23 May 2002
Bush, Schroeder Say No Concrete Plans to Attack Iraq
(May 23 press availability in Berlin) (4840)
President Bush says there are "no war plans on my desk" for dealing
with the threat posed by Iraq and weapons of mass destruction, but
that "we've got to use all means at our disposal to deal with Saddam
Hussein."
Speaking at a press availability with German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder in the garden of the Chancellery in Berlin May 23, Bush
said, "I appreciate the German Chancellor's understanding of the
threats of weapons of mass destruction. And they're real."
"I promise consultations with our close friend and ally. We will exert
a unified diplomatic pressure. We will share intelligence," the
President added.
He said Saddam Hussein is a dictator with "a history of incredible
human rights violations" who has gassed his own people -- and that it
would be a "dangerous" scenario if "a country like Iraq would team up
with an al Qaeda-type organization, particularly if and when they have
the capacity... to deliver weapons of mass destruction via ballistic
missile."
Schroeder backed up Bush and said Hussein should be pressured to allow
international arms inspectors into his country. "There is no
difference there between President Bush and myself when it comes to
the assessment of this situation."
He also said that despite rumors, "there are no concrete military
plans" for an attack on Iraq.
"We will be called upon to take our decision if and when, after
consultations -- and we've been assured that such consultations are
going to be happening -- and then we'll take a decision. And before
that, I think we should not speculate about serious questions like
this one," Schroeder said.
Another topic high on the two leaders' agenda was the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bush said the German government has been
very helpful in helping set the foundation for peace, and that the
United States and Germany are working toward the goal of two states,
Israeli and Palestinian, living side by side in peace.
He said he is optimistic about the outcome, although it will "take a
while," and that it is important to be able to promote "values that we
hold dear -- values of rule of law and democracy and minority rights."
The two also discussed what Schroeder called "the ongoing necessity to
continue with our joint fight against international terrorism" and
with plans to rebuild Afghanistan's economic and social structures.
Bush said Germany "has shouldered a significant burden" in the war
against terrorism, and he thanked the German people and government for
their commitment, including sending troops to Afghanistan. He extended
condolences to the families of the soldiers who have died and said he
believes the sacrifice is necessary "because we defend freedom -- and
freedom is precious."
Reporters also asked questions about intelligence-gathering activities
prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, Iran, and Bush's
upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Following is the White House transcript of the press availability,
which began in progress:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Berlin, Germany)
May 23, 2002
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER OF GERMANY IN PRESS
AVAILABILITY
Kanzlerant
Berlin, Germany
1:28 P.M. (Local)
CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER: (in progress) -- welcome you most warmly here to
the garden of the Chancellery. We have exceedingly been looking
forward to this visit of the U.S. American President George W. Bush.
And the results of our conversations I think are such that we have
every reason to be pleased.
U.S. American are in an exceedingly healthy state. It's a very
friendly atmosphere; that has become abundantly clear in all of our
conversations. But I also think that there is a tremendous amount of
agreement between the two of us and our two countries as regards the
assessment of the situation around the world.
Now, to begin with, we have started to talk about very intensely about
the U.S. American-European relations. I think what the American
President and the Russian President have agreed together regarding
questions of disarmament, but also regarding the process of
rapprochement of Russia towards NATO, that that is of historic
importance. And I would very much say -- and we both agreed that this
process is going to be topped by what we're going to be doing in Rome
on the 28th of May, together. The world is going to be a safer place
for it, and I think it's a tremendous success not only of America, but
of this special U.S. American President.
We then, obviously, talked about the ongoing necessity to continue
with our joint fight against international terrorism. And I have been
able to brief the President about my visit to Kabul and about the
necessity of maintaining the protection force on the ground, the ISAF.
They are the force to guarantee a minimum of security, and therefore,
a minimum perspective of hope of reconstruction for people in this
country. This is also important -- we want to rebuild economic and
social structures in the country.
We're very much in agreement that we have every reason to trust the
interim government with Interim President Karzai, and to give them all
of the support that they need to move their country forward as a way
of their own momentum.
Now, we very much agree that it is necessary and important to make
sure we move the peace process forward in the Middle East. I have
emphasized very strongly that the President's speech in Washington was
a milestone regarding this situation. He went in and made it
abundantly clear what we all believe in -- at least we, too, certainly
believe in that Israel has got a guaranteed -- right of safe existence
within strong and reliable borders. But it needs to be recognized by
all of its neighbors and that by the end of the day, certainly there
is going to be an independent Palestinian state, too.
And we're very much agreed that this is a job to be done by the
international community of states, certainly, by means of the Quartet
that arose from Madrid: the United States of America, the United
Nations, Europe and Russia. Now, this Quartet is hopefully going to
support the constructive process as well as they can because we really
need stability and peaceful development for this region, specifically.
We very much share the concern about the existing conflict between
Pakistan, on one hand side, and India on the other hand. And we're
very much agreed that we have to do whatever we can to bring a
peaceful solution to this conflict. I mean, we must make sure that no
further escalation happens over there.
Now, moreover, we addressed questions of interest regarding trade with
one another. We also addressed some other issues that are in existence
regarding our bilateral relations.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, thank you, Chancellor. It's an honor to be here
in this historic city. I want to thank you for your hospitality and I
want to thank you for treating Laura so well.
The Chancellor and I have met -- I think it's now five times. And I
value our friendship. I appreciate the frank discussions we have. I'm
here to let the German people know how proud I am of our relationship,
our personal relationship, and how proud I am of the relationship
between our two countries.
Germany is an incredibly important ally to the United States of
America. We respect the German people. We appreciate democracy in this
land. We appreciate the struggles that Germany has gone through. And
we value the friendship going forward.
My speech today at the Bundestag will talk about the problems that we
can solve together, that we share so much, particularly when it comes
to values and a deep and abiding concern for humanity and for peace.
One of the things I like about Gerhard is he's willing to confront
problems in an open way, and he is, hopefully like people consider me,
a problem solver, that we're willing to use our respective positions
to solve problems, such as making sure our respective homelands are
secure from terrorist attack.
I'm going to talk clearly about that today, about the need for us to
continue to cooperate, and to fight against terror -- people who hate
freedom, people who are challenging civilization itself.
I want to thank again the German people and the German government for
the commitment to Afghanistan. The Chancellor made a very tough, but I
think correct decision in sending troops to Afghanistan, and those
troops have performed brilliantly. I know you've lost life, as have
we. And our hearts go out to the families of the soldiers who died.
But in my judgment, the sacrifice is necessary, because we defend
freedom -- and freedom is precious.
We talked about weapons of mass destruction and the need for us to be
concerned about weapons of mass destruction. As I will mention in my
speech, one way to help our mutual security is to work together to
solve regional problems, and we spent a lot of time talking about the
Middle East. The German government has been very helpful in helping
set the foundation for peace. Both of us agree that there ought to be
two states -- a Palestinian state and, obviously, the Israeli state --
living side by side in peace. And we're working in that direction.
A hot topic today, of course, in the world and one that we spent a lot
of time talking about, as Gerhard mentioned, the India-Pakistan issue.
My point is, is that we've got a reliable friend and ally in Germany.
This is a confident country, led by a confident man. And that's good.
That's good for world peace. It's good for those of us who love and
embrace freedom.
So, Mr. Chancellor, thanks for -- thanks for giving me a chance to
come and visit with you. Thanks for your hospitality. Thanks for
giving me a chance to speak to the Bundestag here in a little bit.
We'll be glad to answer a couple of questions for you.
CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER: There is the possibility to put three questions
from each side. Please, possibly, that the guests could start.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Did he just call on you? Okay, I'm sorry. Ron, have
you got a question? (Laughter.)
Q: I do --
PRESIDENT BUSH: That's right.
Q: This is a question to President Bush --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Wait a minute, how many questions are you going to
ask?
Q: Should the American people conclude there were some intelligence
lapses before September 11th? And can you please explain why you
oppose a commission to look into the matter, and why you won't release
the August 6th memo?
And quickly to you, sir, do you think there should be regime change in
Iraq?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, first of all, I've got great confidence in our
CIA and FBI. I know what's taken place since the attacks on September
the 11th. Our communications between the two agencies is much better
than ever before. We've got a much better -- doing a much better job
of sharing intelligence.
I, of course, want the Congress to take a look at what took place
prior to September the 11th. But since it deals with such sensitive
information, in my judgment, it's best for the ongoing war against
terror that the investigation be done in the intelligence committee.
There are committees set up with both Republicans and Democrats who
understand the obligations of upholding our secrets and our sources
and methods of collecting intelligence. And therefore, I think it's
the best place for Congress to take a good look at the events leading
up to September the 11th.
The other question?
Q: The August 6th memo --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Oh, yes. Well, one of the things that is very
important, Ron, is that the information given to the President be
protected, because we don't want to give away sources and uses and
methodology of intelligence-gathering. And one of the things that
we're learning is in order to win this war on terror, we've got to
have the best intelligence-gathering possible. And not only have we
got to share intelligence between friends -- which we do -- but we're
still at war, we've still got threats to the homeland that we've got
to deal with. And it's very important for us to not hamper our ability
to wage that war. And so there are ways to gather information, to help
improve the system without jeopardizing the capacity for us to gather
intelligence, and those are the ways I support.
CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER: Saddam Hussein is a dictator, there can be no
doubt, nothing else. And he does act without looking after his people
whatsoever. We're agreed when it comes to that. And we're also agreed
to the fact that it is up to the international community of states to
go in and exercise a lot of political pressure in the most -- possible
way. The United Nations have decided to do so, as well. We need to
pressurize him so that international arms inspectors can get into the
country to find out what weapons of mass destruction can be found in
his hands. I mean, there is no difference there between President Bush
and myself when it comes to the assessment of this situation.
We then obviously also talked about the question as to what should
happen in the future, what could happen in the future. I have taken
notice of the fact that His Excellency, the President, does think
about all possible alternatives. But despite what people occasionally
present here in rumors, there are no concrete military plans of attack
on Iraq. And that is why, for me, there is no reason whatsoever to
speculate about when and if and how. I think such speculation should
be forbidden. That, certainly, is not the right thing for a
Chancellor. And I am in this position.
We will be called upon to take our decision if and when, after
consultations -- and we've been assured that such consultations are
going to be happening -- and then we'll take a decision. And before
that, I think we should not speculate about serious questions like
this one.
Q: Mr. President, Chancellor, looking beyond Iraq, given the fact that
Syria, too, in U.S. terminology, is a state sponsor of terrorism,
given the fact that Saudi Arabia is anything but a democratic
pluralistic society, how do both of you want to have this whole
region, the Middle East, look like once the fight against terror is
over?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, it's a great question. Would you care to go
first, Mr. Chancellor -- (laughter.) I'll be glad to answer it, if you
like.
First, you need to know that in order for the region to be peaceful
and hopeful, there must be a resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict. I believe that strongly. And that's why my government and I
feel strongly that we've got to work toward a vision of peace that
includes two states living side by side.
And the positive news is that many Arab leaders understand that they
have got to be a part of the process now. We spent a great deal of
time talking to the Saudis, for example -- you mentioned the Saudis.
They must be a party to the process. They have -- sometimes in the
past the process has not gone forward because there hasn't been, as we
say in America, the buy-in by the parties; they haven't been a party
to the process.
And I'm pleased to report, as you can probably see in your newspapers,
they are now, they're involved. I think one of our -- and the reason I
mention that is because I think their involvement to a process that
I'm optimistic will succeed will then enable us to continue to more
likely have an effect on promoting values that we hold dear -- values
of rule of law and democracy and minority rights.
The institutions of change are more likely to be effective with our
ability to achieve a peace in the Middle East. And so much of the
ability to promote reform -- which we're for -- hinges on our
abilities and capacities to get something done. And it's going to take
a while, I believe, but, nevertheless, we are making progress. And my
administration spends a great deal of time on the Middle East, because
we understand that it is a linchpin for convincing regimes to adopt
the habits of freedom that sometimes we take for granted in our
respective countries.
CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER: Well, I don't think I've got to add a lot to
what's been said -- possibly so much. I think there cannot be peace in
the Middle East without the United States of America and without them
being active in this field. And it was not without reason that I
pointed to the tremendously important speech of the President. It's
very important. And that is why we support the efforts towards peace
undertaken by the United States, but also by all other members of the
so-called Quartet. We are supporting this in the framework of the
European Union, but we're also doing it from bilateral channels. And
my impression is -- and here yet again, I fully agree with the
President that a certain degree of progress is visible in this
process.
Now, obviously, we cannot be satisfied with the degree of progress,
but still we have moved a little bit and there is no alternative to
the way that the President just described. There is no such thing as a
magic formula to solve this tremendously difficult problem. Nobody has
such a formula. And that is why I think the task that the President
just described is certainly one that needs to be seriously supported
by the European Union and by us, bilaterally.
THE PRESIDENT: Steve Holland, Reuters.
Q: Thank you very much.
THE PRESIDENT: A fine man, fine man.
CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER: We'll see that once he's put his question.
(Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: There you go.
Q: You meet with President Putin tomorrow. How are you going to talk
him into ending nuclear cooperation with Iran?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, that's a -- that's going to be a topic. One way
to make the case is that if you arm Iran, you're liable to get the
weapons pointed at you; that you've got to be careful in dealing with
a country like Iran.
This is a country that doesn't -- it's not transparent, it's not open.
It's run by a group of extremists who fund terrorist activity, who
clearly hate our mutual friend, Israel. And, you know, it's very
unpredictable. And, therefore, Russia needs to be concerned about
proliferation into a country that might view them as an enemy at some
point in time. And if Iran gets a weapon of mass destruction,
deliverable by a missile, that's going to be a problem. That's going
to be a problem for all of us, including Russia.
So that's how I'm going to make the case. We've got a lot of work to
do with Russia. I will continue to make the case. As you know, Steve,
I have brought that subject up ever since I've started meeting with
Vladimir Putin.
The good news is, we're -- our relationship is a friendly
relationship; that I view President Putin as a friend, I view Russia
as a friend, not as an enemy. And therefore, it's much easier to solve
these difficult issues, an issue like proliferation, amongst friends.
And I want to appreciate the Chancellor's kind words about tomorrow's
treaty signing. It's going to be a positive development for America,
and I believe a positive development for Europe. And then, of course,
we're going to Rome afterwards, and that, too, will be a positive
development for Europe and America. And it is within the -- it's in
this positive relationship and positive atmosphere that we're more
likely to be able to achieve satisfaction on non-proliferation.
Q: Mr. President, the Chancellor just said that your government does
not seem to be very specific right now when it comes to plans to
attack Iraq. Is that true, sir? And could you, nevertheless, try to
explain to the German people what your goals are when it comes to
Iraq?
And secondly, by German standards, Germany has already shouldered a
huge burden in military terms of the fight against terrorism. Are you
satisfied with that, or do you want Germany to do more?
PRESIDENT BUSH: First, what the Chancellor told you is true.
CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER: Of course it is. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: I'm surprised anybody would doubt your word,
Chancellor. (Laughter.)
Look, I mean, he knows my position, and the world knows my position
about Saddam Hussein. He's a dangerous man. He's a dictator who gassed
his own people. He's had a history of incredible human rights
violations. And he is a -- it's dangerous to think of a scenario in
which a country like Iraq would team up with an al Qaeda-type
organization, particularly if and when they have the capacity, had the
capacity, or when they have the capacity to deliver weapons of mass
destruction via ballistic missile. And that's a threat. It's a threat
to Germany, it's a threat to America, it's a threat to civilization
itself. And we've got to deal with it. We can play like it's not
there, we can hope it goes away. But that's not going to work. That's
not going to make us safer.
And I told the Chancellor that I have no war plans on my desk, which
is the truth, and that we've got to use all means at our disposal to
deal with Saddam Hussein. And I appreciate the German Chancellor's
understanding of the threats of weapons of mass destruction. And
they're real.
Now, I know some would play like they're not real. I'm telling you,
they're real. And if you love freedom, it's a threat to freedom. And
so we're going to deal with it, and we'll deal with it in a respectful
way. The Chancellor said that I promised consultations. I will say it
again: I promise consultations with our close friend and ally. We will
exert a unified diplomatic pressure. We will share intelligence. We
love freedom, and so does the Chancellor, and we cannot allow these
weapons to be in a position that will affect history.
Listen, history has called us to action. I don't want to be in a
position where we look back, and say, why didn't they lead, where were
they when it came to our basic freedoms? And we are going to lead.
What was the other part of your question? That's what you get for
asking long questions, or what I get for answering long answers.
Q: That's perfectly all right. The second question was, sir, that
Germany has already shouldered a huge burden in military terms, and do
you expect more --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Germany has shouldered a significant burden. And we
are very grateful for that. The Chancellor and I talked about how to
make sure we complete the task in Afghanistan -- which is to continue
chasing down the killers, by the way, and to find them before they hit
us -- but, as well, is to leave institutions behind so that
Afghanistan can run herself, so Afghanistan can be a peaceful nation,
so Afghanistan can function. And we both recognize that our presence
is just going to have to be there for a -- for quite a while. And the
Chancellor made that commitment, and I appreciate that. I'm very
satisfied with the commitment of the German government.
Yes, Terry.
Q: Thank you, sir. On the subject of weapons of mass destruction, the
strategic arms agreement you'll sign in Moscow does not address what
many people say is now the greatest threat posed by the Russian
arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, that's proliferation to
terrorists or rogue states because of insufficient security. What
specific plan do you have to address that issue with President Putin?
Do you believe the Russian government is doing a good job securing
those weapons? And what do you say to critics of this arms deal who
say that by taking the material off the warheads, you provide more
opportunities for terrorists to get them?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, I guess I'll start with the critics. I say,
would you rather have them on the launchers? Would you rather have the
warheads pointed at people? I would think not. Secondly, this issue
about the so-called loose nuke issue has been around for quite a
while. This isn't anything new. This is a problem that we are jointly
working on. As you know, Terry -- and others may not know -- we've got
what's called Nunn-Lugar, which is a significant expenditure of
taxpayers' money to help Russia dispose of and dismantle nuclear
warheads, which we're willing to do. As a matter of fact, the '03
budget is nearly a billion dollars toward that end.
We're working with Chancellor Schroeder on what's called
10-plus-10-over-10: $10 billion from the U.S., $10 billion from other
members of the G7 over a 10-year period, to help Russia securitize the
dismantling -- the dismantled nuclear warheads.
And President Putin understands that. He understands the need to work
closely with all of us. And he understands that a loose nuke could
affect his security as it affects somebody else's security. He's a
wise man, he's aware of the issues that we confront. That's why he's
one of the best partners we have on the war against terror. He
understands the implications and consequences of terror. And he also
recognizes that a nightmare scenario is a dirty bomb, or some kind of
nuclear bomb in the hands of a -- in the hands of any kind of
terrorist organization.
CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER: Last question.
Q: Mr. President, you are visiting a kind of ghost town around here.
Do you feel a bit of pity about not seeing the Berlin people -- visit
first? And secondly, -- ways to find a -- peace, did you discuss on
social and -- to these means? Is there a chance that you'll -- to sign
the Kyoto treaty?
THE PRESIDENT: No. (Laughter.)
Q: Then what are your -- concerns -- in August? Will you take part of
it --
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Let's see, part one of a four-part question. I
live in a bubble. That's what happens when you're the President. So,
unfortunately, I don't get to see as much of Berlin as I'd like to
see. That's just life. So when I come back at some point in my life,
Mr. Chancellor, you can show me around. We'll go fishing together.
No, I don't -- yes, of course, whether it be in Berlin, or Moscow, or
anywhere else, I mean, I'm a person who likes -- I like to meet
people. I like -- I enjoy people. I had one small glimpse of Berlin
last night, when we went to a restaurant. It was my pleasure to shake
hands with everybody, or most everybody in the restaurant. I enjoy
that. It frustrates me not to be able to see this growing city. But
that's just life in the bubble. That's just what happens when you're
the President. And I knew that going in, so I'm not griping about it.
Yes, the human condition is very important to me. I mean, it is -- and
that's one way to make sure that the terrorists are less likely to be
effective in their recruiting, is to promote those conditions
necessary for human beings to realize their full potential, such as
good health, and good education, and prosperity -- those habits
necessary for the growth of prosperity. And I will address that in my
speech to the Bundestag.
And I don't know whether or not you followed it, but we've laid out an
initiative called the New Millennium Fund, where after three years our
government will be spending $5 billion a year -- new money -- for
development. And that money is going to go promote -- to countries
which are willing to fight corruption and promote rule of law.
Look, you can give all kinds of money to corrupt societies, but it's
not going to help the people. It will help the few. And I'm tired of
that. I want to encourage reforms in society that help people.
You know, I'm desperately concerned about AIDS. I know the Chancellor
shares my grief. And we've put a significant amount of money on the
table. But eventually I hope to see a strategy that will work. It's
one thing to commit money, it's another thing to insist that the money
actually work, and start saving people's lives. And when that happens,
we'll commit more money.
So, you bet, we're going to talk -- we've talked about, and will
continue to talk about the human conditions necessary to really make
sure the whole world is able to be free and at peace. Thank you all.
CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
END 1:40 P.M. (Local)
(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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