GOP and UK (2001)

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[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
From the 2001 Presidential Documents Online via GPO Access
[frwais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:pd05mr01_txt-4]

[Page 341-342]

Monday, March 5, 2001

Volume 37--Number 9
Pages 335-396

Week Ending Friday, March 2, 2001

Joint Statement With Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom

February 23, 2001

   President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair reaffirm the
uniquely close relationship that exists between the United States and
the United Kingdom: a relationship rooted in common history, common
values and common interests around the globe. We commit ourselves to the
shared goals of a stronger Transatlantic alliance and to helping build a
Europe whole, free and secure.
   We affirm that NATO will remain the essential foundation of
Transatlantic security. In this new century, NATO will continue to adapt
itself to meet new missions and challenges by strengthening its
capabilities; seeking to reinforce cooperation with Russia, Ukraine and
other members of the Partnership for Peace; and continuing to admit to
its ranks European democracies prepared to assume the responsibilities
of membership.
    We support efforts of NATO's European Members and other European
nations to assume greater responsibility for crisis management in Europe
by strengthening NATO's capabilities and developing the ability to
manage efforts where NATO as a whole chooses not to engage. In this
regard, the United States welcomes the European Union's European
Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), intended to make Europe a stronger,
more capable partner in deterring and managing crises affecting the
security of the Transatlantic community. The United Kingdom is committed
to taking ESDP forward on the basis agreed by the EU at the recent Nice
summit. This involves:
    - Working with other EU members to establish and provide resources
for an ESDP that improves Europe's capabilities and enables the EU to
act where NATO as a whole is not engaged;
    - Developing EU capabilities in a manner that is fully coordinated,
compatible and transparent with NATO;
    - Providing for the fullest possible participation of non-EU
European Allies in the consideration of execution of EU-led operations,
reflecting their shared interests and security commitments as NATO
members.
    The United States supports these efforts and welcomes the progress
made toward our shared goals.
   We reaffirm our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the
Balkans. We declare our intent to work together and with our partners in
the European Union and beyond to consolidate the peace so recently won.
Our common vision is of a region, fully embedded in Europe, where
commerce supplants conflict, where borders are venues for cooperation
and not reasons for conflagration, and where the rule of law prevails
and war criminals are brought to justice. Our two countries are
committed to NATO-led military operations in the region and agree to
work with allies and partners to build a region where the democratic
leaders themselves take on the responsibility for implementing the
peace, enabling the progressive drawdown of international military
forces and in due course of the international civilian organizations.
    We recognize the existence of a common threat stemming from the
growing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and
increasingly sophisticated missiles for their delivery. We are already
working together in this area, and agree on the need for further
substantive bilateral consultations, as well as close consultations with
other allies. This consultation process, which will involve contacts
with other interested parties, will include a review of our common
strategic assumptions so that they reflect the contemporary security
setting, and especially the growing threat from WMD-armed adversaries in
regions of vital interest. We need to obstruct and deter these new
threats with a strategy that encompasses both offensive and defensive
systems, continues nuclear arms reductions where possible, and
strengthens WMD and missile proliferation controls and counter-
proliferation measures.

Page 342

   We reaffirm our determination to oppose the development or use of
WMD and ballistic missiles by Saddam Hussein and the threat his regime
poses to its neighbors, while seeking to protect the Iraqi people from
the brutality of Saddam Hussein and his indifference to their
humanitarian needs. We call on Iraq to comply with relevant UN Security
Council Resolutions.
    In the wake of the verdict issued by the Scottish High Court at Camp
Zeist on January 31, we reiterate our condolences to the families of the
victims of Pan Am flight 103, and call on the Libyan government to
comply with the requirements of relevant UN Security Council
resolutions.
    The President pledges the continuing support of the United States
for the Northern Ireland peace process. The Prime Minister welcomes that
support.
    We are both committed to taking advantage of the new possibilities
for democratic development and free markets in Africa in order to
address the problems of insecurity and poverty on the continent. We
support the idea of a new partnership with Africa to address, in a
systematic way, conflict and disease--especially HIV/AIDS--and to
promote economic growth and good governance. It is in all of our
interests to create a more stable and peaceful world and to make
available the benefits of globalization to all peoples.

   We recognize the depth of our nations' economic connection and the
United Kingdom acknowledges the importance to European economies of
measures designed to sustain economic growth in the United States. We
commit to work together and with other European states to deepen
Transatlantic economic relations and to seek solutions to trade
disputes. To maintain support for the WTO, we recognize that it is
important that we work for solutions to trade disputes which are in
accordance with its rulings. We reaffirm our commitment to the
multilateral trading system and strongly support the launch of a new
Round of global trade negotiations this year. It is our goal to open
markets, both regionally and globally. We agree to intensify our efforts
to liberalize fully our bilateral civil aviation relationship. We
reaffirm our commitment to increased cooperation in the sphere of
Transatlantic defense trade and the removal of unnecessary governmental
barriers and impediments to such trade.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
this joint statement. This item was not received in time for publication
in the appropriate issue.

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