Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / Apr. 4 553

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, to join the WTO as well as to lift the Jackson- 8:45 a.m., April 5, 2005] Vanik trade restrictions that were created in NOTE: This proclamation was published in the a different era. Secretary Sam Bodman, who Federal Register on April 6. is with us here, will be going to the to talk about cooperation on energy. We look forward to working with you, Mr. President, The President’s News Conference as you build progress at home to become a With President of part of Europe, a Europe that is whole, free, Ukraine and at peace. And at the same time, we’ll April 4, 2005 continue to work with you to help your ties to the North Atlantic Alliance. President Bush. Thank you. It’s an honor Mr. President, I want to thank you for to stand with a courageous leader of a free being an active partner in the war on terror. Ukraine. Mr. President, you are a friend to Our statement reflects our common desire our country, and you are an inspiration to to cooperate on law enforcement matters, all who love liberty. Welcome to America, our desire to have export controls to prevent and we’re pleased to welcome your wife as the spread of dangerous weapons technology, well. We’re looking forward to having lunch including nuclear materials, MANPADs, and with you. ballistic missiles. President Yushchenko was the first head I appreciate Ukraine’s strong commitment of state I called after my Inaugural Address. to a free Iraq. Ukrainian troops helped to I told him that the was protect the Iraqi people during the elections a powerful example—an example of democ- this January. I look forward to cooperating racy for people around the world. I was im- with your nation to help the Iraqis build a pressed; I know millions of my fellow citizens peaceful society. were impressed by the brave citizens who We share a goal to spread freedom to other gathered in Kiev’s Independence Square and nations. I mean, after all, the Orange Revolu- rightly demanded that their voices be heard. tion may have looked like it was only a part It’s an impressive moment, Mr. President, of the Ukrainian—the history of Ukraine, but and an important moment. I’ve oftentimes the Orange Revolution represented revolu- told our fellow citizens that the world is tions elsewhere as well. And I look forward changing. Freedom is spreading, and I use to working with you, Mr. President, in places the Ukraine as an example, along with Af- like Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan. I want to thank ghanistan and Iraq, about a changing world— you for your conversation on Moldova. I ap- a world, by the way, changing for the better, preciate the discussion we had on—about because we believe free societies will be Belarus. peaceful societies. All in all, Mr. President, we’re really Mr. President, I appreciate your vision. I thrilled you’re here. I know our Congress is want to thank you for our discussion we just looking forward to having you address them had. We discussed a lot of matters. We talked next Wednesday. In the meantime, I want about the neighborhood, of course. We to thank you for our frank and open discus- talked about your commitment to fighting sion. We wish you all the best, and in Amer- corruption, your deep desire to introduce ica, you’ve got a strong friend. Welcome. principles of the marketplace in Ukraine. I President Yushchenko. Mr. President, told the President that our Nation will stand dear American friends, for me, for my wife, by Ukraine as it strengthens law enforce- it is a great honor and privilege to be received ment, as it fights corruption, as it promotes here in the White House and to hear the a free media and civil society organizations. words that are addressed to my country, my To this end, I’ve asked Congress to provide nation, my homeland. $60 million for new funding to help you in Our ideals are simple and eternal: We your efforts, Mr. President. want democracy and freedom—our apparent We also agree with your desire to join the European aspirations, which we were dis- WTO, and we’ll work with your Government cussing from the first days, many days before

VerDate jul 14 2003 20:19 Apr 11, 2005 Jkt 205250 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P14APT4.008 P14APT4 554 Apr. 4 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005

the Maidan events when me and my team weapons of mass destruction and other sub- went into the politics. This is my vision; this jects. is the vision shared by my team. This is some- Essentially, on all questions that we raised, thing that my father taught me. we found mutual understanding. I am con- The legacy that we inherited is a very dif- vinced that relations between our nations are ficult country—Ukraine, where the rule of based not only by mutual sympathy but also law did not exist and human rights were not by the unity of interests and ideals, like the observed, where half of the national economy rule of law, protection of fundamental human is a shadow. The humiliated profession of rights, and respect for people. Majority of journalism, the journalists wanted to speak my fellow Ukrainians want to see America the truth and stood against the official power; as their strategic partner, and I am pleased they could pay dearly. Dearly—I mean it— to see that the U.S. President shares this per- they could pay their lives for it. We’re talking ception, and he has highlighted this support about the country where the number one today. problem remains to be corruption. We’re In our joint statement, which we agreed talking about the country where the huge on, based on our negotiations, we have made problem remains the problem of poverty. We it clear that Ukraine and the U.S. confirm realize all those challenges. We realize that the new era in the strategic partnership be- it’s only—the work that has to be done by tween our nations and the friendship be- the Ukrainian power will help cope with the tween our peoples. We are looking forward problems that the country inherited. to the effective support from the U.S. admin- istration to the new Government of Ukraine However, it is very important, Mr. Presi- in addressing important issues faced by our- dent, to feel that we have partners standing selves, including our accession to WTO by by, that we are not left in solitude in coping the end of 2005, the lifting of the trade sanc- with these troubles. Our conversation began tions on Ukrainian-exported goods, Ukraine’s with my saying that for Ukraine, it was a very accession to European and Euro-Atlantic se- long road to the Oval Office. I do appreciate curity alliances. the attention that you display and the words We have a unique opportunity to write that you have said. new and historical pages in the chronicle of And I would like to once again reiterate our relations, to create the new agenda of that the ideals of the new Ukraine are de- real and contentful U.S., American strategic mocracy, which we perceive as the priority partnership. The democratic Ukraine will en- of people’s interests in political, economic, hance stability in Europe and worldwide. and other areas of development. These are And strategic partnership with the U.S. will freedom of speech that are the oxygen for augment the democratic Ukraine. I’m con- democracy; this is a market economy which vinced that our two nations will stand by as grants equal rights to people; this is the reli- global partners in order to achieve freedom, able system of social guarantees that secure security, and prosperity in the 21st century. protection to the weak. Shortly speaking, the I thank you. ideals for the new Ukraine are the ideals President Bush. We’ll answer two ques- shared by the Western civilization. I fully tions a side. Terry Hunt [Associated Press]. concur with my American colleague in his saying that freedom is not the gift for Amer- Iraq ica; this is the Godly gift. Q. Ukraine and Italy and other allies will Today, Mr. President, we had a very frank withdraw their forces from Iraq. Why should and productive discussion on a very broad the continue to pay most of spectrum of issues. We were talking about the cost and suffer most of the casualties the approaches to deepening our bilateral re- when our allies are leaving? lations, and this conversation is far from final- President Bush. Our strategy in Iraq is ization, about the role that democratic clear, and it’s a common strategy that our Ukraine can play in the regional and global coalition has agreed to, and that is to train stability, the problem of nonproliferation of Iraqi soldiers, Iraqi security forces, so that

VerDate jul 14 2003 20:19 Apr 11, 2005 Jkt 205250 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P14APT4.008 P14APT4 Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / Apr. 4 555

they can do the hard work of securing their a partner of the United States and other na- country. And that’s what’s happening. And tions in NATO. It is a path, and we want I appreciate the contribution that the Ukrain- to help Ukraine get on that path as quickly ian people have made toward liberating Iraq as possible. It is not a given. In other words, and helping provide stability in Iraq and pro- there are things that the Ukrainian Govern- viding security for the elections of Iraq. ment must do in order to satisfy the require- And the President made clear to me in ments to be considered for NATO. my first conversation with him that there— And we want to help—the whole purpose that he campaigned on the idea of bringing of this meeting and the purpose of the pre- some troops out. He’s fulfilling a campaign vious meeting was to help the Ukrainian Gov- pledge. I fully understand that. But he also ernment to understand that which is nec- has said that he’s going to cooperate with the essary to do in order to become more likely coalition in terms further withdrawals, and accepted into NATO. And that’s what we I appreciate that. want to do. We want to help in this process. The fundamental question is, is it worth And I think it’s—I’m a supporter of the idea it? And the answer is, absolutely it’s worth of Ukraine becoming a member of NATO. it for a free Iraq to emerge. We’re talking I think it’s important. about a part of the world in which, you know, I also know that Ukraine wants to join the our foreign policy was, let’s just hope for the EU, and there’s things that have to do with best and tolerate the fact there’s no free soci- the EU. But I do want to assure the Ukrain- eties. And what ended up happening was, ian people that you don’t have to choose be- there was a—tyrants have emerged, tyrants tween the EU and friendship with the United that threatened our security. And so not only States. That’s not a choice the United States was the action worth it, the action is worth Government will make our friends make. You it to make sure that democracy exists, and can be both a member of the EU and a friend because democracies will yield peace, and of the United States. And so we want to help that’s what we want. your Government make the difficult deci- And so we’re going to continue to press sions and difficult choices necessary to be- forward with a strategy that supports the come available for membership in NATO. elected Government of Iraq. Today I spoke Steve Holland [Reuters]. to the new Speaker of the Transitional As- sembly. I wished him all the best. I thanked Pope John Paul II him for stepping up to take a leadership role. I look forward to working with the new Presi- Q. Thank you. How do you think this Pope dent and Prime Minister. And I look forward has affected America’s spiritual and political to continuing to implement a strategy that life? And how much weight did you give to will help Iraqis self-govern. And we’re mak- his opposition to the Iraq war? ing progress toward that goal. And I want President Bush. First, Laura and I are to thank the Ukrainians for their support. looking forward to leading a delegation to You want to call somebody? honor the Holy Father. He will go down in history as a—he will show people that one NATO and EU Membership for Ukraine man can make a difference in people’s lives. Q. Mr. President, did you hear a clear po- He was a courageous person. He was a moral sition of Ukraine concerning its participation person. He was a Godly person. And he’s in NATO? And is America ready to support had huge influence, Steve, not only amongst, Ukraine in joining the Membership Action for example, young people in America but Plan this year? Thank you. around the world. One of his great legacies President Bush. Thank you very much. will be the influence he had on the young. Well, you know, the first time I met the He spoke to the poor. He spoke to moral- President was at NATO, during my latest trip ity. And of course, he was a man of peace. to Europe. And my conversation with him And he didn’t like war, and I fully understood there was the same as I had here, and that that, and I appreciated the conversations I is there is a way forward in order to become had with the Holy Father on the subject.

VerDate jul 14 2003 20:19 Apr 11, 2005 Jkt 205250 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P14APT4.008 P14APT4 556 Apr. 4 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005

I remember going to Castel Gandolfo— can be ensured by pursuing peacemaking Laura and I were there, and I can remember policy. him taking us out on the balcony of this fabu- We stand for—we remain arguing that lous palace overlooking a magnificent lake Ukraine is committed to pursuing training— and talking about his views of the world. It retraining programs for the national guard of was a moment I’ll never forget during my Iraq to the armed forces of Iraq. We are pre- Presidency. pared to share the experience and the mate- And so the world will miss him. And it rial on a mutually beneficial basis to make is my great honor, on behalf of our country, sure that this order remains. It is my deep to express our gratitude to the Almighty for conviction that momentum has been created such a man. And of course, we look forward when Ukraine and diplomats, to the majesty of celebrating such a signifi- businesspeople, and politicians must do what cant human life. Ukrainian peacemakers started. One more. Thank you. Ukraine’s Role in Iraq/Syrian President Bush. Yes. As to what happens Withdrawal From Lebanon over time, that’s going to depend on the Iraqi Q. I have a question for both Presidents, Government. We’re dealing with an elected but primarily for Mr. Yushchenko. What will Government. And they will make the deci- be the American-Ukrainian cooperation in sion as to the security relationship; they’ll Iraq after the withdrawal of Ukrainian make the decision as to how the country re- troops? And could you please give some de- wards contracts for reconstruction. This is a tails? free country, and in free countries, Govern- President Yushchenko. First of all, I ments get to decide—sovereign Govern- would like to indicate that Iraq is a zone of ments decide their future. And so we look Ukrainian interest, and therefore, when this forward to working with the new Govern- question was debated in the Ukrainian Par- ment. As you know, it’s a process. The Tran- liament, the majority of the Parliament mem- sitional Assembly will be writing a constitu- bers spoke in favor of this type of Ukrainian tion, and when the constitution is written, presence in the country. it’ll be ratified. And upon ratification, there Another point, which I’m most pleased to will be another election. indicate, is, in my opinion, the Ukrainian And so we look forward to working with contingent has demonstrated its peace- the Interim Government, and we look for- making mission in a very effective manner. ward to working with the Government that Over the short period of time that our mili- gets elected in December, all aimed at help- tary contingent has been deployed there, we ing Iraq develop into a freestanding, peaceful have retrained three battalions of the na- country, which is in the interests of our chil- tional armed forces of Iraq, two companies. dren and grandchildren, by the way. We have examined in our hospital about I also want to say something about Leb- 5,000 local citizens. Due to the securing sta- bility in this region, we returned about 1,500 anon. Syria—I appreciate the fact that Syria people to their jobs because it has become has expressed its intent to fully leave the much safer to travel to their workplaces. country. That only—that not only means Beginning from the 9th of January, in our troops but it means security forces, as far as region there is not a single incident in our I’m concerned. When they say, ‘‘We’re going area, and we therefore believe that it is pre- to leave the country,’’ we expect troops and cisely in this region where the works aimed security forces to leave. And secondly, it’s im- at restoration of the infrastructure of the portant for this election to take place on time. province where we had deployed, because And we look forward to continuing to work there is no water nor other amenities, ele- with our friends and allies to make sure Leb- mentary amenities. And there now these res- anon is truly free. toration works could be commenced. This Mr. President, thank you, sir. Let’s go have will be a very vivid example of how success lunch. Appreciate it.

VerDate jul 14 2003 20:19 Apr 11, 2005 Jkt 205250 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P14APT4.008 P14APT4 Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / Apr. 4 557

NOTE: The President’s news conference began at all communities, and peaceful resolution of 11:51 a.m. in the East Room at the White House. conflicts in Georgia and Moldova, and to sup- In his remarks, President Bush referred to port the advance of freedom in countries Kateryna Yushchenko, wife of President such as Belarus and Cuba. Citizens in our Yushchenko; and Hajim al-Hasani, Speaker, Iraqi Transitional National Assembly. President open societies value the freedom to practice Yushchenko spoke in Ukrainian, and his remarks their faiths, and we are committed to pro- were translated by an interpreter. moting religious tolerance globally. As Ukraine undertakes far-reaching re- form at home, it can count on the United Joint Statement by President States for support. We applaud Ukraine’s George W. Bush and President commitment to curb corruption, promote the Viktor Yushchenko rule of law and improve the business climate. April 4, 2005 Progress on reforms will allow Ukraine to re- alize its aspirations to move closer to, and A New Century Agenda for the ultimately join European, Euro-Atlantic and Ukrainian-American Strategic international institutions. Partnership We will further integrate Ukraine into the Today, the United States and Ukraine af- world economy and promote investment and firm a new era of strategic partnership be- trade between our two countries. As a first tween our nations and friendship between step, the Ukrainian Government seeks expe- our peoples. We commit our nations to work- ditious U.S. recognition as a market econ- ing together to advance freedom and security omy. We agree to continue our close co- grounded in democratic principles and insti- operation to ensure a process that recognizes tutions, which form the foundation of our re- the evolution of Ukraine’s economy. lationship. We are committed to working together to We salute the people of Ukraine who claimed their right to elect freely their lead- achieve Ukraine’s accession to the World ership. Their brave stand was a victory for Trade Organization (WTO). For its part, the democracy inspiring those throughout the Ukrainian Government will seek to secure, world who yearn for freedom and dignity in on an urgent basis, approval of legislation and the face of tyranny, isolation and oppression. enact regulations that will facilitate accession The territorial integrity, security, and polit- and contribute to lasting economic reform, ical and economic transformation of Ukraine including in agriculture, manufacturing, serv- are essential to building a Europe whole, free ices and the protection and enforcement of and at peace. We will work together to intellectual property rights. The United strengthen democratic institutions in States and Ukraine are committed to working Ukraine and to advance freedom in Europe, together to complete our bilateral negotia- its neighborhood and beyond. tions for Ukraine’s accession to the WTO in We will work to defeat terrorism wherever 2005. We will also cooperate on the out- it occurs and to advance economic develop- standing multilateral work that must be con- ment, democratic reforms and peaceful set- cluded for Ukraine’s WTO accession. We tlement of regional disputes. We are grateful also support immediately ending application to the men and women of those nations who of Jackson-Vanik to Ukraine. have served and sacrificed for Iraqi freedom. The United States supports Ukraine’s Today, we pledge ourselves anew to assist NATO aspirations and is prepared to help the Iraqi people to secure liberty, peace and Ukraine achieve its goals by providing assist- prosperity, and we join our efforts to assist ance with challenging reforms. The United Iraq in its economic reconstruction. Fear and States supports an offer of an Intensified resentment, the breeding ground of ter- Dialogue on membership issues with rorism, must be replaced with freedom and Ukraine at the meeting of Alliance Foreign hope. Ministers in Vilnius, Lithuania later this We also commit to work together to back month. Our cooperation will also deepen reform, democracy, tolerance and respect for through the U.S.-led, largest-ever NATO

VerDate Aug 04 2004 10:39 Apr 12, 2005 Jkt 205250 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P14APT4.008 P14APT4