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CNN Live Event/Special

President Bush, Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi Hold Press Conference

Aired July 23, 2001 - 08:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, we do want to take you live to Rome, though, where a news conference is just this second getting under way with Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and President George Bush. The two have met together this morning, talking about economic issues and other things. President Bush met with the pope earlier. The pope had some harsh words about embryonic stem cell research.

We are expecting some questions on all of those issues, so why don't we listen in right now in Rome.

SILVIO BERLUSCONI, ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER (through translator): ... It's as a friend that I receive him in a free country, a democratic country, that has always been a friend of the United States of America, which, with the United States of America, has had for over 50 years a very special cooperation based on the feelings of the Atlantic Alliance, the European Union.

Our country is a country that looks to the United States of America with a recognition that must be steadfast, a recognition that derives from a very profound feeling, Mr. President, of those who are aware of the fact that precisely, thanks to your country, to your great democracy, to the young lives that the Americans sacrificed in Italian territory over 50 years ago, Italy ended a very dark moment where totalitarianism had got rid of freedom, and thanks to the sacrifice of the United States and its allies, we were able to reach democracy, freedom and we had a period of over half a century in freedom, democracies and in prosperity.

Therefore, with the feelings of a very great friend where we recognize the feelings that are at the basis of the American feelings with the same values that are the basis of your political action that we receive you, Mr. President, and we, as we know in Genoa, have spent very special moments in Genoa, moments that I will always remember with great pleasure, and I must tell you that in Genoa I admired the way that you opened up towards others. I have to tell you that you conquered American journalists, you conquered everyone because you were so spontaneous, so natural. It was such a frank way to say things because yes is yes and no is no.

In politics, we weren't used to seeing all this, and we were always beating around the bush and we were taking things from the left or the right, up, down and so on. With President Bush everything is simple and, at the very end, all the other leaders truly appreciated the manner in which you were pragmatic, you were concrete, and that is how you face all of the problems.

And I also must add, and here I will end, I, who have already directed a G-8 in Naples seven years ago, found a new atmosphere, a more positive atmosphere with a greater closeness amongst leaders and I made this reflection; I said, it is almost a miracle today at the beginning of a new century, at the beginning of a new millennium of having, around a table, people looking at each other in their eyes with faith and with friendship. We have the prime minister of Japan, the president of the United States of America, the prime minister of Germany and the presidents of England, France and Italy and, again, the United States president and the president of the Russian Federation.

Only 13 years ago, the world was divided in two -- there were two ideologies, a wall in the middle and we thought that France and collective economies could be a competitive economy against our system of free markets and free enterprise. How the world has changed and, therefore, I have to tell you that as a citizen and anybody I must say that from Genoa, from the talks of President Bush and the other leaders, just by the way you had these relationships with the other leaders in such a frank and open way, we have greater hope.

The world today is much more safe than it was a few years ago, and we can truly build and construct for our people, but for other peoples as well, calling them within the virtuous cycle of trade, of exchanges, as friends with faith and confidence, we can definitely build a better world, and thank you for history, in a sense, in this specific instance, I must say thank you to President Bush.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Mr. Prime Minister, thank you very much.

Perhaps the interpreter got it wrong when she says that my performance at the G-8 conquered the American press. If so, I would expect their stories to reflect it from now on.

But one thing is for certain, on this, my first trip as president to Italy, I've really enjoyed myself. I can see why so many Americans choose Italy as the place to visit: fantastic history, beautiful buildings and monuments and wonderful people.

Prime Minister, I appreciate your leadership as well. We share an entrepreneurial spirit. We understand the role the entrepreneur in our societies. After all, this good man came from humble beginnings to not only build a business enterprise that employs thousands of people, but also had the courage to seek political office, and I firmly believe the people of Italy will be well off with my friend as their leader.

BUSH: And I've got some experience to say that because I saw him at the G-8. We had meetings where there was nobody else in the room except the leaders of the industrialized world. We had good and honest discussions, but the prime minister was a pro, an expert at encouraging dialogue and expressing his opinion. I want to thank the people of Genoa again for the sacrifices they made. I want to thank the law enforcement officials for providing security. I appreciate the prime minister and his government for making available the opportunity for those of us who lead our respective nations to come together, have a good, frank dialogue, to talk about ways to improve relations amongst ourselves as well as ways to help those nations that are not as fortunate as we are.

You deserve a lot of credit, Mr. Prime Minister.

Secondly, we've had good discussions today about our bilateral relations. We've got great trade between our nations, and we could work together to make sure that trade continues. We've got good military cooperation between our respective lands, and we'll continue to do so.

And I reconfirm for the prime minister that which I said at NATO, that America came into the Balkans with our friends, and we will leave with our friends. And I appreciate so very much the Italian leadership in the Balkans, not only the general who led our troops at one point in time, but as well, the troops that our still there. Our two nations comprised a large part of the force in keeping the peace.

I also want to say something about the development in Indonesia. The people of Indonesia, by addressing their leadership crisis under their constitution and laws, have shown commitment to the rule of law and democracy.

We hope all parties will work together to maintain peace, support the constitution and promote national reconciliation. We appreciate President Wahid's work the last two years in leading Indonesia through its democratic transition.

We look forward to working with President Megawati and her team to address Indonesia's challenges of economic reform, a peaceful resolution of separatist challenges and maintaining territorial integrity.

Mr. Prime Minister, once again, thank you for your friendship and thank you for the friendship of the Italian people with the American people.

BERLUSCONI (through translator): Thank you.

There were agreements and we, through the journalists, that are going to ask the questions, the name that was given to me is the name of Mr. Dennison (ph).

QUESTION (through translator): Mr. President, the Pope's statement was a surprise on the manipulation of embryos and how do you intend to take this into consideration as far as federal subsidies are concerned. They were talking about the research...

QUESTION: ... was it a surprise? What do you feel today from the Holy Father, his declarations non manipulations of embryos and how do you intend to take it into consideration as you examine the decision about federal funds to research, especially in view of what you said before regarding your decision?

BUSH: Yes, thank you.

QUESTION: To President Berlusconi, the relationship between Italy and the United States, does it go through Europe or on one topics do you believe that Italy has a privileged and specific role because the communique was not very precise on this?

BUSH: That's a two-question strategy. The person's allowed to ask one question, but they managed to convert it to two. I suspect that may be the case with some of the American press as well.

First, let me say how honored I was to be able to be in the presence of the Holy Father. It was a moment that I was looking forward to because of his profound impact on the world. He's an extraordinary man who is, by virtue of his leadership and his conscience and his presence has not only affected political systems, but affected the hearts and souls of thousands of people all around the world and it's hard to describe. I'm not poetic enough to describe what it's like to be in his presence.

Nor was I surprised to hear his strong, consistent message of life. It's been his message ever since he's been the Holy Father. He's never deviated. He's sent a consistent word throughout the church and through society that we ought to take into the account the preciousness of life. I hear that message from his cardinals and bishops throughout our country.

One of the things about the Catholic Church that I admire is that it's a church that stands on consistent and solid principle and, of course, I'll take that point of view into consideration as I make up my mind on a very difficult issue confronting the United States of America. It's the need to balance value and respect for life with the promise of science and the hope of saving life.

BUSH: And so, I will go back home after what has been a very successful trip, continue to listen to points of view and make up my mind when I'm ready to and when I do I'll make the case to the American people.

BERLUSCONI (through translator): As far as the question that was asked, I think that the statement comprises all of the centers where we all had the same views and, therefore, we have the same political identity that derive from the same values, from the same way of looking at things and the events in the world. I think that this is the basis of a cooperation that can be a very tight one, indeed.

As far as the European Union, we know that the European Union wants to have a task force that will cooperate and work with NATO. It asks NATO to provide the element that the task force in the beginning would not have on its own but, again, with cooperation and working with NATO, and I do believe that this is something positive because it would not be logical, it would not be possible to continue for NATO to come in, intervene on its own in all of those situations that arise in the world in order to make sure that they go in to take care of those wounds that become chronic ulcers. Therefore, I think that it's fair that if Europe wants to become politically strong, that wants to express itself with a single voice, I was say it should have its own military force. However, I believe that this military force must be fully synchronized with the NATO forces and it might be able to intervene by itself with preventive agreements with NATO so that NATO does not have to face every single situation in the world.

As far as the United States, there's a very intense trade relationship in both directions. Last week we signed an agreement for a greater cooperation in technological and scientific research. I believe that this can be useful even in difficult situations like the situation of the factors that increase the temperature on the planet. I think that every single topic, every single situation should go back to the fundamental agreement that is born from the historic reasons that I mentioned and which consolidate itself due to the fact that we have a common basis of values and principles and today also due to the human liking and the sympathy that we have that has developed between the president of the Italian government and the president of the United States.

QUESTION: Mr. President (OFF-MIKE) regarding stem cell research. I was struck by the fact that the Pope specifically condemned the creation of embryonic stem cells for the purpose of research when, in fact, one central element of what you're grappling with is the research on existing stem cells. Can you elaborate on what you two discussed in that regard? Are there areas that you're considering that he did not address?

And I'm not asking you to provide us with what you're going to do, but can you at least share with us what options are out there, what compromises you might be looking at?

BUSH: I think it's important for the American people to know that I take this issue very seriously because it is an issue that on the one hand deals with such hope, hope that perhaps through research and development, we'll be able to save lives. It's also an issue that has got serious moral implications and our nation must think carefully before we proceed and, therefore, my process has been, frankly, unusually deliberative for my administration.

BUSH: I'm taking my time. I, frankly, do not care what the political poles say. I do care about the opinions of people, particularly someone as profound as the holy father, but I will tell you that the first time the subject came up was when he read his statement at the palace, at his summer palace. And my discussions with the Holy Father were more about an informed policy. He was interested in my view of the world and my discussions with President Putin for example.

He was most interested in what went on at Genoa, and so his statement was very consistent, a consistent part of the philosophy that the Catholic Church has embraced. But that's the only time it came up.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) BUSH: Well, I'm thinking about all options, but I'm thinking about them privately. With all due respect to a great -- one of several great news organizations -- I'd rather not be expressing, laying my options out on the air because I have yet to reach a conclusion.

And when I do, I will lay it out for you. I don't know if you'll be first, but I'll lay it out to the American people. And the American people will know that this decision has been made in all deliberations, with sound deliberations, that it is an important decision. And I think that people understand that it is that way.

And it is important for America to fully understand the ramifications, and time has helped people understand the complexities of the issue. And when I get back, I will continue my deliberations. And when I'm ready, I will lay out my decision.

QUESTION: Mr. President, yesterday there was a step ahead made in the relations between Russia and the United States for the defense missile system. Don't you think that the United States and President Bush perhaps need a more explicit support from its European allies in this type of a dialogue? Are you will to do this as opposed to other European countries?

QUESTION: You have been (inaudible) for about $6,200 billion of investment for this strategic missile defense. Will you share some of that money with European companies in investments in technology and especially with some of the Italian companies?

BUSH: We did have a major discussion about how best to keep the peace. I was really pleased with the conversation I had with President Putin. It was the second such conversation I've had, and we're making good progress toward understanding, and the understanding is that the Cold War is over. Russia is not the enemy of the United States.

And that freedom-loving people should address the true threats of the 21st century and those threats are, amongst other things, the ability of a rogue nation to have a weapon of mass destruction which could affect the United States or Italy or Russia or anybody else who embraces freedom.

And it seems to me that we must do the research and development necessary, research and development prohibited by the current treaty, that codifies the old Cold War mentality of distrust and we have yet to do that. We have yet to fully explore the opportunities and options available to not only the United States, but our allies, as to how to keep the peace, and so it's premature for me to answer not only how much the systems will cost, but who will participate.

I will tell you this, the spirit of collaboration and cooperation should indicate to our friends and allies that we're more than willing to cooperate. We've discussed the issue and I'm so thankful to my friend for being supportive and forward-leaning when others have been skeptical and we will, in the appropriate time when we figure out the best way to address the true threats, which is the ability to intercept launches of twos or threes that could hold us hostage and affect all our foreign policies, then we will work on the development and the development of the systems may very well entail cooperation with our friends and allies. I'm very open-minded on this subject.

BERLUSCONI (through translator): As President Bush has just mentioned, in Brussels during the NATO meeting I spoke and then I spoke at (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the dinner that we shared and I said that I was in agreement with what President Bush had said very clearly, the world scene has changed. There is no antagonism between Europe and the United States on the one hand and the Soviet Union on the other hand. The Soviet Union is something different and we're very interested, as Europeans, with the support of the United States.

We look to a progressive journey of the Russian Federation. Maybe tomorrow or the day after, the Russian Federation might even become part of the European Federation where we have countries that share a common Christian civilization and I believe that in the future we will also be able to speak of a Russian Federation that becomes part of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) alliance. Our enemies are elsewhere. Potentially, our enemies are elsewhere.

Of course, we know that we will need some time before certain countries that do not give us full confidence will be able to build strategy weapons with a range that allows them to go to far off places like the United States, but undoubtedly the situation is worrisome and I believe that it would be logical to preserve the security of Europe and the United states making sure that we keep an eye on these potentialities, on these dangers.

BERLUSCONI (through translator): I think that President Bush was extremely clear when he said that these topics, the United States is willing to talk about with the European allies on our side. I think that this is something that must be done.

We have said this. We will always be next to the United States in order to take part of this discussion, going well beyond the attitudes of certain European states which still, today, have not, in my opinion, understood how the world has changed and how we should start worrying about the future.

QUESTION: Mr. President, if I could follow up on missile defense. It seems there was a little bit of ambiguity about what happened yesterday. Does the agreement that you reached with President Putin yesterday commit your administration to slowing down or in any way delaying the development of missile technologies and the withdrawing the ABM treaty until after the two nations have reached an agreement about both offensive and defensive systems? Or will you just continue to develop these technologies and withdraw from the treaty when you see fit?

And Mr. Prime Minister, if I could just follow up, how important is an agreement, a formal agreement between Russia and the United States on these matters to Europe-wide support of the U.S. developing these technologies.

Thank you. BUSH: Since this is your country, I'll give you the last word.

I have told President Putin that time matters, that I want to reach an accord sooner rather than later, that I'm interested in getting something done with him. That's my first priority.

The American people, our friends and allies and others should take me for my word when I said, in the campaign and since being the president, that I will consult with our friends and allies, that I will work with Russia, but make no mistake about it, I think it's important to move beyond the ABM treaty.

I would rather others come with us, but I feel so strongly and so passionately on the subject about how to keep the peace in the 21st century, that we'll move beyond if need be.

But first things first, and that is to give President Putin and our friends and allies ample time to discuss, consider and understand what I'm trying to say. My friend has been quick to grasp the notion about changing the security arrangements in the words, but others who have said that mutually assured destruction will keep the peace in the future, "It's worked in the past, therefore it should be around in the future," need some time to understand the full implications by which we're discussing, and I understand that, particularly President Putin.

His nation has been bound by the treaty. It's a treaty, of course, from which either party can withdraw with ample notice. And I can understand why he wants time, and I'm going to give him some time, but I also want to emphasize to you that time is of the essence. It is time to move beyond. It is time to begin the research and development, which we have yet to do, the research and development constrained by the ABM treaty, to determine that which is feasible.

And it's important to do so for a couple of reasons. One, it's important to discard the old Cold War mentality, and I explained that to President Putin, and I believe he understands that America is no longer Russia's enemy, that we have a chance to fashion a new strategic framework, beyond just missile defenses, a strategic framework that says we'll reduce our own offensive weapons, a strategic framework that says we'll cooperate on security matters, particularly as it relates to terrorist activities, a security relationship where we'll work for safer nuclear storage and safer nuclear energy.

It is a different framework, a different frame of mind, that I truly believe will make the world a more peaceful place and since I feel this so strongly, if we can't reach an agreement, we're going to implement. It's the right thing to do. It's what I told the American people we're going to do. It's what I've explained to our allies what we're going to do, but I believe we've got a great opportunity to welcome others into this strategic framework.

You saw the president yesterday. I thought he was very forward- leaning, as they say in diplomatic-nuance circles. We signed an agreement, that should say something about the intentions and about how far we've progressed on this issue, Mr. Prime Minister. BERLUSCONI (through translator): I have to confirm the judgment on the president on this and I can also bear witness to the fact that during the G-8 summit we spoke about this topic. In fact, in a bilateral meeting, I met President Putin and with the invitation of the other allies, I, in fact, spoke about the problem of the atomic potential in his country.

I began expressing the preoccupation of the Western world, vis-a- vis, the nuclear stations in Russia because you were talking about the maintenance of the old ones and the building codes for new nuclear stations. President Putin said that he would face this very openly. He spoke to us about their plans for these places and he also said that he will continue to cooperate with western technicians as far as the building codes of a new plant.

BERLUSCONI (through translator): And after that, we spoke -- and I must say that I spoke to him directly on the atomic potential. But here, I would like to digress. We also have to understand the psychological aspect for the president and for his people. They come from a past, they were a world power, they had a very strong fall as far as their economy was concerned, their global revenue is well below the other countries of the G-7, but they still have that old pride. And above all, they have that atomic stockpile that is still an extraordinary one. It's huge.

Therefore, we must be very tactful. We must take the entire situation into account; the psychological and actual situation. We must proceed with patience on a road which is the one expressed by President Bush that cannot be hurried on. The reactions that we saw from President Putin make us believe that we will be able to cooperate and I think that we're on the right path in order to reach an agreement that would obviously imply certain modifications in the existing treaty and I believe that this can all be done without any unilateral measures.

On the other hand, President Bush also confirmed the will of the United States of America to talk with the allies to not do anything without having a discussion with the allies first. So I believe that this is an issue that has been well placed and is on the right path.

COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: You have been listening to CNN's live coverage of a news conference in Rome between Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and President George bush. You heard Mr. Berlusconi supporting a measured approach to missile defense and Russia. Mr. Bush saying that he intends to give the Russian leader a little more time to think about it, but that he still remains committed to developing a missile defense system.

On the issue of stem cell research in the United States, the president saying that he wasn't surprised by Pope John Paul II's very forceful views as they were expressed to him this morning, saying that he believes that that devalues and violates human life. But President Bush saying that clearly he hasn't made up his mind on this issue, that he intends to take his time, that he will make up his mind "when I am ready to," is what he said, and that the American people should feel assured that this will happen with measured -- that it will be measured decision. He said I am taking my time before I proceed.

Also on the issue of Indonesia, there was a change in government there overnight. New President Megawati Sukarnoputri has taken over for former President Abdurrahman Wahid. Mr. Bush saying that he hopes the Indonesian people will maintain peace and support the constitution, what he described as a constitutional handover of power. saying he is looking forward to working with Megawati Sukarnoputri, clearly saying that the United States recognizes her as the new leader of Indonesia. Interesting in that about an hour ago, we were hearing from Indonesia that former President Abdurrahman Wahid was still holed up in the presidential palace claiming that the transfer of power was not constitutional.

Again, though, the United States clearly recognizing Megawati Sukarnoputri as the new leader of Indonesia, a country that is fourth- largest economy in the world and a country that's in great turmoil at this moment.

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