President Meets with Ex-POWs
4th Infantry Division Memorial Chapel
Fort Hood, Texas
11:06 A.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: We just had a great church service. Like thousands
of our fellow citizens, we celebrated Easter. We celebrated with our
family, but we also celebrated with members of the 4th Infantry
Division military families. The 4th Infantry Division is in Iraq.
We are also here with two of -- brave Americans, two warrant
officers, chopper pilots who were captured in Iraq and recently
returned to their families. They were celebrating Easter with their
loved ones: moms, dads, wives, brothers and sisters from around our
country. So it was a glorious day.
We prayed for peace and for strength, for the many blessings. I am
particularly grateful that these two men were with us today. I thank
God for their lives. I hope all our fellow Americans realize that we
live in a great country, full of great people. And today is a day to
give blessings for America, as well as an Almighty and gracious God.
I'd be glad to answer a few questions.
Q Mr. President, you said you prayed for peace this morning.
How soon can you tell the American people that this operation will be
complete?
THE PRESIDENT: When Tommy Franks says it's complete. I'll tell
you this, though, the liberation of Iraq will make the world more
peaceful.
Q Mr. President, there have been some anti-U.S. demonstrations
stirred up by religious leaders in Iraq. Are you worried that's going
to hurt the rebuilding effort?
THE PRESIDENT: I'm not worried. Freedom is beautiful, and when
people are free, they express their opinions. You know, they couldn't
express their opinions before we came, now they can. I've always said
democracy is going to be hard. It's not easy to go from being enslaved
to being free. But it's going to happen, because the basic instincts
of mankind is to be free. They want to be free. And so, sure, there's
going to be people expressing their opinions, and we welcome that, just
like here in America people can express their opinion.
Q Mr. President, what is the latest that you have on the status
of Saddam Hussein? And if he is not killed or captured --
THE PRESIDENT: That Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. That's
for certain. He was in power, and now he is not. And, therefore, the
Iraqi people's lives will be much better off. But other than that, I
don't -- Stretch, we'll just have to see.
Q -- sir, any kind of a threat if he is not killed or
captured?
THE PRESIDENT: If he is alive, I would suggest he not pop his head
up.
Q Sir, do you expect to return more to a domestic agenda now
that the war is winding down?
THE PRESIDENT: I will continue to promote an international agenda
of peace and freedom, and I will continue doing what I have been doing,
is working on our economy and working to modernize the Medicare
system. I have always been involved with the domestic policy. I
somehow get -- somewhat taken aback when I hear stories that assume I
can only do one thing. I am concerned when people in our society can't
find work.
And so I've been constantly promoting an aggressive jobs and growth
program. I believe our Medicare system needs to be modernized. I've
consistently talked about that. I look forward to working with
Congress see that that's done.
Then I will continue to work to make the world a more peaceful
place. The United States is a powerful country, and one of the things
we ought to do is use our power to make the world more peaceful and
more free. And I intend to continue to do that.
Q Sir, will talks with North Korea go ahead? And do you expect
any breakthrough?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, the key thing on the North Korea agenda is
that China is assuming a very important responsibility, and that is
that they will confirm that which -- work toward that which Jiang Zemin
told me in Crawford, right around the corner here, that China's policy
is for a nuclear weapons free Peninsula. And now that they're engaged
in the process, it makes it more likely that's going to occur. You've
got the United States adhering to that posture, you've got China
adhering to that posture; South Korea believes that the Peninsula ought
to be nuclear weapons free, Japan strongly believes that. And I
believe that all four of us, working together, have a good chance of
convincing North Korea to abandon her ambitions to develop nuclear
arsenals.
How are you, Sir. Good to see you again.
Q We've been wondering about your words of encouragement to the
returnees.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, they were -- first of all, they
were the encouraging people. They were the ones who offered
encouragement. I was, believe this or not, somewhat taken aback when I
was in their presence. And these guys were so uplifting and so
positive, and so obviously thrilled to be here. They got in last night
at midnight. They can speak for themselves. I think you can speak for
yourselves. At least you did in my presence.
Q Sir, what are you doing this weekend around the ranch?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q What have you been doing at the ranch this weekend?
THE PRESIDENT: Exactly. (Laughter.) I'm enjoying myself.
Q Someone said home projects.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, home projects. A little fishing. Nothing
better than fishing with your dad, and Barney.
Q What did Barney catch?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Barney only caught that which I caught.
(Laughter.) But worked a little brush cutting, keeping that ranch --
keeping those cedars away from those good hardwoods, letting that --
conserving my property; a little exercise, spent some time with my
family and am really glad I had some time here in Crawford.
Q Did you have a chance to visit with the two pilots in the
church?
THE PRESIDENT: I did, yes. And you can visit with them, too.
Q And their families, as well?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we did. We visited with their families. And
I had a good talk with them. They're good, strong, men. It's an
amazing experience, when you think about it. Here we are, Easter, the
great -- one of the great religious holidays, and these guys arrived
last night -- might have actually arrived Easter day. I don't know if
it was exactly midnight, or a little after midnight.
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER YOUNG: It was a little before midnight.
THE PRESIDENT: A little before midnight. Well, Easter eve. I was
trying to make the story a little more dramatic than it really was.
Q I wondered if either of he two pilots could tell, share their
experience --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, they can. Sure, they can. That's up to
them. They don't have to. I have to speak to the press. They don't
have to. But it's not that bad an experience. This guy's getting
ready -- I'll tell you one thing about this guy, Hillman. He is going
to go see his children for the first time since he was captured. He
hasn't even seen his children. So if you ask him questions, don't make
it long, because, see, we're holding a dad up from hugging two
children.
Q Could you tell us a bit about your meeting with the President
inside the church?
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER WILLIAMS: It was an absolute honor, sir, an
absolute honor.
Q -- Officer Young?
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER YOUNG: We stand a hundred percent behind
whatever our President decides to do. We're honored to serve him, and
this is definitely one of the highlights of my life, absolutely.
Q Mr. President, are you getting any signs of cooperation from
Syria yet?
THE PRESIDENT: There's some positive signs. They're getting the
message that they should not harbor Baath Party officials, high ranking
Iraqi officials. A lot of other countries have also sent that
message. As you know, Secretary Powell will be going to visit with the
Syrians. It seems like they're beginning to get the message. And when
we think there is somebody there or know somebody is there, we of
course will pass on the name and fully expect the Syrian government to
hand the person over.
Q How many are there, do you have any idea, Iraqi leaders?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, obviously we felt some were there, otherwise
we wouldn't have spoken out. But probably the best diplomacy is that
not through the Associated Press or Reuters or Dallas Morning News or
Houston Chronicle or any -- let's see, who else -- Bloomberg. But the
best diplomacy is the diplomacy of having our friends, as well as
ourselves, send clear messages. And we're doing that. And I'm
confident the Syrian government has heard us. And I believe it when
they say they want to cooperate with us.
Listen, have a wonderful day.
Q Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, all.
MRS. BUSH: Bye, happy Easter.
Q Are you going to visit with the other POWs?
THE PRESIDENT: Today? I don't think so, Bennett. I think I'm
going to head back over to the ranch. Thank you all.