Bush: Italy More Determined in Kabul
Interview with President George W. Bush
(La Stampa, June 01, 2007)Red tie, gold flag pin on the lapel of his gray jacket, with a determined expression on his face, the American President, George W. Bush, welcomes us to the room in the West Wing named after Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican predecessor who went down in history for the reforms of the early 1900s. A painting portrays Roosevelt in uniform seated on a white horse on a prairie. On the adjacent wall there are the flags of selected corps around a wooden piece of furniture with a giant buffalo on top trying to defend itself from an attack by wolves. It is in this environment rich with symbols, and recalling values which are dearest to him, that Bush meets with La Stampa and other European newspapers to present the messages that he will carry on the trip that begins Monday in Prague, continues in Germany for the G-8, and Poland, and will take him to Rome for meetings at the Vatican and Palazzo Chigi [Prime Minister’s Office] before he continues to Albania and Bulgaria.
When he sits down at the center of the table flanked by advisers Stephen Hadley and Dana Perino, Bush has before him notes that he doesn’t read, two mints that he doesn’t touch and a glass full of water that remains full until the end of the interview. He has something to say and he wants to do it in a clear manner, with no preambles, reaffirming his personal style.
Q. – President Bush, what are you coming to say to Europe?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I am coming to talk about an agenda that is based upon freedom. The G-8 is going to be the center point of the visit, together with the bilateral visits in which we will discuss Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran. But at the beginning I will speak in Prague at Havel’s democracy forum to strongly affirm that America’s job is to promote democracy around the world, even in places that don’t look very hospitable.
Q. – And what about the Rome portion of the visit?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I will see Benedict XVI for the first time and my main intention is to listen to him. Then I will see Prime Minister Prodi, whom I’ve known for some time. I remember when he was the President of the European Commission and I remember seeing him when he was jogging on a beach in Georgia during the G-8 summit in 2004. There is a strong friendship between us.
Q. – What values do you feel you share with Benedict XIV?
PRESIDENT BUSH: A common respect for human life and human dignity. I think the Holy Father is pleased by the fact that a large part of our foreign policy is based on the principle according to which to whom much is given, much is required. I share with him the desire to combat poverty and disease. We spend 30 billion dollars a year to combat AIDS in Africa. Catholic organizations are among those who help these programs for nearly 30 million people. I am proud of the many American Catholics who volunteer. I also feel I share with Benedict XVI the universal value of freedom, which is not only a Western idea. History has demonstrated that democracies don’t go to war with each other and therefore the best way to reinforce peace is to promote freedom. I hope we will talk at length. He is a solid thinker. I am going with a very open mind and I am ready to listen.
Q. - Can the US and the Vatican operate together in scenarios like Cuba, China or Lebanon?
PRESIDENT BUSH: If the Pope would like, I would be pleased to talk about Cuba and its desire to be free. At a time of transition toward new leadership, the world must work for freedom, not for stability. At the top of the agenda there must not be the name of the one who governs, but free elections, free press, freedom of prisoners. Regarding Lebanon, I will confirm to the Pope our support for the Siniora government, the strengthening that it received thanks to the UN’s approval of the Tribunal on the Hariri murder and our determination to impede foreign interference. Regarding China, I will tell the Pope that we have spoken to China clearly about religious freedom. I will remind him that I was in a real church in China and I will assure him that we will continue to fight for Catholics in China.
Q. – How do you judge the Prodi government’s line on Afghanistan?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Prodi is making some tough decisions on Afghanistan and I hope that my visit will reinforce them. I want to sit with Prodi and talk with him on how important Italy’s commitment is in Afghanistan, now and in the future.
Q. – What do you expect from Italy’s presence?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Italy’s role is important. It makes it known to the Afghans that there is a will to help them consolidate their young democracy. Italy makes important contributions in police and judicial training. It is valuable.
Q. – And in the war on terror, how is the partnership with Italy?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Sharing of intelligence between the U.S. and Italy is solid. We talk so as to protect each other because the enemies still want to hit us. They are dangerous, ideological and we must take them seriously. The risk remains. I need the full commitment of free nations on this. Italy is a strong ally on this issue. I greatly appreciate it.
Q. – In Rome demonstrators await you with a “No Bush Day” protest. If you could talk to them, what would you tell them?
PRESIDENT BUSH: When you go to free countries, you often see protests. It is freedom of speech. It is possible that there will be protests not only in Rome but in Germany as well. When leaders meet, people want their thoughts to be known on television. I am happy to go to a country where there is freedom of speech. It is a sign of a robust society. I remember what happened in Genoa. It was tough.
Q. – How do you respond to Moscow’s protests against the anti-missile shield in Europe?
PRESIDENT BUSH: My friend Putin sees a threat in the shield, but in reality the shield defends European countries from missiles launches by hostile countries, not from Russia which is a friend. We don’t always get along with Russia, but this happens in friendships.
Q. – You say Putin is a friend, but relations have never been as tense as they are now …
PRESIDENT BUSH: We are very transparent with Moscow. I sent Defense Secretary Gates to Moscow to invite Russia to participate in the shield. We want to share the technology. We have nothing to hide, but the space shield is the right thing to do. Those who think that the Cold War is continuing are wrong. We are in the 21 st century and we must face new challenges: extremist ideology and proliferation of weapons of destruction. There is much to do together with Russia. I will continue to talk with Putin.
Q. – What is behind your determination to implement a shield over Europe?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I am very concerned about the possibility of an Iranian missile being launched toward Europe or any other of our allies. We do not want to find ourselves in a condition in which Iran could blackmail us. One way to avoid this is through anti-missile defense.
Q. – Your popularity is very low in America and you are contested abroad. With 18 months left until the end of your mandate, are you disappointed?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I hear what the people are saying, but our country was attacked and it is still under threat. The best way to defend it is to attack, and we don’t do it alone but with allies and friends. In order to defend ourselves, we must do it before the threat materializes. The decisions made in Iraq and Afghanistan were right. Now we must help these young democracies survive. If democracies can’t help other democracies, then everyone’s stability is in danger. We are engaged in a long war against enemies that use huge resources to defeat democracies.
Q. – Disagreements over the environment could cause the failure of the G-8 Summit …
PRESIDENT BUSH: I don’t think so. It is a matter of different contributions to find an agreement. Responding to Merkel’s solicitations, I said that we need a post-Kyoto agreement: there must be an international goal on the reduction of pollutant gases which must be reached with the contribution not only of the U.S. and EU, but also of China, India and Russia. Each nation must set an objective for itself, compatible with its economy. Regarding America, technology will find the answers. I am ready to tell the G-8 what is already happening: for example 6 billion liters of ethanol produced from corn are used by cars and in the course of the next year, half of the automobiles will be flex-fuel. We must invest in technologies and then share them with others. We have an initiative with Russia, China, India and Frances on nuclear waste recycling. Other nations have examples to follow: what Japan does with energy from batteries is very interesting.”