For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 27, 2002
Press Gaggle with Ari Fleischer
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Denver, Colorado
9:53 A.M. MDT
MR. FLEISCHER: Let's go. Okay. The President had his
intelligence briefings at the ranch this morning, and the President,
this morning from Air Force One, called the President of France. The
President called him to thank the French people on behalf of the
American people for their assistance in rescuing American students in
the Ivory Coast. The President praised the French government for its
actions and said the American people are grateful.
They also discussed the status of the resolution the President is
seeking at the United Nations. The President reiterated his desire to
work with the United Nations to have a firm and effective outcome as a
result of the discussions. The President appreciated the chance to
consult with the President of France.
The President will make remarks at the Bob Beauprez for Congress
luncheon in Colorado. The event is expected to raise a total of $1.7
million, with $1.2 million going to the state party.
In Arizona, the President will participate in the airport welcome,
and then he will make remarks at the Rick Renzi for governor* and Matt
Salmon for governor dinner. At this event, the President is expected
to raise $2.1 million, with $1.2 million going to the party, $200,000
going to the Renzi campaign, $700,00 going to the Salmon campaign.
Finally, the President is very pleased with the additional progress
that has been made on the language for the resolution in the Congress
to authorize the use of force concerning Iraq. The President is
optimistic that America's resolve to deal firmly with Saddam Hussein
will soon be echoed in the Congress. The President appreciates the
actions that have been taken by all the leaders involved. * Renzi for
Congress
He hopes that, now that the House has voted on homeland security
and intends to vote on the matter vis a vis Iraq, he hopes that the
Senate will vote on his proposal, his compromise, Democrats and
Republicans -- working with Democrats and Republicans alike -- the
President hopes the Senate will vote on that compromise homeland
security proposal prior to proceeding to the Iraq vote. The President
thinks it's important that the four weeks of debate come to a
conclusion; they've debated it long enough.
Q When you say additional progress on the language, what do
you mean? When he's talking about additional progress, what is he
referring to?
MR. FLEISCHER: The talks on Capitol Hill involving Democrats and
Republicans at the leadership level have proceeded very productively
throughout the week. And the administration, in an effort to listen to
some of the thoughts that we had heard from members of Congress, made
several changes in the resolution that had been sent up to the Hill
last week. And those changes have been well-received in most quarters,
and additional progress has been made. I know that Senator Daschle has
cleared the calendar for debate on this, beginning at the end of next
week. So the legislative mechanisms are falling into place for the
debate to begin, and progress has been made on the resolution.
That's why I said the President is optimistic that the resolve of
the American people to deal firmly with Saddam Hussein will soon be
echoed in the United States Congress.
Q Are you talking primarily about the language changes that
have been reported widely today, or are you talking about something in
addition to that?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, I'm talking about what you -- and I think what
the administration circulated yesterday up to the Hill recognizing the
consultations with the Congress has been publicly shared. You have
it.
Q On the French call, Ari, France and China seem to be lining
up behind a two-step U.N. resolution. The United States and Britain
are favoring a one-step. Is there room for compromise? How do you
bridge that gap? And did they talk about that issue?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President continues to believe that it has to
be firm and effective, that the resolution has to make clear that
Saddam Hussein is in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions;
that the resolution has to make clear what Iraq needs to do to come
into compliance, and the resolution has to make clear what will happen
if Iraq does not come into compliance.
Q That sounds like a one-step that --
MR. FLEISCHER: That's what the President --
Q So you're going to hold out for that?
MR. FLEISCHER: I just leave it as I described it.
Q He favors the one-step, doesn't he? I mean, that's his
preference, is it not?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President supports a resolution that has all
three of those components I just outlined -- component one,
declaration that Iraq is not in compliance; two, stating clearly what
Iraq needs to do to come into compliance; three, stating what will
happen if Iraq does not come into compliance.
Q All in a single resolution, right?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm sorry?
Q All in a single resolution, all three components --
MR. FLEISCHER: That's what the President thinks has to be in a
resolution, correct.
Q Gore said the war on terrorism has -- through the war on
terrorism the administration has been attacking civil liberties.
MR. FLEISCHER: (Laughter.) You know, it's hard to pay attention
to what Al Gore says because it's so hard to know what Al Gore really
believes, given how many times he's changed his position on Iraq. In
1991, he praised President Bush -- former President Bush -- publicly
for not going on to Baghdad and for not continuing --
Q He's not talking about Iraq.
MR. FLEISCHER: -- not continuing the military action. In his
speech the other day, he said he was personally offended that the
former President didn't bring the war to Baghdad. My point is that Al
Gore changes his story and his tune so often on so many different
issues that it's not an effective use of time to pay much attention to
what he says.
Q Do you disagree that the administration is attacking civil
liberties in its war on terrorism?
MR. FLEISCHER: Of course. The charge is without merit.
Q What about Gephardt talking more about the politicization
of the war in Iraq?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President urges no one to politicize this
debate. This is a very serious matter, and it needs to be handled
seriously by everybody. The country will benefit from a healthy and
civil discussion of this. And the President thanks Congressman
Gephardt for his leadership in working to get a successful resolution
completed.
Q Ari, some Democrats are calling for pushing the resolution
until after the elections. Is the President ruling that out as an
option?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President has clearly said, and the Congress is
already moving to pass a resolution before they leave for the year.
All right. Thanks everybody.
END 10:00 A.M. MDT
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