President Bush, Egyptian President Mubarak Meet with Reporters
Remarks by President Bush and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in Press Availability
Prairie Chapel Ranch
Crawford, Texas
11:52 A.M. CDT
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all for coming. I'm pleased to welcome
my friend, Hosni Mubarak, to my home. Welcome. I always look forward
to visiting with him, and I look forward to hearing his wise counsel.
I appreciate his frank views on the many challenges that face our two
nations and that face the greater Middle East.
Our nations have a relationship that is strong and warm. Our
people share the bonds of friendship, a commitment to prosperity and
peace and regional stability. Egypt is a strategic partner of the
United States and we value President Mubarak's years of effort on
behalf of the peace and stability of the Middle East.
The meetings we have just had focused on these goals and on ways to
make the Middle East safer and more secure. We recognize that the
starting point for a prosperous and peaceful Middle East must be the
rejection of terror. Egypt has taken a firm stand against terror by
working to disrupt the activities and capabilities of the region's
terrorist organizations. These are the policies of a nation and a
statesman that understand the threat that terrorism poses to all of us
-- to my nation, to his, to all the Arab states, to Israel and to the
future of any Palestinian state.
Terrorism must be opposed and it must be defeated. And I'm
grateful for President Mubarak's support in the global war against
terror.
Our objective in the Middle East must be true peace -- not just a
pause between wars -- which can only happen within a framework of
democracy and stability. I'm pleased that Egypt has engaged its
neighbor, Israel, on closer trade ties that will help the Egyptian
people find jobs and improve their lives. President Mubarak and I
discussed the possible Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and our shared
view that creation of a democratic, peaceful Palestinian state is a
necessary goal on the road to peace.
We also believe that the future of the Middle East and the future
of Iraq are closely linked. And I am grateful for President Mubarak's
support for Iraq as it transitions to democracy and stability. The
people of the greater Middle East have a right to be safe, secure,
prosperous and free.
President Mubarak and I spoke about the future of the region and of
Egypt. Just as Egypt has shown the way toward peace in the Middle
East, it will set the standard in the region for democracy by
strengthening democratic institutions and political participation.
I'm encouraged by the ongoing debate on reform in Egypt, including
the excellent discussions involving civil society representatives from
the Arab world who met at the Alexandria Library in March. And
President Mubarak can be confident in my friendship and America's
partnership as he moves forward to realize the hopes of his people.
I welcome my good friend, Hosni, to my home. Our countries have
three decades of solid, beneficial relations behind us, and the United
States will continue to work with Egypt and the Arab world in a spirit
of common purpose and mutual respect.
Thank you for coming, sir.
PRESIDENT MUBARAK: I would like to thank President Bush for
inviting me to his ranch in Crawford, and for the friendly atmosphere
and the gracious hospitality that prevailed throughout our meeting
today. I had constructive, candid and friendly discussions with
President Bush and with members of his administration on a wide range
of issues of mutual concern.
Our strategic relationship, which has matured over the past 30
years, has constituted a force for stability, both regionally and
globally. The statement issued today, on the 30th anniversary of the
reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and the United
States, gives a clear reflection of our strong commitment to advance
our special relationship and deepen our cooperation.
Together we have faced the challenges of peace, fighting terror and
defeating aggression. In cooperation with the United States, many of
Egypt's reform and development objectives have been achieved over the
years. Our partnership is based on trust, mutual respect, and the
increasing political will on both sides to continue to assume the
responsibilities of leadership. These same principles will guide us
into the future as we face a new set of challenges on the world stage
and as we enter a new phase of reform on our domestic front.
Egypt has moved with vigor and determination over the past years to
shoulder its increasing responsibilities in the Middle East. At the
same time, we've confronted domestic challenges through ambition and
irreversible program of reform. Our reform efforts have and will
continue to emanate from my government's desire to further widen the
scope of democracy, freedom and political participation in a vibrant
and dynamic civil society.
Egypt's political reform program constitutes a core component of
our comprehensive effort to improve the quality of life of our people.
Our efforts continue to focus on opening up new opportunities for our
citizens to improve their livelihood within a competitive global
environment. In this, we seek to build on our numerous achievements in
the areas of good governance, sustainable economic growth, education
and health care within a caring society in which social policies are
central to our development goals. We continue to move forward within
the process of debate and interaction between government, civil society
and different political parties in Egypt.
We have also expanded the debate to include participation from the
Arab world through a process of interaction among the civil society
representatives in the region, which was launched at the Library of
Alexandria last March. Your support, Mr. President, for our steps in
that endeavor is appreciated.
On regional issues we discussed our respective responsibilities
regarding the peace process in the Middle East. The United States has
always assumed a leading role in the search for peace in our region. I
expressed my strong desire to see that this leading role continue, with
ever greater vigor and determination to realize our vision of a
two-state solution as early as possible in the context of a
comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Arab-Israeli
conflict.
I expressed to the President the centrality of the conflict to the
people of the region, it is our conviction that reviving the hopes of
peace, through our determined efforts to put the peace process back on
track is central to enhancing the prospects of reform and the
prosperity in the region. Egypt has pioneered the path of peace in the
region for over 25 years, and will continue to assume its
responsibilities for peace today.
I reaffirmed to President Bush, Egypt's steadfast commitment to do
whatever it takes to revive the hopes for a comprehensive settlement
and to bring the parties back to the path of their -- negotiations.
On Iraq, I conveyed to the President our serious concerns about the
current state of affairs, particularly in the security and the
humanitarian areas. I further stressed the importance of restoring
Iraq's sovereignty as soon as possible within a context that preserves
its territorial integrity and unites all Iraqis toward a common
future.
The recent efforts to increase the role of the U.N. in that process
is an important step that should be further encouraged. We discussed
our joint effort to fight terror. We agreed to intensify our extensive
cooperation in this regard, to include finding solutions to the
political and economic problems that represent the underlying causes of
terrorism. We discussed also various aspects of our bilateral visions,
including the importance of deepening our economic and cultural ties.
In the economic field, I briefed the President on our economic
reform program and said the importance of free trade with the United
States in attaining our economic objectives. I also stressed the
importance of promoting cultural exchange and furthering the links
between civil society in both our nations. This is certain to enhance
mutual understanding between our two peoples, and between the United
States and the Arab world at large.
I am confident, Mr. President, after our talks today, that through
our strategic partnership we will continue to confront the challenge
before us with greater determination and resolute leadership.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir. Good job.
We'll answer two questions a side. We'll start with the American
side here with Scott.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to take you back to
August 6, 2001, if I could, and ask you about your personal response
when you received the PDB. Do you recall whether you called Bob
Mueller and asked him about what the FBI was doing, asked about these
70 field investigations? And, also, did your mind go back to the PDB
when September 11th hit?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Bob Mueller wasn't the Director of the FBI at the
time.
Q Did you call the Director?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I don't think there was a Director. But, no,
here's my recollection. First, I asked for the PDB. In other words, I
said to the intelligence agency, bring me up to date, what do you know,
give me an assessment, I guess is the best way to put it. And I read
it, and obviously, was discomforted about the fact that Osama bin Laden
hated America. But as I mentioned yesterday, we already knew that.
And the fundamental question is, what was -- was there any actionable
intelligence. And by that I mean, was there anything that the agency
could tell me that would then cause me to have to do something to make
a decision to protect America.
There was nothing in there that said, you know, there's an imminent
attack. There was nothing in this report to me that said, oh, by the
way, we've got intelligence that says something is about to happen in
America. That wasn't what this report said. The report was kind of a
history of Osama's intentions, I guess is the best way to put it, kind
of a history of what the agency had known.
And you're right, there was included, they included the fact that
the FBI was conducting field investigations, which comforted me. You
see, it meant the FBI was doing its job, the FBI was running down any
lead. And I will tell you this, Scott, that had they found something,
I'm confident they would have reported back to me. That's the way the
system works. And whoever was the Acting FBI Director, had they found
something, would have said, Mr. President, we have found something that
you need to be concerned about in your duties to protect America. That
didn't happen.
Q Are you satisfied with their performance, then, today?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I'm confident that had they found something that
was a direct threat to America, they would have brought it to my
attention.
Now, the 9/11 Commission hearings are going to analyze that which
went on and, hopefully, bring recommendations forward to help this
administration and future administrations do our solemn duty to protect
the American people. And that's why I think the hearings are a good
thing, particularly when they address any weaknesses in the system.
And Condi mentioned the other day something very interesting, and
that is that now may be a time to revamp and reform our intelligence
services. And we look forward to hearing recommendations. We're
thinking about that, ourselves and we look forward to working with the
commission.
Q What's on the table in the way of reform --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Hold on a second, please. Lindlaw, I don't want
to lecture you here, but you were given one question and President
Mubarak is going to wonder, is the press corps totally out of control
here in America. So I'm going to have to cut you off at this point in
time.
Mr. President, why don't you call on somebody?
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Welcome.
Q President Bush, in recent days, we've seen a significant
deterioration in the security situation in Iraq. Do you see a serious
risk in that such events and the American military response to them
would lead to a wider popular resistance to the American presence in
Iraq, and would that complicate the process of transferring sovereignty
to the Iraqi people? Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, and welcome. We will transfer
sovereignty. As a matter of fact, the United Nations representative,
Brahimi, is in Baghdad as we speak, working with different parties to
help devise the system to which we transfer sovereignty. And we look
forward to that.
Secondly, the situation in Iraq has improved. But you're right, it
was a tough week, because of -- there was lawlessness and gangs that
were trying to take the law in their own hands. These were people that
were trying to make a statement prior to the transfer of sovereignty
that they would get to decide the fate of Iraq, through violence. A
civil society, a peaceful society can't grow with people who are
willing to kill in order to stop progress. And our job is to provide
security for the Iraqi people, so that a transition can take place.
And that's what you were seeing.
And our job also is to protect American lives. If our soldiers are
at risk, they will defend themselves. And I'm proud of the fact that
our soldiers did so, mindful that there are innocent Iraqis oftentimes
in-between them and an enemy that is shooting at them. We're a
compassionate country that cares about the loss of innocent life. And
it grieves us when we see innocent life lost. However, we will defend
ourselves.
I believe -- strongly believe that by far, the vast majority of
Iraqis want there to be a peaceful country and a free country. And so
the Iraq people are on the side of the transition to a peaceful
country. We just can't let a few people -- and I say "a few" --
listen, there was enough to cause harm, but a few, relative to the rest
of the people -- you just can't let a small percentage of the Iraqi
people decide the fate of everybody, and that's what you're seeing.
Thank you.
Excuse me for a second. Steve.
Q Thank you, sir. If I could ask both of you -- are both of
you prepared to endorse the Israeli withdrawal plan?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Steve, I welcome -- first of all, let's not
prejudge what Prime Minister Sharon is going to tell me. So I don't
want to put words in his mouth until he actually comes to America on
Wednesday. We discussed the rumors of such a withdrawal. And we
discussed it in the context of the two-state solution and the roadmap.
In other words, we both are in agreement that if Israel makes the
decision to withdraw, it doesn't replace the road map, it is a part of
the road map, so that we can continue progress toward the two-state
solution. And I really welcomed my friend's advice. He is -- he knows
the area well. And he's been in touch with the parties and he has got
good judgment on this matter. Let's wait until the Prime Minister
comes. But if he were to decide to withdraw from the Gaza, it would be
a positive development.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT BUSH: He wanted to know your -- just a second, excuse
me. He wanted to have your reaction to a possible withdrawal, if you'd
like to share that. You don't have to, if you don't want to. He's a
kind fellow --
PRESIDENT MUBARAK: I have discussed this with the President, the
withdrawal from Gaza. I think any withdrawal from the occupied
territory is very highly appreciated. But I would like the withdrawal
to coincide with the road map, which is very important, because
withdrawing from Gaza alone, without connecting it with the road map,
we never know it will be Gaza alone. It will be very difficult. It
will not be accepted by the public opinion in the area. So the
withdrawal from Gaza, if it is a part from the road map, I think it
will be very highly appreciated.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, the point is that the decision doesn't
replace the path toward the establishment of a Palestinian state that
will provide hope for the Palestinian people and provide continuity,
and put the institutions in place necessary for a state to evolve. I'm
confident there will be ample willingness of people in Europe or the
United States government to enact economic -- to take economic measures
necessary to provide a hopeful future. And we're in accord on this
issue. And I look forward to meeting with the Prime Minister and hear
what he has to say.
Final question, if you'd like to call on somebody.
Q Thank you very much. My question is for you, Mr. Excellency
Bush, and Mr. Excellency Mubarak. But let me first tell you, happy
Easter, before asking about the peace process. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you. We had a great Easter. I'm sorry it's
so chilly here. It's usually warmer.
Q Thank you very much. So you announced your vision of a
two-state solution almost three years ago --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes.
Q Do you think this vision can be realized in spite of the
Israeli policy of expanding settlements and establishment of the
separate wall, which violates the green line?
And for you, Mr. President Mubarak, how can Egypt help the
Palestinians to take their responsibilities after the Israeli
withdrawal?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Great question. Yes, I think we can achieve a
two-state solution. You're right, I think I made the speech at the
United Nations in 2001, if I'm not mistaken -- September of 2001 -- the
first American President to do so, to make that public declaration a
policy. And the reason I did is because I believe it's in the
Palestinians' interest to have their own state, and I believe it's in
Israel's interest that the Palestinians develop a peaceful state.
The reason why -- we've made some progress, by the way. There is
what they call the road map, a strategy to achieve that, which is
good. The problem is, is that there's terrorists who will kill people
in order to stop the process. And that's why it is essential that we
work together to stop terrorist killing. There will never be a
Palestinian state, in my judgment, if terrorists are willing to kill.
And so the first step we've got to do is to work on the mutual security
concerns of the region. And we can't let people blow up a process.
But that's what happened, as you might recall. And there's been
suiciders and killers and -- you know -- and it's essential that we
work together to stop that kind of terror.
It will be much easier for the Palestinians to assume their
responsibilities -- and there are responsibilities for the
Palestinians, particularly when it comes to developing a state that is
a peaceful state -- it will make it a lot easier if we can continue to
keep the pressure on the terrorists, make it a lot easier for them to
assume their responsibilities.
PRESIDENT MUBARAK: The problem of the Middle East has --nearly
about to be 50 years now. It's a very complicated problem, and if we
keep it, more and more, it will be much more complicated than ever
before. It could have been solved several years ago, but now it's very
difficult. But in this context, I really thank President Bush, the
first President of the United States who could say that, I'm ready to
agree on establishing two states beside each other, independent states
-- Palestinian state and the Israeli state. This is the first time we
could hear it. We have to build on it.
Concerning Gaza, I think we could help a lot in Gaza by training
the police, by giving them advice, by sending them some groups to make
plans for them how to work. And in that regard, we are ready to do.
We have contacts with them, we have contact with the different factions
which could create problems now and then. And you remember they
convened in Cairo several times. We are ready to invite them again to
us to help stability in Gaza for a continuation for more withdrawal.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir.
By the way, tomorrow night I'm interested in answering more
questions for you all. So if you pick out a red or blue tie --
Q A news conference?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Why not. See you at the East Room.