For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 14, 2004
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Aboard Air Force One
En Route St. Louis, Missouri
11:41 A.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, good morning. The President taped his radio
address before we left. It will be an update on Iraq. Then he had his
usual briefings. Then he met briefly with the foreign ministers from
the G8 who are in town. Secretary Powell is meeting with them the rest
of the morning. I think in the early afternoon they have a press
conference, I think a joint press conference, at 3:30 p.m. this
afternoon over at the State Department.
And the Freedom Corps greeter upon arrival is the Reverend Mark
Reyling. He is a Catholic priest in Illinois who volunteers with the
Cahokia Illinois Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the local police
department. Then the President will make remarks at a Victory 2004
luncheon. Then we go to -- that's all in Bridgeton, Missouri, is where
the remarks will be made.
Q Bridgeton?
MR. McCLELLAN: Bridgeton. From there, we go to Milwaukee, where
the Freedom Corps greeter will be Rebecca Haupt. She volunteers with
the Volunteers Outreach in Christian Enthusiasm, or VOICE, is the
acronym, program, at Concordia, and they help organize students to
participate in volunteer activities. I think they do that on a
regular, weekly basis.
And then the President looks forward to making remarks at Concordia
-- at the Concordia University commencement. The focus of his remarks
will be on compassion. I expect the President will talk to the
students about how they can help build a more compassionate society.
And I think specifically he'll talk about how they can do that by
working to fight poverty and despair and helping those in need, working
to build a culture of life, and demonstrating our goodwill to the rest
of the world by helping those in need beyond our borders. And so I
think that will be kind of the general themes of his remarks.
That's all I've got.
Q Is he going to hold up parts of his own agenda, I assume, on
compassion, too?
MR. McCLELLAN: He may touch on some it, but I think it will be
kind of broad, some broad themes. I think he may touch on some of
that.
Q Can I ask you whether the President accepts the CIA's
conclusion that Zarqawi is behind the beheading of Berg?
MR. McCLELLAN: Typically, we look to the intelligence community to
make those assessments. And the intelligence community has said that
it's a high probability that it was al-Zarqawi who was in the video. I
think it shows that the terrorists recognize how high the stakes are in
Iraq. We will pursue those terrorists and bring them to justice.
There is simply no justification for such brutal acts against innocent
civilians. And they will not prevail. They will be -- the terrorists
will be defeated.
Q What does it tell you about Zarqawi, what he's trying to do;
what he's trying to --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think we saw that in the letter that was
intercepted that he was sending to other terrorists. And he recognizes
that when we prevail in Iraq, that that will be a major blow for the
terrorists. And that's why building a free and peaceful Iraq is
critical to winning the war on terrorism. And we will continue to stay
on the offensive and go after those terrorists who are in Iraq and
defeat them.
Q Is he trying to be the bin Laden of Iraq, was really my
question.
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q Is he trying to position himself as the bin Laden of Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: He, for a long time, has been known as a dangerous
terrorist who is a senior al Qaeda associate. That was well-known
before, when he was in Iraq prior to any action being taken. He was
responsible for the killing of an American diplomat in Jordan,
responsible for overseeing a poison laboratory in Iraq. He will be
brought to justice.
Q Scott, is the President aware of Nicholas Berg's father's
remark that his son died for the sins of George Bush and Donald
Rumsfeld? And if he's aware, what's his response?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think -- I think I spoke to your colleague
late last night, I don't know if you saw that -- this is a very
difficult time period for the Berg family. This is a time to keep
Nicholas Berg's family in our thoughts and prayers. And that's what we
intend to do.
Q Has the President spoken to anyone from the Berg family?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you heard him the other day. He publicly
expressed his condolences to the entire Berg family. There simply is
no justification for the brutal terrorist act that was carried out
against Nicholas Berg. He was an innocent civilian in Iraq to help the
Iraqi people.
Q So he has no intention of calling the Berg family?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I'll always keep you posted if there's any
updates. But he has already publicly expressed his condolences to the
family. We extend our deepest condolences to the entire Berg family,
and his friends.
Q Can you tell us about Hunter Engineering Company, the site of
this fundraiser?
MR. McCLELLAN: We'll try to get you some of that information on
the ground. I'll try to find someone for you from the party that's
there to get you that information.
Q How much is he raising?
MR. McCLELLAN: We'll get someone on the ground, they'll be there.
Q Any reaction to the FEC ruling on the 527s?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that the RNC has put out some remarks on
it. I think some of the senators who were involved in the campaign
finance reform have talked about how they failed to address what is a
loophole in the campaign finance law. They failed to address a
loophole that allows people to circumvent the intent of the campaign
finance reforms. And we had hoped that the FEC would have addressed
that matter.
Q Scott, General Latif, in Fallujah, apparently said today that
his militia, the Fallujah Brigade, will not disarm the insurgents in
Fallujah, and also said that if the United States forces want peace,
that they should withdraw. How does that complicate the effort of
standing up an Iraqi security force --
MR. McCLELLAN: One, I haven't seen his specific comments. I think
that's, obviously, getting into some of the operational details related
to the military. And I know that General Kimmitt and the CPA were
holding a briefing -- General Kimmitt and the CPA were holding a
briefing this morning to talk some about the latest operational
activities. So I think I would leave it to them to describe the latest
situation. I just don't know the full context of what he said.
Obviously, there are ongoing developments on the ground, but we are
continuing to patrol jointly with Iraqis in the Fallujah area. And we
are continuing to stay on the offensive to go after those who are
enemies of freedom, both in Fallujah and Najaf, in the southern part of
Iraq.
Q And is the administration willing to work with Congress on
the $25 billion funding request, or are you looking for a blank check?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, we have to. But it's important to work
closely with Congress to establish this contingency reserve fund. This
is important -- this is an important reserve fund, to make sure that
there is no disruption, in terms of funding or resources for our
troops, going forward in Iraq. And, obviously, it's important to have
some flexibility within that funding, to make sure that we can provide
our troops with the resources they need, when they need it. Obviously,
we want to plan for contingencies that can be affected by circumstances
on the ground, particularly the security situation on the ground. And
that's what this is about. It should be viewed as an insurance policy
to make sure that there is no disruption in funding or resources for
our troops going forward, after the fiscal year '04 funds -- after the
fiscal year '04 year.
Q About a year ago, April 24th, last year, the President went
to Canton, Ohio. He went to the Timken Company. I don't know if you
remember the trip, I wasn't on it. He went to a bearings factory, part
of the Timken Company, touted his economic plans and talked about jobs
and growth. Timken announced today that they're shutting down that
plant that the President visited a year ago. I just wonder if that's
ironic, that the President touted his economic strategy, doesn't appear
to be working?
MR. McCLELLAN: One, I don't know about the report or the
circumstances related to the company. But I think it is important to
point out that our economy is showing great strength, and continuing to
grow stronger. We've had more than 1.1 million jobs -- new jobs
created since last August. The unemployment rate is well below the
averages of the '70s, '80s and '90s. So the economy is moving in the
right direction. Obviously we are also in a changing economy.
And the President believes it's important to push forward on the
initiatives he's outlined to make sure workers have the skills they
need to fill the jobs of the 21st century. And we must continue to
work to move forward on the President's six-point plan to create an
even more robust environment for job creation. And we also need to
work to make sure that we have an educated workforce, to fill the
high-growth jobs of the 21st century.
But the economy is moving in the right direction, and we need to --
because of the actions that the President took. And we will continue
to work to create an even more robust environment for job creation.
Q Are you worried about poll numbers in the mid 40s, all-time
lows?
MR. McCLELLAN: There are going to be a lot of polls between now
and November. The President will continue to talk about our nation's
highest priorities, from winning the war on terrorism to strengthening
our economy. Because of the tax relief that the President advocated
and passed, our economy is growing stronger, as I just mentioned. We
are also making important progress in the war on terrorism. There are
obviously difficulties that remain as we move forward in Iraq, because
the enemies of freedom recognize how high the stakes are in Iraq. But
at the same time, it's important that we complete the mission in Iraq,
because a free and peaceful Iraq is critical to our efforts in winning
the war on terrorism. And the President will continue talking about
those. But there will be plenty of polls between now and November. So
the President is focused on doing what's right for the American people,
and he'll continue to talk about the important priorities that we're
pursuing.
Q What's pulling the numbers down, and how do you lift them up
again?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sure there will be all sorts of analysis of the
poll numbers that come out on a weekly basis now. You always have to
take into account current events and developments. But the President
is focused on moving forward on his agenda to make America -- to build
a stronger, safer and better America.
Q Is he worried that other Presidents who lost reelection --
Carter and his father -- had poll numbers at this level, and that the
Presidents who won, Reagan and Clinton --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, again, I mean I think that the campaign, and
Matt Dowd, have talked some about -- they've done some of the analysis
of the polling. I think you might want to look to some of their
comments, because I think that will put it in context.
Q Would you consider sending Karl back, maybe on the next leg?
It's an interesting period we're in right now, politically.
MR. McCLELLAN: I'll consider it.
Q Could you ask for us?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'll consider it. I wouldn't expect it today. I
would not expect it. Anything else?
Q Do you have any further details of Condoleezza Rice's visit
to Germany next week, as far as --
MR. McCLELLAN: In terms of meeting with Prime Minister Qureia?
Q Yes.
MR. McCLELLAN: Nothing more at this point. Obviously, Secretary
Powell, I believe, is meeting with Prime Minister Qureia tomorrow, if I
recall, and Dr. Rice will be meeting with Prime Minister Qureia on
Monday in Germany. She looks forward to talking to him about the
importance of the Palestinians seizing this unique opportunity to move
forward on the President's two-state vision. The proposal that was put
forward by Prime Minister Sharon provides a real opportunity to jump
start the road map, that can get us to the two-state solution. And
this is a unique moment, where the Palestinian people can realize their
aspirations for a viable and democratic state.
Q Scott, one last thing. What is the President's response to
the French foreign minister's statement, that French troops will never
serve in Iraq, whether alongside the U.S. or under U.N. leadership?
MR. McCLELLAN: One, I think in his brief meeting with the G8
foreign ministers, the President talked about the important mission
we're working to accomplish in Iraq. He talked about the importance of
putting aside past differences, and all of us working together to help
the Iraqi people realize a brighter future; that it is in all of our
interests to make sure that there is a free and peaceful Iraq. It will
make the world a safer and better place, and it will certainly make
America more secure, too.
And the President said he looks forward to our consultations with
countries going forward, to pass a new United Nations resolution that
will recognize the sovereign interim government in Iraq, and encourage
other countries to participate in the efforts going on there. So there
is a strong coalition participating on the ground in Iraq right now.
And we look forward to continuing to talk to other countries about how
we can work together on what is a shared priority for all of us.
Q Did you say, "democratic Iraq," or did you just -- I didn't
hear what you said.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think, free and peaceful, but, democratic, yes,
free; interchangeable.
Q But what was his reaction? You didn't actually say. Was he
concerned about that comment? It was very strong.
MR. McCLELLAN: One, I don't know if the President has seen his
latest comments. He was in the Oval Office with the President. The
President's, again, reaction is what he said to all the foreign
ministers, that it's important that we work together and work beyond
any past differences to help the Iraqi people realize a free and
peaceful future. We are pleased that there are some 30 countries that
are providing troops to the -- to help the Iraqi people have a stable
and free future. **[see below]
And the President also talked about the important priorities at the
G8 with the foreign ministers, as well, and he talked about the
importance of supporting efforts by leaders and people in the greater
Middle East to advance political and economic reform. And he talked
about the importance of also moving forward on the two-state vision in
the Middle East.
Q Week ahead.
MR. McCLELLAN: You waited too long; we've got to go quick. Monday
has already been announced, with the Topeka visit and the Atlanta
visit. On Tuesday, the President will make remarks at the
American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C. On
Wednesday, he'll meet with his Cabinet, participate in a photo
opportunity with NCAA winter sports champions. And we'll have a
meeting with a world leader. We'll get you a statement on that later,
still working --
Q A meeting with a world leader?
MR. McCLELLAN: We're still working out the exact timing of the
announcement, but we'll probably have it later today for you. But let
me give you a hint: The President later that day will make remarks at
the Sons of Italy Foundation's 16th Annual National Education and
Leadership Awards Gala, which we previously announced.
On Thursday he'll meet with the Prime Minister of Greece. On
Friday, remarks at LSU, commencement address, and then a Victory 2004
reception in Louisiana, overnight at Bush Ranch. And then on Saturday,
he'll attend a private family and friends dinner for their daughter's
graduations in Austin, Texas. Mrs. Bush will be there, as well. And
then overnight at the Bush Ranch.
And then Sunday, he will attend a family and friends dinner for
their daughter's graduation in New Haven, Connecticut. The one in
Austin on Saturday, New Haven on Sunday.
Q Return to Washington Sunday night?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes. Thank you.
END 11:59 A.M. EDT
***We have always said countries have to make their own decisions
about what they can do to support efforts in Iraq.
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