Posted on 02/18/2003 8:40:53 AM PST by erk
Q & A following the swearing in of the new SEC Chairman Bill Donaldson:
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Ron, I'll answer a couple of questions here.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. What do you make of the fact that millions of people across the globe have taken to the streets to protest your approach to Iraq? And if you decide to go to war, how do you wage a campaign in the face of such stiff opposition?
THE PRESIDENT: Two points, one is that democracy is a beautiful thing, and that people are allowed to express their opinion. I welcome people's right to say what they believe. Secondly, evidently some of the world don't view Saddam Hussein as a risk to peace. I respectfully disagree. Saddam Hussein has gassed his own people. Saddam Hussein has got weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein has made -- defied the United Nations. Saddam Hussein is providing links to terrorists. Saddam Hussein is a threat to America. And we will deal with him.
You know, I -- war is my last choice. But the risk of doing nothing is even a worst option as far as I'm concerned. I owe it to the American people to secure this country. I will do so.
Q Have you decided how to do so yet?
THE PRESIDENT: Pardon me?
Q Have you decided how you're going to deal with him yet?
THE PRESIDENT: Hopefully, Saddam Hussein will disarm.
Q Mr. President --
THE PRESIDENT: If he chooses not to disarm, as I have been saying for a long time, Ron, we'll lead a coalition of the willing to disarm him.
Steve.
Q Should a second resolution on Iraq include a deadline? And how are you going to get around the opposition from France, Russia and China?
THE PRESIDENT: We're working with our friends. As I said, a second resolution would be useful. We don't need a second resolution. It's clear this guy could even care less about the first resolution. He's in total defiance of 1441. But we want to work with our friends and allies to see if we can get a second resolution. That's what we're doing right now.
Q With a deadline?
THE PRESIDENT: We're working with our friends and allies right now to -- how best to get a resolution out of the United Nations. As I say, it would be helpful to get one out. It's not necessary, as far as I'm concerned.
Q Mr. President, are you any closer to an aid package for Turkey, particularly given the continued problems with NATO regarding any defense of Turkey?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, as you know NATO did -- did express their desire to help Turkey. And I appreciate the NATO allies. I also appreciate the EU statement yesterday that Saddam Hussein needs to fully disarm. I thought those were positive developments. We're working closely with the Turks. And, you know, we got great respect for the Turkish government. They've got -- had no better friend than the American government. And hopefully we can come up with an agreement that's satisfactory to both parties. We're still working it.
Yes, Bill?
Q Mr. President, would it be easier to win the peace after the war in Iraq -- if there is one -- if you had the allies with you going in? And what about the idea of an ultimatum for Saddam, another last chance?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, you mean another, another, another last chance? He knows my feelings. And that is he needs to disarm -- completely, totally disarm. Listen, he's a fellow that likes to buy time by -- through deception and delay. He believes time is on his side. After all, he was quoted in an Egyptian newspaper saying all he's got to do is stall and defy the world and, you know, coalitions will fall apart. I am determined to keep the peace. I'm determined to hold this man to account.
And there's two reasons why. One, we have the obligation, I have the obligation, this administration has the obligation to do everything we can to protect the American people. Secondly, I think it's very important for the United Nations to be useful, as we go out into the future. And there's nothing less useful than issuing a resolution and then not upholding the resolution.
I mean, after all, I want to remind the people that this man has been in defiance of resolution after resolution after resolution after resolution, for 12 long years. And I think unless the United Nations shows some backbone and courage, it will render the -- it could render the Security Council irrelevant. And that's a danger, in dealing with the new threats that the civilized world faces. We face terrorism, we face the idea of people having nuclear arms, we face people who have got weapons of mass destruction. We face these deadly terrorist networks teaming up with countries with weapons of mass destruction who could attack any time.
Those are the threats of the 21st century. The best way to deal with those threats is to have international organizations which are effective. And if the United Nations can't enforce its own resolutions -- a resolution which, by the way, has been around for 12 years -- it says something about its utility as we head into the future.
I want the United Nations to be effective body. I think it's in our country's interest that it be effective. And we'll see whether or not it's got the capacity to be effective.
Anne.
Q Given the size of the protests in England over the weekend, do you have any concerns that Tony Blair might pay a serious political price for supporting you on Iraq?
THE PRESIDENT: I think any time somebody shows courage, when it comes to peace, that the people will eventually understand that.
First of all, you know, size of protest, it's like deciding, well, I'm going to decide policy based upon a focus group. The role of a leader is to decide policy based upon the security -- in this case, the security of the people. Tony Blair understands that Saddam Hussein is a risk. Tony Blair sees that, you know, a weakened United Nations is not good for world peace. And he is a courageous leader and I'm proud to call him friend.
Another courageous leader is coming to the ranch this weekend, Jose Maria Aznar. I'm looking forward to having a good meeting with him. These are men of vision. They see the task at hand. And I'm proud to call them allies. We'll work together for the sake of peace.
Listen, thank you all very much.
END 10:36 A.M. EST
He swings, he hits, it's going long....It's outa here!
...And if the United Nations can't enforce its own resolutions -- a resolution which, by the way, has been around for 12 years -- it says something about its utility as we head into the future.
...First of all, you know, size of protest, it's like deciding, well, I'm going to decide policy based upon a focus group
Wow! Two, two slams (UN & Clinton) in one!
OUTSTANDING!!!, Mr. President
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