President Bush Meets with Australian Prime Minister
Remarks of the President and Prime Minister Howard of Australia After Meeting
The Oval Office
2:41 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: We're going to have an opening statement, then the
Prime Minister will. I will call upon an American reporter; the Prime
Minister will call upon an Australian reporter; I will then call on an
American reporter; the Prime Minister will finish by calling on an
Australian reporter.
Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
PRIME MINISTER HOWARD: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: The United States has got a great friend in
Australia, and I've got a personal friend in the Prime Minister. And I
want to thank you for your steadfast support when it comes to fighting
terror.
I reminded the people here in the meeting that the last time the
Prime Minister and I visited here in America was on September the 10th,
and our world was changed forever the next day. I found it really
interesting that one of our best friends was with the President of the
United States the day before the attack. And our best friend will be
with us at the end of this war, too. And that's really comforting to
know.
I look forward to working with you on a variety of issues. I look
forward to coming to your country one day. The Prime Minister invited
me to go down to Australia. I'd love to go. But I want to welcome you
very much; an honor to call you friend.
PRIME MINISTER HOWARD: Thank you very much, Mr. President. There
is something rather poignant about us meeting again in this Oval
Office, and remembering the last time was the 10th of September. I
said to the Congress yesterday that America had no better friend
anywhere in the world than Australia. I want to put on record the
admiration of the Australian people for the tremendous leadership that
you've displayed, Mr. President, over the past nine months.
Australia is a firm and faithful friend, and we are in there with
you in the fight against terror. It still has a long way to go, and I
think it's very important that the people don't imagine that the fight
is anywhere near complete. And there will be a lot of commitment on
our part, and we do respect and admire the contribution that you're
making as the leader of the world's response.
And personally, can I thank you very warmly for your welcome, and
that of your administration. It was a real honor to address the other
part of the United States government yesterday, and to talk to some of
the congressmen, and to understand the processes of your form of
democracy. We each have our own challenges -- you have yours, I have
mine. (Laughter.)
But it's great to be here. And I said yesterday that Americans and
Australians like each other, and they find it easy to relate to each
other. And I've certainly found that, at a personal level, with you,
Mr. President. And thank you very much.
THE PRESIDENT: Stretch.
Q Mr. President, Secretary of State Powell has been talking to
Arab and Middle Eastern media in recent days about you very soon having
a time line for Palestinian statehood. And he's also raised the
possibility of a provisional or temporary Palestinian state to get the
ball moving. Do those statements reflect your views? And how soon
could we anticipate something from this?
THE PRESIDENT: I'm -- listen, I'm listening to a lot of
opinion. I met today with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia. The
Prime Minister and I talked about the subject. And I think it's
probably wise for people not to spend a lot of time speculating.
I'm going to lay out my vision at some point in time. It's going
to be a vision that will help lead toward two states living side by
side. People are going to have to be -- in order to achieve that
vision, people are going to have to take responsibility. Israelis are
going to have to be responsible, Palestinians are going to have to be
responsible, the Arab world is going to have to assume responsibility
to achieve this vision.
And there's one thing for certain that I strongly believe, and that
is that we must build the institutions necessary for the evolution of a
Palestinian state which can live peacefully in the region, and provide
hope for the suffering Palestinian people.
Q Mr. Prime Minister, Vice President Dick Cheney has said in
recent days that the problem of Iraq requires a direct response from
both the United States and its allies. I just wonder whether you
discussed that issue, whether Mr. President, there was any time line on
what you would require from Australia?
PRIME MINISTER HOWARD: Well, we discussed it. I think what's been
said by the administration earlier on this was repeated. Clearly,
Iraq's behavior has been -- in relation to the weapons of mass
destruction has been offensive to many countries, including the United
States and Australia. But the question of any action by the United
States is a matter for the United States. And I've indicated before in
Australia, and I repeat now that if there are any approaches made to
Australia, we'd consider them in the circumstances, at the time, if
they occur.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I told the Prime Minister there are no war
plans on my desk. I haven't changed my opinion about Saddam Hussein,
however. He is -- this is a person who gassed his own people, and
possesses weapons of mass destruction. And so as I told the American
people, and I told John, we'll use all tools at our disposal to deal
with him. And, of course, before there is any action -- military
action, I would closely consult with our close friend. There are no
plans on my desk right now.
Yes, John.
Q Mr. President, on the new source review changes that were
announced by the EPA today, environmental groups say that this is a
giveaway to industry that will actually increase pollution at these
dirtiest power plants. One former member of the EPA who joined that
organization under Bush 41 said today that the new rules are
disgraceful, sir. And I'm wondering what your opinion is.
THE PRESIDENT: They're absolutely wrong. The new source review
reforms, coupled with the Clear Skies legislation, will reduce
pollution by approximately 70 percent. This administration is
committed to clean air and we're going to work vigorously to achieve
clean air.
Q Mr. President, if Congress gives you trade approval, will a
trade deal be a priority with Australia? And will Australian farmers
get better access to American markets?
THE PRESIDENT: I talked to John about the importance of trade.
The qualifier was, if Congress were to give me trade promotion
authority. I appreciate you qualifying it that way. I urge Congress
to give me trade promotion authority, so --
PRIME MINISTER HOWARD: So do I. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: -- so we can have fruitful discussions with our
friend. But first things first. And as you know, a bill passed the
House, and one passed the Senate. And now it's time for them to get
together and get the bill to me. And I would -- more than willing to
ask my man, Zoellick, to talk to the Australians, but only until and
after we get TPA.