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July 17 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004

they are preparing themselves to realize the House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July bright future our Nation offers each of 17. The transcript was made available by the them. Office of the Press Secretary on July 16 but Thank you for listening. was embargoed for release until the broad- cast. The Office of the Press Secretary also NOTE: The address was recorded at 7:16 a.m. released a Spanish language transcript of this on July 16 in the Cabinet Room at the White address.

Remarks Following Discussions With President Ricardo Lagos of and an Exchange With Reporters July 19, 2004

President Bush. We’ll answer a couple And at the same time I think, as Presi- of questions. First, I’ll say something; the dent Bush have say, our free trade agree- President will say something. I’ll call upon ment has been working in the right direc- an American correspondent; he’ll call upon tion. And we’re extremely happy to see a Chilean correspondent; and we’ll do this that. Later on, we would like also to see two times. what do we have in the next APEC meet- First, bienvenidos. I’m glad you’re here, ing in November and what are the trade Mr. President. Ricardo Lagos is a very wise discussions in the Doha round next man, who is—understands the politics of month—next week. South America very well and is very world- ly, and so I always enjoy visiting with him. And I will say that so that from the point He’s a man of good advice and sound coun- of the view of the region, President Bush sel. And so I’m looking to our con- has been able to have a lot of commitments tinued discussions over lunch. to the region, and we were discussing also One of the things that has worked well our own commitment in Chile with regard is the free trade agreement with Chile, and to Haiti, what we are doing in the region. we talked about that today. It turns out, And I think that it’s very important, as Chilean exports to the are President Bush has told us, in a sense, that up, but United States exports to Chile are the U.S. is going to continue backing, help- up as well. And that’s a positive develop- ing the Haitian people. In Spanish? ment. It’s good for the people of Chile, President Bush. Si. and it’s good for the people of the United States. And our relations are strong, and they’re important relations. And so, Mr. President, welcome. I’m [At this point, President Lagos spoke in glad you’re here. I’m looking forward to Spanish, and no translation was provided.] our continued discussions. President Lagos. Thank you. Well, let me President Bush. Pues, la primera tell you that I am extremely happy to be pregunta de el hombre de AP. here again, to be able to discuss and talk President Lagos. I will translate. [Laugh- with President Bush about what are the ter] major areas in the region. Also, we were update on the later developments in the Q. Thank you. Middle East. President Bush. That would be you.

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National Commission on Terrorist Attacks President Bush. Well, I think the people Upon the United States Recommendations of Chile must know that there will be a on Intelligence full investigation. It’s important for the facts Q. Thank you. The Acting Director of to be en la mesa, as we say, on the table, the CIA says he sees no need to create and—so that we know what course of ac- a Cabinet-level National Director of Intel- tion may or may not be needed. And that’s ligence. Does he speak for you and your what you’re seeing. You’re seeing a trans- administration when he says that, Mr. parent society dealing with allegations and/ President? And speaking of the CIA, can or—and the Riggs Bank is being fully inves- you give us an update on when you expect tigated, and they’ll be investigated in a very to name a new Director? open way. President Bush. The 9/11 Commission And the President brought this issue up. will issue a report this week and, evidently, Of course, he’s concerned about it as well. will lay out recommendations for reform He wants to know the truth. And I appre- of the intelligence services of the United ciate that, and we’ll make sure that people States. I look forward to seeing those rec- do know the truth. And that’s what you’re ommendations. They share the same de- seeing. You’re beginning to see the process sires I share, which is to make sure that of truth-finding. the President and the Congress gets the Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters]. best possible intelligence. Q. Sir—— I have spoken about the reforms. Some President Bush. Esteban. of the reforms, I think, are necessary: more Iran human intelligence; better ability to listen Q. Thank you. We’re hearing now that or to see things; and better coordination eight of the September 11th hijackers amongst the variety of intelligence gath- passed through Iran before attacking the ering services. And so we’ll look at all their United States. Do you think there’s a Sep- recommendations, and I will comment tember 11th link to Iran? upon that, having studied what they say. President Bush. Well, listen, we want— of course, we want to know all the facts. Director of Central Intelligence Nomination Acting Director McLaughlin said there was Q. And the new Director appointment? no direct connection between Iran and the President Bush. Still thinking about it. attacks of September the 11th. We will Let you know when it’s going to happen. continue to look and see if the Iranians I wouldn’t—I know there’s intense specula- were involved. I have long expressed my tion over time; people get their hopes built concerns about Iran. After all, it’s a totali- up. And still—still taking a good, hard look. tarian society where free people are not allowed to exercise their rights as human Riggs Bank Investigation beings. Q. Mr. President—— I have made it clear that if the Iranians President Bush. Yes. would like to have better relations with the Q. ——from Chile. We’ve been hearing United States, there are some things they a lot in the past few days about the Riggs must do. For example, they’re harboring investigation that found out hidden ac- Al Qaida leadership there, and we’ve asked counts of Senator Pinochet. I understand that they be turned over to their respective two Senators that are working in that com- countries. Secondly, they’ve got a nuclear mittee are asking the Justice Department weapons program that they need to dis- to take legal actions. Is that possible? What mantle. We’re working with other countries consequences can that have? to encourage them to do so. Thirdly,

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they’ve got to stop funding terrorist organi- if we can’t set priorities for the people of zations such as Hizballah that create great Haiti * so they have a chance to live a good dangers in parts of the world. life. No, this has been an issue that I have And the second part of the question was? been concerned about ever since I’ve been the President. As to direct connections with Chile’s Role in the Referendum September the 11th, we’re digging into the President Lagos. Venezuela. facts to determine if there was one. Q. About political referendum—— Chile’s Role in Haiti President Bush. Oh, Venezuela, yes, again, this is a—Chile plays a very impor- Q. ——from Chile. What do you think tant role in our neighborhood, and the ref- about the role that Chile is playing in the erendum in Venezuela is an important ref- reconstruction in Haiti and as observer of erendum. And the referendum must be the political referendum in Venezuela? conducted in a honest and open way. And President Bush. Listen, the Chilean re- sponse in Haiti was rapid and important. the influence of President Lagos is a very President Lagos is a decisive man, and important influence, because he has made when he saw a problem, he went to the it clear that for the credibility of the cur- people of Chile and explained the problem rent Government, they must welcome ob- and responded. And I want to thank him servers, they must encourage observers, and for that. It was—Chile is making a very they must not interfere with the process, important contribution to the stability and, so that the people of Venezuela have a hopefully, the prosperity of Haiti. And we chance to express their opinion without fear spent a lot of time talking about, today, of reprisal. about how the United States can continue And so again, I want to thank my friend to not only stay involved but to help. And Ricardo Lagos for playing a very construc- I find it very interesting that the United tive role. Nations is sending a very distinguished cit- Thank you all for coming. izen from Chile to Haiti to help stabilize that country so the people of Haiti have NOTE: The President spoke at 12:01 p.m. in a chance to live a hopeful life. the Oval Office at the White House. In his And that’s going to require security remarks, he referred to John E. McLaughlin, measures, and as the President men- Acting Director of Central Intelligence; and tioned—I think you said in Spanish— Juan Gabriel Valdes, U.N. Special Rep- there’s a donors conference tomorrow—it’s resentative and head of the U.N. Mission in a very important conference, and that we Haiti. A reporter referred to Chilean Senator will be attending, along with Chile, to see , former .

Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad bin Badawi of Malaysia July 19, 2004

President Bush. We’ll have just two state- Prime Minister Abdullah. Thank you very ments. Mr. Prime Minister, welcome. much.

* White House correction.

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