For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 14, 2003
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
12:40
P.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Good
afternoon. I don't have any announcements or statements to make, other
than just a reminder that Dr. Rice will be briefing in this room at 3:15 p.m. on the Asian-Australia trip. And you might want to direct
those questions to her at that time.
With that, I'll be glad to get
started.
Q
What questions?
MR. McCLELLAN: Related to Asia and Australia.
Q Scott, what are your thoughts
about any poll results, the President has gone up in the polls? And I
understand that many in the White House were very happy with the fact that his
numbers were lower at one time because they thought people would look at him as
the underdog and start funding his campaign. What are your thoughts now?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President is continuing to provide strong leadership to get things done;
that's where his focus is, on our highest priorities. Obviously, I expect
there will be a lot of polls between now and November, but he's going to
continue focusing on the priorities for the American people.
Q
But is it for better or for worse that he goes up --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again,
there are going to be a lot of polls between now and next November, I'm sure,
and the President stays focused on the priorities of the American people, and
that's what he will continue to do.
Q
Scott, is the current U.N. resolution, the one that has been circulated
last night and this morning, is that the final version that the U.S. intends to offer?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, this is a revised resolution. We think we've made some important
improvements to it. We believe it is a good resolution. And it has
been formally introduced or tabled with the Security Council earlier today, and
so we are proceeding forward on this resolution. Obviously, there's a
process in place and we will continue to work through that process. And
Secretary Powell and Ambassador Negroponte continue to have discussions with
their counterparts in the member -- regarding the members of the Security
Council, and they will continue to have those discussions as we move forward.
But we are moving forward on this
resolution, and believe it is a good resolution that has taken into account
some of the concerns that were expressed by Council members.
Q
Now, Kofi Annan said this morning it does not represent a major shift in
thinking, especially with regard to the Iraqi Governing Council taking over and
actually exercising sovereignty, aside from just being conferred sovereignty in
the resolution. What's your sense?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, some of the improvements that we made related to the issue of
sovereignty. It further defines -- the text further defines the vital role
that the United Nations should play, and it addresses some of those concerns
that were expressed about sovereignty.
For instance, it calls for the United
Nations to play a vital role, as circumstances permit, particularly in the
constitutional process and the conducting of elections. It also requests
that the Iraqi -- the Iraqis provide a timetable for that constitutional
process by December 15th. But, again, we think we've taken into account
some of the concerns that were expressed.
Q
One last thing on this. The U.N. role -- a vital role is something
the President has been saying for a long time, but that's kind of a vague term
that no one can quite determine what it means on the ground. The
President vaguely talked about working on elections, and that sort of
thing. So far, the U.N. does not quite see a role, according to Kofi
Annan, that justifies the risk of going in. What more can you say?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, the
United Nations has played a vital role -- such a vital role, you'll recall,
that the U.N. headquarters was attacked by the enemies of the Iraqi
people. And in terms of the vital role that the United Nations can play,
they can play an important role in the humanitarian assistance and
reconstruction and the constitutional electoral processes, just to name a
few. And this draft, or this resolution requests the United Nations and
the special representative of the United Nations lend their unique expertise to
the Iraqi people in the process of drafting a constitution and conducting
elections.
Q
Scott, on that same point, as you know, the Russians have asked for more
changes in the resolution. Are you prepared to massage the language any
more?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again,
we're moving forward on this resolution. That's why we have formally
introduced it earlier today before the Security Council. We believe it is
-- we believe it is taking into account some of the concerns that were
expressed, so it is an improved version. We believe it's a good
draft. And I'm going to let our representatives at the United Nations
work it with the Security Council members. There is a process in place
for that. We'll continue to have discussions about it, and move forward.
Q
Scott, are you looking for a vote tomorrow?
MR. McCLELLAN: Helen.
Q
Wall Street Journal says --
MR. McCLELLAN: Wait, let me
answer that real quick. Bob, Ambassador Negroponte has already
stated that we would like to see a vote this week. And so we expect to
move forward on it this week.
Q
The Wall Street Journal says the Pentagon is in charge of reconstruction
in Iraq. Is that true? Do they have the prime responsibility?
MR. McCLELLAN: They always have
been the lead Department in charge of reconstruction and they continue to
be. The Coalition Provisional Authority, headed by Ambassador Bremer, is
responsible for the reconstruction side of things in Iraq, and Ambassador Bremer reports to Secretary Rumsfeld. I
think the article --
Q
So what's all that shouting been about?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think
the article that you're referring to today is something that they're creating
within the Coalition Provisional Authority. That department or that arm
--
Q
Is that something new?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- that will be
an arm of the Coalition Provisional Authority as they receive additional
resources for the reconstruction efforts.
Q
That's not different? I mean, it doesn't give it more power or
whatever?
MR. McCLELLAN: It continues --
the Pentagon continues to be the lead agency. And as the lead civilian
administrator, Ambassador Bremer is overseeing those reconstruction efforts.
Q
And, Scott, on the question of sovereignty in Iraq, can you just explain
for people who might not understand the administration's reasoning, why the
President doesn't believe it's appropriate or right to have the Iraqi Governing
Council which is now sitting at these international bodies and, under the U.S.
resolution, would report directly to the Security Council, why shouldn't they
hold the sovereignty of the nation?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we want to
see a free and democratic Iraq governed of, by, and for the Iraqi people; elected by the Iraqi
people. Obviously, in a situation like this, when you had efforts after
World War II in Germany and Japan, we did not walk away from those efforts in
Germany and Japan. And we will not walk away from this effort, as we help
the Iraqi people transition to a secure, free, democratic and prosperous Iraq.
The Iraqi Governing Council is a
representative body of the Iraqi people, and we are continuing to work closely
with them and the international community as we move forward on our shared goal
of transferring responsibility as quickly as possible to the Iraqi
people. But it's important that the institutions of democracy are in
place, and that you have a functioning civil society in place before moving
forward on those elections.
Q
But if I may, since sovereignty seems to be the sticking point with a
lot of the nations at the United Nations, are you concerned that the
Iraqi Governing Council isn't in favor of a free and open and democratic Iraq,
that if they once got the sovereignty they wouldn't give up the power? Is
there a concern of that? Why shouldn't they just assume it if they're
playing this role?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again,
because what -- we're now four and a half, five months after I guess major
combat operations have ended in Iraq. We are moving rather quickly to have a free, sovereign and
democratic Iraq. And we're working with -- that's why the Iraqi government
was put in place. And what you're seeing is more and more responsibility
is being assumed by the Iraqi people as they are ready to assume those
responsibilities.
So we will continue to work through
this process and move as quickly as possible. And the resolution that has
been brought up here today -- that's why we spelled out that by December 15th
the Iraqis should provide a timetable for a constitutional process and
elections, and then we'll be in position to turn full authority over to the
Iraqi people once those elections are held.
Q
But until those elections are held, Ambassador Bremer and the Coalition
Provisional Authority hold the sovereignty of the nation of Iraq and exercise
power?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again,
keep in mind, there are a lot of local councils, as well, city councils and
town councils in place. So, again, people are -- the Iraqi people are
continuing to assume more and more responsibility and we will continue working
with them to transfer responsibility as quickly as possible so that we can
realize a time when Iraq is governed of, by, and for the Iraqi people.
Q
But, Scott, so if the Pentagon is in charge of Iraq reconstruction, what is Condi Rice in charge of? Can you
explain that to me?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, she is -- as the National Security Advisor, she is responsible for
helping coordinate interagency policy when it comes to our foreign policy --
Q
She's not in charge of Iraq? I thought she was as of last --
MR. McCLELLAN: In what way?
Q
Well, the new Iraq strategy group that now -- I don't understand how this is
working.
MR. McCLELLAN: We made it clear
last week when this came up that the Pentagon is the lead agency and the
Coalition Provisional Authority reports to the Pentagon; Ambassador Bremer is
overseeing, as the civilian administrator, is overseeing the reconstruction
efforts. And that has not changed. They continue, the Pentagon
continues to be the one overseeing the reconstruction in Iraq.
I think what you're referring to is
the Iraq stabilization group, and what that is, is just another
coordinating group within the National Security Council structure. You
have the principals committee, the deputies committee. And so this would
be at a level under that that would have -- it has four different cells.
Really what this group is, is just four separate cells that will --
Q
Can you get us a chart?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- well, I'll
explain it to you right now -- that oversees counterterrorism, economic issues,
political institutions, and communications. And it's at the under
secretary level. Each of those cells will have a National Security Council
staffer responsible for overseeing it. But, again, this
effort is to assist what is going on over in Iraq. But nothing has changed in terms of the budget or the way
we do the budget process now.
Q
Scott, the President, it seems by referring to the national press corps
as the filter and talking about a need to talk over our heads, seems to be
borrowing a page from his father who, during his reelection campaign asserted
that you should "blame the media." If the President believes
that there's so much progress on the ground in Iraq, then why does he feel the
need to hop-scotch over the national press corps and speak to local and
regional outlets who don't cover these issues every day and don't seem to
follow up --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think he speaks to all media. He speaks to the media at the national level,
he speaks to media at the local level. And those are all -- it's all
important for the President to get his message directly to the American
people. And that's what he'll continue to do.
Q
Right. And what he said yesterday was that -- he talks about this
"filter." I'm not sure how many people understand that, but he
says that you've got to -- you're dealing with this filter so you've got to
talk over their heads and talk directly to the American people, and that's what
he will continue to do. So my question is, if things are going so well,
why the need to start devising strategies to go around and circumvent and
hop-scotch --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I would
disagree with the way you characterize the question. I disagree with the
premise there. But the President believes --
Q
-- his words were pretty simple.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, those
weren't his words. The President believes it's important for the American
people to hear the full story about the progress we are making in Iraq. We are making a tremendous amount of progress to move
toward a free, sovereign, democratic Iraq. And there is a lot of important progress being made on the
ground.
The President earlier today spoke with
Secretary Evans who is over there. The Iraqis will be unveiling a new
currency, one without Saddam Hussein's face on it. And that's another
important step on the economic front. Secretary Evans, like many others
who have gone over to Iraq and have come back, said, told the President that there's a
tremendous amount of progress being made here, that I don't think the American
people are seeing.
And you had other examples. You
had Bernie Kerik, the former Police Commissioner in New York City, who went over there to help establish the Iraqi police
force. And he came back, and on the South Lawn with the President, talked
about some of the progress that we are making, and talked about the importance
of what we are achieving in Iraq.
You had others that were part of the
reconstruction effort, Americans that have been part of the reconstruction
effort that came back, met with the President, and they went out here at the
White House to talk to you all and tell you that there is a lot of progress on
the ground. I mean, there is -- schools are now open, hospitals are
functioning, children are being immunized against preventable diseases,
electricity generation is above pre-war levels, oil production is up to around
2 million barrels a day. So there's a lot of important progress being
made, and it's important for the American people to hear that story.
Q
And all of that is on par with the security problems on the
ground? In other words, American press corps, foreign press corps on the
ground in Iraq are not telling the whole story to their various populations?
MR. McCLELLAN: There is a part
of the story that is not getting the attention that we believe it should
receive. But on the security front, we are continuing to make important
progress there, as well, because we're taking the fight to the Saddam holdouts,
the remnants of the former regime. We are taking the fight to the foreign
terrorists in the region. We are taking the fight to the terrorists in
the region. And we will continue to do that.
Q
Scott, is the President glad that the Supreme Court has agreed to take
the Pledge of Allegiance case, and will the administration file a brief on
that?
MR. McCLELLAN: We have said that we felt it
was a wrong decision in the first place, and we're pleased that the Supreme
Court has taken that matter up.
Q
Can I just follow up very quickly on David's question? I'm sorry,
Terry, go ahead.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, you want to
finish on this?
Q
Are you going to file a brief on that? Do you expect to?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we'll keep
you posted, but keep in mind that you have a Declaration of Independence that
refers to God or the Creator four different times. You have sessions of
Congress each day that begin with prayer. And, of course, if you look on
our own currency, it says, "In God We Trust." So we believe the
Pledge of Allegiance is an important right that ought to be upheld by the
Supreme Court.
Q
Just very briefly, do you know if Secretary Evans is staying overnight
in Baghdad when he's there? Because the congressional delegations stay
in Kuwait.
MR. McCLELLAN: I would check
with Secretary Evans. I don't know his schedule.
Q
Scott, in terms of violence, there was another car bombing or suicide
bombing today. Are you saying that when things like that happen -- and
they seem to happen all too frequently -- you're not going to talk about that,
you're not going to talk about the fact that there are security issues?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, in fact, we
have. And we've never said that there wouldn't be difficulties along the
way. And keep in mind, when we're talking about only being
five-and-a-half months away from when major combat operations are over, that we
have made significant progress on the security front, if you look at the north
and south. We're still focused on the Sunni Triangle area where there are
some dangers that exist. There are some dangerous people in Iraq, and we're continuing to go after those killers.
Iraq has become the central front in the war on terrorism, and the
world has a stake in what is going on in Iraq. We are working to achieve a free, democratic, and
prosperous Iraq, because it will serve as an example for the rest of the Middle East, a region
that has been a breeding ground for terrorism.
Q
What do you say to journalists who are on the ground, who are getting a
broad view of what is going on, on the ground, not necessarily a view inside a
congressional delegation, who say that, yes, there are good things going on in
the hospitals and the schools that you talk about, but as good as those things
are, you don't have security, which is really, they say, a top concern for
Iraqi people. That is the most -- one of the most important things to
report back. How do you -- how do you respond to that, vis-a-vis what the
President is saying --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's what I
said, that it's important for the American people to hear the full story.
Again, what you see is the more progress we make, the more desperate the
holdouts of Saddam Hussein's regime and foreign terrorists become. They
become desperate because of the progress we are making, and they know that when
we succeed in Iraq, that we will have dealt the enemy a significant blow in the war
on terrorism. And it's important that we continue to move ahead on all fronts.
We are working -- there are some 30 countries that are helping us with the
security situation in Iraq. The Iraqi people are assuming more and more responsibility
for their own security through the police forces, through their own army.
The first battalion of that army graduated just about a week-and-a-half
ago.
So there -- we're moving forward on
the security front. But it's also important to keep in mind the progress
we're making on the economic front and on the democratic front, and creating a
functioning, civil society. And so, it's important to highlight those
successes as we move forward. And that's what we're doing.
Q
Scott, a number of Democratic senators, including Daschle, sent a letter
to the President today asking him to take action against Japan and China, which they said are manipulating their currencies in trying to
get an unfair trade advantage. Does the President think that these
countries are unfairly -- are manipulating their currencies? And
what does he plan to do about it?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, one, I think you might, because we're going to have some meetings coming
up on this trip, you might want to direct some of these questions to our
briefer later today. But the President has made it very clear that we
need free trade, but there needs to be a level playing field. And we will
continue to take that message to those governments.
Q
Would you support an investigation, though, of these two countries in
particular?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we're
continuing to talk to those countries about the importance of a level playing
field when it comes to free trade, and that's what we will continue to do.
Q
Scott, a vote last week in the Senate committee was canceled on the
nomination of Mike Leavitt, the EPA Administrator, because Democrats boycotted
the meeting. What is -- another vote is scheduled for tomorrow.
What has the White House been doing to try to ensure that these Democrats show
up?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, Governor
Leavitt brings tremendous expertise and experience to the position of EPA
Administrator. He is well-qualified to serve in that post. He is
someone who has a strong record of working to improve the environment through a
consensus-building approach that focuses on getting things done, that focuses
on results. Like the President, he is someone that believes in bringing
people together around common areas so that we can achieve some meaningful
results. And we are urging the Senate to move forward in a bipartisan way
and vote him out of committee this week so that the full Senate can then vote
on his nomination.
Q
Senator Clinton said last week that although she's gotten some
documentation from the administration concerning the controversy about what EPA
said regarding air quality standards around the World Trade Center site after September 11th -- she says she's gotten some stuff
from you. She said she wants more.
MR. McCLELLAN: We've met with
her, as well. Members of the administration have met with her, as well.
Q
Has she gotten everything that she's going to get on this? Is she
going to get some more information? She's looking for answers. She
said: actions and answers still from the administration. Is there
anything more that --
MR. McCLELLAN: And we've always
been welcome to talk to -- we've been happy to talk to her about those issues
and, in fact, we have.
Q
Scott, a couple things. Pat Robertson said this weekend that he
wanted to nuke the State Department. The direct quote is, "If I
could just get a nuclear device inside Foggy Bottom, I think that's the
answer. You've got to blow that thing up." Does the President
have any reaction to that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes. I think that,
one, he has since said that he should not have said that and changed what he
said. But I do not view those as helpful comments. And it was wrong
for him to say that.
Q
That's it? Wait, wait. (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: No, no, those
were harmful comments. He has now since said that he should not have said
that.
Q
Second question. In the past seven months, 11 soldiers and three
Marines have committed suicide in Iraq. About a dozen more Army deaths are being investigated as
suicides. According to a front page USA Today article yesterday, these
numbers suggest a rate in Iraq of suicide above normal. Does the President have any
thoughts about why this is happening?
MR. McCLELLAN: I haven't seen the specific reports, but you were talking about who?
Q
U.S. Army and Marine suicides in Iraq.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you need
to direct those questions to the Pentagon.
Q
Can I follow up on Pat Robertson?
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead.
Q
Will the President -- besides not finding those comments helpful, I
wonder if the President feels that he should have no involvement with Pat
Robertson, whatever, going forward, and that Pat Robertson should not play any
role in any kind of unofficial way in helping him in reelection, in any kind of
supportive role.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, again --
Q
Would the President like Robertson to keep his distance?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I think
that those comments were harmful. And he, himself, said that he should
not have said that. I think the comments were wrong, and he has since
said so.
Q
So it's all forgiven?
Q Back to the U.N. resolution,
Scott. You said in the past that you're hoping that perhaps the wording
that comes out of the Security Council will help unlock further contributions
of troops and financial contributions. Do you still think that, or are we
past that now?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, the
President said that he would like to see more countries involved in our efforts
to stabilize and rebuild Iraq. And that's what this resolution is there to help do.
The international community, not just the United States, has responsibilities to help the Iraqi people build a brighter
future. Again, the world has a stake in what is going on in Iraq.
Q
But do you think you really need this, or would this just be nice to
have?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we
continue to work to broaden international support. We have a lot of
international support already in Iraq, but we believe that this is a good resolution that will help
encourage even broader participation in Iraq. So we are moving forward on this resolution.
Q
Scott, back to Dr. Rice's office and responsibility. If a month
ago there was to be an organizational chart, as opposed to today, in terms of
responsibilities -- you know, who reports to who in Iraq -- would there be a difference?
MR. McCLELLAN: Would there be a
difference?
Q
In other words, if we were to make an organizational chart from a month
ago to when the memo came out --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's a pretty
broad question, but, no. The NSC has a number of different coordinating
levels within it, and this is another interagency coordinating group that,
again, focuses on those four specific areas to assist efforts over in Iraq. But that's a very broad question. I don't know if
you have a more specific question.
Q
Just in terms of the Defense Department, reporting responsibilities,
that kind of thing, who reports to who.
MR. McCLELLAN: The Pentagon is
the lead agency in Iraq. And they're overseeing the efforts there. The
Coalition Provisional Authority is leading the reconstruction efforts, headed
by Ambassador Bremer, who is the civilian administrator. That has not changed.
Q
Two questions today, please, Scott? Thanks. If the
President's unfiltered media campaign is successful in getting
the good news message out about Iraq to the American people, might he do the same thing about the news
coverage about the economy?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President is
going to continue talking about the steps that we are taking to improve the
economy, and the additional steps that Congress needs to take to strengthen our
economy. And that's what he will continue to do. I don't -- you're
trying to make a broader issue of this one issue. Again, when it comes to
Iraq, we think it's important for the American people to have the full
picture, and to be able to hear about the important progress we are making on
the ground there.
Q
Second question. Nicholas Kristof wrote in Saturday's New York
Times that the CIA suspected that Aldrich Ames revealed Valerie Plame's name to
the Russians prior to his espionage arrest in 1994. A sensible person
can, therefore, conclude that she hasn't been a covert operative for over a
decade. Doesn't this support the theory that the CIA's request for an
investigation of the White House for a leak that wasn't a leak is some kind of
political payback?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, look, this is being
handled by the Department of Justice. We are, at the direction of the
President, cooperating fully. We want to help the Justice Department get
to the bottom of this as soon as possible. And that's what we're
doing. So let's let the investigation continue.
Q
Thank you. I also have two. Do you have anything on the
reports that Osama bin Laden's son is in Iran and directing al Qaeda activities?
MR. McCLELLAN: One, we have made it very clear to Iran that they need to turn over to the
country of origin, or the United States, any al Qaeda members that are in the
country. I'm not going to get into details beyond that, but we've made it
very clear what Iran needs to do, and they have heard that message, and they need to
act on that message.
Q
And one other. I know it's a Pentagon-type story, but does the
White House have any thoughts on this report that the body armor for U.S. troops has been delayed?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I think
that you need to direct that question to the Pentagon. My understanding
is that, one, all the troops have protective vests already, that there's some
new, improved protective vests that they're working to get to them as quickly
as possible that would provide additional protection. And I would direct
further questions to the Pentagon on that.
Q
There is a continuing fighting in Colombia between government forces and guerrillas. What more, if
anything, can the administration do to help the regime of President Uribe?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, as you remember,
President Uribe was here recently and met with the President. They had a
good discussion. We will continue to work together with Colombia in the -- in their efforts to crack down on terrorism, as well as
crack down on drug trafficking.
Q
I have one more question.
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead.
Q
How important is the Cuban American vote to the President's election
bid?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the
President believes that the policies and the steps that he has taken are the
right decisions, and we'll let the American people make those judgments.
Q
Scott, the AP reported from New York that Kweisi Mfume said that while President Bush can cross oceans
to meet with black leaders in Africa, he has refused to meet with the NAACP's leaders ever since he
became President. And my first of two questions, is this refusal because
the President realizes that the NAACP is really a Democrat Party front group?
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, the
President meets with African American leaders all the time. He believes
in reaching out to --
Q He hasn't met with them.
MR. McCLELLAN: He meets with
African American leaders all the time --
Q
Not the NAACP.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- from
religious leaders to others. He met with Reverend Jackson and the head of
the Congressional Black Caucus at the Urban League. He spoke to the Urban
League, he met with the Urban League.
Q
They said that was not a meeting. They said that was for those
people in that picture, that was not a meeting.
MR. McCLELLAN: Can I finish,
please? He spoke before the Urban League and met with African American
leaders at that event. So he meets with African American leaders all the
time.
Q They said that was not a
meeting. They were requesting, at that time a meeting --
MR. McCLELLAN: Do you want to
finish, Les?
Q
I'll always yield to my dear friend here. Does the President
believe that the law enforcement personnel of his brother's state of Florida
should not be legally investigating procurement and use of so many thousands of
pain-killing drugs because part of them were a doctor's prescription for Rush
Limbaugh?
MR. McCLELLAN: Sounds like a
question for Florida.
Q
No, but what does the President feel?
MR. McCLELLAN: About law
enforcement in Florida?
Q Yes, about this particular case. Should
they be investigating this or not?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know the
specifics of the investigation, or if there is any investigation
underway. I think you need to direct that to the appropriate people in
Florida.
Q
Does the President know China is going to launch the first manned space shuttle, and is he
going to follow? And what would you say to the first Chinese astronaut?
MR. McCLELLAN: We understand that they are -- that they do have a mission ready to launch this
week. And we are continuing to focus on our own space program and space
exploration. That's what we're doing.
Q
There are still people in Iraq that are not satisfied with the fact that Turkish troops will be
coming to Iraq to assist. What is the U.S. government doing to quell those fears?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Ambassador Bremer and others have been talking directly with the Iraqi
Governing Council about some of the issues involved there. We are also
continuing to work out the specific details with the Turkish government when it
comes to troops.
Q
Where they'll be located?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we're
continuing to talk about the specific details with the Turkish government.
Q
And the next question. President Bush is traveling to California tomorrow. I understand he will be meeting with
Governor-elect Schwarzenegger. Has the meeting been set up? Is
there a date and a time?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes,
Thursday. The President looks forward to meeting with Governor-elect
Schwarzenegger Thursday on his trip to California. And I'm sure they will have a number of issues to
discuss.
Q
Is this a one-on-one?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Yes, yes it is.
Q
Are they going to work out together, as well?
Q
Back to the issue of cleaning out the filters on Iraq here. The President said in one particular interview that
the American people are not hearing the truth about what's going on in Iraq -- his words. What does he believe he has seen in the
coverage that does not reflect the truth?
MR. McCLELLAN: He was saying
exactly what I said earlier, that the American people are not getting the full
story --
Q
That's not what he said. He said the truth.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- about the
progress that we are making in Iraq. And that's what --
Q
He said, the truth. And you know how he likes to cast things in
terms of -- in very stark terms of black and white. The opposite of truth
is lies.
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, he talked
about the filter, as David pointed out earlier, and he said he's mindful of
that, and that it's important to take his message directly to the American
people. And that's what he will continue to do.
Q
Did he misspeak himself then when he said that Americans aren't getting
the truth about Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: You can look
back at the full transcript. He was referring --
Q I did.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- he was
talking about the importance of making sure the American people have the full
story about the progress that we are making in Iraq. That's what he was talking about.
Q
He didn't say, "the full story," he said,
"truth." And I'm just wondering if the President believes that
any of the coverage he has seen out of Iraq does not represent the truth.
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I just
answered your question.
Q
Scott, there's another round of base closings coming up around the
corner. Given the worldwide deployments, does the President feel like
more bases need to be closed?
MR. McCLELLAN: There's a process in
place to make those determinations. And that goes through the Defense
Department process.
Q
Scott, there's apparently an agreement that has been worked out between
the opposition leaders in Israel and Palestinian leaders, that they're calling the Geneva
Accords. Is that -- something with very specific steps that would lead
ultimately to some kind of peace. Is that something that's helpful, to
have this kind of --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we believe that the road map is the way forward in the Middle East, that it
offers the best way forward to the two-state vision that the President outlined
on June 24th, 2002, here in the Rose Garden. And so we continue to be
committed to pursuing that road map and working with all parties to meet their
responsibilities under that road map.
Q Are the so-called Geneva
Accords undermining any chance the road map will get back on track?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, if you're
talking about people taking steps that might help with a peace process, that's
always welcome. But we believe that the way forward is the two-state
vision outlined by the President under the road map.
Q
Scott, the donors conference on Iraq is coming up later on next month. What is the
administration doing in terms of convincing allies in other states to forgive
or at least reduce some of the debt that Iraq has, which is now well over $100
billion?
MR. McCLELLAN: Iraq was saddled with a debt from the
previous regime that was more interested in building palaces and monuments to
itself than helping the Iraqi people. And we have made it clear that we
do not believe the Iraqi people should be saddled with that debt. We're
continuing to look forward and move forward to assist the Iraqi people build a
brighter future and build a strong infrastructure for a functioning civil society.
Q
-- see any progress on debt reduction? Because I know France and other countries are refusing to do it bilaterally.
MR. McCLELLAN: We're continuing
to have discussions with other countries.
Q
And the position of the government of the United States is that that should be forgiven?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we've made
it clear that they were saddled -- this debt was left with the Iraqi people
because of the former regime, and that they should not -- that the current
Iraqi people should not be saddled with that debt.
Q
The precedent would then stand that when regimes change from one way or
another, countries shouldn't carry on their debts?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that's
speculating on other matters. But what we're doing is continuing to work
to broaden international assistance to the people in Iraq. We're continuing to have those discussions with members of
the international community, as well.
Q
Liberia? Scott, Liberia?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.
Q
The new interim government in Liberia?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that -- it has been a successful approach in Liberia, and they are moving forward with the new government. And
that's a welcome step forward for a better future for the people of Liberia.
Q
Thank you.
MR. McCLELLAN: Thanks.
END
1:14 P.M.
EDT
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