For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 19, 2001
Remarks by the President
To the Pool the British Museum London, England
11:45 P.M. (L)
Q Mr. President,
any comment on Senator Daschle's comments this morning, saying he was
concerned about U.S. isolationism?
THE PRESIDENT: One of the
things that America has prided itself on is a bipartisan foreign
policy. And I would hope that that tradition
continues. It's a very important tradition.
I think the people of America appreciate
the foreign policy positions we've taken, that we're not retreating
within our borders. But I'll represent the American
interests. And, secondly, the world leaders have found that
I'm a person who speaks plainly and openly about key issues. We're
willing to listen. But I will still continue to stand for
what I think is right for our country and the world. I
happen to believe missile defenses is important to keep the world more
peaceful, and I believe we need to work together to reduce greenhouse
gases.
But I refuse to accept a treaty that will
harm our country's economy.
Q Did Tom Daschle
go too far? Did he break the tradition?
THE PRESIDENT: I think that's
going to be up for Tom Daschle to make up his own mind whether he did
or not. I do believe it's important to have a bipartisan
spirit when it comes to foreign policy. I would hope that
tradition continues.
Q Putin backed off
a little bit on the possibility yesterday of a missile defense thing.
THE PRESIDENT: We're having a
good discussion with President Putin on missile defenses. I
was pleased to see his comments. Remember, I want you all to
remember that he was the first world leader to indicate that perhaps we
needed to think differently about the new threats of the 21st century.
He clearly talked about theater defenses,
as well as the capacity to develop technologies to intercept missiles
on launch. I still believe he understands that need. I look
forward to discussing that with him in Genoa. It's going to
be part of our dialogue.
Now I'm going to go see Her
Majesty. I look forward to renewing a
friendship. I met her when she came to visit Washington,
D.C.; my mother and dad kindly invited Laura to and me to the -- a
private lunch with her. And it's such an honor to go represent my
country there at Buckingham Palace. And, of course, we're
off to see Prime Minister Blair. I'll be glad to visit with
you after I visit Prime Minister Blair.
Q Is the black
sheep story true, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: You need to ask
my mother. (Laughter.) Yes. Very good
research. Well researched.
Q London in
general. Are you enjoying your trip so far?
THE PRESIDENT: You know, I
have. Somehow, the press got this notion I had never been to
London. I was reading in one of our major newspapers the
other day that this is the first time I had been to London, which is
simply not the case. It is a spectacular city.
I was struck by a couple of things; one,
how diverse the city is and how clean it is. And it is a
beautiful city.
Q Is it true that
you asked specifically to go to the cabinet war rooms later on because
of your interest in Churchill
THE PRESIDENT: I
am. Well, I've always been intrigued by Churchill. I think
he was one of the really fascinating leaders. Last week, or,
let's see, this week -- sometimes, time flies -- at some point in the
recent past, the British Ambassador brought a bust on loan from the
English government to the Oval Office. So Churchill is now
watching my every move.
I loved Churchill's stance on
principle. Sometimes in this world, it is important to have
a world leader stand up on principle and defend policy based upon
principle, not trying to figure out politics.
I also loved his sense of
humor. The man was blessed with a wonderful gift of kind of
bringing light to politics. And we need that. We
need that a lot of times. People need to learn to laugh.
And when they gave him the Order of the
Garter, he said, how can I accept the Order of the Garter? I
just got the order of the boot. (Laughter.) That's right
after he had been defeated.
Q Is that your
favorite Churchill anecdote, or --
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I've got
some, but I can't repeat in mixed company, if you know what I
mean. He was a great leader. And he was blessed
with a lot of talents. And I'm really looking forward to
seeing that part of his life. You bet.
Q Thank you.
Q Mr. Bush, what do
you think of Camden? The Bar of Camden? What do
you think so far from what you've seen?
THE PRESIDENT: If you're asking
about this, the reading room was spectacular. I mean,
there's now way to describe it other than spectacular.
What I found interesting was, we saw the
-- they have catalogued the list of folks who have signed in over the
past to use the room. And Karl Marx, and Lenin, Mark Twain,
George W. Bush. (Laughter.) From one end of the
spectrum to the other.
Q Continuity?
THE PRESIDENT: One end of the
spectrum to the other. Thank you all.
END 11:50 A.M. (L)
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