Excerpts from President George W. Bush press conference, February 22, 2001

Excerpts from President George W. Bush press conference, February 22, 2001
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

February 22, 2001

PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PRESIDENT

The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

2:40 P.M. EST

Q: You've shown a lot of interest in Latin America issues. I have a double question for you. The first one has to do with Colombia. There's a big meeting on Tuesday with President Pastrana, and a lot of people are still worried about the implications of Plan Colombia, which your predecessor set in motion, about possible future military involvement of the United States. I want to know your impressions of Plan Colombia.

And my second question has to do with the Free Trade Agreement for Latin America. You're going to be going to Quebec in April. Are you going to ask for fast track approval so this thing can get going again, because it's been kind of dormant lately?

THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate that question. I'd love to have fast track approval. I think it's going to be important to work with our neighbors to the south, and Canada to the north, to promote free trade throughout the Hemisphere.

I spoke to the Prime Minister of Canada this morning, and that subject came up, about the summit, upcoming summit. And so we're going to begin the process in Congress. Ambassador Zoellick will be working with members of Congress to lay the groundwork for the ability for the President to have what they call fast track negotiating authority.

Secondly, I look forward to my meeting with President Pastrana. I'm looking forward to the briefing that he'll be bringing from Colombia. And I, too, am worried about ever committing the United States military to an engagement in that part of the world. I know we're training, and that's fine, but the mission ought to be limited to just that. And so I share the concern of those who are worried that at some point in time the United States might become militarily engaged.

Now, in terms of the success of the mission, the President's going to bring me his firsthand account of what's taking place in the country. I am concerned about the amount of acreage in cultivation for the growth of coca leaves. We've got to do a better job of working with the Colombia government on its eradication program.

I had a long talk about the Andes with President Fox. I'm convinced President Fox will be a stabilizing influence for that part of the world. Fortunately, we've got a good relationship so that he will share with me his insights as things develop. He has had meetings with Mr. Pastrana and Mr. Chavez. And I believe Vicente Fox is going to be a stabilizing influence and a positive influence on the Andes.

As of February 23, 2000, this document was also available online at http://usinfo.state.gov/admin/011/lef401.htm