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CNN Live Today
President Bush Meets With Polish President
Aired January 27, 2004 - 11:43 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: A snowy day outside of the White House, as you can see some of the winter weather there is coating the White House. As we are actually just getting video tape in of a meeting that President Bush is having with the president of Poland.
So, a couple of stories you're looking at: the nor'easter, which is blowing across the East Coast, as well as the president, who is thinking long and hard about the remarks that former U.S. weapons inspector David Kay has made over the weekend to National Public Radio about the fact that he does not expect anybody is going to find weapons of mass destruction.
There is the president of the United States there commenting on whether weapons of mass destruction actually exist in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want to welcome my good friend, and a good friend of our country, to the White House.
I appreciate so very much you coming by, Mr. President.
I have gotten to know this man well over the years. He is a leader. He understands that people need to lead their country toward peace and freedom and prosperity. And President Kwasniewski is doing just that.
He's making a mark on the continent of Europe through his leadership. He stands strong. In every conversation I've had with him, he has a deep love for the Polish people. He expresses his desire for close relations because he understands close relations between our countries is in the people's interest.
BUSH: So, Mr. President, I'm so glad you're back. I appreciate your friendship. I appreciate your strength. Welcome.
ALEKSANDER KWASNIEWSKI, PRESIDENT OF POLAND: Thanks a lot. I will start in Polish, because I see Polish TV here. (SPEAKING IN POLISH)
BUSH: We'll answer some questions here.
KWASNIEWSKI: No, some questions. Maybe a short statement to you because...
BUSH: Absolutely. KWASNIEWSKI: You understand Polish or not fully?
BUSH: Well, he speaks French, but not Polish.
KWASNIEWSKI: Yes. French, well.
(LAUGHTER)
French is the next turn, not yet.
I would like to say that that is a tradition. We begun each year with this Polish-American consultation. Last year was very important, difficult. We are together as allies in Iraq. I am sure that we have all chances to finish this mission with success: in favor of Iraqi people, in favor of security in the world, in favor all of us.
And this visit, I hope, will be very good to solve some of our bilateral issues which are necessary to illuminate in our relations, because the people, especially the people in Poland and Polish- Americans, they expect very much to make the relationships between Poland and the United States as excellent as possible. And we have such a friend as George W. Bush. I'm sure that we are ready to do.
BUSH: Thank you, sir.
QUESTION: Mr. President, a year ago you said, "The dictator of Iraq has got weapon of mass destruction." Are you still confident that weapons of mass destruction will be found in Iraq, given what Dr. Kay has said?
BUSH: Let me first compliment Dr. Kay for his work. I appreciate his willingness to go to Iraq and I appreciate his willingness to gather facts. And the Iraqi Survey Group will continue to gather facts.
There is no doubt in my mind that Saddam Hussein was a gathering threat to America and others. That's what we know. We know from years of intelligence, not only our own intelligence services, but other intelligence-gathering organizations, that he had weapons. After all, he used them.
BUSH: He had deep hatred in his heart for people who loved freedom. We know he was a dangerous man in a dangerous part of the world. We know that he defied the United Nations year after year after year. And given the offense of September 11th, we know we could not trust the good intentions of Saddam Hussein because he didn't have any.
There is no doubt in my mind the world is a better place without Saddam Hussein. America is more secure. The world is safer and the people of Iraq are free.
You want to call on the Polish press?
KWASNIEWSKI: Yes, please. QUESTION: A question for President Bush: Mr. President (OFF- MIKE) in Iraq, are you planning to extend (OFF-MIKE) support for Poland?
BUSH: I look forward to talking to my friend about that today. In my '05 budget request, there is a $66 million request to help the Polish military, particularly with airlift capacity, C-130 aircraft. The Polish army is a sophisticated, fine group of soldiers. And one area where Poland needs some help is the capacity to move those soldiers and we look forward to helping the government do that.
QUESTION: Mr. President, do you have any questions about the prewar intelligence? And the Democrats are wanting an independent commission to look into this. Would you go along with that?
BUSH: Well, I think the -- first of all, I think it's very important for us to let the Iraq Survey Group do its work so we can find out the facts and compare the facts to what was thought.
First part of your question was?
QUESTION: Do you have any questions (OFF-MIKE)
BUSH: Well, first of all, I have great confidence in our intelligence community. These are unbelievably hard-working, dedicated people, who are doing a great job for America.
And secondly, there is no doubt in my mind that Saddam Hussein was a grave and gathering threat to America and the world. There's just no doubt in my mind.
And I say that based upon intelligence that I saw prior to the decision to go into Iraq and I say that based upon what I know today. And the world is better off without him.
And we're now at the business of making sure Iraq is free and Democratic. And that's important as well for long-term stability and peace in the world, and we're making good progress toward that goal.
KWASNIEWSKI: May I add one thing?
BUSH: Sure, please.
KWASNIEWSKI: It's quite interesting for American journalists.
Many months before Iraq action, I met predecessor of Hans Blix in Warsaw. I invited him to my palace and we discussed about mass destruction weapons, Iraq and everything, and he told me very important thing: that Saddam has these weapons or is ready to produce these weapons, because to have such impression that he has a mass destruction weapon is a part of his doctrine to keep own power in Iraq and to be strong in the region.
So I think that's very difficult today to judge how it was when he had, when he decided to continue these projects of mass destruction weapon, but that was information for the assistant of Mr. Blix in Warsaw that absolutely Iraq is ready to produce, if it's necessary, to keep the power and dictatorship of Saddam and to play such important role in the region.
QUESTION: Mr. President, how do you describe and account for the difference between what you claimed prior to the war about what he possessed and what he was capable of and what the intelligence said he possessed and was capable of -- a nuclear weapon within the decade -- and the fact that David Kay says the intelligence was inaccurate and wrong and nothing has been found?
QUESTION: Don't you owe the American people an explanation?
BUSH: Well, I think the Iraqi Survey Group must do its work. And, again, I appreciate David Kay's contribution.
I said in the run-up to the war against Iraq that, first of all, hopefully the international community would take care of him. I was hoping the United Nations would enforce its resolutions -- one of many.
And then we went to the United Nations, of course, and got an overwhelming resolution, 1441, unanimous resolution, that said to Saddam, "You must disclose and destroy your weapons programs," which obviously meant the world felt he had such programs. He chose defiance -- it was his choice to make -- and he did not let us in.
I said in the run-up that Saddam was a grave and gathering danger. That's what I said. And I believed it then, and I know it was true now. And as Mr. Kay said that Iraq was a dangerous place.
And given the circumstances of September the 11th, given the fact that we're vulnerable to attack, this nation had to act for our security.
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
BUSH: Visa issue?
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
BUSH: Yes. Well...
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
BUSH: Well, we're working with the president on this very delicate issue. And there is the opportunity for some pre-screening to make sure that Polish citizens headed to the United States are not inconvenienced. We got a study group we're going to put together to make sure that we come up with rational policy.
But let me make sure everybody understands. The Congress decides the visa policy. That's what the Congress decides. And our study group will work with the Polish authorities in a way that makes it clear what the realities are here in the United States and makes it clear what the realities are on the ground in Poland.
BUSH: Listen, let me just take a step back on this very important issue.
We value our friendship with Poland. Poland is our great friend. There are thousands of Polish-Americans who...
KWASNIEWSKI: Millions
BUSH: Millions. Excuse me. I just don't want to overstate the case here.
(LAUGHTER)
KWASNIEWSKI: No, that's good. Especially before the election, there's millions and millions.
(LAUGHTER)
BUSH: ... that love Poland. And they've got relatives in Poland and we understand the need for dialogue and travel. We've got visa rules set by the Congress that are on the books and we look forward to working with our president on these issues.
KWASNIEWSKI: We will work, of course. But I would like to deliver this idea to you and to our friends: The future of the world is without visa, not with visa. And that should be our goal.
BUSH: Yes.
KWASNIEWSKI: And, of course, how to reach this important goal, that's a task for politicians. Because the future of the world, with Poland, with Eastern Europe, with the world is no visa, not visa.
BUSH: Right.
KWASNIEWSKI: And that's, you know, me very modest citizen of Poland, I speak to you, you know, that is the future. That is the future.
BUSH: Well, it could be.
Let me also say that I announced a very important piece of legislation -- or called Congress to a very important piece of legislation, which is to issue temporary worker cards which will help address much of the issue with the Polish people. And I would hope Congress would pass rational immigration policy that is not amnesty; rational immigration policy that matches willing worker with willing employer. And that also will help on this issue.
KWASNIEWSKI: It will help very much. We appreciate it very much. But, please, Mr. President, the future is no visa.
BUSH: Thank you all.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: All right, live from the Oval Office at the White House, the president of the United States and the president of Poland. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired January 27, 2004 - 11:43 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: A snowy day outside of the White House, as you can see some of the winter weather there is coating the White House. As we are actually just getting video tape in of a meeting that President Bush is having with the president of Poland.
So, a couple of stories you're looking at: the nor'easter, which is blowing across the East Coast, as well as the president, who is thinking long and hard about the remarks that former U.S. weapons inspector David Kay has made over the weekend to National Public Radio about the fact that he does not expect anybody is going to find weapons of mass destruction.
There is the president of the United States there commenting on whether weapons of mass destruction actually exist in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want to welcome my good friend, and a good friend of our country, to the White House.
I appreciate so very much you coming by, Mr. President.
I have gotten to know this man well over the years. He is a leader. He understands that people need to lead their country toward peace and freedom and prosperity. And President Kwasniewski is doing just that.
He's making a mark on the continent of Europe through his leadership. He stands strong. In every conversation I've had with him, he has a deep love for the Polish people. He expresses his desire for close relations because he understands close relations between our countries is in the people's interest.
BUSH: So, Mr. President, I'm so glad you're back. I appreciate your friendship. I appreciate your strength. Welcome.
ALEKSANDER KWASNIEWSKI, PRESIDENT OF POLAND: Thanks a lot. I will start in Polish, because I see Polish TV here. (SPEAKING IN POLISH)
BUSH: We'll answer some questions here.
KWASNIEWSKI: No, some questions. Maybe a short statement to you because...
BUSH: Absolutely. KWASNIEWSKI: You understand Polish or not fully?
BUSH: Well, he speaks French, but not Polish.
KWASNIEWSKI: Yes. French, well.
(LAUGHTER)
French is the next turn, not yet.
I would like to say that that is a tradition. We begun each year with this Polish-American consultation. Last year was very important, difficult. We are together as allies in Iraq. I am sure that we have all chances to finish this mission with success: in favor of Iraqi people, in favor of security in the world, in favor all of us.
And this visit, I hope, will be very good to solve some of our bilateral issues which are necessary to illuminate in our relations, because the people, especially the people in Poland and Polish- Americans, they expect very much to make the relationships between Poland and the United States as excellent as possible. And we have such a friend as George W. Bush. I'm sure that we are ready to do.
BUSH: Thank you, sir.
QUESTION: Mr. President, a year ago you said, "The dictator of Iraq has got weapon of mass destruction." Are you still confident that weapons of mass destruction will be found in Iraq, given what Dr. Kay has said?
BUSH: Let me first compliment Dr. Kay for his work. I appreciate his willingness to go to Iraq and I appreciate his willingness to gather facts. And the Iraqi Survey Group will continue to gather facts.
There is no doubt in my mind that Saddam Hussein was a gathering threat to America and others. That's what we know. We know from years of intelligence, not only our own intelligence services, but other intelligence-gathering organizations, that he had weapons. After all, he used them.
BUSH: He had deep hatred in his heart for people who loved freedom. We know he was a dangerous man in a dangerous part of the world. We know that he defied the United Nations year after year after year. And given the offense of September 11th, we know we could not trust the good intentions of Saddam Hussein because he didn't have any.
There is no doubt in my mind the world is a better place without Saddam Hussein. America is more secure. The world is safer and the people of Iraq are free.
You want to call on the Polish press?
KWASNIEWSKI: Yes, please. QUESTION: A question for President Bush: Mr. President (OFF- MIKE) in Iraq, are you planning to extend (OFF-MIKE) support for Poland?
BUSH: I look forward to talking to my friend about that today. In my '05 budget request, there is a $66 million request to help the Polish military, particularly with airlift capacity, C-130 aircraft. The Polish army is a sophisticated, fine group of soldiers. And one area where Poland needs some help is the capacity to move those soldiers and we look forward to helping the government do that.
QUESTION: Mr. President, do you have any questions about the prewar intelligence? And the Democrats are wanting an independent commission to look into this. Would you go along with that?
BUSH: Well, I think the -- first of all, I think it's very important for us to let the Iraq Survey Group do its work so we can find out the facts and compare the facts to what was thought.
First part of your question was?
QUESTION: Do you have any questions (OFF-MIKE)
BUSH: Well, first of all, I have great confidence in our intelligence community. These are unbelievably hard-working, dedicated people, who are doing a great job for America.
And secondly, there is no doubt in my mind that Saddam Hussein was a grave and gathering threat to America and the world. There's just no doubt in my mind.
And I say that based upon intelligence that I saw prior to the decision to go into Iraq and I say that based upon what I know today. And the world is better off without him.
And we're now at the business of making sure Iraq is free and Democratic. And that's important as well for long-term stability and peace in the world, and we're making good progress toward that goal.
KWASNIEWSKI: May I add one thing?
BUSH: Sure, please.
KWASNIEWSKI: It's quite interesting for American journalists.
Many months before Iraq action, I met predecessor of Hans Blix in Warsaw. I invited him to my palace and we discussed about mass destruction weapons, Iraq and everything, and he told me very important thing: that Saddam has these weapons or is ready to produce these weapons, because to have such impression that he has a mass destruction weapon is a part of his doctrine to keep own power in Iraq and to be strong in the region.
So I think that's very difficult today to judge how it was when he had, when he decided to continue these projects of mass destruction weapon, but that was information for the assistant of Mr. Blix in Warsaw that absolutely Iraq is ready to produce, if it's necessary, to keep the power and dictatorship of Saddam and to play such important role in the region.
QUESTION: Mr. President, how do you describe and account for the difference between what you claimed prior to the war about what he possessed and what he was capable of and what the intelligence said he possessed and was capable of -- a nuclear weapon within the decade -- and the fact that David Kay says the intelligence was inaccurate and wrong and nothing has been found?
QUESTION: Don't you owe the American people an explanation?
BUSH: Well, I think the Iraqi Survey Group must do its work. And, again, I appreciate David Kay's contribution.
I said in the run-up to the war against Iraq that, first of all, hopefully the international community would take care of him. I was hoping the United Nations would enforce its resolutions -- one of many.
And then we went to the United Nations, of course, and got an overwhelming resolution, 1441, unanimous resolution, that said to Saddam, "You must disclose and destroy your weapons programs," which obviously meant the world felt he had such programs. He chose defiance -- it was his choice to make -- and he did not let us in.
I said in the run-up that Saddam was a grave and gathering danger. That's what I said. And I believed it then, and I know it was true now. And as Mr. Kay said that Iraq was a dangerous place.
And given the circumstances of September the 11th, given the fact that we're vulnerable to attack, this nation had to act for our security.
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
BUSH: Visa issue?
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
BUSH: Yes. Well...
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
BUSH: Well, we're working with the president on this very delicate issue. And there is the opportunity for some pre-screening to make sure that Polish citizens headed to the United States are not inconvenienced. We got a study group we're going to put together to make sure that we come up with rational policy.
But let me make sure everybody understands. The Congress decides the visa policy. That's what the Congress decides. And our study group will work with the Polish authorities in a way that makes it clear what the realities are here in the United States and makes it clear what the realities are on the ground in Poland.
BUSH: Listen, let me just take a step back on this very important issue.
We value our friendship with Poland. Poland is our great friend. There are thousands of Polish-Americans who...
KWASNIEWSKI: Millions
BUSH: Millions. Excuse me. I just don't want to overstate the case here.
(LAUGHTER)
KWASNIEWSKI: No, that's good. Especially before the election, there's millions and millions.
(LAUGHTER)
BUSH: ... that love Poland. And they've got relatives in Poland and we understand the need for dialogue and travel. We've got visa rules set by the Congress that are on the books and we look forward to working with our president on these issues.
KWASNIEWSKI: We will work, of course. But I would like to deliver this idea to you and to our friends: The future of the world is without visa, not with visa. And that should be our goal.
BUSH: Yes.
KWASNIEWSKI: And, of course, how to reach this important goal, that's a task for politicians. Because the future of the world, with Poland, with Eastern Europe, with the world is no visa, not visa.
BUSH: Right.
KWASNIEWSKI: And that's, you know, me very modest citizen of Poland, I speak to you, you know, that is the future. That is the future.
BUSH: Well, it could be.
Let me also say that I announced a very important piece of legislation -- or called Congress to a very important piece of legislation, which is to issue temporary worker cards which will help address much of the issue with the Polish people. And I would hope Congress would pass rational immigration policy that is not amnesty; rational immigration policy that matches willing worker with willing employer. And that also will help on this issue.
KWASNIEWSKI: It will help very much. We appreciate it very much. But, please, Mr. President, the future is no visa.
BUSH: Thank you all.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: All right, live from the Oval Office at the White House, the president of the United States and the president of Poland. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
