Administration of George W. Bush, 2007 / Aug. 31 1151 Interview With David Speers of Sky I’ll be meeting with Mr. Rudd, and I’m look- News ing forward to it. He doesn’t know me, and August 30, 2007 I don’t know him. And so I look forward to sharing my views and would ask, if he were Australia’s Role in the War on Terror to win, that he consider conditions on the Mr. Speers. Mr. President, the United ground before making any decisions; that States has around 160,000 troops in Iraq at what matters is success. And I believe we the moment. Australia has, in its battle group, can be successful. And I know it’s important only around 500 in the relatively safe Dhi to be successful. And I will be glad to explain Qar Province. Is this just a symbolic con- to him why I’m optimistic that this hard work tribution? Would it really matter if they were will achieve what we all want, which is, over brought home? time, fewer troops and peace. The main thing The President. First, I want to thank the we want is to make sure that we deal these Howard Government and the people of Aus- radicals and extremists a major blow, which tralia for joining this global struggle against is success in Iraq. extremists and radicals who are trying to im- See, here’s the interesting thing that I pose their vision on the world. And that hope the people of Australia understand: struggle is found—being played out in Iraq There are two forms of extremism that have and Afghanistan right now and other places. now converged on Iraq. One is Sunni extre- And so I view Australia’s contribution to mism in the likes of Al Qaida. These people peace and freedom as more than just Iraq. in Iraq swore allegiance to the very same per- I view it as, one, a strategic partnership with son that ordered the attack on the United the United States. I view their contribution States of America. Sunni extremists have as intelligence contributions. But I also un- killed Australians. Sunni extremists that are derstand that there’s a commitment to help- inspired by this ideology are killing around ing people live in freedom as a long-term the world. solution to this ideological struggle. And I’m often asked about coalition And then there’s the strain of Shiism extre- troops. And my attitude is, our coalition part- mism that is fostered by Iran. And these are ners ought to be making decisions based the two major threats to world peace, and upon conditions on the ground, because fail- they’ve converged on Iraq, which should say ure in Iraq would lead to, in my judgment, that we need to do the hard work necessary to turmoil, chaos in the Middle East, and so we can have peace in the long term for other attacks on the United States and other children growing up both in the United nations. Success will be a major blow to these States and Australia. radicals and extremists that will make it easi- er for us to say we’ve done our duty and laid War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq the foundation for peace. Mr. Speers. So you need those Australian Leader of the Opposition Kevin Rudd of troops there. Australia/War on Terror The President. We need all our coalition Mr. Speers. Well, as you know, there’s an partners. And I would hope that—and I un- election only 2 or 3 months away in Australia, derstand, look, everybody has got their own and Kevin Rudd, the Opposition Leader, is internal politics. My only point is, is that ahead in all of the polls. And he has promised whether it be Afghanistan or Iraq, we’ve got to pull those combat troops out of Iraq if more work to do. We, the free world, has he wins. He says he’ll consult with the U.S. got more work to do. And I believe those So, if he does win, what would you be saying of us who live in liberty have a responsibility to him? Would you be trying to convince him to promote forms of government that deal not to do that? with what causes 19 kids to get on airplanes The President. Well, actually, I believe to kill 3,000 students [citizens]. * he’s on my calendar. I, of course, will be meeting with the Prime Minister, and then * White House correction. VerDate Aug 31 2005 13:19 Sep 05, 2007 Jkt 211250 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P35AUT4.031 P35AUT4 ebenthall on PRODPC61 with PRESDOCST 1152 Aug. 31 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2007 United Kingdom’s Role in Iraq tionship is good. But I don’t buy into your Mr. Speers. What, then, do you say about hypothesis. the British withdrawing significant numbers Mr. Speers. But essentially, the relation- from southern Iraq in what many of your offi- ship won’t suffer if Kevin Rudd becomes cers say is still a dangerous zone of the coun- Prime Minister? try? The President. Look, I’ll be glad to deal The President. Well, I’ve talked to—I’ve with the situation. See, that’s a loaded ques- said the exact same thing to Gordon Brown: tion. In this sense, you’re trying to get me Make sure you’re dictated by conditions on to predict the outcome of the election, and the ground. And he—listen, that’s exactly I’m not going to do it. I don’t know enough what he said he’s going to do. about it, and I am going down there to deal Mr. Speers. So that’s not premature, that with the current Prime Minister, who, no British withdrawal. doubt about it, is a close personal friend of The President. Well, he said that he’s mine. And I think a man—he is a man of going to make decisions based upon condi- steel, because he’s a person who stands on tions. And by the way, the Brits are going conviction and principle. I don’t know Mr. to keep a presence. When you say ‘‘with- Rudd; I’m looking forward to getting to know draw,’’ it makes it sound like all their troops him. But that’s all I really want to comment are coming home, but that’s not what’s going about your elections. to happen. Mr. Speers. A lot of Australians will be Mr. Speers. But a significant number of weighing out, what’s going to happen to the them are. alliance if Labor wins the election? The President. Well, you know, he will The President. Yes, as I said, I really am let me know when he makes that decision. not going to get involved in your election He has said that he is going to make decisions down there. I am going to be—I’m going in southern Iraq based upon conditions. down as the U.S. President, proud of the re- They’re now moved out of the Basra Palace lationship between the United States and into an air base, which is fine. But they will Australia. It is a relationship based upon our have a presence there to help this Iraqi Gov- common values; it’s a relationship based ernment succeed. upon good economic ties; and it’s a really important relationship. And I presume who- Australian Elections/Australia-U.S. ever the U.S. President is after me and the Relations Prime Ministers to come in Australia will un- Mr. Speers. You’ve had a very close rela- derstand how important that is. tionship with John Howard. You famously called him the ‘‘man of steel.’’ If he doesn’t China win the election, and Kevin Rudd does be- Mr. Speers. Labor also wants the alliance come Prime Minister, given that you have to focus more on China and its military build- differences over such a big issue as Iraq, will up in particular, its nuclear arms stocks. the alliance still be the same? Will the rela- Should more attention be given to that and tionship be the same? China’s tensions with Japan? The President. I refuse to accept your hy- The President. Well, we spend a lot of pothesis. time on China in this administration. I’ve got Mr. Speers. If he wins. good relations with both the Japanese and The President. Well, that’s if. You’re ask- Chinese leadership. My view is, is that it’s ing me to answer a hypothetical. important for there to be an active U.S. pres- Mr. Speers. But will the alliance change? ence in Asia, precisely to make sure that old The President. All I can tell you is, is that tensions don’t flare up. I remember John Howard has been behind And I’m pleased with the progress that’s in polls before and he’s won. And so cer- being made in Asia. And obviously, the inter- tainly, I’m not going to prejudge the decision esting relationship now in Asia is the trading of the Australian people. And I will end up relationship. Australia, fortunately, has got a dealing with whomever and work hard to surplus with China. And America, however, make sure that the Australian and U.S. rela- has got a major deficit with China. VerDate Aug 31 2005 13:19 Sep 05, 2007 Jkt 211250 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P35AUT4.031 P35AUT4 ebenthall on PRODPC61 with PRESDOCST Administration of George W.