For Immediate Release
June 19, 2003
Press Gaggle by Ari Fleischer
Air Force One
En route Minneapolis, Minnesota
12:03 A.M. EDT
MR. FLEISCHER: All right. I'll give you a report. The
President, prior to departure, had the intelligence and the FBI
briefing. And he will arrive at Micro Control Company this afternoon
and will have a meeting with small business owners and employees. We
have a handout on who they are for you. And then he'll make remarks on
the economy.
The Micro Control Company is a manufacturer of test equipment for
the electronics industry and was founded by Harold Hamilton in 1972. A
year later, Micro Control designed the first microprocessor controlled
test system. This was the first in a series of technological
innovations made by this company. Today they deal predominantly with
burn-in testing, which is the process of stressing and testing
electrical devices to ensure optimum performance. The process forces
defective devices to fail before they are incorporated into assemblies,
therefore making sure that assemblies are done in as safe a way as
possible, and in a way that the product is useable.
The company's product line includes high power burn-in test systems
for memory and logic applications, automatic test equipment,
supplemental equipment. Among the company's list of the customers are
AT&T;, Bell Labs, Intel, some of the big telecommunication companies.
Another way to describe what they do, to put it more succinctly is
they help American companies to produce the world's finest technology,
from Internet servers to microwave ovens.
Q Microwave ovens, okay. (Laughter.)
MR. FLEISCHER: I had to go from the briefing papers to the
President's speech to make the translation.
And then the President will return to the White House this evening
and that is that. So I am at your disposal.
Q Do you have any reaction to the IAEA's report on Iran's
nuclear efforts? And, secondly, in his comments yesterday what kind of
new line was the President trying to draw, in terms of Iran's seeming
clandestine efforts to achieve a nuclear weapon?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President welcomes the international
community's report about Iranian attempts to develop nuclear weaponry.
The report stated that Iran had -- there are a number of past failures
by Iran to report material, facilities and activities as required by
safeguard applications.
The report noted that the enrichment plan that Iran is under IAEA
safeguards, and the board encouraged Iran not to introduce nuclear
material at the pilot enrichment plant, as a confidence building
measure. And then the board called on Iran to take two specific
concrete steps. One is to permit the IAEA to take environmental
samples at locations inside Iran. And they also call on Iran to ratify
an additional protocol making certain that Iran is acting in a way that
provides assurances to the international community of the peaceful
nature of Iran's nuclear activities.
The board is concerned, the international community is concerned
and the President is concerned. The President welcomes this report.
It's international reinforcement of the President's message yesterday
that the world, broadly speaking, joins together in fighting
proliferation and making certain that Iran does not develop nuclear
weapons.
Q Iran rejected those, quickly rejected those requests,
though, today, according to the reports just before we left. What
next?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I've seen mixed commentary on what Iran's
reaction has been. Iran did not support the board. All nations of the
IAEA supported this; Iran did not. But then Iran has issued statements
welcoming this. So I think it remains to be seen what Iran's reaction
will be.
But if Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, why wouldn't they
cooperate fully and completely with the IAEA?
Q Ari, is there a military option on the table for dealing
with Iran?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President wanted to see what the IAEA
reported. Clearly, the United States and the international community
share the same concerns about Iran. The President's hope is that the
future of Iran will be decided by the Iranian people. There is a
tremendous young population in Iran that is yearning for a better way
of life and a more tolerant way of life. That's where the President is
focused.
Q Will there be more efforts to go to the U.N., to bring this
before the Security Council?
MR. FLEISCHER: The IAEA just made its report. I think the world
will be very interested in Iranian reaction -- and Iranian reaction
will be telling. If the Iranians are pursuing peaceful nuclear energy,
as they claim they are, then they have every reason to comply with the
IAEA's request, particularly the two specific requests to take the
environmental sample and to sign the additional protocol.
So I think the international community will watch Iran's next
move.
Q So is the President still undecided on whether he believes
Iran is, in fact, already committed to acquiring a weapon? Or does he
-- I mean, does he think that Iran has actually made that decision?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President is concerned about Iranian efforts
that indicate they want to acquire nuclear weaponry. And as the
President said, we -- which is an expression representing the
international community -- will not tolerate Iranian development of
nuclear weaponry, which is exactly what the IAEA report is all about.
The world's protocols for fighting against proliferation are
important and that's why Iran needs to comply. Otherwise, the world
will conclude that Iran may be producing nuclear weapons.
Q Does the U.S. have any sort of leverage going forward? If
so, what?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think already the European Union has taken a look
at this report and they will make their judgments about ongoing trade
with Iran. But proliferation remains a vital issue around the world --
unless the international community is content to let various nations
acquire nuclear weapons. The President is not. The international
community is not. And this is why the report by the IAEA today is
significant.
Q Ari, what kind of support can you give the protesters in
Iran, other than just verbal support?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think history has shown, and there are many
recent examples of it in eastern Europe and in the former Soviet Union,
that when the President of the United States speaks out with moral
clarity and urges governments to engage in openness and tolerance, and
to welcome dissent and democracy, it has a profound impact. And it's a
message that is well received by people who yearn for freedom.
That's not to make light of it, that's an important action that
American Presidents have taken in the past, and that this President has
taken today.
Q Is there a concern that there could be a backlash against
these people, when you come out in support of them?
MR. FLEISCHER: The choice is be silent in the face of brave people
who seek tolerance, who seek freedom, or speak out as the President
takes the side of those who seek freedom and opportunity.
Q -- the President made clear that he's not taking any
options off the table. Does he reserve that same right to not take any
options off the table with dealing with nuclear proliferation in
whatever country it might be?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think it's a fair statement that this President,
as a matter of overall policy around the globe, does not take options
off the table.
Q Does that apply to Iran, as well? Are you saying that the
military option is not off the table?
MR. FLEISCHER: I re-state what I said, that as a broad matter of
policy that applies around the globe, the President does not take
options off the table.
Q Has the President talked to the Secretary of State, in
terms of his visit to Jordan, upcoming?
MR. FLEISCHER: I don't know.
Q Is he optimistic that Powell can accomplish anything?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think the President is hopeful. There continue
to be many conversations between the United States, the Israelis and
the Palestinians. As you know, the President yesterday spoke with
President Mubarak of Egypt. And this is all aimed at helping the
Israelis and the Palestinians to find a way to cooperate on the
security front. The President thinks the best way to protect Israel's
security is for a strong Israel to cooperate with a Palestinian
Authority that's dedicated to fighting terror; and for a Palestinian
Authority to cooperate with Israel.
Q I was going to ask about this weekend. After he gets back
from Georgia, what happens -- Saturday, Sunday?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President will be at the White House over the
weekend. He has t-ball Sunday, opening game of t-ball season.
Q Anything Saturday?
MR. FLEISCHER: Chairman Ripken.
Q What about Berlusconi? Is he coming into town this
weekend?
MR. FLEISCHER: He's too old to play in the game. (Laughter.) But
he appreciates your interest.
Q Is he disappointed you're not letting him? He's coming in
July, isn't he?
MR. FLEISCHER: Prime Minister Berlusconi is not coming this
weekend.
Q Ari, I just have a question on Iraq. I was wondering if
you had any reaction to the Wall Street Journal article saying that the
White House is considering a plan to use future oil revenues to help
pay for Iraq reconstruction?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President has always said the Iraqi oil revenue
belongs to the people of Iraq. And, of course, that will be used to
help them in improving their lives and better their lives, which is all
part of reconstruction.
Q Isn't it a problem that the pipeline -- the production
capacities have been destroyed? They've analyzed and the pipelines
won't be in operation for at least six months, so it will be a while
longer than you thought before oil revenues can come on stream. Is
there something to do in the meantime to provide revenues for Iraq?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, indeed, there are issues that have to be
addressed and have been addressed and continue to be addressed in
helping the Iraqis to increase their oil production. Oil production
has, in fact, been increasing. The exact pace of it will be determined
by engineering facts on the ground. You can talk to -- probably the
folks in Iraq would have the statistics on it. I didn't bring them
back to the airplane with me on what levels of increase have already
taken place, but they've been marked. There is more room to grow, and
it's important to help the Iraqis to get increasingly back on line.
Q But is the administration considering some form of credits,
to give credits now for oil that will come on line later?
MR. FLEISCHER: I don't know. You'd have to talk to the people
directly involved in that. I don't know.
Q Anything new on that missing plane in Africa?
MR. FLEISCHER: I've heard nothing new.
Q The committee that decides when recessions begin and end
says it can't -- it still doesn't have enough data to say that the last
recession has ended. Does the administration think the recession may
still be going on?
MR. FLEISCHER: I had not heard that. I can tell you that -- just
remembering right off the top of my head, we do know from the
Department of Commerce, I think is the agency that releases economic
growth figures, GDP, that of course the first three quarters of 2001
were negative, the fourth quarter of 2001 was positive; then you had,
of course, five percentage point growth in the first quarter of 2002,
and then you've had a jagged period of growth since then.
Q It isn't only growth. There are other factors that this
committee looks at, too.
MR. FLEISCHER: You're referring to the group, the Institute for
Business -- IBRE or IBER, I believe is what its title is. Tom, I just
haven't heard that specific report today. But judging by the patterns
of growth in the economy, which is where -- which is pretty much a
traditional measurement, the economy emerged from recession in the fall
of 2001 and has had low growth since then.
Q Was the President disappointed on the jobless claims report
this morning?
MR. FLEISCHER: It's not a practice to comment on the weekly
unemployment insurance claims, because of the great fluctuation. This
is a weekly report that comes out on Thursday. I can tell you, not
from the President's point of view --
Q They stayed below --
MR. FLEISCHER: I think they stayed below. I think they were 4,000
market expectations. The market expected, I think, 425,000 claims and
they came in at 421,000, if I recall.
Q And they also stayed above 400,000 for the 18th consecutive
week.
MR. FLEISCHER: The President continues to think unemployment is
too high, and that's why he's focused, as he will today, on the jobs
package and on growth and on recovery. That remains his top domestic
priority. But in terms of today's report, specifically, the market had
expected 425,000, it came in 4,000 lower than market expectations.
Q Does he draw anything from that at all, or is it too
small?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, economists will tell you definitely not to draw
overall implications from the weekly UI claims, because there's too
much fluctuation. And, of course, unemployment is a lagging
indicator. Growth typically kicks in faster than -- earlier than the
unemployment rates decline.
Q Are you guys taking credit for the stock market surge of
recent weeks, Ari?
MR. FLEISCHER: No.
Q Why not?
MR. FLEISCHER: Because the stock market is something that
investors make their decisions about. They make their decisions on a
variety of factors that can include the status of the overall economy.
The President's focus is on improving the status of the overall
economy, which creates a wonderful ripple throughout many sectors of
the economy, that can include markets. It also includes people's
ability to find work and people's productivity, people's income, all of
which affects the economic well-being in American's lives. But, no,
the answer is no.
I do notice that the gigantic down arrows that used to accompany
the President's speeches are no longer seen, and they have not --
interestingly, and I don't understand why -- been replaced by gigantic
up arrows as he speaks. (Laughter.)
Q Does he ever look down to see those arrows when he's
talking? (Laughter.)
MR. FLEISCHER: No, but he does hear about them afterwards. He did
hear about them afterwards. That was just about a year ago.
Q Are you seeing any effect on the economy of the tax cuts?
MR. FLEISCHER: It's too soon to say. The refund checks have not
gone out yet. The whitholdings are only now being adjusted in
accordance with the schedule the Treasury laid out. So it's too son to
say.
Q Thanks.
MR. FLEISCHER: Thank you everybody.
END 12:19 P.M. EDT
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