For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 31, 2005
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
1:09 P.M. EST
MR. McCLELLAN: All right, good afternoon everybody. I want to
begin with a couple of readouts. First of all, the President spoke with Prime Minister Allawi this morning. This is part of their ongoing discussions about the situation on the ground in Iraq. And, as you know, the President has been speaking with him on a regular basis and he continues to serve as Prime Minister at this point.
Then this morning, as you're well aware, the President was pleased to welcome the bipartisan Commission on Intelligence Capabilities to the White House and to receive their official report. He had a good
discussion with the commission in the Cabinet Room. He thanked the
entire commission for their hard work. The President also talked about
the importance of fixing the problems the commission highlights in the
report. And he talked about the importance of making sure that our men
and women in the intelligence community have the tools they need to do
the job that they work to do every day on behalf of the American
people.
And he talked about how the nature of our enemy has changed and how
the intelligence community must, as well. As you all are aware, we
have taken a number of important steps and this report will build upon
what we are already doing. He also talked about the importance of the
Director of National Intelligence. This report comes at a very
opportune time, as the Director of National Intelligence is going to be
having his Senate hearing and hopefully confirmed quickly. It's
important that the Director of National Intelligence have the authority
to do his job, and the President made it clear that he would.
And the President also let the commission know that the
distinguished person to my left here will be overseeing the
implementation process. He also then asked the commission -- he wanted
to hear it from the commission and asked them a number of questions
throughout the discussion. The commission talked about the importance
of having an integrated intelligence community and they talked about
the importance of continuing to improve our information sharing. They
note in the report some of the progress that has been made on that
front.
They also talked about the importance of expanding our human
intelligence capabilities. And the President ended the meeting by
saying he wanted to make sure that he could continue to use the members
of the commission as a resource, and the commission expressed that they
were committed to continuing to help as we move forward on the
recommendations that they outlined.
Following that meeting, the President met in the Situation Room
with relevant Cabinet Secretaries whose departments may be impacted by
the recommendations in this report. And the President stressed to the
Cabinet members the importance of taking the recommendations in this
report seriously. He said that these were very thoughtful and good
ideas that have been outlined in the report, and he talked about the
importance of moving forward quickly to review the recommendations and
then implement the recommendations and let them know, as well, that
Fran Townsend would be in charge of the implementation process. And
then the Cabinet received a briefing from the White House staff on the
report, similar to the one that the President received earlier this
week.
And Fran is here to talk to you a little bit about the process and
how we move forward on reviewing the recommendations and then
implementing the recommendations. Then she will leave. She'll take
some of your questions that you have on that topic, and then she's got
to go to another meeting, I know, here shortly. So I would ask you to
direct all the questions you have for her to her, and then we'll let
her go and then I'll take whatever other questions you have.
All right, thanks.
MS. TOWNSEND: Well, let me start by saying, I am working back from
-- as you know, the executive order that established the commission
said that the President would consult with Congress within 90 days of
receiving the report. And so we will begin the process of review using
that 90-day time frame, and break it into 30 -- basically, 30-day
slots.
The President was perfectly clear that he was pleased with the
report, that he wanted a review of the recommendations, and then
brought to him any disagreement about implementation. I asked the
Cabinet members and agency heads present in the Situation Room to
identify for me those recommendations of the commission that they
agreed should be implemented, and identify those, as well as identify
for me those they believed needed additional principals' level
discussion, or where it was relevant to only a single agency, those
issues that might need discussion between the relevant agency head and
the White House.
Once we've identified those where they want principals' level
policy discussion, I will then be -- I will then schedule those
meetings to ensure, in a timely way, we are making progress on a
regular and continuing basis throughout the 90 days. By the end of the
90-day process, obviously, we will need to identify what we expect only
to be a handful, a small handful, of things that may need legislative
-- new legislation, and then we'll -- we obviously plan to work with
the commission and with Congress on those provisions.
Q What recommendations are you fairly certain will be approved?
MS. TOWNSEND: Well, I'm -- it's dangerous for me to sort of give
you my opinion.
Q What would need legislative action?
MS. TOWNSEND: Well, we've -- I got this, we've gotten it this
morning, really for the -- formally for the first time. So what we've
asked is, the lawyers will look at it, the lawyers will suggest to us
which ones they think require legislation, and then we'll move from
there.
Q It's been three-and-a-half years since the September 11th
attacks, when the President first issued the call for the intelligence
agencies to reform themselves to meet the threats of the 21st century.
Here we have another report saying that they haven't done that. Scott
said it this morning, that they haven't done that. What's the
problem? Is it that these agencies are so unwieldy that they can't
reform themselves? Have they not been listening to the President?
What's going on?
MS. TOWNSEND: Well, in fairness, I think the commission, when you
look at the whole report -- I grant you, it's a large document -- when
you look at the whole report, even the commission acknowledges we've
enjoyed some successes, particularly in the counterterrorism area,
because of the efforts of the CIA's counterterrorism center, the FBI --
we have disrupted some plots. I think you have seen some progress.
You've seen the establishment of what was TTIC, the Terrorist Threat
Integration Center and now the National Counterterrorism Center. There
are still some hiccups. It's not perfect yet. We need to constantly
work to refine that.
The DNI -- the establishment of the DNI is the mechanism that we
should use as the vehicle for implementation. I'm going to run the
coordination of the review process and the implementation --
interagency implementation process. But by and large, and you'll see,
of the 74 recommendations, I think 51 of them apply to the DNI. And it
will be important that we make sure that those get implemented in a
fulsome way.
Q But the report would suggest that it's far more than a few
hiccups. It's more like a massive case of gastroenteritis here that
you're trying to deal with. (Laughter.)
MS. TOWNSEND: Well, look, there is no --
Q With an additional case of diverticulitis on top of that.
(Laughter.)
MS. TOWNSEND: No question, more needs to be done, and it will
require the attention of the DNI.
Yes, sir.
Q Madam, in preparing this report and also implementing, what
role the U.N. and the international community play and will play to
implement the report? How and what things international community and
U.N. can do and should do?
MS. TOWNSEND: Well, this is really -- the commission's report is
really directed to the United States intelligence community. To the
extent that we need the help of our allies, we enjoy good relationships
with many foreign liaison services. But I don't expect those
relationships to be disrupted by any of the recommendations. In fact,
only strengthened.
Q The report found that the intelligence analysts did not feel
political pressure to alter their findings about weapons of mass
destruction in Iraq. How can the President guarantee that now and in
the future intelligence analysts won't find political distortions and
won't come to political distortions in their findings? And is this
something you're going to work on at all?
MS. TOWNSEND: Well, I think when you look at the entirety of the
report, they talk about what intelligence professionals call trade
craft. And it goes to training and analysis and strengthening training
mechanisms to ensure good analysis.
The other point that the report makes which is very -- as far as
I'm concerned, very important, is it not only says policy makers and
decision makers should ask questions, they did ask questions in this
instance; they should continue. And they shouldn't be, sort of, cowed
by the notion of being accused of politicization. It's an important
part of the process, the give and take between the policymaker and the
analyst, to be asking the right questions and the hard questions.
What we need is we need to improve collection and analysis both so
we're sure that the underlying facts that the analysts are relying on
is as good as we can give them, and that the analysis, itself -- we
understand what are facts and what are judgments in the analysis.
Q So is it your perception that there's no need for further
protections against political pressure in the intelligence community?
MS. TOWNSEND: We'll have to look at the commission's
recommendations, but I can't recall off the top of my head any part of
it that suggests that needs to be strengthened right now.
Q I have two questions. Does your portfolio only last for 90
days, and then do you go with Negroponte, or do you stay here at the
White House?
MS. TOWNSEND: Based on the President's charge to me, I expect that
my responsibility, in terms of the review and implementation, will last
until he's satisfied that the job is done.
Q So you're staying here, though, you're not going with
Negroponte?
MS. TOWNSEND: That's correct.
Q All right, and one other question. How are you going to get
foreign spies and know they're reliable? That's the age-old question.
How are you going to get good agents on the ground? They're not going
to be American citizens -- how are you going to check their
background?
MS. TOWNSEND: It's a matter of asking the right questions and
identifying those things, what is it that you can confirm. You may not
be able to confirm that a single, individual source, looking at that in
an isolated way, is telling you the truth. But you have to take that
as part of an overall picture that's painted by the intelligence and
evaluate it in that way.
Q As the President said, the report says very little about the
dangers and the weapons programs that were basing from some of our most
dangerous allies -- I mean, adversaries. How can the administration
support a policy of preemption, when we don't really know what we're up
against?
MS. TOWNSEND: A little bit, as you can imagine, Deb, I'm going
demur here. This is well beyond my remit. I'm really looking right
now at the process of going through the report and analyzing the
commission's recommendations.
Q Is this discussion being held in the executive branch? Are
they reviewing that policy?
MS. TOWNSEND: I'm going to give that to Scott.
MR. McCLELLAN: Do we have any more process questions, and then
I'll be glad to go into questions.
Q So when Judge Silberman was talking about the DNI's
responsibilities outrunning his authorities, is that going to be part
of the review, even though the DNI is a brand new piece of legislation,
a new position? Will that be under review, potential legislative
change?
MS. TOWNSEND: I don't expect so. I probably would have said it a
little bit differently. I mean, I think what it's a matter of is
making clear what the DNI's authorities are, and that his authorities
and his backing by the President is commensurate with his
responsibilities. And they've laid out a number of ways in which we
can do that that don't require legislation. I think the first order of
business is to make sure we review those and we implement those as
appropriate.
Q Can I follow up and ask a process question. Where is the DNI
going to be housed, physically, with his staff, once confirmed?
MS. TOWNSEND: I think they're in temporary space right now, and
that's -- I would refer you, once John Negroponte is confirmed --
hopefully, quickly -- he's going to have to make a number of decisions,
but I couldn't begin to give you --
Q But we can't say for sure that he'll be in the CIA at
Langley?
MS. TOWNSEND: That's really a decision that's left to him. I mean
--
Q But my understanding is that there's some real technical
questions about the security of a facility that he would need, so that
there are just a very few existing ideas. So I was just wondering,
that is unsettled?
MS. TOWNSEND: That is an issue that will be left to the DNI to
decide.
Q Fran, this is a process question. How soon might we see some
executive orders in response to this report?
MS. TOWNSEND: You will begin to -- the review process will begin
right away. And as I said, I asked those Cabinet members and agency
heads present this morning to go through the report and identify those
things that we can do quickly, those things that require additional
review --
Q Days, weeks, months?
MS. TOWNSEND: -- and I think you will begin to see us taking --
first of all, the review will start right away and you will begin to
see action in a matter of weeks.
Q The report was very specific in saying that in order to be
able to do his job, or her job, the DNI needs to have the cooperation
of the Secretary of Defense. Was that message conveyed to Don Rumsfeld
today?
MS. TOWNSEND: It was conveyed to all the Cabinet members present,
to keep an open mind as they go through the recommendations and the
importance of supporting the effort that the DNI has been charged with
undertaking.
Q Where are they now located? You said "temporary," can you
tell us where they are?
MS. TOWNSEND: I think that they have got temporary office both in
the EEOB and here on the compound. But as I say, that's really just
temporary, until -- you've got to get the DNI through the process,
confirmed, and up and running, and with a staff before you can make
permanent decisions.
MR. McCLELLAN: One last process one over here, and then Fran has
got to go.
Q Can you say to what extent this report will guide your
thinking in how much and what kinds of authority the DNI should have?
MS. TOWNSEND: I'm sorry, say that again.
Q Can you say what impact this report will have in how you go
about delineating the authority that the DNI will actually have?
MS. TOWNSEND: Oh, I think the report -- look, the wonderful thing
about the report is I think it's very pragmatic in its approach. The
President welcomed the report, and frankly noted its candor and its
bluntness, the frankness of it. And it has taken a very practical
approach. That's actually -- it makes my job a whole lot easier. I
don't have to discern what they meant. They've made pretty clear what
they meant, and particularly where it regards the recommendations to
strengthening the hand of the DNI. I think if you look at the 51
recommendations, relevant to him, yes, it will shape our view of how to
do that because the recommendations are very specific.
MR. McCLELLAN: All right, thank you.
MS. TOWNSEND: Thank you.
MR. McCLELLAN: And I will see you all tomorrow. No, I'm just --
(laughter.)
Okay, now I'm here for you guys.
Q Scott, why hasn't Negroponte been -- are you worried that it
has taken too long to get him confirmed? How much of a hindrance is
it?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, his hearing is going to happen very shortly.
The Senate is preparing to move forward on those confirmation hearings,
and we hope the Senate will move forward quickly to confirm him because
we do have a lot of important work to do, and the Director of National
Intelligence will be vital to the implementation of the recommendations
that we move forward on.
Q Scott, you demurred from answering this, this morning in
anticipation of the report's release, so let me ask you again, the
report suggests --
MR. McCLELLAN: I demur from answering again.
Q Not now. (Laughter.) Well, you may try. (Laughter.) The
report suggest that there are a lot of decisions being made on North
Korea and Iran and their nuclear capabilities, weapons of mass
destruction and whatnot, without really having any kind of an idea
what's going on, because the report says that the information that
you've got on North Korea and Iran is just -- it's almost -- to use the
word from the report -- worthless as the information that you had on
Iraq.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one of the things -- I think you brought it
up to Fran, as well, a minute ago -- one of the things that is pointed
out in the report, and that one of the commissioners brought up in the
meeting in the Cabinet Room was that the intelligence community has
really been organized and structured for a different mission, for the
Cold War mission, to confront the threat from the former Soviet Union.
And there have been -- and the report points this out, we have taken
significant steps to begin the transformation of the intelligence
community.
Fran talked about a couple of those. We've transformed -- we've
worked to transform the FBI. We implemented many reforms after the
attacks of September 11th. We created the Department of Homeland
Security. We have passed the intelligence reform legislation, which
the President was pleased to sign into law. And we've been moving
forward on recommendations from that -- or moving forward on the
provisions in that legislation, including the appointment of the
Director of National Intelligence.
What we've also got to do is look at this report and take the
lessons we've learned from some of the shortcomings in the intelligence
community and apply them to the threats that we face today. And you
bring up two countries, North Korea and Iran. North Korea and Iran are
two countries that have a history of deceiving the international
community and a history of not complying with their international
obligations. And we're working very closely with our partners in the
international community on both those issues. And we're working to
convince both those countries to abandon their nuclear weapons
ambitions.
Q But as the commission report points out, history is not
enough, that presumptions and assumptions can become incontrovertible
arguments if you don't have appropriate intelligence. So can you be
confident about the decisions that you're making regarding North Korea
and Iran if you don't have the level of intelligence on them that you
had on Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's why --
Q And the commission points out how good the intelligence you
had on Iraq was.
MR. McCLELLAN: You talk about Iraq, and one of the things we did
was, when we saw that the intelligence was wrong or that there were
some shortcomings in the intelligence, the President said we must find
out why and take steps to fix any problems. And that's exactly what
we've done. That's why he appointed the bipartisan commission on
intelligence capabilities to look at some of the shortcomings, to look
at where the intelligence was wrong and how we can fix that. And
they've put forward some very useful and thoughtful ideas. The
President is very interested in the recommendations that they have put
forward. They have a whole chapter on those two countries, as well.
And they talked about the different areas where we need to continue our
improvements in the intelligence community and continue our improvement
in intelligence capabilities.
But we're dealing with regimes in this world, some regimes, that
operate out of closed societies and have a history of deception and a
history of conceiving [sic] their activities from the international
community. And the President believes it's important to continue
working closely with our partners in the international community to
confront these threats, because the consequences of underestimating
those threats is too high in a post-September 11th world, and that's
something the President talked about earlier today.
Q Sorry to beat a dead horse, but if I could get to the point of
the question -- or try to one more time -- can you have confidence,
making the decisions that you are on North Korea and Iran, knowing as
little as you do about their programs?
MR. McCLELLAN: We've got to continue to work to improve our
intelligence capabilities, and we've got to continue to confront the
threats posed by the regimes in North Korea and Iran. And that's what
we're doing. We're pursuing diplomatic approaches to get them to open
up to the international community and fulfill their international
obligations. That's what we're working to do.
Q Question. After the death of Terri Schiavo, today, the
President said --
MR. McCLELLAN: Can we stick to the report and then come back to --
I'll be glad to come back to you on that question.
Q Sure.
MR. McCLELLAN: Are there any other questions on the report at this
point? Or do you have enough from Fran and me?
Okay, go ahead.
Q Do you anticipate that the report will prompt any review or
change in policy toward North Korea or Iran?
MR. McCLELLAN: We are continuing to pursue diplomatic solutions to
both those issues. We continue to support the efforts of our European
friends. Remember, these -- and it's not un-similar to what we faced
with the regime in Iraq, in terms of their history of deceiving the
international community -- these are two areas -- two regimes that have
a history of not complying with their international obligations. And
we're saying, along with the rest of the international community, you
need to meet your international obligations. You need to comply with
your international obligations. It's important that those regimes take
steps to become more a part of the international community. And the way
to do that is to abandon their nuclear weapons ambitions.
Q Okay. The President said that in cases where there are
serious doubts and questions, the presumption should be in the favor of life. Should we expect to see the President now pushing for new
legislation regarding changes to the way we make end-of-life decisions,
the appeals processes for innocent -- possibly innocent inmates on
death row, and other issues where life hangs in the balance?
MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, this is a day of sadness, and the
President expressed his condolences to the parents of Terri Schiavo and
to all those who supported her and prayed for her during the past few
weeks. This has been a difficult period.
The President viewed this case as an extraordinary one. There were
extraordinary circumstances involved in this case. But the President
has also made it very clear that he believes our nation should build a
culture of life, that we should be working together to build a culture
of life in America, and that means protecting life at all stages,
particularly those who are at the mercy of others, like Terri Schiavo.
Now, Congress has been working -- or looking at some legislation.
They're talking about some ideas. That's something they're looking
at. Obviously, we would look at it if it came to our desk.
Q On the Terri Schiavo case, in a statement, Tom DeLay expressed
disappointment at federal courts for what he says was their ignoring
the intent of the Terri Schiavo law. His statement actually was quite
forceful. He said a time will come for the men responsible for this to
answer for their behavior, but not today. Given the fact that the
President felt strongly enough to interrupt his Easter recess to rush
back here to Washington to sign that very legislation, does the
President share that sentiment?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President is always going to stand on the side
of defending life. He's made that very clear through his words, as
well as through his action. We have taken important steps, through
legislation, to promote a culture of life in America. But, ultimately,
the President believes that we have to change our culture and we have
to change hearts. And that's something that will require continued
diligence on behalf of all Americans who want to build a culture of
life. There are many ways we can work together to promote a culture of
life in America.
Now, in terms of this specific situation, I think you've heard the
President's views on it. We would have preferred a different decision
from the courts. That's why the President supported the legislation
that was passed by Congress, and he is saddened by this situation, and
he is saddened on this day.
Q Does he feel that the courts erred?
MR. McCLELLAN: He would have preferred a different outcome. But,
ultimately, we have to follow our laws and abide by the courts.
Q I respect the President's --
MR. McCLELLAN: And I remind you what he said. The legislation
that he signed was something he supported after we explored all our
options, and we felt it was an opportunity for the parents to --
another opportunity for the parents to try to save their daughter's
life.
Q I respect the President's position, and I know it's sincere
and heartfelt, but the bottom line is society ends up paying for cases
like this. And with Medicare and Medicaid running out, Social Security
is a -- I mean we're talking about a lot of money to prolong life for a
long period of time. Who's going to pay for these cases?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President believes in valuing each and
every life, and that's the President's view. The decision he made, in
this instance, was based on principle. It's a long-standing principle
of the President's. And we will always stand on the side of defending
life.
Q So this means the federal government has to pay for these
cases through Medicaid?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not sure. I wouldn't -- in terms of Medicaid,
I think the President's views are very well known, in terms of his
views on Medicaid. We want to make sure that the Medicaid system is
modernized and working to meet the needs of those who need it,
particularly those who are people with disabilities.
Q Some people might not get funds while other people get an
inordinate amount of funds to stay alive.
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not sure exactly what cases you're referring
to, you're making a general statement. If you have a specific instance
you want to refer to, let me know.
Q Scott, a question on India and Pakistan. A little boy in
Pakistan who will receive medical care in Indian hospital. He said
that, time has come that now if my wounds can heal, why not 55 years of
wounds between India and Pakistan? What he meant was really
possibility was there to heal the wounds of (inaudible), including
education and health care. And I'm calling on my friend, President
Bush, to put a cap for 10 years not to sell weapons to -- any country
should not sell weapons to India and Pakistan. They could let them
spend more money on health care and education because they are so
behind on these issues. Otherwise, millions of people are dying of
disease and lack of education and all that. I hope he will reverse his
decision not to sell any weapons to these countries.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, education and health care are important, they
are priorities for this President, as well, in his country. In terms
of those countries, I think you need to address those questions to
those countries. But we do a lot to support other countries as they
develop their -- educate in developing countries as they develop their
educational institutions and health care institutions. And we will
continue to do so.
Now in terms of these two countries, they are both partners in the
global war on terrorism, and we are working closely with both to
confront the threats that we face today. And we've been talking about
some of those earlier today, and we will continue to do that. And we
are going to continue to show support for our partners in the global
war on terrorism.
Q One year ago, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern
District of New York confirmed reports that for the fourth year, they
were still conducting a criminal investigation of Bill Clinton for
"pardongate." And my first question, is this and the absence of any
reported action on the Sandy Berger case due in any way to the
President's wish that neither of these two men go to prison, like
Martha Stewart did?
MR. McCLELLAN: I still welcome you back to the briefing room.
(Laughter.) Les, the President is very much focused on his agenda and
on the future and how we can move forward together to get things done.
I think those questions are best directed elsewhere.
Q The President's fellow Republican and Congressman, Tom
Tancredo, has announced that he will be in Tombstone, Arizona tomorrow
to address the Minutemen and tell them they are not vigilantes, but a
neighborhood watch to help the Border Patrol, because poll after poll
reports that 80 percent of Americans want our borders secured against
illegal entry. A question, does the President believe that Mr.
Tancredo is right or wrong?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President agrees that we need to continue to
take steps to improve our border enforcement. We've taken a lot of
steps to better control our borders and to prevent people who shouldn't
be coming into this country from entering the country.
Q What about Tancredo?
MR. McCLELLAN: And in terms of the issue of the Minutemen, I think
we talked about this on Tuesday. The views --
Q Does he agree with Tancredo or not?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- the views I expressed the other day are still
the same. If you're talking about individuals who are looking at --
for suspicious activity, it's important that they report that activity
to the proper authorities for action. And if you're talking about
people roaming around that are armed and untrained and seeking to take
action into their own hands, that raises a lot of concerns.
Q Like the Minutemen? Are they armed and untrained?
MR. McCLELLAN: That raises a lot of concerns, because it can lead
to people getting hurt. And that's why the proper authorities are the
Department of Homeland Security officials, and our border control
agents who work on a daily basis to prevent people from entering this
country.
Q You won't even mention Tancredo. Has he been kind of wiped
away or what? He's your fellow Republican.
MR. McCLELLAN: Les, I think you've heard his views and you've
heard the President's views, as well. And what we need to do to --
Q Not on Tancredo, I haven't.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- you've heard the importance of making sure we
have a safe, orderly and humane migration system. Members of Congress
express their views all the time. The President does, too.
Q Does the President have a message today specifically to
Michael Schiavo?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you heard the President's message earlier
today.
Q Scott, do you have a -- does the U.S. have a reaction to the
announcement from the European Union today of new trade sanctions in
retaliation for the Byrd amendment?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, and the United States Trade Representative
Office put out a statement on that earlier today expressing our
disappointment at the decision and talking about how we would continue
working to comply with the WTO decision in this instance. And they
also talked about how this is not something that affects our trade laws
here, and that we're going to continue to vigorously implement our
trade laws to make sure that Americans are treated fairly. And that
was the thrust of their remarks.
Thank you.
END 1:39 P.M. EST
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