24 March 2002
U.S., Peruvian Presidents Vow to Fight Terror, Illicit Drugs
(Bush offers condolences to Peru on recent bombing attack) (4900)
The United States and Peru "understand that political and economic
progress depends on security -- and that security is impossible in a
world with terrorists," says President Bush.
Speaking at a joint press conference March 23 with Peru's President
Alejandro Toledo in the Peruvian capital of Lima, Bush said that
Peruvians were reminded again a few days earlier of the "terrible toll
of terror," when a bomb exploded near the U.S. Embassy in Lima,
killing a number of people and injuring scores more.
"On behalf of the people of the United States," Bush said, "I express
our deep sympathy for the victims of the recent bombing and our deep
sympathy for their loved ones."
Bush praised Peru "for taking the lead in rallying our hemisphere to
take strong action" against terrorists.
The president also announced several initiatives that the United
States will undertake in Peru. For instance, he said the United States
and Peru had signed an agreement that day to reintroduce the Peace
Corps to the Andean nation after an absence of nearly 30 years. The
first Peace Corps volunteers will arrive in Peru in August, the
president said. The volunteers are a symbol, Bush added, "of the
stronger ties between our people and the stronger relationship between
our nations."
In addition, Bush said that he and Toledo have agreed to renew
discussions on a bilateral investment treaty, and to complete a
debt-for-nature agreement to help Peru reduce debt payments in
exchange for protecting its biodiversity.
On the issue of the Andean Trade Preference Act, Bush said he is
committed to its renewal and has urged the U.S. Senate to follow the
action of the House of Representatives in passing the measure.
Bush also announced that the United States will help establish an
Andean Center of Excellence for Teacher Training, with a base in Peru.
The center, the president said, will support Toledo's goal of
establishing quality schools with quality teachers "that give more
Peruvians the literacy and learning they need to succeed."
Finally, Bush said he had directed the U.S. Commerce Department and
the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to establish an Andean
e-business fellowship program, to give more high-tech professionals
from the Andean region the chance to learn more about information
technology. The United States, he declared, "is committed to [helping]
this part of the world" pursue its development agenda.
Following is a transcript of the press conference:
[Note: In the transcript, "billion" equals "thousand million."]
(begin transcript)
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND PRESIDENT TOLEDO IN JOINT PRESS
AVAILABILITY
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Lima, Peru)
For Immediate Release
March 23, 2002
Presidential Palace
Lima, Peru
6:00 P.M. EST
PRESIDENT TOLEDO: This is an historic visit made by a friend
representing a country with which we have had an historical
relationship. It is not merely a diplomatic visit, it is an official
working visit and we have touched on substantive issues, which range
from the open struggle against poverty, a war without quarter against
terrorism and drug trafficking. I repeat, a war with no ambiguities
whatsoever, against terrorism and drug trafficking.
We've touched on issues of trade, education, even the Peace Corps. But
my friend, George Bush, this Peru is a country that welcomes you with
open arms. We are renewing our friendship and this is the beginning of
a new era in the relationship between Peru and the United States. And
I'm extremely happy that the two of us are able to begin this
relationship.
I know you seem younger than I am, but we are both 55 years old. And
we have a long way ahead of us to work together. I know that we both
have the energy and the stubbornness, particularly with regard to the
issue of terrorism and drug trafficking, because your country, just
like mine, loves peace. It appreciates life. And we are united on
this. And as of today, we have a strategic alliance of hope for the
future.
My friend, welcome to my country.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Gracias, Senor Presidente. It is an honor for me to be
the first sitting president of the United States to visit Peru. I want
to thank you for the invitation. It's a greater honor for Laura and me
to come here as guests of a leader who symbolizes Peru's
revitalization.
President Toledo and I have now met three times. At each meeting I've
been impressed by his commitment to democracy and his determination to
improve the lives of the people of Peru.
Peru is on the path toward greater freedom and greater prosperity, and
America will be the partner in this progress, Mr. President.
Earlier today, our two governments signed an agreement that will
reintroduce the Peace Corps to Peru, after an absence of nearly 30
years. The first volunteers will arrive in August, a symbol of the
stronger ties between our people and the stronger relationship between
our nations.
This relationship is based on common values and common interests. Our
nations understand that political and economic progress depends on
security -- and that security is impossible in a world with
terrorists. Peruvians have been reminded again this week of the
terrible human toll of terror. On behalf of the people of the United
States, I express our deep sympathy for the victims of the recent
bombing and our deep sympathy for their loved ones.
President Toledo and I share a common perspective on terrorism: We
must stop it. Since September the 11th, Peru has taken the lead in
rallying our hemisphere to take strong action against this common
threat. And I want to thank the president for his leadership and his
strong support.
Our nations understand that freedom is only as strong as the
institutions protecting it. The United States is actively supporting
the president's efforts to strengthen Peru's democratic foundations.
And we will continue to support the work of Peru's Truth and
Reconciliation Commission, which is helping correct the abuses of the
past and set the course for a better future.
President Toledo and I both understand the importance of providing
economic opportunity to all our citizens as a hopeful alternative to
the drug trade. We discussed ways to make the assistance that the
United States provides under the Andean Regional Initiative more
effective. And I emphasized to the president my commitment to renew
and extend the Andean Trade Preferences Act. The United States House
of Representatives has moved this legislation. It is stuck in the
Senate, and I urge the Senate to act.
President Toledo and I have agreed to renew discussions on a bilateral
investment treaty, and to complete a debt-for-nature agreement, to
help Peru reduce debt payments while it protects its biodiversity.
I also informed the president that Secretary of Commerce Don Evans
will lead a trade mission to Peru and the Andean region later this
year. By building these ties of commerce, both our nations create more
jobs, more investment, and more benefits for workers and consumers.
President Toledo and I believe that education is the key to
participation in the global economy. The president's own path in life
is a lesson in how education opens up doors to opportunity. He is
passionate on the subject. I love his passion, and I appreciate his
commitment.
And I'm pleased to announce that our country will help establish an
Andean Center of Excellence for Teacher Training, with a base here in
Peru. The center will support President Toledo's goal of quality
schools with quality teachers, that give more Peruvians the literacy
and learning they need to succeed.
I've also directed the U.S. Commerce Department, and the U.S. Trade
and Development Agency, to establish an Andean e-business fellowship
program, to give more high-tech professionals from this region the
chance to learn more about information technology.
President Toledo and I have a strong relationship. I'm inspired by his
life, I'm inspired by his story, I'm inspired by his leadership. I'm
impressed by Peru's progress and I'm very confident of Peru's future.
Thank you, sir. (Applause.)
Q: Mr. President --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Which one? (Laughter.)
Q: You, sir. Given increasing evidence that the FARC is now operating
in Peru, will you be willing to provide President Toledo extra
assistance in fighting the war against terrorism here, should he ask
for it? And are you concerned that what was once a regional problem in
Colombia or something restricted to Colombia is now spreading across
Colombia's border and threatening its neighbors?
PRESIDENT BUSH: We discussed the neighborhood at length today.
President Toledo told me that he is -- now that he's done a very good
job, or the country's done a good job, of making sure that relations
with neighbors, north and south, are peaceful, that he is moving
troops and making decisions to prevent terrorists from coming into his
country from Colombia. And we will help him in this effort. That's
part of the reason why I'm here -- is to support our mutual desire to
fight terror and to help this good democracy thrive.
Later on today we'll be talking with presidents from -- and one vice
president, from the Andean nations. And we'll be discussing our common
desire to prevent terrorist groups like the FARC from holding people
and nations hostage. And I'm absolutely convinced, having talked to
the president three times, that he will do everything in his power to
rout out terror, not let it take hold, and preserve the institutions
that make Peru a beacon for democracy.
Q: -- (inaudible.)
PRESIDENT TOLEDO: No, the evidence that we have is -- I repeat, the
evidence that we have indicates that there is no transfer of the FARC
into Peru. However, we are adopting every measure possible. The
minister of defense was at the border very recently. We took our bases
that were along the border with Ecuador -- where, after signing the
peace agreement, there is no need for their presence -- we removed
them as a precautionary measure over to the border with Colombia.
As President Bush just indicated, this is a joint task. What happens
to Colombia affects us, and vice versa. But here, too, we're partners.
And I think that the issues that have to do with the Andean community
are issues on which President Bush is extremely interested and I'm
sure that we will be working together on these. We are going to work
together on this; I'm sure of that.
Q: President Bush, you granted an audience recently to my daily, El
Comercio, at the White House, and you said in that interview that
Peru, for the United States, is not only a friend, but an ally. I'd
like to ask you, beyond trade preferences and the commitment to
struggle against drug trafficking, what will be the major elements in
your administration that would highlight this different relationship
you want to have with Peru? For example, would you open up an
antechamber, so to speak, for Peru to come into a free-trade agreement
negotiation with the United States?
And let me ask President Toledo, with regard to the issue of shared
responsibility in the fight against drug trafficking, would you take
on the commitment before President Bush to establish a control office
that would monitor whatever the United States does not comply with?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I listed quite a few things in my opening remarks
about our relationship. I believe strongly that if we promote trade,
and when we promote trade, it will help workers on both sides of this
issue -- it will help Peruvian workers, help U.S. workers.
The Andean Trade Preference Act is a cornerstone of good policy, as
far as I'm concerned, and it's a cornerstone of good relations. We
talked about a treaty on investment; that could be the beginning of a
trade treaty. The president brought it up. He asked whether or not we
would consider it. I said we'll take it back and discuss the issue
when I get back to Washington, D.C. There's nothing more important
than fostering good economic relations. I mean, the best way for
people to get lifted out of poverty is a job. And the best way to
encourage jobs is through trade.
I mean, what we're beginning to realize in the world is development
aid is important, but development aid pales in comparison to the
amount of capital that's generated through trade in the marketplace,
in the private sector. And countries that open markets and countries
that trade freely are countries where the people are more likely to be
able to succeed. And I would not discount the importance of our
relationship when it comes to fighting terror.
The world has called us to action. This is a new era. We're fighting a
new kind of war. And we're strong allies in that war. And when we win,
our peoples will be better off. You can't alleviate poverty if there's
terror in your neighborhood. It's impossible to achieve what we want
if terrorists run free.
And so I think one of the best things we can do to lay the foundation
for a better tomorrow is to be tough and firm and not yield to threat.
And that's exactly the way the president feels, and I can assure you
that's the way I feel.
PRESIDENT TOLEDO: I think that in the war against drug trafficking and
terrorism, we are partners, not simply through conviction, my good
friend, but because we, ourselves, have experienced it. We have
experienced the effects of terrorism here for 20 years. The United
States, on September 11th. And I have here my friend, Colin Powell,
with whom we have a very solid human relationship because, in this
very palace, we were witnesses to the news of September 11th, while we
were having breakfast.
On this issue we are partners. I am stubborn. I am stubborn and I
believe it is not incompatible to respect the law and to be
strong-handed with regard to the issue of terrorism and drug
trafficking.
I do know there's been a decision from the U.S. government to increase
support for the struggle against drug trafficking, and I appreciate
that enormously. We still have a long road ahead to walk together in
this struggle, but we will do it.
And, Mr. Journalist, I want to underscore something that was referred
to by President Bush. Trade preferences is an issue on which President
Bush has demonstrated -- and I am a witness -- his will for
congressional approval in the United States. The separation of powers
makes it impossible for presidents to control congresses -- just like
I don't control mine. But that's the way democracy works.
Nonetheless, we have gone beyond Andean Trade Preferences. I have
asked of President Bush that he consider an initiative for trade, for
bilateral trade and investment within the framework of the Andean
community. And we are going to be talking to our colleagues in just a
few minutes.
I think it's important because trade is a synonym for work. And work
is a way to deal with poverty. Through work, education and health, we
can eradicate poverty. We are partners on the issue of trade, on the
issue of drug trafficking and terrorism, in the defense of democracy
and of human rights, my friend -- human rights.
Q: Mr. President, the Peruvians have expressed an urgent desire for
the resumption of U.S. drug interdiction flights in Peruvian airspace.
You told us yesterday in Monterrey that the issue was under rigorous
review. My question to you, sir, is it your ultimate goal to see a
resumption of those flights? And what preconditions would you put on
those flights before authorizing resumption?
And for President Toledo, if I could, sir, if you are to expect a
maximum effort at a partnership with the United States to eradicate
drug trafficking, why won't you make the same commitment to coca
eradication as your neighbors, Bolivia, have? You've talked a lot
about the problem being drug trafficking, but you have not made the
same commitment on coca production, sir.
PRESIDENT BUSH: John, we are reviewing all avenues toward an effective
policy of interdiction. As you know, we had a terrible situation where
a young mom and her daughter lost their life; that caused us to step
back to take a look at our policy at home, and then to work with the
Peruvian government to figure out how best to be effective at
interdicting drugs.
And so the discussions are ongoing. And we want to make sure that when
we work with countries like Peru, that we achieve the common
objective, which is to make it hard for those narco-traffickers to
move through their airspace, across their land, or in oceans.
I want to say something about -- there's a lot of talk about
interdiction, and there should be. And there's a lot of talk about
battling the narco-traffickers here in the Andean area, and we will.
But our country has an obligation, as well, not only to provide
support and help. The president mentioned that we have expanded the
direct aid to Peru on this issue, which we have. We've tripled it, up
to about $200 million -- about $195 million, I think it is. But the
best thing that America needs to do is reduce demand for drugs. We've
got to do a better job of convincing our own country to quit using
them. As demand for drugs goes down, it will take the pressure off of
our friends in Peru.
So we've got a double obligation, it seems like to me -- on the one
hand, to provide help and aid that's effective and will work. And
that's exactly what we spent a long time talking about, in all three
of our meetings. But I want to remind our Peruvian friends that we've
got to do a better job at home of convincing Americans to stop using
drugs. And part of our drug initiative will be to focus on the demand
side. Less demand for drugs will mean that the supply for drugs will
be less urgent. And that will in turn help the region.
PRESIDENT TOLEDO: Look, my friend, let me deal with your question
head-on. In 1990, the number of hectares with coca cultivation was
approximately 140,000 total. Today, we are down to 34,000 hectares
where we have coca cultivation. Enormous progress has been made.
I know it's not enough. We have a long path ahead of us yet. And we
have to do this together. I know that the drug traffickers have become
more sophisticated over time -- they have more high-tech capabilities.
And now we, too, have to push forward in that direction.
I want to be very open, and I apologize to my friend, President Bush,
now. We are not fighting against drug trafficking in order to satisfy
the United States or Europe. Drug trafficking, in partnership with
terrorism, is an issue of national security. It's an issue of national
security. On Wednesday, they killed nine people -- nine of our
brothers and sisters -- and there are 30 people wounded. I have
publicly stated -- and I want to repeat this -- we are not going to
let this stand.
So let me respond to you. We have met a substantial reduction. We
still have 34,000 hectares to go. But we are going to do this
together.
Final point. I think President Bush is extremely sincere -- he's
extremely sincere and honest when he recognizes that as long as there
is a demand out there, there will be a supply. As long as there are
consumers, there will be producers. And so, together, we need to work
on reducing the number of consumers, cure them better, make them
better. And we need to reduce the amount of hectares under
cultivation.
And, footnote here, it's also true that the statistics indicate that
although levels are still low, there is an increase in the consumption
of cocaine among youth in Peru. And that is also part of our concern
with regard to national security.
Q: President Bush, you are in a region now that's been devastated by
terrorism and subversion and drug trafficking for over three decades.
You're offering us the Peace Corps. I would ask you if you're willing,
as president of the most powerful nation on Earth, to lead a Marshall
Plan for South America?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I appreciate that. I think I said more than just the
Peace Corps, if I'm not mistaken, in my opening comments. Obviously,
our nation is committed to this part of the world. I've come to Peru
as the first sitting [U.S.] president to express our solidarity with
Peru and the people, as well as express my appreciation for a reformer
who got elected who's willing to defend the institutions that make
democracy go.
I'll repeat if you'd like me to, go through the litany of things I
just said -- the Andean Trade Preference Act, the bilateral action on
investment, money for education, money to fight drugs. We've tripled
the amount of money -- I believe it's from $50 million up to $195
million available. And so I think our commitment is -- I think our
commitment speaks for itself. And I appreciate so very much the chance
to come and explain it to the Peruvian people that ours is more than
just words -- ours is deeds and action.
Q: Good afternoon, President Bush. Buenos tardes, Senor Presidente.
President Bush, many lawmakers in Congress are growing increasingly
concerned about your policy in the Middle East, wondering if the very
talk of potential high-level negotiations involving Vice President
Cheney, specifically, with the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat,
might not, in fact, send a signal that terrorism against Israeli
civilians can achieve some limited political aims. I'd to ask you,
sir, why you're contemplating that, and why those who wonder if that
is not the case are incorrect?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, first of all, I think there's been no question
that the United States has stood strong with Israel. And we've made it
very clear to Mr. Arafat that he is not -- he's not doing all he can
do to fight off terror. I can't be any more clear than that. Vice
President Cheney said, depending upon on the Zinni mission and General
Zinni's recommendation, he might go back, if and when Arafat performs.
Surely those in the Congress you talk about appreciate the fact that
the administration is engaged, and sent General Zinni into the region.
We laid out the Tenet plan, which is the way to bring some security to
the region -- which would then lead to the Mitchell plan. And we're
doing everything in our power to get the parties into Tenet. And we'll
continue working hard to get them to Tenet.
Q: Even if the violence continues --
PRESIDENT BUSH: If and when -- if and when Mr. Arafat -- if and when
--
Q: -- (inaudible) --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Excuse me. If and when Chairman Arafat performs.
That's what we have said. General Zinni went to the Middle East; he's
leading discussions. But people shouldn't mistake our desire to get
into Tenet as anything more than a desire to get to peace. And we'll
continue working to do so.
And Prime Minister Sharon knows where the United States stands. We're
strong allies with Israel. We have been ever since I've been the
president, and we'll continue to be strong allies with Israel.
Q: Good afternoon to both presidents. President Bush, just a few days
ago I was able to ask you in Washington about leadership in the fight
against poverty. And on this, aside from the issue of being 55 and the
fact that you're wearing the same color ties, you are in agreement
with President Alejandro Toledo, who also insists on fighting against
poverty. But the fight against poverty presupposes -- and this has
been stated by Dr. Toledo -- thinking of reducing arms in Latin
America, because for every tank or F-16, we could buy a lot more
schools. Mr. President, I'd like to know your views on this, and the
views of President Toledo with regard to this issue. The possibility
of arms control in the South American part of the hemisphere. And the
same question for President Toledo.
PRESIDENT BUSH: We may be the same age, but el tiene pelo negro.
(Laughter.) Yo tengo pelo gris. (Laughter.)
I appreciate President Toledo's work to have a security arrangement in
place in the neighborhood amongst the countries bordering Peru that
will then allow him to reinvest in education. We talked about that.
And I think that is a strong commitment and a wise commitment.
As far as my country's commitment goes, I gave a speech in Monterrey,
Mexico, two days ago where I committed our country to a 50-percent
increase in development aid. But I said it's time for the world to
stop looking at inputs and to focus on outputs, and that the United
States, developed nations, must do more financially. And we're leading
the way.
But we expect other nations to develop the habits that will lead to a
better opportunity for their people: rule of law, a focus on
education, and good health care. President Toledo understands that;
he's been a leader in that effort. And I think what I said in
Monterrey was very important, that unless we all focus on how programs
benefit people directly, no matter what the efforts or strategy is,
it's likely to lead to failure. But programs and policies that
understand the worth of each human being, that each individual
matters, are those programs which will be successful. And so our
country will try to foster that. And this president has made that
commitment, for which I am grateful.
PRESIDENT TOLEDO: Aside from the fact that President Bush has very
good taste with regard to color in ties -- (laughter) -- he's also
taller than I am. (Laughter.)
On this issue, Raul, of military expenditure, we discussed it with
him. And here I want to strike a difference between military expenses
for armed conflicts between countries, and military expenditures for
defense against terrorism and drug trafficking, because these are two
separate issues.
I think that there is a major challenge in the world in order to
survive in this globalized and savagely competitive world we live in.
We need to invest more in the minds of our people. Basically, what
this means is investing more in nutrition, health, education, and
justice for the poor.
We won't be able to deal with the challenges of this globalized world
unless we invest in the knowledge of our societies. The question
immediately arises, and obviously so, in an economy that is growing
that is overcoming recession, where you get the money to invest in
nutrition, health and education? Well, we've made an appeal to
countries at the bilateral level. And there the United States has
played a very generous role at the donors' table in Madrid. And I want
to publicly express my appreciation, Mr. President.
There has been debt conversion, external bilateral debt swap, for
social investment. And there we have been able to get a commitment of
about $1 billion. This is one way to establish a financial space to
invest in health, nutrition and education.
The other thing is that I believe it makes no sense in this world that
as long as we have a country with 54 percent of Peruvians who live
below the poverty line, or 16 percent who live below the dire poverty
line -- when I was born, the very first minute of my life when I
opened my eyes, I saw the face of dire poverty. I know what this
means. That's why I am convinced that we can make an effort to reduce
military spending, to reorient those resources towards investment and
justice and education and health. Because the defense of a country no
longer depends on how many tanks, or ships, or aircraft we have. It's
all about how strong our economy is, how educated our people are.
And please excuse me for being so passionate on this subject, but
there is absolutely no doubt on this. And the empirical evidence is
very harsh with regard to the return on investment on education and
health and nutrition for our people.
And here, once again, we have another point of coincidence that leads
us down the same path together. I conveyed something that's very close
to my heart with regard to the Huascaran education program, and I
asked our friend to support us on this. And I will be going to New
York, and I'm going to talk to Mr. Bill Gates, to try to promote the
Huascaran project even more. But if we reduce military spending, we're
going to have some financial leeway to reorient this money towards the
poor, who want to overcome poverty -- who want freedom. And we'll be
able to deal with the challenges of the future even better.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much.
END -- 6:37 P.M. EST
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
