Remarks Following Discussions with President Jacques Chirac of France and an Exchange with Reporters in Brussels February 21, 2005

Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / Feb. 21

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Remarks Following Discussions With President Jacques Chirac of France and an Exchange With Reporters in Brussels February 21, 2005

President Bush. It’s my honor to be join- ghanistan. I’m thinking of the Balkans, of ing Jacques Chirac for dinner. I thank you course, but I’m thinking also of what we’re for coming, sir. I’ve really been looking for- doing in Haiti and in Africa. I’m thinking ward to this moment. also of our excellent cooperation over the Every time I meet with Jacques, he’s got tragedy in Asia; I’m talking about the tsu- good advice. And I’m looking forward to nami here. And let me take this oppor- listening to you. We’ve got a lot of issues tunity to thank the President for all the to talk about: Middle Eastern peace, Leb- help that was extended to our military by anon, Iran, helping to feed the hungry, and the American military, for instance, the working together to help spread medicines making available to our military of Amer- necessary to cure illness. ican helicopters, which made our work that So, Mr. President, thank you very much much easier. for your—coming by for dinner, and thank So we do share many, many ideals and you for your time. values. We have many things in common. President Chirac. Thank you. It’s, of For instance, we, together, are struggling course, a great pleasure. It always is great against the scourge of weapons of mass de- pleasure to meet with President Bush. And struction and terrorism. And we adopted— let me take this opportunity to thank him we have the same approach to the situation for his very warm welcome to me today which is prevailing in Lebanon, especially as always. following the murder of former Prime Min- Now, President Bush and I have always ister Hariri, who, of course, was a man shared very—always had very warm rela- who enshrined the ideals of democracy, tions, which in fact translate, to a certain independence, and liberty of that country. extent, of relations—of warm relations that Therefore, I am looking forward to a have always been characterized—the links very constructive discussion, and I welcome between our countries and the relations, this new opportunity to meet with the be they bilateral or transatlantic ones, President and in a broader context, which which have always been excellent between is that of the continuing dialog, ongoing France and the United States. dialog between the United States and the Indeed, we have struggled for some two rest of Europe. centuries, 200 years now, to uphold and President Bush. Tom [Tom Raum, Asso- keep alive these values which we share, ciated Press]. and which our people share and hold very dear to their hearts, and which we are very Russia attached to. Q. For both Presidents: You talked about We are present together, that is to say Russia, Mr. President, in your speech. France and the United States, in some of What practical things can you do to pres- the world’s hotspots. I’m thinking of Af- sure Russia to go back to a path towards

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democracy? And should you, for instance, tions are indeed excellent. But they have make membership in the WTO contingent been excellent for over 200 years now, be- on Russia renewing its commitment to de- cause—why do I say that? Because they mocracy? For both Presidents, please. are based upon common values, common President Bush. Part of the WTO re- values that we share. And these things don’t quirements are that there be an open mar- change overnight, with the wave of a wand. ket, that there be a liberal economy. And Now, of course, that doesn’t mean that open markets and liberal economies tend because we share common values we to attract countries that are open to the don’t—we necessarily agree on everything voices of their people. all the time. Of course, we can have our I look forward to seeing Vladimir Putin differences, or our divergence of opinion. in 2 days. I’ve got a good relationship with Recently, this was the case. We didn’t share Vladimir; I intend to keep it that way. But the same view over Iraq. But this in no as well, I intend to remind him that if way affects or in no way undermines the his interests lie West, that we share values, bedrock of our relations, namely, our com- and that we—and those values are impor- mon values and our common vision. And tant. They’re not only important for people I repeat what I said earlier on, namely, that live within Russia; they’re important that I feel it’s very important that within to have good relations with the West. the broader context of U.S.-EU relations, France-U.S. Relations this relationship should continue to be ce- mented, broadened, and strengthened. Q. The first question to President Chirac. President Bush. This is my first dinner, You have said, sir, yourself, that relations since I’ve been reelected, on European soil, have always been excellent between France and it’s with Jacques Chirac, and that ought and the United States. We get the sense to say something. It ought to say how im- that in recent weeks they have become portant this relationship is for me, person- even better. They have become warmer ally, and how important this relationship and that there’s a veritable new honey- is for my country. moon, as it were, taking place. And to you, President Bush, may I ask the following question: If, indeed, relations have improved, if indeed they are better NOTE: The President spoke at 7:13 p.m. in between France and the United States, are the Ambassador’s residence at the U.S. Em- they good enough as yet for that to warrant bassy. In his remarks, he referred to Presi- an invitation to President Chirac to go to dent Vladimir Putin of Russia. President the United States, possibly even to your Chirac referred to former Prime Minister ranch, sir? [Laughter] Rafiq Hariri of Lebanon, who was assas- President Bush. I’m looking for a good sinated on February 14 in Beirut. President cowboy. [Laughter] Chirac and a reporter spoke in French, and President Chirac. Let me say—repeat their remarks were translated by an inter- what I already said, namely, that our rela- preter.

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Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom in Brussels February 22, 2005

President Bush. I just had a good break- and a prosperous and a democratic state. fast. I always enjoy being with my friend And after all the tragedies of the past and Tony Blair. We talked about the progress the dictatorship and the loss of life under being made in Iraq, and I want to con- Saddam, there’s now real prospect for the gratulate you on your vision. The Iraqis Iraqi people. And that, joined to what has are—you know, have defied the terrorists happened in Afghanistan, I think gives us and showed the world they want to live real hope for the future. in a free society, and we’re there to help In addition, the President set out very them achieve that. clearly a way forward on the Middle East I’m looking forward to the NATO meet- peace process. There’s a renewed sense of ing today. NATO is a vital relationship for vigor and optimism in that process. And the United States and for Europe. And I’m with the London conference coming up looking forward to meeting with the EU next week, I think we’ve got every possi- as well. As I said in my speech yesterday, bility now of trying to reach a settlement, a strong Europe is very important for the which I think would do so much for inter- United States, and I really meant that. And national relations worldwide. the Prime Minister is one of the strong Then, of course, we also went through leaders in Europe, and I really enjoy my many of the other issues, to the upcoming relationship with him. G–8 later in the year and so on. So it Prime Minister Blair. First of all, I’m was, as ever, a very constructive, very useful pleased to come and talk to the President discussion across a whole range of issues. again and go through the range of different And as I say, I think that yesterday’s speech issues that we face in the world today. And and today’s meeting at NATO gives us an I both welcome the President’s speech yes- opportunity to restate for people in Europe terday very much and thanked him for it. and in America the fundamental impor- And I think what it sets out is a very clear tance of this transatlantic alliance. It’s been way forward for us now. Whatever the dif- a cornerstone of our security for many, ferences in the international community many years. It’s based on shared values. have been over the past couple of years, It’s absolutely the right thing for us to have I think we have a really solid basis now at the center of our relations. And we’ll for going forward in a unified way. And do everything we can to make sure that if we take that opportunity, it will be great- that relationship is strong. ly to the benefit of the international community. NOTE: The President spoke at 8:42 a.m. at We can see this, obviously, with Iraq, the Chief of Mission Residence at the U.S. where after the democratic elections that Embassy. In his remarks, Prime Minister are held now, it’s possible to see a way Blair referred to former President Saddam forward in which Iraq can become a stable Hussein of Iraq.

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