For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 24, 2005
President Welcomes Iraqi Prime Minister Jaafari to the White House
The East Room
In Focus: Renewal in Iraq
11:31 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Mr. Prime Minister, I am
honored to welcome you to the White House. As the leader of Iraq's
first democratically elected government in more than 50 years, you are
helping to lift your country from decades of fear and oppression.
The Prime Minister is a great Iraqi patriot, he's a friend of
liberty, he's a strong partner for peace and freedom. For more than
two decades, he served the cause of Iraqi freedom in exile as a fierce
opponent of Saddam Hussein's tyranny. Today this medical doctor now
serves his people as he works to build a new Iraq.
I told the Prime Minister that the American people share his
democratic vision for Iraq. I told him of our nation's deep and
abiding respect for Islam, for the people of Iraq, and for the
potential of the nation that now belongs to them.
Today we meet at a critical moment in the history of this proud
nation. In just a few days, we will mark the first anniversary of the
return of Iraq to its people. In the year since then, the Iraqis can
take credit from [sic] some extraordinary achievements in the face of
tremendous challenge.
Seven months after resuming sovereignty over their nation, the
Iraqi people defied the car bombers and assassins to hold their first
free elections in a half century. In April, the newly elected
Transitional National Assembly formed a government and appointed Dr.
Jaafari as the Prime Minister. This month, after a spirited debate,
the Iraqis reached an agreement to expand their constitutional drafting
committee to include more Sunni Arabs, so that this important community
also has a strong voice in shaping the future of their country.
The Prime Minister and I discussed the important work the Iraqis
have before them in the months ahead. This work includes drafting a
permanent constitution for a free Iraq, submitting it to the Iraqi
people for approval, and then holding new elections to choose a
constitutional government. These are monumental tasks -- yet at every
step of the way so far, the Iraqi people have met their strategic
objectives -- and the terrorists have failed to stop them. I commend
Prime Minister Jaafari and his fellow Iraqis for their hard work and
courage. And I'm confident that the Iraqi people will continue to defy
the skeptics as they assume greater responsibility for their security
and build a new Iraq that represents their diversity.
The way ahead is not going to be easy. The killings and roadside
bombings that we see underscore that freedom in Iraq is opposed by a
violent and ruthless enemy with no regard for human life. The enemy
includes former members of Saddam Hussein's regime, the enemy includes
criminal elements, and the enemy includes foreign terrorists. The
terrorists are fighting in Iraq because they know a free Iraq in the
heart of the Middle East will deal a severe blow to an ideology that
lives on oppression and fear. By securing Iraqi democracy, we will
make America and our friends and allies around the world safer.
The enemy's goal is to drive us out of Iraq before the Iraqis have
established a secure, democratic government. They will not succeed.
Our goal is clear: a democratic and peaceful Iraq that represents all
Iraqis. Our troops will continue to train Iraqi security forces so
these forces can defend their country and to protect their people from
terror. And as Iraqis become more capable in defending their nation,
our troops will eventually return home with the honor they have
earned.
As the Iraqi people stand up for their freedom, they know that the
free world is now standing with them. Earlier this week, more than 80
countries and international organizations came together in Brussels to
discuss how to help Iraq provide for its security and rebuild its
country. And next month, donor countries will meet in Jordan to
discuss Iraqi reconstruction.
I appreciate Prime Minister Jaafari's brave leadership. Prime
Minister Jaafari is a bold man. I've enjoyed my discussions with the
Prime Minister. He is a frank, open fellow who is willing to tell me
what's on his mind. And what is on his mind is peace and security for
the people of Iraq, and what is on his mind is a democratic future that
is hopeful.
I want to thank you for your courage. I want to thank you for your
understanding about the nature of free societies. I want to thank you
for helping Iraq become a beacon of freedom.
Prime Minister Jaafari's visit comes at an important time. I want
to thank you for coming.
PRIME MINISTER JAAFARI: Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Welcome.
PRIME MINISTER JAAFARI: Thank you very much. I want to thank the
United States people for their courage and commitment against
terrorism, and for democracy in our country.
I visited hospitals in the past month in Turkey, Muthanna, and
yesterday in Washington, D.C. There were Iraqis and American; they had
suffered side by side; and they were on a common enemy -- terrorism.
They were fighting for the security of Iraq, but also of Americans.
This is not the time to fall back -- to fall back. We owe to those who
have made sacrifices to continue toward the goals they fought for.
I see from up close what's happening in Iraq, and I know we are
making steady and substantial progress. People said Saddam would not
fall, and he did. They say the election would not happen, and they
did. They say the constitution will not be written, but it will. And
the political process is worth a thousand tanks. Including the Sunni
Arabs will further undermine the terrorists. They have joined the
parliamentary committee and the government, and they will take part in
the next elections.
(As translated.) Another time I would like to thank and commend
Mr. President for his hospitality and his receiving me here, and for
the subjects we discussed together. And also he was frank and
transparent and he gave me very good feelings towards the people in
Iraq. I would also like to thank the American people for standing
beside the Iraqi people, going through these difficult times. No doubt
our people will never forget those who stand beside Iraq, particularly
at these terrible times. We do appreciate the assistance given by
America during the present period of time in particular. There is a
great achievement in Iraq, there is democracy in Iraq, and the people
in Iraq defied terrorism and they refused to accept any dictatorship.
There is about 30 percent of women participating, and this is an
example of democracy in Iraq and in the region, even in the whole
world. There are six women Ministers in my government, and it is my
intention to add one more woman to be deputy to the Prime Minister.
In the new Iraq, there is progress on more than one aspect, even
though, again, it's all the challenges we have, particularly in
security. Even though there is a lot of infiltration from the
countries adjacent to Iraq, moving from inside Iraq itself, but there
is a will in Iraq to secure security. And so the bombing in Iraq has
been reduced a lot. And we are making great progress, and we depend on
our security forces, multi-national forces also who work with us
support us, but the responsibility in the front line is for the Iraqis
and everything is making progress quantitatively and qualitatively.
We want to secure love instead of hatred in our country,
coexistence and cooperation in Iraq instead of cursing each other. The
whole people of Iraq would like to continue the democracy in Iraq and
they will fight for achieving it. So many people said that democracy
will never stand in Iraq, said that elections will never be held in
Iraq, and they said also that the government will never be established
in Iraq, and they said there would be no constitution -- but everything
will be there and the whole world will see that changes in Iraq happen
because of the great will of the people of Iraq and the countries that
are assisting us.
We want fraternal relations with all the countries of the world and
the adjacent countries keeping our sovereignty against all infiltration
from the borders of Iraq. We want goodness for all countries of the
world and wish you all the best for the American people. Thank you,
very much. Thank you, very much.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. What we'll do now
is we'll ask a question -- answer a question from the American side and
then one from the Iraqi side. Thank you, we'll be there in a minute.
And then -- we'll have two a side, in other words.
I will start with Kelly O'Donnell.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. On Iraq, sir, the Vice President
has described the conditions there, regarding the insurgency as being
in its last throes. General Abizaid said there has been no significant
change over the last six months. Your spokesman said you agreed with
the Vice President's assessment. Can you help the American people
understand these two different views that are coming forward -- one
from the administration, one from top commanders -- when your spokesman tells us every day you get your information directly from those top commanders?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I do get briefed by our top commanders, as does
the Vice President. As a matter of fact, about two hours ago, General
Abizaid briefed the Vice President and myself and the Secretary of
Defense about what is taking place on the ground. And there's no
question there's an enemy that still wants to shake our will and get us
to leave. And they're willing to use any means necessary. They try to
kill -- and they do kill innocent Iraqi people, women and children,
because they know that they're -- the carnage that they wreak will be
on TV. And they know that they are -- they know that it bothers people
to see death -- and it does, it bothers me, it bothers American
citizens, it bothers Iraqis. They're trying to shake our will. That's
what they're trying to do. And so of course we understand the nature
of that enemy.
We also understand that there is reason to be optimist --
optimistic about what's taking place. The very same commanders that
say that these folks are terrible killers are also reminding us that
we're making good progress. On the one hand, you just heard the Prime
Minister talk about a new democracy. Remember, the killers tried to
intimidate everybody so that they wouldn't vote. That was their
tactic. If you look back at the history of our involvement in Iraq,
there was a lot of bombings and killings prior to the elections. What
they were trying to do is say, let's shake the will of not only the
Americans, but the Iraqi citizens. And -- but nevertheless, the Iraqi
citizens wouldn't have their will shaken.
So we're optimistic. We're optimistic that more and more Iraqi
troops are becoming better trained to fight the terrorists. We're
optimistic about the constitutional process. There is a political
track that's moving forward in parallel with the security track. No
question about -- it's difficult. I mean, we hear it every day, of
course. So do you, you report it every day. It's tough work. And
it's hard. The hardest part of my job is to comfort the family members
who have lost a loved one, which I intend to do when I go down to North
Carolina on Tuesday.
But nevertheless, progress is being made, and the defeat of the
enemy -- and they will be defeated -- will be accelerated by the
progress on the ground in Iraq that -- the establishment of a
democratic state that listens to the hopes and aspirations of all the
people in Iraq will lead to the defeat of this enemy. And so that's
what this administration believes, and we firmly believe it is going to
happen.
Would you like to call on somebody from the Iraq press?
PRIME MINISTER JAAFARI: Yes, yes.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Who would you like to call on? Better pick one.
Q My first question is, Mr. Bush, we heard here that there are
members of the Congress and the Senate, they are asking for a schedule
for withdrawing your troops from Iraq. Have you discussed this with
the government of Iraq or will it be left to the government to decide?
Mr. Jaafari, it was said in the streets of Iraq that the
administration of America is pressurizing your government through the
visit of Ms. Rice in Iraq. Is there a reaction to that with President
Bush?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you. You've picked up a good American
trick, which is to ask two questions. (Laughter.) Congratulations.
There's not going to be any timetables. I mean, I've told this to the
Prime Minister. We are there to complete a mission, and it's an
important mission. A democratic Iraq is in the interest of the United
States of America, and it's in the interest of laying the foundation
for peace. And if that's the mission, then why would you -- why would
you say to the enemy, you know, here's a timetable, just go ahead and
wait us out? It doesn't make any sense to have a timetable. You know,
if you give a timetable, you're -- you're conceding too much to the
enemy.
This is an enemy that will be defeated. And it's -- so I'm not
exactly sure who made that proposition, but I would -- you don't have
to worry, Mr. Prime Minister, about timetables. And we want to work
with you to continue to build up the Iraqi forces. See, success will
happen in Iraq when the political process moves forward, like it is.
Again, I remind you all, maybe four months -- anyway, the beginning of
the winter, there was a lot of people here in the country that never
thought the elections would go forward. They thought the enemy had the
upper hand because of the death and destruction that we saw on our TV
screens. They said, well, can't possibly be elections. The Iraqi
people don't want to be free. And, you know, these killers are going
to stop the elections. And sure enough, over 8 million people voted
because they do want to be free. And so success will occur as this
political process continues to move forward. And we spent time talking
about making sure that Sunnis were a part of the process.
We made sure we talked about making sure that people's points of
view are represented, making sure that we stay on -- the only timetable
that I think is going to -- that I know is out there is the timetable
that says let's have the constitution written by a certain date, and
let's have it ratified by a certain date, and let's have the election
by a certain date. That's the timetable. And we're going to stay on
that timetable. And it's important for the Iraqi people to know we
are.
And the second track is to have Iraqis take the fight to the
enemy. And we're slowly but surely getting this training completed.
And so we spent time today not only hearing about the conditions on the
ground and the nature of the enemy from Generals Abizaid and General
Casey, but we also talked about progress in the training mission. And
we are making good progress when it comes training Iraqis. One of the
interesting statistics as to whether or not the Iraqis want to join the
fight is whether or not they're able to recruit Iraqis to join the
army. And recruitment is high. In other words, Iraqis do want to be a
part of the process.
And so part of the coalition's job is to give these Iraqi units the
training necessary to be able to fight the terrorists. That's our
strategy. And it is working and it is going to work, for the good of
the country.
Now, he asked you a question, and it's a very intelligent --
PRIME MINISTER JAAFARI: As for the second question on the visit of
Ms. Rice, Condoleezza Rice to Iraq, the general impression of that
visit was a general review for the situation there. It was a time for
us that so that -- that gave support at Brussels, and I think they
played a great role that the greater opportunity for the Iraqis as a
big party. And as for the program and the ministers who attended, they
all spoke in the interests of Iraq, and we thanked her very much for
the efforts she made. And I spoke about the preparation for her and
what she can present us of services to Iraq. And I believe she played
a great role and will play a great role in Brussels, and I hope the
recommendations will reflect on the donor countries so that we get the
interest to the Iraqi people, particularly for the services. Thank
you.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Declining public support for the
mission in Iraq and the lack of progress on some of your domestic
priorities has prompted suggestions that you're in something of a
second term slump. Do you worry --
PRESIDENT BUSH: A quagmire, perhaps. (Laughter.)
Q You can choose the word, sir. Do you worry at all about
losing some of your ability to drive the agenda, both internationally
and domestically?
And Mr. Prime Minister, if I may, does the decline in American
support for the mission in Iraq have any impact on your government and
the people of your country?
PRESIDENT BUSH: No, I appreciate the polls, the question about the
polls. Look, this is a time of testing. And it's a critical time.
We're asking Congress to do -- to take on some big tasks domestically.
I fully understood when I went into the Social Security debate that
there would be a lot of people that wished we hadn't have brought it
up. I knew that. I mean, after all, there are some who, in Congress,
that would rather not take on the tough issue, make -- they're afraid
if you take on a tough issue, it will make it harder to get reelected.
And so I'm not surprised that there is a, kind of a reaction, the
do-nothing reaction in Congress toward Social Security, and I'm not
surprised the American people are saying, I wonder why nothing is
getting done. You know, they see a problem and they're wondering why
people won't step up and solve the problem. So I'm not surprised about
-- that there's a -- people are balking at doing big things. I do
think we'll get an energy bill that will be good, and show the American
people finally we're willing to put an energy strategy in law that will
help us conserve more and diversify away from hydrocarbons and develop
technologies that will enable us to burn coal cleanly, for example.
Overseas, the idea of helping a country that had been devastated by
a tyrant become a democracy is also a difficult chore, and it's hard
work, particularly since there's an enemy that is willing to use
suicide bombers to kill. It's hard to stop suicide bombers, and it's
hard to stop these people that, in many cases, are being smuggled into
Iraq from outside Iraq. It's hard to stop them. And yet they're able
to do incredible damage. They're damaging not only -- you know, they're
obviously killing Americans, but they're killing a lot more Iraqis.
And their whole attempt is to frighten the people of both our
countries. That's what they're trying to do.
In other words, they figure if they can shake our will and affect
public opinion, then politicians will give up on the mission. I'm not
giving up on the mission. We're doing the right thing, which is to set
the foundation for peace and freedom. And I understand why the al
Qaeda network, for example, is to terrified about democracy, because
democracy is the opposite of what they believe. Their ideology is one
of oppression and hate. Democracy is one that lifts up people and is
based upon hope.
I think I said at this press conference here in the East Room, you
know, it's like -- following polls is like a dog chasing his tail. I'm
not sure how that translates. But my job is to set an agenda and to
lead toward that agenda. And we're laying the foundation for peace
around the world.
Iraq is a part of the agenda. There's going to be -- there were
elections in Lebanon. We hope Egypt has free and open elections. My
dream is that there be a Palestinian state living side by side in peace
with Iraq. I noticed our former ambassador to Afghanistan is with us,
who is now going to be the ambassador to Iraq. Afghanistan is a
hopeful story. It's still difficult because, again, there are
terrorists there associated with this -- the likes of -- or are a part
of the al Qaeda network that is interested in stopping the advance of
democracy because democracy is -- will be a part of their defeat and
demise.
PRIME MINISTER JAAFARI: Thank you very much. As for the question
on the reduction of support, Iraq's -- the Iraqi people had a specific
request which is toppling down Saddam Hussein for reasons relating to
their dignity and their policy -- their politics. And after Saddam
Hussein was removed, through the different efforts of international
efforts and Iraqis, this was achieved. Right now we have another
danger, which is terrorism, which is against not only the Iraqi people
but all the world of the country -- of the world, and at any time,
doesn't have any particular land, but it works everywhere. Geography
of terrorism is the human beings, themselves. And those people who are
doing it are the enemies of humanity.
Once they do it in Washington, once in Spain, once in Iraq, so
fighting the terrorism, and limiting their impact and in order to keep
the human dignity and civilization requires that we all act together.
It's not only the duty of Iraqi people but other countries, as well.
As you know, Iraq is rich in oil, in water, in cultivation, as strategy
and (inaudible), and also -- but because of the exception of
circumstances of Iraq, now it has become a poor country, so we have to
have the impact and the support from other countries.
The success of our Iraqi people is your own success. The people of
Iraq is civilized. I look forward to support from all other countries
of the world. You have given us something more than money -- you have
given us a lot of your sons, your children that were killed beside our
own children in Iraq. Of course this is more precious than any other
kind of support we receive. You have to be proud before your own
people that you presented us for the maintenance of democracy in Iraq
and to remove the dictatorship. We do not forget those who stood
beside us at hard times, and they are decided to go forward. And there
is a lot of difference between one month and another, between one week
and another. Iraqi people are insistent on going along the path for
their economy and their security, but we do need the help of other
countries who will help us, to stand beside us.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Final question, Mr. Prime Minister. Would you --
Q Mr. Prime Minister, I am a presenter on radio in Iraq. My
question is for you. For more than two years we've started a change in
Iraq, but the process of building is very slow. There are secure
cities in Iraq, Samarra and Kurdistan. When will you begin the
reconstruction in Iraq? When do we begin to establish the first bases
of reconstruction? And you know that if you started reconstruction in
Iraq it will mean that young people will have something to do, and they
will leave terrorist activities. So the question is for Mr. Prime
Minister. There were discussions held with the President Bush, and the
most important thing you discussed with him we want to know about it.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Sometimes we don't tell you things, you know.
(Laughter.) No, we discussed a lot of important things. We discussed
democracy, we discussed having the constitution there, and we discussed
security, we discussed reconstruction.
We are spending reconstruction money, but, you know, you need to
ask that to the government. They're in charge. It's your government,
not ours. This is the government that is -- that has got the
ministries in place that spends the money. We're willing to help, and
we have helped. And I want to thank the Congress and the American
people for their generosity in helping Iraq rebuild. And we're
spending money.
But, remember, your question kind of made it seem like -- that
we're in charge. We're not. You had elections; 8.5 million people
voted, and this good man is now in charge of the government. I don't
want to be passing the buck, as we say, but we're more than willing to
help reconstruction efforts, but this is a sovereign government --
PRIME MINISTER JAAFARI: Thank you, very much.
PRESIDENT BUSH: -- with an elected Prime Minister by the people of
Iraq. And so we want to look forward to working with the government.
Our role is to help. His role is to govern and lead. And we've got
the money allocated. Obviously, it's important to get electricity to
the Iraqi citizens and clean water to the Iraqi citizens. And, you
know, I was pleased to see the other day when I was reading that
there's a lot of air traffic in and out of the airport now, quite a lot
of air traffic. In other words, there's commerce beginning to develop.
We want to be helpful. But the responsibility rests with the people
who the Iraqi people elected. And that's you, Mr. Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER JAAFARI: Thank you, Mr. President. Of course,
there were many points discussed with the President, Mr. Bush, in our
special meeting, and we talked about so many facts. It was the first
meeting between us, so we talked directly about the democracy in Iraq
and the constitution, the achievement of the constitution, and we
decided to continue the case of security until everything is well
established.
And at the same time, we thought that there is a Marshall project
after the Second World War that contributed -- the U.S. contributed in
that and in the Truman's government when they presented assistance to
the German people. German people had selected Hitler in a democratic
process that had a 98 percent result, however, we are quite happy with
this hospitality of the U.S. So Germany was able to work.
The Iraqi people did not elect Saddam Hussein. In fact, they
suffered a lot from Saddam Hussein before he attacked the geographical
adjacent countries. He took their money before he took the money of
Kuwait. He occupied Kuwait, in fact, as he did, and there is a lot of
indications to tell us that the Iraqi people are innocent of all that
had happened. They have to pay off their -- so many debts, and we hope
that all countries will stand beside us to correct this unexceptional
[sic] situation. They did not commit any crime against any people,
they are peaceful. But it was Saddam Hussein who committed the
crimes. And he brought about so many debts and losses to the Iraqi
people.
We look forward to the international community to stand beside us,
and we believe that this is a humanitarian stance. And we hope that
Mr. Bush will try to redo a Marshall Plan, calling it the Bush Plan, to
help Iraq, to help the Iraqi people. And this would be a very wonderful
step that they stand beside us.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Thank you all.
Thank you.
END 12:04 P.M. EDT
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