President Bush, European Leaders Act to Fight Global Terror
Remarks by President Bush, Prime Minister Simitis and President Prodi in Press Availability
The East Room
1:20 P.M. EDT
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all for coming. We'll have opening
statements, each of us will answer one question apiece.
It's my pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Simitis and President
Prodi here to the White House. We've had constructive discussions. We
had a nice lunch.
Since the end of World War II, the United States has strongly
supported European unity as the best path to European peace and
prosperity. We believe, as well, that strong ties between America and
Europe are essential to peace and the prosperity of the world.
Both the United States and the EU are threatened by global terror,
and we are determined to defeat it. Today, we have signed new
agreements to increase our legal cooperation in the war on terror, and
to speed the extradition of terrorists. Under these agreements, we
will form joint investigative teams and share information on suspect
bank accounts, and expand the range of offenses that qualify for
extradition.
Today, the United States and the EU have also taken new steps to
help stop the gravest threat to our security: the proliferation of
nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. We have signed -- we have
agreed to work together and with others to strengthen export controls
on dangerous materials. We also seek new methods, including active
interdiction, to stop illicit trade in weapons of mass destruction.
The United States and the EU are working closely to meet the
proliferation challenges posed by North Korea and Iran. The recent
report by the International Atomic Energy Agency clearly describes
Iran's failure to meet its obligations to the world and to provide
access for agency officials.
America and the EU agree that Iran must cooperate fully with the
IAEA. We agree that Iran must sign and comply with an additional
protocol giving the IAEA new tools to investigate clandestine nuclear
weapons activities. Iran has pledged not to develop nuclear weapons,
and the entire international community must hold that regime to its
commitments. The United States and the EU are determined to make the
world not only safer, but also better.
We will work together to help the people of Iraq build a future of
security, prosperity and freedom. We'll work together to confront
global poverty, disease and oppression. And Europe and America will
stand together for a Middle East so -- that will have a just and
comprehensive peace. We'll work together to achieve the two-state
solution endorsed by the parties earlier this month at the Red Sea
Summit. Progress toward this goal will only be possible if all sides
do all in their power to defeat the determined enemies of peace, such
as Hamas and other terrorist groups. Nearly every hopeful moment in
the region, nearly every sign of progress toward peace is followed by
more murders in the guise of martyrdom, as those who oppose peace do
all they can to destroy the hopes and aspirations of those who desire
to live in peace.
I urge the leaders in Europe and around the world to take swift,
decisive action against terror groups such as Hamas, to cut off their
funding, and to support -- cut funding and support, as the United
States has done.
We also had a good discussion today about the vital trade
relationship that brings growth and job creation to America, and to all
the nations of the EU and to the world. Today, we are launching
negotiations on a comprehensive air services agreement, better known as
Open Skies, that will benefit our consumers, our airlines, and our
communities.
We've also agreed to accelerate the commercial use of clean and
abundant hydrogen energy. We're working toward a multilateral
agreement to ban market-distorting steel subsidies. And we agree on
the importance of making the upcoming World Trade Organization meeting
of trade ministers in Cancun a success, so that we can energize the
global trade negotiations.
We meet at an important moment, a time when the EU is taking in new
members and writing a new constitution. And a time when both Europe
and America are facing new challenges in the world's peace and
prosperity. We are united in common values and we will seek common
solutions to our shared challenges.
We've had a great meeting. Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS: Thank you, Mr. President. We had a very
fruitful, very friendly meeting with President Bush. This is our first
meeting after the crisis in Iraq. I want to stress, because many
people said that there was a serious period of strain, that the
transatlantic relationship does work, it produces results and it is
important for both of us. It's been of fundamental importance, I would
say.
The economic independence between Europe and the United States is
indescribable and is of vital importance -- vital importance to jobs
and economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic, and for the global
economy. Our economic relationship sustains our security and
prosperity. Cooperation with the United States in the security and
defense field is unavoidable, as it is desirable. A solid and
productive transatlantic relationship is essential for international
order.
Europe and America share a common attachment to the fundamental
values of freedom and democracy and the rights of man, though they
sometimes differ their appreciation as how to best implement the
principles.
As President Bush said, we discussed how to strengthen our
relationship. We identified issues which we have common objectives,
shared interests, and how we can both contribute. The Middle East and
the application of the road map remains at the top of the list. We
have the same interest that there is peace in the Middle East.
Counterterrorism is certainly a common issue, and that's why we also
agreed on a declaration on nonproliferation on weapons of mass
destruction.
The development issues in Africa and elsewhere are ripe for a more
detailed dialogue. Economic affairs and the justice and home affairs
agenda are also subjects that can be pursued in the mutual benefit of
both of us and the wider international community. From the agreements
and declarations that we agreed today, I want to mention the mutual
legal assistance and extradition agreement is the first agreement on
legal cooperation in the fight against crime that the European Union
signs with a third country.
The United States and the European Union cannot possibly have and
share on foreign policy or trade interests in all areas the same
opinions. There will be issues and times where we will differ. But
friendship presupposes that we will have to agree to differ, to accept
to differ. And friendship presupposes that we must be disciplined and
manage our differences. We should always act on the basis that what
unites us will always outweigh any issue that divide us.
I think that meeting today was a very good meeting because it
allowed us to discuss matters where we differ, trade matters, matters
where we agree, and matters where we can cooperate in order to have a
common result -- I think a common result that will be good for not only
Europe and the United States, but for all those that are interested in
peace, security and growth.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Romano.
PRESIDENT PRODI: I have not to add that it was a very good
meeting, because it was a very good meeting, atmosphere. We
concentrated on concrete decision because we have not to waste our
energy in talking about difference, because we shouldn't get nowhere
and the difference are shrinking. So we are growing together.
And we have, first of all, launched the talks for the creation of a
transatlantic open aviation area. This will change the industry of
transport -- aviation transport, and will provide better service, lower
price, and more choice for the 11 million people who cross the Atlantic
every year, and even more in the future.
Second, and this is a joint -- we are starting a major joint
research effort on hydrogen and energy. And this is important for the
future, and shows that we can work together on every issue where the
touch, where -- the border of other issue which we have these
agreement, like Kyoto.
Third, we have decided to have a joint responsibility making the
Doha development around a success. And without close cooperation
between Europe and U.S., there will be no success. And we cannot
afford to fail because a third war will be heavy, heavy damage.
On this aspect, we also exchanged our views on the reform of the --
big, big, big reform of the common agricultural product that Europe is
trying to do, and that our discussions in this hour when we are here,
you know? And I hope that we can arrive to Doha with really a new
picture of our agriculture. And, therefore, I fully agreement with the
President when he recently declared it important that when Europe and
the U.S. are united, no problem and no enemy can stand against us.
This is the real lesson.
I would -- only that if we fail to unite, every problem may become
a crisis and every enemy a gigantic monster. I say to end this with
this brief analogy: many people have said that Europe is too old.
Maybe, but the old age helps us to understand our strength and our
weakness and the reality of the world. And so, I say that we -- if we
stay alone, President, Europe is too old and the United States too
young -- (laughter) -- to be able to bring peace in this world. And it
is our duty to stick together to bring peace to the world. Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, thank you, Roman. You're looking pretty
young these days. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT PRODI: I am not. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Here's what we'll do. We'll call upon -- each of
us will call upon a member of the press. We ask you to limit your
questions to one question, to one person. Dana Bash, CNN.
Q Mr. President, thank you. There are reports that there is a
cease-fire agreement among Hamas and a few other Palestinian
organizations, that they've promised to stop the violence for at least
three months. What do you know about that? And what -- if true, what
do you expect to happen next from both sides, both Israelis and
Palestinians?
PRESIDENT BUSH: As I was walking in, somebody told me about the
report. I'll believe it when I see it, knowing the history of the
terrorists in the Middle East. But the true test for Hamas and
terrorist organizations is the complete dismantlement of their
terrorist networks, their capacity to blow up the peace process.
That's the true test. It's one thing to make a verbal agreement.
But in order for there to be peace in the Middle East, we must see
organizations such as Hamas dismantled, and then we'll have peace.
Then we'll have a chance for peace. I like to remind people that there
are three parties involved directly in the territories there. There's
the Israeli government. I believe the Israeli people want peace, and I
believe their government when they say they want a peaceful state,
living side by side Israel.
Secondly, there are the people of the Palestinian world who are
tired of failed leadership, tired of terrorism destroying their hopes,
tired of living in poverty, and they, too, want a peaceful state. And
then there are the terrorists, like Hamas, who do not want a peaceful
state, and they're willing to use terrorist means to destroy it. In
order for there to be peace, Hamas must be dismantled.
Q In the last few weeks and months, we heard from both sides of
the Atlantic. Some opinions, some politicians expressing concern about
the European community policy on defense and security. Did you -- they
say, for example, that it is going to undermine the NATO, generally
speaking that it's going to be a kind of threat to the United States,
be worse in other things. Did you discuss this kind of thing today,
and may I have your opinion of this? And I would really like to hear
the President's opinion.
PRESIDENT BUSH: You're trying to violate the one question per
person rule. (Laughter.) It's okay. Nice try, though.
PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS: We discussed with President Bush -- this
is not a subject of discussion. I explained what we are doing in the
European Union, why this is necessary, and I think why it's in the
interest of both of us. Europe should be capable to deal with security
problems at it's borders or elsewhere in the world. And we have a very
good example. Now, there is a European force in FYROM, and this
European force took the place of a NATO force. And we discussed about
having a European force also in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and instead of a
NATO force, this will be, also, positive for the Balkans.
I think it's a big mistake to believe that the development of a
European and security policy takes place in the -- in adversity with
the United States. I think that both the United States and us have an
interest to have a strong defense, because a strong defense in our case
will help the United States, and a strong defense of the United States
helps us also. And a good example again, I'll bring, is Afghanistan.
We discussed about Afghanistan. As you know, there is -- there are
German soldiers on Afghanistan. There are United States soldiers in
Afghanistan. We have a common policy in order to have more peace and
security in Afghanistan.
And also the question that this security policy is a threat to
anybody, I think it's ridiculous because we have a very clear policy in
these questions. If there is a confrontation, then the national law
must be applied. And the United Nations Security Council has to decide
on differences, as for example, Greece has always said, concerning the
problem of the continental shelf, it's a -- with Turkey, that the
international court of justice has to decide.
So the European development in concern with defense cannot be a
threat to anyone. It's, I would say, a decisive step for peace.
Q Mr. Prodi, when you discussed Iran with President Bush, did
you raise the question of what would happen if Iran does not comply to
sign up to enhanced inspections?
PRESIDENT PRODI: We discussed deeply about Iran, but I didn't ask
him what he would do, you know. I tell my opinion. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Iran must comply. It's -- the free world expects
Iran to comply. Just leave it at that. They can --
Q And if it doesn't?
PRESIDENT BUSH: We expect them to. See, you're assuming they
won't. We believe they will when the free world comes together. And
if they don't, we'll deal with that when they don't.
PRESIDENT PRODI: The dialogue with Iran is going on daily and
deeply. And we push that they accept all the inspections, even the
non-, let's say, planned inspections because we have to be sure that
doesn't constitute a danger to future peace. We have to be absolutely
sure.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes. If the world speaks together, they'll
comply.
Thank you all very much for coming. We enjoyed it.