For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 30, 2004
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
1:15 P.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me read out a phone call from earlier today
that the President had with President Arroyo. The President called to
congratulate President Arroyo on winning another term in office. The
President also thanked President Arroyo for her strong support in the
war against terror and the Philippines' contributions to help the Iraqi
interim government improve the security situation in Iraq.
A couple of quick announcements. The President will welcome Prime
Minister Oddsson of Iceland to the White House on July 6th. Iceland is
a valued friend and ally of the United States, making key contributions
to NATO operations in Afghanistan and the Balkans. Prime Minister
Oddsson, the longest serving elected leader in Europe, is a strong
supporter of the international effort to bring peace and democracy to
Iraq.
The President and the Prime Minister will discuss a range of
issues, including combating terrorism, Iraq and the broader Middle
East, NATO issues in the wake of the Istanbul summit, and bilateral,
economic and defense cooperation.
Secondly, the President will welcome President Saca of El Salvador,
to the White House on July 12th. The President looks forward to
discussing with President Saca shared objectives in the areas of
security, human rights and free trade. The President values the
cooperative relationship with El Salvador, including El Salvador's
support for the war on terror, and the international effort to build a
democratic, free and prosperous Iraq.
And finally, I just want to give you an update on the
President's day. The President was pleased to welcome Ambassador
Bremer back to the White House and have lunch with him here in his
private dining room. Prior to the lunch, the President and Ambassador
Bremer went across the way to the Executive Office Building to stop by
a previously scheduled meeting with Iraqi Americans who were here at
the White House receiving a briefing and update on the situation in
Iraq. The President made some brief remarks. There were about 150 or
so Iraqi Americans who were present.
The President thanked Ambassador Bremer for his great work over the
last 14 months to help the Iraqi people transition to a free and
peaceful and democratic future. The President also talked about
America's commitment to freedom and America's belief that everyone
yearns to live in freedom. He talked about how Iraqi is the central
front in the war on terrorism, and how it is never easy in going from
decades of tyranny to a future of freedom. The terrorists are
desperately trying to shake the will and determination of the free
world and the Iraqi people, because what the terrorists fear most is
freedom. And the only way they will not be defeated is if they can
shake our will. The President emphasized that our will is unshakable
and that the terrorists will not prevail. Advancing freedom in Iraq
will help transform the Middle East and make America more secure. And
our troops have been serving and sacrificing to make the world a safer
and better place, and we are forever grateful. The President said, we
will never retreat in the face of terrorism. And he talked about the
progress that we have made in just 14 months in Iraq. He also firmly
stated our commitment to help the Iraqi people complete the mission of
a free and peaceful Iraq.
So the President was pleased to stop by that meeting. The Iraqi
Americans who were present were very grateful for the President
dropping by and speaking to them, and very appreciative of what we have
accomplished in Iraq.
And, clearly, I just add to this, the people of Iraq are also
committed to defeating the terrorists. Now that transfer --
sovereignty has been transferred to the interim government, Prime
Minister Allawi is speaking out and making it clear that he is
determined to defeat the terrorists. I noticed that earlier this week,
Grand Ayatollah Sistani issued a statement in which he prohibited
cooperation with terrorists and called on Iraqis to be on the watch-out
for those who would seek to destroy the infrastructure and the public
institutions in Iraq. So, clearly, the Iraqi people are committed to
eliminating those foreign terrorists who are in the country and
realizing a better future.
And with that, I'll be glad to go to your questions. Deb.
Q Since the Gitmo -- the Supreme Court ruling on Guantanamo
detainees, is this going to speed up the process of the administration
sorting these people out and figuring out who is going to be freed, and
who is going to go before tribunals, and who is going to be held
incognito for many more years, or whatever?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you actually brought up a very good point.
If you recall, back in February Secretary Rumsfeld announced a process
that he was putting in place to do an annual review of the status of
those detainees at Guantanamo Bay. And the Department of Defense was
moving forward on that process already.
Certainly, in terms of the Supreme Court decision, we're pleased
that Supreme Court recognized the authority of the President, as
Commander-in-Chief, to exercise his constitutional responsibility in a
time of war. The President's most solemn obligation is to protect the
American people. We also recognize that the court had some concerns,
and we respect those concerns. So the National Security Council and
the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice and others are
discussing these issues. They're working expeditiously to move forward
to put a process in place to address these concerns. And that is where
things stand at this point.
Q Does the ruling speed it up even further? And how long are
we talking about?
MR. McCLELLAN: They're moving expeditiously. Again, I don't want
to put a time frame on it, but they're discussing these issues as we
speak. They've already been under discussion since the court ruling on
Monday, I believe it was. And we will have more to say soon. I expect
that further announcements on this matter would probably come from the
Department of Defense.
But we want to make sure that we put a process in place that
respects the concerns that the Supreme Court raised and does so in a
way that is consistent with the authority of the President to exercise
his constitutional responsibility during at time of war. And the court
recognized that authority, as well. The President's most important
responsibility is the safety and security of the American people. We
are a nation at war and the President does have the right to detain
enemy combatants during this time of conflict and to hold them during
that conflict. The court recognized that. But at the same time, they
expressed some concerns. And we'll be putting a process in place to
address those concerns.
Q Those concerns --
MR. McCLELLAN: To the former legal reporter.
Q Those -- and American citizen -- those concerns were the
denial of habeas corpus to an American citizen, the denial of access to
the courts indefinitely, forever, claimed by the Executive that the
court slapped down. Those aren't minor concerns.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there are two separate issues here. There
are the American citizens who were picked up on the battlefield, and
some of those individuals, we have already taken the step to provide
them access to the courts. And then there are the non-American
citizens who are picked up on the battlefield. And the court
recognized that these are difficult issues to address. But they talked
about the ability of those detainees to have notice and the opportunity
to be heard. And so that's what we're working --
Q And I'm hearing, in your dismissal, it seems, of the court's
--
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I wouldn't look at it at that way at all,
Terry.
Q -- concerns that that reflects somehow the administration's
attitude about complying with the court's very clear command that the
constitutional rights of American citizens like Mr. Hamdi and the human
rights of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay must be honored by the
Executive Branch.
MR. McCLELLAN: I wouldn't characterize it that way at all, the way
you did, Terry. We respect the court's decision, and that's why we're
moving forward quickly to put a process in place to address those
concerns. But we want to do so in a way that is consistent with the
constitutional responsibility of the President to exercise his
authority during a time of war. And that's what we will do, because
the President recognizes that his most important obligation to the
American people is their safety and security.
We remain a nation at war; we remain a nation that is in a
conflict. And the President has the right to detain enemy combatants
during this time --
Q A nation under law.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- of conflict. And so we will move forward in
waging this war and we will also move forward on addressing the
concerns of the court.
Q Saddam Hussein is being handed over. We saw him for the
first time today. Is it your feeling he should get the death penalty?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Steve, that's going to be a decision that
will be made by the Iraqi people through their special tribunal. There
is a special tribunal that was put in place very early on by the
Governing Council. Today begins the process whereby Saddam Hussein and
leaders of his regime will be brought to justice by the Iraqi people.
This was a brutal regime that was responsible for mass graves, torture
chambers and rape rooms. They will be brought to justice and held
accountable by the Iraqi people.
Saddam Hussein and his regime leaders are going to face Iraqi
justice for the grave atrocities they committed against the Iraqi
people. Saddam Hussein and his regime leaders are going to face
justice for the mass murders of innocent Iraqis who were killed on the
orders of a tyrant; for the torture chambers, where brutality was
carried out against those who spoke out and disagreed with the regime;
and for the rape rooms, where women were taken to be raped. Saddam
Hussein and his regime leaders will face justice, but they will also be
provided rights that they denied to others in Iraq.
Q But do you have an opinion on the death penalty for --
MR. McCLELLAN: Steve, those are decisions that are going to be
made by the special tribunal which represents the Iraqi people.
Go ahead, David.
Q About a year ago, right now, the White House was backing away
from the President's comments that Saddam Hussein had sought uranium in
Africa. There have been a number of reports in the past week
concerning possible inquiries by the Iraqis in Africa. What's the
White House position now? Are you where you were when the President
gave the speech? Or are you where you were when you renounced that
part of the speech?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, David, I noticed those articles earlier this
week, as well. I found them interesting. I don't have any update from
our standpoint. Certainly, those articles were sourcing European
intelligence officials. But I did find them very interesting.
Q And on a related issue, has the President come to an
independent determination about whether the mobile biological
laboratories actually existed based on the intelligence he's being
given now, or, in other words, is he in agreement yet with his
Secretary of State?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, as you are aware, we are learning more over
time about the purposes of those labs. The last public comment I
recall on this was by Director Tenet. But we have continued to learn
more --
Q The last public comment was by Secretary Powell.
MR. McCLELLAN: In terms of the intelligence community and what
they represented was by Director Tenet a few months ago. We have
continued to learn more since that time, and I think you should address
those questions to our intelligence community in terms of what the
latest information we have about those laboratories.
Q They'll tell us.
Q You're not yet in agreement with your Secretary of State?
MR. McCLELLAN: Like I said, that -- as the Secretary of State
pointed out, we have been learning more about those mobile labs. But
the last word from the intelligence community that was stated publicly
was by Director Tenet. And so that's the last information I have.
Q He didn't say we've been learning more. He said it was false
and he regretted saying it, that we've been misled, I think was his
phrase.
MR. McCLELLAN: The last public comments he stated?
Q By the Secretary of State was that we had been misled.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, by Director Tenet, the last public comments
were that there was some differences of opinion about what they were
for. But that's why I pointed out that we have learned more from that
information. I'm not aware of any further public update from the
intelligence community at this time. So that's the information that we
go on at this point.
Q The Secretary of State might have had an update.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, like I said, we have been learning more since
that time period.
Q And he said he was sorry.
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead.
Q Do you have any reaction to the Israeli agreement to redirect
the 18 miles of fence? And with the World Court ruling expected this
week, what is the current assessment of the security fence?
MR. McCLELLAN: As you pointed out, that was a decision by the high
court in Israel. We have talked to Israel, the government of Israel
about the security barriers that they have put in place and are putting
in place. I understand the government of Israel has responded to their
high court's ruling. And we will continue to discuss these issues with
the government of Israel.
I think also it's important to point out that we want to continue
working with all parties to get them moving forward again on the road
map and get them moving forward to prepare the institutions that need
to be in place for a Palestinian state to emerge, particularly as Prime
Minister Sharon moves forward on his withdrawal plan from Gaza and
parts of the West Bank.
Q Do you think there could be any real movement before our
election?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, it's an issue that we remain actively engaged
on and in discussions with leaders in the region and others. As you're
aware, these issues were discussed at the G8 summit. We had some Arab
leaders there, as well, where these issues were discussed. They were
discussed at the recent meetings of the E.U. and the U.S. in Ireland.
We also discussed these issues at the NATO summit, as well.
The President remains firmly committed to a two-state vision of
Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. And we
have a real opportunity before us to get moving again on the road map.
I think the Quartet recognizes that. I think others in the region
recognize the importance of getting a unified security team in place
for the Palestinians, so when the Israelis withdraw, that they are
ready to provide for the security of those areas, and that they are
ready to move forward to put the institutions in place necessary for a
Palestinian state to emerge.
Q Scott, how would you answer those who see this Pentagon
decision to call up some of the ready Reserves and they say, on the one
hand, they believe the administration has stretched the military too
thin and they also say it is more proof to them that the administration
underestimated the troop levels needed in Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think what I would say is that -- remind
the American people that we are a nation at war. We were talking about
this earlier with the Supreme Court decision. We remain at war on
terrorism. And there are many brave men and women in our military who
are serving and sacrificing to make the world a safer and better place
and to protect the American people. What we are working to accomplish
is to provide for the long-term security of our nation. And it's our
men and women in uniform who recognize that their most important task
is to protect the American people. I think they understand the
importance of the work that they are carrying out.
In terms of resources and troops, I mean, the Department of Defense
and our military leaders and commanders look at these issues and look
at what the needs are and make determinations of what their needs are
and then work to meet those needs. But there are many in our military,
both active duty, as well as our Guard and Reserves, who are serving
admirably to make the world a better place for all. And we are forever
grateful for their service. But I think the Department of Defense will
probably have more to say on this issue shortly.
Q Can I ask you also, did Ambassador Bremer come here with any
one or two final recommendations to the President, things that he came
-- coming back, just coming back from Iraq, said these are the one or
two things I think you should do right now to help the situation?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not sure that their meeting had wrapped up at
the time that I came out here to brief you all. But this was more of
an opportunity for the President to say thank-you to Ambassador Bremer
on behalf of the nation for all the great work that he has done over
the last 14 months to help move forward on transferring sovereignty to
Iraqi people, reconstructing the nation for the Iraqi people, and to
help the Iraqi people move forward on holding elections and realizing a
better future. So that was the main purpose of the meeting.
Q Scott, as you look back at the NATO summit, President Chirac
quarreled with the meaning of the agreement reached on training of
Iraqi security forces. He opposed the American proposal for elements
of the NATO strike force to patrol Afghanistan for its elections and
used very strong words, essentially telling the President to mind his
own business where Turkey's admission to the E.U. was concerned.
Friend or foe, this man Chirac? (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that what you have seen --
Q Seriously, though, despite the titters amongst my
colleagues.
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me just step back from that for a second and
then I'll come to that specific question -- because I think you've seen
at the United Nations, through the Security Council resolution that was
passed supporting the transition in Iraq to democracy and stability, I
think you've seen through the G8 summit and through the European
Union/United States summit in Ireland and through the NATO summit, that
the international community is coming together to support the Iraqi
people, and to support a free and democratic and peaceful future in
Iraq. I think the international community recognizes the importance of
success in Iraq, and the importance of a free and peaceful Iraq to the
long-term security of the civilized world.
So the President has been focused on working together on these
common challenges that we face -- not just on Iraq, but other areas, as
well. As you heard him talk about yesterday in Istanbul, where he went
to a secular, democratic nation that is a majority Muslim nation, and
spoke out about the importance of supporting calls for reform within
the broader Middle East, and partnering with those in the countries of
the broader Middle East who seek reform and democracy. So we're
focused on -- the President is focused on how we can work together to
address important challenges of our time, and how we can change the
world for the better. We recognize that there are going to be some
that will have different views from time to time, but we should never
lose sight of what we're working to accomplish and the importance of
addressing these common challenges together. And that's the spirit in
which the President works.
Q But I didn't -- my question is, sure, we'll see the some will
have different views from time to time, but it seems this man, Chirac,
has a different view every time. And I wonder if you are pleased with
the state of French cooperation in all these issues.
MR. McCLELLAN: Look back at the NATO summit and look at commitment
that was made. We were working to get NATO involved in the training
and equipment of Iraqi security forces. And that was the commitment
that NATO made at the summit in Istanbul. And they also made a
commitment to look at additional ways they might be able to help in the
future of Iraq going forward. And so they'll be looking at that, as
well. They also made a strong commitment in Afghanistan, and certainly
France has played an important role in Afghanistan, as well.
The President believes we should be focusing on that which brings
us together to address these common challenges. And that's what he
will continue to do, and we recognize there will still be some
disagreements from time to time.
April. Congratulations.
Q Back on Saddam Hussein, last week we heard the White House
talk about values, especially as it related to torture. Are America's
values consistent enough for support for the death penalty for Saddam
Hussein, or are America's values at a point where we would condone
that?
MR. McCLELLAN: April, this is a decision that the Iraqi people
will make. We have said all along that it's important for Saddam
Hussein to face justice by the Iraqi people, and today you see the
first step in that process unfolding. You see Saddam Hussein and
leaders of his regime being handed over to the interim government in
Iraq so that they may try him for the grave atrocities that he was
responsible for against his own people.
This is a time when people will be able to look back and remember
how brutal and oppressive this regime was. And America stands for
justice and the rule of law. There is the rule of law that has been
put in place; there is a special tribunal that has been put in place by
the Iraqi people. And that tribunal will be the one that will try
these regime leaders and bring them to justice for the crimes that they
committed against the Iraqi people.
Q Well, to follow up on that, going back before the war even
started, President Bush made no bones about it that he didn't mind
seeing Saddam Hussein dead. Now there's a chance that he could die
legally through the death penalty.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, I believe tomorrow is when he
will be arraigned, along with the other members. That has not happened
at this point. Those are questions you really ought to direct to the
interim government or the special tribunal in Iraq to get their views,
because they are now responsible for their future, and they are
responsible for holding those who are responsible for the atrocities of
the past -- are bringing those who are responsible for the atrocities
of the past to justice.
Q I guess my question is, why is it so hard to say something
now, when before you didn't mind saying you wanted him dead or alive?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think I've addressed this. We've always believed
that Saddam Hussein should face justice by the Iraqi people. And we're
pleased that that process is moving forward today.
Q The President has been asserting quite a lot recently that
after the war in Iraq, that America is safer. And yet, there seems to
be some consistency in American polls that show that Americans don't
seem to agree, that they fear that the aftermath of the war in Iraq is
that America is, in fact, more vulnerable to terrorism both here and
abroad. How do you explain that --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, I don't know that all polls
show the same thing on that very subject that you bring up. I think
the American people recognize that we are engaged in a broad war on
terrorism. The American people recognize that September 11th changed
the equation. These threats have been emerging for quite some time,
the threats of terrorism. But this President made a decision that we
were going to defeat the terrorist threat that we face. And the best
way to do that is to take the fight to the enemy. That's exactly what
we are doing. We are a nation at war. But because of the action that
this President is taking, we are making the world a safer and better
place and making America more secure. Saddam Hussein's regime has been
removed from power, and the world is better off for that.
Q I understand. And as you should do, you have said that, the
President has said that now about 4,000 times. And apparently, the
American public doesn't quite agree with that argument. And I'm
wondering if you can address what appears to be some disconnect.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think the American people recognize that
the actions we are taking are making the world a safer and better
place. So I tend to disagree with the premise of your question.
Q Well, if you saw something that indicated that a majority of
Americans disagree --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, keep in mind a couple of things here. One,
on September 11th, 2001, the terrorists -- well, the terrorists had
declared war on us even prior to that date when they carried out their
attacks across the world. The terrorists want to wreak chaos and havoc
on the civilized world. And the only way to defeat them is to take the
fight to them. But we also, as we take the fight to them, need to
address the root causes of terrorism. And that means advancing freedom
and democracy.
And that's why this President has made an unprecedented commitment
to supporting freedom and democracy in the broader Middle East, and put
forward an initiative that the international community has gotten
behind to advance those efforts to partner with the people in those --
in that region to help them realize their aspirations.
So I think you have to look at what we are engaged in right now.
We are engaged in a global war on terrorism. The terrorists know, as I
said, that the only way they won't be defeated is if they can shake our
will and determination and break our confidence. But that won't
happen. We are going to defeat the terrorists. And we are going to
make sure that we are doing everything we can to win this war on
terrorism and prevent something like September 11th from ever happening
again.
Q Did anyone in the White House or the administration ask Irish
television or its reporter, Carol Coleman, to submit questions in
advance of her interview with the President last Wednesday?
MR. McCLELLAN: Bill, a couple of things. I saw I guess some
reports on that. I don't know what every individual office -- whatever
discussions that they have with reporters in terms of interviews. But
obviously, the President was -- is pleased to sit down and do
interviews with journalists, both from abroad, as well as here at home,
and to talk about the priorities of this administration. And I think
anytime that there is an interview that's going to take place,
obviously there are staff-level discussions with reporters before that
interview and to --
Q -- what are the --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, to talk about what issues might be on their
mind, and stuff. That's -- but, reporters --
Q That's not the same thing as asking for --
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me finish. Let me finish.
Q -- and my question is, were questions asked for.
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me finish. Reporters, when they meet with the
President, can ask whatever questions they want. And any suggestion to
the contrary is just --
Q Right, but that doesn't answer the question. Did somebody in
the administration ask her for questions in advance, and is that your
policy?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, in terms -- you're talking my policy?
Q No, the administration's policy.
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know what an individual staffer may or may
not have asked specifically of this reporter, but some of these
interviews are set up by people outside of my direct office and
control.
Q Well, will you say from this lectern that it is not the
policy of this White House to ask for questions in advance?
MR. McCLELLAN: Will you let me complete what I'm trying to say?
Thank you. Just hold on a second. As I said, and you know very well
from covering this White House, that any time a reporter sits down with
the President, they are welcome to ask whatever questions they want to
ask.
Q Yes, but that's beside the point.
MR. McCLELLAN: And certainly there will be staff-level
discussions, talking about what issues reporters may want to bring up
in some of these interviews. I mean, that happens all the time.
Q Indeed, it does.
MR. McCLELLAN: So reporters are able to ask whatever questions
they want, Bill.
Q Right, but that wasn't my question. (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: I'll be glad to look into this further.
Q Is it policy to ask for questions in advance?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I don't know what some individual staffer
may have done in another office, specifically in terms of this question
that you're asking. I'll be glad to look into it. But reporters can
ask the President whatever questions they want. I think we've
addressed this question.
Q Is it your policy to ask for questions in advance?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, it is not my policy. In fact, if reporters
would give me their questions, this press briefing would be a whole lot
easier, I'm sure. But that's not my policy.
Q Sometimes you might answer them. (Laughter.)
Q I'll be glad to give you a question --
Q Just before I get on to my question, what you're saying is,
you didn't ask anyone, but someone in the press office might have
asked, and you're not sure --
MR. McCLELLAN: Not in my office.
Q But someone in media affairs or communications --
MR. McCLELLAN: These interviews are set up by another office.
I'll be glad to take a look into it. But regardless, the reporter can
ask
whatever question they want. This interview is past us.
Q So now I'm going to ask the question that I want to ask,
which is --
Q -- might not be able to if there's a pre-brief.
MR. McCLELLAN: Helen, you know that that's wrong. Reporters can
ask whatever they want when they see the President.
Q Okay, I'd like to ask the President some questions.
(Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sure you would.
Q This morning, on the economy, you said that the rise in
interest rates is -- you're not worried about that because the economy
is growing and more people are finding work. Does that mean that
you're not at all concerned about inflation?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, both interest rates and inflation continue to
remain at historically low levels. Our economy is strong and growing
stronger because of the policies the President put in place: 1.4
million new jobs have been created since last August; we've had nine
straight months of consecutive job growth; we see the real after-tax
disposal income that people have is up 11 percent; consumer confidence,
as we just saw earlier this week, is up significantly. So as the
economy grows and jobs are being created, I think it's always expected
that a rate increase would be part of that strengthening economy. It
is a reflection of our strong economy that these things might happen.
Q So that's a no, basically?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, it's not. I said that it still remains at a
low level.
Q So you're not concerned about it then? So, I mean, you're
not concerned about it rising?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, that's what I said.
Q And secondly, without biting the hand that feeds me, why did
you feel -- you had some -- clearly you had some talking points there.
Why did you feel that it was necessary to make these comments on the
rate hikes which, as you know --
MR. McCLELLAN: Make comments on what?
Q On the expected rate hike which, as you know, often the
administration defers on these kind of --
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I'm not trying to preempt what may be
announced later today, but I'm just pointing out the reality of the
situation. We have a very strong economy and it is growing stronger.
New jobs are being created. As I pointed out, the money that people
have available, after-tax, disposable income is up significantly. And
I think a lot of people have talked about how, as the economy grows,
that a rate increase may follow along with it.
Q Scott, a two-part. Senator Frist has scheduled Senate action
on the federal marriage amendment for next week, just before the
democratic convention, so that voters can see how Senator Kerry is
either absent or how he demonstrates his real approval of same-sex
marriage by voting no. And my question: The President fully supports
the Senate Majority Leader's decision, doesn't he?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President believes strongly in protecting the
sanctity of marriage, and he has expressed his strong support for that
amendment. And Congress is working to move forward on that.
Q Right. Both the Jerusalem Post and the Zionist Organization
of America have recalled that during the 2000 campaign, Governor Bush
pledged that if elected he would, "begin the process of moving our
embassy to Jerusalem on my first day in office." But after not doing
anything of the kind on his first day in office, or over the last four
years, he has just reinvoked the national security clause which enables
him to postpone fulfilling the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 if the
embassy move would endanger national security. And my question: Has
the President ever asked our pro-Palestinian State Department how we
can possibly put an embassy in Baghdad and not in Jerusalem?
MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, Les, I think the departments within
the administration recognize that they are here to support and carry
out the policies of the President. And we appreciate all the great
work Secretary Powell and all those men and women at the State
Department in helping us to meet our objectives.
In terms of what you brought up, the President remains committed to
that objective. As you pointed out, other Presidents have extended
this, as well, for national security reasons. What we need to do is
get the parties working on moving forward on the road map again, so
that we can realize the two-state vision, and so that we can achieve
some of these other objectives, as well.
Q Is Jerusalem more dangerous than Baghdad?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you know that there is no stronger
supporter of the people of Israel than the President of the United
States.
Q This morning in the gaggle you said you'd have some more
details on the President's economic remarks Friday. Do you have those
details?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I said I'd probably have that tomorrow,
actually, I think.
Q Okay, fine. The second question, then, is the President
concerned that he doesn't seem to be getting much credit for
improvement in the economy? Does that concern him?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think -- I mean, people bring out polls all
the time in this room. I think if you see some of the numbers on the
economy, that there have been some growing support for the direction
the economy is moving. I think that we will -- one, the President will
continue to speak out about the policies that we have put in place,
because he believes they are the right policies for this country, and
that they have led to a strong economic recovery.
There is still more to do. The President's highest priorities are
winning the war on terrorism, which we talked about at the beginning,
and strengthening our economy. And he will continue to talk about the
policies that we have put in place and the need to build on those
policies. I mean, there are some out there who continue to have a
pessimistic view and talk down the economy. This President has an
optimistic view because he knows that the policies that we have put in
place are working. And all you have to do is look at the different
economic indicators to recognize that our economy is strong and growing
stronger. As I pointed out, look at the jobs that are being created.
Look at the other steps that have been taken. But there is more that
we need to do. We have to recognize that we're in a changing economy,
as well. The President wants to continue to make sure that America
remains the best place in the world to do business, and he will
continue acting on the economy to meet that commitment.
Q These pessimists, do they have names or anything?
MR. McCLELLAN: You know full well who they are. They speak about
every day.
Q Scott, jumping back to John's question. How long was it
under consideration for the ready Reserve to be activated? And did the
deliberations actually make into this building --
MR. McCLELLAN: Ken, as I pointed out, those are determinations
that are made by military leaders and commanders, in terms of what
resources and troops levels that they need to carry out their
objectives. And then they work to make the determinations about how to
meet those needs. And so they'll be speaking to this shortly. You
ought to direct those questions to those officials.
Q Had the President secured more troops from NATO allies or
NATO itself, would we have been able to avoid activating the ready
reserve?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Ken, we have -- there are 16 -- including the
United States, 16 countries that are members of --
Q Had we gotten some more troops in addition --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- hang on -- that are members of NATO who are
helping in Iraq right now. There are some 30 nations that have troops
in Iraq helping the Iraqi people. But what's most important is we need
to continue to increase the number of troops there. But when I talk
about increasing troop levels, I'm talking about increasing Iraqi troop
levels, when it comes to the police forces and the border patrols and
the army and the civilian defense forces. And so that's what our
commitment is, because, ultimately, they will assume full
responsibility for their future.
Q So this decision was not incumbent upon whether or not more
troops --
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I think that the Department of Defense is
talking more about this very issue. You can address those issues to
them. We are a nation at war, a nation at war against terrorism, and
we're making great progress. And there are many in our military who
are part of that war on terrorism, and we are forever grateful for the
service and sacrifice that they are making, and we're forever grateful
for the service and sacrifice of their families, as well. Those who
sign up for our military do so voluntarily, and they do so with a
commitment that they are part of helping to make the world a better
place and to make America more secure. And they recognize the
important tasks that they have before them.
Q Is there any truth to reports that we're hearing that the
administration is considering moving some of the detainees from
Guantanamo to another location?
MR. McCLELLAN: Richard, I would not try to jump into any
speculation at this point. These are issues we're discussing right
now, and as I said, we're moving forward on the fast track to address
the concerns that the Supreme Court raised and do so in a way that is
consistent with the President's authority as Commander-in-Chief to
carry out the war on terrorism.
Q Thank you, and welcome back. My first question was -- you
answered most of it, about President Chirac and Turkey. But what will
the President do to try and make sure Turkey gets in the EU?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think we'll continue to make clear our
view. The President was pleased to go to Turkey and meet with Prime
Minister Erdogan and talk about these issues. And he has talked -- he
has stated our view going back quite some time on this very issue. And
he has made our belief very well-known. And so we will continue to
talk about the importance of addressing these concerns and heeding
Turkey's aspirations.
Q I have another question, please. After giving an award to
Rita Moreno, is there any truth to the rumor that the President plans
to replace Vice President Cheney with Ms. Moreno to get the Hispanic
vote or the Puerto Rican vote?
MR. McCLELLAN: She is a wonderful entertainer. The President was
pleased to present her the Medal of Freedom and welcome her here to the
White House, but he's also honored to have someone of the Vice
President's capabilities and leadership to be a part of this
administration.
Q So that's no -- wait a minute, that's no -- (laughter).
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you can take it as a "no."
Q Scott, former U.N. Ambassador, Richard Holbrook, yesterday
likened Monday's --
MR. McCLELLAN: How long were you on that plane?
Q Too long.
Q Richard Holbrook likened Monday's accelerated transfer of
sovereignty in Iraq to America sneaking out of Saigon in the middle of
the night. How's the administration going to deal with those who would
paint every victory in Iraq as a defeat?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think all you have to do is look to the new
leaders who are in place in Iraq and look to the Iraqi people to
recognize that that is a view that really has little basis and fact.
The Iraqi people are committed to moving forward on a brighter future,
and committed to building a free and peaceful nation. I just -- look
-- we're going to continue talking about what we're working to
accomplish and how important that is, not only to the Iraqi people, but
to the region and to the world, and to the long-term security of our
country.
Q A poll in Iraq says that the Prime Minister Allawi has
approval ratings of --
MR. McCLELLAN: Hang on one second. And I would point out that
some of those same critics saying that we weren't going to be able to
transfer sovereignty by June 30th. And, in fact, the process began
weeks ago when the Iraqi people started assuming responsibility for
their ministries. That was completed last week when they assumed
responsibility for all the different ministries in Iraq. They were
ready to assume responsibility and move forward on that. It was a
decision that was made by Prime Minister Allawi. And we're pleased
that they -- that the Iraqi people have strong and capable leaders in
place to -- that are committed to building a better future for all
Iraqis.
Q You spoke about pessimism earlier. How damaging is pessimism
to this process going forward in Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, like I said, I think most people
reject those views that you're hearing, and we will continue talking
out -- talking about the important mission that we're working to
accomplish in Iraq and how we're there to help the Iraqi people build a
free and democratic and peaceful future.
Thank you.
END 1:55 P.M. EDT
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