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anniversary as one of the world’s great de- Realizing this vision will not be easy. It mocracies, a secure and flourishing home- will take time and sacrifice and resolve. Yet land for the Jewish people. there is no doubt in my mind that you From Cairo, Riyadh, Baghdad to Beirut, are up to the challenge, and with your inge- people will live in free and independent nuity and your enterprise and your courage, societies, where a desire for peace is rein- this historic vision for the Middle East will forced by ties of diplomacy and tourism be realized. and trade. Iran and Syria will be peaceful May God be with you on this journey, nations, where today’s oppression is a dis- and the United States of America will be tant memory and people are free to speak at your side. their minds and develop their talents. Al Thank you for having me. Qaida, Hizballah, and Hamas will be de- feated, as Muslims across the region recog- nize the emptiness of the terrorists’ vision NOTE: The President spoke at 3 p.m. at the and the injustice of their cause. Maritim Sharm El Sheikh International Con- This vision is the same one I outlined gress Center. In his remarks, he referred to in my address to the Israeli Knesset. Yet Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chair- it’s not a Jewish vision or a Muslim vision, man, World Economic Forum; President not an American vision or an Arab vision. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and his It is a universal vision based on the timeless wife Suzanne Thabet; Huda Janahi, man- principles of dignity and tolerance and jus- aging director, Global Cargo & Traveller’s tice, and it unites all who yearn for free- Services; and Usama bin Laden, leader of the dom and peace in this ancient land. Al Qaida terrorist organization.

Interview With Richard Engel of NBC News in Sharm el-Sheikh May 18, 2008

Mr. Engel. Mr. President, thank you very ther. What I said was, is that we need much for joining me. to take the words of people seriously. And The President. Richard. Thank you, sir. when, you know, a leader of Iran says that they want to destroy Israel, you got to take those words seriously. And if you don’t take them seriously, then it harkens back to a President’s Remarks at the Knesset in day when we didn’t take other words seri- Jerusalem, Israel ously. Mr. Engel. In front of the Israeli par- It was fitting that I talked about not tak- liament, the Knesset, you said that negoti- ing the words of Adolph Hitler seriously ating with Iran is pointless. And then you on the floor of the Knesset. But I also went further, you saying—you said that it talked about the need to defend Israel, the was appeasement. Were you referring to need to not negotiate with the likes of Al Senator Barack Obama? He certainly Qaida and Hizballah and Hamas, and the thought you were. need to make sure Iran doesn’t get a nu- The President. You know, my policies clear weapon. It was a—but I also talked haven’t changed, but evidently the political about a vision of what’s possible in the calendar has. People need to read the Middle East. HEARING speech. You didn’t get it exactly right ei- with

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Iran Mr. Engel. ——that Iran is—its position Mr. Engel. Repeatedly, you’ve talked in the world is rising because of your ac- about Iran and that you don’t want to see tions in Iraq? Iran develop a nuclear weapon. The President. See, I’m not so sure I The President. Yes. agree with that. That’s a premise I don’t Mr. Engel. How far away do you think necessarily agree with. As a matter of fact, Iran is from developing a nuclear capa- I think Iran is troubled by the fact that bility? a young democracy is growing in Iraq. I— The President. You know, Richard, I you know, this notion about somehow if don’t want to speculate, and there’s a lot Saddam Hussein were in power, everything of speculation. But one thing is for certain: would be fine in the Middle East is a ludi- We need to prevent them from learning crous notion. Saddam Hussein was a spon- how to enrich uranium. And I have made sor of terror. And can you imagine what it clear to the Iranians that there is a seat it’d be like to see an arms race between at the table for them if they would Saddam Hussein and Ahmadi-nejad, in verifiably suspend their enrichment. And if terms of creating instability in the Middle not, we’ll continue to rally the world to East? As a matter of fact, the way to ulti- isolate them. mately defeat those who use terror to de- stabilize young democracies is to help the U.S. Foreign Policy/Iran young democracies succeed. Mr. Engel. You’ve been rallying the Progress in Iraq world. Have you had some success on this Arab tour to try and—and Israeli tour— Mr. Engel. I’ve watched Iran’s influence to mobilize this community against Iran? grow in Iraq. It’s been very steady over Is that part of your mission? the years. What are you going to do to The President. No, it’s not so much; actu- try and counteract—— ally, the place where I’m spending time, The President. Yes. in terms of dealing with serious economic Mr. Engel. ——Iran’s influence? isolation, is with our European friends. The President. Well, Basra, for example, They’re the ones who have had significant is—we stood by the Prime Minister’s deci- trade with the Iranians. We’re dealing with sion to move into Basra and to—continue it not only in goods and services, trying to encourage the Prime Minister to go after to convince them to hold back goods and Shi’a criminals and Shi’a armed militias that services until there’s a verifiable suspension, are doing harm to the average Iraqi and, but also dealing with the Iranian finances. at the same time, encourage him to use I don’t have to spend too much time some of the Iraqi wealth to improve condi- in the world—in this part of the world cre- tions of life. And that’s what’s happening. ating concerns about Iran. There is big con- Basra is—it’s still obviously got work to be cern about Iran, given the fact that done, but it was a successful operation, as Hizballah is destabilizing Lebanon, Hamas you know better than me. He’s now head- is trying to prevent the creation of a Pales- ing into Sadr City—he, the Iraqi Govern- tinian state, and, of course, Iranian action ment—all aiming to protect innocent peo- inside of Iraq. ple from people who are operating outside the law. And to the extent that those are Iraq/Iran folks who are supported by Iran, it will Mr. Engel. A lot of Iran’s empowerment serve as a defeat to Iran. is a result of the war in Iraq. How do Iraq is changing. You know it better than you feel—— anybody; you’ve been spending a lot of HEARING The President. Yes. time there. And it’s in the interest of the with

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United States that we help it continue to but he was there precisely to help inventory change to the better. the Lebanese Army—is to make it clear to Prime Minister Siniora, we stand strong- Freedom Agenda/Iran ly with you. We’ll see what happens out Mr. Engel. You talked about Iran being of this agreement and how—whether it a major threat to American policies in the sticks or not. But we strongly support the region, with Hamas, Hizballah, militia March 14th Coalition. groups in Iraq. Do you intend to finish Perhaps one way to help deal with the your term in office with a military action situation is to get the U.N. tribunal up and of some kind against Iran? running that’s investigating the death of The President. Richard, that’s highly Mr. Hariri. But you know, no question, it’s speculative. I’ve always made it clear that a tough situation. It’s not as if Lebanon options are on the table. But, you know, has been a stable situation forever either. the biggest weapon we have against those I mean, this is—and yet the Lebanese peo- who can’t stand freedom is the advance ple deserve a peaceful democracy, and our of freedom. I’m going to give a speech aim is to help them. here in a minute that talks about the need to advance the freedom agenda in the Mid- President’s Remarks at the Knesset in dle East. Jerusalem And my—you know, Iran is a threat to Mr. Engel. It sounded like, when you people who want to live in peace. That’s were addressing the Israeli Knesset, you what they’ve clearly shown. I mean, the gave a green light to Israel to take action interesting thing in Lebanon is that against Hizballah and Hamas. Hizballah, which had sold itself as a pro- The President. I don’t—Richard, you can tector against Israel, all of a sudden turned read into it what you want to read into its weapons on the people of Lebanon and it. That certainly wasn’t my intention. My all the—the true colors. And sometimes in intention was to say that all of us need life there needs to be clarity in order for to understand that radical groups are the people to rally to solve a problem. threat to peace, whether it be Al Qaida And so the best way to deal with the or Hamas or Hizballah. Iranians in the Middle East is to help the young democracy of Lebanon survive, is to Iran stand up a Palestinian state—obviously, Mr. Engel. Negotiations with Iran—is subject to the roadmap—which we intend that appeasement? Is that like—— to do before my Presidency, and succeed The President. No. in Iraq. Mr. Engel. ——appeasing Adolph Hitler? The President. My position, Richard, all Lebanon along has been that if the Iranians verifiably Mr. Engel. How are you going to prevent suspend their enrichment, which will be a Hizballah from taking over in Lebanon? key measure to stop them from gaining the They had a small coup. The army didn’t know-how to build a weapon, then we— do anything. And they proved that they are they can come to the table, and the United clearly in control of the streets when they States will be at the table. That’s been a want to be. position of my administration for, gosh, I The President. Yes. Well, that’s a prob- can’t remember how many years, but it’s lem. And obviously, one thing to do is to a clear position. We’ve stated it over and help strengthen the Lebanese Army, which over again. I sent General Dempsey to Beirut—I don’t But I’ve also said that if they choose HEARING know if he was there when you were there, not to do that—verifiably suspend—we will with

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continue to rally the world to isolate the better; the economic situation—unlike Iranians. And it is having an effect inside other parts of this world—are pretty strong. their country. There’s a better way forward And now the question is, are they going for the Iranian people than to be isolated, to be able to get the resources in an effi- and their leaders just need to make better cient way to the people, so the people see choices. the benefits of democracy? And they’re doing a better job of that. U.S. Troop Levels in Iraq Mr. Engel. In Iraq, I recently met a sol- Progress in Iraq dier. He was medevaced out on his first Mr. Engel. You still view Iraq as a suc- tour. He’s now back on his second tour— cess. Because on the ground, it looks very was already medevaced to the green zone. bleak. People still want to leave the coun- How many more tours do these soldiers try, and people are—— have to do? Is there an exit strategy for The President. Well, that’s interesting you Iraq? said that. That’s a little different from the The President. Well, first of all, the fact surveys I’ve seen and a little different from that this person volunteered again speaks the attitude of the actual Iraqis I’ve talked to the great bravery of our troops. And to, but you’re entitled to your opinion. we need to honor them and will honor Mr. Engel. The Iraqi Government, I them. And one way to do so is to have think, has one position, which is that it’s more set tours: in for 12, out for 12. seeing a lot of progress. But Sadr City has The other thing is to take care of their been up in revolt. There’s major battles families, and when they’re veterans, take in Mosul. I was just in a major firefight care of the vets. You know, the fact that in Sadr City, hit by an EFP. It is still you told me about a guy who got very much a war zone. medevaced twice only says to me that we’ve The President. Richard, no question, it’s got a courageous military. violent. But there’s no question that the In terms of success, we’re returning Iraqi Government are dealing with the vio- troops on success. You might remember, lent people. It’s like this attitude about I had to make a difficult choice to put Basra. I can remember, you know, a good more troops in. Those troops are coming reporter saying, ‘‘Basra is a disaster.’’ I’m home by July. And then, of course, General not suggesting you did, but people said, Petraeus and his successor will assess the ‘‘It’s a disaster.’’ And lo and behold, it situation on the ground, and we will end wasn’t; it was successful. up having the troops necessary to help the What you’re watching is an Iraqi Govern- Iraqis succeed. ment take care of extremists in their midst so that a democracy can survive. And it’s U.S. Troop Levels in Iraq/Progress in Iraq essential that this democracy survive for our Mr. Engel. So it doesn’t sound like own security as well as the stability of the there’s an end anytime soon. It just sounds Middle East. like we need to support them as much as we can and keep them there for as long Middle East Peace Process/Lebanon as we can. Mr. Engel. You’ve talked about having The President. I think the end, Richard, a Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement by the is, I told you, return on success. The more end of this year. successful Iraq is, the fewer troops we’ll The President. Right. need. And there’s no question, Iraq is be- Mr. Engel. What gives you hope that that coming successful. The security situation is not overly ambitious? Why do you think HEARING has changed; the political situation is a lot that’s possible? with

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The President. Because, first of all, peo- The President. Richard, those folks were ple in Israel understand that in order for always around; they were here. What we’re them to have long-term security, there has handing over is a Middle East that, one, to be a democratic state. People in Pal- recognizes the problems—and the world estine want a democratic state. Now, there recognizes them. There’s clarity as to what are people opposing that—Hamas, in par- the problems are. To say all of a sudden ticular—trying to create the violence and that Hamas showed up is just not factual. fear to stop the state from progressing. They have been around, and they have Secondly, I know their leaders. I spent been dangerous. Hizballah has been a lot of time with Prime Minister Olmert around, and they are dangerous. They have and President Abbas. They are dedicated been—that’s why we put them on the ter- to doing the hard work. rorist list before my Presidency. And thirdly, I’ve seen the progress being And what you’re beginning to see is new made on issues like—— democracies. You’ll see a Palestinian state. Mr. Engel. What about Hamas? Hamas You’ll see a—Iraq emerging. And it doesn’t was elected—— happen overnight. The freedom movement The President. Excuse me for a minute, is not a instant. The freedom movement please—on issues like the border and refu- is a challenge to a system that said, the gees and security. And yes, Hamas was status quo is acceptable, when underneath elected, and they’ve done a disaster in— was brewing all kinds of resentments. of running Gaza. And there will be an in- We’ve taken on Al Qaida in the Middle teresting contrast between the vision of East. It was from here that they recruited Hamas and their record and the vision of people to launch attacks. And while they’re President Abbas and Prime Minister still existing, they’ve been hurt. And they’re Fayyad and the Palestinian state. And it’s going to be hurt even more as liberty ad- that vision, the competing visions that will vances and freedom advances. be put forth to the Palestinian people at some time. And I believe a state will exist, and I Al Qaida/Iran know it’s necessary for peace in the Middle East. And I think—I feel good that we Mr. Engel. Do you believe that Iran is can get it defined during my Presidency now more of a threat in Iraq than Al and implemented subject to roadmap. Qaida? The President. You know, that’s an inter- esting question. I believe—yes, I bet—I Freedom Agenda/Al Qaida think they’ve both been seriously hurt in Mr. Engel. Going back to your vision and Iraq. And you know, Al Qaida thought they the message you’ve been pushing about de- were going to have a stronghold in Anbar mocracy and supporting moderates across Province. They proudly proclaimed this was the region, if you look back over the last going to be their capital from which they several years, the Middle East that you’ll were going to launch missions around the be handing over to the next President world and throughout the region, and they has—is deeply problematic. You have failed. Hamas in power, Hizballah empowered, And in Iran [Iraq], * Shi’a groups funded taking to the streets, more—stronger than by Iran have tried to take on the Govern- the Government, Iran empowered, Iraq still ment. And the Government is succeeding, at war. What region—— and it’s—but it’s going to take a while. The President. Richard. HEARING Mr. Engel. ——are you handing over? * White House correction. with

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War on Terror/Freedom Agenda The President. ——two ways—— Mr. Engel. The war on terrorism has Mr. Engel. ——in the hive and let them been the centerpiece of your Presidency. spread? Many people say that it has not made the The President. Excuse me for a minute, world safer, that it has created more radi- Richard, two ways: One, find them and cals, that there are more people in this bring them to justice—what we’re doing; part of the world who want to attack the and two, offer freedom as an alternative United States. to their vision. And somehow to suggest The President. Yes. That theory says, by that bees would stay in the hive is naive. confronting the people that killed us, there- They didn’t stay in the hive when they fore, there’s going to be more; therefore, came and killed 3,000 of our citizens. we shouldn’t confront them. Mr. Engel. Thank you very much for Mr. Engel. Or creating more people who your time, Mr. President. want to kill us, one could also say. The President. Yes, sir. Yes. The President. Well, you can say that, Mr. Engel. Thank you. but the truth of the matter is, there’s fewer Al Qaida leaders; the people are on the NOTE: The interview was taped at 2:02 p.m. run; they’re having more trouble recruiting at the Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh for in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, our part- later broadcast. In his remarks, the President ner, has gone after Al Qaida. People now referred to President Mahmud Ahmadi- see Al Qaida for what it is, which is a nejad of Iran; Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki group of extremists and radicals who preach of Iraq; Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, USA, nothing but hate. And no, I just—it’s just acting commander, U.S. Central Command; the beehive theory. We should have just Prime Minister Fuad Siniora of Lebanon; let the beehive sit there and hope the bees Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding don’t come out of the hive. general, Multi-National Force—Iraq; Prime My attitude is, the United States must Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel; and Presi- stay on the offense against Al Qaida—two dent Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister ways. One from—— Salam Fayyad of the Palestinian Authority. Mr. Engel. But haven’t you just smashed The transcript was released by the Office of the bees—— the Press Secretary on May 19.

Remarks Following a Meeting With Secretary of the Treasury Henry M. Paulson, Jr. May 19, 2008

Secretary Paulson, thanks for coming. ple pay their bills. And we hope people And I just got back from the Middle East, use that money and take care of their fami- and the Secretary came over to talk about lies and shop. the economy and how he sees it. And we’re I also asked him how he was doing in working through tough times, and I appre- helping people stay in their homes. We ciate the leadership you’re providing. spent time talking about the housing indus- He did assure me that the refund checks try. And one of the really impressive pro- are heading out; people are getting that grams has been the HOPE NOW program. money. And that’s good. It should help our Secretary Paulson has taken the lead in— HEARING economy and, more importantly, help peo- to help people refinance and help people with

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