Q Ari, back to North Korea if I can, briefly. The Democrats
had a news conference on the Hill today, which they were sharply
critical of the administration. They said it is time for direct talks
with North Korea. And Tom Daschle said that the administration policy
strikes him as just basically playing for time. What's your reaction
to that?
MR. FLEISCHER: The administration approach is the importance of
working together in a multilateral fashion with China and Russia and
Japan and South Korea. After all, they have a stake in this, too. So
if somebody is suggesting that it's appropriate, given North Korea's
actions, to carve out Japan, China, Russia and South Korea, the White
House strongly disagrees and will pursue a multilateralist policy, not
a unilateralist one.
Q Ari, I didn't quite understand a couple references you made
earlier. You talked about how France made a number of statements
suggesting their position before a vote, which they ultimately gave
their assent. In that case, the reason the French did not veto or
abstain was because there was protracted number of weeks of
negotiations and some give-and-take on the language in the resolution.
Is that same process operable here?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, two points on that. One is, what's the
objection to the language that's been offered? It's very simple and
clear language, to enforce Resolution 1441. But, two, we have never
suggested that the language is written in stone. We, of course,
consult.
Q Can I ask you to answer specifically the question from one of
our colleagues here? Why has the President decided not to take
questions with Cardinal Laghi, when apparently we're told Cardinal
Laghi specifically requested it? Why does he not want to do that?
MR. FLEISCHER: I have not heard that that -- Cardinal Laghi
specifically requested questions. I have no information on that.
Certainly if that's the case, the he will be available to talk to you
afterwards. And the President -- at my last count, the President has
met with the press in taking questions on 214 occasions. And the
President looks forward to having a private meeting with the Papal
Emissary.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
MR. FLEISCHER: Thank you.
END 1:00 P.M. EST