pd06oc03 Remarks on Signing the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations...

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    Press Secretary McClellan. Caren [Caren Bohan], with Reuters.
    Q. Mr. President, are you disappointed that more countries have not 
come forward with pledges of aid for Iraq's reconstruction?
    President Bush. I am pleased with the amount of cooperation we're 
receiving, a coalition of nations inside of Iraq working hard to bring 
security to that country as well as to help rebuild a country. I 
recognize that some countries are inhibited from participation because 
of the lack of a U.N. resolution. We are working to get a satisfactory 
resolution out of the U.N. We spent some time discussing that today.
    As well there will be donor conference--a donor conference that we 
will be attending and look forward to getting more participants. It is 
in the national interest of free nations that Iraq be free and peaceful. 
And one of the things that interested me about Vladimir's comments was 
that he recognizes that we cannot allow power vacuums to exist into 
which rogue nations will enhance their capacity to hurt free nations.
    So our message is twofold: On the one hand, it's in the interest of 
nations to work for a secure and peaceful Iraq; and secondly, it's in 
our moral interest to help the Iraqi people get back on their feet after 
living under such tyranny. Remember, we discovered torture chambers, 
rape rooms, and mass graves where children and women as well as men had 
been brutalized and buried.

Russia-U.S. Relations

    Q. The question is for both Presidents. Now we can state that 
despite differences over Iraq, these differences have not led to the 
worsening of relations either between you, personally, or between our 
two countries. How can it be explained? Due to what reasons did it 
actually happen?
    President Bush. Trust. Listen, I--Vladimir and I had some very frank 
discussions about Iraq. I understood his position. He understood mine. 
But because we've got a trustworthy relationship, we're able to move 
beyond any disagreement over a single issue. Plus, I like him. He's a 
good fellow to spend quality time with.
    President Putin. Thank you, George, for your warm words. I would 
like to confirm everything that has been said by the President and to 
send him a response.
    I would like to add just one thing. There are two reasons why such 
problems between our states and between us, personally, have not 
emerged. We had differences over Iraq in terms of practical ways how to 
resolve this problem, but we had understanding on the essence of this 
problem. And the second and the most important point, fundamental 
interests of our two countries are much more solid, are much stronger 
than the developments that you have just mentioned. And in

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our actions, we wish to be guided by these strategic interests of our 
two countries without excessive emotions or ambitions.
    Thank you.
    President Bush. Good job. Thank you.

Note: The President's news conference began at 11:04 a.m. In his 
remarks, President Putin referred to Ramiro Armando de Oliveira Lopes da 
Silva, acting U.N. Special Representative for Iraq. President Putin 
spoke in Russian, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.


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Week Ending Friday, October 3, 2003
 
Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Russian 
Federation

September 27, 2003

    President George W. Bush and President Vladimir V. Putin held 
productive discussions at Camp David, Maryland, on September 26 and 27, 
2003. Building on the Joint Declaration on the New Strategic 
Relationship of May 24, 2002, and other joint documents, they focused on 
practical ways to broaden and deepen cooperation and partnership between 
the United States and Russia, overcoming obstacles and fulfilling their 
shared vision of a new strategic relationship to deal with the 
challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.
    The Presidents discussed a broad range of bilateral and 
international issues, including counter-terrorism; preventing 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; the situations in the 
Middle East, Iraq, Iran, and North Korea; strengthening the NATO-Russia 
relationship; progress in creating conditions to expand economic and 
commercial relations; cooperation in high technology, housing, and 
health; and people-to-people contacts, as well as other questions of 
mutual interest.
    The Presidents agreed on next steps in a number of areas to 
strengthen the existing U.S.-Russia partnership. They issued specific 
instructions to their respective governments identifying tasks to be 
undertaken by the appropriate agencies and specifying timelines for 
doing so, and they underscored their shared intention to monitor 
fulfillment of these tasks. In particular, they identified key areas 
where progress might be made in the near term, including, among other 
issues:
 <bullet>    implementing effectively the Strategic Offensive Reductions 
            Treaty (Treaty of Moscow), and continuing efforts to 
            increase transparency and build confidence on strategic 
            issues;
 <bullet>    building cooperation between the American and Russian 
            military establishments, as critical to joint efforts in 
            areas such as counter-terrorism, missile defense, and 
            peacekeeping;
 <bullet>    strengthening commercial and economic relations through 
            further cooperation in enhancing global energy security, 
            eliminating barriers to trade and investment, promoting 
            high-technology cooperation, and protecting intellectual 
            property rights;
 <bullet>    strengthening consultation and cooperation in dealing with 
            regional problems; and
 <bullet>    deepening cooperation in the battle against HIV/AIDs, which 
            will benefit the United States and Russia, and contribute to 
            the global effort against this modern plague.
    The Presidents agreed to remain in close contact to ensure progress 
across the broad agenda that they have defined.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.


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Week Ending Friday, October 3, 2003
 
Remarks Honoring the 2003 Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils

September 29, 2003

    Thank you all for being here. Please be seated. It's my honor to 
welcome to the Rose Garden the Stanley Cup champs. Congratulations. It's 
a--I had the honor of meeting your captain. I saw a quote; he said, 
``It's an awesome experience,'' talked about winning, what it's like to 
win as a team. And I want to congratulate the team that is with us 
today.
    I want to thank Peter Simon, who is the chairman. I appreciate Lou 
Lamoriello, who is the general manager and the president and CEO of the 
New Jersey Devils. I want to congratulate Pat Burns, the Jack Adams

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Award winner, which I guess means he's a really good coach. Gary 
Bettman, the commissioner, is with us. Mr. Commissioner, good to see 
you.
    They tell me this cup is 110 years old. That makes it older than the 
Oval Office. [Laughter] I see it's got all the names of the players who 
have won it, and now your names are on it. It's a fantastic legacy to 
athleticism and desire and drive, a couple of cuts here and there--
[laughter]--maybe a missed tooth or two. [Laughter]
    The concept of a team is just really important. I have a chance to 
welcome champs to the White House on a regular basis, and it seems to be 
a common ingredient, where people are willing to put something above 
individual achievement, called the team. They kind of work together for 
something bigger than self-glory. It's the common ingredient of all the 
champs that come here, and it's been the common ingredient of this team, 
led by a very capable captain and great players.
    One of the things that's interesting about the Stanley Cup is that 
each player gets to spend time with it. It must be pretty neat. The cup 
has traveled throughout North America and Europe. It's been to some 
famous sites recently. It was at the McDonald's drive-through in New 
Glasgow, Nova Scotia. [Laughter] It must have been a pretty interesting 
moment for that burger-flipper. [Laughter] Fill her up. [Laughter] It 
showed up at the Bob Evans restaurant in Brunswick, Ohio. It went to 
Filthy McNasty's Bar and Grill in Toronto. [Laughter] I don't know who 
took it there, but--[laughter]--I bet you're pretty happy the cup can't 
talk--[laughter]--if you know what I mean.
    Most important, though, these players took it to hospitals and 
schools, to senior centers, and to a home for neglected and abused 
children. They took it to fire and police crews that are working long 
hours to keep their communities safe. They took it to the people in our 
Armed Forces. In other words, this cup helped inspire people, helped 
lift up lives.
    When I met Scott Stevens, he wasn't out there as a great hockey 
player. He was out there at the airport in Newark because he works for 
the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark, participates in after-school 
programs to help kids make healthy choices in their life. He was 
involved with the Hockey Fights Cancer campaign.
    What I'm telling you about is that champs are people who serve their 
community--off the ice, in this case. Champs are people who not only 
serve something greater than themself, called their team, but their 
community. Champs are people who understand that when you're the 
champion, somebody looks at you. They wonder, ``What is it like to be a 
champ?'' So when you make right choices, set out the right examples, hug 
somebody who hurts, you're really helping our country. And if you're 
from Canada or other countries, you're helping your country too. I'm 
most appreciative--the thing I'm most appreciative about, I love your 
athletic skill, but I love the fact that you're compassionate people as 
well.
    So it's my honor to welcome you to the Rose Garden as the great 
champs of the National Hockey League. Congratulations. Welcome.

Note: The President spoke at 2:04 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Peter Simon, chairman, Louis A. 
Lamoriello, chief executive officer, president, and general manager, Pat 
Burns, head coach, and Scott Stevens, captain, New Jersey Devils; and 
Gary B. Bettman, commissioner, National Hockey League. Following his 
remarks, the President was presented with a New Jersey Devils jersey.


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Week Ending Friday, October 3, 2003
 
Remarks on Signing Legislation To Ratify the Authority of the Federal 
Trade Commission To Establish a Do-Not-Call Registry

September 29, 2003

    Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming, and welcome back to the 
White House.
    This summer, the Federal Trade Commission, ably headed by Tim Muris, 
and the Federal Communications Commission, ably headed by Michael 
Powell, joined to create a national Do-Not-Call Registry. The registry 
allows Americans to shield their home and cell phone numbers from most 
unwanted telemarketing calls. By signing up over the

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phone or online, people can protect their privacy and their family time 
from intrusive, annoying, unwelcome commercial solicitations.
    The Do-Not-Call Registry is a practical solution to address a 
growing concern. I'm honored that Senator Stevens is with us, the 
chairman; Congressman Billy Tauzin, the chairman, is with us; Ed Markey, 
ranking member; Fred Upton. I appreciate you all coming.
    The reason they're here is they acted to a response from the 
judiciary. They acted as well because the American people clearly like 
the idea of a Do-Not-Call Registry. After all, since the first signup 
day 3 months ago, Americans have entered over 50 million telephone 
numbers in the Do-Not-Call Registry.
    While many good people work in the telemarketing industry, the 
public is understandably losing patience with these unwanted phone 
calls, unwanted intrusions. And given a choice, Americans prefer not to 
receive random sales pitches at all hours of the day. And the American 
people should be free to restrict these calls.
    Last week, a Federal judge objected to the Do-Not-Call Registry on 
the grounds that Congress had not authorized its creation. So the House 
and the Senate authorized its creation. You acted swiftly, and I want to 
congratulate you very much. It's a really good action. The Senate voted 
95-0; the House 412-8. This affirmed the decision by the FTC, and it's 
affirmed the wishes of the American people.
    The Do-Not-Call Registry is still being challenged in court. Yet, 
the conclusion of the American people and the legislative branch and the 
executive branch is beyond question. So today I'm pleased to sign this 
important piece of legislation into law. Want to come and join us?

Note: The President spoke at 3:40 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House. H.R. 3161, approved September 29, was assigned Public Law 
No. 108-82. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of these remarks.


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Week Ending Friday, October 3, 2003
 
Statement on the Death of
Althea Gibson

September 29, 2003

    Althea Gibson rose above segregation and discrimination to become a 
world-class tennis player. In 1957 and 1958, she won both Wimbledon and 
the United States Open, displaying her remarkable spirit, determination, 
and skill. In breaking the racial barrier in championship tennis, she 
furthered America's progress in recognizing individuals for their 
character and abilities, not their skin color. Laura and I send our 
prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Althea Gibson.


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Pages 1273	1323

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