For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 21, 2004
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
12:31 P.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: All right. Good afternoon. I want to begin with a
statement from me.
On April 24th, the people of Cyprus will make the momentous
decision of whether to accept a settlement plan presented by U.N.
Secretary General Kofi Annan. This is an historic moment in which, for
the first time in decades, the Cypriot people control their own
political destiny. Secretary General Annan has blended his wisdom as a
great statesman with Cypriot, Greek and Turkish insights, arising from
years of negotiations, to formulate a settlement plan that is fair and
balanced.
The Annan plan offers a hopeful vision of a peaceful and prosperous
future for all Cypriots as citizens of a unified state in the form of a
bizonal, bicommunal federation that honors the traditions of its
diverse citizens, while forging a common future with the European
Union. The settlement, as the Secretary General finalized on March
31st, outlines an equitable compromise in which no party receives
everything it seeks, but which satisfies the fundamental requirements
of all parties.
The plan foresees the return of over 120,000 Greek Cypriot refugees
to their former properties; the reduction of tens of thousands of
foreign troops to several hundred; and the enshrinement of human rights
and democratic freedoms in a new state with workable governing
institutions. These historic achievements are now within reach.
Should the Cypriot people accept the Annan plan on April 24th, they
will not stand alone. The United States and its partners in the
European Union have already pledged more than $800 million to ensure
implementation of the settlement. More support will be forthcoming.
The friends of Cyprus around the world are thus extending heartfelt
encouragement for the people of Cyprus to make the decision of a
lifetime on April 24th in favor of peace, prosperity and unity with the
European and transatlantic families.
And with that, I will be glad to go to your questions.
Q Chuck Hagel says you need $50 billion to $70 billion more to
pay for Iraq operations this year. Are you going to be requesting this
money?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Steve, as the President said as recently as
last week in his news conference, he is committed to making sure our
troops have everything they need to do their job. That's why we worked
to pass the $87 billion wartime supplemental last year, specifically
for making sure our troops in Iraq had the equipment and resources they
needed to do their job.
If they need additional resources, as the President has said, they
will get those resources. The President's commitment to our troops is
solid and steadfast. He will not hesitate when it comes to making sure
our troops have everything they need to do their job.
However, the President looks to the commanders in the theater to
make the determinations of what is needed for our troops. They're the
ones who are in the best position to look at circumstances on the
ground and determine what is needed. And we have received assurances
from Pentagon officials that the resources they have at this time are
more than enough to meet their needs. However, we will continue to
always look closely at circumstances on the ground and look to what the
commanders are saying to make sure that they have the resources they
need.
Q Scott, Senator Hagel also talked about the idea -- the need
for more troops, perhaps speaking to the notion of reinstating the
draft. What's the President's position on reinstating the draft?
MR. McCLELLAN: John, that's not something that's been under
consideration.
Q Is it something that the President keeps in the back of his
mind, though, that he may have to do at some point?
MR. McCLELLAN: As I said earlier today, it's just not something
that's been under consideration.
Q Is he ruling it out categorically?
MR. McCLELLAN: John, it's not something that's under
consideration. That's the way I would describe it.
Q Scott, the price tag today is going up. General Myers said
today it's going to cost $700 million to keep those 20,000 troops on
their 90-day extended deployment. Can you just flatly rule out, yes or
no, whether you'll ask for more money this year for Iraq operations?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that the Director of our Office of
Management and Budget has spoken to this issue previously and talked
about that at some point, we will need an additional supplemental for
Iraq. And again, we will continue to listen to our commanders in the
theater to determine what is needed, going forward.
Q So you're keeping the door open to asking for more money this
year?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we've always said that there would be -- at
some point, there would be a need for an additional supplemental in
Iraq. And again, we will make those determinations based on what our
commanders in the field say. But what we have said previously still
stands at this point, and I think the Pentagon officials have said that
at this time, they have more than adequate funding to meet their
needs.
Q What's the status of the standoff in Fallujah? Is that offer
still on the table? Because no heavy weapons have been turned in by
insurgents.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think those are questions that are best directed
to the coalition in Iraq, and they can address those questions on what
the latest is. Obviously, Secretary Rumsfeld spoke yesterday about the
importance of an Iraqi-centered solution when it comes to Fallujah, and
that's what we've been working to find.
Q Do you know if he told the President today about that?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't read out those meetings that he has with
the President, but those are meetings that he has on a regular basis
with them. And those questions would be best directed to the
coalition.
Suzanne, you had something.
Q Yes, just to follow up on Scott's question. The Pentagon has
said it's costing $4.7 billion a month, and again, an extra $700
million to keep those 20,000 extra forces. And they don't know how
many new troops they're going to need for how long. You're saying that
you would seek an additional supplemental before January 2005, if
necessary?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, what we have said previously, that we do not
expect one this year. However, we always look to the commanders in the
theater to make those determinations in terms of what the troops need
to complete their work and do their job.
Q So if they seek those funds, you will go ahead and ask for
additional --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Suzanne, it really depends on circumstances
on the ground. It depends on what the commanders in the theater say in
terms of whether or not additional funding would be needed sooner. So
far what we have heard is that they have more than enough funding to do
their job.
Q Scott, can I clear something up just on the money here? When
you talked about this year, are you talking calendar year, or fiscal
year?
MR. McCLELLAN: The Office of Management and Budget Director has
said this year, and that's what he has said --
Q He's talking fiscal year then?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and you should look back -- you should look back
at his remarks.
Go ahead.
Q But hang on. But what he's saying --
MR. McCLELLAN: John, I just said look back at his remarks. That's
what I would point you back to.
Go ahead.
Q Though it's a fairly small number, relatively, does the U.S.
intend to replace the troops, the coalition troops who have now
announced that they're leaving?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that -- again, and if you go back to
what we said earlier in the week, the President regretted the decision
by the new leader in Spain to withdraw those troops, and he stressed
that it was important that it be done in a coordinated and responsible
fashion, working with the other coalition partners. And I think that
in terms of troop levels and things of that nature, those are military
questions that are best directed to the military leaders in the
region.
Q Yes, but you've got several other nations who are now
following suit. And I just wonder if --
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, those are questions best directed to the
military leaders. And they can talk to -- and, first of all, I
disagree with several -- the term several other nations. The coalition
in Iraq is strong. We have received a number of statements reaffirming
support for the work that is ongoing to help the Iraqi people realize a
free and peaceful future. There are many nations that are part of this
coalition, and that are committed to making sure the Iraqi people
realize a free and peaceful future.
We're moving forward on the transfer of sovereignty. The United
Nations is playing a vital role in the political process, in helping to
set up an interim representative government that will serve until the
time of the elections. There's also the United Nations mission in Iraq
that is helping to move forward on the timetable for elections
beginning next January. So this is about helping the Iraqi people
realize a better and brighter future.
Countries, obviously, have to make their own decision. But we are
pleased by the strong statements of support from many of the coalition
partners, and we remain in close contact with the coalition. Secretary
Powell has spoken with many of the coalition partners who have
reaffirmed their resolve to see this through.
Q On the funding issue, I just want to make sure I understand
what you're saying. Obviously, we're leaving more troops there than we
intended to. The fighting has been more serious than we anticipated.
Obviously the burn rate on what we're spending there is moving
substantially faster than anyone would have anticipated when you got
the supplemental sometime ago. So you're saying that if it continues
in this way, and if it's necessary, you would, indeed, seek additional
money, as required.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, those are decisions that are best made
by the commanders in the theater, because they're the ones on the
ground that can look at the circumstances and events on the ground and
make those determinations. I think it totally depends on circumstances
on the ground, and it depends on the security forces -- the security
situation moving forward.
Q No, I know, but what we're saying is, the circumstances on
the ground are obviously more expensive than you planned when you
sought the supplemental. So we're simply saying, is it reasonable to
assume that if you continue to spend money at a much faster rate, as
you are now --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, but, see, what we want to do is look to the
commanders in the field; not speculate about it, but make sure that
we're constantly in contact with our commanders in the theater, and ask
them if they have everything they need. That's what the President does
almost all the time when he's in a National Security Council meeting --
do you have everything you need; are you getting all the resources you
need? And that's what he will continue to do.
Q So the White House has a pretty passive role in this -- you
just wait for them to tell you if you they need more, and then you say
yes?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I disagree with that characterization,
because we're always -- the President had a National Security Council
meeting earlier today. He is always in close contact with his
commanders in the theater and with the leaders at the Pentagon, from
General Myers to Secretary Rumsfeld, to discuss these issues. And the
President's responsibility is to make sure that they have everything
they need to carry out their mission and complete their work. And he
will always be asking the question, do you have what you need, based on
the circumstances on the ground. And so that's why he looks to the
commanders in the theater to make those determinations, because they're
the ones in the best position to do that.
Q And none of them have said they need more.
MR. McCLELLAN: At this point, we have been told that they have
more than adequate funding and resources to do their job. But it's
questions that we constantly ask and we constantly look at those
matters.
Q Can I ask one more on that? Is the President at all
concerned, as has been suggested on Capitol Hill, that bringing up the
funding issue again with the supplemental will cause a political
problem for him during a --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's not the way he looks at it, Keith. The way
he looks at it is what our troops need, and when do they need it, and
let's make sure that they have it. As you heard him say last week in
his news conference: "My message to our troops is, we will stay the
course and complete the job, and you'll have what you need. America's
armed forces are performing brilliantly, with all the skill, and honor
we expect of them. We're constantly reviewing their needs. Troop
strength, now and in the future, is determined by the situation on the
ground. If additional forces are needed, I will send them. If
additional resources are needed, we will provide them. The people of
our country are united behind our men and women in uniform, and this
government will do all that is necessary to assure the success of their
historic mission." That's the President's words from just last week,
and he has repeatedly said that.
Q Can I follow up?
MR. McCLELLAN: John, I've already taken your questions. Jacobo.
Q No, but this is on the same topic.
MR. McCLELLAN: Jacobo.
Q On the question Jim asked, you said the President is regrets
the decision taken by Spain. Both Honduras and the Dominican Republic,
as announced yesterday, were under Spanish command.
MR. McCLELLAN: That's right, they were under the command of the
Spanish forces.
Q How does the President feel about Honduras and the Dominican
Republic making their decision?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, certainly, we regret that decision. This is
about helping the Iraqi people realize a better future. And this is
about helping the Iraqi people realize a free and peaceful future. And
this is a time of testing, when the enemies of freedom are seeking to
derail the transition to sovereignty and the transition to democracy.
It's important that we stay the course and help the Iraqi people, as we
work to transfer sovereignty and build a free and democratic future for
the Iraqi people. And that's exactly what we will continue to do. The
enemies of freedom want to spread fear and chaos and they want to
intimidate. But the coalition is strong and we will continue to work
to help the Iraqi people.
Q Besides regretting, how does the President feel? Does he
feel this is a political blow to the coalition?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President believes that the resolve and the
will of the coalition is strong, and the President appreciates the
statements from coalition nations reaffirming their commitment to help
the Iraqi people build a free and peaceful future.
Q King Abdullah of Jordan, as we know, has delayed his visit
here to see the President. And Egyptian President Mubarak, in an
interview with the French newspaper, Le Monde, today said that Arabs
hate Americans now more than any other time, and he cites Iraq, he also
cites the President's support for Israel and Prime Minister Sharon's
plan regarding withdrawal in parts -- Does the President take these as
personal slaps? And does he view these as major roadblocks now on the
road map toward peace?
MR. McCLELLAN: Those statements? No, look, the President will
continue to communicate what he said last week. We have a unique
opportunity to move forward on the road map, which will lead us to the
two state vision that the President outlined. This is a unique
opportunity for the Palestinian people to realize their hopes and
aspirations for a free and viable and democratic state. And the
President made it very clear that when it comes to some of the issues
that leaders are bringing up, of final status on settlements and issues
of refugees, that those are issues that will be decided in negotiations
between the parties.
But it's important to look at the reality on the ground and take
that into account as we move forward on that. But this is an
opportunity to get the process jump-started again and get us moving
forward to a Palestinian state.
Q But what about Mubarak's claim, fresh back from a visit to
the ranch, he's now really -- these are very strong statements from a
man who is supposedly our ally.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think Secretary Powell spoke very
eloquently to this yesterday, when he was asked about some of those
comments. The United States is working to help the people of the
Middle East realize their hopes and aspirations, and realize a future
that is built on freedom. The President has talked about how we have a
freedom deficit in the Middle East. And the President outlined the
Greater Middle East Initiative to support the efforts in the region to
move forward on democracy and freedom, and to move forward on efforts
to realize a better economic future for all people in the region.
So the President will continue to remain actively engaged in
getting the parties in the Middle East peace process back together and
moving forward toward the two-state vision. And that's the way he
viewed the proposal by Prime Minister Sharon last week, that this is an
opportunity to get back to moving forward on the road map. And the
President has also talked about expanding trade in the region to help
lift up the hopes of the people in the region. And so we will continue
to communicate how our efforts are there to support the people in the
Middle East so that they can realize a better future.
Q Scott, back on the issue of the supplemental -- when do you
say when? This country is right now at a point where financially it
can't take more supplementals. And also everyone knows that the need
in the Iraqi theater is great, but when do you finally say when? What
is the timetable for this to finally say enough is enough, either we
have succeeded or we've failed? What is the timetable?
MR. McCLELLAN: We've succeeded for we've failed in what?
Q In Iraq for the reconstruction.
MR. McCLELLAN: We will succeed in Iraq, because the stakes are
high, and it's important that we do succeed. The President will
continue to stay the course and help the Iraqi people realize a free
and peaceful future because a free and peaceful Iraq is key to bringing
about greater stability in the Middle East, which has been a dangerous
region in the world. And that will lead to a more secure America, and
it will lead to a better and safer world. So it's very important work
that we're trying to help move forward on in the region.
Q So this process could go on for a very long time. Where does
the money come from?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we will always make sure that our troops in
the theater have everything they need to do their job.
Q But where does that money come from?
MR. McCLELLAN: And that's why -- well, you can go and look at what
we outline in our budget and what we talk about in terms of a
supplemental going forward. That's why you set priorities in a
budget. And we will always work to make sure that our troops have
everything they need to do their job. The President has made that very
clear repeatedly.
Terry, you had something.
Q The money gets borrowed, though. Just to follow up, the
money is borrowed.
MR. McCLELLAN: Keith, I'm going to try to keep jumping around.
The President --
Q -- the money is borrowed --
MR. McCLELLAN: Hang on. I'll follow up with you. But the
President is speaking here shortly, so I'm trying to keep jumping
around quickly.
Q I'll follow up.
Q Thank you, thank you, Terry.
Q Because it's an excellent question.
Q Thank you. And --
MR. McCLELLAN: We cannot -- we can't not afford to make sure we
succeed in Iraq.
Q Let's get a little -- let's try and get a little more
specific here. The President, as a responsible Commander-in-Chief, is
surely being informed and has reached judgments about what it will take
to succeed in Iraq. Don't the American people in an election year,
aren't they entitled to have this President level with them
specifically about what, in his best judgment as Commander-in-Chief, it
will take, it will cost?
MR. McCLELLAN: He did.
Q How long --
MR. McCLELLAN: He did just last week.
Q How much --
MR. McCLELLAN: And he does -- and he does in almost every speech.
And he talks about -- he talks about that they will have all the
resources they need. We've been very clear, and keeping Congress
informed along the way, too, that, look, there's going to be a need for
an additional supplemental. But we need to look the circumstances on
the ground. We need to base it on the most precise estimates that we
can going forward. And that's why we look to commanders in the field
to make those determinations.
Q So the Commander-in-Chief --
MR. McCLELLAN: But our -- but the troops --
Q -- who is the responsible political official to the voters,
right now he's clueless about how much it will cost? He cannot tell us
--
MR. McCLELLAN: No, actually -- actually, our Director of the
Office of Management and Budget has talked about this in briefings to
members of Congress. I think Pentagon officials are talking to members
of Congress again today about those issues, going forward.
Q Can you give us a ballpark figure?
MR. McCLELLAN: I just disagree with that, and --
Q -- $50 billion, $100 billion --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think our Management -- the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget has testified in recent months about
the needs going forward. And he's talked about those levels. So you
can look back at his very comments. But the alternative of not taking
this course is something that we cannot let happen. This is too
important, and we must stay the course and finish the job in Iraq, and
make sure that our troops have all the resources they need to complete
their work.
Q Scott, isn't part of staying on the course to actually know
what the course is? I mean, there has been a pattern in this
administration, from the prewar days, of not telling Congress and the
American people in precise terms what was required financially of the
deployment.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, we've -- no. Wrong.
Q Again, you're saying, well, whatever the facts are on the
ground, whatever the commanders say. Why don't we put a little -- shed
a little light on all of this?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's why members involved in the budget process
testified before Congress, and go and brief Congress on these issues.
I would encourage you to look at their very comments, because I think
you're mischaracterizing those very comments, David. Let's be very
clear here. This President --
Q You have to refresh us what the numbers are, Scott.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- this President has increased defense spending by
records amount, by 35 percent since 2001. In addition to that
significant increase in funding to meet our defense needs, the
President has worked to pass supplementals totaling $164 billion for
the Pentagon to wage the war on terrorism. This is about winning the
war on terrorism. And this is the highest priority for this country,
because it goes directly to the safety and the security of the American
people. So I think we need to be clear in looking back at exactly what
has been said and what we anticipate going forward.
Q That's non-responsive.
MR. McCLELLAN: Sure, it is.
Q No one is questioning whether or not we need the money, and
whether it's not a valuable goal. But the question is, what is the
money? You've just given me, it's $164 billion in what supplementals
he's asked for in the past --
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, and that $87 billion wartime supplemental was
very important to making sure our troops had the resources they needed
going into this year and going forward. And we said we were going to
be coming back with a supplemental at some point, and that we would
look at the needs from the commanders in the theater to make a
determination, a precise determination of what those needs would be.
Q We still don't know what the needs are?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think our Director of the Office of Management
and Budget has spoken before Congress and talked about how -- the range
of what we're looking at.
Q Can you tell us what the range is in the near future?
Q Can you just remind us what the range is?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't recall that specific number off the top of
my head, but he's talked about that in testimony before Congress. So I
think you can go back and look at that.
Q Two part. Scott, you have on more than one occasion noted
that Iraqi production of lots of oil has continued uninterrupted, but
that this oil belongs to Iraq. And my question: Since U.S. taxpayers
are paying many billions of dollars to free Iraq, why shouldn't
proceeds from some of that oil go to pay our costs in freeing and
rebuilding Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that those oil resources will be used to
help with their reconstruction. We talked about that when we passed
the wartime supplemental.
Q Candidates for President have, for decades, made public all
of their medical records, with the exception of Bill Clinton, their
military records, and their tax returns, because the American people,
in the important job of choosing a President, ought to know all about
him or her. My question: Since President Bush has revealed all of
these things, does he believe it right for candidate Kerry to insist on
concealing the tax returns of his multimillionaire wife, Teresa?
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, Les, I think that that's an issue that the
campaign has already addressed. It's been going on since --
Q But what do you think --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- since tax day. The President -- the President
is pleased to make his full tax returns available to the public.
Q And he hopes Kerry will, too.
MR. McCLELLAN: He is pleased. He has been doing that for several
years while in public office, and he will continue to do so.
Q I have comment and a question. Indian Ambassador to the
U.S. had a great praise for the Bush administration, especially for
President Bush, for fostering the U.S.-India relations. But he said
also that the two democracies have a long way to go, and the
administration can do more to work together. Now, the question is,
that I was at the U.N. in New York, and I have spoken with several
high-level people, including Kofi Annan. At this time, U.N. officials
are really scared, or not willing to go to Iraq because of concern of
the security. How does international community from the United Nations
can be ensured that they are safe in Iraq under the U.S. leadership?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, those are the issues that we've been working
to address with the United Nations. Our coalition in Iraq has
expressed to them that we stand ready to assist in any way with their
security. And those are issues that they've been discussing going
forward. We believe the United Nations has a vital role to play in the
political process going forward in Iraq, and they are playing an
important role now.
Mr. Brahimi's comments just yesterday, saying that he expected that
there would be a new resolution soon, is very welcome. That can help
encourage more countries to participate when it comes to the -- when it
comes time that we transfer sovereignty to the Iraqi people, and that's
a welcome development.
Q Scott, you've used the word sovereignty a couple of times
here today. You said that the situation is moving forward toward the
transfer of sovereignty. Is it really going to be sovereignty, though,
on June 30th --
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.
Q -- under the way that is understood in international law,
true sovereignty?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes. That will be an interim representative
government. Obviously, on the security side, we've made it very clear
that we are going to continue to help provide for the security and
stability of Iraq going forward from that date. We will be there to
make sure that there is a free and democratic and peaceful Iraq. That
is part of our mission in Iraq. But on June 30th that will be the day
to transfer sovereignty to an interim representative body that Mr.
Brahimi has been talking about. And he's going to be coming back with
some more specifics, as he said, in May on that interim representative
body.
Q But the U.S. would still, in effect, be the --
MR. McCLELLAN: The Coalition Provisional Authority will cease to
exist come that date.
Q But the U.S. will still, in effect, be the police force, the
army, and the treasury of Iraq, right?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, no, I think that you have to look at this as
working in partnership with Iraqi people. The Iraqi people want to see
sovereignty transferred on June 30th. And that's what we have --
that's what we have committed to do, and that's what we will do because
this is about helping the Iraqi people realize a brighter future.
And so we are going to continue working with Iraqi leaders. And
we'll continue partnering with the Iraqi people to provide for their
security and to help with their reconstruction, and to help move
forward on the economic front, as well. There's a lot of important
progress we're making. Obviously, these have been some tough times
recently. But our resolve will not be shaken by a relatively small
number of thugs and terrorists and Saddam loyalists who seek to derail
--
Q But aren't these Iraqis defending their own land?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- who seek to derail this process.
Thank you. I've got to go.
END 1:00 P.M. EDT
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