Text: Bush and Howard News Conference

President Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard, left, participate in a joint press availability in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 16, 2006. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert - AP)

And, of course, we'll be working in conjunction with governors to make sure that that's not the case, that it doesn't put unnecessary strain on other functions of the Guard.

Now, thirdly, the Pentagon is briefing today how the program is going to work. There is _ there are Guard troops in Arizona and New Mexico and Texas that can be used by the governors down there to work with the Border Patrol that they'll be reimbursed for. And there's also training missions that can be used to help complement the Border Patrol.

We're going to have double the Border Patrol agents since 2001 by 2008. And what the Guard is doing: The Guard is providing an interim service until those Border Patrol agents get stood up.

I made it clear to the country last night that we're not going to militarize our border. Mexico is a friend. But what we are going to do is use assets necessary to make sure that we can assure the American people that the border is secure.

Now, in order to secure the border, it's important for people up here in Washington to understand that there's got to be a temporary worker program.

Border security and temporary worker programs are really important because _ let me say, a temporary worker program is really important to border security because we don't want people trying to sneak into the country.

It seems rational to me to say: If you're coming to work, come in to work in a legal way on a temporary basis so you're not trying to sneak across.

So the temporary worker program goes hand in hand with border security. In order for there to be _ in order for us to solve the problem of an immigration system that's not working, it's really important for Congress to understand that there needs _ the elements I described all go hand in hand.

And so I'll continue to work with them. Look, I understand _ this is a hard issue for many people.

Q: (OFF-MIKE)

BUSH: I said I want a comprehensive bill because I understand there needs to be a comprehensive bill in order for us to achieve the objective. And the objective is, on the one hand, protect our borders; and, on the other hand, never lose sight of the thing that makes America unique which is we're a land of immigrants and that we're not going to discriminate against people.

BUSH: Now, we don't think there ought to be an automatic path to citizenship. That's called amnesty. Amnesty would be wrong. Amnesty would say that somebody who stood in line legally is mistreated, as far as I'm concerned. Amnesty would mean that more people will try to come and sneak into our country in the hopes that they would be granted automatic citizenship.

But there ought to be a way for somebody to pay a fine or learn English or prove that they've been here for a long time working, and be able to get in line _ not the head of the line, but the back of the line _ in order to become a citizen.

There are some in our country who say: Let's just deport everybody. It's unrealistic. It may sound attractive to some.

You can't deport people who have been in this country for a long period of time, millions of people that have been here. And so we've got to be rational about how we move forward.

And part of my appeal last night was to say to people: Let's don't get so emotional that we forget who we are. We're a land of immigrants. And when we welcome somebody to our country who is here legally, willing to work and willing to realize a dream, it helps restore our soul.

So this is a difficult debate for members. I'm going to continue working with them. Part of my job is to lead, and I did last night.

I said: Here's how we get to where we need to be.

Q: Mr. President, American wheat growers are angry that hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes were paid to Saddam's Iraq to protect Australia's wheat market. Do you share their anger? And do you sympathize with the push on Capitol Hill to investigate this further in America?

And, Mr. Prime Minister, I'd be interested in your comments on a possible Capitol Hill inquiry into this.

BUSH: My own judgment is that the Howard administration is plenty capable of investigating what took place. And I look forward to seeing the results of the investigation.

HOWARD: For my part, you are aware of what the Australian government has done. Australia is the only country in the world that has responded to the bulk of findings with a public inquiry with the powers of a royal commission. And you are aware that the commission has probably completed its public hearings and we're likely to have a report by the 30th of June.

What the United States Congress does in relation to this is a matter for the United States Congress.

And, clearly, if it decides to do something, then we will respond in the appropriate fashion.

But for our part, in Australia, we have been open, transparent, that we do not approve in any way, shape or form of the payment of bribes.

And if a finding is to that effect, then the full processes of Australian law should be brought to bear. And you can't be more transparent than that.

I think that is understood in the United States. But, obviously, just as we have responsibilities within Australia, the legislators of this country, where I'm a guest, has responsibilities in this country. And if it discharges those in a particular fashion in the way it thinks fit, well, that's its right, and we will respond in what is also the appropriate fashion.

I don't think I can add anything more to that. And we have been patently transparent and open.

And let me just repeat again: Australia is the only country in the world that has established a public inquiry with the powers of a royal commission.

BUSH: Thank you, sir. Enjoyed it.

HOWARD: Thank you.

END