Remarks Following Discussions with Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom and an Exchange with Reporters in Heiligendam
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760 June 6 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2007 expect the North Koreans to honor agree- were translated by an interpreter. A tape was not ments. And it’s very important for the Japa- available for verification of the content of these nese people to know that I strongly support remarks. Shinzo Abe’s desire to deal with this very im- portant issue of—the abduction issue. Remarks Following Discussions With Likewise, we had an extensive discussion about energy and climate change. I reminded Prime Minister Tony Blair of the the Prime Minister that his great country and United Kingdom and an Exchange great economy is going to lead the way when With Reporters in Heiligendamm it comes—along with the United States, in June 7, 2007 leading the way coming to develop tech- nologies that will enable us to be—change Prime Minister Blair. Well, obviously, our energy habits and, at the same time, be this is a summit where we’ll be discussing good stewards of the environment. And we two crucial issues. One is the change in the discussed ways to develop a framework that climate and the actions that we need to take has the flexibility and, at the same time, the in order to address that. And I think this is goals so we can encourage the world to move a very substantial coming together around in that direction. the need to make sure that we have a sub- It’s good to be with a friend. stantial reduction in emissions and find the Prime Minister Abe. This is the sixth time right process and the right way that we can that I’m having discussions with George, and achieve that. as we always do, this time we were able to And I think with the President’s speech have a very frank exchange of views on many last week, this has moved the situation on things. On North Korea, unfortunately, the a great deal. I think there is a real desire North Koreans have not done anything to im- to come together. I think everyone wants to plement the initial actions. And also on the be part of a post-Kyoto deal. Everyone wants issue of abduction, they have not taken any to try and make sure that that is a deal that’s sincere actions to resolve that issue. So we got to be—that includes all the major agreed that the G–8 leaders need to send emitters. And everyone wants to make sure a strong message to North Korea on these that that deal can then command broad issues. And also on the abduction issue, I ex- agreement right across the international plained the Japanese position to George once community and deliver what people want to again, and I was able to gain his under- see, both for reasons of the environment and standing on this issue, as he has always shown for reasons of energy security. understanding. However, I think both myself and the On climate change, I explained the Japa- President are very concerned, as well, to nese proposal to the President, and we make sure that we do not simply focus on agreed that Japan and the United States climate change. We’ve also got to focus on would be working together for the creation recommitting ourselves to the Gleneagles of an effective framework which is flexible, process on Africa, on making major steps for- and that we would be cooperating to achieve ward there in relation to things like HIV/ that end in the future. AIDS and education. In addition to that, of We reconfirmed the fact that the alliance course, there’s the situation in Darfur, where we have between Japan and the United we both are anxious that there is strong ac- States in dealing with issues like North Korea tion taken. And then we’ve also managed to and climate change is truly an alliance for have a word, too, about the world trade talks, Asia and an alliance for the entire world, for which we want to see reach a successful con- that matter. clusion. President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank So, I mean, there’s still obviously a lot of you all very much. talking and discussing going on, and we’re NOTE: The President spoke at 3:29 p.m. at the about to go in for the main session now. But Kempinski Grand Hotel Heiligendamm. Prime I do feel, myself, that people are coming to- Minister Abe spoke in Japanese, and his remarks gether, and I think that’s important. VerDate Aug 31 2005 11:44 Jun 12, 2007 Jkt 211250 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P23JNT4.008 P23JNT4 Administration of George W. Bush, 2007 / June 7 761 President Bush. Good start there. save lives. I will be stressing, along with Prime Minister Blair. Thank you. Tony, the need for nations to take action. President Bush. You know, we had a If the U.N. won’t act, we need to take action press conference in the Rose Garden where, ourselves, and I laid out a series of sanctions you know, it was the last time on U.S. soil that I think, hopefully, will affect Bashir’s be- I’ll be standing next to the Prime Minister havior. But enough is enough in Darfur. talking about what we believe and how our We talked about Doha. We’re committed efforts are going to lead to peace and to a to doing a deal in Doha. If you’re interested better world for a lot of people. This is the in alleviating poverty around the world, then last meeting I will have had with him as they ought to be joining and making the nec- Prime Minister. It’s a nostalgic moment for essary concessions to have a global trading me. I’m sorry it’s come to be, but that’s what system that helps affect the poor. happens in life. We’ll move on. So I’ve come with a broad agenda and a Tony said we talked about global climate serious agenda, and so has the Prime Min- change. I told him in Washington, and I re- ister. And it’s been a good, meaningful dis- committed myself today, that the United cussion, as usual. We’ll answer one question States will be actively involved, if not taking apiece, then we’ve got to go get our picture the lead, in a post-Kyoto framework, post- taken. Kyoto agreement. I view our role as a bridge between people in Europe and others and United Kingdom-Saudi Arabia Relations/ India and China. And if you want them at International Cooperation on the the table, it’s important to give them an op- Environment portunity to set an international goal. And Q. Mr. President, you’ve said it’s impor- that’s why I laid out the initiative I laid out. tant to set an international goal. How long And I told Tony that we’re deadly earnest does the world have to wait for America to in getting something done; this is serious set a goal that others can measure of how business. And the fundamental question is, much you’re cutting greenhouse gasses by? how best to send proper signals to create the And Prime Minister, if I could ask you technologies necessary to deal with this about another matter. Were you aware that issue? your Government was approving payments And as we discuss global climate change, to a friend of President Bush’s as part of Brit- it’s really important we don’t forget those ish Aerospace’s kickback system, and is that who are dying. And I appreciate this man’s why you suspended a fraud inquiry? commitment to global AIDS—fighting global President Bush. Glad you’re answering AIDS. We do that ourselves—laid out a $30 that question—[laughter]—a friend of mine. billion initiative. I’m very proud of the [Laughter] United States citizens for supporting such an Prime Minister Blair. On the point you initiative. Over the past 3 years, antiretroviral asked me—let me make one thing very clear: drugs has been extended from—to over a I’m not going to comment on the individual million people, up from 50,000. So it’s impor- allegations. And a lot of this, of course, re- tant to debate the environment and discuss lates to things that go back to the 1980s. it. It’s also important for those of us who have But let me just make one thing very, very got the wealth to put it to use to save lives. clear to you: This investigation, if it had gone The malaria initiative we talked about is a ahead, would have involved the most serious really important initiative, and I hope that allegations and investigations being made of countries here at the G–8 join Great Britain the Saudi royal family. And my job is to give and the United States in saving lives that can advice as to whether that is a sensible thing, be saved in a pretty easy way. It just takes in circumstances where I don’t believe the will, focus, and effort. investigation—[inaudible]—would have led We did discuss Darfur. I’m frustrated, but anywhere, except to the complete wreckage the international organizations can’t move of a vital strategic relationship for our country quickly enough. I don’t know how long it’s in terms of fighting terrorism, in terms of going to take for people to hear the call to the Middle East, in terms of British interests VerDate Aug 31 2005 11:44 Jun 12, 2007 Jkt 211250 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P23JNT4.008 P23JNT4 762 June 7 / Administration of George W.