Text 370, 280 rader
Skriven 2005-01-28 23:33:00 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0501281) for Fri, 2005 Jan 28
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Interview of the President by AL Arabiya Television
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 28, 2005

Interview of the President by AL Arabiya Television



THE PRESIDENT: Before you ask your question, Lukman, let me -- if you don't
mind, I'd like to say one thing to the Iraqi people. This is a historic
opportunity for the people of Iraq to vote for a government. And I want to
express my appreciation for the courageous Iraqis who are willing to step
forth and promote democracy, and urge all the citizens in Iraq to vote and
to show the terrorists they cannot stop the march of freedom.

I'm proud of the country. I'm proud of the citizens, and look forward to
the day when Iraq is democratic and free, with Iraqi traditions and Iraqi
customs. And it will be a grand day on Sunday.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. And that's before we thank you again for giving
us this opportunity here on Al Arabiya. We'd like to congratulate you for
entering your second term. But with regard to this Iraqi election, do you
expect a big or a good voter turnout?

THE PRESIDENT: You know, it is amazing, first of all, they're having a vote
at all. A couple of years ago, people would have been puzzled by someone
saying that the Iraqis will be given a chance to vote. And now they are. I
know this: I know thousands and thousands of Iraqis want to vote. I know
they cherish the idea of being able to vote, and I hope as many Iraqis vote
as possible.

Q Let me ask you how you feel about this incident today, about the
helicopter incident. How do you feel about it, and will that affect your
engagement in Iraq?

THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate you bringing that up. First of all, any time a
soldier loses life is a sad day -- sad for the family, sad for the friends,
sad for his or her fellow troops. And we offer our prayers and condolences,
and ask for God's grace and comfort on those who suffer.

Today a tragic helicopter accident is a reminder of the risks inherent in
military operations. We mourn the loss of life. But I am convinced we're
doing the right thing by helping Iraq become a free country, because a free
Iraq will have long-term effects in the world, and it will help the people
of Iraq realize their dreams and aspirations and hopes.

Q Some details, sir, about this election. As you know, that the Iraqis will
go to vote, Shias whom expected to participate in large numbers, and Sunni
whom expected to participate in smaller numbers. What is the role you see
Sunnis as playing in Iraq after the election?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, I hope all Sunnis vote. I think it's
very important. Secondly, I've been heartened by some of the comments of
Shia leadership that has said the new government must be inclusive; that,
in order for Iraq to achieve its ultimate objective, which is a stable,
free society, that everybody ought to be able to participate in the writing
of the constitution, that there needs to be respect for minority rights.
And, to me, those are very healthy, important comments that are being made
by Shia leaders. And it is an understanding that a free society is one
which honors the voices of all.

Q Mr. President, there are report coming out of Iraq suggesting that the
Iranian are getting millions of dollars into Iraq, sending people to
influence the election. First, how do you plan to deal with Iranian to this
regard?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, one way is to speak clearly and make it very clear
that the Iranians should not be trying to unduly influence the elections.
I'm confident that the Iraqi citizens will want Iraq to be free from any
influence -- in other words, they want to be able to vote and elect people
that will represent their views, not the views of a foreign government.

Q If I may follow up. Will it concern you that some sort of pro-Iranian
government will emerge?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't think so. I think that the Iraqis who are
willing to serve are people who understand that the future of Iraq depends
upon Iraqi nationalism and the Iraq character -- the character of Iraq and
Iraqi people emerging. You know, there's been longtime problems between
Iran and Iraq, and I'm confident that Iraqi nationalism and Iraqi pride and
the history of Iraq and traditions of Iraq will be the main focus of the
new government, and reflect the new government.

Q Another issue regarding that or concerning that country and its tradition
is monitored in statements regarding Iran. Mr. Vice President warned Israel
not to have any action against Iran. In Israel, nevertheless, they think
that a strike on Iran will help to delay the nuclear effort, like the
strike on Iraq by Israel on 1981. How do you force this situation?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think we can solve this problem diplomatically. And
I appreciate the efforts of France, Germany and Great Britain to interface
with the Iranians, all attempting to convince them that they must give up
their nuclear weapons programs. And we'll work closely with IAEA, as well
as the United Nations, to effect that end. And I feel comfortable that we
can achieve a understanding with the Iranians on the diplomatic front.

Q We've got to go back to the Iraqi election again. I want to talk about
the Iraqi election. Also, we see the future of the coalition forces there,
the future of the U.S. forces over there. How do you see the future of the
coalition forces after the election in Iraq?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think it's very important for the Iraqi citizens to
know what I've been telling the American citizens, and that is, is that we
will stay as long as is necessary to help the Iraqis secure their country.
And we'll come home as soon as possible. But that mission must be
completed. And the mission is to train Iraqi soldiers, to give Iraqis the
tools and the command structure necessary to be able to fight off the few
who want to stop the aspirations of the many.

I've heard talk about that we are occupiers. No, the United States and our
troops and our coalition are there to help the Iraqi citizens. And so our
mission is to do our job as quickly as we can, and then come home.

Now, it is up to the Iraqi citizens to eventually fight off the terrorists,
and we want to give them the tools necessary to do so. And I think we're
making good progress. I mean, obviously, there's more work to be done, but
many Iraqi units have proven themselves worthy in fighting off these
terrorists. And it's important for the Iraqi citizens to know that their
own citizens are out defending their freedom.

Q And this is -- you put it as an exit strategy -- with regard to the
training that you just mentioned here right now, what exact number you
think for Iraqi force already being trained in Iraq?

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, how many have been trained so far?

Q Yes.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think we've trained 120,000, but that doesn't
necessarily mean they're ready. There's a difference between quantity and
quality. And so our focus over the next year will be to make sure that the
quality of the troops is necessary. And there's been great progress on the
ground. Some of the fighting units in Iraq have been very strong and very
capable. We want to make sure there's a command structure -- in other
words, from top to bottom, there's a chain of command that will enable
forces to move at the will of the Iraqi government. In other words, when
the Iraqi government makes a decision to go defend the Iraqi people, that
there's decisive and quick movement.

And we're making progress. There's more work to be done. That's the point.
There's more work to be done on the border guards; there's more work to be
done with infrastructure guards; there's more work to be done with the
regular army, as well as the national guard, and the police. But we're
there to help, as are other countries.

Q After securing Iraq and having the Iraqi security forces able to secure
their country, there is talk about the thought that here in Washington,
they might be a permanent U.S. military base on Iraq. How do you --

THE PRESIDENT: Well, that's going to be up to the Iraqi government. A
government elected by the people will be making the decisions as to how
best to secure their country, what kind of help they need to make sure
their democracy is able to flourish. And I think the free world will be
willing to provide that help. But these are sovereign decisions made by an
elected government.

You know, it hasn't been all that long that we transferred sovereignty to
the -- to the current government. It was last June of 2004 that sovereignty
was transferred and that Iraqi citizens could see Iraqis making the
decisions necessary to move forward. And now the elections will start a
process, so that by the end of this year there will be an elected assembly
that will be honoring a constitution approved by the people. And it's -- I
think it's a glorious moment.

And I, again, want to reiterate what I said. I hope the Iraqis -- the
Iraqis I've heard from have this great desire for freedom. And I hope
they're willing to exercise their right and defy the terrorists. The
terrorists have no vision for Iraq. They have no vision for a positive and
hopeful country -- unlike the people who will be elected, who will be
listening to the voices of the Iraqis as they develop a society which will
help educate people and provide health care. The businesses will flourish
in Iraq. Iraq has got -- Iraqis have got a great entrepreneurial spirit.
They're good business people. And, of course, we want to help.

Q Another country that is so essential to the security in Iraq, that
country is Syria, The interim Iraq government accusing Syria of aiding the
former regime element and providing a safe haven to the thousands of former
Baathists. The Syrian government is saying they are only a few hundred, and
they cannot control their border. How do you plan to deal with Syria to
this regard?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we've sent messages to the Syrians, very clear
messages, that they should not be meddling, on the one hand, and they
should do everything they can to prevent money, arms, people from going
from Syria into Iraq whose intent it is to destabilize and terrorize the
citizens, and harm our soldiers. And we expect the government to act on our
request.

But it's just not our request. It's also the request of the Iraqi
government. Prime Minister Allawi, as you mentioned, has sent a very clear
signal to the Syrians that they expect there to be cooperation and a
hundred percent effort to prevent people who would destabilize the Iraqi
government from getting into Iraq.

Q Mr. President, another issue is so essential to the area, that is the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The latest joint survey conducted by
Palestinian and Israeli shows that majority of Palestinians and Israelis
support the idea of the permanent two-state solution that you laid out in
your peace plan, the road map. But the problem is about how to move
forward, how to get there. Today, here, again, I need to have a news from
you about how we going to have something really new to accelerate the
process.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think you've seen something new that will help
accelerate the process, and that is Abu Mazen, who has been elected by the
Palestinians, who's showed strong leadership. He has declared that they
will do everything they can to protect innocent life from terrorists, as
well as consolidating security forces. And, therefore, we're on the road
map. In other words, there's a commitment by this man toward -- heading
toward peace. And there's obligations for both sides as we go down the path
toward the establishment of a Palestinian state. And our job is to hold
people to their word -- is to say wait a minute, this has happened; how the
Israelis must make it easier for people to move, for example; or make sure
tax revenues move to the Palestinian government so that they're able to
more fully function.

At the same time, we very strongly support the conference in London, which
will help the Palestinians develop a strategy to develop the institutions
necessary for a state to emerge. I'm sending Condoleezza Rice, who was
confirmed today as the Secretary of State, to show our commitment to the
Palestinian cause, a cause based upon peace, a cause based upon democracy.

Again, I'm very optimistic about the establishment of a Palestinian state.
I'm optimistic because the leadership is showing strength. I'm optimistic
because there is a very strong entrepreneurial class of people that can --
if given a chance, will be able to develop small businesses in the
industrial sector that will help the Palestinians find work.

I'm very optimistic because I believe that most Israelis do understand that
in the long-term their survival depends upon a democratic state coexisting
peacefully with Israel. And I'm very optimistic because I believe the world
now sees an opportunity to come together to help the process forward. And
so I'm -- I can't make you a prediction, but I can tell you that I believe
that a Palestinian state is very possible. And we look forward to working
with the parties who have declared themselves willing to fight off the
terrorists and develop a peaceful society.

Q By mentioning Abu Mazen, that -- my time is up, this is going to be the
last question. You mentioned you're going to send Dr. Rice. And are we
expecting to see you inviting Abu Mazen here to the White House? And just
to have a clear assurance, whether you think there is enough agreement and
work for you to get the Palestinian state made by 2009?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, that's a very good question. Hopefully -- I'm a person
who tries to avoid timetables because sometimes it creates expectations
that may not be met. I would hope that we could establish a Palestinian
state as quickly as possible. And the United States of America, as well as
friends and allies, will be willing to help along those lines. It is
conceivable it could happen before then if there is that firm commitment.
And it looks like there is a firm commitment.

Secondly, I had the honor of welcoming Abu Mazen here to the White House
before. I'd love to see him again -- at his convenience. He's got a lot of
work to do, and it's up to him to decide when he wants to travel. And if he
wants to come to the United States, if he chooses to do so, of course he's
invited. I saw him in Aqaba, Jordan, so I've had a chance to meet with this
man twice. And it's -- he's a fellow who has, initially, in his new
position, made some very difficult decisions, but the right decisions. And
I think the Palestinians, if they continue to follow a path toward peaceful
relations and the development of a free state, where people can express
their opinions and have dissent and an open press, there's a very good
chance the state will happen. And I'm looking forward to that.

Q Mr. President, thank you so much.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, sir. Lukman, good job.

Q Hope to see you next time.

END 1:39 P.M. EST

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