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2. The transcript was made available by the mission on the Intelligence Capabilities of Office of the Press Secretary on April 1 but the Regarding Weapons of was embargoed for release until the broad- Mass Destruction. The Office of the Press cast. In his address, the President referred Secretary also released a Spanish language to Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qadhafi, transcript of this address. leader of Libya. He also referred to the Com-

Remarks on the Death of Pope John Paul II April 2, 2005

Laura and I join people across the Earth stitution, the self-evident truths about in mourning the passing of Pope John Paul human dignity in our Declaration, and the II. The Catholic Church has lost its shep- ‘‘blessings of liberty’’ that follow from them. herd. The world has lost a champion of ‘‘It is these truths,’’ he said, ‘‘that have led human freedom, and a good and faithful people all over the world to look to Amer- servant of God has been called home. ica with hope and respect.’’ Pope John Paul II left the throne of Pope John Paul II was, himself, an inspi- Saint Peter in the same way he ascended ration to millions of Americans and to so to it, as a witness to the dignity of human many more throughout the world. We will life. In his native Poland, that witness always remember the humble, wise, and launched a democratic revolution that fearless priest who became one of history’s swept Eastern Europe and changed the great moral leaders. We’re grateful to God course of history. Throughout the West, for sending such a man, a son of Poland, John Paul’s witness reminded us of our ob- who became the Bishop of Rome and a ligation to build a culture of life in which hero for the ages. the strong protect the weak. And during the Pope’s final years, his witness was made NOTE: The President spoke at 4:02 p.m. in even more powerful by his daily courage the Cross Hall at the White House. The Of- in the face of illness and great suffering. fice of the Press Secretary also released a All Popes belong to the world, but Amer- Spanish language transcript of these remarks. icans had special reason to love the man The proclamation of April 2 honoring the from Krakow. In his visits to our country, memory of Pope John Paul II is listed in Ap- the Pope spoke of our ‘‘providential’’ Con- pendix D at the end of this volume.

The President’s News Conference With President of April 4, 2005

President Bush. Thank you. It’s an honor to all who love liberty. Welcome to Amer- to stand with a courageous leader of a free ica, and we’re pleased to welcome your Ukraine. Mr. President, you are a friend wife as well. We’re looking forward to hav- to our country, and you are an inspiration ing lunch with you.

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President Yushchenko was the first head Mr. President, I want to thank you for of state I called after my Inaugural Ad- being an active partner in the war on ter- dress. I told him that the Orange Revolu- ror. Our statement reflects our common tion was a powerful example—an example desire to cooperate on law enforcement of democracy for people around the world. matters, our desire to have export controls I was impressed; I know millions of my to prevent the spread of dangerous weap- fellow citizens were impressed by the brave ons technology, including nuclear materials, citizens who gathered in Kiev’s Independ- MANPADs, and ballistic missiles. ence Square and rightly demanded that I appreciate Ukraine’s strong commit- their voices be heard. It’s an impressive ment to a free Iraq. Ukrainian troops moment, Mr. President, and an important helped to protect the Iraqi people during moment. I’ve oftentimes told our fellow the elections this January. I look forward citizens that the world is changing. Free- to cooperating with your nation to help the dom is spreading, and I use the Ukraine Iraqis build a peaceful society. as an example, along with Afghanistan and We share a goal to spread freedom to Iraq, about a changing world—a world, by other nations. I mean, after all, the Orange the way, changing for the better, because Revolution may have looked like it was only we believe free societies will be peaceful a part of the Ukrainian—the history of societies. Ukraine, but the rep- Mr. President, I appreciate your vision. resented revolutions elsewhere as well. And I want to thank you for our discussion we I look forward to working with you, Mr. just had. We discussed a lot of matters. President, in places like Lebanon and We talked about the neighborhood, of Kyrgyzstan. I want to thank you for your course. We talked about your commitment conversation on Moldova. I appreciate the to fighting corruption, your deep desire to discussion we had on—about Belarus. introduce principles of the marketplace in All in all, Mr. President, we’re really Ukraine. I told the President that our Na- thrilled you’re here. I know our Congress tion will stand by Ukraine as it strengthens is looking forward to having you address law enforcement, as it fights corruption, as them next Wednesday. In the meantime, it promotes a free media and civil society I want to thank you for our frank and open organizations. To this end, I’ve asked Con- discussion. We wish you all the best, and gress to provide $60 million for new fund- in America, you’ve got a strong friend. Wel- ing to help you in your efforts, Mr. Presi- come. dent. President Yushchenko. Mr. President, We also agree with your desire to join dear American friends, for me, for my wife, the WTO, and we’ll work with your Gov- it is a great honor and privilege to be re- ernment to join the WTO as well as to ceived here in the White House and to lift the Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions that hear the words that are addressed to my were created in a different era. Secretary country, my nation, my homeland. Sam Bodman, who is with us here, will Our ideals are simple and eternal: We be going to the Ukraine to talk about co- want democracy and freedom—our appar- operation on energy. We look forward to ent European aspirations, which we were working with you, Mr. President, as you discussing from the first days, many days build progress at home to become a part before the Maidan events when me and of Europe, a Europe that is whole, free, my team went into the politics. This is my and at peace. And at the same time, we’ll vision; this is the vision shared by my team. continue to work with you to help your This is something that my father taught ties to the North Atlantic Alliance. me.

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The legacy that we inherited is a very proliferation of weapons of mass destruc- difficult country—Ukraine, where the rule tion and other subjects. of law did not exist and human rights were Essentially, on all questions that we not observed, where half of the national raised, we found mutual understanding. I economy is a shadow. The humiliated pro- am convinced that relations between our fession of journalism, the journalists wanted nations are based not only by mutual sym- to speak the truth and stood against the pathy but also by the unity of interests and official power; they could pay dearly. Dear- ideals, like the rule of law, protection of ly—I mean it—they could pay their lives fundamental human rights, and respect for for it. We’re talking about the country people. Majority of my fellow Ukrainians where the number one problem remains want to see America as their strategic part- to be corruption. We’re talking about the ner, and I am pleased to see that the U.S. country where the huge problem remains President shares this perception, and he has the problem of poverty. We realize all highlighted this support today. those challenges. We realize that it’s only— In our joint statement, which we agreed the work that has to be done by the on, based on our negotiations, we have Ukrainian power will help cope with the made it clear that Ukraine and the U.S. problems that the country inherited. confirm the new era in the strategic part- However, it is very important, Mr. Presi- nership between our nations and the dent, to feel that we have partners standing friendship between our peoples. We are by, that we are not left in solitude in coping looking forward to the effective support with these troubles. Our conversation began from the U.S. administration to the new with my saying that for Ukraine, it was Government of Ukraine in addressing im- a very long road to the Oval Office. I do portant issues faced by ourselves, including appreciate the attention that you display our accession to WTO by the end of 2005, and the words that you have said. the lifting of the trade sanctions on Ukrain- And I would like to once again reiterate ian-exported goods, Ukraine’s accession to that the ideals of the new Ukraine are de- European and Euro-Atlantic security alli- mocracy, which we perceive as the priority ances. of people’s interests in political, economic, We have a unique opportunity to write and other areas of development. These are new and historical pages in the chronicle freedom of speech that are the oxygen for of our relations, to create the new agenda democracy; this is a market economy which of real and contentful U.S., American stra- grants equal rights to people; this is the tegic partnership. The democratic Ukraine reliable system of social guarantees that se- will enhance stability in Europe and world- cure protection to the weak. Shortly speak- wide. And strategic partnership with the ing, the ideals for the new Ukraine are U.S. will augment the democratic Ukraine. the ideals shared by the Western civiliza- I’m convinced that our two nations will tion. I fully concur with my American col- stand by as global partners in order to league in his saying that freedom is not achieve freedom, security, and prosperity the gift for America; this is the Godly gift. in the 21st century. Today, Mr. President, we had a very I thank you. frank and productive discussion on a very President Bush. We’ll answer two ques- broad spectrum of issues. We were talking tions a side. Terry Hunt [Associated Press]. about the approaches to deepening our bi- lateral relations, and this conversation is far Iraq from finalization, about the role that demo- Q. Ukraine and Italy and other allies will cratic Ukraine can play in the regional and withdraw their forces from Iraq. Why global stability, the problem of non- should the United States continue to pay

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most of the cost and suffer most of the NATO and EU Membership for Ukraine casualties when our allies are leaving? Q. Mr. President, did you hear a clear President Bush. Our strategy in Iraq is position of Ukraine concerning its participa- clear, and it’s a common strategy that our tion in NATO? And is America ready to coalition has agreed to, and that is to train support Ukraine in joining the Membership Iraqi soldiers, Iraqi security forces, so that Action Plan this year? Thank you. they can do the hard work of securing their President Bush. Thank you very much. country. And that’s what’s happening. And Well, you know, the first time I met the I appreciate the contribution that the President was at NATO, during my latest Ukrainian people have made toward liber- trip to Europe. And my conversation with ating Iraq and helping provide stability in him there was the same as I had here, Iraq and providing security for the elections and that is there is a way forward in order of Iraq. to become a partner of the United States And the President made clear to me in and other nations in NATO. It is a path, my first conversation with him that there— and we want to help Ukraine get on that that he campaigned on the idea of bringing path as quickly as possible. It is not a given. some troops out. He’s fulfilling a campaign In other words, there are things that the pledge. I fully understand that. But he also Ukrainian Government must do in order has said that he’s going to cooperate with to satisfy the requirements to be considered the coalition in terms further withdrawals, for NATO. and I appreciate that. And we want to help—the whole pur- The fundamental question is, is it worth pose of this meeting and the purpose of it? And the answer is, absolutely it’s worth the previous meeting was to help the it for a free Iraq to emerge. We’re talking Ukrainian Government to understand that about a part of the world in which, you which is necessary to do in order to be- know, our foreign policy was, let’s just hope come more likely accepted into NATO. for the best and tolerate the fact there’s And that’s what we want to do. We want no free societies. And what ended up hap- to help in this process. And I think it’s— I’m a supporter of the idea of Ukraine be- pening was, there was a—tyrants have coming a member of NATO. I think it’s emerged, tyrants that threatened our secu- important. rity. And so not only was the action worth I also know that Ukraine wants to join it, the action is worth it to make sure that the EU, and there’s things that have to democracy exists, and because democracies do with the EU. But I do want to assure will yield peace, and that’s what we want. the Ukrainian people that you don’t have And so we’re going to continue to press to choose between the EU and friendship forward with a strategy that supports the with the United States. That’s not a choice elected Government of Iraq. Today I spoke the United States Government will make to the new Speaker of the Transitional As- our friends make. You can be both a mem- sembly. I wished him all the best. I ber of the EU and a friend of the United thanked him for stepping up to take a lead- States. And so we want to help your Gov- ership role. I look forward to working with ernment make the difficult decisions and the new President and Prime Minister. And difficult choices necessary to become avail- I look forward to continuing to implement able for membership in NATO. a strategy that will help Iraqis self-govern. Steve Holland [Reuters]. And we’re making progress toward that goal. And I want to thank the Ukrainians Pope John Paul II for their support. Q. Thank you. How do you think this You want to call somebody? Pope has affected America’s spiritual and

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political life? And how much weight did members spoke in favor of this type of you give to his opposition to the Iraq war? Ukrainian presence in the country. President Bush. First, Laura and I are Another point, which I’m most pleased looking forward to leading a delegation to to indicate, is, in my opinion, the Ukrainian honor the Holy Father. He will go down contingent has demonstrated its peace- in history as a—he will show people that making mission in a very effective manner. one man can make a difference in people’s Over the short period of time that our mili- lives. He was a courageous person. He was tary contingent has been deployed there, a moral person. He was a Godly person. we have retrained three battalions of the And he’s had huge influence, Steve, not national armed forces of Iraq, two compa- only amongst, for example, young people nies. We have examined in our hospital in America but around the world. One of about 5,000 local citizens. Due to the se- his great legacies will be the influence he curing stability in this region, we returned had on the young. about 1,500 people to their jobs because He spoke to the poor. He spoke to mo- it has become much safer to travel to their rality. And of course, he was a man of workplaces. peace. And he didn’t like war, and I fully Beginning from the 9th of January, in understood that, and I appreciated the con- our region there is not a single incident versations I had with the Holy Father on in our area, and we therefore believe that the subject. it is precisely in this region where the I remember going to Castel Gandolfo— works aimed at restoration of the infrastruc- Laura and I were there, and I can remem- ture of the province where we had de- ber him taking us out on the balcony of ployed, because there is no water nor other this fabulous palace overlooking a magnifi- amenities, elementary amenities. And there cent lake and talking about his views of now these restoration works could be com- the world. It was a moment I’ll never forget menced. This will be a very vivid example during my Presidency. of how success can be ensured by pursuing And so the world will miss him. And peacemaking policy. it is my great honor, on behalf of our coun- We stand for—we remain arguing that try, to express our gratitude to the Almighty Ukraine is committed to pursuing train- for such a man. And of course, we look ing—retraining programs for the national forward to the majesty of celebrating such guard of Iraq to the armed forces of Iraq. a significant human life. We are prepared to share the experience One more. and the material on a mutually beneficial basis to make sure that this order remains. Ukraine’s Role in Iraq/Syrian Withdrawal It is my deep conviction that momentum From Lebanon has been created when Ukraine and dip- Q. I have a question for both Presidents, lomats, businesspeople, and politicians must but primarily for Mr. Yushchenko. What do what Ukrainian peacemakers started. will be the American-Ukrainian cooperation Thank you. in Iraq after the withdrawal of Ukrainian President Bush. Yes. As to what happens troops? And could you please give some over time, that’s going to depend on the details? Iraqi Government. We’re dealing with an President Yushchenko. First of all, I elected Government. And they will make would like to indicate that Iraq is a zone the decision as to the security relationship; of Ukrainian interest, and therefore, when they’ll make the decision as to how the this question was debated in the Ukrainian country rewards contracts for reconstruc- Parliament, the majority of the Parliament tion. This is a free country, and in free

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countries, governments get to decide—sov- country. That only—that not only means ereign governments decide their future. troops but it means security forces, as far And so we look forward to working with as I’m concerned. When they say, ‘‘We’re the new Government. As you know, it’s a going to leave the country,’’ we expect process. The Transitional Assembly will be troops and security forces to leave. And writing a constitution, and when the con- secondly, it’s important for this election to stitution is written, it’ll be ratified. And take place on time. And we look forward upon ratification, there will be another to continuing to work with our friends and election. allies to make sure Lebanon is truly free. And so we look forward to working with Mr. President, thank you, sir. Let’s go the Interim Government, and we look for- have lunch. Appreciate it. ward to working with the Government that gets elected in December, all aimed at NOTE: The President’s news conference helping Iraq develop into a freestanding, began at 11:51 a.m. in the East Room at the peaceful country, which is in the interests White House. In his remarks, he referred to of our children and grandchildren, by the Kateryna Yushchenko, wife of President way. Yushchenko; and Hajim al-Hasani, Speaker, I also want to say something about Leb- Iraqi Transitional National Assembly. Presi- anon. Syria—I appreciate the fact that Syria dent Yushchenko spoke in Ukrainian, and his has expressed its intent to fully leave the remarks were translated by an interpreter.

Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine April 4, 2005

A New Century Agenda for the Ukrainian- cratic institutions in Ukraine and to ad- American Strategic Partnership vance freedom in Europe, its neighborhood Today, the United States and Ukraine and beyond. affirm a new era of strategic partnership We will work to defeat terrorism wher- between our nations and friendship be- ever it occurs and to advance economic tween our peoples. We commit our nations development, democratic reforms and to working together to advance freedom peaceful settlement of regional disputes. and security grounded in democratic prin- We are grateful to the men and women ciples and institutions, which form the of those nations who have served and sac- foundation of our relationship. rificed for Iraqi freedom. Today, we pledge We salute the people of Ukraine who ourselves anew to assist the Iraqi people claimed their right to elect freely their to secure liberty, peace and prosperity, and leadership. Their brave stand was a victory we join our efforts to assist Iraq in its eco- for democracy inspiring those throughout the world who yearn for freedom and dig- nomic reconstruction. Fear and resentment, nity in the face of tyranny, isolation and the breeding ground of terrorism, must be oppression. The territorial integrity, secu- replaced with freedom and hope. rity, and political and economic trans- We also commit to work together to back formation of Ukraine are essential to build- reform, democracy, tolerance and respect ing a Europe whole, free and at peace. for all communities, and peaceful resolution We will work together to strengthen demo- of conflicts in Georgia and Moldova, and

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