Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, January 19, 2009 Volume 45—Number 2 Pages 31–93

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAF4.016 P02JAF4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCSF Contents

Addresses to the Nation Communications to Federal Agencies Farewell address—79 Designation of Officers To Act as Addresses and Remarks Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, memorandum— See also Meetings With Foreign Leaders 90 Cabinet meeting—65 Designation of Officers To Act as President Presidential Medal of Freedom of the Overseas Private Investment Presentation at State Department—71 Corporation, memorandum—91 Presentation at White House—67 Eligibility of the Southern African Radio address—34 Development Community to Receive Virginia, commissioning ceremony of the USS Defense Articles and Defense Services George H.W. Bush in Norfolk—35 under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, Communications to Congress as Amended, and the Arms Export Control Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Act, as Amended, memorandum—89 Slovakia, and Slovenia, message transmitting Limited Waiver of Certain Sanctions Imposed provision of atomic information to—54 by, and Delegation of Certain Authorities Cuba, message on continuation of national Pursuant to, the Tom Lantos Block emergency—77 Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Efforts) Act of 2008, memorandum—74 (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, letter on review Proposed Agreement for Cooperation of title III—78 Between the Government of the United Emergency economic stabilization, message States of America and the Government of transmitting report on Treasury the United Arab Emirates Concerning Department plans—65 Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, Malta-U.S. Taxation Convention, message memorandum—75 transmitting—79 Provision of Atomic Information to Bulgaria, National Drug Control Strategy, message Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, transmitting—78 Slovakia, and Slovenia, memorandum—47 Russia-U.S. Mutual Fisheries Agreement, Waiving the Prohibition on the Use of message transmitting extension—78 Economic Support Funds with Respect to Terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle Various Parties to the Rome Statute East peace process, message on Establishing the International Criminal continuation of national emergency—76 Court, memorandum—90

(Continued on the inside of the back cover.)

Editor’s Note: The President was at Camp David, MD, on January 16, the closing date of this issue. Releases and announcements issued by the Office of the Press Secretary but not received in time for inclusion in this issue will be printed next week.

Like its predecessor, the Daily Compilation will contain IMPORTANT NOTICE statements, messages, and other Presidential materials released by the White House. As an FDsys web publication, the Daily The Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Compilation will reach a much broader audience and will be Records Administration, has created a new publication to be updated frequently, as information is released by the White called the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents. The House press office. The Daily Compilation web site will Daily Compilation will appear on the Government Printing integrate with historical Weekly Compilation files to provide Office’s new Federal Digital System (FDsys) web site January continuity and permanent public access. The new Daily 20, 2009, to coincide with the incoming President’s term of Compilation web site will be available via: office. www.presidentialdocuments.gov. The online Daily Compilation will replace the printed There will be no restriction on republication of material Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. appearing in the Daily Compilation.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAF4.016 P02JAF4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCSF Contents—Continued

Directives Notices—Continued Arctic Region Policy—47 Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Terrorists Who Threaten To Executive Orders Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process— Amending the Order of Succession Within the 76 Department of Agriculture—31 Proclamations Granting Reciprocity on Excepted Service and Federal Contractor Employee Fitness and Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday—82 Reinvestigating Individuals in Positions of National Sanctity of Human Life Day—74 Public Trust—87 Religious Freedom Day—71 Providing an Order of Succession Within the To Implement the United States-Peru Trade Department of Transportation—31 Promotion Agreement and For Other Strengthening Laboratory Biosecurity in the Purposes—83 United States—32 To Suspend Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Foreign Government Interviews With the News Media Officials Responsible for Failing To Combat Trafficking in Persons—86 Interview with Brit Hume of FOX News—36 News conference, January 12—55 Statements by the President Meetings With Foreign Leaders Deaths Andrew Wyeth—82 Australia, former Prime Minister Howard—67 Cardinal Pio Laghi—46 Colombia, President Uribe—67 Cuba situation—70 Mexico, President Calderon—66 U.S. Airways plane crash in New York City— United Kingdom, former Prime Minister 73 Blair—67 Supplementary Materials Notices Acts approved by the President—93 Continuation of the National Emergency Checklist of White House press releases—92 Relating to Cuba and of the Emergency Digest of other White House Authority Relating to the Regulation of the announcements—92 Anchorage and Movement of Vessels—77 Nominations submitted to the Senate—92

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAF4.016 P02JAF4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCSF VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAF4.016 P02JAF4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCSF VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7969 Sfmt 7969 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAF4.016 P02JAF4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCSF newmail.eps Week Ending Friday, January 16, 2009

Executive Order 13484—Amending Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska, in order of se- the Order of Succession Within the niority fixed by length of unbroken service Department of Agriculture as State Executive Director of that State January 9, 2009 (consistent with the time of service and rate of pay requirements of section 3345(a)(3) of By the authority vested in me as President title 5, United States Code).’’. by the Constitution and the laws of the Sec. 2. Section 3(a) is amended by striking United States of America, including the Fed- ‘‘2(a)–(j)’’ and inserting ‘‘2(a)–(n)’’, and a new eral Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, 5 U.S.C. section 3(c) is added to read as follows: 3345 et seq., it is hereby ordered that Execu- ‘‘(c) No individual listed in section 2 shall tive Order 13241 of December 18, 2001, as act as the Secretary unless that individual is amended, is further amended as follows: otherwise eligible to so serve under the Fed- Section 1. Section 2 is amended to read eral Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.’’ as follows: Sec. 3. This order is intended to improve ‘‘Sec. 2. Order of Succession. the internal management of the executive ‘‘(a) General Counsel of the Department branch and is not intended to, and does not, of Agriculture; create any right or benefit, substantive or ‘‘(b) Chief Financial Officer of the Depart- procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, ment of Agriculture; by any party against the United States, its ‘‘(c) Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its of- Administration; ficers, employees, or agents, or any other ‘‘(d) Under Secretary of Agriculture for person. Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services; George W. Bush ‘‘(e) Under Secretary of Agriculture for The White House, Natural Resources and Environment; January 9, 2009. ‘‘(f) Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, ‘‘(g) Under Secretary of Agriculture for 8:45 a.m., January 13, 2009] Rural Development; NOTE: This Executive order was published in the ‘‘(h) Under Secretary of Agriculture for Federal Register on January 14. This item was not Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services; received in time for publication in the appropriate ‘‘(i) Under Secretary of Agriculture for issue. Food Safety; ‘‘(j) Under Secretary of Agriculture for Re- search, Education, and Economics; Executive Order 13485—Providing ‘‘(k) Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for an Order of Succession Within the Congressional Relations; Department of Transportation ‘‘(l) Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for January 9, 2009 Civil Rights; ‘‘(m) Director, Kansas City Commodity By the authority vested in me as President Office, Farm Service Agency (consistent with under the Constitution and the laws of the the time of service and rate of pay require- United States of America, including the Fed- ments of section 3345(a)(3) of title 5, United eral Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, 5 U.S.C. States Code); and 3345 et seq., it is hereby ordered that: ‘‘(n) State Executive Directors of the Farm Section 1. Order of Succession. Subject Service Agency for the States of Missouri, to the provisions of section 2 of this order, 31

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 32 Jan. 9 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

the following officials of the Department of (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Transportation, in the order listed, shall act order, the President retains discretion, to the as and perform the functions and duties of extent permitted by law, to depart from this the office of the Secretary of Transportation order in designating an acting Secretary. (Secretary), during any period in which the Sec. 3. This order supersedes the Presi- Secretary, the Deputy Secretary of Transpor- dent’s Memorandum of March 19, 2002 tation, the Under Secretary of Transportation (Designation of Officers of the Department for Policy, and the officials designated by the of Transportation). Secretary pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 102(e) have Sec. 4. This order is intended to improve died, resigned, or otherwise become unable the internal management of the executive to perform the functions and duties of the branch and is not intended to, and does not, office of Secretary, until such time as the create any right or benefit, substantive or Secretary or one of the officials listed above procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, is able to perform the duties of that office: by any party against the United States, its (a) Administrator of the Federal High- agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its of- way Administration; ficers, employees, or agents, or any other (b) Administrator of the Federal Aviation person. Administration; George W. Bush (c) Administrator of the Federal Motor The White House, Carrier Safety Administration; January 9, 2009. (d) Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration; [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, (e) Administrator of the Federal Transit 8:45 a.m., January 13, 2009] Administration; NOTE: This Executive order was published in the (f) Administrator of the Maritime Ad- Federal Register on January 14. This item was not ministration; received in time for publication in the appropriate (g) Administrator of the Pipeline and issue. Hazardous Materials Safety Adminis- tration; (h) Administrator of the National High- Executive Order 13486— way Traffic Safety Administration; Strengthening Laboratory (i) Administrator of the Research and In- Biosecurity in the United States novative Technology Administration; January 9, 2009 (j) Administrator of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; By the authority vested in me as President (k) Regional Administrator, Southern by the Constitution and the laws of the Region, Federal Aviation Administra- United States of America, it is hereby or- tion; dered as follows: (l) Director, Resource Center, Lake- Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the wood, Colorado, Federal Highway United States that facilities that possess bio- Administration; and logical select agents and toxins have appro- (m) Regional Administrator, Northwest priate security and personnel assurance prac- Mountain Region, Federal Aviation tices to protect against theft, misuse, or di- Administration. version to unlawful activity of such agents Sec. 2. Exceptions. (a) No individual who and toxins. is serving in an office listed in section 1 in Sec. 2. Establishment and Operation of an acting capacity, by virtue of so serving, the Working Group. (a) There is hereby es- shall act as Secretary pursuant to this section. tablished, within the Department of Defense (b) No individual who is serving in an of- for administrative purposes only, the Work- fice listed in section 1 shall act as Secretary ing Group on Strengthening the Biosecurity unless that individual is otherwise eligible to of the United States (Working Group). so serve under the Federal Vacancies Reform (b) The Working Group shall consist exclu- Act of 1998. sively of the following members:

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 9 33

(i) the Secretary of State; and personnel security and assurance; (ii) the Secretary of Defense, who shall and be a Co-Chair of the Working Group; (ii) practices with respect to physical, fa- (iii) the Attorney General; cility, and personnel security and as- (iv) the Secretary of Agriculture; surance; (v) the Secretary of Commerce; (b) obtain information or advice, as appro- (vi) the Secretary of Health and Human priate for the conduct of the review and eval- Services, who shall be a Co-Chair of uation, from the following: the Working Group; (i) heads of executive departments and (vii) the Secretary of Transportation; agencies; (viii) the Secretary of Energy; (ii) elements of foreign governments and (ix) the Secretary of Homeland Security; international organizations with re- (x) the Administrator of the Environ- sponsibility for biological matters, mental Protection Agency; consistent with functions assigned by (xi) the Director of National Intelligence; law or by the President to the Sec- (xii) the Director of the National Science retary of State; and Foundation; and (iii) representatives of State, local, terri- (xiii) the head of any other department or torial, and tribal governments, and agency when designated: other entities or other individuals in (A) by the Co-Chairs of the Working a manner that seeks their individual Group with the concurrence of such advice and does not involve collective head; or judgment or consensus advice or de- (B) by the President. liberation; and (c) The Co-Chairs shall convene and pre- (c) submit a report to the President, side at meetings of the Working Group, de- through the Co-Chairs, not later than 180 termine its agenda, and direct its work. The days after the date of this order that is unclas- Co-Chairs may establish and direct sub- sified, with a classified annex as required, and groups of the Working Group, as appropriate sets forth the following: to deal with particular subject matters, that (i) a summary of existing laws, regula- shall consist exclusively of members of the tions, guidance, and practices with re- Working Group. spect to security and personnel assur- (d) A member of the Working Group may ance reviewed under subsection (a) of designate, to perform the Working Group or this section and their efficiency and Working Group subgroup functions of the effectiveness; member, any person who is a part of the (ii) recommendations for any new legisla- member’s agency and who is an officer of tion, regulations, guidance, or prac- the United States appointed by the Presi- tices for security and personnel assur- dent, a member of the Senior Executive ance for all Federal and nonfederal Service (SES), or the equivalent of a member facilities described in subsection (a); of the SES. (iii) options for establishing oversight Sec. 3. Functions of the Working Group. mechanisms to ensure a baseline Consistent with this order, and to assist in standard is consistently applied for all implementing the policy set forth in section physical, facility, and personnel secu- 1 of this order, the Working Group shall: rity and assurance laws, regulations, (a) review and evaluate the efficiency and and guidance at all Federal and non- effectiveness, with respect to Federal and federal facilities described in sub- nonfederal facilities that conduct research section (a); and on, manage clinical or environmental labora- (iv) a comparison of the range of existing tory operations involving, or handle, store, or personnel security and assurance pro- transport biological select agents and toxins, grams for access to biological select of the following: agents and toxins to personnel secu- (i) existing laws, regulations, and guid- rity and assurance programs in other ance with respect to physical, facility, fields and industries.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 34 Jan. 9 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Sec. 4. Duties of Heads of Departments The President’s Radio Address and Agencies. (a) The heads of departments January 10, 2009 and agencies shall provide for the labor and travel costs of their representatives and, to Good morning. This week, I gave my offi- the extent permitted by law, provide the cial farewell speech to the men and women Working Group such information and assist- of America’s Armed Forces in a ceremony ance as it needs to implement this order. at Fort Myer, Virginia. For the past 8 years, (b) To the extent permitted by law and I have had no higher honor than serving as subject to the availability of appropriations, the Commander in Chief of these brave pa- the Secretary of Defense shall provide the triots. And when Laura and I depart for Working Group with such administrative and Texas later this month, we will take with us support services as may be necessary for the many inspiring memories of the valor that performance of its functions. we have seen these brave Americans display Sec. 5. Termination of the Working time and again. Group. Termination of the Working Group. We saw their valor on September the 11th, The Working Group shall terminate 60 days 2001, in service members rushing into after the date of the report submitted under smoke-filled corridors to save their col- subsection 3(c) of this order. leagues at the Pentagon and in planes patrol- Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in ling the skies above New York City and this order shall be construed to impair or oth- Washington, DC. erwise affect: We saw their valor in the days after that (i) authority granted by law to a depart- attack, when Americans crowded into re- ment or agency, or the head thereof; cruiting centers across our country, raised or their hands to serve, and pledged to defend (ii) functions of the Director of the Office our people and our freedom. of Management and Budget relating We saw their valor in the forces who de- to budget, administrative, or legisla- ployed to Afghanistan within weeks of 9/11, tive proposals. closed down the terrorist training camps, and (b) This order shall be implemented con- drove the Taliban from power. sistent with applicable law and subject to the We saw their valor in the fearless troops availability of appropriations. who stormed across the Iraqi desert and de- (c) This order is intended only to improve stroyed a regime that threatened America. the internal management of the executive We saw their valor in battle-tested warriors branch and is not intended to, and does not, who signed up for a second or third or fourth create any right or benefit, substantive or tour and made the troop surge in Iraq that procedural, enforceable at law or in equity I announced 2 years ago today one of the by any party against the United States, its great successes in American military history. agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its of- America’s Armed Forces have liberated ficers, employees, or agents, or any other more than 50 million people around the person. world and made our Nation safer. They have taken the fight to the terrorists abroad so that George W. Bush we have not had to face them here at home. And the world has seen something that al- The White House, most no one thought possible: More than 7 January 9, 2009. years after September the 11th, there has not been another terrorist attack on American [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, soil. This is no coincidence. 8:45 a.m., January 13, 2009] In addition to our military, many other Americans have worked tirelessly to ensure NOTE: This Executive order was published in the our safety in the years since 9/11. Law en- Federal Register on January 14. This item was not forcement officials have worked to secure received in time for publication in the appropriate our country and remained watchful against issue. future attacks. Intelligence analysts have

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 10 35

tracked information that allowed us to dis- friend, and here’s what he said; he said: ‘‘You rupt terrorist plots before they reached our should see Georgie now. Whenever I come shores. And homeland security agents have home, he greets me and talks a blue streak, worked to secure our ports, our borders, and sentences disjointed of course.’’ [Laughter] our skies. ‘‘He tries to say everything, and the results We owe a debt of gratitude to all of these are often hilarious.’’ [Laughter] Some things patriots. Because of their devotion to service, do not change. [Laughter] many Americans live their lives without the The aircraft carrier, which we commission fear and uncertainty that they felt in the days today, may be the Navy’s newest ship, but just after 9/11. This continued safety has she has already had an interesting past. Her been a blessing. But we must never allow catapult testing took place during an unsea- it to foster complacency. America still faces sonable cold snap. Her christening was sworn enemies intent on striking our Nation thrown into chaos by a fierce nor’easter. And and our people. And we must remain vigilant during construction, the shipyard was closed for as long as that threat remains. down because of Hurricane Isabel. So in I know that our men and women in uni- keeping with this ship’s short history, I form have remained vigilant. These Ameri- brought along an equally strong force of na- cans answer the call to defend freedom when ture: my mother. [Laughter] it is under attack. They put their lives on the Mr. Vice President and Lynne, thank you line to defend democracy and keep our coun- for joining us. Vice President Cheney has try safe. And they inspire a nation with their been a fabulous Vice President of the United selflessness and their courage. I am proud States. Governor Kaine, thank you for your to have served as their Commander in Chief. welcoming remarks. Secretary of State Thank you for listening. Condoleezza Rice, I appreciate you joining us. Other members of the administration and NOTE: The address was recorded at 7:55 a.m. on their families; the Chairman of the Joint January 9 in the Cabinet Room at the White Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen; CNO House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 10. Gary Roughead; Captain O’Flaherty; other The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on January 9 but was em- member of the United States Armed Forces bargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office and their families; shipyard workers and of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- managers; members of our family who have guage transcript of this address. joined us; and all the friends of George H.W. Bush: We are glad you are here. The story of the USS George H.W. Bush Remarks at the Commissioning begins in the early days of World War II, Ceremony of the USS George H.W. when our dad enlisted in the United States Bush in Norfolk, Virginia Navy. Like many servicemen deployed over- January 10, 2009 seas, he was sustained by a girl he loved back home. From her dorm room, she knitted The President. Thank you very much. socks for him. In remote Pacific atolls, he Secretary Gates, thank you for your introduc- collected seashells for her. And when he re- tion. I know I speak on behalf of President turned home from war, the first thing he did 41 when I say it has been a privilege for both was to make her his bride. And for 64 years of us to serve with this fine and distinguished ago this week, the love of my father’s life man. has been Barbara Bush. I want to thank you all for coming. Laura Over the years, our parents have built a and I are thrilled to be here to help commis- family bound forever by closeness, warmth, sion an awesome ship and to honor an awe- and unconditional love. Jeb, Neil, Marvin, some man: President George H.W. Bush. and Doro and I will always feel blessed to To prepare for this day, I went back have had the best father anyone could ever through some of my father’s letters. I thought ask for. We will always be inspired by the it was especially interesting to read one that faith, humor, patriotism, and compassion he he wrote in the late 1940s. He sent it to a taught us through his own example. And for

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 36 Jan. 10 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

as long we live, we will carry with us dad’s ginia; Adm. Gary Roughead, USN, Chief of Naval other lessons: That integrity and honor are Operations; and Capt. Kevin O’Flaherty, USN, worth more than any title or treasure, and commanding officer, USS George H.W. Bush. The that the truest strength can come from the transcript released by the Office of the Press Sec- gentlest soul. retary also included the remarks of former Presi- George H.W. Bush has the deep love of dent George H.W. Bush. The Office of the Press his family, the admiration of his friends, and Secretary also released a Spanish language tran- the thanks of a grateful nation. So today we script of these remarks. are faced with the—[applause]. So what do you give a guy who has been blessed and Interview With Brit Hume of FOX has just about everything he has ever need- News ed? Well, an aircraft carrier. [Laughter] The ship that bears our dad’s name is more than January 7, 2009 95,000 tons of aluminum and steel. She will carry nearly 6,000 of the finest sailors and Mr. Hume. Mr. President, thank you for marines in the world. She represents the doing this. craftsmanship of many skilled builders and President Bush. Yes, sir. thousands of hours of preparation. And so Mr. Hume. Welcome back to FOX News I congratulate all of you on this tremendous Sunday. achievement. President Bush. Thank you, sir. This ship is a fitting tribute to a generation of men with whom my dad was privileged Last Days in Office to serve. She’s also a tribute to a new genera- tion of American soldiers and sailors and Mr. Hume. Less than 2 weeks to go, how Coast Guard men and women, airmen and do you feel? marines who have stepped forward to defend President Bush. You know, I’ve got mixed the United States America. Again our troops emotions. I’m going to miss being the Com- are facing down a brutal enemy. Again they mander in Chief of the military. Earlier the are making America and the world safer. And past week, I had the honor of having a mili- again they will come home in victory. tary parade that said goodbye to the Com- People often ask what I treasure most mander in Chief, and it was an emotional about being the President. Nothing comes moment for me and Laura. close to the honor of being your Commander Mr. Hume. Why? in Chief. Every day, I’m amazed by the skill President Bush. Just because I’ve got and courage of our men and women in uni- such great respect for the men and women form. And as we send the USS George H.W. Bush into service, I know you will do credit who wear the uniform. And I’ve been to the sailors who served before you and the through a lot with them. I have called upon good man for whom this ship is named. I them to do hard tasks. I have met with the ask that God protect this ship and let her families of the fallen. I have been to Walter know only victory and peace. And I ask God’s Reed to see the wounded. And I have been continued blessings on our wonderful Na- incredibly inspired by their courage, their tion. bravery, their sacrifice. Thank you. And I’m going to miss all the folks who have made our life so comfortable here in [At this point, Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter gave brief remarks.] the White House. On the other hand, I am looking forward The President. I hereby place the United to going back to Texas. I love Texas. I love States Ship George H.W. Bush in commis- my wife. And I’m excited about the next sion. May God bless and guide this warship chapter in my life. And so all three of those and all who shall sail in her. things, you know, are the sweet part of the— NOTE: The President spoke at 11:43 a.m. In his what’s going to take place on January the remarks, he referred to Gov. Tim Kaine of Vir- 20th.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 11 37

Reflections on the President’s Time in President Bush. My Presidency was de- Office fined by the attack on the country, and there- Mr. Hume. People who come to see you fore, used the powers inherent in the Con- here and meet with you, from the outside, stitution to defend this country. are continually taken by surprise by your evi- Mr. Hume. Did you find them intact? dent good humor and good mood and the President Bush. I found—yes, I did find fact that with low poll ratings and various the Presidential powers intact. I have at times troubles besetting the country and all you’ve used those powers in ways that people had been through, that you’re not down—— not anticipated. For example, the idea of, President Bush. Yes. within the law, being able to have our folks Mr. Hume. ——that you’re fine. And ev- question known killers about their intention. erybody remarks on it. How do you explain Now, many of the decisions I made are being that? adjudicated. And of course, I have lived by, President Bush. Well, I’m better than and future Presidents will live by, the deci- fine. I am proud of the accomplishments of sions of the Supreme Court. But as a wartime this administration. I am thankful for the President, what remained intact, by the way, people that have worked so hard to serve our was the Constitution—— country. I know I gave it my all for 8 years. Mr. Hume. Right. And I did not sell my soul for the sake of President Bush. ——which we have hon- popularity. And so when I get back home ored. and look in the mirror, I will be proud of Checks and Balances in Government what I see. Mr. Hume. It has been argued that what President’s Principles you sought to do is actually expand the pow- ers of the Presidency, or in the eyes of Mr. Hume. You have said that you did not some—perhaps in the eyes of the Vice Presi- compromise your principles in the interest dent—to restore them. How do you see that? of popularity. How would you describe those President Bush. I see the relationship be- principles? tween the Presidency and the judiciary and President Bush. Well, one principle is I the legislative branch as constantly changing believe in the universality of freedom; that throughout the history of the country. And there is an Almighty, and a gift of that Al- the key thing that’s important is that there mighty to every man, woman, and child is still be checks and balances. And so however freedom. And therefore, it’s incumbent upon I interpreted the Constitution, I kept in mind those of us with influence to act upon that what the Constitution said the legality of principle. what my decisions were. But I also fully un- And I’ll give you a classic example. During derstood the checks and balances inherent the darkest days of Iraq, people came to me in our system. and said, ‘‘You’re creating incredible political difficulties for us.’’ And I said, ‘‘Oh, really, Presidential Powers what do you suggest I do?’’ Their suggest— Mr. Hume. Now, you’ve spoken of the some suggested, retreat, pull out of Iraq. But tools that you believe you put in place and I have faith that freedom exists in people’s which your successor will now inherit. souls, and therefore, if given a chance, de- President Bush. Yes. mocracy—an Iraqi style democracy could Mr. Hume. How worried are you, if at all, survive and work. I didn’t compromise that that those tools will be eroded, relinquished principle for the sake of trying to bail out in the—because some of them have my political party, for example. been—— President Bush. Slightly criticized. Presidential Powers [Laughter] Mr. Hume. Talk to me about the Presi- Mr. Hume. Well, to say the least. dency as you found it, its powers, its preroga- President Bush. I would hope that the tives, and how you feel you’re leaving it. team that is—has the honor of serving the

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 38 Jan. 11 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

country will take a hard look at the realities I think when people study the history of this of the world and the tools now in place to particular episode—— protect the United States from further attack. Mr. Hume. Well, what happened? I would hope they would take a sober assess- President Bush. ——they’ll find out we ment, and I believe they will. gained good information from Khalid Sheikh Mr. Hume. And what will they find? Mohammed in order to protect our country. President Bush. Well, they will find that Mr. Hume. Well, how good and how im- with a considerable amount of care and con- portant? And what’s the—— cern for civil liberties, for example, that I President Bush. We believe that the in- have put in place procedures that will enable formation we gained helped save lives on the professionals to better learn the inten- American soil. tions of Al Qaida, for example. They will real- Mr. Hume. Can you be more specific than ize, I think, when they really study the issue that? carefully, that we have gone from an adminis- President Bush. Well, I have said in tration that was accused of not connecting dots to an administration that is connecting speeches and, as a matter of fact, when this dots, you know, linking pieces of information program was leaked to the press, I actually to better protect the country, with the civil gave a speech that said to the American peo- liberties of our citizens in mind. ple, yes, we’re doing this. And—but I also emphasized we were doing it within the law. Look, I understand why people can get Intelligence Gathering Program/War on carried away on this issue. But generally, they Terror don’t know the facts. And by the way, one Mr. Hume. Now, the enhanced interroga- of the interesting things that did take place tion techniques, as some call them—torture, is before anything happened on this par- as others call them—— ticular program that we did brief Members President Bush. Yes. of Congress. Mr. Hume. ——are being argued over to Mr. Hume. Yes. this hour. Some are saying you never get any President Bush. We had an obligation to good information by rough stuff, and others share information with the legislative branch. have said, more than once, that if we hadn’t And all I can tell the American people is we used these techniques, we wouldn’t have had better have tools in place that are legal and vital information and attacks could have been that can help us protect the American people or would have been carried out on this coun- from an enemy that still exists. try. Your view of that. And my concern is not for President-elect President Bush. My view is that the tech- Obama, because I’m confident that he un- niques were necessary and are necessary to derstands the nature of the world and under- be used on a rare occasion to get information stands the need to protect America. But I necessary to protect the American people. One such person who gave us information am concerned that America, at some point was Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. He was the in time, lets down her guard. And if we ever mastermind of the September the 11th, do that, the country will become highly vul- 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people nerable. on our soil. Mr. Hume. Well, how badly would it hurt, And I’m in the Oval Office, and I am told in your view, if this—these enhanced interro- that we have captured Khalid Sheikh Mo- gation techniques that some call torture were hammed, and the professionals believe he abandoned and were not used? has information necessary to secure the President Bush. Yes, well, obviously, I country. So I ask what tools are available for feel like it would be a problem because these us to find information from him, and they are tools that we have in place. I do want gave me a list of tools. And I said, are these to—you know, I firmly reject the word ‘‘tor- tools deemed to be legal? And so we got legal ture.’’ opinions before any decision was made. And Mr. Hume. I understand that.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 11 39

President Bush. Everything this adminis- have gone out there fairly often, I guess, is tration did was—had a legal basis to it; other- the best way to put it. And 99 percent of wise, we would not have done it. the people out there are anxious to help the Secondly, everything we did was in con- administration do its job in a good way. And sultation with professionals in our Govern- you can’t stop leaks. And you don’t know how ment who understand, you know, how to use many people were leaking, but I can assure techniques in a way that gets information you the vast majority of people in the CIA with—you know, within the law, necessary were very cooperative and have my highest to protect the American people. respect. And I just can’t imagine what it would be I meet with the CIA every day of my Presi- like to be President without these tools avail- dency, except for Sundays, since I’ve been able and we captured a known killer who President, at the same time: 7:30 on Satur- might have had information about the next day, 8 o’clock on every other day. And I will attack on America. tell you that it is a fascinating experience to Mr. Hume. Right. be briefed by CIA analysts. It’s like taking President Bush. See, what some don’t un- a geopolitical course, international affairs derstand, evidently, is that we’re at war. And course, every single day of the Presidency. it’s a different kind of war, where an enemy uses asymmetrical warfare and they lie in President-Elect Barack Obama wait and find a soft spot, ready to attack again. And they’re willing to kill as many in- Mr. Hume. You’ve had now some further nocent people as they can to advance their occasions to meet with Barack Obama and agenda. get to know him a little bit better, a man you really didn’t know. How did you—how Central Intelligence Agency did your interaction with him go? Mr. Hume. Right. Speaking of profes- President Bush. It was a very straight- sionals, in the intelligence area, how do you forward—— view the selection of Leon Panetta to head Mr. Hume. How did you find him? the CIA? President Bush. How did I like him? I President Bush. I really don’t feel com- liked him. fortable commenting upon President-elect Mr. Hume. Were you—other than—— Obama’s supposed choices, in this case. My President Bush. He’s obviously—listen, only advice would be to recognize that the the man is obviously a charismatic person. CIA is full of incredibly bright, hard-working, Mr. Hume. Right. decent professionals who have got one thing President Bush. And the man is able to in mind, and that is to serve the United persuade people that they should trust him, States. and he’s got something—he’s got a lot going Mr. Hume. And yet this administration, for him. to some extent, has been bedeviled by intel- And I was—you know, wish him all the ligence leaks believed to have come from the best. The reason we had the dinner, or the CIA. They seem—and there has been a de- lunch—we call them dinners in Texas—the gree of tension, I think it’s probably an un- lunch at the White House was so that he derstatement to say, between the administra- could hear from the current President and tion—or the White House, at least, and the former Presidents that we want him to suc- CIA. ceed. And he is an engaging person, and I President Bush. No, I don’t think so, Brit. am very impressed by the priority he places I think that there have been disappointing on his family. moments when information came out of the Agency that—but the relationship has been fabulous up and down the line with the CIA. Republican Party’s Future Mr. Hume. Really? Mr. Hume. Now, your political family, the President Bush. Oh, yes. I would say— Republican Party—— I go out there quite frequently, and—or I President Bush. Yes, sir.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 40 Jan. 11 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Mr. Hume. ——what do you think is its President Bush. ——but he evidently likely fortunes going forward? How have you didn’t agree with his older brother. left it? What does it need to do? Mr. Hume. You’re speaking, of course, President Bush. I think—look, I mean, about Jeb—— obviously, we got whipped in 2008. And President Bush. That would be Governor there will be a new wave of leadership arriv- Jeb Bush. ing on the scene. Mr. Hume. Right. I can remember the ’64 elections, the President Bush. But listen, there will be, Goldwater—the Johnson landslide against you know, leaders. I mean, there’s a lot of Barry Goldwater, and we were—everybody bright young guys and women in our party said the party was wiped out. And then a that will emerge. And parties go through cy- whole new wave of Republicans ran, includ- cles. There have been parts—times in our ing George H.W. Bush, who got elected to political history when the Democrats have the United States Congress from the Seventh felt like there was no future for them. And, Congressional District. Same thing will hap- pen. But it’s very important for our party not you know—and so I’m optimistic about it. to narrow its focus, not to become so inward- I don’t want the party to feel like it’s got looking that we drive people away from a phi- to sell its soul on defending the country; that losophy that is compassionate and decent. freedom is transformative; that we’ve got to And I would—my call for our party is to be compassionate conservatives; that tax— be open-minded about—— low taxes make sense; that the military needs Mr. Hume. About what? to be supported. I mean, there’s a lot of just President Bush. Well, different people’s basic tenets to our party that make a lot of opinions. We shouldn’t have litmus tests as sense to the average person. to whether or not you can be a Republican. Mr. Hume. Right. Post-Presidency Agenda President Bush. And we should be open- Mr. Hume. You have indicated that you’ve minded about big issues like immigration re- found this job to be fascinating; everybody form, because if we’re viewed as anti-some- does. It’s probably the most interesting job body—in other words, if the party is viewed in the world. Now you go from doing the as anti-immigrant, then another fellow may most interesting job in the world to being say, ‘‘Well, if they’re against the immigrant, out on your own. How do you feel about they may be against me.’’ We’ve got to be that? What do you think your life is going a party for a better future, and for hope. to be like, just sort of day to day? Will you Mr. Hume. You got—do you see new be more time in Dallas, more time at your ideas out there that have not been a part of ranch? How do you expect to spend your your own agenda or those of your Republican predecessors that might reignite the party’s time? fortunes? President Bush. Yes, it’s an interesting President Bush. You know, look, I think question. And I’ve begun to think about that, that we shouldn’t change our philosophy. because I can remember with a great sense Mr. Hume. Right. of anticipation coming to Washington, DC, President Bush. We may want to change to be the President of the United States. And our messaging. We definitely want to change I have the same sense of anticipation heading messengers. We need a new group of leaders. out of political life, but without the sense of You know, but the idea of keeping taxes gravity. low—— Mr. Hume. Right. Mr. Hume. Do you see them emerging? President Bush. And so I don’t—I’m Do you see any—do you see any emerging going to be fairly footloose for a while. I’m who you could identify? confident Laura will have enough tasks for President Bush. Well, I had one in me to keep me busy. But I imagine I’ll spend mind—— a fair amount of time in Dallas working on Mr. Hume. Who’s that? the policy center that will be associated with

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 11 41

a library on the SMU campus. And I’m ex- Mr. Hume. I believe this is the first time cited about that, because I do want to con- you two gentlemen have ever been inter- tinue to promote not a political party, not viewed together. my personality or my record, but a set of Former President Bush. I think so. It values that I think are very important for the may be the first time we’ve been asked to country. be interviewed. I don’t know. [Laughter] And, you know, I plan on writing a book. Mr. Hume. Well, we’re delighted to have Mr. Hume. Do you? you. Thank you very much. President Bush. I do. Former President Bush. No, that’s not Mr. Hume. A history of your Presidency? true, but we’ve just gone our separate ways President Bush. You know, I’m not quite on these interviews. exactly sure what it’s going to be, but I’m Mr. Hume. In some sense, it has at least toying with the idea of maybe describing the seemed that during your son’s Presidency, toughest decisions I had to make as President that while you guys obviously were in and the context in which I made them, be- touch—your family matters, much to dis- cause one of the things that—— cuss—that apart from that, there wasn’t a lot Mr. Hume. How soon will we see this of give and take. Is that true? book, do you think? President Bush. Well, that’s all it takes President Bush. That’s the kind of ques- for give and take. I mean, you don’t need— tion I better not answer, because—— if you mean, am I calling up dad—I mean, Mr. Hume. Well, do you feel some ur- ‘‘George, here’s what you got to do now on gency about getting it done? Iraq,’’ or something; no, I didn’t do that. And President Bush. Well, I’ll say 2 years and we sometimes would talk about policy. But it will be 4. I was determined to stay out of his way and avoid speculation of what’s the old guy think. Mr. Hume. Got it. I mean, you don’t need that. President Bush. I don’t know. I mean, Mr. Hume. Well, now it can be told. yes, I’d like to get it done. I am a type A [Laughter] Discuss if you will, both of you, personality that—you know, I require things the extent of your consultations on policy and to do. And I bet once I get going on this political matters as—while you were Presi- book, I’ll be able to get ’er done. But it’s— dent—the frequency of it. what’s evident to me is that it is very hard President Bush. See, the interesting thing for people to remember what life was like is that a President has got plenty of advisers, a mere 4 or 5 years ago. And it’s going to but what a President never has is someone be very important for me to recreate the en- who gave him unconditional love. And there- vironment in which I had to make certain fore, when I talked to my dad, I was more decisions, particularly the environment right interested in the father-son relationship. You after September the 11th, 2001. got a lot of people who can give you advice, Mr. Hume. Right. Mr. President, thank but you rarely have people who can pick up you for this. Please bear with us, we need the phone and say, ‘‘I love you, son,’’ or, to take a break. And when we return, we ‘‘Hang in there, son,’’ and be—and provide will have a special visitor. Stay with us. the kind of comfort that a President needs [At this point, there was a pause in the inter- on occasion. view. It then began again as follows.] The Presidency and Public Opinion Mr. Hume. You have said that when your President’s Relationship With His Father father was President, particularly toward the Mr. Hume. Well, we’re pleased now to end—a rough year politically, in 1992—that be joined not only of course by President that hurt you more than it seemed to hurt Bush, the current President Bush, but by his him. Is that true? father. Mr. President 41, welcome. President Bush. Well, I said that being Former President George H.W. Bush. the son of a President was a lot harder than Thank you, Brit. being the President.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 42 Jan. 11 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Mr. Hume. And how about being the fa- Former President Bush. Very positively. ther of the President? And I think history will—— Former President Bush. Tough at times, Mr. Hume. Why? only when you see criticism you know is very Former President Bush. Well, because unfair. But I didn’t—I tried not to speak up; you make a tough decision, and stay with it. it might just exacerbate the problem for him. I mean, he’s been tested unlike any other But when I saw things I knew were grossly President with this 9/11. So he passed the unfair in the press, in the print, anywhere, test. it hurt. It hurt Barbara, and it hurt me. But President Bush. He’s going to be judged it’s better not to go forth and sally forth and great too. He was a—he was almost too hum- try to take the offense—— ble to be President. And when history finally President Bush. And by the way, I—— gets objective, they will be able to say a lot Mr. Hume. Well, did it hurt you more of positive things about George Bush. I can- than the criticism that you took as President? not worry. You know, I tell people I’m still Former President Bush. I think it hurt reading biographies of George Washington more, yes. or analyses of his Presidency. And if they’re Mr. Hume. Do you feel that way too, that still writing about the first guy, the 41st guy it hurt you more than—— and the 43d guy simply don’t need to worry President Bush. Absolutely. Gosh, I was about it. furious. I got the reputation—— Former President Bush. We won’t be Mr. Hume. ——about stuff about him? around to worry about it, that’s for sure. President Bush. Yes. I got the reputation [Laughter] of being slightly hot-headed at times and, you know, it was an accurate characteristic, be- President Bush. Yes. cause I was ready to duke it out when I saw people say things that were unfair about dad. Former President Bush’s Health And the other thing that’s interesting is, Mr. Hume. Now, I see you getting though, I can remember calling he and mom along—getting around now on a cane, and— and saying, ‘‘Don’t worry about me.’’ In other is that a condition that’s going to get better, words, I knew that they were taking on, you in your judgment? Are you going to be—is know, the anxiety, and I knew what it was this a remnant from one of your hip oper- like to have somebody you love being ham- ations, or what do you got going there? mered in the press. Former President Bush. This is what And so I spent a fair amount of time, as they call old age. I recall, calling them and saying, ‘‘Look, don’t Mr. Hume. I understand about that my- worry about me, things are going to be fine, self. [Laughter] my spirits are good, Laura is doing great.’’ Former President Bush. No, it’s—no, no And, you know, I think people sit out there and say, ‘‘They must have had some kind of, pain, no hip—I think I have an imbalance you know, relationship that is kept very clin- that came from a back operation. ical and very advisory, touched up.’’ But this Mr. Hume. Oh. is a loving relationship. This is—you know, President Bush. Let me ask you some- he’s the head of a fabulous family, and thing. Is it true that you said publicly that whether it be me as the President, or Jeb you’re going to jump out of the airplane as the Governor, or Neil, Marvin, and Doro, again? dad’s phone calls are not, you know, you must Former President Bush. True. But that do this or that; his phone calls are, I love doesn’t take anything but just going up there you, and it’s very powerful. with some big—strapped on to some big Golden Knight or someone, and it’s a thrill. President’s Legacy President Bush. You’re going to have Mr. Hume. Now, your son’s race is days trouble convincing mother of that. [Laugh- away from having been run. How do you re- ter] gard his Presidency? Former President Bush. No, I won’t.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 11 43

Mr. Hume. What about you? What do you Mr. Hume. You weren’t an intelligence think about that? Do you want him to do professional. And now you got the building that? out there named after you. So obviously, it President Bush. I think he’s a nut to jump could work. Your thoughts about, not to the out of an airplane at age 70, 75, 80, and 85. Panetta nomination or the Panetta selection I find it—actually, I think it’s cool. specifically, but about the general idea of Former President Bush. I told you the what it takes to be the—to run the intel- reasons, though. You don’t want to sit around ligence agency effectively? just because you’re an old guy, drooling in Former President Bush. Well, I heard the corner. [Laughter] And secondly, you what the President said in his interview with want to send a message out to around the you, and I agree with that, that there’s so world, actually, because of the prominence many outstanding people there. And so I of the Presidency, that you can still do stuff. went in there at a time the Agency was under Old guys can still do stuff, get involved in tremendous fire; the Pike report, the Church things. report, and they were just decimating the President Bush. You can drool and jump morale of the Agency. So I viewed my job at the same time. [Laughter] not to learn all the trade craft, but to defend Former President Bush. That’s right. the quality and the character of the Agency [Laughter] and the people there. And that was perhaps an easier assignment than knowing all about Post-Presidency Agenda every intrigue of intelligence. But all I hope is that whoever goes out Mr. Hume. Now, you’re in Houston. there goes with confidence in the CIA and You’ve chosen Dallas. the people around CIA. They’re good people; President Bush. Yes. more Ph.D.’s than many universities and Mr. Hume. What’s up with that? many different disciplines. And everybody President Bush. Well, I want to be close just thinks it’s kind of a James Bond oper- to SMU. And that’s where our policy center/ ation. library/archives are going to be. And so I think that whoever assumes that Mr. Hume. You okay with that? job—and I have had great confidence in the Former President Bush. And they had President’s pick—will express confidence in a Dallas connection—— the Agency and the people that make it up. Mr. Hume. Did you hope that he’d come to Houston? Relationship Between Past, Present, and Former President Bush. What? Future Presidents Mr. Hume. Did you hope that he’d move Mr. Hume. Talk a little bit, if you will, to Houston when— about this relationship among people who are Former President Bush. No, I never in or have been in this remarkable job; it’s thought he would move to Houston. a pretty exclusive club. And I know you had President Bush. Plus, Houston is 2 hours a lunch this week to bring them together with away from—I mean, Dallas is 2 hours away the President-elect. But what is that atmos- from Crawford. And I plan on spending some phere like among former Presidents? Are all time down there in Crawford. the old political differences aside? Is that all Former President Bush. And Laura had over with? some Dallas connections, so it made sense. Former President Bush. Yes, I think so. President Bush. Yes. And I think everyone—every member of that club realizes there can only be one President; Central Intelligence Agency he’s not going to be turning to you every day Mr. Hume. Now, I want to ask you a little saying, ‘‘What will I do now?’’ bit about the intelligence agency situation. You read a lot of kind of intellectual books, After all, you came as an outsider to intel- but what we need is the advice—formalize ligence. the advice of former Presidents. He doesn’t Former President Bush. Total outsider. need a lot of advice from former Presidents.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 44 Jan. 11 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

And he needs to—the current President Former President Bush. Oh, yes, I know needs to have good people around him who there will. will help him pursue the goals he’s set out. President Bush. ——and dad knows as And so I don’t think there’s much to it well as anybody, it’s—you’ll get plenty of except collegiality and the idea that you want opinions when you’re the President, and to be out there if he needs support. you’ll get plenty of flattering statements, and you’ll get your fair share of not so com- President-Elect Obama’s Administration plimentary comments. I also remember what it was like to have Mr. Hume. Now, you’ve watched this people disappoint you. I mean, you’ll be get- range of appointments that Barack Obama ting—you’ll be picking up the newspaper and has announced; your take on it, your feeling reading comments from people that you just about it? say, well, I just can’t believe that that person President Bush. I’ve been impressed. would be so kind of not respectful of their Mr. Hume. Why? own office, much less yours, to call those kind President Bush. Well, because, one, he of names. And that—to me that has been showed decisiveness. Two, he has picked the biggest disappointment in the political people that are capable and competent peo- process up here; there has been this kind of ple. And I think he’s had a very good transi- bitterness by a few people to the point where tion. And frankly, I think Josh Bolten, my they don’t want to have a logical discussion Chief of Staff, and the people that work here or a civil discussion about policy, they just in the White House have also had a good want to tear you down. And—— transition, because they have reached out to Mr. Hume. Do you think that’s gotten the President-elect’s team at all levels. And worse since your days in the White House? the message is, we want there to be a seam- Former President Bush. I don’t know less move from us leaving and you coming that it’s gotten worse, but it’s offensive, very in, and we want you to succeed. offensive. And I always—I’ll agree with the And so I’ve been very pleased with what President that when you have somebody you I’ve seen over the last—since the election. have your own trust in, and that person for Mr. Hume. Do you agree with that? his own gain—thinks it’s for his own gain— Former President Bush. Yes, totally. To- goes out and gives kind of ‘‘here’s the inside tally. And if I didn’t, I wouldn’t tell you— story,’’ ‘‘here’s what they’re saying, but here’s same policy. [Laughter] what’s really happening,’’ playing the leak Mr. Hume. Well, what—look, you—this game. It’s just horrible. And every adminis- is very like you, and like you as well, to refrain tration has that. But I think President George from comment on the other public—political Bush here has been lucky; there hasn’t been figures, the incoming President and so on. that many of them. Why? President Bush. Yes. Former President Bush. Well, why be Former President Bush. And I think we out there looking like you’re carping and were pretty lucky. criticizing and know everything? I mean, I’ve heard what the President said about Presi- Advice From Former President Bush dent Obama—President-elect Obama. I feel Mr. Hume. When you left this office, it the same way; support him where you can, was reported at least that it was—it took a and don’t go out there criticizing and carping. while, you had a period of adjustment, and You look small yourself for one thing, but it was tough for you at first. And then, obvi- that’s not the main reason; the main reason ously, you hit your stride and found your life. is he needs support. And if it’s something And how was that? And what advice do you you disagree with violently, sit on the side- have for your son as he embarks on a similar lines and shut up. experience? President Bush. There will be plenty of Former President Bush. Well, looking opportunities for people to carp, trust me. back lo those many years, I don’t remember I mean, this is a job that—— it being extraordinarily difficult. I mean, I

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 11 45

felt unfulfilled agenda, for example; I felt Former President Bush. Yes, but I can’t things I’d like to have done. think of any—a real anxious moment that But once you got back to Texas, it wasn’t stands out among others. There are probably difficult at all; you just start in a new life. plenty of them, but—— And part of mine was to build around our library at Texas A&M in just the way he’s President Bush’s First Moments in Office looking forward to having his library. You get Mr. Hume. When you first took office, a lot of strength from there; you bring a lot took occupancy of this office, as I recall, the of people there to talk. So it’s not that dif- two of you had a brief moment together. ficult. President Bush. Right. President Bush. His advice was come Mr. Hume. Can you reflect on that? Do back to Texas. But he didn’t need to give you remember it? it, because that’s exactly where we’re headed. President Bush. We had just witnessed Former President Bush. Yes, people the Inaugural Parade, and I came upstairs hover around the Potomac River, whether at the White House up there, and I think Senators or Congressmen that have been de- you were taking a nap. feated. They’d better go home; that’s what Former President Bush. No, I was in the I think. bathtub, thawing out. Mr. Hume. Gentleman, thank you very President Bush. Yes, he was in the bath- much for doing this. tub. [Laughter] President Bush. Yes, sir, thank you. Mr. Hume. Were you really? Mr. Hume. It was a pleasure. Thank you, Former President Bush. Yes. sir. President Bush. Of course, I yelled [The interview moved to the Oval Office, and through the door. Anyway, I said, ‘‘Why don’t continued as follows.] you come over and meet me in the Oval Of- fice?’’ And so I got in here before he did, Working in the Oval Office and I was just getting a sense of what it was Mr. Hume. Now, as you stand here to- like to be in the shrine of democracy. And gether, Mr. President 41, what is your most then I looked up, and in comes 41. And it vivid memory of your time in this office, was a moving moment. It was a great day something that happened in this very room? for me, a very proud moment. Former President Bush. Well, I can’t Mr. Hume. Can you remember what was think of many, but I remember Colin Powell said? reaching under this desk—a desk and pulling President Bush. Not really. I had a weird out the telephone to call Schwarzkopf to see chair, as I recall. It had like an electric cord if the mission had been accomplished. After on it. And I don’t—did you use the weird that, they said it’s time to shut down this chair with the electric cord? war—— Former President Bush. Yes. Mr. Hume. In Kuwait. President Bush. Well, I didn’t use the Former President Bush. One hundred weird chair with the electric cord, but he hours—we’d done what we said we wanted showed me how to operate it. to do, and he called up—and that one sticks Mr. Hume. What did it do? in my mind as a dramatic moment. But there President Bush. Jiggle or something. are many, many other exciting things. But Mr. Hume. Where you put on your fin- that one stands out. gers, turned off the lights, and magic fingers Mr. Hume. Can you think of your most make you feel all right? That kind of thing? anxious moment here? [Laughter] Former President Bush. Anxious mo- Former President Bush. I remember it ment? slightly differently. I remember being in the Mr. Hume. Yes. bathtub after that ice-cold Inaugural Parade Former President Bush. I really can’t. or whatever, and Ramsey, one of the guys Mr. Hume. I mean, you had to give that that was over in the White House said, ‘‘Get order. out of the bathtub, Mr. President, you got

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 46 Jan. 11 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

to get over; the President wants you right democracy, and it is, and it needs to be treat- now.’’ [Laughter] ‘‘Come on, I’m just thaw- ed that way. And I had a fabulous mentor. ing out here.’’ ‘‘Get over there.’’ [Laughter] Former President Bush. Now, I think it’s So I went over, and it was very, very moving. important to treat this place with respect, and President Bush. It was an awesome mo- that’s what we tried to do. ment, it really was, as you can imagine. Mr. Hume. Well, I’m sure you’ll be re- membered for having done just that. Thank Message From the Outgoing President to you very much, gentlemen. the Incoming President President Bush. Thank you, sir. Former President Bush. Brit, good luck Mr. Hume. It is the custom of departing to you. Presidents is to leave a note in the drawer. Mr. Hume. Thank you very much. Appre- President Bush. Yes. Actually, it’s a cus- ciate it. tom to leave a note upstairs at the—if I’m not mistaken—the residence. NOTE: The interview began taping at 10:32 a.m. Mr. Hume. Well, however you do it. Do in the Cabinet Room and continued in the Oval you recall what you wrote? Office at the White House, for later broadcast. Former President Bush. Reagan wrote In his remarks, the President referred to former me, and it was in the desk. And I think I Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida. Former President Bush referred to former Rep. Otis G. Pike of New York; did the same thing. Michael V. Hayden, director, Central Intelligence President Bush. Oops. Agency; Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), former Mr. Hume. And what did you say, rough- chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Gen. H. Nor- ly? man Schwarzkopf, USA (Ret.), former com- Former President Bush. I don’t remem- mander, U.S. Central Command. The transcript ber, just good luck was released by the Office of the Press Secretary Mr. Hume. To Bill Clinton? on January 11. A portion of this interview could President Bush. I’m going to write one. not be verified because the tape was incomplete. Mr. Hume. Have you thought about it— what you’re going to say? Statement on the Death of Cardinal President Bush. I have not. I think it’s probably best I wait for, you know, right be- Pio Laghi fore he and his family come to ride down January 11, 2009 Pennsylvania Avenue with me. Laura and I send our deepest condolences to Pope Benedict XVI and all Catholics on The Oval Office the passing of Cardinal Pio Laghi. Cardinal Mr. Hume. This office has been used in Laghi was a friend who, in his more than different ways by different Presidents—at- 60 years of service to the Catholic Church, mosphere, formality, in some less formality worked tirelessly for peace and justice in our than others. As I recall, you never set foot world. As the Papal Nuncio to the United in this office, Mr. President 41, without a States during the final years of the cold war, jacket and tie. Is that—that was true wasn’t and in his many other assignments, Cardinal it? Laghi always strove to unite people of all reli- Former President Bush. That was my gions and promote reconciliation, religious policy, I think. freedom, and tolerance. Cardinal Laghi holds Mr. Hume. And how about you? Did an especially important place in the hearts you—— of the American people, having served as the President Bush. I thought it was the right first Papal Nuncio to the United States fol- policy. lowing the formal establishment of diplo- Mr. Hume. Has that always been the case? matic relations between the United States President Bush. Yes, I may have come and the Holy See in 1984. in here once in over 8 years without a tie On behalf of all Americans, Laura and I on—or twice. But I come in here to work. join Catholics around the world to offer our And as I said, I refer to this as a shrine to gratitude for the courageous service and life

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 12 47

of Cardinal Laghi and commit ourselves to c. Authorize the Department of Defense carrying his peaceful message forward. to cooperate with the New Parties to the ATOMAL Agreement in the context of NATO upon satisfaction of the requirements Memorandum on Provision of of section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of Atomic Information to Bulgaria, 1954, as amended. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, George W. Bush Slovakia, and Slovenia January 9, 2009 NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- fice of the Press Secretary on January 12. Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense Subject: Provision of Atomic Information to Directive on Arctic Region Policy Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, January 9, 2009 Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia National Security Presidential Directive/NSPD– In your memorandum to me of August 1, 66 2008, you recommended that I approve pur- suant to sections 123 and 144b. of the Atomic Homeland Security Presidential Directive/ HSPD–25 Energy Act of 1954, as amended, an agree- ment for cooperation within the context of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Memorandum for the Vice President; the Secretary of State; the Secretary of the (NATO) as between the Government of the Treasury; the Secretary of Defense; the United States and the following seven new Attorney General; the Secretary of the members of NATO: the Republic of Bul- Interior; the Secretary of Commerce; the garia, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic Secretary of Health and Human Services; the of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, Roma- Secretary of Transportation; the Secretary of nia, the Slovak Republic, and the Republic Energy; the Secretary of Homeland Security; of Slovenia, hereinafter the ‘‘New Parties.’’ Chief of Staff; Administrator of the The subject agreement is the Agreement be- Environmental Protection Agency; Director tween the Parties to the North Atlantic Trea- of the Office of Management and Budget; ty for Co-operation Regarding Atomic Infor- Director of National Intelligence; Assistant to mation, including a technical annex and secu- the President for National Security Affairs; rity annex (hereinafter collectively referred Counsel to the President; Deputy National to as the ATOMAL Agreement), which en- Security Advisor for International Economic tered into force on March 12, 1965, with re- Affairs; Assistant to the President for spect to the United States and the other Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; members of NATO at that time. Chairman of the Council on Environmental Having considered your recommendations Quality; Director of the Office of Science and and the cooperation provided for in the Technology Policy; Chairman of the Joint ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the Chiefs of Staff; Commandant of the U.S. New Parties, in accordance with sections 123 Coast Guard; and Director of the National and 144b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, Science Foundation as amended, I hereby: a. Determine that the performance of the Subject: Arctic Region Policy ATOMAL Agreement, including the pro- posed cooperation and the proposed commu- I. Purpose nication of Restricted Data thereunder, with A. This directive establishes the policy of respect to the New Parties, will promote, and the United States with respect to the Arctic will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, region and directs related implementation the common defense and security. actions. This directive supersedes Presi- b. Approve the ATOMAL Agreement with dential Decision Directive/NSC–26 (PDD– respect to the New Parties. 26; issued 1994) with respect to Arctic policy

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 48 Jan. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

but not Antarctic policy; PDD–26 remains 1. The United States has broad and fun- in effect for Antarctic policy only. damental national security interests in B. This directive shall be implemented in the Arctic region and is prepared to a manner consistent with the Constitution operate either independently or in and laws of the United States, with the obli- conjunction with other states to safe- gations of the United States under the trea- guard these interests. These interests ties and other international agreements to include such matters as missile de- which the United States is a party, and with fense and early warning; deployment customary international law as recognized by of sea and air systems for strategic the United States, including with respect to sealift, strategic deterrence, maritime the law of the sea. presence, and maritime security oper- ations; and ensuring freedom of navi- II. Background gation and overflight. 2. The United States also has funda- A. The United States is an Arctic nation, mental homeland security interests in with varied and compelling interests in that preventing terrorist attacks and miti- region. This directive takes into account sev- gating those criminal or hostile acts eral developments, including, among others: that could increase the United States 1. Altered national policies on homeland vulnerability to terrorism in the Arctic security and defense; region. 2. The effects of climate change and in- 3. The Arctic region is primarily a mari- creasing human activity in the Arctic time domain; as such, existing policies region; and authorities relating to maritime 3. The establishment and ongoing work areas continue to apply, including of the Arctic Council; and those relating to law enforcement. 1 4. A growing awareness that the Arctic Human activity in the Arctic region region is both fragile and rich in re- is increasing and is projected to in- sources. crease further in coming years. This requires the United States to assert III. Policy a more active and influential national A. It is the policy of the United States to: presence to protect its Arctic interests 1. Meet national security and homeland and to project sea power throughout security needs relevant to the Arctic the region. region; 4. The United States exercises authority 2. Protect the Arctic environment and in accordance with lawful claims of conserve its biological resources; United States sovereignty, sovereign 3. Ensure that natural resource manage- rights, and jurisdiction in the Arctic ment and economic development in region, including sovereignty within the region are environmentally sus- the territorial sea, sovereign rights tainable; and jurisdiction within the United 4. Strengthen institutions for coopera- States exclusive economic zone and tion among the eight Arctic nations on the continental shelf, and appro- (the United States, Canada, Den- priate control in the United States mark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the contiguous zone. Russian Federation, and Sweden); 5. Freedom of the seas is a top national 5. Involve the Arctic’s indigenous com- priority. The Northwest Passage is a munities in decisions that affect them; and 1 These policies and authorities include Free- 6. Enhance scientific monitoring and re- dom of Navigation (PDD/NSC–32), the U.S. Pol- search into local, regional, and global icy on Protecting the Ocean Environment (PDD/ environmental issues. NSC–36), Maritime Security Policy (NSPD–41/ B. National Security and Homeland Secu- HSPD–13), and the National Strategy for Mari- rity Interests in the Artic time Security (NSMS).

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 12 49

strait used for international naviga- subsidiary bodies, with help from many tion, and the Northern Sea Route in- United States agencies, have developed and cludes straits used for international undertaken projects on a wide range of top- navigation; the regime of transit pas- ics. The Council also provides a beneficial sage applies to passage through those venue for interaction with indigenous groups. straits. Preserving the rights and du- It is the position of the United States that ties relating to navigation and over- the Arctic Council should remain a high-level flight in the Arctic region supports forum devoted to issues within its current our ability to exercise these rights mandate and not be transformed into a for- throughout the world, including mal international organization, particularly through strategic straits. one with assessed contributions. The United 6. Implementation: In carrying out this States is nevertheless open to updating the policy as it relates to national security structure of the Council, including consolida- and homeland security interests in the tion of, or making operational changes to, its Arctic, the Secretaries of State, De- subsidiary bodies, to the extent such changes fense, and Homeland Security, in co- can clearly improve the Council’s work and ordination with heads of other rel- are consistent with the general mandate of evant executive departments and the Council. agencies, shall: 3. The geopolitical circumstances of the a. Develop greater capabilities and capac- Arctic region differ sufficiently from those of ity, as necessary, to protect United the Antarctic region such that an ‘‘Arctic States air, land, and sea borders in the Treaty’’ of broad scope—along the lines of Arctic region; the Antarctic Treaty—is not appropriate or b. Increase Arctic maritime domain aware- necessary. ness in order to protect maritime com- 4. The Senate should act favorably on U.S. merce, critical infrastructure, and key accession to the U.N. Convention on the Law resources; of the Sea promptly, to protect and advance c. Preserve the global mobility of United U.S. interests, including with respect to the States military and civilian vessels and Arctic. Joining will serve the national security aircraft throughout the Arctic region; interests of the United States, including the d. Project a sovereign United States mari- maritime mobility of our Armed Forces time presence in the Arctic in support worldwide. It will secure U.S. sovereign of essential United States interests; and rights over extensive marine areas, including e. Encourage the peaceful resolution of the valuable natural resources they contain. disputes in the Arctic region. Accession will promote U.S. interests in the C. International Governance environmental health of the oceans. And it 1. The United States participates in a vari- will give the United States a seat at the table ety of fora, international organizations, and when the rights that are vital to our interests bilateral contacts that promote United States are debated and interpreted. interests in the Arctic. These include the Arc- 5. Implementation: In carrying out this pol- tic Council, the International Maritime Orga- icy as it relates to international governance, nization (IMO), wildlife conservation and the Secretary of State, in coordination with management agreements, and many other heads of other relevant executive depart- mechanisms. As the Arctic changes and ments and agencies, shall: human activity in the region increases, the a. Continue to cooperate with other United States and other governments should countries on Arctic issues through the consider, as appropriate, new international United Nations (U.N.) and its special- arrangements or enhancements to existing ized agencies, as well as through trea- arrangements. ties such as the U.N. Framework 2. The Arctic Council has produced posi- Convention on Climate Change, the tive results for the United States by working Convention on International Trade in within its limited mandate of environmental Endangered Species of Wild Fauna protection and sustainable development. Its and Flora, the Convention on Long

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 50 Jan. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Range Transboundary Air Pollution 4. Implementation: In carrying out this pol- and its protocols, and the Montreal icy as it relates to extended continental shelf Protocol on Substances that Deplete and boundary issues, the Secretary of State, the Ozone Layer; in coordination with heads of other relevant b. Consider, as appropriate, new or en- executive departments and agencies, shall: hanced international arrangements a. Take all actions necessary to establish for the Arctic to address issues likely the outer limit of the continental shelf to arise from expected increases in appertaining to the United States, in human activity in that region, includ- the Arctic and in other regions, to the ing shipping, local development and fullest extent permitted under inter- subsistence, exploitation of living ma- national law; rine resources, development of en- b. Consider the conservation and man- ergy and other resources, and tour- agement of natural resources during ism; the process of delimiting the ex- c. Review Arctic Council policy rec- tended continental shelf; and ommendations developed within the c. Continue to urge the Russian Federa- ambit of the Council’s scientific re- tion to ratify the 1990 United States- views and ensure the policy rec- Russia maritime boundary agree- ommendations are subject to review ment. by Arctic governments; and E. Promoting International Scientific Co- d. Continue to seek advice and consent operation of the United States Senate to accede 1. Scientific research is vital for the pro- to the 1982 Law of the Sea Conven- motion of United States interests in the Arc- tion. tic region. Successful conduct of U.S. re- D. Extended Continental Shelf and Bound- search in the Arctic region requires access ary Issues throughout the Arctic Ocean and to terres- 1. Defining with certainty the area of the trial sites, as well as viable international Arctic seabed and subsoil in which the mechanisms for sharing access to research United States may exercise its sovereign platforms and timely exchange of samples, rights over natural resources such as oil, nat- data, and analyses. Better coordination with ural gas, methane hydrates, minerals, and liv- the Russian Federation, facilitating access to ing marine species is critical to our national its domain, is particularly important. interests in energy security, resource man- 2. The United States promotes the sharing agement, and environmental protection. The of Arctic research platforms with other coun- most effective way to achieve international tries in support of collaborative research that advances fundamental understanding of the recognition and legal certainty for our ex- Arctic region in general and potential Arctic tended continental shelf is through the pro- change in particular. This could include col- cedure available to States Parties to the U.N. laboration with bodies such as the Nordic Convention on the Law of the Sea. Council and the European Polar Consor- 2. The United States and Canada have an tium, as well as with individual nations. unresolved boundary in the Beaufort Sea. 3. Accurate prediction of future environ- United States policy recognizes a boundary mental and climate change on a regional in this area based on equidistance. The basis, and the delivery of near real-time in- United States recognizes that the boundary formation to end-users, requires obtaining, area may contain oil, natural gas, and other analyzing, and disseminating accurate data resources. from the entire Arctic region, including both 3. The United States and Russia are abid- paleoclimatic data and observational data. ing by the terms of a maritime boundary trea- The United States has made significant in- ty concluded in 1990, pending its entry into vestments in the infrastructure needed to force. The United States is prepared to enter collect environmental data in the Arctic re- the agreement into force once ratified by the gion, including the establishment of portions Russian Federation. of an Arctic circumpolar observing network

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 12 51

through a partnership among United States this directive, with input from the agencies, academic collaborators, and Arctic Arctic Research Commission; and residents. The United States promotes active f. Strengthen partnerships with aca- involvement of all Arctic nations in these ef- demic and research institutions and forts in order to advance scientific under- build upon the relationships these in- standing that could provide the basis for as- stitutions have with their counterparts sessing future impacts and proposed re- in other nations. sponse strategies. F. Maritime Transportation in the Arctic 4. United States platforms capable of sup- Region porting forefront research in the Arctic 1. The United States priorities for mari- Ocean, including portions expected to be ice- time transportation in the Arctic region are: covered for the foreseeable future, as well a. To facilitate safe, secure, and reliable as seasonally ice-free regions, should work navigation; with those of other nations through the es- b. To protect maritime commerce; and tablishment of an Arctic circumpolar observ- c. To protect the environment. ing network. All Arctic nations are members 2. Safe, secure, and environmentally sound of the Group on Earth Observations partner- maritime commerce in the Arctic region de- ship, which provides a framework for orga- pends on infrastructure to support shipping nizing an international approach to environ- activity, search and rescue capabilities, short- mental observations in the region. In addi- and long-range aids to navigation, high-risk tion, the United States recognizes that aca- area vessel-traffic management, iceberg demic and research institutions are vital part- warnings and other sea ice information, ef- ners in promoting and conducting Arctic re- fective shipping standards, and measures to search. protect the marine environment. In addition, 5. Implementation: In carrying out this pol- effective search and rescue in the Arctic will icy as it relates to promoting scientific inter- require local, State, Federal, tribal, commer- national cooperation, the Secretaries of State, cial, volunteer, scientific, and multinational the Interior, and Commerce and the Direc- cooperation. tor of the National Science Foundation, in 3. Working through the International Mar- coordination with heads of other relevant ex- ecutive departments and agencies, shall: itime Organization (IMO), the United States a. Continue to play a leadership role in promotes strengthening existing measures research throughout the Arctic re- and, as necessary, developing new measures gion; to improve the safety and security of mari- b. Actively promote full and appropriate time transportation, as well as to protect the access by scientists to Arctic research marine environment in the Arctic region. sites through bilateral and multilateral These measures may include ship routing measures and by other means; and reporting systems, such as traffic separa- c. Lead the effort to establish an effec- tion and vessel traffic management schemes tive Arctic circumpolar observing net- in Arctic chokepoints; updating and strength- work with broad partnership from ening of the Guidelines for Ships Operating other relevant nations; in Arctic Ice-Covered Waters; underwater d. Promote regular meetings of Arctic noise standards for commercial shipping; a science ministers or research council review of shipping insurance issues; oil and heads to share information con- other hazardous material pollution response cerning scientific research opportuni- agreements; and environmental standards. ties and to improve coordination of 4. Implementation: In carrying out this pol- international Arctic research pro- icy as it relates to maritime transportation grams; in the Arctic region, the Secretaries of State, e. Work with the Interagency Arctic Re- Defense, Transportation, Commerce, and search Policy Committee (IARPC) to Homeland Security, in coordination with promote research that is strategically heads of other relevant executive depart- linked to U.S. policies articulated in ments and agencies, shall:

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 52 Jan. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

a. Develop additional measures, in co- United States seeks to balance access to, and operation with other nations, to ad- development of, energy and other natural re- dress issues that are likely to arise sources with the protection of the Arctic en- from expected increases in shipping vironment by ensuring that continental shelf into, out of, and through the Arctic resources are managed in a responsible man- region; ner and by continuing to work closely with b. Commensurate with the level of other Arctic nations. human activity in the region, establish 3. The United States recognizes the value a risk-based capability to address haz- and effectiveness of existing fora, such as the ards in the Arctic environment. Such Arctic Council, the International Regulators efforts shall advance work on pollu- Forum, and the International Standards Or- tion prevention and response stand- ganization. ards; determine basing and logistics 4. Implementation: In carrying out this pol- support requirements, including nec- icy as it relates to economic issues, including essary airlift and icebreaking capabili- energy, the Secretaries of State, the Interior, ties; and improve plans and coopera- Commerce, and Energy, in coordination with tive agreements for search and res- heads of other relevant executive depart- cue; ments and agencies, shall: c. Develop Arctic waterways manage- a. Seek to increase efforts, including ment regimes in accordance with ac- those in the Arctic Council, to study cepted international standards, in- changing climate conditions, with a cluding vessel traffic-monitoring and view to preserving and enhancing routing; safe navigation standards; ac- economic opportunity in the Arctic curate and standardized charts; and region. Such efforts shall include in- accurate and timely environmental ventories and assessments of villages, and navigational information; and indigenous communities, subsistence d. Evaluate the feasibility of using access opportunities, public facilities, infra- through the Arctic for strategic sealift structure, oil and gas development and humanitarian aid and disaster re- projects, alternative energy develop- lief. ment opportunities, forestry, cultural G. Economic Issues, Including Energy and other sites, living marine re- 1. Sustainable development in the Arctic sources, and other elements of the region poses particular challenges. Stake- Arctic’s socioeconomic composition; holder input will inform key decisions as the b. Work with other Arctic nations to en- United States seeks to promote economic sure that hydrocarbon and other de- and energy security. Climate change and velopment in the Arctic region is car- other factors are significantly affecting the ried out in accordance with accepted lives of Arctic inhabitants, particularly indige- best practices and internationally rec- nous communities. The United States affirms ognized standards and the 2006 the importance to Arctic communities of Group of Eight (G–8) Global Energy adapting to climate change, given their par- Security Principles; ticular vulnerabilities. c. Consult with other Arctic nations to 2. Energy development in the Arctic re- discuss issues related to exploration, gion will play an important role in meeting production, environmental and socio- growing global energy demand as the area economic impacts, including drilling is thought to contain a substantial portion of conduct, facility sharing, the sharing the world’s undiscovered energy resources. of environmental data, impact assess- The United States seeks to ensure that en- ments, compatible monitoring pro- ergy development throughout the Arctic oc- grams, and reservoir management in curs in an environmentally sound manner, areas with potentially shared re- taking into account the interests of indige- sources; nous and local communities, as well as open d. Protect United States interests with and transparent market principles. The respect to hydrocarbon reservoirs that

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 12 53

may overlap boundaries to mitigate the Arctic environment and to conserve its adverse environmental and economic natural resources must be risk-based and consequences related to their devel- proceed on the basis of the best available in- opment; formation. e. Identify opportunities for inter- national cooperation on methane hy- 4. The United States supports the applica- drate issues, North Slope hydrology, tion in the Arctic region of the general prin- and other matters; ciples of international fisheries management f. Explore whether there is a need for outlined in the 1995 Agreement for the Im- additional fora for informing deci- plementation of the Provisions of the United sions on hydrocarbon leasing, explo- Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ration, development, production, and of December 10, 1982, relating to the Con- transportation, as well as shared sup- servation and Management of Straddling port activities, including infrastruc- Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish ture projects; and Stocks and similar instruments. The United g. Continue to emphasize cooperative States endorses the protection of vulnerable mechanisms with nations operating in marine ecosystems in the Arctic from de- the region to address shared con- structive fishing practices and seeks to ensure cerns, recognizing that most known an adequate enforcement presence to safe- Arctic oil and gas resources are lo- guard Arctic living marine resources. cated outside of United States juris- 5. With temperature increases in the Arc- diction. tic region, contaminants currently locked in H. Environmental Protection and Con- the ice and soils will be released into the air, servation of Natural Resources water, and land. This trend, along with in- 1. The Arctic environment is unique and creased human activity within and below the changing. Increased human activity is ex- Arctic, will result in increased introduction pected to bring additional stressors to the of contaminants into the Arctic, including Arctic environment, with potentially serious consequences for Arctic communities and both persistent pollutants (e.g., persistent or- ecosystems. ganic pollutants and mercury) and airborne 2. Despite a growing body of research, the pollutants (e.g., soot). Arctic environment remains poorly under- 6. Implementation: In carrying out this pol- stood. Sea ice and glaciers are in retreat. Per- icy as it relates to environmental protection mafrost is thawing and coasts are eroding. and conservation of natural resources, the Pollutants from within and outside the Arctic Secretaries of State, the Interior, Commerce, are contaminating the region. Basic data are and Homeland Security and the Adminis- lacking in many fields. High levels of uncer- trator of the Environmental Protection Agen- tainty remain concerning the effects of cli- cy, in coordination with heads of other rel- mate change and increased human activity evant executive departments and agencies, in the Arctic. Given the need for decisions shall: to be based on sound scientific and socio- economic information, Arctic environmental a. In cooperation with other nations, re- research, monitoring, and vulnerability as- spond effectively to increased pollut- sessments are top priorities. For example, an ants and other environmental chal- understanding of the probable consequences lenges; of global climate variability and change on b. Continue to identify ways to conserve, Arctic ecosystems is essential to guide the protect, and sustainably manage Arc- effective long-term management of Arctic tic species and ensure adequate en- natural resources and to address socio- forcement presence to safeguard liv- economic impacts of changing patterns in the ing marine resources, taking account use of natural resources. of the changing ranges or distribution 3. Taking into account the limitations in of some species in the Arctic. For spe- existing data, United States efforts to protect cies whose range includes areas both

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 54 Jan. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

within and beyond United States ju- Atlantic Treaty for Co-operation Regarding risdiction, the United States shall con- Atomic Information, including a technical tinue to collaborate with other gov- annex and security annex (hereinafter collec- ernments to ensure effective con- tively referred to as the ATOMAL Agree- servation and management; ment), as a proposed agreement for coopera- c. Seek to develop ways to address tion within the context of the North Atlantic changing and expanding commercial Treaty Organization (NATO) between the fisheries in the Arctic, including United States of America and each of the through consideration of international following seven new members of NATO: the agreements or organizations to govern Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of Esto- future Arctic fisheries; nia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of d. Pursue marine ecosystem-based man- Lithuania, Romania, the Slovak Republic, agement in the Arctic; and and the Republic of Slovenia, hereinafter the e. Intensify efforts to develop scientific ‘‘New Parties.’’ I am also pleased to transmit information on the adverse effects of my approval, authorization, and determina- pollutants on human health and the tion concerning the ATOMAL Agreement environment and work with other na- with respect to the New Parties, together tions to reduce the introduction of with a copy of the memorandum of the Sec- key pollutants into the Arctic. retary of Defense with respect to the agree- IV. Resources and Assets ment. The ATOMAL Agreement entered into force on March 12, 1965, with respect A. Implementing a number of the policy to the United States and the other NATO elements directed above will require appro- members at that time. The Czech Republic, priate resources and assets. These elements the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of shall be implemented consistent with appli- Poland, and Spain subsequently became par- cable law and authorities of agencies, or heads of agencies, vested by law, and subject ties to the ATOMAL Agreement. The New to the availability of appropriations. The Parties have signed this agreement and have heads of executive departments and agencies indicated their willingness to be bound by with responsibilities relating to the Arctic re- it. The ATOMAL Agreement with respect gion shall work to identify future budget, ad- to the New Parties meets the requirements ministrative, personnel, or legislative pro- of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amend- posal requirements to implement the ele- ed. While the ATOMAL Agreement con- ments of this directive. tinues in force with respect to the United States and the other current parties to it, it George W. Bush will not become effective as an agreement NOTE: This directive was released by the Office for cooperation authorizing the exchange of of the Press Secretary on January 12. atomic information with respect to the New Parties until completion of procedures pre- scribed by sections 123 and 144 b. of the Message to the Congress Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. Transmitting Provision of Atomic For more than 40 years, the ATOMAL Information to Bulgaria, Estonia, Agreement has served as the framework Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, within which NATO and the other NATO Slovakia, and Slovenia members that have become parties to this January 9, 2009 agreement have received the information that is necessary to an understanding and To the Congress of the United States: knowledge of and participation in the polit- I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, ical and strategic consensus upon which the consistent with sections 123 and 144 b. of collective military capacity of the Alliance de- the Atomic Energy Act, as amended (42 pends. This agreement permits only the U.S.C. 2153 and 2164(b)), the text of the transfer of atomic information, not weapons, Agreement between the Parties to the North nuclear material, or equipment. Participation

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 12 55

in the ATOMAL Agreement will give Bul- Through it all, it’s been—I have respected garia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, you. Sometimes I didn’t like the stories that Slovakia, and Slovenia the same standing you wrote or reported on. Sometimes you within the Alliance with regard to nuclear misunderestimated me. But always the rela- matters as that of the other current parties tionship, I have felt, has been professional. to the ATOMAL Agreement. This is impor- And I appreciate it. tant for the cohesiveness of the Alliance and I appreciate—I do appreciate working will enhance its effectiveness. with you. My friends from—say, ‘‘What is it I have considered the views and rec- like to deal with the press corps?’’ I said, ommendations of the Department of De- ‘‘These are just people that—trying to do the fense and other interested agencies in re- best they possibly can.’’ viewing the ATOMAL Agreement and have And so here at the last press conference, determined that its performance, including I’m interested in answering some of your the proposed cooperation and the proposed questions. But mostly, I’m interested in say- communication of Restricted Data there- ing thank you for the job. under, with respect to the New Parties will Ben [Ben Feller, Associated Press]. promote, and will not constitute an unreason- able risk to, the common defense and secu- National Economy/President-Elect rity. Accordingly, I have approved the Barack Obama ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the Q. Thank you for those comments, Mr. New Parties and authorized the Department President. Here’s a question. I’m wondering of Defense to cooperate with the New Par- if you plan to ask Congress for the remaining ties in the context of NATO upon satisfaction $350 billion in bail money. And in terms of of the requirements of section 123 of the the timing, if you do that before you leave Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. office, sir, are you motivated in part to make The 60-day continuous session period pro- life a little easier for President-elect Obama? vided for in section 123 begins upon receipt The President. I have talked to the Presi- of this submission. dent-elect about this subject. And I told him that if he felt that he needed the 350 billion, George W. Bush I would be willing to ask for it; in other The White House, words, if he felt like it needed to happen January 9, 2009. on my watch. The best course of action, of course, is to NOTE: This message was released by the Office convince enough Members of the Senate to of the Press Secretary on January 12. vote positively for the request. And, you know, that’s all I can share with you, because that’s all I know. The President’s News Conference Q. So you haven’t made the request yet? January 12, 2009 The President. Well, he hasn’t asked me to make the request yet. And I don’t intend The President. Thank you. Tapper [Jake to make the request unless he specifically Tapper, ABC News]. We have been through asks me to make it. a lot together. As I look through the room, He is—you know, I’ve had my third con- I see Jake, Mike [Mike Emanuel, FOX versation with him, and I genuinely mean News], Herman [Ken Herman, Cox News], what I say. I wish him all the very best. I Ann Compton [ABC News]. Just seemed like have found him to be a very smart and engag- yesterday that I was on the campaign trail, ing person. And that lunch the other day was and you were analyzing my speeches and my interesting—to have two guys who are nearly policies. And I see a lot of faces that travel 85, two 62-year-olders, and a 47-year-old— with me around the world and to places like so kind of the classic generational statement. Afghanistan and Iraq and Africa. I see some And one common area, in at least the four new faces, which goes to show there’s some of us—we all had different circumstances turnover in this business. and experiences, but one thing is we’ve all

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 56 Jan. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

experienced what it means to assume the re- The second part of your question, please, sponsibility of the Presidency. And Presi- ma’am? dent-elect Obama is fixing to do that. And Q. Do you approve of the Israeli conduct he’ll get sworn in, and then they’ll have the in this? lunch and all the deal up there on Capitol The President. I think Israel has a right Hill. And then he’ll come back and go to defend herself. Obviously, in any of these through the Inauguration, and then he’ll walk kinds of situations, I would hope that she in the Oval Office, and there will be a mo- would continue to be mindful of innocent ment when the responsibilities of the Presi- folks, and that they help, you know, expedite dent land squarely on his shoulders. the delivery of humanitarian aid. Toby [Tabassum Zakaria, Reuters]. Yes, And third, why haven’t we achieved peace? we’ll get everybody here. Q. Why were you unable to—— The President. That’s a good question. Situation in the Middle East/Middle East It’s been a long time since they’ve had peace Peace Process in the Middle East. Step one is to have a Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Do you be- vision for what peace would look like. And lieve that the Gaza conflict will have ended in 2002, on the steps of the Rose Garden, by the time you leave office? Do you approve I gave a speech about a two-state solution: of the way that Israel has conducted it? And two states, two democracies living side by why were you unable to achieve the peace side in peace. And we have worked hard to deal that you had sought? advance that idea. First thing is to convince The President. Remind me of the three all parties that the two states were necessary points, will you, because I’m getting—— for peace. Q. Will it end—— And one thing that’s happened is, is that The President. ——I’m getting a little most people in the Middle East now accept older. the two-state solution as the best way for Q. Will it end by the time you leave office? peace. Most Palestinians want their own Do you approve of Israel’s conduct? state, and most Israelis understand there The President. I hope so. I’m for a sus- needs to be a democracy on their border in tainable cease-fire. And a definition of a sus- order for there to be long-lasting peace. tainable cease-fire is that Hamas stops firing The challenge, of course, has been to lay rockets into Israel. And there will not be a out the conditions so that a peaceful state sustainable cease-fire if they continue firing can emerge; in other words, helping the Pal- rockets. I happen to believe the choice is estinians in the West Bank develop security Hamas’s to make. And we believe that the forces, which we have worked hard to do best way to ensure that there is a sustainable over the past years. And those security forces cease-fire is to work with Egypt to stop the are now becoming more efficient, and Prime smuggling of arms into the Gaza that enables Minister Fayyad is using them effectively. Hamas to continue to fire rockets. And so The challenge is to develop—help the Pal- countries that supply weapons to Hamas have estinians develop a democracy, I mean, and got to stop. And the international community a vibrant economy in their—that will help needs to continue to pressure them to stop lead to democracy. providing weapons. And the challenge, of course, is always Hamas, obviously, if they’re interested in complicated by the fact that people are will- a sustainable cease-fire, needs to stop arm- ing to murder to stop the advance of free- ing. And then, of course, countries contin- dom. And so the Hamas, or for that matter gent to the Gaza need to work to stop the Al Qaida, or other extremist groups, are will- smuggling. And it’s a difficult task. I mean, ing to use violence to prevent free states from there’s tunnels and, you know, great opportu- emerging. And that’s the big challenge. nities for people who want to continue to try And so the answer is, will this ever hap- to disrupt democracy to provide the weapons pen? I think it will. And I know we have to do so. advanced the process.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 12 57

Yes, Suzanne [Suzanne Malveaux, Cable Q. ——that you think the Republican News Network]. I finally got your name right, Party needs to be more inclusive. Who needs after how many years? 6 years? to hear that message inside the Republican Party? War on Terror The President. Yes. You see, I am con- cerned that, in the wake of the defeat, that Q. Eight years. [Laughter] the temptation will be to look inward and The President. Eight years. You used to to say, well, here’s a litmus test you must be known as ‘‘Suz-anne.’’ Now you’re ‘‘Suz- adhere to. ahn.’’ This party will come back. And—but the Q. ‘‘Suz-ahn.’’ Thank you. [Laughter] party’s message has got to be that different The President. I’m ‘‘Jawdg.’’ [Laughter] points of view are included in the party. And Q. In your 2002 State of the Union Ad- take, for example, the immigration debate. dress, you identified U.S. threats as an axis That’s obviously a highly contentious issue. of evil: Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. Iraq is And the problem with the outcome of the relatively calm; North Korea, no longer on initial round of the debate was that some the terrorist threat list. How would you de- people said, ‘‘Well, Republicans don’t like fine, if, in fact, there is still an axis of evil? immigrants.’’ Now, that may be fair or unfair, And what is the greatest and most urgent but that’s what—that’s the image that came threat when it comes to security that Barack out. Obama has to deal with? And, you know, if the image is we don’t The President. The most urgent threat like immigrants, then there’s probably some- that he’ll have to deal with, and other Presi- body else out there saying, ‘‘Well, if they dents after him will have to deal with, is an don’t like the immigrants, they probably attack on our homeland. You know, I wish don’t like me as well.’’ And so my point was, I could report that’s not the case, but there’s is that our party has got to be compassionate still an enemy out there that would like to and broadminded. inflict damage on America—Americans. And I remember the 1964 elections. My dad that will be the major threat. happened to be running for the United States North Korea is still a problem. There is Senate then and, you know, got landslided a debate in the intel community about how with the Johnson landslide in the State of big a problem they are. But one of my con- Texas. But it wasn’t just George Bush who cerns is that there might be a highly enriched got defeated; the Republican Party was pret- uranium program. And therefore, it is really ty well decimated at the time. At least that’s important that out of the six-party talks what they—well, I think that’s how the pun- comes a strong verification regime. In other dits viewed it. And then ’66, there was a re- words, in order to advance our relations with surgence. And the same thing can happen North Korea, the North Korean Government this time, but we just got to make sure our must honor the commitments it made to message is broad-gauged and compassionate: allow for strong verification measures to be That we care about people’s lives, and we’ve in place, to ensure that they don’t develop got a plan to help them improve their lives. a highly enriched uranium program, for ex- Jake, yes. How you doing? ample. So they’re still dangerous, and Iran is still The President’s Record dangerous. Q. I’m good. How you doing, sir? Yes. The President. So what have you been doing since 2000—never mind. [Laughter] The Republican Party Q. Working my way to this chair. Q. You said in an interview earlier this The President. So are you going to be weekend, one of these, I guess, exit inter- here for President Obama? views, that—— Q. I will. I will. The President. This is the ultimate exit The President. That’s a pretty cool job. interview. Q. It’s not bad.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 58 Jan. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

The President. Yes. [Laughter] during my Presidency. The question facing Q. Yours might be better. a President is not when the problem started, The President. Yes—what, retirement? but what did you do about it when you recog- [Laughter] nized the problem? And I readily concede Q. In the past, when you’ve been asked I chunked aside some of my free market to address bad poll numbers or your principles when I was told by chief economic unpopularity, you’ve said that history will advisers that the situation we were facing judge that you did the right thing, that you could be worse than the Great Depression. thought you did the right thing. But without So I’ve told some of my friends who said— getting into your motives or your goals, I you know, who have taken an ideological po- think a lot of people, including Republicans, sition on this issue—why did you do what including some members of your own admin- you did? I said, well, if you were sitting there istration, have been disappointed at the exe- and heard that the depression could be great- cution of some of your ideals, whether Iraq er than the Great Depression, I hope you or Katrina or the economy. What would your would act too, which I did. And we’ve taken closing message be to the American people extraordinary measures to deal with the fro- about the execution of these goals? zen credit markets, which have affected the The President. Well, first of all, hard economy. Credit spreads are beginning to things don’t happen overnight, Jake. And shrink; lending is just beginning to pick up. when the history of Iraq is written, historians The actions we have taken, I believe, have will analyze, for example, the decision on the helped thaw the credit markets, which is the surge. The situation was—looked like it was first step toward recovery. going fine, and then violence for a period And so, yes, look, there’s plenty of critics of time began to throw the progress of Iraq in this business; I understand that. And I into doubt. And rather than accepting the thank you for giving me a chance to defend status quo and saying, ‘‘Oh, it’s not worth it,’’ a record that I am going to continue to de- or ‘‘The politics makes it difficult,’’ or, you fend, because I think it’s a good, strong know, ‘‘The party may end up being—you record. know, not doing well in the elections because Jim [Jim Axelrod, CBS News]. of the violence in Iraq,’’ I decided to do something about it, and sent 30,000 troops The President’s Critics in as opposed to withdrawing. Q. Thank you, Mr. President. I’d also like And so that part of history is certain, and to ask you about your critics. the situation did change. Now, the question The President. Sure. You know any? is, in the long run, will this democracy sur- [Laughter] vive? And that’s going to be the challenge Q. Well, a couple years ago, Charles for future Presidents. Krauthammer, columnist and Harvard- In terms of the economy, look, I inherited trained psychiatrist, coined a term, ‘‘Bush de- a recession; I am ending on a recession. In rangement syndrome,’’ to talk about your the meantime there were 52 months of unin- critics who disagreed with you most passion- terrupted job growth. And I defended tax ately—not just your policies, but seemed to cuts when I campaigned. I helped implement take an animosity towards you. I’m just won- tax cuts when I was President, and I will de- dering, as you look back, why you think you fend them after my Presidency as the right engendered such passionate criticism, ani- course of action. And there’s a fundamental mosity, and do you have any message specifi- philosophical debate about tax cuts. Who cally to those—to that particular part of the best can spend your money, the Government spectrum of your critics? or you? And I have always sided with the The President. You know, most people I people on that issue. see, you know, when I’m moving around the Now, obviously, these are very difficult country, for example, they’re not angry. And economic times. When people analyze the they’re not hostile people. And they—well, situation, there will be—this problem started they say, you never meet people who dis- before my Presidency; it obviously took place agree; that’s just not true. I’ve met a lot of

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 12 59

people who don’t agree with the decisions lyze each situation, and he’s going to make I make. But they have been civil in their dis- the decisions that he think is necessary. course. And the other thing is, when I get out of And so, I view those who get angry and here, I’m getting off the stage. I believe there yell and say bad things and, you know, all ought to be, you know, one person in the that kind of stuff, it’s just a very few people klieg lights at a time. And I’ve had my time in the country. I don’t know why they get in the klieg lights. You know, I’m confident, angry. I don’t know why they get hostile. It’s you know, you’ll catch me opining on occa- not the first time, however, in history that sion, but I wish him all the best. people have expressed themselves in some- And people say, ‘‘Oh, you just—that’s just times undignified ways. I’ve been reading, a throwaway line.’’ No, it’s not a throwaway you know, a lot about Abraham Lincoln dur- line. The stakes are high. There is an enemy ing my Presidency, and there was some pret- that still is out there. You know, people can ty harsh discord when it came to the 16th maybe try to write that off as, you know, he’s President, just like there’s been harsh discord trying to set something up. I’m telling you for the 30—43d President. there’s an enemy that would like to attack You know, Presidents can try to avoid hard America—Americans again. There just is. decisions, and therefore, avoid controversy. That’s the reality of the world. And I wish That’s just not my nature. I’m the kind of him all the very best. person that, you know, is willing to take on And of course, he’s going to have his hands hard tasks, and in times of war people get full with the economy. I understand. It’s emotional; I understand that. Never really, tough for a lot of working people out there. you know, spent that much time, frankly, People are concerned about their economic worrying about the loud voices. I, of course, future. You know, one of the very difficult hear them, but they didn’t affect my policy, parts of the decision I made on the financial nor did they affect how I made decisions. crisis was to use hard-working people’s You know, the President-elect Obama will money to help prevent there to be a crisis, find this too. He’ll get in the Oval Office, and in so doing, some of that money went and there will be a lot of people that are into Wall Street firms that caused the crisis real critical and harsh. And he’ll be dis- in the first place. I wasn’t kidding when I appointed at times by the tone of the rhet- said Wall Street got drunk, and we got the oric. And he’s going to have to do what he hangover. And—but nevertheless, President- thinks is right, Jim. And if you don’t, then elect Obama will find the problems and the I don’t see how you can live with yourself. situations surrounding problems sometimes I don’t see how I can get back home in Texas cause people to have to make decisions that and look in the mirror and be proud of what they, you know, weren’t initially comfortable I see if I allowed the loud voices, the loud with. And there was such a decision when critics, to prevent me from doing what I it came to Wall Street. thought was necessary to protect this coun- I mean, I had a lot of people—when I went try. out to Midland that time—say, ‘‘What the Mike. heck are you doing, boy? Those people up East caused the problem.’’ I said, ‘‘I know, but if we hadn’t worked to fix the problem, President-Elect Obama/National your situation would be worse.’’ And anyway, Economy I really do wish him all the best. Q. Mr. President, thank you very much. Sheryl [Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Since your philosophy is so different from Times]. President-elect Obama’s, what concerns you the most about what he may attempt to do? Presidential Pardons The President. You know, Michael, I’m Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Presi- not going to speculate about what he’s going dent, in recent days, there’s been a fair to do. It’s going to be—you know, he’s going amount of discussion in legal circles about to get in the Oval Office, he’s going to ana- whether or not you might give preemptive

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 60 Jan. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

pardons, pardons in advance, to officials of take. I should have argued for immigration your administration who engaged in anything reform. And the reason why is, is that—you from harsh interrogation tactics to perhaps know, one of the lessons I learned as Gov- dismissing U.S. Attorneys. And I’d like to ernor of Texas, by the way, is legislative know, have you given any consideration to branches tend to be risk-adverse. In other this? And are you planning on it? words, sometimes legislatures have the tend- The President. I won’t be discussing par- ency to ask, ‘‘Why should I take on a hard dons here at this press conference. task when a crisis is not imminent?’’ And the Q. Can I have a follow up? crisis was not imminent for Social Security, The President. Would you like to ask an- as far as many Members of Congress was other question? concerned. Q. Yes, I would, sir. Thank you. Four years As an aside, one thing I proved is that you ago—— can actually campaign on the issue and get The President. That’s the spirit, isn’t it? elected. In other words, I don’t believe talk- [Laughter] ing about Social Security is the third rail of Q. I appreciate that. American politics. I, matter of fact, think that The President. Thank you. [Laughter] in the future, not talking about how you in- Reflections on the President’s Time in tend to fix Social Security is going to be the Office third rail of American politics. And the—one thing about the Presidency Q. Four years ago, you were asked if you is that you can make—only make decisions, had made any mistakes. you know, on the information at hand. You The President. Yes. don’t get to have information after you’ve Q. And I’m not trying to play ‘‘gotcha,’’ made the decision. That’s not the way it but I wonder, when you look back over the works. And you stand by your decisions, and long arc of your Presidency, do you think, in retrospect, that you have made any mis- you do your best to explain why you made takes? And if so, what is the single biggest the decisions you made. mistake that you may have made? There have been disappointments. Abu The President. Gotcha. Hey, look, I have Ghraib, obviously, was a huge disappoint- often said that history will look back and de- ment during the Presidency. Not having termine that which could have been done weapons of mass destruction was a significant better, or, you know, mistakes I made. Clear- disappointment. I don’t know if you want to ly, putting a ‘‘Mission Accomplished’’ on a call those mistakes or not, but they were— aircraft carrier was a mistake. It sent the things didn’t go according to plan, let’s put wrong message. We were trying to say some- it that way. thing differently, but nevertheless, it con- And anyway, I think historians will look veyed a different message. Obviously, some back, and they’ll be able to have a better look of my rhetoric has been a mistake. at mistakes after some time has passed. I— I’ve thought long and hard about along Jake’s question, there is no such thing Katrina—you know, could I have done some- as short-term history. I don’t think you can thing differently, like land Air Force One ei- possibly get the full breadth of an administra- ther in New Orleans or Baton Rouge. The tion until time has passed. Where does a problem with that and—is that law enforce- President’s—did a President’s decisions have ment would have been pulled away from the the impact that he thought they would, or mission. And then your questions, I suspect, he thought they would over time? Or how would have been, ‘‘How could you possibly did this President compare to future Presi- have flown Air Force One into Baton Rouge, dents, given a set of circumstances that may and police officers that were needed to expe- be similar or not similar? I mean, there’s— dite traffic out of New Orleans were taken it’s just impossible to do. And I’m com- off the task to look after you?’’ fortable with that. I believe that running the Social Security Yes, Mike [Michael Abramowitz, Wash- idea right after the ’04 elections was a mis- ington Post].

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 12 61

America’s Standing in the World a flawed treaty and proposed something dif- Q. One of the major objectives that the ferent and more constructive. incoming administration has talked fre- And in terms of the decisions that I had quently about is restoring America’s moral made to protect the homeland, I wouldn’t standing in the world. And many of the allies worry about popularity. What I would worry of the new President—and I believe that the about is the Constitution of the United States President-elect himself has talked about— and putting plans in place that makes it easier how damage that Gitmo, that harsh interro- to find out what the enemy is thinking, be- gation tactics that they consider torture, how cause all these debates will matter not if going to war in Iraq without a U.N. mandate there’s another attack on the homeland. The have damaged America’s moral standing in question won’t be, you know, were you crit- the world. ical of this plan or not. The question is going to be, why didn’t you do something? The President. Yes. Do you remember what it was like right Q. I’m wondering, basically, what is your after September the 11th around here? In reaction to that? Do you think that is that press conferences and opinion pieces and in something that America—that the next Presi- stories—that sometimes were news stories dent needs to worry about? and sometimes opinion pieces—people were The President. I strongly disagree with saying, ‘‘How come they didn’t see it? How the assessment that our moral standing has come they didn’t connect the dots?’’ Do you been damaged. It may be damaged amongst remember what the environment was like in some of the elite, but people still understand Washington? I do. When people were hauled America stands for freedom, that America is up in front of Congress, and Members of a country that provides such great hope. Congress were asking questions about, ‘‘How You go to Africa, you ask Africans about come you didn’t know this, that, or the Americans’ generosity and compassion; go to other?’’ And then we start putting policy in India, and ask about, you know, America’s— place—legal policy in place to connect the their view of America; go to China and ask. dots, and all of a sudden people were saying, Now, if—no question, parts of Europe have ‘‘How come you’re connecting the dots?’’ said that we shouldn’t have gone to war in And so, Mike, I’ve heard all that. I’ve Iraq without a mandate, but those are a few heard all that. My view is, is that most people countries. Most countries in Europe listened around the world, they respect America. And to what 1441 said, which is disclose, disarm, some of them doesn’t like me, I understand or face serious consequences. that, some of the writers and the, you know, Most people take those words seriously. opiners and all that. That’s fine; that’s part Now, some countries didn’t, and even though of the deal. But I’m more concerned about they might have voted for the resolution. I the country and our—how people view the disagree with this assessment that, you know, United States. They view us as strong, com- people view America in a dim light. I just passionate people who care deeply about the don’t agree with that. Now, I understand that universality of freedom. Gitmo has created controversies. But when Roger [Roger Runningen, Bloomberg it came time for those countries that were News]. criticizing America to take some of those de- tainees, they weren’t willing to help out. And Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)/ so, you know, I just disagree with the assess- National Economy ment, Mike. Q. Thank you. Mr. President, you spoke I’ll remind—listen, I tell people, yes, you a moment ago about using taxpayers’ money can try to be popular. In certain quarters in for the TARP program. Europe, you can be popular by blaming every The President. Yes, I did. Middle Eastern problem on Israel, or you Q. The first $350 billion is out the door; can be popular by joining the International it’s been spent. Are you satisfied that it’s been Criminal Court. I guess I could have been spent wisely? And for the second 350 that’s popular by accepting Kyoto, which I felt was under consideration, do you think—are you

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 62 Jan. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

supportive of Congress putting some restric- from my discussions with him. He’ll be—he’s tions on it? a 45-second commute away from a great wife The President. I’m supportive of the and two little girls that love him dearly. President-elect working out a plan with Con- I believe this—the phrase ‘‘burdens of the gress that best suits him—and Congress. office’’ is overstated. You know, it’s kind of That’s what he’s going to have to do. He’s like, why me? Oh, the burdens, you know. going to have to go up there, and he’s going Why did the financial collapse have to hap- to have to make his case as to why the 350 pen on my watch? It’s just—it’s pathetic, isn’t [billion] * is necessary. And he knows that. it, self-pity? And I don’t believe that Presi- This is nothing new. dent-elect Obama will be full of self-pity. He And in terms of the first 350 [billion], * will find—you know, your—the people that I am pleased with this aspect of the expendi- don’t like you, the critics, they’re pretty pre- ture, and that is that the financial markets dictable. Sometimes the biggest disappoint- are beginning to thaw. In the fall, I was con- ments will come from your so-called friends. cerned that the credit freeze would cause us And there will be disappointments, I promise to be headed toward a depression greater you. He’ll be disappointed. On the other than the Great Depression. That’s what I was hand, the job is so exciting and so profound told, if we didn’t move. And so therefore, that the disappointments are—will be clearly, we have moved aggressively. you know, a minor irritant compared to And by the way, it just wasn’t with the the—— TARP. If you think about AIG, Fannie and Q. So it was never the ‘‘loneliest office in Freddie, a lot of the decisions that were the world’’ for you? made in this administration are very aggres- The President. No, not for me. We had sive decisions, all aiming at preventing the a—people—we—I had a fabulous team financial system from cratering. around me of highly dedicated, smart, capa- ble people, and we had fun. I tell people President-Elect Obama/The Presidency that, you know, some days happy, some days Q. Mr. President, you spoke of the mo- not so happy; every day has been joyous. And ment that the responsibility of the office people, they say, ‘‘I just don’t believe it to would hit Barack Obama. The world is a far be the case.’’ Well, it is the case. Even in different place than it was when it hit you. the darkest moments of Iraq, you know, When do you think he’s going to feel the there was—and every day when I was read- full impact? And what, if anything, have you ing the reports about soldiers losing their and the other Presidents shared with him lives, no question, there was a lot of emotion. about the effects of the sometimes isolation, But also there was times where we could be the so-called bubble of the office? light-hearted and support each other. The President. Yes, that’s a great ques- And I built a team of really capable people tion. He will feel the effects the minute he who were there not to serve me or there to walks in the Oval Office. At least, that’s when serve the Republicans, they were there to I felt. I don’t know when he’s going—he may serve the country. And President-elect feel it the minute he’s—gets sworn in. And Obama will find, as he makes these tough the minute I got sworn in, I started thinking calls and tough decisions, that he’ll be sup- about the speech. [Laughter] And so—but ported by a lot of really good people that he’s a better speechmaker than me, so he’ll care about the country as well. be able to—I don’t know how he’s going to John [John McKinnon, Wall Street Jour- feel. All I know is he’s going to feel it. There nal]. will be a moment when he feels it. I have never felt isolated, and I don’t think he will. One reason he won’t feel isolated Trade is because he’s got a fabulous family, and he Q. You’ve talked a lot about your concerns cares a lot about his family. That’s evident over the rise of protectionism in the cur- rent—— * White House correction. The President. Yes.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 12 63

Q. ——economic environment. What do And also, when you came—or began to run you think the future holds for that? Do you for the Oval Office about 9 years ago or so, think the trend is a good one or a bad one? the James Byrd dragging death was residue The President. I hope the trend is bad on your campaign. And now at this time, against protectionism. A disappointment— 2009, we have the first black President. not a mistake, but a disappointment—was Could you tell us what you have seen on the not getting the three trade bills out of Con- issues of race, as you see it from the Oval gress on Colombia, Panama, and South Office? Korea. That was a disappointment. I actually The President. Sure, thanks. First of all, thought we had a shot at one time, and then we did get the $121 billion, more or less, I was disappointed that they didn’t move out passed, and it’s now being spent. Secondly, of the House. the school system is improving dramatically. And I am concerned about protectionism. Thirdly, people are beginning to move back In tough economic times, the temptation is into homes. This storm was a devastating to say, well, let’s just throw up barriers and storm, April, that required a lot of energy, protect our own and not compete. That was the sentiment, by the way, that was in place a lot of focus, and a lot of resources to get during decent economic times. After all, we New Orleans up and running. got CAFTA out of the Congress by one vote. And has the reconstruction been perfect? And it would be a huge mistake if we become No. Have things happened fairly quickly? a protectionist nation. Absolutely. And is there more to be done? And that might be a good thing for the You bet there is. Bush Center to do at SMU, is to remind peo- Q. What more needs to be done? ple about the benefits of free and fair trade: The President. Well, more people need benefits for our own workers, benefits for to get in their houses. More people need to workers overseas, and benefits when it comes have their own home there. But the systems to promoting development and helping lift are in place to continue the reconstruction people out of poverty, in particularly, third of New Orleans. world countries. The best way to enhance People said, well, the Federal response economic growth in a third world country was slow. Don’t tell me the Federal response and to give people a chance to realize a better was slow when there was 30,000 people future is through trade. It’s been proven; it’s pulled off roofs right after the storm passed. a fact. And I’m hopeful that the country I remember going to see those helicopter doesn’t slip into protectionist policy. drivers, Coast Guard drivers, to thank them April [April Ryan, American Urban Radio for their courageous efforts to rescue people Networks], yes, ma’am. off roofs. Thirty thousand people were pulled Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina/Race off roofs right after the storm moved Relations in America through. That’s a pretty quick response. Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Could things have been done better? Ab- The President. Yes. You were sound solutely. Absolutely. But when I hear people asleep back there, so I decided—[laugh- say, the Federal response was slow, then ter]—— what are they going to say to those chopper Q. No, I wasn’t. There was a whole clear drivers or the 30,000 that got pulled off the row before me. I thought you were going roofs? to go there first. But either way, thanks for The other part of the—look, I was affected the surprise. by TV after the elections, when I saw people Mr. President, on New Orleans, you basi- saying, ‘‘I never thought I would see the day cally talked about a moment ago about the that a black person would be elected Presi- photo opportunity. But let’s talk about what dent.’’ And a lot of the people had tears you could have done to change the situation streaming down their cheeks when they said for the city of New Orleans to be further it. And so I am—I consider myself fortunate along in reconstruction than where it is now. to have a front-row seat on what is going to

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 64 Jan. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

be an historic moment for the country. Presi- yses seriously, and then have a structure so dent-elect Obama’s election does speak vol- that your team will be in a position to analyze umes about how far this country has come and then to lay out potential avenues for the when it comes to racial relations. But there’s President—from which the President can still work to do. There’s always going to be choose. work to do to deal with people’s hearts. I say all that because that’s—this has And so I’m looking forward to it, really been—this notion about being briefed and am. I think it’s going to be an amazing mo- thinking about this issue or that issue has ment. been just a part of my life for 8 years. People Michael Allen [Politico]. Yes, Michael say, well, there you are in Crawford on vaca- Allen. tion. You never escape the Presidency. It travels with you everywhere you go. And Post-Presidency Agenda there’s not a moment where you don’t think Q. Mr. President—— about being President, unless you’re riding The President. Would be you. mountain bikes as hard as you possibly can, Q. Mr. President, often Presidents go— trying to forget for the moment. leave here; they say they’re going to decom- And so I wake up in Crawford Tuesday press, and then pretty soon they’re right back morning—I mean, Wednesday morning, and in their office. I wonder how quickly you I suspect I’ll make Laura coffee and go get think you’re going to be back at it, whether it for her. And it’s going to be a different it’s writing your book, whether it’s speaking, feeling. And I can’t—it’s kind of like—I’ll re- whether it’s traveling, whether it’s over- port back after I feel it. seas—— Last question. Ann, since you’ve been The President. You know, Mike, I don’t there from day one. know. Probably the next day. I’m a type A personality, you know. I just can’t envision The Atmosphere in Washington, DC/ myself, you know, the big straw hat and Ha- Cooperation With Congress waiian shirt sitting on some beach. [Laugh- ter] Q. Well, thank you, and I wanted to ask Q. No one else can either. you about day one. You arrived here wanting The President. So—[laughter]. Particu- to be a uniter, not a divider. Do you think larly, since I quit drinking. Anyway, so I pre- Barack Obama can be a uniter, not a divider? dict to you that—first of all, I’m not sure Or is, with the challenges for any President what to expect. For the last 8 years, I have and the unpopular decisions, is it impossible had a national security briefing every day but for any President to be uniter, not a divider? Sunday. And when you get a national security The President. I hope the tone is dif- briefing, it is a reminder of the responsibil- ferent for him than it has been for me. I ities of the job. It’s just a daily reminder am disappointed by the tone in Washington, about what may or may not happen. DC. I have tried to do my part by not engag- The interesting thing about this job, by the ing in the name-calling and, by the way, way, is it’s one thing to deal with the ex- needless name-calling. I have worked to be pected, what you anticipate; the real chal- respectful of my opponents on different lenge is to be in a position to deal with the issues. unexpected. And that’s why those intel brief- There—we did find some good common ings are so important, because there is an ground on a variety of issues: No Child Left awareness in the briefings by the analyst to Behind, Medicare prescription drugs, try to help anticipate problems. And of PEPFAR, in the end, the funding for troops course, you hope they don’t arise, but you in Iraq. We—tax cuts, to a certain extent, better be prepared when they do. got some bipartisan votes on them. There And that in itself creates a—you know, gets had been areas where we were able to work your attention, when you start thinking about together. It’s just the rhetoric got out of con- what could happen. And the key there, of trol at times—— course, is that—to take these different anal- Q. Why?

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 13 65

The President. I don’t know why. You Remarks Following a Cabinet need to ask those who used the words they Meeting used. As I say, it’s not the first time it’s ever happened, as I think I answered that to Jim January 13, 2009 there. It’s happened throughout our history. I want to thank an extraordinary group of And I would hope that, frankly, for the sake of the system itself, that if people disagree American citizens who have served our coun- with the President-elect Obama, they treat try as members of my Cabinet. Everybody him with respect. I worry about people look- around this table here could have taken the ing at our system and saying, ‘‘Why would easy road and stayed home and worried I want to go up there and work in that kind about their own comforts, but instead they of environment?’’ answered the call to service. And the country And so I wish him all the best. And no is lucky to have folks like this step up and question, he’ll be—there will be critics. And serve. there should be. We all should welcome criti- I have thanked them here at my last Cabi- cism on different policy; it’s the great thing net meeting not only for their service but about our democracy; people have a chance for helping President-elect Obama transition. to express themselves. I just hope the tone And we wish the President-elect and his is respectful. He deserves it, and so does the team all the very best. It is our genuine wish country. that they do well. It has been a honor to work with you. I We also reviewed our record, and this ad- meant what I said when I first got up here. ministration has had a good, solid record. I wish you all the very best. I wish you and And I’m very proud of it. I tell people I leave your families all the best. God bless you. town with a great sense of accomplishment and my head held high. We reformed edu- cation, and test scores for minority students NOTE: The President’s news conference began at are up. We reformed Medicare, and seniors 9:17 a.m. in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House. In his remarks, he have now got prescription drug coverage. We referred to former Presidents Jimmy Carter, lowered taxes for everybody who pays taxes. George H.W. Bush, and William J. Clinton; Prime We transformed our military to make it be Minister Salam Fayyad of the Palestinian Author- able to deal more effectively with the threats ity; and Michelle Obama, wife, and Malia and of the 21st century. And the Secretary trans- Natasha ‘‘Sasha’’ Obama, daughters, of President- formed the State Department so it can deal elect Barack Obama. with the threats of the 21st century as well. We changed how we deliver aid around Message to the Congress the world to—through the Millennium Chal- lenge Account. I put good judges on the Transmitting a Report on Treasury bench. Drug use for teenagers is down in Department Plans Concerning America by about 25 percent. The air is Emergency Economic Stabilization cleaner. The water is purer. The armies of January 12, 2009 compassion are more invigorated than ever before. Free trade agreements have been To the Congress of the United States: signed. Consistent with section 115(a)(3) of the We dealt with an economic meltdown with Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of strong action so that our successor has a bet- 2008 (Public Law 110–343) (the ‘‘Act’’), I ter chance of dealing with the economic fall- hereby transmit a report detailing the plan out from the credit crisis. of the Secretary of the Treasury to exercise Most of all, we protected this country from the authority under the Act. harm. And we did so by providing tools and—for our professionals as well as asking George W. Bush our military to do hard work, which they have The White House, done time and time again. Concurrent with January 12, 2009. that, we’ve promoted the freedom agenda.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 66 Jan. 13 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Fifty million people are now free in Afghani- from going from the United States into Mex- stan and Iraq because of action taken by the ico. United States and our coalition. And so, Mr. President, you and I have laid But when I talk about the freedom agenda, the foundation for a constructive, mutual en- I talk about more than just freedom from gagement on this issue. tyranny. I talk about freedom from hunger— And secondly, I want to thank you for your and we’ve had a substantial aid program to steadfast support of trade. I’m a big, strong help people who are hungry—and freedom believer in NAFTA. NAFTA has been good from disease. I’m very proud of the efforts for the United States of America, and out of the State Department to—on NAFTA has been good for Mexico. And I PEPFAR, which is the AIDS initiative on the want to thank you for that. continent of Africa, as well as our malaria And so, Mr. President, it has been a pleas- initiative. ure to work with you. Thank you for your All in all, this administration has relied friendship. upon the great compassion of the American President Calderon. Thank you. people, the sacrifice of those who wear the President Bush. Yes. Y hora en el espanol. uniform. And so we leave town honored to President Calderon. Como no. have served and proud of the job we have [At this point, President Calderon made re- done. Thank you very much. marks in Spanish. He then spoke in English, as follows.] NOTE: The President spoke at 10:14 a.m. in the President Calderon. We have a strong Cabinet Room at the White House. The Office commitment in order to fight and defeat the of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- criminals in Mexico, and we will do so. And guage transcript of these remarks. we have a strong commitment with the rule of law, enforcement of the law in our coun- Remarks Following a Meeting With try. President Felipe de Jesus Calderon [President Calderon continued in Spanish. Hinojosa of Mexico He then concluded in English, as follows.] January 13, 2009 President Calderon. Thank you, Presi- dent Bush—— President Bush. Bienvenido a mi amigo. President Bush. Yes, sir. Mr. President, welcome. President Calderon. ——and good luck President Calderon. Thank you. in the future. President Bush. It has been a true pleas- President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank ure to work with President Calderon. He’s you. a man of conviction, he is a man of principle, White House Staff Member. Okay, guys, and he is a man who’s willing to take on tough thank you—— challenges. I have appreciated every meeting President Bush. Hold on. Un momento, I’ve had with him. un momento. I want to take—talk about two subjects President Calderon. Wait. Hold on. quickly. One, Americans are concerned about the battle that’s taking place in Mexico, [An interpreter then provided the translation and I want our fellow citizens to understand of President Calderon’s previously delivered that this man understands the responsibilities remarks.] of government to provide security; that he Interpreter. Good afternoon, friends. I will not allow his country, or parts of his wanted to say that I came here to Wash- country, to be taken over by narcotraffickers; ington, DC, to wish President Bush the very and that the United States of America wants best. I want to wish him and his family all to share and help deal with the issue on both the best in this new phase. And I want to sides of the border. The less drugs we use, thank him especially for the friendship that the less pressure there will be in Mexico. We he has shown me over the last 2 years in have got responsibilities to help prevent guns facing our common challenges together——

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 13 67

President Calderon. And his support. very best for this country, a great country, Interpreter. ——and for his support. and for its citizens in overcoming the eco- [Laughter] nomic crisis it is now facing, overcoming With regard to the issues that President other problems, as well as drug consumption, Bush has raised, I want to say that our admin- because any problems arising in the United istration has made a crucial decision in this States in some way will also affect Mexican regard. We are going to be promoting law; citizens as well. we are going to be promoting order in our And so we can only wish you the very best country. We will be promoting the rule of in every area. Thank you. law for all Mexicans. President Calderon. Thank you. We have worked jointly in this regard. We President Bush. Thank you, thank you. have worked together on the drug-trafficking Adios. combat front. We have worked together to combat organized crime. NOTE: The President spoke at 10:58 a.m. in the This is not an isolated problem for any Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, country. This is a common problem that af- President Calderon referred to President-elect fects us both. And in order to do so, we have Barack Obama. The Office of the Press Secretary worked together, and we have made this res- also released a Spanish language transcript of olution. these remarks. We are committed to fighting criminals and to overcoming them once and for all. And the rule of law is the one thing that I Remarks on Presenting the want to stress we are going to promote, no Presidential Medal of Freedom matter what, in our country. January 13, 2009 I agree with what the President has said with regard to the North America Free Trade The President. Good afternoon to every- Agreement. It has proved to be very useful, body, and thank you all for coming. We have both for the United States and for Mexico. assembled quite a distinguished crowd to In that regard, millions of jobs were created honor three good friends: President Uribe, here in the United States. Mexico is the sec- Prime Minister Howard, and Prime Minister ond-largest purchaser of U.S. goods. We buy, Blair. Laura and I welcome you to the White in fact, twice as many U.S. products as the House. People’s Republic of China. Two million jobs You’ll always be welcomed in our country. based on exports were created in Mex- And we hope to have you come down and ico—— visit us in Texas. As you probably have heard, President Calderon. No, in the United we’re changing addresses here—[laughter]— States. in a little less than 7 days. Interpreter. ——in the United States, ex- We’re delighted to have a lot of distin- cuse me, as a result of NAFTA. [Laughter] guished guests, people who have worked with And yesterday, I was discussing with Presi- you throughout your time in office; members dent-elect Obama the fact that we are willing of your family who are here, we’re really glad to continue working on future additions of you’ve come. a way to continue to build on the achieve- I want to thank the Vice President, mem- ments that NAFTA has created—benefits, bers of the Cabinet, and Members of the issues of concern to both of our citizens. I Congress who have joined us as well. We understand that there are issues of concern offer a special welcome to those who are per- to Mexicans, as well as to U.S. citizens, on sonal friends of the honorees. I know they’re the issue of the environment and on labor. as delighted to have you here as I am. I want to wish the very best to President In a few moments the military aide will Bush, to his family, as well as to the United read the citations for the Presidential Medal States. The U.S. will continue to solve its of Freedom. The medal is America’s highest problems with success, I have no doubt about civil award. It is given in recognition of exem- that. And we in Mexico can only wish the plary achievement and to convey the utmost

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 68 Jan. 13 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

esteem of the people and the President of millions, and help rising democracies to serve the United States. the aspirations of their people. In these 8 years, I have presented the Tony Blair’s entire career is defined by his Medal of Freedom to some of our most emi- devotion to democratic values and human nent citizens. On occasion, I have also had dignity. At his very center, this man believes the honor of presenting it to citizens of other in freedom: freedom from oppression, free- lands who inspired particular admiration in dom from hunger, freedom from disease, and the United States and provided courageous freedom from fear and despair. In the House leadership to our world. Among these recipi- of Commons, as the longest serving Labour ents have been Vaclav Havel, Ellen Johnson Prime Minister in history, he fought to lift Sirleaf, Nelson Mandela, and the late Pope up his nation’s communities and better the John Paul II. lives of all its people. He helped turn genera- This afternoon I am pleased to award the tions of violence in Northern Ireland into Medal of Freedom to three extraordinary years of peace. He drew the attention and leaders. We honor a sitting President and two conscience of the world to the suffering in former vice—Prime Ministers, each one of Africa, and he continues to serve the cause them a true friend of the United States who of peace and democracy as the Quartet met historic challenges with great tenacity, Envoy to the Middle East. and who provides a lasting example of states- Out of office but still in public life, Tony Blair remains on the world stage as a man manship at home and abroad. of high intelligence and insight, and above The first day I met Tony Blair, almost ex- all, as a man of faith and idealism and integ- actly 8 years ago, he was in his second term rity. The former Prime Minister of the as Prime Minister, and I was just starting out. United Kingdom will stand tall in history. After our first meeting, a reporter asked if And today the United States of America we’d found anything in common, and I jok- proudly honors its gallant friend Tony Blair. ingly replied that we both used Colgate John Howard of Australia has spent a lot toothpaste. [Laughter] of years in politics. He’s won some, and he’s The truth is I did feel a close connection lost a few. There was even a time, two dec- to Tony Blair. As I said after the first meet- ades ago, when he thought his days of polit- ing, I knew that when either of us gets in ical leadership might be over. A comeback, a bind, there will be a friend on the other he said, would be like ‘‘Lazarus with a triple end of the phone. My friend was there, in- bypass.’’ [Laughter] The man has got an un- deed, after America was attacked on Sep- usual way of speaking. [Laughter] tember the 11th, 2001. And it just wasn’t on With his plain-spoken style and unpre- the phone line. When I stood in the House tentious manner, John Howard did make a Chamber to ask the civilized world to rally comeback. He rose to his nation’s highest to freedom’s cause, there in the gallery was elected office, won four straight elections, the staunch friend Prime Minister Tony and served longer than all other Australian Blair. Prime Ministers but one. And all the while, He was there in a moment of trial to affirm John Howard retained his close connection the special relationship between the United with the people of his country. His time in States and the United Kingdom. And he was office was marked by great national con- there to show America, and all nations, that fidence and prosperity and rising global influ- he understood the stakes in the war on terror. ence. He won the respect of leaders around As he said: ‘‘Just as the terrorist seeks to di- the world for his commitment to free mar- vide humanity in hate, so we have to unify kets, cooperation, and the peaceful resolu- it around an idea. And that idea is liberty.’’ tion of differences. He was a faithful steward Under Tony Blair’s leadership, the might and of Australia’s alliances and a sturdy friend in the moral authority of Great Britain have a time of need. been applied to the war on terror from the At an event here in Washington, he re- first day. Our nations have worked proudly flected on the many tests that our two coun- together to destroy terrorist havens, liberate tries faced together in the 20th century. He

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 13 69

spoke with feeling about our shared values, and ideals to run for political office; it re- as well as our obligation to defend them, and quired immense personal courage and ‘‘if necessary fight for them, and be ready strength of character. to repel those who would seek to take [our] As a Presidential candidate in 2002, Alvaro freedoms away.’’ Uribe pledged to his people greater security, As it happens, John Howard spoke those a healthier democracy, and a better chance words on Monday, September the 10th, for prosperous lives. He was elected on a 2001, and in all that followed, he proved true theme that expressed perfectly what the Co- to his convictions. He always has been brave lombian people desired in a President: in the defense of freedom. In these 7 years, ‘‘Strong hand and big heart.’’ both our countries have lost innocent civil- President Uribe’s leadership has been res- ians and suffered casualties on the field of olute and uncompromising. Today in Colom- battle. But this man, who saw the burning bia, homicides are down 40 percent, Pentagon on September the 11th, and who kidnapings are down more than 80 percent, confronted—comforted the survivors of Bali, terror attacks are down by more than 75 per- never wavered in his commitment to over- cent. The forces of violence are on the defen- coming this great danger to civilization. He sive, and the people are reclaiming their never wavered in his support for liberty, and country. free institutions, and the rule of law as the President Uribe’s fellow citizens know him true and hopeful alternatives to ideologies of as someone who speaks forthrightly and fol- violence and repression. He’s a man of hon- lows through on his commitments. With his esty and moral clarity. He can make a deci- lifelong interest in public policy, he has a sion, he can defend it, and he stands his phenomenal grasp of the details of gov- ground. That’s why I called him a man of erning. At the same time, he has formed a steel. powerful bond with his people. They’ve met In the character of John Winston Howard their President in townhalls across the coun- we see that fine Australian spirit of ‘‘standing try. They’ve seen him deliver results. They by your mates.’’ Our two countries, though like him, and they trust him. And they have half a world apart, have long enjoyed an easy made him the first Colombian leader in the and natural fellowship. And the 25th Prime modern era to win reelection. Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia Lately, I’ve been asked to reflect on the stands for all that Americans like and admire most memorable events of my Presidency. most about this wonderful country. Among those is a phone call I received sev- So, Mr. Prime Minister, our friend, wel- eral months ago from President Uribe. He come to the White House and congratula- called to say that a group of hostages, includ- tions. ing three Americans, that had been held in National leaders sometimes take office captivity for 5 years, had been rescued and without fully knowing all the tests that await were alive and safe and sound. It was a joyful them. But when Alvaro Uribe became the moment, Mr. President. And it was a credit President of Colombia, the challenges were to your leadership. in full view. He knew exactly what he was For President Uribe, the great demands getting into. of office continue. Today the United States For more than a generation, good and de- honors all Colombians by honoring the man cent people across that country had lived at they have chosen to lead them. By refusing the mercy of brutal drug cartels and illegal, to allow the land he loves to be destroyed armed groups. A contagion of terrorist vio- by an enemy within, by proving that terror lence and killings and kidnappings had shak- can be opposed and defeated, President en the political system and caused many Co- Uribe has reawakened the hopes of his coun- lombians to despair for their nation’s future. trymen and shown a model of leadership to Early in this decade, the Republic of Colom- a watching world. Colombia remains a nation bia was near the point of being, at best, a with challenges. But the future will always failed state, or at worst, a narco-state. In be bright in a country that produces such those conditions, it took more than ambition men as President Alvaro Uribe.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 70 Jan. 13 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Congratulations, mi amigo. regimes fall and formerly enslaved countries Each of these gentlemen we honor today embrace their birthright of freedom. One has his own style and personality, and each day, the people of Cuba will enjoy this same has amassed distinctions and achievements blessing. that belong to him alone. Yet all of them have This message of hope is directed especially shown a firm adherence to the principles of to those who have made pleas for freedom freedom and democratic values and a willing- only to be silenced by tyranny and oppres- ness to face problems squarely instead of passing them on to others. They’re the sort sion—individuals like Oscar Elias Biscet, of guys who look you in the eye and tell you Luis Enrique Ferrer, Ricardo Gonzalez, Jose the truth and keep their word. In lengthy Luis Garcia Paneque, and many others. It service they proved to be leaders of character is equally intended for the families of such and fortitude. They are warm friends of the prisoners, who dearly miss their loved ones United States of America. The opportunity and continue to suffer oppression at the to know them and work with them has been hands of the regime. The American people among the great satisfactions of my time as admire the courage of these families and the President. I respect them, and I admire emerging civil society movement, reflected them. in the existence of groups like the Damas And now I ask the military aide to read de Blanco, who stand up for the fundamental the citations, and it will be my honor to human rights bestowed by our Creator. present the Presidential Medal of Freedom As long as there are people who fight for to Tony Blair, John Howard, Alvaro Uribe. liberty, the United States will stand with [Lt. Cmdr. Clay Beers, USN, Navy Aide to them and speak out for those whose voices the President, read the citations, and the have been temporarily silenced. All Cubans President presented the medals.] have the right to be treated with dignity, so The President. In honor of these distin- that they can rise as high as their talents and guished gentlemen, Laura and I invite you hard work will take them. This is the standard to stay for a reception in the State Dining my administration and past administra- Room. Please enjoy yourselves, and thank tions—regardless of political affiliation— you for joining us here at the White House. have expected from the Cuban Government as the condition for improved relations. NOTE: The President spoke at 1:07 p.m. in the My administration has continually chal- East Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to former President Vaclav Havel of lenged the Cuban Government to bring gen- the Czech Republic; President Ellen Johnson uine political and economic changes and im- Sirleaf of Liberia; former President Nelson prove human rights and has made it clear Mandela of South Africa; and Marc Gonsalves, that the United States stands prepared to re- Thomas Howes, and Keith Stansell, former hos- spond to any request for assistance from a tages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba that transitions to democracy. The Cas- Colombia (FARC). The Office of the Press Sec- tro regime’s response to our offers has been retary also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks. continued repression of the Cuban people. Throughout my Presidency, the plight of Cuba has been close to my heart. My sincere Statement on the Situation in Cuba wish has been for the proud people of Cuba January 13, 2009 to take their rightful place in the community of democratic, freedom-loving nations. As much of the world celebrates the dawn- ing of a new year, Cuba marks 50 years of Laura and I send our Cuban hermanos y one of the cruelest dictatorships this hemi- hermanas a message of peace and love. May sphere has witnessed. God bless you and continue to give you the To those who yearn for liberty, all is not faith and courage to fight for the day when lost. The world has witnessed other instances the light of liberty will shine on the people of dictatorship, but has ultimately seen those of Cuba.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 15 71

Proclamation 8338—Religious freedom for future generations, and com- Freedom Day, 2009 memorate this day with appropriate events January 13, 2009 and activities. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set By the President of the United States my hand this thirteenth day of January, in of America the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of A Proclamation America the two hundred and thirty-third. Religious freedom is the foundation of a George W. Bush healthy and hopeful society. On Religious Freedom Day, we recognize the importance [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, of the 1786 passage of the Virginia Statute 11:15 a.m., January 14, 2009] for Religious Freedom. We also celebrate the NOTE: This proclamation was published in the first liberties enshrined in our Constitution’s Federal Register on January 15. Bill of Rights, which guarantee the free exer- cise of religion for all Americans and prohibit an establishment of religion. Remarks on Presenting the Our Nation was founded by people seek- Presidential Medal of Freedom at ing haven from religious persecution, and the the Department of State religious liberty they found here remains one January 15, 2009 of this land’s greatest blessings. As Ameri- cans, we believe that all people have inherent Thank you all. I got 5 days left; be seated. dignity and worth. Though we may profess [Laughter] different creeds and worship in different Madam Secretary, thank you very much manners and places, we respect each other’s for your kind introduction, and thank you for humanity and expression of faith. People these beautiful reminders of how fantastic it’s with diverse views can practice their faiths been to work with you. here while living together in peace and har- By the way, these are going to be at South- mony, carrying on our Nation’s noble tradi- ern Methodist University—[laughter]— tion of religious freedom. proudly displayed at the Presidential Center The United States also stands with reli- I will build to remind our country of the gious dissidents and believers from around timeless values of freedom and liberty. And the globe who practice their faith peacefully. I am honored to take them back to Texas. Freedom is not a grant of government or a I’m honored to take my wife back to Texas right for Americans alone; it is the birthright too. [Laughter] of every man, woman, and child throughout The award you gave Laura, Condi, is well the world. No human freedom is more fun- deserved in my unobjective opinion. She has damental than the right to worship in accord- been awesome First Lady. And I’m proud ance with one’s conscience. to have been here in Washington. And you’ve Religious Freedom Day is an opportunity been an awesome friend and a great Sec- to celebrate our legacy of religious liberty, retary of State. foster a culture of tolerance and peace, and You know, people—I tell people all the renew commitments to ensure that every time, they ask me about Condi, and I say, person on Earth can enjoy these basic human ‘‘She’s like my sister.’’ We’ve been through rights. a lot together. [Laughter] And one of the Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, things about her is that she has never lost President of the United States of America, her great optimism. She’s plenty tough when by virtue of the authority vested in me by she needed to be tough; she’s plenty charm- the Constitution and laws of the United ing when she needs to be charming. But dur- States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2009, ing the darkest of days, she always had a as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all sense of optimism and constantly reminded Americans to reflect on the great blessing of me of what is possible and what will happen religious liberty, endeavor to preserve this if we don’t lose confidence in fundamental

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 72 Jan. 15 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

truths. History will say that Condi Rice was In Africa, we helped resolve old conflicts one of the great Secretaries of State our and formed new partnerships to confront country has ever had. hunger and disease and poverty. I’m often And I thank my friend John Negroponte. asked, you know, ‘‘How come you, from I call him ‘‘Ponte’’—you better call him— Texas, care about Africa?’’ And I remind peo- [laughter]—Mr. Secretary. He has done a lot ple—I’m reminded of one of my first con- of hard work on behalf of the country, and versations with Condi. And she said, ‘‘If I’m he has really done it well—a variety of jobs going to work with you, I want you to make that have required skill and dedication and sure you focus on Africa.’’ She gets a lot of courage, and each job he’s handled with a credit for the focus on Africa. lot of class, he really has. I also acted on this timeless belief: To I want to thank the Ambassadors who have whom much is given, much is required. We joined us. Thanks for coming. Appreciate have been given a lot in our country. And your service to your countries. And I want it’s not only in our strategic interests that we to thank all those who work here, veterans deal with hunger and disease, it is in our and rookies alike. [Laughter] This is a fabu- moral interest that we do so as well. In the lous Department and a vital part of making Western Hemisphere, we expanded trade sure this country remains secure in the long and helped our fellow democracies deliver run. And it’s been a joy to work with you. prosperity and social justice to their people. Tonight I’m going to give a farewell ad- And around the world, we built a coalition dress to the American people. It’s going to of more than 90 nations to fight terror and be a short one. [Laughter] But it’s got a lot advance the cause of freedom in the great of meaning to it, as far as I’m concerned. ideological struggle of our time. I’m going to urge our Nation to continue to In short, we’ve made our alliances strong- engage the world with confidence, con- er, we’ve made our Nation safer, and we have fidence in the transformative power of free- made the world freer. The record is a testa- dom and liberty. ment to all those who have served, including These are the ideals that gave birth to our our outstanding Foreign Service officers. own Nation, these universal ideals gave birth This is a profession that requires commit- to America. And over the past 8 years, to- ment and sacrifice. When you volunteered gether we have worked to advance these for the Foreign Service, you agreed to put ideals. And every member of this Depart- the needs of your country before your own ment can be proud of the results. and your family. You agreed to spend years In the Middle East, we stood with dis- away from home, and you knew that your sidents and young democracies. Sometimes service might just put you in harm’s way. that was not easy to do, but we stood strong Today we send our thoughts and prayers with those young democracies. We outlined to all the men and women representing a vision of two democratic states, Israel and America in distant lands, and we pledge that Palestine, living side by side in peace and we will never forget the brave souls who did security. not come home. In Asia, we deepened our alliances with As President, I have entrusted the Foreign old friends, Japan and South Korea, and we Service with our Nation’s most critical diplo- strengthened ties with China. I’m not so sure matic missions. I have relied on your exper- if this is historically accurate, but we may be tise, your advice, and your good judgment. the only administration that has had really I will always be grateful for your valor and good ties with Japan, South Korea, and China your professionalism. all at the same time. Members of the Foreign Service bring this And we opened a new historic and stra- valor and professionalism to their work every tegic partnership with India. single day. And there is one man who em- In Europe, we expanded NATO to include bodies these qualities above all: Ambassador new democracies from the Baltics to the Bal- Ryan Crocker. Over the years, Ryan has kans. We work in a multilateral fashion to earned many honors, including the Presi- deal with issues like Iran and North Korea. dential Meritorious Service Award and the

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 15 73

rank of Career Ambassador. Today I have the the Middle East. When the story of this privilege of honoring Ambassador Crocker transformation is written, historians will note with the highest civil award I can bestow, the extraordinary partnership between two the Presidential Medal of Freedom. [Ap- exceptional men: General David Petraeus plause] Okay. It has not been bestowed yet. and Ambassador Ryan Crocker. As the Gen- [Laughter] eral carried out a surge of military forces to The son of an Air Force officer, Ryan improve security, the Ambassador led a civil- Crocker has never been your typical dip- ian surge to improve everyday life. In De- lomat. For social engagements, he likes to cember, after months of intense negotiations, tell guests, ‘‘no socks required.’’ [Laughter] the world saw the culmination of Ambassador For language training, he once spent time Crocker’s masterful diplomacy: two historic herding sheep with a desert tribe in Jordan. agreements for long-term cooperation be- For sport, he has jogged through war zones tween the United States and Iraq. and run marathons on four continents. And This is not the first time that Ambassador for assignments, his preference has always Crocker has executed a brilliant diplomatic been anywhere but Washington. [Laughter] maneuver in Baghdad. During a rotation at During his nearly four decades in the For- the American Embassy nearly 30 years ago, eign Service, Ryan Crocker has become he persuaded a young Foreign Service officer known as America’s Lawrence of Arabia. His named Christine Barnes to be his wife. career has taken him to every corner of the [Laughter] They have traveled the world to- Middle East. His understanding of the region gether, and as Ryan prepares to retire from is unmatched. His exploits are legendary. He the Foreign Service, we wish the two of them has served as ambassador to five countries. many years of happiness. He has repeatedly taken on the most chal- General Petraeus recently said this about lenging assignments. his retiring colleague: ‘‘It was a great honor The man has never run from danger. As for me to be his military wingman.’’ And a young officer during the late 1970s, Ryan today it is my great honor to present the Pres- catalogued Saddam Hussein’s murderous rise idential Medal of Freedom to one of the fin- to power. In 1983, he survived the terrorist est Foreign Service officers in American his- attack on the American Embassy in Lebanon. tory, Ryan Clark Crocker. And now the mili- In 1998, as the Ambassador to Syria, he wit- tary aide will read the citation. nessed an angry mob plunder his residence. After any one of these brushes with dan- NOTE: The President spoke at 11:14 a.m. In his ger, most people would have lost their appe- remarks, he referred to Gen. David H. Petraeus, tite for adventure—not Ryan Crocker. In the USA, commander, U.S. Central Command, in his years since September the 11th, 2001, I have former capacity as commanding general, Multi- asked Ryan to hold numerous posts on the National Force—Iraq. The transcript released by frontlines of the war on terror, and he has the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Lt. Cmdr. Clay Beers, USN, Navy stepped forward enthusiastically every time. Aide to the President. The Office of the Press When the American Embassy in Kabul re- Secretary also released a Spanish language tran- opened in the beginning of 2002, Ryan script of these remarks. Crocker was our first envoy. When we liber- ated Iraq and removed the thug Saddam Hussein from power in 2003, I sent Ryan Statement on the U.S. Airways Plane to help lead the reconstruction efforts. When Crash in New York City the American Embassy in Pakistan needed January 15, 2009 new leadership, Ryan Crocker was put in charge. In 2007, I asked Ryan to return for My administration is coordinating with a final mission to Iraq as America’s Ambas- State and local officials to respond to this sador. afternoon’s plane crash in New York City. Two years later, Iraq is becoming a rising We continue to monitor the situation. Laura democracy, an ally in the war on terror, an and I are inspired by the skill and heroism inspiring model of freedom for people across of the flight crew, as well as the dedication

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 74 Jan. 15 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

and selflessness of the emergency responders throughout the year, we aspire to build a so- and volunteers who rescued passengers from ciety in which every child is welcome in life the icy waters of the Hudson. We send our and protected in law. We also encourage thoughts and prayers to all involved in the more of our fellow Americans to join our just accident. and noble cause. History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, Proclamation 8339—National we will prevail. Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2009 Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, January 15, 2009 President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by By the President of the United States the Constitution and laws of the United of America States, do hereby proclaim January 18, 2009, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I A Proclamation call upon all Americans to recognize this day All human life is a gift from our Creator with appropriate ceremonies and to under- that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protec- score our commitment to respecting and pro- tion. On National Sanctity of Human Life tecting the life and dignity of every human Day, our country recognizes that each per- being. son, including every person waiting to be In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set born, has a special place and purpose in this my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the world. We also underscore our dedication to year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of heeding this message of conscience by speak- the Independence of the United States of ing up for the weak and voiceless among us. America the two hundred and thirty-third. The most basic duty of government is to George W. Bush protect the life of the innocent. My Adminis- tration has been committed to building a cul- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, ture of life by vigorously promoting adoption 11:15 a.m., January 16, 2009] and parental notification laws, opposing Fed- eral funding for abortions overseas, encour- NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the aging teen abstinence, and funding crisis Federal Register on January 21. pregnancy programs. In 2002, I was honored to sign into law the Born-Alive Infants Pro- tection Act, which extends legal protection Memorandum on Limited Waiver of to children who survive an abortion attempt. Certain Sanctions Imposed by, and I signed legislation in 2003 to ban the cruel Delegation of Certain Authorities practice of partial-birth abortion, and that Pursuant to, the Tom Lantos Block law represents our commitment to building Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti- a culture of life in America. Also, I was proud Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008 to sign the Unborn Victims of Violence Act January 15, 2009 of 2004, which allows authorities to charge a person who causes death or injury to a child Presidential Determination No. 2009–11 in the womb with a separate offense in addi- tion to any charges relating to the mother. Memorandum for the Secretary of State and America is a caring Nation, and our values the Secretary of the Treasury should guide us as we harness the gifts of science. In our zeal for new treatments and Subject: Limited Waiver of Certain Sanctions cures, we must never abandon our funda- Imposed by, and Delegation of Certain mental morals. We can achieve the great Authorities Pursuant to, the Tom Lantos breakthroughs we all seek with reverence for Block Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti- the gift of life. Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008 The sanctity of life is written in the hearts By the authority vested in me as President of all men and women. On this day and by the Constitution and laws of the United

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 15 75

States, including the Tom Lantos Block Bur- Treasury may redelegate any of these func- mese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Ef- tions to other officers and agencies of the forts) Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–286) United States Government consistent with (JADE Act) and section 301 of title 3, United applicable law. The authorities delegated to States Code, in order to ensure that the the Secretary of the Treasury under this United States Government’s sanctions memorandum shall be exercised after con- against the Burmese leadership and its sup- sultation with the Secretary of State. porters continue to be implemented effec- (3) I authorize the Secretary of State, after tively, to allow the reconciliation of measures consultation with the Secretary of the Treas- applicable to persons sanctioned under the ury, to take such actions as may be necessary JADE Act with measures applicable to the to make the submissions to the appropriate same persons sanctioned under the Inter- congressional committees pursuant to section national Emergency Economic Powers Act 5(d) of the JADE Act. (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), and to allow for the I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary implementation of additional appropriate of the Treasury to report this determination sanctions: to the appropriate congressional committees (1) I hereby waive, pursuant to section 5(i) and to publish it in the Federal Register. of the JADE Act, the provisions of section George W. Bush 5(b) of the JADE Act with respect to those persons described in section 5(a)(1) of the The White House, JADE Act who are not included on the De- January 15, 2009. partment of the Treasury’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:15 a.m., January 16, 2009] Because the imposition of effective and meaningful blocking sanctions requires the NOTE: This Presidential Determination will be identification of those individuals and entities published in the Federal Register on January 21. targeted for sanction and the authorization of certain limited exceptions to the prohibi- tions and restrictions that would otherwise Memorandum on Proposed apply, I hereby determine and certify that Agreement for Cooperation Between such a limited waiver is in the national inter- the Government of the United States est of the United States. of America and the Government of (2) I hereby delegate to the Secretary of the United Arab Emirates the Treasury the waiver authority set forth Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear in section 5(i) of the JADE Act, including Energy the authority to invoke or revoke the waiver January 15, 2009 with respect to any person or persons or any transaction or category of transactions or pro- Presidential Determination No. 2009–12 hibitions by making the necessary determina- tion and certification regarding the national Memorandum for the Secretary of State and interest of the United States set forth in that the Secretary of Energy section. I hereby direct the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Sec- Subject: Proposed Agreement for retary of State and with necessary support Cooperation Between the Government of from the Intelligence Community, as defined the United States of America and the in section 3(4) of the National Security Act Government of the United Arab Emirates of 1947, as amended (50 U.S.C. 401a(4)), to Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear continue to target aggressively the Burmese Energy regime and its lines of support. I further del- I have considered the proposed Agree- egate to the Secretary of the Treasury the ment for Cooperation Between the Govern- authority to take such actions as may be nec- ment of the United States of America and essary to carry out the purposes of section the Government of the United Arab Emir- 5(b) of the JADE Act. The Secretary of the ates Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 76 Jan. 15 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Energy, along with the views, recommenda- with respect to foreign terrorists who threat- tions, and statements of the interested agen- en to disrupt the Middle East peace process. cies. This notice shall be published in the Fed- I have determined that the performance eral Register and transmitted to the Con- of the Agreement will promote, and will not gress. constitute an unreasonable risk to, the com- mon defense and security. Pursuant to sec- George W. Bush tion 123 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, The White House, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153(b)), I hereby January 15, 2009. approve the proposed Agreement and au- thorize the Secretary of State to arrange for [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, its execution. 11:15 a.m., January 16, 2009] The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to publish this determination in the NOTE: This notice will be published in the Federal Federal Register. Register on January 21. George W. Bush Message to the Congress on Notice—Continuation of the Continuation of the National National Emergency With Respect to Emergency With Respect to Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process the Middle East Peace Process January 15, 2009 January 15, 2009 On January 23, 1995, by Executive Order To the Congress of the United States: 12947, the President declared a national Section 202(d) of the National Emer- emergency pursuant to the International gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. the automatic termination of a national emer- 1701–1706) to deal with the unusual and ex- gency unless, prior to the anniversary date traordinary threat to the national security, of its declaration, the President publishes in foreign policy, and economy of the United the Federal Register and transmits to the States constituted by grave acts of violence Congress a notice stating that the emergency committed by foreign terrorists who threaten is to continue in effect beyond the anniver- to disrupt the Middle East peace process. On sary date. In accordance with this provision, August 20, 1998, by Executive Order 13099, I have sent to the Federal Register for publi- the President modified the Annex to Execu- cation the enclosed notice stating that the tive Order 12947 to identify four additional emergency declared with respect to foreign persons, including Usama bin Laden, who terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace East peace process is to continue in effect process. beyond January 23, 2009. Because these terrorist activities continue The crisis with respect to the grave acts to threaten the Middle East peace process of violence committed by foreign terrorists and to pose an unusual and extraordinary who threaten to disrupt the Middle East threat to the national security, foreign policy, peace process that led to the declaration of and economy of the United States, the na- a national emergency on January 23, 1995, tional emergency declared on January 23, as expanded on August 20, 1998, has not 1995, as expanded on August 20, 1998, and been resolved. Terrorist groups continue to the measures adopted on those dates to deal engage in activities that have the purpose or with that emergency must continue in effect effect of threatening the Middle East peace beyond January 23, 2009. Therefore, in ac- process and that are hostile to United States cordance with section 202(d) of the National interests in the region. Such actions con- Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am stitute an unusual and extraordinary threat continuing for 1 year the national emergency to the national security, foreign policy, and

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 15 77

economy of the United States. For these rea- that such action is planned. Therefore, in ac- sons, I have determined that it is necessary cordance with section 202(d) of the National to continue the national emergency declared Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am with respect to foreign terrorists who threat- continuing the national emergency with re- en to disrupt the Middle East peace process spect to Cuba and the emergency authority and to maintain in force the economic sanc- relating to the regulation of the anchorage tions against them to respond to this threat. and movement of vessels set out in Proclama- George W. Bush tion 6867 as amended and expanded by Proc- lamation 7757. The White House, This notice shall be published in the Fed- January 15, 2009. eral Register and transmitted to the Con- gress. Notice—Continuation of the George W. Bush National Emergency Relating to The White House, Cuba and of the Emergency January 15, 2009. Authority Relating to the Regulation [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, of the Anchorage and Movement of 11:15 a.m., January 16, 2009] Vessels NOTE: This notice will be published in the Federal January 15, 2009 Register on January 21. On March 1, 1996, by Proclamation 6867, a national emergency was declared to address Message to the Congress on the disturbance or threatened disturbance of Continuation of the National international relations caused by the Feb- Emergency Relating to Cuba and of ruary 24, 1996, destruction by the Cuban the Emergency Authority Relating to government of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft in international airspace the Regulation of the Anchorage and north of Cuba. In July 1996 and on subse- Movement of Vessels quent occasions, the Cuban government stat- January 15, 2009 ed its intent to forcefully defend its sov- To the Congress of the United States: ereignty against any U.S.-registered vessels Section 202(d) of the National Emer- or aircraft that might enter Cuban territorial gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for waters or airspace while involved in a flotilla the automatic termination of a national emer- or peaceful protest. Since these events, the gency unless, prior to the anniversary date Cuban government has not demonstrated of its declaration, the President publishes in that it will refrain from the future use of reck- the Federal Register and transmits to the less and excessive force against U.S. vessels Congress a notice stating that the emergency or aircraft that may engage in memorial ac- is to continue in effect beyond the anniver- tivities or peaceful protest north of Cuba. On sary date. In accordance with this provision, February 26, 2004, by Proclamation 7757, I have sent the enclosed notice to the Federal the scope of the national emergency was ex- Register for publication, stating that the na- panded in order to deny monetary and mate- tional emergency declared with respect to rial support to the repressive Cuban govern- the Government of Cuba’s destruction of two ment, which had taken a series of steps to unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft in destabilize relations with the United States, international airspace north of Cuba on Feb- including threatening to abrogate the Migra- ruary 24, 1996, as amended and expanded tion Accords with the United States and to on February 26, 2004, is to continue in effect close the United States Interests Section. beyond March 1, 2009. Further, Cuba’s most senior officials repeat- edly asserted that the United States intended George W. Bush to invade Cuba, despite explicit denials from The White House, the U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense January 15, 2009.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 78 Jan. 15 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Letter to Congressional Leaders on strategy that emphasized stopping initiation, Review of Title III of the Cuban reducing drug abuse and addiction, and dis- Liberty and Democratic Solidarity rupting drug markets. (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 The results of our efforts are clear. To- gether we have helped reduce teenage drug January 15, 2009 use by 25 percent since 2001. This means Dear lllll : 900,000 fewer American teens are using Consistent with section 306(c)(2) of the drugs. The Access to Recovery program Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity alone has extended treatment services to (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (Public Law 104– more than 260,000 Americans. Through law 114) (the ‘‘Act’’), I hereby determine and re- enforcement cooperation and international port to the Congress that suspension for 6 partnerships, the United States has caused months beyond February 1, 2009, of the right serious disruptions in the availability of drugs to bring an action under title III of the Act such as cocaine and methamphetamine, re- is necessary to the national interests of the ducing the threat such drugs pose to the United States and will expedite a transition American people, while also denying profits to democracy in Cuba. to drug traffickers and terrorists. Sincerely, Our work is by no means complete—we must build on these efforts both to further George W. Bush reduce drug use and to rise to new chal- NOTE: Identical letters were sent to David R. lenges. I thank the Congress for its support Obey, chairman, and Jerry Lewis, ranking mem- and ask that it continue to support this crit- ber, House Committee on Appropriations; Daniel ical endeavor. K. Inouye, chairman, and W. Thad Cochran, rank- ing member, Senate Committee on Appropria- George W. Bush tions; Howard L. Berman, chairman, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, ranking member, House Com- The White House, mittee on Foreign Affairs; and Joseph R. Biden, January 15, 2009. Jr., chairman, and Richard G. Lugar, ranking member, Senate Committee on Foreign Rela- tions. Message to the Congress Transmitting an Extension of the Message to the Congress Russia-United States Mutual Transmitting the 2009 National Drug Fisheries Agreement Control Strategy January 15, 2009 January 15, 2009 To the Congress of the United States: To the Congress of the United States: In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens I am pleased to transmit the 2009 National Fishery Conservation and Management Act Drug Control Strategy, consistent with the (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), I transmit herewith provisions of section 201 of the Office of Na- an Agreement between the Government of tional Drug Control Policy Reauthorization the United States of America and the Gov- Act of 2006. ernment of the Russian Federation Extend- My Administration released its first Na- ing the Agreement Between the Government tional Drug Control Strategy in 2002 with of the United States and the Government of the commitment to turn the tide against a the Russian Federation on Mutual Fisheries problem that truly threatens everything that Relations of May 31, l988, with annex, as ex- is good about our country. As we prepare tended (the ‘‘Mutual Fisheries Agreement’’). to pass this noble charge to a new team of The present Agreement, which was effected leaders, we can look back with satisfaction by an exchange of notes in Moscow on March on what we have achieved together as a Na- 28, 2008, and September 19, 2008, extends tion. From community coalitions to our inter- the Mutual Fisheries Agreement until De- national partnerships, we pursued a balanced cember 31, 2013.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 15 79

In light of the importance of our fisheries dent. The first decade of this new century relationship with the Russian Federation, I has been a period of consequence, a time urge that the Congress give favorable consid- set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I eration to this Agreement at an early date. have asked for a final opportunity to share George W. Bush some thoughts on the journey that we have traveled together and the future of our Na- The White House, tion. January 15, 2009. Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tra- Message to the Senate Transmitting dition dating back to our founding, the Presi- dency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the Malta-United States Taxation the American people. Standing on the steps Convention of the Capitol will be a man whose history January 15, 2009 reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope and pride for our To the Senate of the United States: whole Nation. And I join all Americans in I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and offering best wishes to President-elect consent to ratification, the Convention Be- Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two tween the Government of the United States beautiful girls. of America and the Government of Malta for Tonight I am filled with gratitude to Vice the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the President Cheney and members of my ad- Prevention of Fiscal Evasion With Respect ministration; to Laura, who brought joy to to Taxes on Income, signed on August 8, this house and love to my life; to our wonder- 2008, at Valletta (the ‘‘proposed Conven- ful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to my par- tion’’). I also transmit for the information of ents, whose examples have provided strength the Senate the report of the Department of for a lifetime. And above all, I thank the State, which includes an Overview of the pro- American people for the trust you have given posed Convention. me. I thank you for the prayers that have The proposed Convention provides for re- lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the duced withholding rates on cross-border pay- countless acts of courage, generosity, and ments of dividends, interest, royalties, and grace that I have witnessed these past 8 other income. The proposed Convention years. contains a restrictive provision designed to This evening my thoughts return to the prevent ‘‘treaty shopping,’’ which is the inap- first night I addressed you from this house, propriate use of a tax treaty by third-country September the 11th, 2001. That morning, residents. The proposed Convention also terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst provides for the exchange of information be- attack on America since Pearl Harbor. I re- tween the competent authorities to facilitate member standing in the rubble of the World the administration of each country’s tax laws. Trade Center 3 days later, surrounded by I recommend that the Senate give early rescuers who had been working around the and favorable consideration to the proposed clock. I remember talking to brave souls who Convention and give its advice and consent charged through smoke-filled corridors at the to ratification. Pentagon and to husbands and wives whose George W. Bush loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. The White House, I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me January 15, 2009. her fallen son’s police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge. As the years passed, most Americans were Farewell Address to the Nation able to return to life much as it had been January 15, 2009 before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our Thank you. Fellow citizens: For 8 years, Nation. I vowed to do everything in my it has been my honor to serve as your Presi- power to keep us safe.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 80 Jan. 15 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Over the past 7 years, a new Department to violence and extremism. So around the of Homeland Security has been created. The world, America is promoting human liberty, military, the intelligence community, and the human rights, and human dignity. We’re FBI have been transformed. Our Nation is standing with dissidents and young democ- equipped with new tools to monitor the ter- racies, providing AIDS medicine to dying pa- rorists’ movements, freeze their finances, and tients—to bring dying patients back to life, break up their plots. And with strong allies and sparing mothers and babies from ma- at our side, we have taken the fight to the laria. And this great republic, born alone in terrorists and those who support them. Af- liberty, is leading the world toward a new ghanistan has gone from a nation where the age when freedom belongs to all nations. Taliban harbored Al Qaida and stoned For 8 years, we’ve also strived to expand women in the streets to a young democracy opportunity and hope here at home. Across that is fighting terror and encouraging girls our country, students are rising to meet high- to go to school. Iraq has gone from a brutal er standards in public schools. A new Medi- dictatorship and a sworn enemy of America care prescription drug benefit is bringing to an Arab democracy at the heart of the peace of mind to seniors and the disabled. Middle East and a friend of the United Every taxpayer pays lower income taxes. The States. addicted and suffering are finding new hope There is legitimate debate about many of through faith-based programs. Vulnerable these decisions, but there can be little debate human life is better protected. Funding for about the results. America has gone more our veterans has nearly doubled. America’s than 7 years without another terrorist attack air and water and lands are measurably clean- on our soil. This is a tribute to those who er. And the Federal bench includes wise new toil night and day to keep us safe: law en- members like Justice Sam Alito and Chief forcement officers, intelligence analysts, Justice John Roberts. homeland security and diplomatic personnel, When challenges to our prosperity and the men and women of the United States emerged, we rose to meet them. Facing the Armed Forces. prospect of a financial collapse, we took deci- Our Nation is blessed to have citizens who sive measures to safeguard our economy. volunteer to defend us in this time of danger. These are very tough times for hard-working I have cherished meeting these selfless patri- families. But the toll would be far worse if ots and their families. And America owes you we had not acted. All Americans are in this a debt of gratitude. And to all our men and together. And together, with determination women in uniform listening tonight: There and hard work, we will restore our economy has been no higher honor than serving as to the path of growth. We will show the world your Commander in Chief. once again the resilience of America’s free The battles waged by our troops are part enterprise system. of a broader struggle between two dramati- Like all who have held this office before cally different systems. Under one, a small me, I have experienced setbacks. And there band of fanatics demands total obedience to are things I would do differently if given the an oppressive ideology, condemns women to chance. Yet I’ve always acted with the best subservience, and marks unbelievers for interests of our country in mind. I have fol- murder. The other system is based on the lowed my conscience and done what I conviction that freedom is the universal gift thought was right. You may not agree with of Almighty God, and that liberty and justice some of the tough decisions I have made, light the path to peace. but I hope you can agree that I was willing This is the belief that gave birth to our to make the tough decisions. Nation. And in the long run, advancing this The decades ahead will bring more hard belief is the only practical way to protect our choices for our country, and there are some citizens. When people live in freedom, they guiding principles that shape—should shape do not willingly choose leaders who pursue our course. campaigns of terror. When people have hope While our Nation is safer than it was 7 in the future, they will not cede their lives years ago, the gravest threat to our people

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 15 81

remains another terrorist attack. Our en- charter school from the ruins of Hurricane emies are patient and determined to strike Katrina. We see it in Julio Medina, a former again. America did nothing to seek or deserve inmate who leads a faith-based program to this conflict. But we have been given solemn help prisoners returning to society. We see responsibilities, and we must meet them. We it in Staff Sergeant Aubrey McDade, who must resist complacency. We must keep our charged into an ambush in Iraq and rescued resolve. And we must never let down our three of his fellow marines. guard. We see America’s character in Bill At the same time, we must continue to Krissoff, a surgeon from California. His son engage the world with confidence and clear Nathan, a marine, gave his life in Iraq. When purpose. In the face of threats from abroad, I met Dr. Krissoff and his family, he deliv- it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning ered some surprising news. He told me he inward. But we must reject isolationism and wanted to join the Navy Medical Corps in its companion, protectionism. Retreating be- honor of his son. This good man was 60 years hind our borders would only invite danger. old, 18 years above the age limit. But his peti- In the 21st century, security and prosperity tion for a waiver was granted, and for the at home depend on the expansion of liberty past year he has trained in battlefield medi- abroad. If America does not lead the cause cine. Lieutenant Commander Krissoff could of freedom, that cause will not be led. not be here tonight because he will soon de- As we address these challenges and others ploy to Iraq, where he will help save Amer- we cannot foresee tonight, America must ica’s wounded warriors and uphold the legacy maintain our moral clarity. I’ve often spoken of his fallen son. to you about good and evil, and this has made In citizens like these, we see the best of some uncomfortable. But good and evil are our country, resilient and hopeful, caring and present in this world, and between the two strong. These virtues give me an unshakable there can be no compromise. Murdering the faith in America. We have faced danger and innocent to advance an ideology is wrong trial, and there’s more ahead. But with the every time, everywhere. Freeing people from courage of our people and confidence in our oppression and despair is eternally right. This ideals, this great Nation will never tire, never Nation must continue to speak out for justice falter, and never fail. and truth. We must always be willing to act It has been the privilege of a lifetime to in their defense and to advance the cause serve as your President. There have been of peace. good days and tough days. But every day I President Thomas Jefferson once wrote: ‘‘I have been inspired by the greatness of our like the dreams of the future better than the country and uplifted by the goodness of our history of the past.’’ As I leave the house he people. I have been blessed to represent this occupied two centuries ago, I share that opti- Nation we love. And I will always be honored mism. America is a young country, full of vi- to carry a title that means more to me than tality, constantly growing and renewing itself. any other, citizen of the United States of And even in the toughest times, we lift our America. eyes to the broad horizon ahead. And so, my fellow Americans, for the final I have confidence in the promise of Amer- time, good night. May God bless this house ica because I know the character of our peo- and our next President, and may God bless ple. This is a nation that inspires immigrants you and our wonderful country. Thank you. to risk everything for the dream of freedom. This is a nation where citizens show calm NOTE: The President spoke at 8:01 p.m. in the in times of danger and compassion in the face East Room at the White House. In his remarks, of suffering. We see examples of America’s he referred to Malia and Natasha ‘‘Sasha’’ Obama, daughters of President-elect Barack Obama; Ar- character all around us. And Laura and I lene Howard, mother of Port Authority Police of- have invited some of them to join us in the ficer George Howard, who was killed at the World White House this evening. Trade Center on September 11, 2001; Dr. An- We see America’s character in Dr. Tony thony ‘‘Tony’’ Recasner, principal, Samuel J. Recasner, a principal who opened a new Green Charter School, New Orleans, LA; and

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 82 Jan. 15 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Julio Medina, executive director, Exodus Transi- character. We go forward with confidence tional Community, New York, NY. The Office of that if we remain true to our founding prin- the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- ciples, our Nation will continue to advance guage transcript of this address. the cause of justice and remain a beacon of hope to people everywhere. Proclamation 8340—Martin Luther Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2009 President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by January 15, 2009 the Constitution and laws of the United By the President of the United States States, do hereby proclaim January 19, 2009, of America as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holi- day. I encourage all Americans to observe A Proclamation this day with appropriate civic, community, On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal and service programs and activities in honor Holiday, we recognize one of history’s most of Dr. King’s life and legacy. consequential advocates for equality and civil In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set rights, and we celebrate his powerful mes- my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the sage of justice and hope. Our Nation is better year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of because Dr. King was a man of courage and the Independence of the United States of vision who understood that love and compas- America the two hundred and thirty-third. sion will always triumph over bitterness and George W. Bush hatred. As Americans, we believe it is self-evident [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, that all men are created equal and that free- 11:15 a.m., January 21, 2009] dom is not a grant of government but a gift NOTE: This proclamation was released by the Of- from the Author of Life. Dr. King trusted fice of the Press Secretary on January 16, and it in these beliefs articulated in our founding will be published in the Federal Register on Janu- documents even when our country’s prac- ary 22. tices did not live up to its promises. He roused the conscience of a complacent Na- tion by drawing attention to the ugliness of Statement on Death of Andrew discrimination and segregation and by calling Wyeth on Americans to live up to our guarantee of January 16, 2009 equality. Our Nation has seen tremendous progress Laura and I deeply mourn the death of in redeeming the ideals of America and pro- American painter Andrew Wyeth. tecting every person’s God-given rights. The Mr. Wyeth captured America in his paint- historic election of Barack Obama as Presi- ings of his native Pennsylvania and Maine. dent of the United States reflects the real Mr. Wyeth was no stranger to White advances our Nation has made in the fight House recognitions. He received the Presi- against the bigotry that Dr. King opposed. dential Medal of Freedom in 1963. President More work remains, though, and we must Nixon sponsored an exhibition of Andrew heed Dr. King’s words that ‘‘injustice any- Wyeth’s paintings at the White House. In where is a threat to justice everywhere.’’ By 1990, my father presented Mr. Wyeth the continuing to spread his message and de- Congressional Gold Medal. And in 2007, I manding that the equal rights he fought for awarded Mr. Wyeth the National Medal of are extended to all people, we can ensure Arts in recognition of his lifetime achieve- that the dignity of every person is respected ment and contribution to American arts and and that the hope for a better tomorrow culture. reaches every community throughout the Laura and I are fortunate to have known world. Andrew Wyeth and to have had the pleasure As we observe Dr. King’s birthday, we of enjoying his work. In 2005, Andrew and commemorate his leadership and strength of his wife, Betsy, presented to the White

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 16 83

House his painting, ‘‘Jupiter,’’ which is dis- the orderly marketing of commodities in the played in the Family Sitting Room in the United States. Residence. 5. Consistent with section 201(a)(2) of the On behalf of the American people, Laura Implementation Act, Peru is to be removed and I offer our sincere condolences to Betsy from the enumeration of designated bene- and the Wyeth family. Our thoughts and ficiary developing countries eligible for the prayers are with them. benefits of the Generalized System of Pref- erences (GSP) on the date the Agreement enters into force. Further, consistent with Proclamation 8341—To Implement section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as the United States-Peru Trade amended (the ‘‘1974 Act’’) (19 U.S.C. 2483), Promotion Agreement and For I have determined that other technical and Other Purposes conforming changes to the Harmonized Tar- January 16, 2009 iff Schedule of the United States (HTS) are necessary to reflect that Peru is no longer By the President of the United States eligible to receive the benefits of the GSP. of America 6. Section 203 of the Implementation Act sets forth certain rules for determining whether a good is an originating good for the A Proclamation purpose of implementing preferential tariff 1. On April 12, 2006, the United States treatment provided for under the Agree- entered into the United States-Peru Trade ment. I have decided that it is necessary to Promotion Agreement (the ‘‘Agreement’’), include these rules of origin, together with and on June 24 and June 25, 2007, the Parties particular rules applicable to certain other to the Agreement signed a protocol amend- goods, in the HTS. ing the Agreement. Congress approved the 7. Section 203(o) of the Implementation Agreement as amended in section 101(a) of Act authorizes the President to determine the United States-Peru Trade Promotion that a fabric, yarn, or fiber is or is not avail- Agreement Implementation Act (the ‘‘Imple- able in commercial quantities in a timely mentation Act’’) (Public Law 110–138, 121 manner in the United States and Peru; to Stat. 1455) (19 U.S.C. 3805 note). establish procedures governing the request 2. Section 105(a) of the Implementation for any such determination and ensuring ap- Act authorizes the President to establish or propriate public participation in any such de- designate within the Department of Com- termination; to add any fabric, yarn, or fiber merce an office that shall be responsible for determined to be not available in commercial providing administrative assistance to panels quantities in a timely manner in the United established under chapter 21 of the Agree- States and Peru to the list in Annex 3–B of ment. the Agreement in a restricted or unrestricted 3. Section 201 of the Implementation Act quantity; to eliminate a restriction on the authorizes the President to proclaim such quantity of a fabric, yarn, or fiber within 6 modifications or continuation of any duty, months after adding the fabric, yarn, or fiber such continuation of duty-free or excise treat- to the list in Annex 3–B of the Agreement ment, or such additional duties, as the Presi- in a restricted quantity; and to restrict the dent determines to be necessary or appro- quantity of, or remove from the list in Annex priate to carry out or apply Articles 2.3, 2.5, 3–B of the Agreement, certain fabrics, yarns, 2.6, 3.3.13 and Annex 2.3 of the Agreement. or fibers. 4. Section 201(d) of the Implementation 8. Section 208 of the Implementation Act Act authorizes the President to take such ac- authorizes the President to take certain en- tion as may be necessary in implementing forcement actions relating to trade with Peru the tariff-rate quotas set forth in Appendix in textile and apparel goods. I to the Schedule of the United States to 9. Subtitle B of title III of the Implementa- Annex 2.3 of the Agreement to ensure that tion Act authorizes the President to take cer- imports of agricultural goods do not disrupt tain actions in response to a request by an

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 84 Jan. 16 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

interested party for relief from serious dam- and 2.6. The proclamation inadvertently age or actual threat thereof to a domestic omitted two modifications to the HTS nec- industry producing certain textile or apparel essary to carry out the provisions of Articles articles. 2.5 and 2.6 of the USBFTA. I have deter- 10. Executive Order 11651 of March 3, mined that technical corrections to the HTS 1972, as amended, established the Com- are necessary to provide the intended tariff mittee for the Implementation of Textile treatment under Articles 2.5 and 2.6 of the Agreements (CITA), consisting of represent- USBFTA. atives of the Departments of State, the Treas- 13. Presidential Proclamation 8331 of De- ury, Commerce, and Labor, and the Office cember 23, 2008, implemented the Domini- of the United States Trade Representative, can Republic-Central America-United States with the representative of the Department Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) for of Commerce as Chairman, to supervise the trade with Costa Rica. The proclamation im- implementation of textile trade agreements. plemented, pursuant to section 201 of the Consistent with section 301 of title 3, United Dominican Republic-Central America- States Code, when carrying out functions United States Free Trade Agreement Imple- vested in the President by statute and as- mentation Act (the ‘‘CAFTA-DR Act’’) (Pub- signed by the President to CITA, the officials lic Law 109–53, 119 Stat. 467) (19 U.S.C. collectively exercising those functions are all 4031), the duty treatment necessary to carry to be officers required to be appointed by out or apply Articles 3.3 and 3.27, and An- the President with the advice and consent nexes 3.3 (including the schedule of United of the Senate. States duty reductions with respect to origi- 11. Presidential Proclamation 7971 of De- nating goods) and 3.27, of the CAFTA-DR. cember 22, 2005, implemented the United I have determined that technical corrections States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement to the HTS are necessary to provide the in- (USMFTA). The proclamation implemented, tended duty treatment under the CAFTA- pursuant to section 201 of the United States- DR. Morocco Free Trade Agreement Implemen- 14. Section 604 of the 1974 Act, as amend- tation Act (the ‘‘USMFTA Act’’) (Public Law ed, authorizes the President to embody in 108–302, 118 Stat. 1103) (19 U.S.C. 3805 the HTS the substance of relevant provisions note), the staged reductions in rates of duty of that Act, or other Acts affecting import that I determined to be necessary or appro- treatment, and of actions taken thereunder, priate to carry out or apply certain provisions including the removal, modification, continu- of the USMFTA, including Articles 2.5 and ance, or imposition of any rate of duty or 2.6. The proclamation inadvertently omitted other import restriction. two modifications to the HTS necessary to Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, carry out the provisions of Articles 2.5 and President of the United States of America, 2.6 of the USMFTA. I have determined that acting under the authority vested in me by technical corrections to the HTS are nec- the Constitution and the laws of the United essary to provide the intended tariff treat- States of America, including but not limited ment under Articles 2.5 and 2.6 of the to section 604 of the 1974 Act; sections USMFTA. 105(a), 201, 203, 208, and subtitle B of title 12. Presidential Proclamation 8039 of July III of the Implementation Act; and section 27, 2006, implemented the United States- 301 of title 3, United States Code, and having Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (USBFTA). made the determination under section The proclamation implemented, pursuant to 101(b) of the Implementation Act necessary section 201 of the United State-Bahrain Free for the exchange of notes, do hereby pro- Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the claim: ‘‘USBFTA Act’’) (Public Law 109–169, 119 (1) In order to provide generally for the Stat. 3581), the staged reductions in rates of preferential tariff treatment being accorded duty that I determined to be necessary or under the Agreement, to set forth rules for appropriate to carry out or apply certain pro- determining whether goods imported into visions of the USBFTA, including Articles 2.5 the customs territory of the United States are

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 16 85

eligible for preferential tariff treatment This action is set forth in Annex I of Publica- under the Agreement, to provide certain tion 4058. other treatment to originating goods of Peru (6) The CITA is authorized to exercise my for the purposes of the Agreement, to pro- authority under section 203(o) of the Imple- vide tariff-rate quotas with respect to certain mentation Act to determine that a fabric, originating goods of Peru, to reflect Peru’s yarn, or fiber is or is not available in commer- removal from the enumeration of designated cial quantities in a timely manner in the beneficiary developing countries for pur- United States and Peru; to establish proce- poses of the GSP, and to make technical and dures governing the request for any such de- conforming changes in the general notes to termination and ensuring appropriate public the HTS, the HTS is modified as set forth participation in any such determination; to in Annex I of Publication 4058 of the United add any fabric, yarn, or fiber determined to States International Trade Commission, enti- be not available in commercial quantities in tled, ‘‘Modifications to the Harmonized Tar- a timely manner in the United States and iff Schedule of the United States to Imple- Peru to the list in Annex 3–B of the Agree- ment the United States-Peru Trade Pro- ment in a restricted or unrestricted quantity; motion Agreement’’, which is incorporated to eliminate a restriction on the quantity of by reference into this proclamation. a fabric, yarn, or fiber within 6 months after (2) In order to implement the initial stage adding the fabric, yarn, or fiber to the list of duty elimination provided for in the in Annex 3–B of the Agreement in a re- Agreement and to provide for future staged stricted quantity; and to restrict the quantity reductions in duties for originating goods of of, or remove from the list in Annex 3–B of Peru for purposes of the Agreement, the the Agreement, certain fabrics, yarns, or fi- HTS is modified as provided in Annex II of bers. Publication 4058, effective on the dates spec- (7) The CITA is authorized to exercise my ified in the relevant sections of such publica- authority under section 208 of the Imple- tion and on any subsequent dates set forth mentation Act to exclude certain textile and for such duty reductions in that publication. apparel goods from the customs territory of the United States; to determine whether an (3) The amendments to the HTS made by enterprise’s production of, and capability to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this proclamation produce, goods are consistent with state- shall be effective with respect to goods en- ments by the enterprise; to find that an en- tered, or withdrawn from warehouse for con- terprise has knowingly or willfully engaged sumption, on or after the relevant dates indi- in circumvention; and to deny preferential cated in Annex II to Publication 4058. tariff treatment to textile and apparel goods. (4) The Secretary of Commerce is author- (8) The CITA is authorized to exercise the ized to exercise my authority under section functions of the President under subtitle B 105(a) of the Implementation Act to establish of title III of the Implementation Act to re- or designate an office within the Department view requests, and to determine whether to of Commerce to carry out the functions set commence consideration of such requests; to forth in that section. cause to be published in the Federal Register (5) The United States Trade Representa- a notice of commencement of consideration tive (USTR) is authorized to exercise my au- of a request and notice seeking public com- thority under section 201(d) of the Imple- ment; to determine whether imports of a Pe- mentation Act to take such action as may be ruvian textile or apparel article are causing necessary in implementing the tariff-rate serious damage, or actual threat thereof, to quotas set forth in Appendix I to the Sched- a domestic industry producing an article that ule of the United States to Annex 2.3 of the is like, or directly competitive with, the im- Agreement to ensure that imports of agricul- ported article; and to provide relief from im- tural goods do not disrupt the orderly mar- ports of an article that is the subject of such keting of commodities in the United States. a determination.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 86 Jan. 16 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

(9) The CITA, after consultation with the NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the Commissioner of Customs (the ‘‘Commis- Federal Register on January 22. sioner’’), is authorized to consult with rep- resentatives of Peru for the purpose of identi- fying particular textile or apparel goods of Proclamation 8342—To Suspend Peru that are mutually agreed to be Entry as Immigrants and handloomed fabrics, handmade goods made Nonimmigrants of Foreign of such handloomed fabrics, folklore goods, Government Officials Responsible or handmade goods that substantially incor- for Failing To Combat Trafficking in porate a historical or traditional regional de- Persons sign or motif, as provided in Article 3.3.12 January 16, 2009 of the Agreement. The Commissioner shall take actions as directed by the CITA to carry By the President of the United States out any such determination. of America (10) The USTR is authorized to fulfill my obligations under section 104 of the Imple- A Proclamation mentation Act to obtain advice from the ap- In order to foster greater resolve to ad- propriate advisory committees and the dress trafficking in persons (TIP), specifically United States International Trade Commis- in punishing acts of trafficking and providing sion on the proposed implementation of an protections to the victims of these crimes, action by presidential proclamation; to sub- consistent with the Trafficking Victims Pro- mit a report on such proposed action to the tection Act of 2000, as amended (the ‘‘Act’’) appropriate congressional committees; and (22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), it is in the interests to consult with those congressional commit- of the United States to restrict the inter- tees regarding the proposed action. national travel and to suspend entry into the (11) The USTR is authorized to modify United States, as immigrants or non- U.S. note 29 to subchapter XXII of chapter immigrants, of certain senior government of- 98 of the HTS in a notice published in the ficials responsible for domestic law enforce- Federal Register to reflect modifications pur- ment, justice, or labor affairs who have im- suant to paragraph (6) of this proclamation peded their governments’ antitrafficking ef- by the CITA to the list of fabrics, yarns, or forts, have failed to implement their govern- fibers in Annex 3–B of the Agreement. ments’ antitrafficking laws and policies, or (12) In order to make technical corrections who otherwise bear responsibility for their necessary to provide the intended duty treat- governments’ failures to take steps recog- ment under Articles 2.5 and 2.6 of the nized internationally as appropriate to com- USMFTA, Articles 2.5 and 2.6 of the bat trafficking in persons, and whose govern- USBFTA, and the CAFTA-DR, the HTS is ments have been ranked more than once as modified as set forth in Annex III of Publica- Tier 3 countries, which represent the worst tion 4058. anti-TIP performers, in the Department of (13) All provisions of previous proclama- State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report, tions and Executive Orders that are incon- and for which I have made a determination sistent with the actions taken in this procla- pursuant to section 110(d)(1)–(2) or (4) of mation are superseded to the extent of such the Act. The Act reflects international inconsistency. antitrafficking standards that guide efforts to In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set eradicate this modern-day form of slavery my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the around the world. year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, the Independence of the United States of President of the United States of America, America the two hundred and thirty-third. by virtue of the authority vested in me by George W. Bush the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 212(f) of the Immi- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, gration and Nationality Act of 1952, 8 U.S.C. 2:30 p.m., January 21, 2009] 1182(f), and section 301 of title 3, United

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 16 87

States Code, hereby find that the unre- time as the Secretary of State determines stricted immigrant and nonimmigrant entry that it is no longer necessary and should be into the United States of persons described terminated, either in whole or in part. Any in section 1 of this proclamation would, ex- such determination by the Secretary of State cept as provided for in sections 2 and 3 of shall be published in the Federal Register. this proclamation, be detrimental to the in- Sec. 7. This proclamation is not intended terests of the United States. to, and does not, create any right, benefit, I therefore hereby proclaim that: or privilege, substantive or procedural, en- Section 1. The entry into the United forceable at law or in equity by any party States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of against the United States, its departments, the following aliens is hereby suspended: agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its of- (a) Senior government officials—defined ficers or employees, or any other person. as the heads of ministries or agencies and In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set officials occupying positions within the two my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the bureaucratic levels below those top posi- year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of tions—responsible for domestic law enforce- the Independence of the United States of ment, justice, or labor affairs who have im- America the two hundred and thirty-third. peded their governments’ antitrafficking ef- forts, have failed to implement their govern- George W. Bush ments’ antitrafficking laws and policies, or who otherwise bear responsibility for their [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, governments’ failures to take steps recog- 11:15 a.m., January 21, 2009] nized internationally as appropriate to com- bat trafficking in persons, and who are mem- NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the bers of governments for which I have made Federal Register on January 22. a determination pursuant to section 110(d)(1)–(2) or (4) of the Act, in the current year and at least once in the preceding 3 Executive Order 13488—Granting years; Reciprocity on Excepted Service and (b) The spouses of persons described in Federal Contractor Employee subsection (a) of this section. Fitness and Reinvestigating Sec. 2. Section 1 of this proclamation shall Individuals in Positions of Public not apply with respect to any person other- Trust wise covered by section 1 where entry of such January 16, 2009 person would not be contrary to the interest of the United States. By the authority vested in me as President Sec. 3. Persons covered by sections 1 or by the Constitution and the laws of the 2 of this proclamation shall be identified by United States of America, including sections the Secretary of State or the Secretary’s des- 1104(a)(1), 3301, and 7301 of title 5, United ignee, in his or her sole discretion, pursuant States Code, and in order to simplify and to such procedures as the Secretary may es- streamline the system of Federal Govern- tablish under section 5 of this proclamation. ment personnel investigative and adjudica- Sec. 4. Nothing in this proclamation shall tive processes to make them more efficient be construed to derogate from United States and effective, it is hereby ordered as follows: Government obligations under applicable Section 1. Policy. (a) When agencies de- international agreements. termine the fitness of individuals to perform Sec. 5. The Secretary of State shall imple- work as employees in the excepted service ment this proclamation pursuant to such pro- or as contractor employees, prior favorable cedures as the Secretary, in consultation with fitness or suitability determinations should be the Secretary of Homeland Security, may es- granted reciprocal recognition, to the extent tablish. practicable. Sec. 6. This proclamation is effective im- (b) It is necessary to reinvestigate individ- mediately. It shall remain in effect until such uals in positions of public trust in order to

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 88 Jan. 16 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

ensure that they remain suitable for contin- Sec. 3. Agency Authority to Set Fitness ued employment. Criteria and Determine Equivalency. The Sec. 2. Definitions. For the purposes of authority to establish criteria for making fit- this order: ness determinations remains within the dis- (a) ‘‘Agency’’ means an executive agency cretion of the agency head. Agency heads as defined in section 105 of title 5, United also have the discretion to determine wheth- States Code, but does not include the Gov- er their criteria are equivalent to suitability ernment Accountability Office. standards established by the Office of Per- (b) ‘‘Contractor employee’’ means an indi- sonnel Management. Agency heads shall take vidual who performs work for or on behalf into account Office of Personnel Manage- of any agency under a contract and who, in ment guidance when exercising this discre- order to perform the work specified under tion. the contract, will require access to space, in- Sec. 4. Reciprocal Recognition of Fitness formation, information technology systems, and Suitability Determinations. (a) Except as staff, or other assets of the Federal Govern- provided by subsection (b) of this section, ment. Such contracts, include, but are not agencies making fitness determinations shall limited to: grant reciprocal recognition to a prior favor- (i) personal services contracts; able fitness or suitability determination (ii) contracts between any non-Federal when: entity and any agency; and (i) the gaining agency uses criteria for (iii) sub-contracts between any non-Fed- making fitness determinations equiva- eral entity and another non-Federal lent to suitability standards estab- entity to perform work related to the lished by the Office of Personnel primary contract with the agency. Management; (ii) the prior favorable fitness or suit- (c) ‘‘Excepted service’’ has the meaning ability determination was based on provided in section 2103 of title 5, United criteria equivalent to suitability stand- States Code, but does not include those posi- ards established by the Office of Per- tions in any element of the intelligence com- sonnel Management; and munity as defined in the National Security (iii) the individual has had no break in em- Act of 1947, as amended, to the extent they ployment since the favorable deter- are not otherwise subject to Office of Per- mination was made. sonnel Management appointing authorities. (b) Exceptions to Reciprocal Recognition. (d) ‘‘Fitness’’ is the level of character and A gaining agency is not required to grant re- conduct determined necessary for an indi- ciprocal recognition to a prior favorable fit- vidual to perform work for or on behalf of ness or suitability determination when: a Federal agency as an employee in the ex- (i) the new position requires a higher cepted service (other than a position subject level of investigation than previously to suitability) or as a contractor employee. conducted for that individual; (e) ‘‘Fitness determination’’ means a deci- (ii) an agency obtains new information sion by an agency that an individual has or that calls into question the individ- does not have the required level of character ual’s fitness based on character or and conduct necessary to perform work for conduct; or or on behalf of a Federal agency as an em- (iii) the individual’s investigative record ployee in the excepted service (other than shows conduct that is incompatible a position subject to suitability) or as a con- with the core duties of the new posi- tractor employee. A favorable fitness deter- tion. mination is not a decision to appoint or con- Sec. 5. Reinvestigation of Individuals in tract with an individual. Positions of Public Trust. Individuals in posi- (f) ‘‘Position of Public Trust’’ has the tions of public trust shall be subject to re- meaning provided in 5 CFR Part 731. investigation under standards (including but (g) ‘‘Suitability’’ has the meaning and cov- not limited to the frequency of such reinves- erage provided in CFR Part 731. tigation) as determined by the Director of

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 / Jan. 16 89

the Office of Personnel Management, to en- tractor employees beginning 90 days from sure their suitability for continued employ- the effective date of this order. ment. George W. Bush Sec. 6. Responsibilities. (a) An agency shall report to the Office of Personnel Manage- The White House, ment the nature and results of the back- January 16, 2009. ground investigation and fitness determina- tion (or later changes to that determination) [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, made on an individual, to the extent con- 2:30 p.m., January 21, 2009] sistent with law. NOTE: This Executive order will be published in (b) The Director of the Office of Per- the Federal Register on January 22. sonnel Management is delegated authority to implement this order, including the authority to issue regulations and guidance governing Memorandum on Eligibility of the suitability, or guidance related to fitness, as Southern African Development the Director determines appropriate. Community To Receive Defense Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in Articles and Defense Services under this order shall be construed to impair or oth- the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, erwise affect: as Amended, and the Arms Export (i) authority granted by law to a depart- Control Act, as Amended ment or agency, or the head thereof; January 16, 2009 or (ii) functions of the Director of the Office Presidential Determination No. 2009–13 of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, or legisla- Memorandum for the Secretary of State tive proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented con- Subject: Eligibility of the Southern African sistent with applicable law and subject to the Development Community to Receive Defense Articles and Defense Services under availability of appropriations. the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as (c) This order shall not suspend, impede, Amended, and the Arms Export Control Act, or otherwise affect Executive Order 10450 as Amended of April 27, 1953, as amended, or Executive Order 13467 of June 30, 2008; Pursuant to the authority vested in me by (d) This order is intended only to improve the Constitution and the laws of the United the internal management of the executive States, including section 503(a) of the For- eign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and branch and is not intended to, and does not, section 3(a)(1) of the Arms Export Control create any right or benefit, substantive or Act, as amended, I hereby find that the fur- procedural, enforceable at law or in equity nishing of defense articles and defense serv- by any party against the United States, its ices to the Southern African Development agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its of- Community will strengthen the security of ficers, employees or agents, or any other per- the United States and promote world peace. son. You are authorized and directed to trans- Sec. 3. Effective Date and Applicability. mit this determination to the Congress and This order is effective upon issuance and is to arrange for its publication in the Federal applicable to individuals newly appointed to Register. excepted service positions or hired as con- George W. Bush

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 90 Jan. 16 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Memorandum on Waiving the Memorandum on Designation of Prohibition on the Use of Economic Officers of To Act as Administrator of Support Funds with Respect to the National Aeronautics and Space Various Parties to the Rome Statute Administration Establishing the International January 16, 2009 Criminal Court Memorandum for the Administrator of the January 16, 2009 National Aeronautics and Space Presidential Determination No. 2009–14 Administration Subject: Designation of Officers of the Memorandum for the Secretary of State National Aeronautics and Space Administration To Act as Administrator Subject: Waiving the Prohibition on the Use By the authority vested in me as President of Economic Support Funds with Respect to by the Constitution and the laws of the Various Parties to the Rome Statute United States of America, including the Fed- Establishing the International Criminal eral Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, 5 U.S.C. Court 3345 et seq., it is hereby ordered that: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by Section 1. Order of Succession.Subject to the Constitution and laws of the United the provisions of section 2 of this memo- States, including section 671(b) of the De- randum, the following officials of the Na- partment of State, Foreign Operations, and tional Aeronautics and Space Administration Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 (NASA), in the order listed, shall act as and (Division J, Public Law 110–161), I hereby: perform the functions and duties of the office of the Administrator of NASA (Adminis- • determine and report that it is impor- trator), during any period in which both the tant to the national interests of the Administrator and Deputy Administrator of United States to waive the prohibition NASA (Deputy Administrator) have died, re- of aforementioned section 671(a) with signed, or otherwise become unable to per- respect to Barbados, Bolivia, Costa form the functions and duties of the office Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Kenya, Mali, of Administrator, until such time as the Ad- Mexico, Namibia, Niger, Paraguay, ministrator or Deputy Administrator is able Peru, Samoa, South Africa, St. Vincent to perform the functions and duties of that and the Grenadines, Tanzania, and office: Trinidad and Tobago; and (a) Associate Administrator; • waive the prohibition of aforemen- (b) Chief of Staff to the NASA Adminis- tioned section 671(a) with respect to trator; these countries. (c) Director for Johnson Space Flight Center; You are authorized and directed to report (d) Director for Kennedy Space Flight this determination to the Congress and to ar- Center; and range for its publication in the Federal Reg- (e) Director for Marshall Space Flight ister. Center. Sec. 2. Exceptions.(a) No individual who George W. Bush is serving in an office listed in section 1 in

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 91

Section 1. Order of Succession.Subject to an acting capacity, by virtue of so serving, the provisions of section 2 of this memo- shall act as Administrator pursuant to this randum, the following officials of the Over- memorandum. seas Private Investment Corporation, in the (b) No individual listed in section 1 shall order listed, shall act as and perform the act as Administrator unless that individual is functions and duties of the office of the Presi- otherwise eligible to so serve under the Fed- dent of the Overseas Private Investment Cor- eral Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. poration (POPIC), during any period in (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this which the POPIC has died, resigned, or oth- memorandum, the President retains discre- erwise become unable to perform the func- tion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart tions and duties of the office of POPIC, until from this memorandum in designating an such time as the POPIC is able to perform acting Administrator. the functions and duties of that office: Sec. 3. This memorandum is intended to (a) Executive Vice President; improve the internal management of the ex- (b) Vice President and General Counsel; ecutive branch and is not intended to, and (c) Vice President and Chief Financial does not, create any right or benefit, sub- Officer; stantive or procedural, enforceable at law or (d) Deputy General Counsel; and in equity by any party against the United (e) Director of Operations. States, it agencies, instrumentalities, or enti- Sec. 2. Exceptions. ties, its officers, employees, or agents, or any (a) No individual who is serving in an of- other person. fice listed in section 1 in an acting capacity, Sec. 4. You are authorized and directed by virtue of so serving, shall act as POPIC to publish this memorandum in the Federal pursuant to this memorandum. Register. (b) No individual listed in section 1 shall act as POPIC unless that individual is other- George W. Bush wise eligible to so serve under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this 11:45 a.m., January 21, 2009] memorandum, the President retains discre- tion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart NOTE: This proclamation was released by the Of- from this memorandum in designating an fice of the Press Secretary on January 16, and it acting POPIC. will be published in the Federal Register on Janu- ary 22. Sec. 3. This memorandum is intended to improve the internal management of the ex- ecutive branch and is not intended to, and Memorandum on Designation of does not, create any right or benefit, sub- Officers To Act as President of the stantive or procedural, enforceable at law or Overseas Private Investment in equity by any party against the United Corporation States, it agencies, instrumentalities, or enti- ties, its officers, employees, or agents, or any January 16, 2009 other person. Memorandum for the President of the Sec. 4. You are authorized and directed Overseas Private Investment Corporation to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register. Subject: Designation of Officers to Act as President of the Overseas Private Investment George W. Bush Corporation [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, By the authority vested in me as President 11:45 a.m., January 21, 2009] by the Constitution and the laws of the NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- United States of America, including the Fed- fice of the Press Secretary on January 16, and it eral Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, 5 U.S.C. will be published in the Federal Register on Janu- 3345 et seq., it is hereby ordered that: ary 22.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST 92 Administration of George W. Bush, 2009

Digest of Other area struck by a severe winter storm from White House Announcements December 11–18. January 15 The following list includes the President’s public In the morning, the President had an intel- schedule and other items of general interest an- ligence briefing. Later, at the State Depart- nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and ment, he met with Foreign Service officers not included elsewhere in this issue. and State Department employees.

January 10 January 16 In the morning, the President had an intel- In the morning, the President had an intel- ligence briefing. Later, he and Mrs. Bush ligence briefing. traveled to Norfolk, VA. In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. In the afternoon, the President traveled to Bush traveled to Camp David, MD. Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, VA, The President announced his intention to where he met with U.S. Navy SEAL teams. designate Edwin Smiley Kneedler as Acting Later, he traveled to Andrews Air Force Solicitor General at the Department of Jus- Base, MD, where, in the Air Force One tice. Hangar, he visited the Presidential Airlift Group. He then returned to Washington, DC. January 12 Nominations In the morning, the President had an intel- Submitted to the Senate ligence briefing. The President announced his intention to appoint Robin Hayes, Susan C. Schwab, and NOTE: No nominations were submitted to the Richard J. Tubb as members of the Board Senate during the period covered by this issue. of Visitors to the U.S. Air Force Academy. The President announced his intention to designate Patrick Ward as Acting Director of the Office of National Drug Control Pol- Checklist icy. of White House Press Releases January 13 In the morning, the President had an intel- The following list contains releases of the Office ligence briefing. of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as The President declared an emergency in items nor covered by entries in the Digest of the District of Columbia and ordered Fed- Other White House Announcements. eral aid to supplement the District’s response efforts in support of the 56th Presidential In- auguration. Released January 10 Statement by the Press Secretary: Visit by January 14 President Felipe Calderon of Mexico In the morning, the President had an intel- ligence briefing. Released January 13 In the afternoon, in the East Room, the Transcript of a press briefing by Deputy President met with and made remarks to Press Secretary Tony Fratto family members of U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Statement by the Press Secretary on emer- The President declared a major disaster in gency assistance to the District of Columbia Vermont and ordered Federal aid to supple- in support of the 56th Presidential Inaugura- ment State and local recovery efforts in the tion

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W. Bush, 2009 93

Released January 14 Released January 16 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- retary Dana Perino retary Dana Perino Statement by the Press Secretary on disaster Statement by the Press Secretary announcing assistance to Vermont that the President signed S.J. Res. 3

Released January 15

Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Acts Approved retary Dana Perino and Counselor to the by the President President Edward W. Gillespie

Excerpts of the President’s farewell address Approved January 16 to the Nation Advance text of the President’s farewell ad- S.J. Res. 3 / Public Law 111–1 dress to the Nation Ensuring that the compensation and other emoluments attached to the office of Sec- Fact sheet: President Bush: Farewell Ad- retary of the Interior are those which were dress To The Nation in effect on January 1, 2005

VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:40 Jan 22, 2009 Jkt 217250 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P02JAT4.016 P02JAT4 erowe on PROD1PC63 with PRESDOCST