For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 7, 2004

Press Gaggle with Scott McClellan
Boone County Fairgrounds
Columbia, Missouri

• Iraq Casualties

4:10 P.M. CDT

Q Senator Kerry is calling it a tragic milestone, reaching 1,000 deaths in Iraq.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we remember, honor and mourn the loss of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom. And we also remember those who lost their lives on September 11th. The best way to honor all those who have lost their life in the war on terrorism is to continue to wage a broad war and spread freedom throughout a dangerous part of the world so that we can transform that region of the world and make the world a safer place, and make America more secure.

Q And you're convinced each one of those lives is worth it, Scott?

MR. McCLELLAN: Each one -- well, let me say, when I say we remember, honor, mourn the loss of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we do so for those in Iraq and Afghanistan. We also remember those who lost their lives on September 11th, nearly three years ago today. And that's why I said it's important that we continue to wage a broad war on terrorism and that we work to spread freedom throughout the Middle East and transform that region so that we defeat the ideologies of hatred and tyranny.

Q But the question is, for -- each of those families lost someone, a loved one, and each one of those is worth it -- that's the question.

MR. McCLELLAN: Mark, I think -- I think of the cost we paid on September 11th, and September 11th changed the equation, as you've heard the President say. The President has met with hundreds of families of the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan, and their strength and courage is an inspiration to all of us. And we will continue to honor them by completing the important mission at hand. And that mission is to defeat the ideologies of hatred and to spread freedom. And that's how we will prevail in this war on terrorism.

Q -- is it necessary?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes. Yes.

Q How will the President acknowledge the milestone of 1,000 deaths.?

MR. McCLELLAN: My understanding is that -- I think it's over 1,200 when you take in Iraq and Afghanistan -- 997 uniformed men and women in Iraq, and then I think there are three civilian contractors, as well. So -- but obviously, you hear the President talk about the importance of what we're working to accomplish in Afghanistan and in Iraq, and he will continue to do that.

Q What's the bottom line? Is it 1,000, or not?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, my understanding is that there are 997 uniformed in Iraq, men and women in Iraq. And then I think you have three civilian contractors. That's my understanding. I'm trying to get the latest update, too, but that's the latest update I had.

Q So the Pentagon does not count this as 1,000 --

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm trying to get the latest update, but I know that you all wanted some comments, so that's why I came over here now, to give you a comment. But that's the latest information I had.

Q So 997 uniformed, 3 civilian contractors?

MR. McCLELLAN: The latest information I had, yes.

Q Do you think that it's not a significant threshold, it's not a significant landmark --

MR. McCLELLAN: No, whether it's one, two, three, or 1,000, or 1,200 when you take in Iraq and Afghanistan, we mourn the loss of every one of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. They have made the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom and working to spread democracy in a volatile region of the world. And transforming the Middle East will make the world a better place and make America more secure. And so we honor all of the fallen.

END 4:14 P.M. CDT

Printer-Friendly Version

Email this page to a friend

Issues Economy Iraq Education National Security Homeland Security More Issues En Español Hurricane Relief   |   News Current News Press Briefings Proclamations Executive Orders Radio      |   News by Date   |   September 2004   |   August 2004   |   July 2004   |   June 2004   |   May 2004   |   April 2004   |   March 2004   |   February 2004   |   January 2004   |   December 2003   |   November 2003   |   October 2003   |   September 2003   |   August 2003   |   July 2003   |   June 2003   |   May 2003   |   April 2003   |   March 2003   |   February 2003   |   January 2003   |   December 2002   |   November 2002   |   October 2002   |   September 2002   |   August 2002   |   July 2002   |   June 2002   |   May 2002   |   April 2002   |   March 2002   |   February 2002   |   January 2002   |   December 2001   |   November 2001   |   October 2001   |   September 2001   |   August 2001   |   July 2001   |   June 2001   |   May 2001   |   April 2001   |   March 2001   |   February 2001   |   January 2001   |   Talk Back Ask the White House White House Interactive   |   Appointments Nominations Application