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Skriven 2007-05-17 23:30:58 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (070517) for Thu, 2007 May 17
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President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with United Kingdom
Prime Minister Blair
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 17, 2007

President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with United Kingdom
Prime Minister Blair Rose Garden

˙ /news/releases/2007/05/20070517.wm.v.html ˙˙Presidential Remarks
˙˙Audio

˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Global Diplomacy

Rose Garden

11:23 A.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you. I'm pleased to welcome Tony Blair back to the
White House. He is a good friend. He has led the British people for a long
time, since 1797. (Laughter.)

You know, I was sitting with Tony on the Truman balcony last night, and we
were discussing a lot of issues. And it dawned on me, once again, what a
clear strategic thinker he is. Somebody asked me the other day, how would
you define Tony Blair and your relationship with him? I said, first of all,
it's cordial, it's open, and I appreciate the fact that he can see beyond
the horizon. And that's the kind of leadership the world needs.

I do congratulate the Prime Minister for being a -- when he gets on a
subject, it's dogged. Witness his patience and resolve regarding Northern
Ireland. And congratulations for your leadership.

We talked about a lot of issues at dinner and our meetings. We talked
about, of course, Iraq. As a matter of fact, the Prime Minister and I have
just finished a video conference with our respective commanders and
ambassadors from Baghdad. We got a full briefing on the situation on the
ground. I appreciated Tony's willingness to interface with our people
there. I reminded our people that the best decisions are made when you
listen to the commanders. And our commanders have got good, specific advice
as to how to achieve our objectives, which I believe we'll achieve;
objectives that I know are necessary for peace -- peace in the Middle East,
peace in the United States, and in the United Kingdom.

We talked about Afghanistan. We strongly support our NATO mission in
Afghanistan, and I informed the Prime Minister that the Secretary General
of NATO will be coming to Crawford this weekend. I'm looking forward to
talking to him about how we can continue to work together. And I want to
thank you for your strong commitment to the NATO mission and the people of
Afghanistan.

We talked about the Middle East, and we're concerned about the violence we
see in Gaza. We strongly urge the parties to work toward a two-state
solution. I'm looking forward to continue to work on this issue. I've
instructed my Secretary of State to be actively engaged. She represents the
position of the Bush government, which is two states living side by side in
peace. We believe that vision is possible, but it requires strong
leadership on both sides of the issue.

The Prime Minister and I discussed the humanitarian needs of the
Palestinian people. We recognized the deep humiliation that can come as a
result of living in a land where you can't move freely, and where people
can't realize dreams. We talked about the need to reject and fight
terrorism. We understand the fright that can come when you're worried about
a rocket landing on top of your home. I'm committed to peace in the Middle
East, and I appreciate Tony Blair being a partner in peace.

We talked about Iran. We fully recognize that the Iranians must not have a
nuclear weapon. And therefore it's important to continue to work in the
international arena to speak with one voice. And if we're unable to make
progress with the Iranians, we want to work together to implement new
sanctions through the United Nations, to continue to make it clear that
Iran with a nuclear weapon is not in the interests of peace in the world.

We talked about, of course, Africa. We spent a lot of time talking about
Africa. I told the Prime Minister that the AIDS initiative that got started
under my administration will continue; that I'll work with Congress to make
sure that the PEPFAR Initiative, that has been so effective at getting
anti-retro viral drugs to people on that continent will continue. It's an
important initiative of ours.

I applaud the Prime Minister's education initiative on the continent of
Africa. It's a bold stroke. And we look forward to working with you on that
initiative. We talked about Darfur, and how frustrated I am, and I know the
Prime Minister is frustrated at the inability for the international
community to react with consequence in Darfur. And I explained to him my
strategy of moving forward with sanctions, and hopefully a new, stronger
United Nations resolution if we don't see some improvement in the lives of
the people there.

And we talked, of course, about climate change. We spent a lot of time on
climate change. And I agree with the Prime Minister, as I have stated
publicly, this is a serious issue, and the United States takes it
seriously, just like we take energy security seriously.

We talked about the upcoming G8, and I assured the Prime Minister we want
to be a part of a solution, that we want to work constructively together.
He's got some really good ideas on how to advance the technologies that are
going to be necessary to help solve this problem. And I told him I've got
some good ideas as how to convince China and India to be a part of a global
solution. We have a lot of common ground that we've been discussing today.

Finally, we agreed to improve defense cooperation by working towards an
agreement reducing barriers to trade in defense goods and services and
information between the United States and the United Kingdom, including
defense industries. This is an important issue for the Prime Minister; it's
an important issue to me. I made it clear to the Prime Minister we will
work on this issue tirelessly until we can get it solved.

It's been a joy having you back here. I appreciate -- every time I'm with
you I appreciate very much the insight you provide. And I guess, for the
final time as Prime Minister, you get to address the good folks in our
country from the Rose Garden.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Well, thank you very much, Mr. President, and thank
you, as ever, for the kindness and graciousness of your welcome to me here
at the White House. And thank you also for the strength of your leadership
over the past few years. You have been a strong leader at a time when the
world needed strong leadership. You've been unyielding and unflinching, and
determined in the fight that we face together. And I thank you for that.

And I also would take this opportunity of saying that I believe that the
relationship between the United States of America and Britain is a
relationship that is in the interests of our two countries and in the
interests of the peace and stability of the wider world. And sometimes it's
a controversial relationship -- at least over in my country. But I've never
doubted its importance. I've never doubted that it's based on principle, on
shared values, and on a shared purpose, which is to make our world a
better, more free, more just place in which people of all nations and all
faiths can live.

So I would like to thank you for the strength also of that relationship
over these past few years.

The President has, rightly and comprehensively, gone through the various
issues that we discussed. And I would like to pick out from those, first of
all, the discussion we were able to have with our ambassadors and
commanders in respect of Iraq, where there's no doubt at all it's immensely
challenging, immensely difficult, but also there is a huge amount that is
being done, not just to improve the security there, which is important, but
also in respect to the politics where, as they were telling us, there are
the majority elements in each of the main communities, whether Sunni, or
Shia, or Kurd, who actually want to live in peace with one another, and
want a future for that country that is not marred by terrorism and
sectarianism. And we, of course, want to see that happen in the interests
of that country, and the interests of the stability of the wider region and
the world.

Again, in respect of Afghanistan, where American troops, and of course,
British troops, down in the Helmand province, are doing an extraordinary
job, a heroic job, actually. And I think we can be so proud of the Armed
Forces of both countries and what they're doing in the world today.

The situation is fraught with danger, which they take on with immense
courage and immense determination. And down in the south of Afghanistan at
the moment, there are operations the whole time against the Taliban, in
favor of, again, what the Afghan people want, which is the chance to have a
better future and escape from the poverty and misery and oppression of the
Taliban years.

And we discussed, of course, the Middle East and the very dangerous,
difficult situation there, and our belief, again, that the important thing
is how we make progress towards the two-state solution, which is the only
solution in the end that will offer a realistic prospect and progress in
that region.

And of course, also, we talked about the upcoming G8 where there's going to
be important negotiations over the issue of climate change and over the
issue of Africa. I mean, in respect of climate change, I welcome very much
what the President has said today. The important thing is that we see that
it's possible for people to come together on an agreement for the future
that will allow us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, that will allow us
to have a way forward that involves not just Europe and the United States
of America, but China and India and the rest of the developing world also,
and that also addresses what is an issue of top, top priority now in
Europe, but also, I know here, which is energy security.

There are two reasons why this issue is on the agenda in a way that is
perhaps more acute than ever before. There is the issue of the environment,
there's the issue of energy security. And I think there's a -- there's a
synergy between those two issues and the way they come together, which
offer some prospect of hope for the future.

And in respect of Africa, as you will know, at the Gleneagles summit a
couple of years ago, we made Africa, if you like, the centerpiece of the
summit. I think it's important that we recommit to the undertakings we gave
there to help people in Africa, and that we do not lose sight of that as a
major, in some sense, the major moral course of our time, which is to lift
people out of poverty on that troubled continent. And I totally agree with
what the President was saying. We have the same position exactly on Darfur
and the need to take action there.

And finally, can I thank the President for what he has said on the issue to
do with defense and trade between our two countries. This is an issue that
seems technical, but actually is a very important way of trumpeting the
understanding, the work that we're doing together on the issue of defense
and technology between our two countries.

And so let me end where I began, which is the importance of the
relationship between the United States and Britain. I mean, whether it's in
respect of fighting terrorism, the big issues to do with energy and climate
change, the cause that is Africa, the agreements between our two countries
in respect to defense, our two nations should always work together. It's
served us well in the past. But it's not a relationship that's founded on
history; it's a relationship that is about a shared future.

Thank you.

PRESIDENT BUSH: So as a parting gift to the Prime Minister, we'll take some
questions. (Laughter.)

Hunt.

Q Thank you. Mr. Prime Minister, will Britain in the coming months and
years be as staunch an ally in Iraq for the United States as it has been
under your leadership?

And, Mr. President, will you sign a war spending bill that has consequences
for the Iraqi government if it fails to meet benchmarks for progress?

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: The answer to your question is yes, I believe that we
will remain a staunch and steadfast ally in the fight against terrorism in
Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Let me just explain one thing that came out very powerfully from the
discussion we had with our commanders this morning. Essentially, what we
have in Iraq at the moment is a situation where there is a renewed attempt
to find political reconciliation -- between Sunni and Shia, particularly.
And I believe there are signs, real and genuine signs of progress there.

But what you are seeing in Iraq is an attempt by al Qaeda -- through these
appalling suicide bombs and also, particularly, down in the south, through
the improvised explosive devices by Iranian-backed elements -- to try to
disturb any prospect of Sunni and Shia coming together and delivering what
the people of Iraq want to see.

And the only point that I would make is this, and this is the reason why
it's important that Britain holds steadfast to the course of fighting
alongside America in this battle against terrorism: The forces that we are
fighting in Iraq -- al Qaeda on the one hand, Iranian-backed elements on
the other -- are the same forces we're fighting everywhere. And over these
past few weeks you can see in different parts of the world -- Morocco,
Algeria, Pakistan, in Saudi Arabia recently -- where this extremism is
rearing its head, is trying to dislodge the prospects of stability and
progress in so many different countries. There is no alternative for us but
to fight it wherever it exists. And that is true whether it's in our own
countries, which have both suffered from terrorism, or in Iraq, or
Afghanistan.

And so this is not a -- it's not about us remaining true to the course that
we've set out because of the alliance with America. It is about us
remaining steadfast because what we are fighting, the enemy we are fighting
is an enemy that is aiming its destruction at our way of life and anybody
who wants that way of life. And in those circumstances, the harder they
fight, the more determined we must be to fight back.

If what happens is, the harder they fight, the more our will diminishes,
then that's a fight we're going to lose. And this is a fight we cannot
afford to lose.

PRESIDENT BUSH: I've instructed Josh to stay in touch with leaders -- Josh
Bolten, Chief of Staff -- stay in touch with leaders, both Democrat and
Republican, about moving a supplemental as quickly as possible. First I
applaud what Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi said, that time is of the essence;
we've got to get the bill done, and if need be -- I think they said -- they
would keep members here to get the troops funded.

Secondly, I appreciate you trying to get me to negotiate here on the
platform. Josh has been told that -- we understand benchmarks are
important. I talked specifically about benchmarks, and he'll work with
members of Congress to come up with a supplemental that we -- both sides
can live with. And I'm confident we can get the job done.

There's been a series of votes in Congress that people have been able to
express their opinion; now it's time to put forth a spending bill that
doesn't have artificial timetables for withdrawal, doesn't micromanage the
military, and is wise about how we spend the people's money. We'll work it
hard. I think we can get a deal.

Q -- question?

PRESIDENT BUSH: As I said, you're trying to get me to negotiate. Our
negotiator is Josh. And we fully understand the need to have benchmarks in
a bill. I accept and respect the members' desire to have benchmarks --
after all, I'm the person who laid them out initially. We will work through
something we can all live with, and enable us to get the job done.

Again, this is an issue that has been very emotional here in Washington.
People have got strong opinions. I do appreciate the leadership of the
Speaker and the Leader in saying, okay, now let's work together and get it
solved. I'm optimistic we can do so.

Q During the course of this visit it has been confirmed that Gordon Brown
is going to be the next British Prime Minister, taking over in 40 days'
time. I wonder if I could have both your reactions to that. And, in
particular, Mr. Blair, what you say to those people who are saying now
there is a new Prime Minister in place, you should go sooner? And to Mr.
Bush, whether --

PRESIDENT BUSH: That's a lovely question. (Laughter.)

Q -- however inadvertently, you once said that you would like Tony Blair to
stay for the duration of your presidency. He's not doing that. Do you think
you're partly to blame for that?

PRESIDENT BUSH: I haven't polled the Labour conference, but could be.
(Laughter.) The question is, am I to blame for his leaving? I don't know.

Q And what do you think of Brown?

PRESIDENT BUSH: I hope to help him in office the way Tony Blair helped me.
Newly elected President, Tony Blair came over and he reached out, he was
gracious -- was able to converse in a way where our shared interests were
the most important aspect of the relationship. I would hope I would provide
the same opportunities for Gordon Brown. I met him, thought he was a good
fellow.

My attitude is this, this man here is the Prime Minister, we've got a lot
of work to do until he finishes. He's going to sprint to the wire. He's
going to finish the job that the people want him to do, and I'm going to
work with him to do it. The meetings today weren't -- this wasn't like a
farewell deal; this was "how can we continue to work together for the
common good." And that's what we'll do.

As to why things happen politically in Great Britain, I'd suggest you go
over there and ask people. Nice to see you again. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: You had kind of forgotten what the British media were
like, hadn't you? (Laughter.) These things --

PRESIDENT BUSH: He woke up to ask the question. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: First of all, having signed Gordon's nomination forms
to nominate him as leader, of course I wish him well and I believe he'll
make a great Prime Minister. And I know he believes in the relationship
with America, too. And as for me, I will carry on doing the things that
I've set out over the next few weeks that I need to do, not least and what
we're talking about with the upcoming G8 summit and the deal which we've
been trying to put together, different countries involved on climate
change, and Africa -- and then, of course, you've got the European
agreement at the end of June, which is going to be very important.

And just let me to stress to you, incidentally, that will be a government
position. It will be a government negotiation that goes on there. But it's
very, very important so that we can make sure that Europe moves forward.
And then, of course, there are various domestic issues, too, as well.

I'll answer the question about the President, as well, in relation to me.
You can debate that as much as you like, but I want to say one thing to you
-- since it will be the last chance I get to have a press conference in the
Rose Garden, standing next to President Bush -- I've admired him as a
President and I regard him as a friend. I have taken the view that Britain
should stand shoulder-to-shoulder with America after September 11th. I have
never deviated from that view. I do not regret that view. I am proud of the
relationship we have had. I am proud of the relationship between our two
countries.

And I think that sometimes in politics there are all sorts of issues where
you've got to negotiate and compromise, but when it comes to the
fundamental questions that affect our security and the future of the world,
you should do what is right. I have tried to do that. And I believe that is
what he has done, as well.

Q Would you do it again?

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: And I would take the same position of alliance with
America again; yes, I would.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Steve.

Q Thank you, sir. The fate of Paul Wolfowitz appears to be hanging in the
balance. After all we've heard in recent days, is it still possible for him
to provide the kind of leadership needed at the Bank?

PRESIDENT BUSH: First of all, I believe all parties in this matter have
acted in good faith. I regret that it's come to this. I admire Paul
Wolfowitz. I admire his heart. And I particularly admired his focus on
helping the poor. There is a board meeting going on as we speak. All I can
tell you is I know that Paul Wolfowitz has a interest in what's best for
the Bank, and just like he's had an interest in what's best for making sure
the Bank focused on things that matter: human suffering, the human
condition. I -- and so I applaud his vision, I respect him a lot, and as I
said, I regret this has come to this right now.

Q Mr. Blair, you outlined some very big policy areas there -- in your
discussions with the President. Is it really possible, do you think, to
make significant progress on them in the time that you have left?

And, Mr. President, if I could ask you, is this really still the right man
to be talking to?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes. No question about it's the right man to be talking to.
And, yes, we can get a lot done.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: You know, we're going to have a G8 summit in a couple
of weeks time, at which these issues to do with climate change in Africa
are going to be debated and discussed. And I hope very much, because you
come together at the G8 a bit like we did a couple of years ago at
Gleneagles, and it's an opportunity for the international community, a
major part of the international community, to come together and reach, in
principle, agreements. I think most people would accept that what happened
at Gleneagles a couple of years ago was very important.

I think what happens in Germany in a couple of weeks time could be equally
important, and that will be the time when we come to those decisions. So of
course, I want to see -- see that through, because I've been involved in
this all the way -- all the way through.

And the important thing, as well, is that I think you will find at the
German summit that not just the G8 countries are there, but also China and
India and Brazil and Mexico, South Africa, maybe some of the African
nations. And so it will be an opportunity for us to recommit on Africa, and
for the world to make important commitments on that, and then to see if
it's possible to agree the elements that could go into a more comprehensive
climate change deal. So it's a pretty important thing, and that's what
we're working on.

PRESIDENT BUSH: You know, it's interesting, like trying to do a tap dance
on his political grave, aren't you? I mean, this -- you don't understand
how effective Blair is, I guess, because when we're in a room with world
leaders and he speaks, people listen. And they -- they view his opinion as
considered and his judgment as sound.

And I find it interesting the first two questions are, is this the right
guy? Well, he happens to be your Prime Minister, but more importantly, he
is a respected man in the international arena. People admire him. Even if
they may not agree with him a hundred percent, they admire him a lot. And
it's not just the American President who admires him; a lot of people
admire him. And so he's effective. He's effective because he is -- his
recommendations to solve problems are sound. He's also effective because he
is the kind of person who follows through.

There's a lot of blowhards in the political process, you know, a lot of
hot-air artists, people who have got something fancy to say. Tony Blair is
somebody who actually follows through with his convictions, and therefore,
is admired in the international community.

So I guess this is an appropriate question to ask -- right guy, is he still
standing -- yes. This guy is a very strong, respected leader, and he's
absolutely the right guy for me to be dealing with.

Kelly. By the way, if I'm not mistaken, this is your birthday. It is? Would
you like me and the Prime Minister to do a duet, you know? (Laughter.)

Q I didn't realize the intel briefing was so far-reaching. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: That's right. Kelly O'Donnell.

Q Thank you, sir. There's been some very dramatic testimony before the
Senate this week from one of your former top Justice Department officials,
who describes a scene that some senators called "stunning," about a time
when the wireless -- when the warrantless wiretap program was being
reviewed. Sir, did you send your then Chief of Staff and White House
Counsel to the bedside of John Ashcroft while he was ill to get him to
approve that program? And do you believe that kind of conduct from White
House officials is appropriate?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Kelly, there's a lot of speculation about what happened and
what didn't happen; I'm not going to talk about it. It's a very sensitive
program. I will tell you that, one, the program is necessary to protect the
American people, and it's still necessary because there's still an enemy
that wants to do us harm.

And therefore, I have an obligation to put in place programs that honor the
civil liberties of the American people; a program that was, in this case,
constantly reviewed and briefed to the United States Congress. And the
program, as I say, is an essential part of protecting this country.

And so there will be all kinds of talk about it. As I say, I'm not going to
move the issue forward by talking about something as highly sensitive --
highly classified subject. I will tell you, however, that the program is
necessary.

Q Was it on your order, sir?

PRESIDENT BUSH: As I said, this program is a necessary program that was
constantly reviewed and constantly briefed to the Congress. It's an
important part of protecting the United States. And it's still an important
part of our protection because there's still an enemy that would like to
attack us. No matter how calm it may seem here in America, an enemy lurks.
And they would like to strike. They would like to do harm to the American
people because they have an agenda. They want to impose an ideology; they
want us to retreat from the world; they want to find safe haven. And these
just aren't empty words, these are the words of al Qaeda themselves.

And so we will put in place programs to protect the American people that
honor the civil liberties of our people, and programs that we constantly
brief to Congress.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Hi, Tom.

Q Hello. -- Prime Minister many times in the course of the last six years.
But it's been five years since a leader of the British Conservative Party
set foot in this city. Mr. President, does it surprise you that aides close
to David Cameron say that he does not want to be seen with you? And can I
ask you both what it means for the prospect of future relations between
Britain and America when the leader of the opposition dare not set foot in
Washington?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, I can just tell you, my relationship with the leader
of Great Britain has been unbelievably productive, and I have enjoyed
working with Tony Blair more than I could have possibly imagined.

It's hard to define our relationship in sound bites or press conferences,
or to -- in a way that really reflects the depth of what we have done
together. And so I -- you know, I don't regret things about what may or may
not have happened over the past five years. I honor a relationship that I
truly believe has been laying the foundation for peace.

This may not interest you, but I'll tell you anyway -- I read three
histories on George Washington last year. It's interesting to me that
they're still analyzing the presidency of our first President. And my
attitude is, if they're still analyzing 1, 43 doesn't need to worry about
it. (Laughter.) I'm not going to be around to see the final history written
on my administration.

When you work on big items, items to -- agendas based upon sound philosophy
that will transform parts of the world to make it more peaceful, we're not
going to be around to see it. So my -- let me finish. My relationship with
this good man is where I've been focused, and that's where my concentration
is. And I don't regret any other aspect of it.

And so I -- we filled a lot of space together. We have had a unique ability
to speak in terms that help design common strategies and tactics to achieve
big objectives. And it's -- will I miss working with Tony Blair? You bet I
will. Absolutely. Can I work with the next guy? Of course.

And I'm here to make it clear to the people of our respective countries
that this relationship is one that is vital to accomplish big objectives.
It has been vital in the past; it has stood the free world -- it has
enabled the free world to do hard things. And it's a relationship that I
believe is necessary to do the hard things in the 21st century. And so I
honor Tony Blair.

Q What about David Cameron?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Never met him.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Well, I don't -- it's not for me to give advice to
the leader of the Conservative Party, or a different political party. And
that's up to them as to what they do, and up to him as to whether he comes
here or not.

But I do just make this observation to you, and -- what we are -- what we
are trying to do is -- don't mind these two individual leaders, but the two
countries, let's accept for a moment that at least even if people very
strongly disagree with Iraq, for example, that at least people understand
that there is a battle that we are fighting around the world today.

And let's at least accept, also, that it's a battle about the type of
values that govern the world in the early 21st century. You don't win those
battles by being a fair-weather friend to your ally, you don't win those
battles by being hesitant or withdrawing support for each other when the
going gets tough. You don't win those battles by losing the will to fight
if your enemy's will to fight is very strong, and very powerful.

And actually, the values that we represent, us two countries, are shown by
what we -- what we've been through today. I mean, the President gets tough
questions from the American press corps; I get, I like to say, even tougher
questions -- (laughter) -- or at least as tough questions in the British
press corps. And --

PRESIDENT BUSH: One at a time is tough. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: And we can -- here as we speak at this press
conference, I mean, I can't make out the words that they're shouting over
there, but I bet they're not totally complimentary to either of us.
(Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Wait a minute, I don't know about that. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: I mean, it could be the supporters we brought in, but
I've got a feeling the likelihood is, no. (Laughter.) And that's what it's
about. It's about democracy, and it's about people being free to express
their views, and it's about politicians having to face the pressure to
justify their decisions, to be punished if the people don't like those
decisions. And it's a commonality of values that we have that is so
important for the world today.

And so -- you know, yes, of course, it's like -- anybody who's sitting
there inviting a politician in any part of Europe today, if you want to get
the easiest round of applause, get up and attack America, you can get a
round of applause if you attack the President, you get a --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Standing ovation. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Yes. And that's -- that's fine if everyone wants to
do that, but when all of that is cleared away, you're left with something
very, very simple, fundamental, and clear: that that battle for values is
still going on.

And you can debate about the mistakes and the issues and you can debate
about Iraq, whether we should have done this or we should have done that.
But, actually, what is happening in Iraq today is that our enemy is
fighting us, and, therefore, if what happens when our enemy fights us is
that we drift away from our friends, that we kind of make the little
accommodations so that we don't escape some of the difficulty and the
responsibility and occasionally a proprium of decision-making -- if we do
that, our enemy takes heart from that, they watch that. They watch what
we're doing the whole time. They ask, are these guys standing up for what
they believe, or if we carry on, is their will going to diminish and
they're going to give up, because it's just too difficult, because the
public opinion is too difficult, because the opinion polls tell them it's
too difficult?"

Now, that is the decision of leadership. And it's not just a decision for
me and him; it's a decision for everybody who's engaged in politics. And
people run down politics and say it's all just a series of positions and
attitudes and sound bites and occasionally even lies and all the rest of
it. Actually, what politics is in the end, when it's done in the right way,
when people stand up for what they believe, is it's about public service.
And there's nothing to be ashamed of in that. And the fact is, the
decisions are difficult; of course they're difficult.

And we took a decision that we thought was very difficult. I thought then,
and I think now, it was the right decision. History will make a judgment at
a particular time. But one thing I know is that what we represent coming
here today, speaking in the Rose Garden to you people and getting your
questions and being under your pressure, that is a finer and better way of
life than either a brutal, secular dictatorship or religious extremism.
It's a better way of life and it's the way of life, actually, people,
anytime they are given the choice, choose to have. And what we should be
about, our two nations, is giving as many people in the world as possible
that choice and being proud of it.

PRESIDENT BUSH: What I know is the world needs courage. And what I know is
this good man is a courageous man.

Thanks for coming.

END 11:59 A.M. EDT

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