For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 25, 2003
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
2:39 P.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. The President began the day a
little bit after 7:00 a.m. this morning by stopping by the Korean War
Memorial to honor and pay tribute to those who served, as well as those
who sacrificed during the Korean War. This was an opportunity for the
President to mark tomorrow's 50th anniversary of the military armistice
agreement relating to the Korean War.
The President was also pleased to welcome Prime Minister Abbas to
the White House. The two leaders had a good, positive discussion on
the progress being made since Aqaba, and the importance of continuing
to focus on moving forward toward the President's vision of two states,
Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security.
As noted earlier, the leaders talked about the progress being made,
and the President emphasized the importance about this being a time of
possibility in the Middle East and how it's important to seize these
opportunities for peace and progress. The President continued to make
it clear that all parties have responsibilities to meet, and that we
will do what we can to help them meet those commitments and
responsibilities.
The President also had a good discussion about ways we can help
improve the lives of the Palestinian people. The President asked the
Prime Minister how we can continue to improve the lives of Palestinian
families in the immediate future, by getting the economy growing, and
he was pleased to announce the establishment of a joint Palestine
economic development group between the United States and Palestinians
so that we can take practical steps to encourage economic growth and
jobs for the Palestinian people.
The two leaders discussed a range of important issues from
settlements, to prisoners, to security. And as the President has said,
security must continue to be a high and immediate priority so that we
can move forward in other areas, as well. But the President is pleased
with the progress being made, and we look forward to meeting with Prime
Minister Sharon next week.
And with that, I'll be happy to take questions. Steve.
Q The statement about Liberia, will U.S. troops actually set
foot on the ground in Liberia, or are they just going to stay
off-shore, doing something in their ships?
MR. McCLELLAN: Steve, right now, as we noted earlier, the
President has directed the Secretary of Defense to position military
capabilities off the coast of Liberia, so that we can support ECOWAS in
its efforts to get in there and make sure a cease-fire takes hold, and
get humanitarian assistance to the people of Liberia.
We've been very engaged in conversations with ECOWAS and the United
Nations over the past few weeks. We've been working to determine how
we can help the West African states move forward. And the President
emphasized earlier his concern for the suffering and his commitment to
helping enable ECOWAS get in there, so that we can provide humanitarian
assistance to the people of Liberia.
Beyond that, I think in terms of specific military efforts, I would
direct you to the Department of Defense on those specifics, as the
President mentioned, as well.
Q Can you say that U.S. troops may be used in Liberia, that that
remains a presidential option?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think it remains where the President left it
earlier in his remarks, that we are doing everything we can right now
to enable the West Africans to get in there. And that's why we're
positioning our military capabilities off the coast.
Q But he also said that he expects the United Nations to be
responsible for relieving U.S. troops in short order. Relieving U.S.
troops from what?
MR. McCLELLAN: And about the importance of working with the U.N.
on a political solution, as well. But in terms of the specific
military movements, that's questions I would direct you to the
Pentagon.
Q One other thing, the State Department briefing today talked
about contract workers doing something -- not clear what to me. What
would contract workers do, versus what the military might do to aid
ECOWAS?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we previously -- the State Department has
previously announced support for the ECOWAS vanguard force that's going
in there, and in terms of financial assistance. And I believe that may
be what they're referring to.
Q It sounds like what the President is not doing today -- and
I'm asking is he ruling out a big force of American troops in Liberia
imposing and keeping a peace? Is that ruled out, and ECOWAS is
essentially to carry the ball here?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, let me tell you what's ruled in right now,
the President's commitment to continue to help the Economic Community
of West African States so that they can get their vanguard force in
there. The conditions -- we need to help them create the conditions so
that we can provide humanitarian assistance to the Liberian people.
And that's where things stand right now. Obviously, if there's
anything to update you on, we will as that happens.
Q So he's not going to -- these troops are not going to be on
the ground in Liberia, they are there at this point just to help
ECOWAS?
MR. McCLELLAN: Right now they are there to be positioned off the
coast of Liberia so that we can help ECOWAS get in there. And that's
where it stands.
Q They're not there yet.
Q Let me just follow up on the Palestinian question. On
settlements, it sounds as if the President is saying that the emphasis
on fighting terrorism must continue before, as he put it, we can tackle
these bigger issues. Why can't settlements be dealt with now? What do
settlements do --
MR. McCLELLAN: The President has consistently spoken out about the
need to end settlements. And I don't think -- you're trying to
separate the two. He's consistently spoken about how the Israelis need
to end the settlements, not in a conditional way. But he also
emphasized the importance of fighting terrorism and appreciates the
steps that are being taken. And we need to continue to make sure all
parties do their part to fight terrorism and continue to make more
progress in that area, as well.
Q Scott, let me ask you about the security component, because
that is, the President said, the most important part of this. There
was talk some time ago about setting a date certain for the
dismantlement of groups like Hamas. Is there any other -- any real
progress that the Palestinians can actually demonstrate in this regard,
other than a general pledge to do that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, they're taking steps to address the security
situation. And the President -- that was some of the conversation over
lunch, as well. They continued to talk about some of the security
issues, as well as the importance of helping to improve the lives of
the Palestinian people. They talked at good length about the economic
condition and getting in there so we can provide help to strengthen the
economy and jobs.
Q What evidence is there that groups like Hamas and others are
less powerful, less cohesive than they were before --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the Palestinians have taken steps that have
helped to reduce violence. And there is -- obviously, we want to
continue working in that direction and do more. The road map spells
out the steps that need to be taken. In phase one, the very first
stage, it makes it clear that they need to dismantle the terrorist
groups. And that continues to be our position.
Q One on Liberia. There's a lot of talk here that's sort of
over the American people's heads, including our heads, when it comes to
"help ECOWAS get in." I mean, what does that mean?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, what we're doing, as I said, positioning the
military capabilities so that our forces can support the deployment of
an ECOWAS force, once they are ready to go in. And we will support
ECOWAS and their immediate mission, which is to reinforce a cease-fire
and create conditions for humanitarian assistance. And the President
has also made clear the importance of Charles Taylor to leave.
Q -- provide command and control? Are we going to have them
use our ships to unload into Liberia or are we just going to point out
where they need to go?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that we'll continue to assess what
the United States role is in supporting an ECOWAS force. But for now
we want to help them get in there, get that vanguard force in there so
that we can get to that cease-fire, so that we can them the
humanitarian assistance --
Q -- threat that if you don't let the force come in and do its
job, then we'll come in with them?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know that I look at it that way. I'll just
say we'll continue to assess that. And I think our military leaders
will continue to assess that, as well.
Q Does that mean then landing them on the shore, or helping them
across the neighboring border? What does it mean?
MR. McCLELLAN: It's help to get them in there. I think the
specifics, the Department of Defense will be in better position to
address.
Q How do they get there? They don't just show up --
MR. McCLELLAN: To help them get in there.
Q -- and say, hi, we're here.
MR. McCLELLAN: And that's why I think you ought to address those
specifics there.
Q I'm going to try one more time on Liberia. It seems like what
you guys are trying to do is leave open the possibility that the U.S.
will have a different role later by saying all we're going to do is
position troops, position ships off the coast. We're going to talk
about the support role now, but we haven't given you the President's
final determination about what our role is going to be. Is that
right?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that until the ECOWAS countries can
identify the specific forces that are going to get in there and be
deployed in Liberia, we are going to continue to assess our role in
supporting that force. But right now, we're positioning so that we can
provide that support.
Q Can I follow on the Middle East? Abbas is in real trouble at
home and needs to come back with something. The President had really
strong words today about the security needs, his need to tackle
terrorism. He also had some pretty strong words on the prisoner issue,
which is huge for Abbas. Are you guys worried that he's not going back
home with enough?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think that the establishment of the economic
develop group, the joint group between the United States and the
Palestinians is an important step. And Secretary Snow and Secretary
Evans will be going in there to work with them so that we can help with
the economic plight of the Palestinian people. The President made it
very clear in the lunch that he believes in the hopes and aspirations
of the Palestinian people, and that we are committed to doing our part
to help. He asked Prime Minister Abbas and others that were with him,
what else can we do to help you? And so they had a good conversation
about that.
Q The prisoner issue is one of the foremost issues for Abbas and
for the Palestinians, and he seemed to have been undermined a little
bit on that subject by the President's very strong words.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Prime Minister Sharon is going to be here.
The President is going to continue to talk about some of the issues
that have been discussed here with him, as well, and about the
importance of Israel, as well as the Palestinians meeting their
responsibilities. We're making some progress. They're moving
forward. There are discussions that are continuing to be held between
the parties, and that's important. It's important to keep the parties
talking, as the President talked about earlier -- keep them sitting
down and talking about how we can move forward.
There's obviously a road map there. The prisoners issue is not
addressed in the road map specifically, but this is something they
should continue to talk about. We'll continue to do what we can to
help. And the President said that we'll address it on a case-by-case
basis.
Q Scott, on Liberia, I'm a little confused by the President's
order today. The Pentagon announced on Monday that they were sending a
three-ship amphibious group to off the coast of Liberia, with a certain
number of forces on board, and so forth. Is the President's
announcement today another group, an additional group?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the military can talk to you about the
specific number of troops. The President addressed that a little bit
in his remarks earlier today out in the Rose Garden.
Q Is this a different order from the one on Monday?
MR. McCLELLAN: This was -- this decision was made today.
Q So is this different from the group --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I don't want to get into specific -- I'm not
in the best position to do that. I think the Pentagon is in the better
position to talk to you about the specifics about what is already
there, and then what else we're doing to position people off the
coast.
Q The President says he ordered troops to go there today. The
Pentagon announced on Monday they were sending a group led by the Iwo
Jima to go there. Are we sending additional --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, what's happening now is that ECOWAS is
beginning to move forward with the deployment of a vanguard force. And
so we're going to do -- take the necessary steps to make sure we're in
position to support that vanguard force as it goes into Liberia. And
so that's where things stand.
Q Right, but it takes seven to 10 days for them to get there,
and what we were told was on Monday the Pentagon had ordered them to
go. And I'm just trying to figure out, did the President --
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I think that would be better addressed to the
Department of Defense about the specifics.
Q You can't tell us what it was?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President's decision today about positioning
the military capabilities off the coast was made in a meeting earlier
this morning.
Q All right. One other thing, if I could, on a separate
issue. In Cuba -- or in Florida, the Brothers to the Rescue have said
that they are renouncing their Republican membership and declaring
themselves independent because they're upset with the administration's
handling of the people who were picked up at sea yesterday. Do you
have any comments on --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think we are consistent in our Cuba policy. It
has remained the same. The President has been a very strong supporter
of freedom and democracy in Cuba, and he will continue to be.
Q Can you confirm reports that the White House has asked and is
trying to persuade former Secretary of State James Baker to take on an
administrative role --
MR. McCLELLAN: I saw that report and I've just seen it, so it's
just come to my attention. I haven't heard anything to that effect at
this point.
Q Will you check on that and get back to us today?
MR. McCLELLAN: I saw a report that just hit, and I'll look into
it.
Q Thank you very much.
Q Scott, both Prime Minister Abbas and the President were
speaking pretty strongly about the Jewish settlements and about the
wall of defense, as you would like. What would the President like to
see the Israelis do right now about the settlements and about the
wall?
MR. McCLELLAN: One, as I said, and as he said, he has consistently
spoken out about the need to end settlements. And we will continue to
do that. Those will be issues that will continue to be discussed with
both parties. And on the issue of the wall, the President did express
his concern about the wall. And he believes it's difficult to build
confidence between the two -- between the Palestinians and the Israelis
when there is a wall running through the West Bank. And so the
President made a commitment that he would bring that up with Prime
Minister Sharon and continue to talk about that issue with him. I
think what we're doing is talking with the parties, and continuing to
work it through those channels. And that's the best way to address
it.
Q The concrete step that they could take, freezing the
construction of settlements and the wall?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think we're going to have a meeting next
week. The President looks forward to it and we'll continue to discuss
these issues. If there's more that comes from those meetings, we'll be
in position to talk about it at that time.
Q And one other question about California, the total recall.
What's your stand on that? Could you see Jack Kemp running?
(Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: You missed earlier, didn't you? No, I think that
this is a people -- an issue that the people of California are going to
address. And that's where our position is. We're not involved in it
at this point.
Q Scott, in the last couple of days, I've done features on
Iraq. The President hasn't mentioned weapons of mass destruction. Why
is that?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President has always spoken out about
the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. And, obviously, in those speeches
I think you're referring to, there were a lot of issues he covered.
Q But why not weapons of mass destruction?
MR. McCLELLAN: We're confident that we will uncover the full
extent of the weapons of mass destruction programs.
Q Any intelligence agency urged him not to make reference to
weapons of mass destruction?
MR. McCLELLAN: No.
Q Back on Liberia, the Nigerian colonel seems to believe he can
be ready to move at the beginning of next week. Is that a time line
that we're working on also?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think it's a time line we're working with
the Nigerians on. And I think that our military support, you need to
address those questions to the Department of Defense.
Q You can't give us any idea as to whether --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not sure of the latest. I'm aware of what's
been reported, but I'm not sure of the latest there.
Q And back on the Middle East. As you know, one of Prime
Minister Abbas' cabinet members signaled some concern earlier this
week, just to follow up on a previous question, about whether or not
the Prime Minister can hold his standing, such as it is, in his -- in
the territories right now. Is the President concerned that Prime
Minister Abbas potentially does face ouster? And what would that do to
the peace process?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know about the internal politics there
among the Palestinian people, but Prime Minister Abbas is committed to
serving the interests of the Palestinian people. And he recognizes the
best way to do that is to seek a peaceful solution. And that will help
move us forward and help move closer to a Palestinian state. He is
someone that is strongly committed to, and shares our commitment to the
two states, living side-by-side in peace and security. And so I think
that the Palestinian people are beginning to realize some of the
important progress we are making. And we need to continue moving down
that road.
Q So the President does not believe that Prime Minister Abbas'
job is in trouble?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I'm not going to get into the internal
political issues there, but we're continuing to work closely with Prime
Minister Abbas, because he's someone committed to a two-state
solution.
Q Scott, back on Liberia. A couple weeks ago when he was here,
Kofi Annan said that he and the President had agreed to a broad program
under which ECOWAS would form the vanguard, ECOWAS would ensure there
was a cease-fire in place, that Charles Taylor would leave, then the
United States troops would go ashore, and then it would quickly be
handed over to a U.N. operation once conditions permitted. Is that the
--
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know if I agree with as specific as what
you're saying. They did talk about some of those issues. I was in
that meeting, and that issue did certainly come up. And they talked
about -- the President talked about the importance of supporting the
efforts of ECOWAS and he'll make his commitment to making sure a
cease-fire takes hold. But I don't know about all the specifics you
mentioned. That sounded a little more specific in terms of commitments
than what I recall.
Q Just wondering if that's more or less -- if there's something
-- is there a piece of that juts out?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, look, I don't want to jump ahead of where
things are. It's obviously something we'll continue assessing as we
move forward. But where we are right now is where the President left
it earlier today.
Q It still is that there wouldn't be troops there as long as
Taylor is still there?
MR. McCLELLAN: He's made it very clear that Charles Taylor must
leave.
Q Scott, Monday, President Bush goes to Pittsburgh for the
National Urban League Convention. Why the Urban League for a second
time and not to a civil rights organization like the NAACP, which just
concluded their convention?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, the President is someone that is an
inclusive leader and he talks to a variety of groups from across the
political spectrum and reaches out to people from all walks of life.
And I think that you'll see at the Urban League, the President will
talk about the importance -- well, I think he'll continue to talk about
winning the war on terrorism, that's always the highest priority, but
also talk about another very high priority, which is economic growth
and his compassionate conservative agenda, from making sure that our
public schools are the best that they can be, that no children are
being left behind, to talking about our faith-based initiative. So
he'll talk about a number of those initiatives.
Q So is it true that he's reaching out to the Urban League more
so because it's more of a bipartisan base, and the fact that they
haven't really been as vocal as other civil rights groups --
MR. McCLELLAN: I look at it that he's pleased to go and speak to
the Urban League again. He's spoken to many groups over the last few
years. And he's pleased that he was invited to speak at the Urban
League and he looks forward to addressing them on Monday in
Pittsburgh.
Q And a follow-up. Will he ever speak -- in this one term, will
he ever speak to any civil rights organization? He said when he was
then candidate Bush for the Oval Office, civil rights would be the
cornerstone of his administration. This was at the NAACP Convention in
1989. He has yet to meet with any civil rights organization --
MR. McCLELLAN: We have taken strong steps on the civil rights
agenda, and we have been strongly enforcing the civil rights laws.
Q The agenda, but not discussing any of the agenda with civil
rights organizations.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I don't know -- he talks to leaders all the
time --
Q Civil rights leaders?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and meets with people all the time on a variety
of those issues. But I don't know without -- you used this broad term,
civil rights leaders, on how you're defining civil rights --
Q Kweisi Mfume. I know he doesn't want to deal with Jesse
Jackson.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and he certainly meets with congressional
leaders on a regular basis on a variety of different issues. So it's
very important to him.
Q Scott, on Medicare, a few days ago the Congress Budget Office
came out with an analysis that both the House and Senate versions would
exceed the $400-billion limit set by the President, and also, that in
either case, if either was implemented, there would be less Medicare
recipients participating in private plans than are currently covered by
private employers. Does the White House dispute this analysis?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, I think the CMS actuary has a different
analysis showing that there would be more than 40 percent participation
in those private plans.
Q But as you know, legislation is based on CBO analysis. And I
guess my question is --
MR. McCLELLAN: And I think that the leaders emphasized their
commitment to $400 billion and keeping it at $400 billion, as well.
Q Well, do you feel the private plan finding will have a
chilling effect on the administration's efforts to try to encourage the
elderly to participate in private plans?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think we're making some progress in the
conference committee. I think the conference committee has indicated
that, too, that they're starting to agree on some of the issues.
They're going to continue to work over this, as they said, over the
month of August. This is too important for our seniors not to get it
done as soon as possible. We need to get seniors the prescription drug
coverage they've been waiting on. We need to get seniors more choices
and better benefits. We need to enable seniors to be able to choose
the kind of health care that best meets their individual needs and
bring Medicare into the 21st century, modernize it and strengthen it
for our seniors. So we're going to continue working with the
conference committee to help them resolve differences.
Q Can I just ask one other question?
MR. McCLELLAN: You may ask one other. It's Friday. I'm being
generous. (Laughter.) No briefing for a few days.
Q As you know, there are 12 million low-income families who are
not receiving, who will not be receiving the child credit refunds that
are going out today because of legislation that is stalled on the
Hill. There are those -- there are certain lawmakers, at least, that
are criticizing the President for not applying heavier pressure on
House Republicans. And I wondered what the administration's response
is to that.
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know how more clear the President can be
than he has been, he was, as recently as yesterday, in urging Congress
to act and expand the child credit. You did mention today that it is
an important day. There are some 25 million checks going out that will
get more money back into people's pockets in the form of the child tax
credit so that people can begin using that money on goods and services
and help to create jobs, that this is -- you're beginning to see the
effects of the economic growth and jobs plan, beginning to see those
benefits realized by the American people. And I think that that's
going to help get our economy growing even faster. This remains a top
priority for the President, and he won't be satisfied as long as there
are people out there that can't find a job that are still looking for
one.
Q Scott, just a brief follow-up on that. Just on -- yesterday
the President did make a speech in Michigan and Pennsylvania, which are
two politically key states. If this doesn't happen in Congress, is he
going to be -- is he worried at all about the political ramifications
if it doesn't go through in those states?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President worries about what is right for
the American people. And he believes that this is right for the
American people. And so he's going to continue urging Congress to act
on it, just as he has been. And we hope that they will.
Q When he's dispatched Secretary Snow and Secretary Evans and
Secretary Chao for their trip next week to
Wisconsin and Minnesota, was the Electoral College at all a
consideration?
MR. McCLELLAN: These are two states, obviously, that these
Secretaries have to look at their schedules, and this enabled them to
go out to two states and listen to concerns of real Americans and
families and hear their concerns, as well as talk about what we have
been doing.
There are still -- just because we just recently passed the jobs
and growth plan, doesn't mean we can stop there. The President has
proposed a number of other initiatives that will help improve America's
economic security. We need to act to continue to expand trade. We
need to act on a comprehensive energy plan. We need to continue to act
on stopping lawsuit abuse. And the President talked about this -- has
been talking about this. There's more that we can do to improve the
economic situation. And so the President is going to continue focused
on those, as well.
Q One more on Liberia. The President made a point again today,
saying Charles Taylor has to go. If the ECOWAS force goes in and
Charles Taylor is still there, does the administration contemplate them
playing some role in trying to force him out, and/or would they just
let the status quo prevail --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't want to get into speculation, but the
President has made it very clear that he needs to leave. He has said
that a number of times, and that position remains the same.
Q Scott, on the Middle East, can you elaborate a little bit on
what the President wants Snow and Evans to accomplish with this
economic initiative there? What specifically are they hoping to do --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think you need to let them get over into
the Middle East and visit with the Palestinians about the ways that we
can assist them. This is something that was just announced, and so we
need to let them get over there, work with the Palestinians. Secretary
Snow was at the lunch, as well, and they will be -- and the President
expressed his commitment that they're going to work with them to
address these issues and to help improve the economic plight of the
Palestinian people.
Let me go to Ben.
Q A quick question --
Q Scott --
MR. McCLELLAN: Ben first.
Q Does the President agree with Tom DeLay's statement that he
didn't believe that a Palestinian state could ever occur in the very
near future, and what seems to go against the central tenet of the road
map that the President has endorsed? And also, did DeLay coordinate
this trip to
Israel and Palestine that he's going on with the State Department
or with any administration --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know what level of discussion there has
been there. I just don't know. But the President remains committed to
the road map and remains committed to moving forward as quickly as
possible so that we can realize the shared vision of the Palestinians,
the Israelis, of the United States and many others of two states living
side-by-side in peace and security. So we're going to continue working
with the parties to keep them moving forward.
Q Is it correct to say he and Mr. DeLay may disagree on this
issue then?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that both leaders have expressed
their views. I think that Congressman DeLay has expressed his concern
about terrorist activities. And he's talking with some of the Israelis
about that on his trip, from what I understand.
Q Two questions about yesterday's death of Navy
Secretary-designate Colin McMillan. Does the White House know of any
reason why Mr. McMillan would want to take his own life?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not going to get into any speculation about
that.
Q Regardless of the cause of it --
MR. McCLELLAN: The President put out a statement earlier today
expressing his thoughts and prayers for his family. And our thoughts
and prayers are with his family.
Q Was there any problem that the White House knew about his
vetting process? Had anything been disclosed that would have
jeopardized his nomination?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that out of respect for his family, I will
leave it where I left it.
Q Scott, two questions.
MR. McCLELLAN: Sarah.
Q Thank you. Scott, how can the President resolve the problem
in the Middle East? The Palestinians say there can be no peace in the
Middle East until Israel leaves the settlements. Israel says it won't,
until the violence ends. Isn't this a catch-22?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, I missed the -- Israel ending
settlements?
Q The Palestinians say there can be no peace in the Middle East
until Israel leaves the settlements. Israel says it won't, until the
violence ends.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well we appreciate the steps that both parties have
been taking to keep things moving forward. We're going to continue
working with them, continue to emphasize our position. The President
has made it very clear that security needs to be addressed, on the one
hand, that settlements need to be ended. And he also emphasized the
importance in today's meeting of doing what we can to help the
Palestinian people and improve their condition.
Q Scott, I have two related questions. Number one, what is the
President's position on the existence of Hamas? And number two, in the
unclassified --
MR. McCLELLAN: His position is that Hamas is an enemy of peace and
that Hamas needs to be dismantled because it is a terrorist
organization. That's his position.
Q Okay, my second question. Yesterday in the report of the
joint committee on 9/11, the third recommendation of that committee
said, they recommended that the NSC develop a government-wide strategy
for combatting terrorism, both at home and abroad, and it should
include Hezbollah and Hamas. What, if anything, in these last seven
months has the White House done in this respect?
MR. McCLELLAN: What have we done? We've done an awful lot. We're
winning the war on terrorism. The President is going after terrorist
organizations where they are, not waiting for them to come to our shore
before it's too late. We are taking significant steps on the homefront
to better secure America through the creation of the Department of
Homeland Security, through the terrorists threat integration center,
where we're now sharing information and maximizing information sharing
among our agencies. So there's an awful lot that we're doing. Those
are just a couple of examples.
Q What specifically regarding Hezbollah and Hamas?
MR. McCLELLAN: They can continue to be terrorist organizations on
the terrorist organization list. And we've made it very clear that
people need to stop supporting those organizations and that they need
to be dismantled.
Q Does the President think that every Palestinian who fights
against Israeli occupation is a terrorist? He almost speaks of
Palestinians simultaneously with terrorism. Does he know what it is to
fight for his own land? I mean, what do they think the American
revolutionaries were?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President believes that people that carry out
attacks on innocent civilians are terrorists, indeed.
Q The Israelis killed a four-year-old boy today.
MR. McCLELLAN: People that jump on -- and that's a horrible
tragedy any time an innocent child's life is lost. That's a terrible
tragedy. And certainly it's a tragedy for the family, and our thoughts
are with his family, as well.
Q He understands why Palestinians fight for their own land,
doesn't he?
MR. McCLELLAN: He understand that the Palestinian people would
like to have a peaceful and secure state where they can realize their
full potential. And that's why he expressed his commitment to helping
to improve the lives of the Palestinian people, and reemphasized that
today. And we've always been committed to that.
Q So he thinks that terrorism should be quelled on both sides,
right?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the terrorist acts on innocent civilians need
to stop, and everybody needs -- all parties have a responsibility to do
their part. You're making a very broad characterization there. We've
always said that Israel has the right to defend itself.
Q To defend itself in occupied land?
MR. McCLELLAN: Russell.
Q Scott, two things. There was a report in The Washington Post
this week that a local newspaper in Baghdad was shut down and its
manager was arrested because of an article that the newspaper
published. U.S. officials felt that the article was an incitement to
violence and a threat to human rights in Iraq. And according to the
paper, U.S. military forces broke down the front door, ransacked the
office and detained the newspaper's manager. Do you believe that that
kind of action would be constitutional under our 1st Amendment?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's making the assumption that certain
things are the way that they were described. I don't know the
specifics of that matter. I think that's a matter better addressed to
the coalition provisional authority or our military people over in the
region.
Q Well, if the report is accurate, that the reason this was
done was because of an article published in the newspaper --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's a nice try to get me to comment on something
I just said --
Q This was the article --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- to get me say something which I just said I
don't know enough about the specifics to address that. But obviously,
security and stabilization of Iraq is a high priority right now. We're
making good progress on that front. There continue to be remnants of
the former regime, as well as foreign terrorists that are going to
continue to target success. We are moving forward on the security
side. We're moving forward on prosperity for the Iraqi people, getting
the economy going. We're also moving forward on the democratic front.
We're beginning to see the governing council take steps toward
democracy, and they're moving forward to begin to start the
constitutional process, as well. These are important steps.
Q In an article in Roll Call yesterday titled, FDA's Lobbying
Question, reports -- I understand your brother is head of the FDA -- it
reports that --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not lobbying him, though.
Q It reports that the FDA, under your brother, has hooked up
with the pharmaceutical industry to defeat this bill that would allow
for importing drugs from Canada. And it --
MR. McCLELLAN: In this case, I support my brother. (Laughter.)
But let me point out, that's a public health issue, that there are a
lot of concerns that we can't verify the safety of these drugs that are
coming back in. And I think the FDA Commissioner and the Secretary of
Health and Human Services are doing their job, which is to ensure the
safety and ensure that these drugs are safe for the American people.
And so that's a very important concern.
Q The article raises the question of whether it's unseemly for
a federal regulatory agency to hook up with a major industry, the
pharmaceutical industry, and jointly lobby Congress.
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know that I agree with that
characterization. We're doing this because of the reason I just
stated. This is a public safety issue, public health issue. And we're
concerned about the safety of the reimportation of these drugs, and
that we can't ensure the safety of those drugs coming back in. And so
that's why we've taken the position that we took.
Q In relation to Liberia, how did the structural command will
work if the American troops are essentially giving support to the
ECOWAS troops?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, our American troops always remain under
American command. In this instance, you need to talk to the Pentagon
about specifics about that. As the President said earlier today, when
he was asked, the Pentagon will have more details on the specifics
about how our support efforts are carried out.
Q In response to a question this morning addressed earlier, you
said the recall in California was a matter that you want to leave up to
the people of California. Does that mean that the President won't
campaign in the state and doesn't want a Republican governor to replace
Governor Davis?
MR. McCLELLAN: That means right now that it's -- one, I don't know
a list of candidates that have filed at this point. I'm sure that
there will be a number of candidates that will seek to be elected, if
they move in that direction. But this is just something for the people
of California to decide at this point. We're not involved in it. If
anything changes, we'd always update you at that point. But it's a
matter for the people of California.
Q There was another terrorist activity in Kashmir this week and
a number of civilians were targeted by terrorists there, especially --
so what's happening now that we have gone through a lot on talks on
Kashmir dialogue --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know the latest update on the situation
there. I mean, obviously we continue to want to -- continue to work to
make sure that tensions are reduced in the region. I think that there
has been some good signs over the last few months. But I just don't
know the latest with the situation there.
Q Actually, right now they are targeting the Hindu worshipers,
because there's a big Hindu temple in that area of Jammu. And now they
are saying that if we target those worshipers, then they will get into
national attention and the Bush administration will get involved like
in the Middle East.
MR. McCLELLAN: I just don't have any more on it at this point.
Thanks. Have a good weekend.
END 3:15
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