White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters at his White House briefing March 1 that that day was "a historic day for the people of Iraq" because of "the interim constitution that was approved unanimously by the Iraqi Governing Council." The interim constitution, he said "has a bill of rights that is the cornerstone of that constitution, and it protects individual rights."

The Iraqi Governing Council decided on a set of laws that will serve as an interim constitution for Iraq, said McClellan.

U.S. ACTIONS IN HAITI AIMED AT PREVENTING VIOLENCE

The press secretary described recent U.S. actions in Haiti as, "a democratic, constitutional solution to the political crisis in Haiti."

He said President Jean-Bertrand Aristide made a decision that was in the best interest of the Haitian people. There are times when people lose faith in their leaders in a constitutional democracy, and I think they lose faith in the ability of their leaders to govern effectively."

According to the press secretary, the White House supported Aristide's decision to resign February 29 as president of Haiti and took steps to protect Aristide and his family as they departed Haiti.

McClellan also noted the Bush administration's decision to send a contingent of U.S. Marines as part of a multinational military force to stabilize the political situation and reestablish order.

"We are working closely with the interim president in Haiti and the government to put in place the institutions necessary to move forward. There is an interim president in place under the constitution and that government will be working to put in place the institutions necessary to proceed on elections at a future point," the White House spokesman said about current U.S. diplomatic efforts.

"We continue to urge the Haitian people to reject violence and respect the constitutional and democratic process. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Haiti and the Haitian people," said McClellan.

U.S. SUPPORTS POLITICAL REFORM IN VENEZUELA

"There is a democratic constitutional process under way in Venezuela, and that's where the focus should be," McClellan said. The focus should remain on the efforts by the Venezuelan people to exercise their constitutional and democratic rights, and on the efforts to try to resolve the political polarization through a transparent and internationally monitored presidential recall referendum, said the press secretary.

WHITE HOUSE CITES PROGRESS ON HOMELAND SECURITY

McClellan discussed the Department of Homeland Security's mission on the 1st anniversary of its formation. "We must work to make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect the American people here at home. That is why the Department of Homeland Security was created," he said.

"And so we have made significant progress in our efforts to secure the homeland. Our homeland security officials are working 24/7 to make sure we are doing everything we can to protect the American people. We will not rest. And this is our highest responsibility, the protection of the American people," the press secretary said.