For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 10, 2003
Press Briefing by Ari Fleischer
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
12:33 P.M. EDT
MR.
FLEISCHER: Good afternoon. Let me give you a report on the President's
day. The President began with an intelligence briefing, followed by an FBI briefing.
He then had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand. There is a joint
statement from the United States and Thailand which will be circulated on the
meeting.
Later this afternoon in the Rose Garden, the President will make
remarks on the No Child Left Behind Act, as the states begin their
implementation of this important education reform program.
And later today, the President will meet with the President of
Uganda. I anticipate the President will discuss with the President of
Uganda his new AIDS initiative, which will be of tremendous value to
Africa. Uganda, of course, is a role model for many of the successful
programs that are working to fight AIDS in Africa.
And then later this afternoon, the President will meet with a group
of members of Congress, Republican members, to talk about upcoming
congressional actions and items. And with that, I'm happy to take your
questions.
Q Ari,
not long after you said the President was deeply troubled by Israel's
attack this morning on Abdul Rantisi, the Hamas leader, there was another helicopter
attack -- three Palestinians killed, 32 injured. What's the White House response
to that attack?
MR. FLEISCHER: The White House is just now beginning to receive
the reports about this second incident. We will study this carefully
to see what the facts and the circumstances are, and I have no
additional information. This is breaking news, so we want to ascertain
exactly what took place in this second series of events.
Q Now, you said earlier today that there were contacts between
the White House and both sides in the Mideast. Who made the contacts,
and who were the contacts with?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, first, let me say that the President is
deeply troubled as a result of the attack by Israeli helicopter
gunships that claimed at least two lives and wounded more than 20
people. The President regrets deeply the loss of life and the
innocent -- the injuries to innocent Palestinians. The President is
concerned that this strike will undermine efforts by the Palestinian
Authority and others to bring an end to terrorist attacks, and the
President thinks that this action does not contribute to Israel's
security.
To express this strong sentiment, the President has directed
members of his administration to carry that message to the Israelis and
to the Palestinians. As a result, a rather full-court press has been
made, conversations have been had and phone calls were made by National
Security Advisor Rice, Assistant Secretary of State Burns, the
counselor in Jerusalem Feltman, Ambassador Kurtzer, as well as Mr.
Abrams here at the National Security Council. A wide-ranging series of
phone calls have gone out to senior Palestinian and Israeli officials.
Q Did anybody talk with Ariel Sharon?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, the principals have not been contacted
directly. This has gone just at the levels I described.
Q Ari, the President's reaction today, the deeply troubled,
seemed to be stronger than his reaction yesterday, when there was
violence by Palestinian groups in an Israeli checkpoint in Gaza. Is
this -- are the two -- are the violations equal in his mind, or was
the one today of a more serious nature?
MR. FLEISCHER: To the President, this is not a linear matter of
which action presents the greatest threat to making progress toward
peace. They both do. And the President doesn't have to put one before
or after the other. The issue for the President is in the hopeful
moments after Aqaba and the hopeful moments leading up to Aqaba.
Neither party can afford to take actions that derail the road map
because it's too important to the peace and security and the well-being
of the Israeli people and the Palestinian people. And that's why the
President finds this deeply troubling.
Q Yesterday he insisted he was still optimistic, despite the
violence. Does this shake his optimism at all?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, I think the President would tell you he still
is optimistic that, as I put it, just said, what alternative do the
Israelis and the Palestinians have other than to pursue the road map,
to pursue peace? Because the alternative is surely one the President
believes they will reject, which is continue killing.
Q Does he intend to make --
MR. FLEISCHER: Campbell.
Q You said that a full-court press was underway after this
first attack, and I know you don't want to comment on the specifics of
the second attack, but it did take place, presumably after you made
this full-court press to key Israeli officials. Wouldn't this suggest
that they're ignoring you?
MR. FLEISCHER: No. I don't know how you can reach any conclusions
about it until you know what the facts and the circumstances are.
Let's await and find out what took place on the ground, what caused
this to happen, who caused this to happen, whether this was action of a
retaliatory nature, or whether it was action of a preemptive nature,
whether it was a planned attack action. We don't know those facts
yet. Those facts will be very important before anybody can make any
judgments about this second incident.
Q Can
I shift gears to Medicare? There's a number of reports, as I'm sure
you've seen today, suggesting that the White House is willing to compromise
on a Senate and House plan that would give equal benefits to those who choose
private plans versus those who stay in traditional Medicare. Are we going to
hear the President when he sort of goes out campaigning for this back off that
idea that better benefits should go to those seniors who choose private plans?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President believes very deeply, and he will
talk about this, for all seniors, everybody under Medicare to have
access to prescription drugs, and he wants to do so in a way that
expands choices and options for all seniors everywhere, under
Medicare. And that includes allowing them to have access to the
private plans, if that's what they want. And those private plans, as
just as is done for members of Congress through their health plan,
would give them choices and options. That's what the President
supports.
Q But should there be in those private plans and does the
President still support incentives, better benefits in the private
plans versus what they would receive in traditional Medicare?
MR. FLEISCHER: By supporting choices and options, the President
supports allowing seniors to make their own selections, so that seniors
who have needs for certain types of preventive care or treatment or
drugs at a certain level will be able to sign up for that level. Other
seniors who may want to have a different choice with different levels
will be free to sign up for that level, as well.
What the President wants is to get away from a cookie-cutter
approach to health care and allow individuals and empower individuals
who are seniors also to have choices in selections. The same choices
and selections seniors have when they're 64, why shouldn't they be able
to have those when they turn 65? That's the type of Medicare that the
President wants to create. The bottom line remains the same, that
seniors will get prescription drugs.
Q Does
it bother the President that he is asking for more time and patience
in the search for weapons when he denied that request to the U.N.?
MR. FLEISCHER: This is something we discussed at great length
yesterday, and there is a fundamental difference. The difference is,
when those previously asking for patience ask for it, it didn't matter
how patient anybody was, because Saddam Hussein was in charge of Iraq
and nobody was going to find anything, nobody was going to make any
progress, so long as Saddam Hussein hindered the ability of the
inspectors to do their jobs. Patience wouldn't have accomplished
anything.
We're now in the post-Saddam Hussein era where we have documents
that we never would have had otherwise; we have access to sites that we
never would have had otherwise; where we have the ability now to talk
to individuals who previously would have been shot if they talked. And
that totally changes the equation.
Q -- worth going to war for that, for thousands of people to
be killed?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think it was worth going to war to remove Saddam
Hussein from power, yes.
Q Ari, does the United States believe Israel --
MR. FLEISCHER: And by the way, I don't know if you noticed the New
York Times yesterday in the op-ed page, but I did think of you fondly
yesterday.
Q I think it was very unfair because they should have had my
comments. (Laughter.)
MR. FLEISCHER: That's why I liked it so much. (Laughter.) I do
hear your comments.
Q In
that first attack today, does the United States believe Israel acted
in disregard of the road map?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, when the President says that this action did
not contribute to the security of Israel, the road map is about the
security of Israel. And that's why the President is so troubled by
this Israeli action.
Q Okay. And secondly, the United States has used unmanned
aerial vehicles, for example, to take out or kill al Qaeda leaders in
Yemen. What's the difference between that sort of attack and what took
place today, where Hamas, which is recognized by the United States as a
terrorist group, was attacked?
MR. FLEISCHER: This President has been very up-front and will
continue to be very up-front about the right of Israel to defend
itself. But this attack deeply troubles the President particularly as
a result of the new environment that has been created in the post-Aqaba
era. That means both parties agree that the best way to dismantle
terror, and therefore, enhance Israel's security and the livelihoods of
the Palestinian people is through the actions laid out in the road
map. Both parties said they would follow the road map. And the
President wants to remind all parties about their responsibilities.
Today he reminds Israel.
Q So this attack was outside, was not following the road map
and he's trying to keep them back on it?
MR. FLEISCHER: That's correct.
Q Ari, if the President is so deeply troubled, why doesn't he
pick up the phone and call Ariel Sharon?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think there is a -- moments when the President
will decide when it's appropriate for this to be a presidential contact
and --
Q This doesn't rise to that level?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think again, remember the history of the
Middle East. You want the parties to be able to work together to solve
these problems with the help of the President of the United States,
without the President of the United States being the only crutch that
they have to get anything done. It's important that they can rely on
the President, but it's also important for the parties to take actions
themselves. And the administration is actively engaged through the
series of phone calls made in helping the parties to find that way.
Q To switch to Uganda
for just a brief moment, will the President of Uganda press -- will the President
press the President of Uganda on Uganda's involvement in Congo's civil war,
in addition to talking about AIDS?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, frequently regional issues do come up. And
the meeting is scheduled to take place in a couple of hours, and so
we'll give you a report afterwards. I can't predict everything that
comes up in these meetings, but as I say, regional matters do come up.
Terry, did I -- I'm sorry.
Q Just one question. Does the President still believe Ariel
Sharon is a man of peace?
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, he does. But this is a test for all those who
are committed to peace and committed to the road map to reenforce that
commitment to the road map and rededicate themselves to the road map,
because that is the best way to achieve peace.
Q Was
there any discussion of San Sun Kyi this morning and is the administration
contemplating additional sanctions against Myanmar if she's not released?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President and the Prime Minister in the meeting
expressed their deep concern over recent developments in Burma, in
particular the violence that occurred on May 30th. The two leaders
agreed on the need for immediate release of San Sun Kyi and other
National League for Democracy members.
Q Is there a possibility of increased sanctions?
MR. FLEISCHER: As you know, as a result of some of the action that
was just taken in the annual renewal of the national emergency with
respect to Burma, we have prohibited new investment in Burma by all
United States -- all persons in the United States. We extended for
one year the national emergency and associated sanctions with respect
to Burma as a result of the actions that were taken. We have great
concerns about the actions that are being taken in Burma.
Q Ari, two on the Middle East. Is it simply the fact that
there was an attempt at a targeted strike against an individual that is
deeply disturbing, or is it the timing of it? Would it be okay if we
weren't a week after the summit?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, what's important to note is both Israel and the
Palestinian Authority have vowed to work together to dismantle
terrorism, which is how Israel will have the security most enhanced.
And according to the road map, which all the parties have agreed to,
the dismantlement of terrorism will come as a result of the actions
taken by the Palestinian Authority. And that's what's been agreed to.
And this President has continued to say that Israel has a right to
defend itself, but in this instance, in this post-Aqaba environment,
the parties adhere and agreed to adhere to the road map. That's the
way to the future. That's the way to security. And that's why the
road map is so important. And that's why the President today reminds
Israel and the Palestinian Authority of the importance of getting back
to the road map.
Q Israel says in some ways it is left with no choice because
Prime Minister Abbas has said he will not crack down, at least
immediately, on these groups. He wants to negotiate with them, and
they have, of course, been publicly taking responsibility for killing
Israeli soldiers just in recent days. In the conversations with the
Palestinians today, was there any pressure from the White House to
essentially prove to Israel the Palestinians are willing to take
security matters into their own hands and round up these people?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think the Palestinians are aware of that
responsibility that they have, and that's why the President thinks it's
important for the Arab nations, as well as Israel, to help support
Prime Minister Abbas; therefore, he will have more means to crack down
on the terrorists and to implement the dismantling.
Q Yes, but Prime Minister Abbas stills says he will negotiate
with them. These groups have publicly claimed responsibility for
killing Israel soldiers. They are, I would assume by your definition,
terrorists.
MR. FLEISCHER: The road map is a results-oriented plan. The next
step is determined by whether or not results were achieved in the first
step. And that's how the road map has to be looked at. Results have
started to be achieved. It's now important to build on those results,
despite this violence, and not to let this violence deter both parties
from engaging in fulfillment of their responsibilities.
And we've been very clear, very plain that a cease-fire is not
enough, dismantlement is what is required. But there have to be steps
taken toward that dismantlement. And this is where the President wants
to create this environment for the Prime Minister to be successful --
the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority.
Q Ari,
the President is going to be talking about education and the No Child
Left Behind Act. The Democrats are saying that he has not lived up to his commitment
in terms of funding this act. Is that the case?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, you know, Washington is a town where spending
is very easy for people to do. After all, they're taking the
taxpayers' money and spending it. And the fact of the matter is our
nation today is spending the historically highest amount of money on a
federal level of education ever. And for some people, the highest
level ever isn't high enough. But under the President's budget, the
federal commitment to education in dollar terms is higher than ever.
And it represents a boost in education to $53.1 billion, an increase of
nearly $11 billion since the President took office.
So, yes, this President is committed to funding for education, to
full funding for education, to proper funding for education. But,
again, for some people the highest ever isn't high enough.
Q Are there some unintended consequences of this plan that the
President might want to address, such as children from failing schools
are unable to be placed in more desirable schools for lack of openings,
just as an example?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, as you know, one of the reforms that the
President has sought, but did not get, was to help children who were in
failing schools so they could be able to move to the school of the
parents' choice, including private schools. There were some modest
reforms that were put in there that allowed them to move to more
limited options, in terms of other schools that were successful.
But what the President is going to talk about this afternoon is how
this bill helps to improve education for children, because it really
focuses on lifting up standards and not teaching down, but building and
lifting up by having standards set at a level that are achievable, but
also mean that children actually learn. They're not set at levels are
so low that parents have kids who graduate from class unable to read,
even though they were able to advance.
That's what this does. It creates a new standard, a standard of
higher expectations, which the President is confident our schools can
achieve. And he's given them the resources and working with the
teachers and provided the training to make that happen.
Q Ari, on the full-court press, can you tell us how quickly
that was set into motion and who it was that officials called? Did
they call the Palestinians and --
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes. It was immediate. I think Dr. Rice informed
the President shortly after 7:00 a.m. this morning in the Oval Office
about the attack. The President's reaction was just as I've read to
you. And that set in motion a series of actions and phone calls and
conversations at the President's instructions.
Q To both sides, Palestinians and Israelis?
MR. FLEISCHER: Both sides.
Q And how high up?
MR. FLEISCHER: To the appropriate counterpart levels, as these
phone calls were made.
Q In other words, just below the Prime Minister level?
MR. FLEISCHER: That's correct.
Q One
question on the weapons of mass destruction issue. The President
yesterday said three times in a row "weapons programs," rather than "weapons."
Did the President intend to shift the focus here or establish a new position
to in any way suggest a change in what he alleged before --
MR. FLEISCHER: No, as you know from listening to the President on
this issue repeatedly, when the President talked about weapons
programs, he includes weapons of mass destruction in that.
Q So he means by weapons, weapons programs, he means weapons,
themselves?
MR. FLEISCHER: That's correct.
Q I mean, but he used "weapons programs" three times in a row.
What should we make of that?
MR. FLEISCHER: You know how the President has addressed this issue
repeatedly over time. I'm telling you I don't think you should make
anything of it, because I know what the President meant. When he said
"weapons programs," he includes weapons of mass destruction, as you
heard him say on numerous occasions.
Q So he uses them interchangeably?
MR. FLEISCHER: That's correct. He did yesterday.
Q In the contacts with the Israelis and Palestinian officials,
is the White House seeking an explanation of what happened, or pressing
for something affirmative to occur?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think in this case, it's making certain
that Israel understands as clearly as they do as a result of these
calls what the President thinks about their actions.
Q That it's out of bounds with the road map?
MR. FLEISCHER: That's correct.
Q One on the Middle East and one on Medicare. If I understand
the timing of the call that you outlined a moment ago, they would have
been made after the first attack, but before the second one. Should we
draw any conclusions, therefore, about the efficacy of these calls?
MR. FLEISCHER: That's Campbell question. Unless you can tell me
right now what all the facts and the circumstances are of this attack
that literally took place just prior to this briefing, I don't know how
you're in a position to make any judgments about it.
Q So you're holding out the possibility, at least, that the
second attack would not be out of bounds from the road map and might be
a legitimate --
MR. FLEISCHER: I think at all times, everywhere in the world, it's
important to ascertain the facts. That's particularly the case here in
the Middle East in the wake of this second incident. We will find
out. These are knowable things. And so, literally, I was scheduled
for this briefing at 12:30 p.m., I saw the stories on the wire shortly
before I came out here. I already started to make the phone calls to
find out the facts. And we are gathering them. So I think this will
all be clear, it's just not clear as we speak here. And that's why
-- and I know you wouldn't jump to conclusions until you knew the
facts.
Q One
on Medicare. What's the President's attitude toward the compromise
that was reached between House and Senate negotiators that's now moving forward?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President is, one, very pleased with the
fact that progress is being made on getting seniors prescription
drugs. This is a change in the Congress. This has been an issue that
has bitterly divided Democrats from Republicans, that has separated the
House from the Senate. And now for the first time it looks like the
House and Senate are coming together to get something done. The
President is cheered by that, because that's how you help our nation's
seniors.
Now, it's a very complicated matter with a lot of moving parts in
it. And I suspect a lot of these moving parts will get settled on in
the conference committee between the House and the Senate. And the
administration is working very closely with the House and the Senate,
Democrats and Republicans alike, to move this forward, to get it into
conference, so a lot of these issues can be addressed. And I think all
Americans should be heartened by the fact that 2003 looks like it very
well may be the year where seniors are able to get the prescription
drugs they deserve.
Q Some members interpreted Secretary Thompson's comments to
them yesterday as support for the notion that the same prescription
drug benefit would be available to all seniors, regardless of which
plan they were in. Did they misunderstand him?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think I addressed that earlier in my discussion
of choices and options and the federal employee health benefit plan.
Q Well, not quite. Can we just pin this down? You're saying
that that's not the way Secretary Thompson's comments --
MR. FLEISCHER: Secretary Thompson was making clear just what I
said, that we -- the President supports the process of moving this
forward so that we can address these issues once we get to the
conference. And the ideal bill the President sees, that improves and
modernizes and strengthens Medicare the most, is by giving seniors the
same options that current members of Congress and their staffs have.
Helen, did you have a contribution? I couldn't overhear you as you
were --
Q Ari, back on the Middle East. Do you expect to make a
statement with regard to the second attack once you get some facts
today?
MR. FLEISCHER: Again, we are doing due diligence. We are going to
take a look at the facts, take a look at the circumstances. And as we
have those facts, we will have answers.
Q Does the President view this latest attack -- I mean, the
first attack, anyway -- as a setback to the road map?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President views the attack this morning
as an action that does not contribute to the security of Israel. The
road map contributes to the security of Israel.
Q Newspapers
in recent days have been filled with articles about lying, cheating
criminality at high levels. You have Martha Stewart charged with insider trading,
indicted for obstruction; Sammy Sosa using a corked bat. On the front page of
the Post today --
MR. FLEISCHER: Russell, you're not going to blame President Bush
for Sammy Sosa, are you? (Laughter.)
Q I'm just asking a question. On the front page of the Post
today you've got WorldCom execs inflating revenues and Freddie Mac
execs fired for doctoring the books, and so forth. I'm wondering, is
the President concerned about sort of a culture of cheating and lying
and criminality taking hold in the country? And if he is, what does he
plan to do about it?
MR. FLEISCHER: Russell, I think that's a rather pessimistic
statement to make about the American people and the American
character. And the President wouldn't share that. I think to the
President what it indicates is a need to have a society of laws where
the laws are vigorously enforced, no matter who violates them; and to
have ethics that are followed at home and in the workplace and
corporate boards. That's how the President approaches it. But, no,
the President would have a different approach to what it means
society-wide.
Q John Wolf was named as the monitor for the Mideast talks
after the road map. Is there any change in his status, and is he in
the Middle East yet, or is he --
MR. FLEISCHER: Not yet. He's scheduled to leave in the next
several days.
Q Is there any thought being given to holding him off?
MR. FLEISCHER: Nothing that I've been made aware of, no.
Q On
the talks with the Prime Minister of Thailand, did AIDS come up,
use of the AIDS fund, that particular problem in that part of the world?
MR. FLEISCHER: I don't believe it did come up in that meeting.
There's nothing I have that leads me to think that. Let me correct
that. I see in the joint statement, they do talk about -- and this
is in the joint statement you'll have this shortly -- the U.S.-Thai
partnership on a wide variety of tropical infectious diseases including
HIV-AIDS. That's in the statement. Whether that was actually
discussed or not, I don't know.
Q Ari, highest U.S. official -- the Deputy Prime Minister of
India is in Washington, and he was at the White House yesterday and
today meeting with the highest level of U.S. officials, including Dr.
Rice, and also Vice President Cheney. And also, I understand yesterday
the President also --
MR. FLEISCHER: Dropped by.
Q Dropped by. Was there any commitment from the President or
Dr. Rice as -- into India from Pakistan and Kashmir? Or U.S. will
not sell any arms to Pakistan when General Musharraf comes next week?
MR. FLEISCHER: We, the administration continues to work very
closely with Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Musharraf,
about -- President Musharraf about the need to make certain that
action is taken to prevent infiltration of the Zone of Control into
Kashmir. And that continues to be a repeated part, and an important
prominent part of our foreign policy in the region.
Q Any commitment that U.S. is not selling arms to Pakistan?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, we continue to provide for Pakistan as an ally,
and we continue to provide them with assistance.
Q Yesterday,
Ari, in your answer to my question, you referred to Prime Minister
Abbas as "the leader of the Palestinian Authority." But last month, Abbas himself
said, "Arafat is the top of the Palestinian Authority. He's the man to whom
we refer, regardless of the American or Israeli view of him." And my question,
how can the Bush -- I've got a follow-up -- how can the Bush administration
possibly refer to Abbas as the real leader when the said Abbas, as well as the
official Palestinian newspaper still identify Arafat as the leader?
MR. FLEISCHER: Because this is the President's approach. It is
well-known. The President recognizes the Prime Minister of the
Palestinian people as their leader. And he thinks that's the effective
way to proceed.
Q Across the country, people are wondering just what date in
July you are going to leave us. And there is also concern about the
absence of any progress report in the selection of a successor to match
your mettle. (Laughter.) Surely, you can help us out in this area of
concern, can't you, Ari?
MR. FLEISCHER: Lester, that is problem one of the most meddlesome
questions you've ever asked. (Laughter.)
Q What date, Ari?
MR. FLEISCHER: I will be leaving just as I indicated earlier in
the --
Q Sometime in the July?
MR. FLEISCHER: -- the middle of July.
Q Middle, about the 15th?
MR. FLEISCHER: Somewhere right around there, in the middle of
July.
Q And what about the process of selecting a successor?
MR. FLEISCHER: As you know, I don't speculate about personnel.
But you'll like the successor.
Q I will?
Q Thank you. Yesterday, Senator Craig was criticized for
holding up Air Force promotions. Today, Senator Patty Murray is
putting a stop on releasing funds for homeland security in Washington
state. There's two
judicial filibusters going on, with a third on the way. Will you
comment on the obstructionist mentality that's taken over the Senate?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, it's important for the President's
nominations to proceed. And that message, we are confident, has been
received. And we respect Senator Craig, but it's important for those
nominations to proceed.
Q Ari, back on Israel. U.S. weapons sales to Israel are
predicated on the premise that those weapons be used strictly for
self-defense. In saying today that the actions did not contribute to
the security of Israel, is that tantamount to saying these are not
regarded as self-defense?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think the action, the statement that I made
speaks for itself as representing what the President thinks about
this.
Q Is there any difference between that statement and saying,
this was not self-defense?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, I wouldn't try to parse the statement beyond
what I've said about it.
Q And second, can you tell us what Senator Biden and Lugar were
doing over here earlier today?
MR. FLEISCHER: Don't know. They weren't meeting with the
President -- best I could tell. Although that's the first I've heard
they were here. But I was with the President for much of the morning,
and unless there was something that I'm not aware of, they had no
meetings with him.
Q On
postwar Iraq, how important is it to the administration to get multilateral
support and resources for peacekeeping, for rebuilding? Are there targets for
manpower, money from countries around the world?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, it is important to have the involvement of
much of the world -- there are many nations around the world in the
reconstruction of Iraq, and many nations are willing to do that.
Different nations will play different parts. Nations will send
peacekeeping forces there. Other nations will participate
financially. Other nations will participate in the reconstruction
effort. I anticipate at some point down the road there will be a donor
conference to help Iraq. And of course, many countries want to trade
with Iraq as the Iraqi infrastructure grows.
Q But at this point, there are no targets for numbers of people
that you would want to have in Iraq?
MR. FLEISCHER: I would let DOD handle anything involving targets
when it comes to peacekeepers, things of that nature. They are the
best agency to give you the answers on that.
Q How would you describe the tone of the full-court press
discussions?
MR. FLEISCHER: Frank. I think it was direct.
Q Was there a direct call for each side to stop shooting? Was
that the thrust of it?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, I think it very much followed the message that
I had given you from the President. There's a reason to expect that
anybody calling at the direction of the President would give anything
other than what the President has said.
Q You spoke directly about what the message to Israel was. But
can you elaborate on what the message to the other side was?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the message to the Palestinian Authority
remains the same, that it is important to dismantle terrorism; that the
terrorists still represent a great threat to the security of Israel and
the security of the region; and it is vital for all parties to focus on
security and the dismantlement of terrorism. And the Palestinian
Authority has a responsibility, still, to do that.
Q Ari, on another subject, on the Hill, it seems Republicans
are thwarting a chance by some Democrats to honor Shoshanna Johnson,
the female African American POW, first -- female African American
POW. What are your thoughts as Republicans have a new era of inclusion
in trying to court African Americans to come into their camp, and then
they're doing this?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, first of all, I'm not aware of any of what
you've described involving Shoshanna Johnson. It's the first I've
heard of this. What I just submit to you, there's nothing new about
Republicans being inclusive. That is what Republicans believe and that
is something that Republicans worked very hard to do. It's, after all,
what our country is based on.
Q Ari,
yesterday in Chile Secretary Powell made a call to all the leaders
of the Western Hemisphere to support the U.S. on the way to the democratization
of Cuba. How do United States wants to get the other countries to help in the
situation in Cuba when at the OAS, the countries of the Western Hemisphere reject
a proposition by the United States to condemn the situation with human rights
in Cuba?
MR. FLEISCHER: There's no question the United States has strong
views about what's happening in Cuba because this President has strong
views about the protection of human rights, and about treating people
with dignity. And Fidel Castro is one of the worst human rights
violators on the globe. You can take a look at his recent actions and
the recent arrests of some of the human rights leaders in Cuba, to see
his most recent egregious actions.
Q Do you think there is some hypocrisy on the side of the
countries of Latin America rejecting -- to condemn the situation on
human rights, and at the same time, calling for the democratization of
Cuba?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think Secretary Powell is in the region for
important meetings to talk about this, as well as a number of other
topics. And he's working closely in a constructive fashion with those
countries.
Q How concerned is the President about the increasing
resistance in Iraq against the American troops? And when does the
President think that the Iraqi people will finally have a
representative government, security, and the freedom he promised them?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, keep in mind, the President said that major
combat operations are over, and he warned that Iraq remains a very
dangerous place. And it's dangerous because there are still elements
of the Baath Party there, and they still want to fight for a regime
that has failed and died. But their elements of power remain. And
these elements are in particular areas, particular neighborhoods, and
they present a threat to the future of Iraq because these are the same
people who enslaved the Iraqi people, who are the loyalists of Saddam
Hussein. So, on the one hand, it's not a surprise that these people
are continuing to fight. And we will, as the President has said, stay
there to help the Iraqi people to find a secure and peaceful future.
And the President meant it. We will.
Q Sorry, just -- is it the President thinking that the Iraqi
people really want the American troops to be there, and just the Baath
elements who are fighting against them, against the troops?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think there's no question. When you look around
much of the country, you see pockets of tranquility in much of the
country. But there are also very dangerous places. And typically, of
course, the dangerous places is what you hear, or read, or see most
about.
But there is, indeed, a growing improvement in the lives and the
conditions of the Iraqi people. And, thankfully, they are free. And
they're able to now begin to engage in what we call a horizontal -- a
horizontal conversation, as opposed to a vertical conversation, where
previously they were ordered what to do, and what to say, and what to
think. And now, they're able to start beginning, to begin the messy
process that is known as freedom and democracy.
Q Two quick questions. Does the President have any opinion on
this Internet gambling regulations bill that's making its way through
the Congress?
MR. FLEISCHER: As typical, you might see a statement of
administration policy on it. I have not looked at it or brought it
with me. So it's being considered by the House today. I anticipate
there would be a SAP on it.
Q Okay, and one more on the Middle East. Maybe I missed this,
but wasn't the attack against the five Israelis a terrorist attack?
MR. FLEISCHER: If you're referring to the action that took place
several days ago, where a joint group of Palestinian- terrorists
combined, wearing Israeli uniforms, to attack Israelis, yes, it was.
Q So was that condemned?
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, it was.
Q Ari, is the Congress making any progress in funding the
President's Millennium Challenge Account to fight poverty in struggling
countries around the world? Is the MCA program still one of his top
priorities?
MR. FLEISCHER: It indeed is. The President announced this in
Monterrey as a way to get help to nations around the world, developing
nations that are actually engaging in real, meaningful reform, so that
the money is able to go right to the people and is not syphoned off
into corruption. And the President continues to push the Congress to
make progress on this. It is a top priority.
Q Thank you, Ari.
MR. FLEISCHER: Thank you.
END 1:12 P.M. EDT
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