular
issues relating to the trade in soybeans and the treatment of American
insurance companies.
Bush and Jiang also discussed the Pyongyang regime in North Korea, the
senior official said, with President Bush asking the Chinese leader
what he saw in North Korea.
The Chinese leader told Bush that the United States presence in the
Asia Pacific region was generally a stabilizing factor, the senior
official said.
The two leaders, the official continued, spoke of their joint desire
for stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Bush raised proliferation concerns with his Chinese counterpart,
stressing that in light of the September 11 terror attacks, there
needs to be a renewed effort "on making certain that the means to
deliver weapons of mass destruction by missile technology not spread,
as well as weapons of mass destruction themselves," the senior
administration official said.
The U.S. President also brought up the issue of religious freedom and
the importance of that issue to Americans, the official said.
With President Kim Dae-jung, Bush spoke about the counterterrorism
effort, the senior official said. The President also spoke with his
Korean counterpart about efforts to bring peace and stability to the
Korean Peninsula, saying he supported President Kim's Sunshine Policy
toward North Korea.
The U.S. leader told Kim that he knew Kim's policy of openness to the
Pyongyang regime was based on "a realistic assessment" of the
communist regime, with a hopefulness that something could be achieved,
the senior administration official said.
President Bush spoke with Kim about the United States' offer to
Pyongyang to begin discussions on "a broad range of subjects when the
North Koreans are ready to do that," the senior administration
official said.
Following is the White House transcript of the event:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Shanghai, People's Republic of China)
October 19, 2001
BACKGROUND BRIEFING BY
A SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL
ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S MEETINGS
WITH CHINESE PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN
AND SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM DAE JUNG
The Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
5:43 P.M. (L)
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: Good evening. I thought I'd take a chance to read
out a little bit for you the two meetings that the President had today
with President Jiang of China, and President Kim of South Korea.
Both meetings began with, as you might imagine, discussions of the
counterterrorism effort. Very strong statements of support from both
the Presidents, recognition that this is really a scourge that affects
all stable countries, and a real desire to see the counterterrorism
efforts succeed.
The President talked a lot about his own personal determination to see
this war on terrorism succeed, and he found, I think, ready and
willing partners in that effort.
During the Jiang meeting with the President, which in total was over
three hours, the meeting and then with lunch -- the two Presidents
committed themselves to the building of a constructive and mature
relationship. The President said at one point to President Jiang --
President Bush said at one point to President Jiang, China is not an
enemy. Sometimes we will have our disagreements, but we will handle
them with respect. And I think you heard that President Jiang then
reiterated that point in the press conference.
They talked about several areas of cooperation, including, of course,
counterterrorism, but also trade, where the President signaled his
continuing support for China's accession to the WTO. The President did
mention that there were still important trade issues to be dealt with
as this accession takes place, including concerns the United States
has had about soy beans, and also a concern about insurance --
treatment for American insurance companies.
They had a very wide-ranging and interesting discussion of North
Korea. Of course, Kim Jung Il has been to China recently, and the
President asked President Jiang to talk some about what he saw in
Korea -- in North Korea. President Jiang said that he believes that
the American presence in the Asia Pacific in general is stabilizing,
and they talked about their joint desire for stability and peace here,
as well as on the Korean Peninsula.
The President raised proliferation concerns, especially in the light
of September 11th that there needs to be a renewed effort on making
certain that the means to deliver weapons of mass destruction by
missile technology not spread, as well as weapons of mass destruction
themselves. The President talked about the importance of religious
freedom; indeed, told President Jiang that this was an issue that was
deep and dear to the hearts of Americans, how much we value religious
freedom, and how much he himself as a practicing Christian values
religious freedom and personal -- the right to personal faith.
They then went to lunch. Three giant, circular tables, about 18 people
each. I might just note that there was a lot of talk about the wonders
of Shanghai. There were -- the current mayor of Shanghai was there as
well as two former mayors of Shanghai. Clearly being there, Shanghai
is an important role as one moves up in the Chinese leadership. And so
there was a great deal of talk about this city, the President having
last been here in the mid-'70s. I, myself, was last here in 1992. And
they had a talk about how -- the spectacular growth of the city.
Finally, let me say that the meeting was cordial, that it was a
meeting in which a lot of business was done and I think they
established a very good relationship, good personal basis for moving
forward. In fact, at one point, both men committed to picking up the
phone and calling, particularly if there was some area of
misunderstanding, and I think that's a very important step forward.
The President met today also with President Kim of South Korea. Of
course, this is their second meeting. And the President talked a great
deal about not just the counterterrorism effort, but about his desires
for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. President Kim at one
point said that he had not really expected President Bush to want to
talk about the Korean Peninsula, given everything else that was on his
mind. But President Bush assured President Kim that it was something
that he was following closely, working on. He reiterated his support
for the Sunshine Policy of President Kim; thanked him for his
leadership there; told him that he knew that it was based on a
realistic assessment of the North, but also a kind of hopefulness that
something could be achieved.
President Kim, for his part, thanked the President for that support.
And they both talked about the U.S.-North Korean relationship,
President Bush saying that he, of course, had made an offer to the
North Korean government to begin discussions about a broad range of
subjects when the North Koreans are ready to do that.
They talked also about trade issues, the WTO round that is coming. The
President asked for the support of South Korea, particularly on
agricultural issues. And they had a full range of discussions about
that issue, as well.
With that, I will close and take questions.
Q: When the Chinese President said that U.S. strikes against
Afghanistan should avoid innocent casualties, doesn't that suggest a
lack of support for U.S. actions, since there's no way we can avoid
innocent casualties?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: Ron, the United States government is doing
everything that it can to avoid civilian casualties. We've said that
--
Q: -- he doesn't say, do everything you can to avoid, he says, to
avoid innocent casualties.
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: I think you're parsing pretty closely here. The
President has said that the United States wants to do everything that
it can to avoid civilian casualties. This is a country, the United
States and its allies, that is seeking to save lives. This, against an
enemy, by the way, that goes -- that engages in the wanton destruction
of innocent lives. After all, the United States has undertaken a major
humanitarian effort in this regard. The United States is doing what it
can to avoid civilian casualties, and the President has made that very
clear.
I think he felt that he got very good support from the Chinese
government, not just in words, but we've been getting very good
support from the Chinese government in information and intelligence-
sharing. They sealed their border with Afghanistan. They've done some
very real measures. So he's very satisfied with the support that he's
getting.
Q: To what extent did Taiwan come up? President Jiang mentioned it
twice in his remarks. Did the President repeat his message that we
will do whatever is necessary to defend Taiwan?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: The President reaffirmed very strongly his
commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act. He affirmed his belief that
Taiwan ought to be treated with respect. They had a discussion of it,
but the President made very clear that American policy remained the
same.
Q: Following up on Ron's question, President Jiang also said that we
hope terrorist activities can have clearly defined targets. And what
is more, the United Nations should be brought into full play, looking
toward the future. Does this feel to the administration as any
layering of conditions that China is applying, either to what's
happening now or what may be contemplated in the future?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: No, we don't see this as any layering of
conditions. On the first point, about targeting very carefully, I
think it's obvious that the United States has in mind what the
President listed all the way back in his Joint Session speech -- that
the goal here is to render the al Qaeda organization incapable of
functioning, to bring justice to or to bring to justice those who
perpetrated the crime against the United States. That means in some
cases rooting these cells out in other countries.
And I want to remind you, there have been 250-plus arrests of known
terrorists around the world. So that operation is underway. It's
targeted on going after a country that chose to harbor the terrorists
and didn't heed the President's warning, the Taliban. And the Taliban
is now paying the price.
The President has also said that the war on terrorism has to be broad,
you can't be for one kind of terrorist and against another kind of
terrorist. But no, we didn't perceive this as any layering.
And concerning the U.N., let me just remind you that the U.N. Charter,
of course, has within it the right to self-defense. And in going after
these terrorists where they live, in fact, in going -- understanding
that, in this case, since you cannot lock down the United States of
America, that the best defense here is a good offense, we are
exercising the right to self-defense. That's in the U.N. Charter. And,
if you don't think it was self-defense, then September 11th should
have made that very clear.
Q: So you do not perceive in that reference to the U.N. any suggestion
from the Chinese that it is reserving the right to object in future in
the Security Council, if this, in fact -- campaign, in fact, broadens
beyond Afghanistan?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: I won't speak for the Chinese government, but I
will tell you that they have been very supportive in the U.N. It is
also true that we believe that the U.N. is going to have a role in the
postwar reconstruction of Afghanistan. We've made that very clear.
But I just want to go back. Self-defense, the right of self- defense
is recognized internationally. And if ever there was a case of
self-defense, it's going after these terrorists where they live before
they strike.
Q: Was there any movement at all on the soybean issue? And did they
talk at all about the environmental aspects of the WTO entry?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: The second subject, the environmental aspects, did
not, in fact, come up in their meeting, although there have been
discussions on that issue at the ministerial level that just took
place. The soybean issue, they again referred to trade ministers. But
I think that President Jiang heard very clearly that the President
believes that the ability for American agricultural products to be
properly treated within a WTO arrangement is extremely important to
him, and he considers soybeans an important example of that.
Q: I wanted to ask you about the APEC statement. It sounds like the
organization is ready to say it's against terrorism, but it's not
ready to say that it's for the military operation in Afghanistan. Is
that a disappointment --
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: It's a very strong statement. I would ask you to
compare it to other statements. It looks a lot like the G-8 statement,
for instance, on terrorism. It commits the participants to some
specific steps, a list of specific steps. It commits the participants
to U.N. Resolutions 1368 and 1373, both of which have specific steps
that states need to take.
We're getting some of the strongest language that we've ever gotten,
internationally, on specific things that states are asked to do. It
also references the United Nations Charter. And the United Nations
Charter, again, has the right to self-defense. That is what the United
States and the allied forces are engaged in at this point in time. So
we consider this a very strong statement, and are very satisfied and
gratified by it.
And I just wanted to call your attention to one other thing in the
APEC statement. There is, I think, something very important there,
which is a call for capacity-building, for states that might not have
the capability of really rooting out terrorism -- whether it's the
need for better intelligence, or better law enforcement, or better
financial controls. And that's something that I think the United
States and its allies will want to heed.
Q: Partnership in this effort can mean different things. Is it your
sense that the Chinese are signaling at the very least that they will
not stand in the way of any U.S. military action? And in what way are
they -- are they sending those signals? And from the United States
point of view, what sensitivities does China have in coming out with a
full-throated support of military action, that you're aware of?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: Well, from the very beginning, David, we've said
that this is a broad coalition, and that different countries will
fight on different fronts in this coalition. We've also said that it
has to be up to countries to determine what kind of contribution they
can make.
But we believe that the core here is to support the war on terrorism,
to support specific measures to finally root out terrorism. As I said,
the Chinese have been very helpful on the intelligence and information
front. In some ways, we believe that's the most useful thing that
China could do. China has also sealed its border with Afghanistan.
China has also said that it will help on the financial control side.
I can't speak about the sensitivities of the Chinese government.
That's for the Chinese government to do. I can only tell you that we
feel that we've gotten full and complete support from China. And since
it's a big and important country, in the neighborhood, that's
extremely important.
Q: -- characterization that indeed the signals they're sending is that
they may not come on with a full-throated support of U.S. action, but
they won't stand in the way.
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: Well, as a member of the Security Council, the
Chinese have been party to these resolutions; the Chinese have been
party to the implication of Article 51, under the U.N. Charter. And,
of course, that is the right to self defense.
I'm going to take two, because I --
Q: -- in the back.
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: All right. I'll take a couple more. I'll ignore
the advice I'm being given and take a couple more.
Q: To what extent is the administration concerned about the fact that
other countries may use the same pretext, citing the U.N. Charter, in
conducting actions across borders?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: Well, the United States has just a very strong
case here, and not every case is going to be this strong. The
President has mentioned, for instance, and, in fact, he and President
Jiang talked today about the importance of not conflating or not
equating every separatist movement with terrorism. So we think that
the case is very clear-cut here and that that is not a danger from our
point of view.
Q: In the meeting with Jiang, did either leader bring up the spy plane
incident from last April?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: They did not. I believe that both sides believe
that this is an incident that is behind us and that we can move on to
constructive relations.
Q: The President said that we'll carry out military operations in a
way that will not disrupt the delivery of food. Could you elaborate on
that?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: As you may know, we have had cooperation from the
United Nations, from the World Food Program. In fact, there are
representatives of some humanitarian agencies actually at SENTCOM
helping there to try to make certain -- because the President said
from the very beginning that the humanitarian part of this was
important to him, that he wants to see food delivered to Afghanistan.
But let's remember what the Taliban has been doing to its own people
ever since it came to power. It has been starving its own people for
political purpose. It has been burning food that is delivered. It has
been telling people not to eat the food that is dropped because it's
poison. It is trying to tax humanitarian organizations that are trying
to deliver food. It should be very clear to everybody what the problem
is here. You have a repressive government that wants to use food as a
weapon.
The United States and its allies are trying to get food in to help
starving Afghans.
And I'm sure that the United States and its allies are determined to
do that. But the Taliban is its own worse problem here.
Q: In parts of your readout and in the press conference, we didn't
hear anything about missile defense, and we also didn't hear anything
about warning the Chinese about their own arms build-up, both nuclear
and non-nuclear. Did the subject come up?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: The subject of missile defense came up briefly
because the President talked about it in the context of wanting to
make the region more stable, in the context of China not being an
enemy. He also talked about the importance of doing nothing to make
the region unstable. But there will be longer discussions with the
Chinese about missile defense at other levels.
Q: What did President Jiang say?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: I'm not going to -- I can't characterize precisely
his response to this; it was in a long discussion the President made
about Asia Pacific. President Jiang's response, in general, was that
he believed in American presence in the Asia Pacific was good for
stability.
Q: You mentioned that information that the Chinese are providing us
with, intelligence information, is very helpful. But during the spy
crisis the administration talked about how hard it was to get any
concrete information out -- you didn't know whether it was the
military or the political leaders, the bureaucracy was a nightmare.
How do we know the information is any good now?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: Well, let me just say that we assess the
information to be helpful and to be forward-leaning. Obviously, this
is a different situation. There are going to be times when we have
interests that do not coincide. That was clearly the case during the
EP-3 incident. We, clearly, now have interests that coincide. And I
think that it's not surprising that both countries, acting in their
own interests, we get very good information.
Q: But you've seen some change inside China that -- I mean, what's
changed with them?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: I can't really answer what's happened inside. I
can just tell you that I think that the President has made a very
strong case that it is in the interests of all stable and civilized
countries to band together to deal with this terrorist threat. And I
think that he's getting a good response from the Chinese, as well as
from others.
Last question.
Q: I just want to know, in the midst of everything going on here, is
the President able to focus on the anthrax scare? Is he talking to
Washington, who and how frequently?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: The President is very focused on what is going on
in the United States, as well. He has talked at least, to my
knowledge, three times since he's been here, to Governor Ridge. He is
very much on top of it. As you know, Governor Ridge gave a press
conference yesterday in which he called together a number of people
from the administration to talk about various aspects of it. The
President is following it daily.
In addition to the phone calls, he's getting updates very frequently
about the situation, and knows it very, very well; is directing it
from here.
Q: Can you just describe, when you were flying here on Air Force One
and the information came out about the CBS case and the number of
people exposed on the Hill, how he reacted to that?
SR ADMIN. OFFICIAL: All along, the President has reacted to all of
these events very calmly, but very forcefully. The key, first, is to
get good information. He has good sources of information. It's then to
make certain that that information, as it is received and as it is
evaluated, is passed to the American people. He's very concerned about
that, that the American people get good information. He's following it
very closely.
Sorry, I have to run. Thank you.
END.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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