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