Joint Press Conference with President Gloria Arroyo of the Philippines
The East Room
The White House
Washington, D.C.
May 19, 2003
11:45 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Please be seated. Welcome. We'll have some opening statements. The President and I will answer some questions, two apiece per side. We'll alternate.It is my honor to welcome President Arroyo back to the White House. We took office on the same day over two years ago, and we have worked closely ever since. President Arroyo is a friend of America, and a friend of freedom. I appreciate her strength; I appreciate her courage. And I appreciate you being here today, Madam President.

The relationship between the Philippines and the United States is stronger today than at any time in our recent history. Our alliance helps ensure the security of both our countries. This is a vital alliance. And I was pleased to inform President Arroyo that the United States plans to designate the Philippines as a major non-NATO ally. This step will allow our countries to work together on military research and development, and give the Philippines greater access to American defense equipment and supplies.

The President and I also discussed developments in Iraq. I appreciate her strong support for the disarmament and liberation of that country. I'm also grateful that the Philippine government plans to commit military police and medical personnel to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq.

The Philippines and the United States are strong allies in the war on terror. The murder of citizens from both our countries last week in Saudi Arabia reminds us that this war is far from over. The Philippine government is strongly committed to defeating terrorists operating in its own part of the world, such as the Abu Sayyaf group.

The United States is committed to helping, when asked. President Arroyo and I reviewed last year's highly successful deployment of U.S. troops to the southern Philippines, and we agreed to a similar deployment in the near-term, in which U.S. forces would support Philippine-led anti-terror operations.

The President and I also reviewed the developments with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front -- MLIF [sic]. That group must abandon the path of violence. If it does so, and addresses its grievances through peaceful negotiations, then the United States will provide diplomatic and financial support to a renewed peace process.

My country welcomes President Arroyo's commitment to improve the capacity of the Philippine armed forces. and we are prepared to help. We have agreed to launch a comprehensive review of Philippine security requirements and how the United States can best support Philippine military modernization and reform. In addition, we are prepared to help Philippine forces address their most pressing needs, such as mobility, equipment, and spare parts.

Our countries have a strong economic relationship, and America supports President Arroyo's program of economic reform. We agreed to launch an initiative to make it easier and less costly for Filipino workers in America to send remittances back to the Philippines. I also informed President Arroyo that the United States will be extending new benefits to World War II veterans from the Philippines who fought side by side with American forces to defend freedom.

Finally, I'm honored to accept President Arroyo's generous invitation to visit the Philippines this fall, when I intend to travel to Southeast Asia for the APEC leaders meeting. In the meantime, to keep our relationship moving forward, we'll be sending other senior officers to Manila, starting with our Energy Secretary Spence Abraham.

The Philippines and America are old friends who are tackling a lot of new challenges. Our relationship is strong; our relationship is growing stronger.

Madam President.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you once again for inviting me on this state visit. As I said earlier, this shows how warm is the relationship within our two countries. We've become closer because of the war on terror. But our closeness is certainly rooted in our deep and long shared history.

We became closer with the war on terror because the Philippines is one of the first countries to join this war on terror. And the reason why we did it is that with in the Philippines know what it is to suffer from the hands of terrorism. We know the pain of terrorism. And we are with you in your leadership against terrorism, wherever it may be found. There may be others who might feel tainted or hostile about U.S. leadership in the war against terrorism. We believe that the U.S. leadership and engagement with the U.S. makes the world a safer place for all of us to live in.

But this trip is not just about terrorism, it's about fighting poverty. Poverty and terrorism are twin evils that we must fight. For the Philippines, we consider the U.S. a strategic partner not only in security matters, but also in the economy, in the fight against poverty. I appreciate the support President Bush has announced with regard to our security assistance, and also with regard to our economic assistance and economic cooperation with each other.

And in other meetings that we will be having with American officials, we model after agencies that are based in Washington, D.C. and with the U.S. private sector. There will be other developments related to this visit that I'm sure will enhance our relationship with each other even more.

There's been a lot of work in preparation for this state visit. I was supposed to come earlier. I was supposed to be here last March.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Right.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: And we've been working on what we can have together in this state visit. But because we postponed it and we didn't know the date of the state visit, because we didn't know the timetable for the war, there were many things that America already helped us with in preparation for this state visit, even without a date. So we -- I'd like to thank you, President Bush, for what we have been able to achieve before the state visit, what we are achieving in this state visit, and what we will be achieving afterwards, because of the deeper relationship that we have entered into, culminated in this wonderful visit of ours to your country.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam President, thank you.

We'll start off with Tom

QUESTION: For both Presidents. Do the recent suicide -- the recent terror bombings, including the ones in Morocco and Saudi Arabia, suggest that al Qaeda is regrouping and back in business? And if so, is there a chance that we overestimated the damage that we did to the organization?

PRESIDENT BUSH: First of all, I have said that this is going to be -- always said this is going to be a long war, that -- not only a long war, a new kind of war. We're trying to chase down people who hide and move around in the dark corners of the world, and they plot and they plan and then they pop up and kill. They don't care about innocent life. And we're making progress. I mean, we are, slowly but surely, dismantling the al Qaeda operational network.

But we've got a lot of work to do, which means we've got to continue to work together to share information, cut off money, share intelligence, and hunt these people down and get them before they get us. And that's why I appreciate President Arroyo's leadership. She's tough when it comes to terror. She fully understands that in the face of terror you've got to be strong, not weak. She knows, like I know, that the only way to deal with these people is to bring them to justice. You can't talk to them, you can't negotiate with them, you must find them. And that's precisely what our alliance is continuing to do.

And so I'm pleased with progress we've made, but I will continue to warn the American people, like I've been doing for a long time, that this is still a dangerous world we live in. Clearly, the attacks in Saudi Arabia mean that we've got to be on alert here at home, that we've got to be diligent, that we've got to understand there's an al Qaeda group still actively plotting to kill.

We're working on the clues out of Morocco to determine whether there's a direct connection between that al Qaeda operation and what happened in Morocco. Time will tell. But the world is dangerous, which means that we've got to continue to renew these alliances and these friendships to make sure that we make the world more secure.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Well, there's been great progress in the war on terror. But, certainly, it is not yet over. The al Qaeda and its sister terrorist organizations are finding their way not only in Africa, not only in the Middle East, but also in Southeast Asia. And as we have seen, therefore, terrorism knows no borders. And that's why while each country must take greater responsibility for its own economic and political security, it is also important that we enhance our regional and international cooperation in this war against terrorism.

QUESTION: Just to get direct quotes from both Presidents, I'd like to know exactly how the war against terrorism has affected the U.S.-Philippine relations, and how you intend to nurture this relationship beyond what is military and for a more prolonged and sustained period.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Well, as I said earlier, it's made the U.S. and the Philippines closer to each other. And for me, because in the beginning of my term, of my tenure, we were fighting a lonely fight against the terrorists in southwestern Philippines. I felt that when we formed the global coalition against terrorism, then we were no longer alone. The world came to know how bad terrorism is, something we have known for a long time. And the world came to help us, because in the international coalition, we started to help one another.

I welcome the support of the world, and I welcome the support of the U.S. in our war against terrorism.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, I remember right after September the 11th, President Arroyo called me, and there was no doubt in my mind where she stood. It was more than the condolence call, it was a let's get after them call. And I knew that we had -- I had a strong ally and friend when it came to chasing these people down, which is precisely what we have to do. And she knows that. And that's the strategy she's employed.

And so you asked a question about what this war on terror has meant for our relationship. First and foremost, it meant that I've got a great deal of respect for your President, and her courage, and her willingness to fight for security of the Philippine people, and to defend freedom. And she is a great example of leadership in a part of the world that is a dangerous part of the world.

As President Arroyo mentioned, not only are there, obviously, actions around the Middle East, and not only do we have to make sure our own homeland is secure, but Southeast Asia is a dangerous part of the world, too. And the Philippines have witnessed this danger firsthand. And we'll continue to work, at her request, along the guidelines that are necessary in your constitution, to work for freedom and security.

Tom -- I mean, Steve -- excuse me.

QUESTION: Are you going to put the Middle East road map on hold in the wake of the latest bombings? Do you still have confidence in President Abbas --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, I've got confidence we can move the peace process forward. But the bombings, the recent bombings -- I mean, Prime Minister Sharon is fixing to come over here and, of course, there are terrorists who want to disrupt the visit by bombing and killing. It's clear there are people there that still cannot stand the thought of peace. And, therefore, it reminds -- it gives me a chance to remind people in the region, if you're interested in moving the peace process, join us in fighting terror.

And I still believe that we need to -- not only believe, I will move the process forward. But it is clear that the process is not going to be smooth so long as terrorists kill. And it's a stark reminder that there are killers who can't stand the thought of peace. And it's sad, and it's pathetic. But -- and, therefore, we must all work together -- and I say we, those of us who care for peace, people in the Palestinian Authority who care for peace must work with us to fight of terror. People in Israel who care for peace will work with us to fight terror.

The countries in the region that long for a peace process must understand that what's more important than process is results, and that we've got to work together to cut off the funding and the support and activity of the terrorist killers who can't stand peace. Europe must work with us to do everything we can to discourage the terrorist activities that derail a process toward peace.

No, the road map still stands. The vision of two states existing side by side in peace is a real vision, and one that I will work toward. But we've got a lot of work to do to convince all of us who care about peace to step up and fight off terror -- to cut off the money and to find these people and bring them to justice.

No, we're still on the road to peace. It's just going to be a bumpy road. And I'm not going to get off the road until we achieve the vision.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Well, the road to peace is really very difficult, but it's very important that we cooperate. And in Southeast Asia, I would like to say that, in addition, that if we are going to fight terrorism successfully and achieve peace, what is important is that we work on it together, and we have a comprehensive approach. Because terrorism will spread like a contagion, it will spread like SARS, if we don't address the poverty that represents the breeding grounds for terrorism.

In the Philippines, terrorism thrives and gets its recruits, not coincidentally, in the provinces that are the poorest, in the region that is the poorest in our country. That is why I appreciate the support of President Bush not only for the security assistance in the war against terrorism, but also in the efforts to fight poverty and the socio-economic ills that plague southern Philippines especially.

That is our road map to peace. Every region has its specific road map to peace. We have some road maps in common; we have some that are specific to us. But for our region, it is a comprehensive approach. And I appreciate President Bush for understanding the comprehensive approach and helping us through it.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Final question. Do you care to call on somebody, Madam President?

QUESTION: I was about to ask about the economic side of it --

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Yes.

QUESTION: -- but both of you have already spelled it out in details. Anyway, Mr. President Bush mentioned, and please comment on this, Mrs. President, about the non-NATO -- designate the Philippines as a non-NATO status --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Right.

QUESTION: -- and about the MILF -- your offer of assistance in the MILF problem, because we have poverty problem there now.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, my offer of assistance, it depends upon the MLIF choosing peace as a peaceful reconciliation of issues. If they continue to want to use terror and force, we will be involved to the extent that the President invites us to be involved, within the constitution of the Philippine government.

And the other part of the question?

QUESTION: Non-NATO status.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Non-NATO status, yes. That puts the Philippines right up there with Australia, Egypt, Israel. These are major non-NATO allies, which means it will be easier for us to answer requests on military equipment; to provide parts and equipment to make sure that the defense capabilities of the Philippine military are modern, and the choppers fly, choppers are maintained, choppers move; when the President orders up a strike, it happens quickly. All this does is facilitate the capacity to interact with each other on a better basis, on a priority basis.

Secondly, the other thing I talked about was a comprehensive review of -- and that just means our military is going to be involved with your military, the Philippine military, in such a way as to determine needs and assess whether or not we've got the capacity to help meet those needs.

QUESTION: And the poverty problem?

PRESIDENT BUSH: And the poverty problem -- listen, this nation is committed to dealing with poverty. First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill. And so it's important to understand -- people are susceptible to the requirement by these extremists, but I refuse to put a -- put killers into a demographic category based upon income. After all, a lot of the top al Qaeda people were comfortable middle-class citizens. And so one of the things you've got to do is to make sure we distinguish between hate and poverty.

Secondly, trade is an important aspect of helping to create the conditions necessary for people to rise out of poverty. And we talked about our trade relationship. A aspect of poverty is food, and we talked about our Agricultural Departments working together for the Food for Peace Program, and the interchange along that. In other words, all up and down -- the energy we talked about -- all up and down the different aspects of our society, we had meaningful discussions. Not only in the Cabinet Room, but prior to this and after this day, our Secretaries, respective Secretaries, will continue to interact to create the conditions necessary for prosperity to reign.

The other thing that's important is the Philippine government must also assume their responsibilities. And I was very impressed by the discussions on tax reform. The President put out a bold initiative. I was most pleased that the Speaker and the head of the Senate were here in Washington, D.C., and they were very receptive, it seemed like to me, to some of the tax proposals that the President laid out, to make sure that the budget of the Philippine government is more efficient in collecting the revenues due to the government. And so, in other words, it's a comprehensive approach, and it's one we spent a lot of time discussing.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: With regard to poverty issue, I don't see poverty only as a means to fight terrorism. Fighting poverty is an end in itself. So I agree with President Bush, it's not poverty that causes terrorism. Terrorism breeds on poverty, and poverty breeds on terrorism. They reinforce each other. And that's why we must fight them together.

And I came to Washington not just about terrorism, but fighting poverty for its own -- for the sake of the fight. And I believe that many of the things that we have worked on together are things that fight poverty, and incidentally, fight terrorism. But even if there were no terrorism, they certainly fight poverty. And I do the better for our country.

For instance, the GSP privileges that we've been able to enjoy. Since my last visit with President Bush, we've been able to have -- we've been able to enjoy about a billion dollars a year, and again, reinforced now in GSP privileges. And if we get to include things like caragana in the GSP list, as we are negotiating now, that's going to give a lot of work to all those people in the coastal areas of Mindanao, especially the areas, which I said, are the poorest provinces in our country.

And then another example of getting together in the fight against poverty is working also on investments. And one of the things that we talked about is -- and one of the things that we'll be getting -- getting together on would be more insurance, OPIC insurance for U.S. investments in the Philippines. So that's going to create more jobs.

And President Bush talked about the remittances of our OFWs. I hope that in three to six months a study can be done and our OFWs can be -- our overseas Filipinos can begin to send the remittances with these reduced cost. And based on the Mexican experience, the costs can go down by as much as $300 million a year. And that's going to provide a lot of income to the Filipinos back home, and the commensurate jobs that they can provide.

So all of these things are important in themselves. And incidentally, they also help us to fight poverty -- poverty and terrorism at the same time.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all very much.

END 12:10 P.M. EDT