For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 22, 2003
Press Gaggle by Ari Fleischer Aboard Air Force One En Route Crawford, Texas
Aboard Air Force One
En route Crawford, Texas
11:42 P.M. EDT
MR. FLEISCHER: The President, as you know, paid a visit to Capitol
Hill this morning. He spoke to the members ** to thank them for their
support, for their working together, for demonstrating that Congress
could get things done. He talked about national security issues, and
he said that "we are more secure than we were one year ago; and one
year ago, we were more secure than we were two years ago."
He talked about the changing nature of the war, talked about how
thanks to them and their funding for the military the war is now to
target the guilty while protecting the innocent. He talked about the
importance of the HIV/AIDS initiative that they just passed, and
thanked them for passing it. He said, "The support showed not only our
muscle, but our heart." On the growth package, he said, "Sometimes I
get everything I want, sometimes I don't." He said, it's important
that they agreed to this because of the "up front, stimulative" nature
of it. His words were the "upfront, stimulus." He also talked about
how it sends a signal to the markets and Congress to get something done
to boost the economy.
He urged the members to continue to engage in spending restraint,
the importance of spending restraint; said he was committed to spending
restraint. He informed them about Josh Bolten being named. Then he
talked about when they ? that they have a well deserved recess coming
up and he said, "you have more to do when you return." Specifically,
he cited prescription drugs and Medicare, energy legislation, a healthy
forest initiative and appropriations. And he concluded by thanking
them for what he called "great progress."
He returned to the White House, made the announcement about Josh.
And then aboard the airplane the President just got off the phone with
President Chirac of France. They discussed the upcoming G8 summit.
The President he is looking forward to attending it. It was a
productive phone call.
And then this afternoon the President will greet Prime Minister
Koizumi with a 4:00 p.m. arrival. That's pool coverage of the
arrival. And then he will have a very small dinner, along with Mrs.
Bush tonight for the Prime Minister. And of course, tomorrow's
events.
One last thing. The President today in his remarks publicly talked
about a season of accomplishment. The season just had more added to it
with the vote at the United Nations. The President is very grateful
that the world ahs come together to lift the sanctions on the
long-suffering Iraqi people. He is pleased that an agreement was
reached. He thinks this will help the Iraqis recover from the huge
damage that Saddam Hussein did to their country. The President wants
to thank Secretary Powell for his hard work in bringing together the
world behind the lifting of sanctions.
And with that, I'm questionable. (Laughter.) I'm open to take
questions. (Laughter.)
Q Ari, so the President is prepared to sign a tax cut that, A,
he said was an itty-bitty tax cut and maybe even smaller than that and
one that he previously said would not have the sort of stimulative
effect on the economy that he believes his original proposal would
have. So is that, in fact, his view now? That he will compromise and
he will sign this, but this is not going to have the impact on the
economy that he intended, it will have a lesser effect?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President looks forward to signing it. I'm
glad you asked me that. Here are the numbers, and it's very
interesting when you look at the exact agreement reached and the
make-up of the agreement and how it differs from the President's
original proposal, and the numbers speak volumes.
The President's original $726 billion proposal called for $191
billion worth in tax relief in the first two years. The original
House-passed plan of $550 billion called for $218 billion of tax relief
in the first two years. The original Senate $350 billion tax plan
called for $191 billion of tax relief in the first two years, similar
to the President's proposal.
The actual conference agreement that the President looks forward to
signing includes $226 billion worth of tax relief in the first two
years. The conference agreement has more stimulative impact upfront
than either the President's original proposal or the original House or
Senate bill. That's why the President views this as a very good
agreement.
Now, in the aggregate number in the out years the President is
getting less than he would have liked. He recognizes that. He wishes
it could be more. But he is pleased, nevertheless, that an agreement
was reached.
Q Okay, but understanding that, the President never made that
argument when he stood up in Ohio and said that Democrats want an
itty-bitty tax cut that won't have the same impact on the economy. So
was he aware of these numbers then and just didn't talk about it? Or
is this something that you guys have crunched the numbers to find
later?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think it gets down to the exact make-up and the
substantive nature of what they did, indeed, pass. It does provide for
a greater stimulus in the early years. And that was something that our
people working on the Hill kept an eye on, to make certain that the
economy got the biggest boost possible now.
But, clearly, the President wanted $726 billion. The President
believes that the best policy is to have tax cuts that are permanent,
with an accent on "the best." The President views this as not the
best. But he views it as very good and looks forward to signing it.
Q I mean, the President is on record now, he's taking a pretty
bold stand that tax cuts are the way to stimulate the economy,
particularly in the short-term. So what does he expect now will happen
in the short-term, say, over the next year, when it comes to jobs?
What is he, you know, putting himself out on a limb for?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the Council for Economic Advisors will likely
to an analysis of this bill to look at job growth. Their analysis of a
tax cut with slightly different provisions inside it, and concluded
that more than a million jobs would be created in '03-'04. And the
blue chip private forecasters had previously projected that a tax cut
of this level would add several tenths of percentage points to GDP.
They'll probably take a look now at the exact details of this update.
The President does believe this will provide a boost to the
economy; it will help the economy to grow faster and create more jobs
for the American people.
Q Ari, isn't that kind of cynical? I mean, when he was arguing
against the $350 figure, as David said, he called it little-bitty; he
didn't talk at all about the immediate stimulative effect, these
two-year numbers. And all of a sudden when he has something he wants
to sign, he switches his argument. I mean, that seems incredibly
cynical.
MR. FLEISCHER: I acknowledged that the President wishes it could
be bigger. But the President wants to get something done for the
country and he views this as a good way to get things done. And
particularly from an economic point of view, when you look at the fact
that this plan, which will now become law, means more of a boost for
the economy in the immediate term than even his own $726 billion
proposal, it's a good outcome.
Q Can I follow-up? The front page story today in the New York
Times on this CIA review of intelligence, what would you guys like to
see come out of that? And how do you view, you know ? how does this
play into the debate over whether you find weapons, whether they're
there, whether they're not still there?
MR. FLEISCHER: I have not yet had a chance to talk to the CIA to
verify that story. But let me just say broadly, it should not be
surprising that it's part of good government across the board to take a
look at all elements that led into assessments, particularly on the
part of military planning, to see what can be learned, what lessons can
be learned, and how accurate was information, to help you in the
future.
Q But are there not concerns in the White House that maybe you
guys jumped the gun on what you were accusing Iraq of having and the
capabilities, both nuclear, biological, chemical ? and that that's what
this review might produce? It seems to me that's why they're taking it
up.
MR. FLEISCHER: The CIA said to you that's why they're taking it
up?
Q I can only tell you what I read in the New York Times.
MR. FLEISCHER: I think it's ? exactly as I described to you. I
wouldn't be surprised if you looked back at other wars, that as a
common practice and a healthy practice for agencies to always look back
at operational issues, the way the operations that were carried out and
see what lessons can be learned for future uses of force if they become
necessary. That's proper, prudent planning.
Q The Chirac phone call, how long was it? Did they discuss
Iraq reconstruction?
MR. FLEISCHER: It was 10 minutes; they did not discuss Iraq.
Q Did they discuss the G8?
MR. FLEISCHER: They discussed the G8.
Q What was the atmosphere on ?
MR. FLEISCHER: They talked about the agenda for the G8, how the
President hoped that they could focus on alleviating poverty and
suffering. The President particularly looks forward to talking about
the AIDS initiative that he will have signed, that will help people
around the world.
Q Did he talk about gene altered products?
MR. FLEISCHER: That did not come up.
Q Did either leader raise the issue of U.S.-French relations
and the state thereof?
MR. FLEISCHER: T hey said they'll look forward to having additional
conversations when they see each other in person.
Q Did Chirac call him?
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, President Chirac called President Bush.
Chirac called him. I think I began by saying the two spoke.
Q Yes, you did, but since we're here, I thought the President
must have called him.
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the way it works is, they schedule a time and
then the worker bees put the call together. But, sequentially,
President Chirac made known to White House staff he would like to call
President Bush. That's how it works ? when you become a President,
apparently you're not allowed even if, you know, around the world, to
pick up the phone.
Q Is it true that the President suggested they just e-mail?
(Laughter.)
Q They spoke before the U.N. vote?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, they spoke after the U.N. vote.
Q -- did mention the fact that France voted for the resolution
-- said yesterday that they were going to vote for it ?
MR. FLEISCHER: I don't know if that came up or not.
Q Anything new coming up this afternoon or tomorrow, new U.S.
plans to pressure North Korea to drop its ambitions?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, but the President looks forward to the meeting
with the Prime Minister of Japan. They have a busy agenda. The United
States has a special relationship with Japan. They are a good friend
and partner to the United States. And their discussions will include
the situation in North Korea, which presents serious issues to the
Japanese people. I think the Japanese people have been very
disappointed in North Korea's action, particularly in regarding the
kidnapping of Japanese officials.
They will discuss economic matters between our nations. They'll
discuss reconstruction is Afghanistan, reconstruction in Iraq. Japan,
of course, is helping out in building the road in Afghanistan linking
three major Afghani cities. They are leading world partner in
developing that ? building, actually building a road, in addition to
financing it. I think those are about the key issues on the agenda.
Q Ari, I know that the diplomatic groundwork has been laid for
a fairly strong statement on North Korea from the two, much like with
President Roh of South Korea? What specifically will the President ?
can the President ask the Prime Minister to do on North Korea as that
goes forward?
MR. FLEISCHER: North Korea miscalculated. They thought that by
acting belligerently and threatening the development of nuclear
weapons, they could scare their neighbors, scare the United States and
receive a reward. In the course of the President's discussions with
regional leaders, including the Japanese, it's clear that there is a
united front that does not intend to reward blackmail; that will work
together to tell the North Koreans that they only hurt themselves and
further isolate their people and set back their cause of being
integrated into a growing economy in the region. That's been the tenor
of his conversations with all those nations ? notably China, and
including Japan and all our allies in the neighborhood.
Q Ari, given the fact that there's evidence that al Qaeda is
reconstituting itself, that it is posing a greater threat to U.S.
interests overseas, to our allies and, indeed, to the country ? there's
an orange alert now ? and that the United States, or the coalition
forces have not found evidence of a weapons program in Iraq, isn't it
appropriate for the American people to begin to doubt the primary
rationale for going to war in Iraq?
MR. FLEISCHER: One, the American people are very pleased for the
results of the war in Iraq, the reasons why the war was conducted. And
they continue to judge it as a wise and successful effort that makes us
better protected ? no changes in position on the weapons of mass
destruction issue, particularly given the fact that we now have
assessed that there are two biological mobile trucks that could have no
use other than for the production of biological weapons. These are
prohibited items. Iraq said they didn't have them. They've been
caught red-handed, they have them for the purpose of producing
weapons.
Q -- a conclusion that they, in fact, were part of a weapons
program. You're just saying what other use could they have had. But
that's not a firm conclusion yet.
MR. FLEISCHER: I think it's something that the American ? your
question was about the American people. I do think when the American
people see, hear about what Iraq's ownership of these trucks that they
denied, Amercian people will reach conclusions along the same lines the
President does.
Q But it doesn't change the fact that you guys have yet to find
any concrete evidence of a weapons program the way you claimed?
MR. FLEISCHER: Nothing has changed our confidence in the ultimate
outcome.
Q Ari, on a sporting note, what does the President think of
Annika Sorenstam playing in the PGA? I mean, he's a sports fan, he
can't have missed it, it's a huge story.
MR. FLEISCHER: I have not talked to him about it.
Q It's in Texas, as well. We've got lots of reason to talk to
him about it.
MR. FLEISCHER: I'll see if the President wants to wax about it.
Q -- if he's going to watch any of it? I mean, it's a big
story, you've got to admit, a big sports story.
MR. FLEISCHER: I'll see if wants to say anything. I'll also ask
him if he has any comment on the fact that the Yankees took two out of
three from the Red Sox ? back into first place.
Q While you're at it, ask him if he thinks Pete Rose should be
in the Hall of Fame.
MR. FLEISCHER: Ouch. (Laughter.) A hot-button topic. Please, go
back to asking me about Iraq and WMD.
Q Ari, any closer to a policy decision on Cuba, any official
response on that?
MR. FLEISCHER: Nothing beyond what you've heard today.
Q Thank you.
END 11:58 A.M. EDT
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