President Discusses Iraq, Syria
Remarks by the President Upon Arrival From Camp David, The South Lawn
12:53 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Today is a great day for the families, comrades,
loved ones of the seven missing in action who are free. I'm really
pleased, for all those who have been praying for their safety, that
they are safe.
We still have missing in action in Iraq; we will continue to look
for them. We pray that they, too, will be safe and free one of these
days. But it's just a good way to start off the morning, to have been
notified that seven of our fellow Americans are going to be home here
pretty soon, in the arms of their loved ones.
I'll answer a few questions. Scott.
Q Mr. President, Secretary Rumsfeld said today he thinks Syria
is harboring some Iraqi leadership. Could Syria face military action
if they harbor these people?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Syria just needs to cooperate with us. We've
made -- I made that clear on Friday. I will, if need be, reiterate
it today. The Syrian government needs to cooperate with the United
States and our coalition partners and not harbor any Baathists, any
military officials, any people who need to be held to account for their
tenure during what we are learning more and more about. It was one of
the most horrendous governments ever.
Q Could they face military action if they don't cooperate?
THE PRESIDENT: They just need to cooperate.
Q You have been talking a lot about prayer and today is Palm
Sunday. What role do you think faith and prayer had in this rescue --
THE PRESIDENT: I think it played -- first of all, I know it
helps sustain and comfort those who mourn, those who are worried, those
who are concerned about their loved ones. You know, I went to the
hospital on Friday and met some of our brave troops and their
families. And a lot of them told me that they had been sustained by
prayer, been comforted by the Almighty during what had to have been
incredibly difficult times for them -- to get the phone call that a
loved one had been wounded or hurt, and then not knowing whether the
person would live -- and then being able to be reunited with them
here in Washington.
They told me that they felt like prayers had been answered. Prayer
is powerful. One of the great things about this country is a lot of
people pray, and I know a lot of people are praying for the families of
those who grieve and the families of those who wonder whether or not
their loved ones will ever return.
Q Mr. President, some of our colleagues in Iraq are saying
while the Iraqis are grateful that the coalition forces freed them from
Saddam Hussein, they're frustrated and even scared about the chaos, the
looting going on.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. You know, it's amazing, the statue comes down
on Wednesday and the headlines start to read: oh, there's disorder.
Well, no kidding. It is a situation that is chaotic because Saddam
Hussein created the conditions for chaos. He created conditions of
fear and hatred. And it's going to take a while to stabilize the
country.
But just like the military campaign was second-guessed, I'm sure
the plan is being second -- but we will be successful. And there
will be -- let me finish, please -- there will be more stability.
There will be more medicine; there will be more food delivered over
time. And it's happening as I speak.
Have you got a follow-up question?
Q I just want to ask what your message is to the Iraqi people
who are wondering about --
THE PRESIDENT: You're free. And freedom is beautiful. And, you
know, it'll take time to restore chaos and order -- order out of
chaos. But we will.
Yes, John.
Q Sir, given the success of American military forces, is this a
message that people like Syrians and the North Koreans should take to
heart? Do you think the North Koreans are taking it to heart?
THE PRESIDENT: I think that people have got to know that we are
serious about stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction and
that each situation requires a different response. But we are making
good progress in North Korea. We have made it clear that we think that
the best way to deal with their proliferation is through a
multi-national forum. It looks like that might be coming to fruition.
That's very good news for the people in the Far East who are concerned
about North Korea and their willingness to develop nuclear weapons.
We're making progress on all fronts.
Q Do you think there are weapons of mass destruction in Syria?
THE PRESIDENT: I think that we believe there are chemical weapons
in Syria, for example. And we will -- each situation will require a
different response and, of course, we're -- first things first.
We're here in Iraq now; and the second thing about Syria is that we
expect cooperation. And I'm hopeful we'll receive cooperation.
All right. Have a beautiful day.
Q When do you think you'll declare a victory? And will you be
the one to declare victory if it comes?
THE PRESIDENT: Did you watch my press conference on Friday?
Q I did.
THE PRESIDENT: Do I need to say it again, then? Surely, you
watched -- (laughter.)
Q Tommy Franks is going to call the shots? (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Listen, we set clear objectives here in
Washington. We gave our military what they needed to achieve the
objectives. And when those objectives are met, we will hear from our
commanders on the ground that they have been met. And that's when the
so-called "victory declaration" will come forth.
Q Mr. President, will you go on national television when the
time is right?
THE PRESIDENT: I'm on national television right this second. And
it's an honor to be here on national television. And it's a great day
to be on national television -- seven Americans are alive. Seven
people who were missing are now alive. And I am so pleased for their
families and loved ones. It is -- Patsy, have you got anything?
Q Yes, sir. Now that there's a vacancy on the axis of evil, is
Syria a good candidate?
THE PRESIDENT: We will deal with each situation as it arises.
We're making progress on the Korean Peninsula. Everybody knows our
position, which is that we expect there to be a nuclear weapons-free
Peninsula. The good news is it's a position shared by the Chinese;
it's a position shared by the South Koreans; and it's a position shared
by the Japanese. So we've got common interests, and working together,
I am very hopeful we'll be able to achieve those interests,
diplomatically.