Daily News Exclusive - President Bush in His Own Words(Good Interview)

In an exclusive interview in the Oval Office, President George W. Bush was both philosophical and confident as he spoke about the powder keg that is today's Mideast. With the transfer of Iraq's sovereignty completed, and with the satisfaction that Saddam Hussein will be brought to justice for his war crimes, Bush expressed the belief that events were moving in the direction he had originally charted:

"My vision is for a free and democratic Iraq, and a free and peaceful and democratic Palestinian state serving as catalysts for change in a region that has harbored resentment. It has also served as a place to recruit terrorists who have a desire to kill Americans, to drive us out of parts of the world so they can impose their will. ...

"The challenge (in Iraq) is to fight off al-Qaida-associated foreign fighters like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and disgruntled elements, and not allow them to stop progress. As Iraq heads toward a democracy, they are going to try to prevent that from happening because they cannot stand the thought of a free society in Iraq."

How concerned is the president _ particularly amid an election campaign _ that he is so strongly opposed in his Iraq and other Mideast policies?

"America needs to lead. And sometimes people don't appreciate leadership. But they will appreciate a more peaceful world as a result of America's willingness to take on al-Qaida, America's willingness to promote free societies in Iraq and in the Palestinian territories.

"I am a person who looks long-term, and I recognize the path we need to take. There will be moments when people are unhappy and disgruntled with some decision-making. Nonetheless, what matters most is to reach the destination. And my job as president is to see clearly where I want to go and be steadfast in my resolve to realize that vision."

With the continuing violence in Iraq, the president recognizes that his policies have proven harder to implement than had been anticipated:

"Other nations are affected by the unrest. ... But what is causing violence in Iraq is the fact that Iraq is heading toward freedom. This is a mighty struggle, and I see clearly what America must do. As a leader, I'm willing to take a strong position and to call upon others to join us. Sometimes, people don't like that, nor do they like to do the hard work. But America must do that hard work _ like we have done in the past.

"I have reminded people that after World War II, we could have allowed Germany to stay in rubble. We could have said, `oh, this work is too hard.' Instead, we stayed the course and Europe is now free, whole and at peace _ which is in America's security interest."

"After World War II in Japan, we could have said, `oh, the Japanese cannot be a free democratic society.' Fortunately, we had visionaries who were in office, and people did not listen to the polls or the focus groups. They stood strong in their beliefs in certain value systems. Thankfully, they did, because now, Japan is a democratic country. ...

"In other words, to lead doesn't necessarily mean everybody will agree with everything I do. I understand that. But I will continue to lead as long as I'm sitting here in this office, because I believe in my leadership, and I believe in what we're doing, and I believe in what America stands for."

President Bush maintains that he wants to be the American president who will bring the Israelis and Palestinians together to resolve their differences, but he does not believe in imposing a settlement on them.

Asked whether he thinks that every American president has an obligation to defend the state of Israel, he replied: "Yes, I do, because Israel is a long-time friend and Israel is a democracy. And I think America has a responsibility to defend our friend."

"I say to those critics that I am the first American president to have stood up in front of the world _ at the United Nations _ and called for the creation of a Palestinian state that would live in peace, side by side with Israel."

Does he still foresee a two-state solution by the year 2005, as he anticipated two years ago?

"I see the emergence of a Palestinian state. Obviously when I spoke about 2005, I was hoping that the target date would be met. But we hit a setback with all the violence and with the replacement of (former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority) Abu Mazen. So I think it is possible we won't make the deadline.

"Yet in order for a Palestinian state to be created, there must be Palestinian leaders who are reform-minded and dedicated to their people and will step up and lead."

President Bush rejects critics who argue that the friction between Israel and her neighbors is connected to, or intertwined with, his policy in Iraq:

"The problem with the Palestinians is territory. They don't have a state to call their own and they don't have leadership. I think that those Palestinians who want a change ought to ask for help to build the security apparatus.

"I also think that the major roadblock to moving forward is for leadership to emerge _ and say, 'Help us develop a state, and we will fight terror and will respond to the desires of the Palestinian people.' And I'm not so sure that lack of leadership at this point in history has anything to do with the situation in Iraq. ...

"I think that when a peaceful and independent Palestinian state emerges, it will help do two things: It will help to quiet the streets. But more importantly, it will show that democracy and freedom are possible in the broader Middle East. I also believe that Iraq and a Palestinian state will serve as catalysts for change."

During our interview, the president also spoke about the 30th annual "Group of Eight" summit, which he hosted last month in Sea Island, Georgia. There, the leaders of the world's major industrial democracies endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and called for progress on Mideast peace.

In an effort to advance Bush's initiative of promoting democracy in the region, this year's summit also included leaders from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen and Turkey.

"The support of these leaders for reform in the region will go hand-in-hand with our support for a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"When there is a reform-minded modern leadership structure in place, there will be ample help for the Palestinians in the form of education and health grants to help start an economy. That is all in Israel's interest. It is in Israel's interest that there be a peaceful state on her border and where the Palestinians have some hope. They don't have any hope now. The reason, in my judgment, is that they have not had proper leadership to help them."

Regarding terrorism against American oil workers in Saudi Arabia, the president said he is very concerned about the attacks.

"I don't like to see Americans, or anyone else, killed. ... I believe the biggest challenge is to continue to work with Saudi Arabia to fight off al-Qaida, which has made Saudi Arabia a front in this war. And that's why cooperation on all fronts with the Saudi government is necessary to help fight those people. We'd rather fight those killers in foreign lands than fight them here at home."

Turning to Syria, which is accused of harboring terrorists, the president said he imposed sanctions in May because Syria's leadership refuses to join in the fight against terror. Asked whether he thought the sanctions would create other problems in the region, he said that people should understand about commitment.

"There is no need to harbor people who express hatred. And if others would join together to rout out terrorist organizations that kill innocent people, we would have a better world. Civilized people ought not allow the killing."

President Bush acknowledged that the United States is having a difficult time now in the Middle East because people do not understand his intentions:

"Times are tough for America and the Mideast today. There are some who believe that my administration and the American people have bad motives. But the opposite is true. My intention is to work for free and peaceful societies while protecting security in the United States. Americans want peace and prosperity in that region now.

"You know, in my position, in this office, it is essential that I stay focused on a better tomorrow. Sure I listen to critics, but I do not allow criticism to drive the policy here in the Oval Office. Part of this job is to take the heat, and I am totally prepared to take the heat. ...

"Let me tell you something about me: I answer to my critics by saying that the world is better off without Saddam Hussein. We have been in Iraq for almost 16 months, and a free Iraq is now emerging and society will be better off. But, you know, the true history of my administration will be written 50 years from now, and you and I will not be around to see it."

--- Trude B. Feldman, a Los Angeles native, is a veteran White House and State Department correspondent. On Middle East issues, she has interviewed every American president since Lyndon B. Johnson and every Israeli Prime Minister, as well as Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Jordan's King Hussein, Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Sha-ath and other Arab leaders.

Sounds a little like Ronald Reagan.

"I think the job of a leader is to have a vision, a vision that is hopeful and optimistic and based upon certain principles, like the rule of law, and fair and equal treatment for all, and I will not abandon those and other principles no matter how strong the pressure . . .

You know, in my position, in this office, it is essential that I stay focused on a better tomorrow. Sure I listen to critics, but I do not allow criticism to drive the policy here in the Oval Office. Part of this job is to take the heat, and I am totally prepared to take the heat.... "

. . . how fortunate we are to have a genuine LEADER as president during this challenging time in our nation's history!

FOUR MORE YEARS!

But, you know, the true history of my administration will be written 50 years from now, and you and I will not be around to see it."

He has that right! Unfortunately, a long range vision like he has doesn't help with the next election.
The history of the American people in 50 years will tell whether we voted for the right reasons or the wrong ones, or if we even did any true soul-searching before we decided.
Is this going to be a "shining moment" or the beginning of decay?

And .. he continues to be misunderestimated!!

I may not always agree with some of his decisions .. but his VISION FOR AMERICA is more important than my petty gripes.

Like General Vallely says, "Social Security, healthcare, education are all meanless if you're DEAD".

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