For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 13, 2003
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Aboard Air Force One
En Route to Orlando, Florida
10:15 A.M. EST
MR. McCLELLAN: Good morning. Let me run through the President's
day. He had his usual briefings this morning, then he met with some of
his judicial nominees and you have his remarks - or you will have his
remarks and Q&A; from that, as well.
The President a short time ago called Prime Minister Berlusconi
from the plane to express his condolences on behalf of the American
people to the families of the brave Italians who were killed trying to
help the Iraqi people build a better future. The Prime Minister
thanked the President for his words of condolences and said that he
would let the people of Italy know about the call.
Just one other. The Vice President, last night, expressed
condolences to President Ciampi who arrived in Washington, yesterday.
Getting back to the call, though, the two leaders reaffirmed their
strong commitment to stay the course in Iraq. They noted that while
difficulties and dangers remain, that important progress is being
made. The President talked a little bit about the great job Ambassador
Bremer is doing, and that Ambassador Bremer would be returning to Iraq
to let the Governing Council know that we are committed to working with
them to transfer more responsibility to the Iraqi people as quickly as
possible.
Prime Minister Berlusconi also praised the President for the speech
he gave last week on the importance of advancing freedom and
democracy. And the President also talked about his upcoming trip to
the United Kingdom and the importance of the United States and Europe
working together to address the common challenges that we face.
When we land in Orlando, the Freedom Corps greeter is Matilda --
she goes by Tillie -- Walther. She's a volunteer with the Retired and
Seniors Volunteer Program -- RSVP -- which is part of Senior Corps.
And she's also a volunteer of the American Heart Association. Then the
President will make remarks at a Bush-Cheney 2004 luncheon in Buena
Vista, Florida.
Following that, we will go back to Orlando, where the President
will participate in a roundtable meeting with seniors on Medicare. And
then he will make remarks on Medicare. If you'll recall, yesterday I
pointed out that this would be simulcast via satellite to five cities
across the nation where other seniors are gathered. The President will
continue to urge Congress to move forward and act this year to pass
legislation that strengthens and modernizes Medicare for America's
seniors. We are on the verge of finally getting this done, after years
of deadlock. Seniors deserve to have the prescription drug coverage
that they have waited on for too long now, and deserve to have the same
kinds of choices and benefits that members of Congress now have. And
so the President will continue to urge action on that front.
Then after that, we will go to -- we depart Orlando and go to Fort
Myers. The Freedom Corps greeter there is Dr. Mark Asperilla, who
formed a group of 35 physicians -- this in the aftermath of September
11th -- formed a group of 35 physicians to inform and educate
communities in Florida about how to prepare for and respond to
bioterrorist attacks. He's also a volunteer with the Medical Reserve
Corps, which is part of our Citizen Corps efforts to -- he helps
volunteers here in emergency situations.
Then the President makes remarks at a residence in Fort Myers at a
Bush-Cheney reception. And then we return to Washington this evening.
Q What are those five cities, the simulcast --
MR. McCLELLAN: I didn't bring them with me. As I recall -- I gave
them out yesterday. We'll get that to you if you need it. But I gave
them out yesterday.
Q Since you guys are talking about more quickly transitioning
power to the Iraqis, wouldn't that have been a smarter thing to do back
when you were going before the U.N. and trying to get more support?
That's exactly what a lot of the other countries were saying needed to
happen in order for them to be more supportive.
MR. McCLELLAN: We have always talked about moving as quickly as
possible to transfer more and more responsibility to the Iraqi people,
as they are ready to assume that responsibility. And --
Q -- going more quickly than you were talking about before.
MR. McCLELLAN: And Ambassador Bremer is going back to continue
discussions with the Governing Council. These are decisions that the
Governing Council will ultimately make. But we remain committed to
moving as quickly as possible and transferring more responsibility to
the Iraqi people. That's an important part of our efforts to build a
peaceful and free Iraq for the Iraqi people.
Q So, Scott, are you saying that nothing has changed either in
terms of the posture or the speed with which the U.S. government wants
to transfer power directly to the Iraqi people?
MR. McCLELLAN: We talked about how we've been working to
accelerate our efforts in that regard and --
Q Well, why accelerate --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- well, we are in an important period. I talked a
little bit about this yesterday. I think Ambassador Bremer hit on it,
as well. This is an important period that we are in. You have the
December 15th U.N. deadline coming up for the Governing Council to come
up with a timetable on drafting a constitution and holding elections.
And so we've been having some intense discussions with the Governing
Council. And Ambassador Bremer reported back here in Washington about
those discussions, and the Governing Council has a number of ideas and
options that they're talking about. And we are working with them to
give them more and more responsibility that they are willing to
assume.
Q Why are people wrong, though, Europeans particularly, who say
the United States is just now getting the point that they've been
trying to make for many months about the pace and the transfer of
power, that now the horse is out of the barn it's too late?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, the Iraqi people have been
assuming more responsibility. You had a Governing Council established;
you had the Governing Council put ministers in place. The ministers
are the ones who are running the day-to-day operations of Iraq in their
respective areas. They are the ones who are overseeing those different
areas -- from the electricity system to the oil revenues, and so forth,
health and education. So they are -- they have been assuming more and
more responsibility, and we want to continue to accelerate those
efforts and work with them. They'll make -- it's their future, and
they will be the ones making those decisions about their future.
Q Is this right, is this right that you'd like to try to hold
elections in the first half of next year?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me go back to what I just said a minute ago,
what was said yesterday, as well, that these are decisions that are
ultimately made by the Governing Council and the Iraqi people. And so
Ambassador Bremer is going back to talk with the Governing Council, and
have some further discussions with them. But those that -- I think it
would be premature to assume decisions that will be ultimately made by
the Governing Council.
Q -- proposals that are in the papers today, are the -- is the New
York Times wrong, the Washington Post wrong?
MR. McCLELLAN: Like I said yesterday, I'm not going to get into,
nor would Ambassador Bremer get into discussions that were had in
Washington, D.C. He reported back about some of the ideas and options
that the Governing Council had talked about. He will go back and talk
to the Governing Council, and the Governing Council will be the one
that ultimately makes decisions about the best way forward in assuming
more and more responsibility and authority.
Q I have two questions. First, can you give us a readout on the
President's private meeting with Bremer, that I'm told lasted 20
minutes, half an hour -- is that right -- after the other sets of
meetings? And why the private meeting between the two of them? And
anything you can give us in terms of a readout?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think that's unusual. They had a very good
meeting. The President believes that Ambassador Bremer is doing a
great job heading up the Coalition Provisional Authority and moving
forward to a free and peaceful Iraq. The President greatly appreciates
his work and his insights into our efforts in Iraq.
Q I'm sorry, just one more. And also -- what about the
acceleration -- given this sudden shift and need to accelerate the
process, is it because the President is facing reelection himself, and
does not want this hanging over him as he faces voters?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, of course not. This is about what we've said,
that as the Iraqi people are ready to assume more and more
responsibility, we want to transfer it to them as quickly as possible.
That is what this is about. The President is --
Q Did the President say that? Has he told these advisors in
meetings --
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.
Q He did?
MR. McCLELLAN: He said it this morning, about transferring more
responsibility to the Iraqi people.
Q About, I don't want the timetable in Iraq to be decided by my
own political timetable here at home.
MR. McCLELLAN: The media focused on that. The President is always
focused on doing what is right in Iraq, and that is how best to move
forward toward a peaceful, free and democratic Iraq, as quickly as
possible, but it's important to do it right. It's not based on any
time lines in America, it's based on time lines that are best for the
Iraqi people.
Q Back to Steve's question, just for a minute. You're saying that
you don't want to talk about options, and that the decisions will be
made by the Iraqi Governing Council and by the Iraqi people.
Understood. But Washington and the United States is running Iraq right
now, so obviously it would be irresponsible for the United States --
MR. McCLELLAN: I disagree a little bit. The cabinet ministers are
running the day-to-day operations --
Q It's an occupation. It would be irresponsible for Washington
and for this administration not to have opinions, not to lay out
options that they think are good, and go and talk to them about it. So
why can't you tell us what some of those are?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- had serious discussions in Washington over the
last couple of days. And there continue to be serious and intense
discussions with the Governing Council.
Q In the course of those --
MR. McCLELLAN: Why I can't tell you what they are is because those
are best addressed with the Governing Council, because they are the
ones who will ultimately make the decisions.
Q Don't the American people deserve to know which direction our
government --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think when the Governing Council makes those
decisions, that they will be ready to talk more about them.
Q A lot of the Iraqi leaders themselves are in support of a
provisional government. Is that an attractive idea to you?
MR. McCLELLAN: As Ambassador Bremer said, he has been consulting
closely with the Governing Council. He's going back to continue to
consult closely with them. What's important is what is the view of the
Governing Council and the Iraqi people. That's what's important. And
we're there to work closely with them, and transfer responsibility as
quickly as we can. We have been transferring responsibility and we
will continue to transfer more and more, as they are ready to assume
it. And there's a great willingness on the Iraqi people to assume full
responsibility over their country.
Q Is this new desire to further accelerate the transfer of power
being driven by the President's increasing frustration with the
situation there? Can you at least talk to us a little bit about how
he's growing less patient with things over there?
MR. McCLELLAN: I would think the President views it as what I -- I
kind of mentioned some of this in the phone call with Prime Minister
Berlusconi. That's the thing that I can point to that just occurred.
The President believes that there is important progress being made,
while fully recognizing that there are difficulties and dangers that
remain. And it's important to continue moving forward as quickly as we
can on all fronts. And that's exactly what we are doing -- on the
security front, on the political front, and on the reconstruction
front.
But it's important that we stay the course and finish the job --
and that's what the President has continued to say -- and let the Iraqi
people know that we are going to stay the course, we will be there to
finish the job, and we will not stay a day longer than necessary.
Q I don't know if I quite got that. Are you acknowledging for us
at least some degree of frustration on the President's part with the
progress to date?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think I described it -- I think the way I would
characterize his view of the progress is that he believes that there is
good progress being made, there is important and there is important
progress that we achieved. There is more to do. There is certainly
still difficulties ahead. It's always a difficult task transitioning
from a brutal dictatorship over the last 30 some years to a democracy.
The President believes, as he has talked about repeatedly, freedom
is a universal value, that all people across the world seek freedom.
And the importance of what we are doing is also about making the world
a safer and better place, because free nations are peaceful nations.
Q What are Bremer's marching orders, specifically, as he goes
back, short-term marching orders from the President?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, he talked a little bit about that yesterday.
I think we touched on some of it. The President directed Ambassador
Bremer to go back and let the Governing Council know that we want to
transfer more responsibility to him as soon as we can. And we're
committed -- we remain committed to working with them on those
efforts. Ambassador Bremer also said he would be taking back the
message that we remain steadfast in our efforts to defeat the
terrorists who are trying to deny the Iraqi people a better future.
And we remain steadfast in our resolve to transfer responsibility as
soon as we can.
Q -- as soon as we can. So that means that would great if
elections took place in the next six months?
MR. McCLELLAN: Now you're trying to get back into options that the
Governing Council make --
Q How can you say that that's your goal and not provide any
specifics about how you plan to carry out that goal?
MR. McCLELLAN: This is something we're working closely with the
Governing Council and the Iraqi people on. And there continue to be
discussions with the Governing Council and Iraqi people about the best
way forward. And after they have come to some decisions -- the
Governing Council and the Iraqi people -- about the best way forward,
I'm sure there will be more to say at that point. That's why.
Q Just to follow on Jennifer's question, do you think there's a
responsibility of the President to explain to the American people,
given that Congress has just approved $18 billion for reconstruction
that will be handled, presumably being handled by Bremer, and then
would be -- to the IGC or whatever authority is put in place -- there's
a responsibility of the President to explain to the American people how
that's going to work, who's going to be in charge of $18 billion?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think we have, repeatedly. I think a number of
administration officials, from Ambassador Bremer to members of -- to
Pentagon officials, the Secretary of Defense, to General Myers, and
others, have briefed members of Congress and others throughout this
process, and they will continue to do so. They've been very
straightforward and up front about the process moving forward on those
efforts.
Q Can I ask you some things? First, I would like to compliment
you on your tie and shirt ensemble. Two number questions.
MR. McCLELLAN: Two number questions?
Q One, the President described the Baathist Triangle as 200 square
miles. Did he misspeak, or is he talking about a smaller area?
Because I understand it's at least 5,000 square miles?
MR. McCLELLAN: I believe the area is larger, and that that was
some initial -- that had been cleared during the speech process, and it
actually is larger.
Q Okay. Another number. The Democrats say 168 judges approved,
four judges blocked.
MR. McCLELLAN: Actually, the President got asked that question in
his pool spray. So you might just want to look back at that. There
are actually --
Q We value your answers --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sure you'll use mine over his. (Laughter.)
But I would point out, in addition to what he said -- because these
are people that have been nominated to the courts of appeals, and I
believe there are some -- I'll check my math on this -- but some 46
vacancies on the courts of appeals, and that have been -- or 46
nominees that have been made to the courts of appeals, and only 29 have
had an up or down vote. It's important, as the President has
repeatedly said, for these nominees to receive a timely up or down
vote.
A majority of senators support these nominees. And it's
unfortunate that a smaller minority of Senate Democrats continue to
play partisan politics and hold these nominees up from receiving an up
or down vote, which is the responsibility of the Senate to do.
Q One final numbers question. How many days left in your
bachelorhood?
MR. McCLELLAN: We are off the record now -- no. Not many.
Q Two questions on Europe real quick. What does the President
think the effect of the bombing on the Italians will have on Europe's
desire to help out in Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the best way to look at that is to look at
what Prime Minister Burlesconi said yesterday and reiterated in the
phone call today. The Prime Minister made it very clear that it's
important to stay the course and not be intimidated. There are
terrorists -- this includes the Baathist holdouts and the foreign
fighters who have come into the country -- who seek to spread fear
and chaos and intimidate. That's the way terrorists operate. And the
terrorists are finding out that we cannot be intimidated. We will stay
the course, we will prevail, and they will be defeated.
They are seeing our stepped-up efforts to bring them to justice.
We are stepping up our efforts with more patrols, with more raids, with
more targeted strikes based on the intelligence we are receiving from
the Iraqi people. We're also stepping up our efforts with the Iraqi
people assuming more and more responsibility for their security and
being more involved in their security.
Q But aside from what we're doing, doesn't the President think
this makes it harder to get European support outside of the countries
that are already supporting what we're trying to do there?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that, one, again, you heard from
Prime Minister Burlesconi. There's a European leader right there. And
you've heard from others, as well. But the President -- well, I think
that the international community has recognized the importance of what
we're trying to achieve in Iraq with their commitments they have made
already, with some 30-plus nations that are already in Iraq helping the
coalition with troop support, and from the donors conference where the
international community made a strong commitment to help the Iraqi
people build a better future.
This is about helping the Iraqi people achieve a free and peaceful
future. It's also about helping make the world a safer and better
place. And so the stakes are high. The terrorists recognize that; so
does the international community. And that's why it's important to
continue to stay the course and prevail. And we will.
Q -- Medicaid quickly -- I mean, Medicare, sorry.
MR. McCLELLAN: Or Medicaid.
Q Whichever. This sort of scaled-back competition proposal that
the leadership put forward, what does the White House think about
that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well -- (laughter.) One, there are -- we believe
there is important progress being made to get this passed this year.
We continue to work closely with congressional leaders. I think that
-- well -- and that's why the President is continuing to urge Congress
not to miss this opportunity to finally get it passed. We are on the
verge of making some historic improvements to Medicare for America's
seniors. And this is a real opportunity, where we're continuing to
work closely with members of Congress and we're pleased with the
progress that's being made. But --
Q -- is that a yes?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't get into what's going on in terms of
ongoing negotiations in Congress. But we're pleased with the progress
that's being made. And the President will continue to urge Congress to
seize this opportunity to improve Medicare for America's seniors, to
give them the prescription drug coverage that they deserve, and to give
them the expanded choices and benefits that others have and they do
not.
Q Did the President --
MR. McCLELLAN: What is this, a two-hour gaggle?
Q Did the President stay up all night in solidarity with those
senators? (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: He was in solidarity with the senators in, I'm
sure, in his sleep --
Q Dreams?
MR. McCLELLAN: In his dreams, yes. (Laughter.)
Q Thank you, very much.
Q Do we have a dollar figure on the fundraisers today, or you
don't know?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'll get that to you.
END
10:37 A.M. EST
|