For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 9, 2004
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
12:00 P.M.EST
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon, everybody. I'd like to begin with
a statement that we'll be putting out shortly, from me. On November
8th, the Millennium Challenge Corporation selected its Millennium
Challenge Account eligible countries for fiscal year 2005. This
decision marks another step forward in implementing the President's
vision of an ever-widening circle of development, and his
groundbreaking Millennium Challenge Account initiative. The Millennium
Challenge Account is a bold new compact for global development that
rewards countries that govern justly, invest in their people, and
encourage economic freedom. The implementation of MCC programs in
selected countries will accelerate economic growth and poverty
reduction. And we'll have the list of countries for you in that
statement.
In addition, the Millennium Challenge Corporation designates six
new countries as eligible for its 2005 Threshold Program, enabling them
to apply for grants designed to help them qualify for the Millennium
Challenge Account. This was a major innovation that the President
initiated to change the way we conduct our foreign assistance. And we
will get you that statement here shortly.
And that's all I've got. Terry.
Q Scott, there's a new round of rumors that Arafat has died.
What does the White House know?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't have any other information for you. We
continue to monitor the situation. That's what I can tell you at this
point.
Q Scott, can you be more specific about monitoring? Who is in
contact with whom?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we're always in close contact with the
parties. We're in close contact with European friends. I'm not going
to get into all those staff-level discussions, though.
Q I mean, is Condi in touch with the Palestinian leadership?
Is it --
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I'm not going to get into reading out all
the staff-level discussions, but we remain in close contact with people
on this matter.
Q Don't you know whether he has died, or not?
MR. McCLELLAN: Helen, again, we continue to monitor the
situation. I don't have anything further for you --
Q You don't know anything more?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't have anything further for you on it at this
time.
Q There have been a number of published reports -- Forbes and
others -- claiming that Arafat and his wife have taken between $3
billion to $6 billion from the Palestinian people. A lot of that money
was contributed by Americans or by the United States, or by
organizations from the United States. Is the U.S. trying to help the
Palestinian people regain their money?
MR. McCLELLAN: Connie, I don't think now is the appropriate time
to comment on issues of that nature.
Q After he dies, will you comment on it?
MR. McCLELLAN: I just don't think now is the appropriate time to
get into commenting on those matters.
Q Will you take it for later?
MR. McCLELLAN: Next question. Terry, go ahead. Helen.
Q Did you ever find out when the President made his last major
speech on Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's all publicly available on our
website. I think you can go there and find that for yourselves.
Q Do you know?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, he had a press conference with Prime Minister
Allawi back in late September, where they talked about Iraq.
Q Back on Arafat. There are obviously preparations being made
for any eventuality. Is the United States asking Israel to allow
Arafat to be buried in Ramullah?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think those are discussions that the parties are
having. And I know it's a sensitive matter at this time, and so we'll
let those discussions continue. I think if there's more to say on
that, it will be after the parties talk about it further.
Q Well, the United States would clearly have a role in those
discussions. What is the position of the government of this country on
that question?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I think that given the current situation,
it's a sensitive matter at this point; there are discussions that are
going on between the parties. We'll let those discussions go on. And
it's something maybe we'll talk about later.
Q Most of the Indian American community and doctors supported a
second term to the President's reelection. Also the news in India that
Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who met President Bush at the U.N.,
he was pleased of the outcome and he's -- and they announced that India
will send the troops in Iraq. What can India and the Indian American
community expect from the second Bush term?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think you can expect that we will work
closely together. We've been -- we've, I think, had a continuing
relationship that has been strengthening under this administration with
India, and I think it will continue to be that way with the new
leadership in India. And the President, I know, had a phone call just
the other day, a congratulatory call.
Q And doctors are expecting that many doctors may go out of
business because of high cost of drugs and also lawsuits against them
and all that. And at the same time, what they are saying is that
immigration issues are important here.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, making health care more affordable and
accessible is something the President put at the top of his priorities
during the campaign. It's something he's made a top priority during
his term in office. And certainly, we work to make prescription drugs
more affordable by speeding up access to generic drugs and getting them
on the market quicker. We've also pushed to reform our medical
liability laws so that doctors aren't forced out of business
needlessly. So that's something the President will be pursuing with
Congress in this second term, and hopefully we can get it done. I
think that the American people spoke clearly on those issues.
Q On immigration?
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, on immigration? Well, the President has put
forward a temporary worker program that he has had some discussions
with members of Congress on, and he will continue to discuss with
members of Congress and work to move forward on that initiative. It is
a priority where he believes it's something that will help meet our --
an economic need, as well as provide a more humane treatment of those
workers who are coming into the United States.
Go ahead, Wendell.
Q Has the White House received emails and phone calls about
Senator Specter's comments about a Supreme Court appointment and the
difficulty of confirming an anti-abortion jurist? Is it a large
number? And does the President still retain confidence in the
Senator's committee chair?
MR. McCLELLAN: We certainly receive comments on a lot of
subjects. I've not checked on that specific subject. I will be glad
to look into that for you and see what I can get you on that. But in
terms of the issue of who will be chairman of the Judiciary Committee,
that's a matter for the Senate to decide. And it's something that the
White House does not have a role in. Senators will make that
decision. I think we've spoken about Senator Specter's comments --
Karl Rove talked about it just the other day -- and he has certainly
assured us that he is committed to making sure that the President's
judicial nominees receive up or down votes, and that appellate nominees
get to the floor of the Senate, where they will be given up or down
votes.
Go ahead, Richard.
Q Scott, how long will it be before we can -- we'll see a bill
from the administration go up to the Hill in regards to Social Security
reform?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think it's a little premature to speculate right
now. Obviously, the President has laid out some very clear principles
to guide us as we move forward on strengthening Social Security for
future generations, for our children and grandchildren. He will be
having discussions with leaders. We have some new members coming into
Congress, as well. We are already working away at the White House to
move forward on the President's efforts, and this is something we'll
continue to talk about as we move into the second term. It's a high
priority for the President.
I know it's an issue that some view as a difficult task to try to
get accomplished, but the President has never shied away from the tough
challenges that we face. We were able to get through the tax cuts that
got our economy growing again. We were able to pass historic education
reforms. And we were able to pass Medicare reform for the first time
since it was created, under this President in his first term. So he
will move forward quickly and deliberately on these priorities. You
heard him last week saying that we will move forward now on
strengthening Social Security.
Q Will it be in terms of a bill, or will it be various parts of
a bill or principles that he'll just throw out --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think it's a little premature to get into that
kind of speculation. But the President will be talking with leaders
about this and working to move forward on it.
Heidi.
Q On that issue, you kind of skirted the issue this morning of
what --
MR. McCLELLAN: I never skirt. (Laughter.)
Q -- increase in the retirement age may be necessary in order
to make the system solvent. But you're not just disputing the basic
principle of the President's plan would be to create private accounts
in exchange for a reduction in government -- guaranteed government
benefits for retirees. I mean, that's the whole idea, right?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, the idea is to help younger workers get as much
or more in benefits and returns on their Social Security retirement.
That's the -- that's what we're working to do. But they can realize
more by -- and, again, this is voluntary. It's voluntary. People do
not have to participate in that if they do not want to. They can stay
in the current system if they want to, under the President's approach.
That's something that he outlined.
Q But if they do participate, the portion that is guaranteed
from the government goes down. That's just a basic principle --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, but if you look at the history of the stock
market, too, over the course of a couple of decades, then you see that
the benefits -- the return on those benefits will help them exceed what
they are receiving today.
Go ahead, Jacobo.
Q Thank you.
MR. McCLELLAN: How are you?
Q Fine, how are you?
MR. McCLELLAN: Good.
Q Is the President going to move forward on his immigration
plan that he proposed almost at the beginning of the year and didn't go
anywhere, the three-year plan of legal work and then extend it for
another period?
MR. McCLELLAN: He remains committed to that proposal. It's
something we started discussions with members of Congress on
previously. And it's something that he intends to work with members on
to get moving again in the second term. It's something he believes
very strongly in. America has always been a welcoming society, and
this is a program that will match willing workers with willing
employers. It will promote compassion for workers who right now have
no protection, and it will protect the homeland by helping to control
our borders better. And it also provides incentives for those
temporary workers to eventually return home to their country of
origin.
Q Is there any special plan being worked out with the
government of Mexico? There seems to be rumblings or noises coming
from south of the border, in the sense that they expect a special
relationship on immigration.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, it's something that we always are in close
contact with our friends in Mexico on. Secretary Powell is there now.
In fact, I think he's having a press availability here shortly from
Mexico. So he might be able to talk to you more about some of the
latest discussions that are going on there -- that will go on there
while he's there.
Q Just a quick follow-up on the Middle East. You talked about
discussions between the parties. What role is the U.S. taking in
that? Is the administration being a facilitator or a broker in any
way? A go-between?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think right now -- obviously, we're always in
close contact with the parties in the region, but I think that's a
discussion that you should view as going on between the parties right
now. And I think that, eventually, they might have more to say on it,
and then we can talk about it at that point --
Q Who are the parties?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think now -- I don't think now is the time
to get into that, because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Q Just to clarify, is that -- are the talks going on between
the parties with or without U.S. involvement?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I will leave it where I did, Peter, for now,
because of the sensitivity of the matter. The parties are discussing
-- all parties, I think, are discussing this matter. And I'll leave it
there.
Go ahead. Yes, up here, and then I'll come to Paula.
Q Will the President's next budget reflect any of the costs
that might be associated with the kind of Social Security reform he has
in mind?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, as you are probably aware, the
President has not endorsed a specific proposal. He's put forward his
principles and he's talked about what he wants to make sure is included
in that legislation, that younger workers have the option to invest a
small portion of their funds in personal retirement accounts, and
things of that nature. He wants to provide more ownership for people
in their retirement funds. But the budget -- I mean, the President
always outlines a very clear and detailed budget. But again, we don't
have a specific proposal that has been endorsed at this point on Social
Security.
Q On the Social Security principles the President outlined, one
thing he repeatedly says is that he does not intend to reduce benefits
for retirees, for those near retirement. My question is, first of all,
what is the age you're talking about when you say near retirement? Are
you talking about 62, 55? And secondly, in terms of paying, the
President himself has said that there will be costs to this. If there
are costs to this and younger workers are living longer, healthier
lives, why would not the administration consider upping their
retirement age and reducing their --
MR. McCLELLAN: Paula, this is something we're going to be working
on with members of Congress to get done. The President is someone who
believes that we need to tackle these big challenges that we face and
not pass them on to future generations. That's exactly what he has
done on other issues; that's exactly what he'll do on this issue.
What he has defined, he has said that at -- those at or near
retirement. We'll be talking with members about that and defining
that. But the cost of doing nothing is estimated to be some $10
trillion. And the cost of doing nothing will lead to massive increases
and taxes for people or massive cuts in benefits. What we are trying
to do is make sure that Social Security is there for today's retirees,
and then make sure it's strengthened for tomorrow's retirees, for our
children and grandchildren, so that they have a nest egg that they can
rely on that will be there when they retire.
Q By qualifying whose benefits would not be reduced, are you
not tacitly saying that it will be reduced for --
MR. McCLELLAN: We want them to realize more in benefits. That's
the President's approach, and that's the way he's proceeding on this
important effort.
Q Can you clarify the status of negotiations with Iran to
curtail their nuclear energy program?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, there's -- as far as I know at this point, I'm
not aware of any formal agreement that has been reached. We will see
what happens. Those discussions I think are ongoing between our
European friends and Iran. What we have made clear is that Iran needs
to fully comply with its international commitments. They made
commitments and they need to fully comply. If they do not comply, we
think that is a matter that needs to be taken up at the next meeting of
the International Atomic Energy Agency later this month and referred to
the Security Council.
Q What's the White House position on the military action taken
by our "old Europe" ally, France, and the Ivory Coast?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well -- and I think that we've spoken to this
through our State Department -- the United Nations has also spoken to
this matter. But our view is that we strongly condemn the attacks, the
air strikes that took place by the Ivorian military that killed an
American citizen and aid worker. The United States continues to call
on the Ivorian president to immediately end all government-authorized
forms of violence against the citizens of Cote d'Ivore and the
peacekeepers assigned to the United Nations operations there.
South African President Mbeki is working on some efforts now. We
welcome those efforts by President Mbeki. And if those discussions
fail to produce the desired result, then the Security Council may
consider additional action.
Go ahead. Russ, welcome back. It's been a while. How was the
Nader campaign?
Q It was wild. (Laughter.) Johns Hopkins, in its public
health -- last month estimated that the war in Iraq resulted in 100,000
Iraqi deaths. The administration has said in the past that it doesn't
do body counts, but do you consider 100,000 to be in the ballpark of
the number of Iraqis killed as a result of the war?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know of any specific estimates on the
civilians. I know that the United States military goes out of its way
to minimize the loss of civilian life. And what we are working to
achieve in Iraq is an important cause that will make America more
secure. And we're working side-by-side with the Iraqi --
Q So you're killing Iraqis to make America more secure?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- with the Iraqi people to move forward on free
elections, because a free Iraq will help transform a dangerous region
of the world and make America more secure. And our men and women in
the military are doing an outstanding job; they are serving and
sacrificing in a very important cause.
Q If I could follow up on that, did the President have an
estimate before him on the number of Iraqis killed --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not aware of any precise estimate or estimate
of that nature.
Q Scott, what is the prime reason for Tony Blair's visit? And
will he be here on time Thursday to go to Arlington with the
President? And would he be welcome?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think he is arriving early evening, so I think it
will be after the President's visit to Arlington National Cemetery to
honor our veterans. But, obviously, the President looks forward to
welcoming Prime Minister Blair back to the White House. I think you
can expect that they will discuss a range of important priorities. I
expect they will be talking about how we move forward to win the war on
terrorism; how we move forward to make sure Iraq has free and fair
elections come the end of January. I expect they'll talk about the
situation in the Middle East and talk about the broader Middle East
initiative, as well as talk about transatlantic relations and how we
can continue to build upon our relationship to work together to address
common challenges that we face.
Q Scott, almost a year ago the President outlined plans for
expanded space exploration. Yet, that was a subject that rarely came
up, if ever, on the campaign trail. I'm wondering -- and it hasn't
been --
MR. McCLELLAN: I believe he just talked about it a few weeks ago;
we had an astronaut traveling with us one day.
Q Well, it hasn't been one of the priorities for the coming
year. I'm just curious where those plans stand. Are they on the back
burner?
MR. McCLELLAN: It's reflected in our budget and I think it will be
reflected in our upcoming budget, as well. Remember, this is a
long-term vision that the President outlined for NASA, that made sure
that they were focused on a very clearly-defined mission that is based
on 10, 20, 30, 40 years down the road. So he remains committed to it.
Thank you.
Q Scott, is the President giving any medals, did you find out?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't believe so. He's visiting a lot of wounded
soldiers today and he wants to see as many as possible -- upwards of
50. But I'll get you a better estimate when we're there.
Q -- talk to the pool?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you all will be there to cover him. I expect
he may stop on our way out.
Thank you.
END 12:18 P.M. EST
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