Text of Bush-Torrijos Press Conference - "We do not torture."
Regarding Bush's remarks this morning at a press conference in Panama, various news sources headline something along the lines of Bush vows "we do not torture" terror suspects.
Bear in mind, in a preface to a question regarding the CIA leak scandal, a reporter had just reminded Bush of his words in Oct of 2000. "We will ask not only what is legal, but what is right, not what the lawyers allow, but what the public deserves."
So here is Bush's answer to the following question. (Emphasis added.)
Translation: What we do is not "torture" since we have defined "torture" in such a way as to make it something other than what we do. We are at war, therefore the "law" is what I say it is. And I say that we are within the law.
Text of Bush-Torrijos Press Conference
Monday November 7, 2005 3:46 PM
By The Associated Press
Here is the text of remarks by President Bush and Panamanian President Martin Torrijos at a news conference in Panama City, Panama on Monday, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions:
TORRIJOS (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Very good morning, esteemed journalists. I'm pleased to welcome you, to welcome the president of the United States to Panama.
On this rainy morning we've had a working meeting with President Bush. And we've had the opportunity to exchange viewpoints on various subjects of interest to Panama as well as of interest to the United States.
We've discussed the advantages and opportunities offered by free trade. And we've reviewed our agenda, starting with past April's visit, when I had the opportunity to visit President Bush in Washington.
Panama has had a special relationship with the United States throughout the various stages of its history. And the president and I are committed to maintain and strengthen this through dialogue and through an open relationship such as we have had so far.
There will not always be agreement, such as in the unexploded ordnance issue, but there will always be a frankness, sincerity between us so that we can discuss as friends on the various viewpoints of our countries.
In a few moments, I'll have the opportunity to take President Bush to the Miraflores Locks. The first time that a sitting U.S. president left the United States, he did so to observe the construction of the Panama Canal.
And today the president of the United States, George W. Bush, will have the opportunity to see how we Panamanians feel proud not only of the process of reversion of the Panama Canal from U.S. to Panamanian hand, but we feel proud of the way the canal is being managed and of the opportunities it will offer into the future.
Welcome, Mr. President.
And we will now offer an opportunity for press from both sides to ask a couple of questions.
QUESTION: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)
BUSH: I look forward to going to the Panama Canal. I am most impressed by the management of the canal. Those who are responsible for the Panama Canal have done an excellent job. And this is beneficial to the world.
And I congratulate you for that. And I'm really looking forward to seeing it.
I'm also looking forward to paying our respects by laying a wreath.
And I'm also looking forward to seeing some of the Panamanian baseball stars. People around here know how to play baseball. And I'm looking forward to seeing some of your stars, Mr. President.
So thanks for letting us come. Thanks for inviting me.
We have had a very good discussion. And it's important we have discussions because we're friends.
And one of the matters we discussed was how do we work together to improve the lives of our respective citizens, and one way is through trade.
We're in the midst of negotiating a free trade agreement with Panama. And I told the president this free trade agreement is important for America, as he told me it's important for Panama.
And we're close to coming to an agreement, and we'll continue to work on that agreement for the good of our respective peoples.
I also told him that I was pleased with the leadership of Panama and Argentina.
Twenty-nine nations said loud and clear, it's important for us to continue to advance a trade agenda that is positive for the people of this hemisphere.
And I appreciated your government's stance on that, Mr. President. You're acting in the interest of your people.
And speaking about the interest of the people, I do want to say something about the tornadoes that recently hit America.
I called the governor of Indiana this morning and expressed my deepest condolences for the families who lost lives. I asked him if there was more federal response needed; he felt like the response that we had given was appropriate at the time.
And many Americans are now asking God's blessings on those who suffered through this natural disaster.
Mr. President, I'm fully aware that 25,000 of our citizens live in your beautiful country. I can see why. It is a beautiful country. Panama City is a modern, progressive city. And your government is a modern, progressive government.
I congratulate you for your fiscal reforms. I congratulate you for the strong growth of your economy. I appreciate your transparency. I appreciate your strong commitment to fighting corruption.
That sends a clear signal not only to the people of this important country, but also to people throughout the region. And it's noble. And it's important that you continue - which I know you will - your very strong leadership.
I look forward to continuing to discuss ways for us to fight narcotrafficking. You've been strong on that. And that's important for our hemisphere, not to allow narcotraffickers and narcoterrorists to be able to threaten the stability of democracies.
I also appreciate your strong commitment to democracy itself, to rule of law and freedom to worship, freedom of the press, the ability for government to be transparent and government to have checks and balances so we deal with the rule of law, not the rule of man.
And it's your example, which is an important example for others to see.
And again, I want to thank you very much for your leadership.
I also thank you very much for helping another part of the world become free and democratic, and that's in Iraq. And I appreciate the supervisors that you sent to help monitor the elections, to see to it that the vote on the constitution was free and fair.
And I congratulate you for that. It's an important gesture: a gesture that recognizes that freedom is universal in its application and that democracy is the best way to lay the groundwork for peace.
And I, finally, want to thank you very much for the condolences and offers for the assistance you gave to our people after Hurricane Katrina. You're indeed a good friend, and I'm proud to be here to confirm that friendship.
Thank you.
TORRIJOS (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): We would at this time open the floor to two questions per side for the journalist group.
QUESTION: Good morning, you discussed the free trade agreement. There have been some remarks, Mr. President, that your support in Congress has lessened and that the CAFTA was approved by a very narrow margin.
But what are the real probabilities of getting support in Congress for the ratification of a free trade agreement between Panama and the United States?
And there's also concern in Panama regarding the subject of the unexplored ordnance in areas contaminated in Empirador (ph), San Jose, et cetera and the commitment from the United States as to whether those areas can be decontaminated.
BUSH: Let me start with the chances of getting an agreement passed.
The first step is to get the agreement done and we're getting close. And we talked to trade minister Portman yesterday on the way here to Panama.
He understands the importance I place and the priority I place on this agreement. And just got to continue to work it and to get it done.
Secondly, look, we're going to have to work the Congress. We talked about working the Congress. I'll do my best to work in the Congress. And the Panamanian government understands that once they get an agreement that ministers and friends and allies of Panama will go work the Congress.
And one area that we need to make progress on is with the Democrat Party. The Democrat Party, for many sessions, was a free trade party. Not totally - let me rephrase that, the Democrat Party had free trade members who were willing to make the right decisions based not on politics, but based on what's best for the interests of the country. And that spirit has dissipated in recent votes, and Panama can help reinvigorate the spirit.
We can help to make sure this isn't just such a partisan issue that people are unwilling to make a vote based upon their principle and what's right for our respective countries.
Secondly, we had obligations under the treaty and we felt like we met those obligations. There is a difference of opinion and so we have a disagreement that we will continue to discuss. And we're able to do so in a way that I think is constructive because we're friends.
Q: Back in October of 2000, Mr. President...
BUSH: October of 2000?
Q: Yes, sir. Back in October of 2000, this is what you said...
BUSH: OK. Whew!
Q: We will ask not only what is legal, but what is right, not what the lawyers allow, but what the public deserves.
So in the CIA leak case, has your administration lived up to this campaign promise?
BUSH: Pardon? I didn't hear you.
Q: In the CIA leak case, has your administration lived up to this campaign promise?
BUSH: Oh, look, I said the other day to the press corps that was assembled in Argentina that there's still an ongoing investigation. We take this investigation very seriously, and we'll continue to cooperate during the investigation.
Q (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): President Bush, how would the United States look upon mainland China's participation in the subject of the widening of the Panama Canal? And would this participation affect interests of the United States?
And on the other hand, in the recent FTAA summit held in South America, there were deep divisions. And what do you feel these deep divisions are all about? Are these ideological issues among the countries of Mercosur?
BUSH: First, let me start with the Panama Canal.
I think it is wise for the government to consider modernizing the canal. Things have changed since the canal was first built and there needs to be a continued appraisal of the canal to make sure that it's used. It's in the nation's interest that this canal be modernized.
And so, we didn't discuss the financing mechanisms, but I'm confident that however the widening or the modernization is financed, that the government and those authorities over the canal recognize that it is to be used by everybody, that the canal is international, that there ought to be, you know, equal access. It's in the interests of those who run the canal not only to modernize it but make sure it's used properly.
At the FTAA, 29 countries - I mean, at the summit on the FTAA, 29 countries said, Let's make sure, in 2006, we continue discussing a way forward for the FTAA - 29 of the 34 countries.
There was a strong approval for the concept of working together to put agreements in place that will enable us to compete with China in the long run, for example.
And so I found the spirit for free trade to be strong.
There was five nations that said, Well, we don't want to do it as soon as 2006. On the other hand, I went to Brazil yesterday and there was strong agreement in Brazil that we work together to advance the Doha round of the WTO.
The impression that I came away with, which is an accurate impression, is that there's a lot of people recognize - by far, the vast majority of the countries recognize - it's in our nations' interests to advance the trade agenda.
Q: Mr. President, there has been a bit of an international outcry over reports of secret U.S. prisons in Europe for terrorism suspects. Will you let the Red Cross have access to them? And do you agree with Vice President Cheney that the CIA should be exempt from legislation to ban torture?
BUSH: Our country is at war, and our government has the obligation to protect the American people. The executive branch has the obligation to protect the American people; the legislative branch has the obligation to protect the American people.
And we are aggressively doing that. We are finding terrorists and bringing them to justice. We are gathering information about where the terrorists may be hiding. We are trying to disrupt their plots and plans.
Anything we do to that end in this effort, any activity we conduct, is within the law. We do not torture.
And therefore, we're working with Congress to make sure that as we go forward, we make it possible - more possible - to do our job.
There's an enemy that lurks and plots and plans and wants to hurt America again. And so you bet we'll aggressively pursue them. But we will do so under the law.
And that's why you're seeing members of my administration go and brief the Congress. We want to work together in this matter. All of us have an obligation, and it's a solemn obligation and a solemn responsibility.
And, you know, I'm confident that when people see the facts. that they'll recognize that they've got more work to do and that we must protect ourselves in a way that is lawful.
Mr. President, thank you.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5398387,00.html
Bear in mind, in a preface to a question regarding the CIA leak scandal, a reporter had just reminded Bush of his words in Oct of 2000. "We will ask not only what is legal, but what is right, not what the lawyers allow, but what the public deserves."
So here is Bush's answer to the following question. (Emphasis added.)
Q: Mr. President, there has been a bit of an international outcry over reports of secret U.S. prisons in Europe for terrorism suspects. Will you let the Red Cross have access to them? And do you agree with Vice President Cheney that the CIA should be exempt from legislation to ban torture?
BUSH: Our country is at war, and our government has the obligation to protect the American people. The executive branch has the obligation to protect the American people; the legislative branch has the obligation to protect the American people. And we are aggressively doing that. We are finding terrorists and bringing them to justice. We are gathering information about where the terrorists may be hiding. We are trying to disrupt their plots and plans. Anything we do to that end in this effort, any activity we conduct, is within the law. We do not torture.
And therefore, we're working with Congress to make sure that as we go forward, we make it possible - more possible - to do our job. There's an enemy that lurks and plots and plans and wants to hurt America again. And so you bet we'll aggressively pursue them. But we will do so under the law.
And that's why you're seeing members of my administration go and brief the Congress. We want to work together in this matter. All of us have an obligation, and it's a solemn obligation and a solemn responsibility. And, you know, I'm confident that when people see the facts. that they'll recognize that they've got more work to do and that we must protect ourselves in a way that is lawful.
Translation: What we do is not "torture" since we have defined "torture" in such a way as to make it something other than what we do. We are at war, therefore the "law" is what I say it is. And I say that we are within the law.
Text of Bush-Torrijos Press Conference
Monday November 7, 2005 3:46 PM
By The Associated Press
Here is the text of remarks by President Bush and Panamanian President Martin Torrijos at a news conference in Panama City, Panama on Monday, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions:
TORRIJOS (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Very good morning, esteemed journalists. I'm pleased to welcome you, to welcome the president of the United States to Panama.
On this rainy morning we've had a working meeting with President Bush. And we've had the opportunity to exchange viewpoints on various subjects of interest to Panama as well as of interest to the United States.
We've discussed the advantages and opportunities offered by free trade. And we've reviewed our agenda, starting with past April's visit, when I had the opportunity to visit President Bush in Washington.
Panama has had a special relationship with the United States throughout the various stages of its history. And the president and I are committed to maintain and strengthen this through dialogue and through an open relationship such as we have had so far.
There will not always be agreement, such as in the unexploded ordnance issue, but there will always be a frankness, sincerity between us so that we can discuss as friends on the various viewpoints of our countries.
In a few moments, I'll have the opportunity to take President Bush to the Miraflores Locks. The first time that a sitting U.S. president left the United States, he did so to observe the construction of the Panama Canal.
And today the president of the United States, George W. Bush, will have the opportunity to see how we Panamanians feel proud not only of the process of reversion of the Panama Canal from U.S. to Panamanian hand, but we feel proud of the way the canal is being managed and of the opportunities it will offer into the future.
Welcome, Mr. President.
And we will now offer an opportunity for press from both sides to ask a couple of questions.
QUESTION: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)
BUSH: I look forward to going to the Panama Canal. I am most impressed by the management of the canal. Those who are responsible for the Panama Canal have done an excellent job. And this is beneficial to the world.
And I congratulate you for that. And I'm really looking forward to seeing it.
I'm also looking forward to paying our respects by laying a wreath.
And I'm also looking forward to seeing some of the Panamanian baseball stars. People around here know how to play baseball. And I'm looking forward to seeing some of your stars, Mr. President.
So thanks for letting us come. Thanks for inviting me.
We have had a very good discussion. And it's important we have discussions because we're friends.
And one of the matters we discussed was how do we work together to improve the lives of our respective citizens, and one way is through trade.
We're in the midst of negotiating a free trade agreement with Panama. And I told the president this free trade agreement is important for America, as he told me it's important for Panama.
And we're close to coming to an agreement, and we'll continue to work on that agreement for the good of our respective peoples.
I also told him that I was pleased with the leadership of Panama and Argentina.
Twenty-nine nations said loud and clear, it's important for us to continue to advance a trade agenda that is positive for the people of this hemisphere.
And I appreciated your government's stance on that, Mr. President. You're acting in the interest of your people.
And speaking about the interest of the people, I do want to say something about the tornadoes that recently hit America.
I called the governor of Indiana this morning and expressed my deepest condolences for the families who lost lives. I asked him if there was more federal response needed; he felt like the response that we had given was appropriate at the time.
And many Americans are now asking God's blessings on those who suffered through this natural disaster.
Mr. President, I'm fully aware that 25,000 of our citizens live in your beautiful country. I can see why. It is a beautiful country. Panama City is a modern, progressive city. And your government is a modern, progressive government.
I congratulate you for your fiscal reforms. I congratulate you for the strong growth of your economy. I appreciate your transparency. I appreciate your strong commitment to fighting corruption.
That sends a clear signal not only to the people of this important country, but also to people throughout the region. And it's noble. And it's important that you continue - which I know you will - your very strong leadership.
I look forward to continuing to discuss ways for us to fight narcotrafficking. You've been strong on that. And that's important for our hemisphere, not to allow narcotraffickers and narcoterrorists to be able to threaten the stability of democracies.
I also appreciate your strong commitment to democracy itself, to rule of law and freedom to worship, freedom of the press, the ability for government to be transparent and government to have checks and balances so we deal with the rule of law, not the rule of man.
And it's your example, which is an important example for others to see.
And again, I want to thank you very much for your leadership.
I also thank you very much for helping another part of the world become free and democratic, and that's in Iraq. And I appreciate the supervisors that you sent to help monitor the elections, to see to it that the vote on the constitution was free and fair.
And I congratulate you for that. It's an important gesture: a gesture that recognizes that freedom is universal in its application and that democracy is the best way to lay the groundwork for peace.
And I, finally, want to thank you very much for the condolences and offers for the assistance you gave to our people after Hurricane Katrina. You're indeed a good friend, and I'm proud to be here to confirm that friendship.
Thank you.
TORRIJOS (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): We would at this time open the floor to two questions per side for the journalist group.
QUESTION: Good morning, you discussed the free trade agreement. There have been some remarks, Mr. President, that your support in Congress has lessened and that the CAFTA was approved by a very narrow margin.
But what are the real probabilities of getting support in Congress for the ratification of a free trade agreement between Panama and the United States?
And there's also concern in Panama regarding the subject of the unexplored ordnance in areas contaminated in Empirador (ph), San Jose, et cetera and the commitment from the United States as to whether those areas can be decontaminated.
BUSH: Let me start with the chances of getting an agreement passed.
The first step is to get the agreement done and we're getting close. And we talked to trade minister Portman yesterday on the way here to Panama.
He understands the importance I place and the priority I place on this agreement. And just got to continue to work it and to get it done.
Secondly, look, we're going to have to work the Congress. We talked about working the Congress. I'll do my best to work in the Congress. And the Panamanian government understands that once they get an agreement that ministers and friends and allies of Panama will go work the Congress.
And one area that we need to make progress on is with the Democrat Party. The Democrat Party, for many sessions, was a free trade party. Not totally - let me rephrase that, the Democrat Party had free trade members who were willing to make the right decisions based not on politics, but based on what's best for the interests of the country. And that spirit has dissipated in recent votes, and Panama can help reinvigorate the spirit.
We can help to make sure this isn't just such a partisan issue that people are unwilling to make a vote based upon their principle and what's right for our respective countries.
Secondly, we had obligations under the treaty and we felt like we met those obligations. There is a difference of opinion and so we have a disagreement that we will continue to discuss. And we're able to do so in a way that I think is constructive because we're friends.
Q: Back in October of 2000, Mr. President...
BUSH: October of 2000?
Q: Yes, sir. Back in October of 2000, this is what you said...
BUSH: OK. Whew!
Q: We will ask not only what is legal, but what is right, not what the lawyers allow, but what the public deserves.
So in the CIA leak case, has your administration lived up to this campaign promise?
BUSH: Pardon? I didn't hear you.
Q: In the CIA leak case, has your administration lived up to this campaign promise?
BUSH: Oh, look, I said the other day to the press corps that was assembled in Argentina that there's still an ongoing investigation. We take this investigation very seriously, and we'll continue to cooperate during the investigation.
Q (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): President Bush, how would the United States look upon mainland China's participation in the subject of the widening of the Panama Canal? And would this participation affect interests of the United States?
And on the other hand, in the recent FTAA summit held in South America, there were deep divisions. And what do you feel these deep divisions are all about? Are these ideological issues among the countries of Mercosur?
BUSH: First, let me start with the Panama Canal.
I think it is wise for the government to consider modernizing the canal. Things have changed since the canal was first built and there needs to be a continued appraisal of the canal to make sure that it's used. It's in the nation's interest that this canal be modernized.
And so, we didn't discuss the financing mechanisms, but I'm confident that however the widening or the modernization is financed, that the government and those authorities over the canal recognize that it is to be used by everybody, that the canal is international, that there ought to be, you know, equal access. It's in the interests of those who run the canal not only to modernize it but make sure it's used properly.
At the FTAA, 29 countries - I mean, at the summit on the FTAA, 29 countries said, Let's make sure, in 2006, we continue discussing a way forward for the FTAA - 29 of the 34 countries.
There was a strong approval for the concept of working together to put agreements in place that will enable us to compete with China in the long run, for example.
And so I found the spirit for free trade to be strong.
There was five nations that said, Well, we don't want to do it as soon as 2006. On the other hand, I went to Brazil yesterday and there was strong agreement in Brazil that we work together to advance the Doha round of the WTO.
The impression that I came away with, which is an accurate impression, is that there's a lot of people recognize - by far, the vast majority of the countries recognize - it's in our nations' interests to advance the trade agenda.
Q: Mr. President, there has been a bit of an international outcry over reports of secret U.S. prisons in Europe for terrorism suspects. Will you let the Red Cross have access to them? And do you agree with Vice President Cheney that the CIA should be exempt from legislation to ban torture?
BUSH: Our country is at war, and our government has the obligation to protect the American people. The executive branch has the obligation to protect the American people; the legislative branch has the obligation to protect the American people.
And we are aggressively doing that. We are finding terrorists and bringing them to justice. We are gathering information about where the terrorists may be hiding. We are trying to disrupt their plots and plans.
Anything we do to that end in this effort, any activity we conduct, is within the law. We do not torture.
And therefore, we're working with Congress to make sure that as we go forward, we make it possible - more possible - to do our job.
There's an enemy that lurks and plots and plans and wants to hurt America again. And so you bet we'll aggressively pursue them. But we will do so under the law.
And that's why you're seeing members of my administration go and brief the Congress. We want to work together in this matter. All of us have an obligation, and it's a solemn obligation and a solemn responsibility.
And, you know, I'm confident that when people see the facts. that they'll recognize that they've got more work to do and that we must protect ourselves in a way that is lawful.
Mr. President, thank you.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5398387,00.html
posted by JimG at 11:24 AM
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