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Mar. 15 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 The President. Well, I might be able to ested in buying a home, there’s opportunity do something with the bureaucracy, but— here in this part of the world. You’ve heard [laughter]. two ladies say that they’ve been able to Mr. Cannon. That would be enough. overcome the fears of homeownership and [Laughter] We’ll deal with the weather. kind of the mental blocks associated with The President. Judy, you got anything homeownership, because they were able to else you want to share with anybody who receive counseling. And the counseling is might be listening out there about buying available. We want more people owning a home? their home. That’s what we want. We want Ms. Memberg. I think the thing that’s you to feel comfortable about coming— really important is that with housing coun- thinking about buying your own home so seling, anyone can put together a plan on that when somebody knocks on your door, how they can become a homebuyer. Some you open that door and say, ‘‘Welcome to people, it’s a very short process; some peo- my home,’’ just like this good lady did to ple are very familiar with being home- me today. owners or their family has been home- Listen, thank you all for coming. It’s owners. But a lot of people who, if their been a joy to be here. I want to thank parents aren’t homeowners, really don’t you for your stories. May God bless you know where to start. And a good housing all. counseling agency can really guide you through that process. NOTE: The President spoke at 2:57 p.m. in The President. Right. And I presume the gymnasium at the Main Line YMCA. In there’s a lot of housing counseling agencies his remarks, he referred to Mary Frances around the area? Reilly, executive director, Main Line YMCA; Ms. Memberg. There are a few. There James R. Matthews, chairman, and Thomas are many in Philadelphia. There are a few Jay Ellis, commissioner, Montgomery Coun- in Montgomery County. But there’s a lot ty Commission, Montgomery County, PA; of good counselors out there to find one and former President Saddam Hussein of that matches up with your need. Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also The President. Good. Well, listen, if released a Spanish language transcript of somebody’s listening, I hope, and are inter- these remarks. Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands and an Exchange With Reporters March 16, 2004 President Bush. Here’s what we’re going ship. Thank you for your clear under- to do. We’ll have a couple opening state- standing about the need for us to work ments. I’ll call upon American press; the together to achieve a more free and peace- Prime Minister will call upon somebody ful world. I appreciate our bilateral rela- from the Dutch press; American press; tions are strong. We had a wide-ranging Dutch press; and that’s it. Thank you all discussion, talking about a variety of issues, for coming. whether it be foreign policy or the econ- omy. It was a good, frank discussion, and Mr. Prime Minister, welcome. I’m glad I appreciate my friend being here again. you’re back. Thank you for a—your friend- Welcome. 392 1 2005 11:38 Dec 19 2006 Jkt 201942 PO 00000 Frm 00392 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\201942A 012 201942A Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Mar. 16 Prime Minister Balkenende. Well, Iraq George, thanks again for the hospitality. We Q. Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. President, had, indeed, a very good discussion. We according to opinion polls, most Dutch talked about issues around Iraq, the role people want to withdraw the Dutch troops of the United Nations, by example. We from Iraq. Many Dutch people think the talked about the cooperation in the eco- war in Iraq has little to do with the war nomic sphere, developments in Afghanistan. against terrorism and may actually encour- We also talked about the issue of values age terrorism. How would you respond to in society, an important issue. And espe- those Dutch people who want to withdraw? cially, we talked about terrorism, the fight President Bush. I would ask them to against terrorism, and it is important that think about the Iraqi citizens who don’t the world society, international community, want people to withdraw, because they stands shoulder to shoulder and shows its want to be free. And I would remind the solidarity to fight against these terrible at- Dutch citizens that Al Qaida has an interest tacks. And we share that same view, and in Iraq for a reason, and that interest is, we will work together, also, in the second they realize this is a front in the war on half of this year, when the Netherlands is terror, and they fear the spread of freedom taking over the Presidency of the European and democracy in places like the greater Union. Middle East. They can’t stand the thought President Bush. Yes. of free societies springing up in the Middle We’ll answer a couple questions here. East, because they understand a free soci- We’ll start with you, Terry Hunt [Associ- ety is against their very wishes. And so it’s ated Press]. essential that we remain side by side with the Iraqi people as they begin the process of self-government. Implications of Terrorist Attacks in Spain And we’re making good progress. The Q. Thank you, sir. Mr. President, do you basic law that was written by the Governing think terrorists have reason to believe that Council was a substantial piece of work that they can influence elections and policy, talked about freedoms, the very same free- given the outcome of what happened in doms that we honor in America or in the Spain? Netherlands. And it’s essential that we help President Bush. I think terrorists will kill Iraq—and Afghanistan—develop into free innocent life in order to try to get the societies, which in itself will start changing world to cower. I think they’re—these are the regions in which they exist. coldblooded killers. I mean, they’ll kill in- Adam [Adam Entous, Reuters], yes. nocent people to try to shake our will. Q. Thank you, Mr. President. That’s what they want to do, and they’ll President Bush. You’re looking fine never shake the will of the United States. today, Adam, but the tie—[laughter]. We understand the stakes, and we will work with our friends to bring justice to 2004 Election the terrorists. They have not only killed Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Candidate in Spain; they’ve killed in the United States; Kerry has suggested he has support of they’ve killed in Turkey; they’ve killed in world leaders. Do you think he should— Saudi Arabia. They kill wherever they can. that should be a factor in the campaign? And it’s essential that the free world remain Was that an appropriate thing for him to strong and resolute and determined. say? Want to call on somebody from your President Bush. I think it’s—if you’re press? going to make an accusation in the course 393 ug 31 2005 11:38 Dec 19 2006 Jkt 201942 PO 00000 Frm 00393 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\201942A 012 201942A Mar. 16 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 of a Presidential campaign, you ought to and democracy. And so the Prime Minister back it up with facts. has got issues at home that he’ll deal with, Prime Minister Balkenende. I won’t talk but there’s no doubt that he understands about that issue. [Laughter] the stakes and the historic opportunity with President Bush. Okay, fine. [Laughter] which we’re faced. Prime Minister Balkenende. It has to do Prime Minister Balkenende. It’s good to with the campaign here in the United add that we did not talk about the situation States. after the half of July. That is the responsi- bility of the Dutch Government and Dutch Iraq Parliament, and we’ll talk about it, as I Q. Mr. President, have you convinced made it clear already earlier. But I think the Prime Minister of the Netherlands to it’s very good to look always to the situation leave the Dutch troops in Iraq? of the Iraq people and the international President Bush. The Prime Minister will struggle against terrorism. Therefore, it’s so make a—the appropriate decision. It’s his important that countries are working to- decision to make. We both agree that a gether, and they can draw the same lines. free Iraq is essential to a peaceful world. That’s very important, but it has nothing We both understand the stakes. We both to, at this moment, to the decisionmaking know that Al Qaida is interested in fighting as far as the situation after the first of us in Iraq. How do we know? We know July is concerned. because they’ve said so publicly. Al Qaida President Bush. Thanks, good job. understands the stakes. Al Qaida wants us out of Iraq, because Al Qaida wants to use NOTE: The President spoke at 10:14 a.m. in Iraq as an example of defeating freedom the Oval Office at the White House. Remarks in a Discussion on Health Care Access March 16, 2004 The President. Thanks for coming.

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