For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 5, 2003
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Crawford Elementary School
Crawford, Texas
11:35 A.M. CDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Good morning, everybody. The President had his
usual briefings this morning. He continues to spend time here at the
Western White House, tending to official duties, including visiting
with senior staff about important policy priorities and spending some
time on the ranch -- clearing brush and fishing and exercising.
The President looks forward to Secretary Powell's and Deputy
Secretary Armitage's visit this afternoon. They will have dinner at
the ranch this evening and use tomorrow morning to discuss a range of
important policy priorities that I mentioned yesterday.
Secretary Powell and Deputy Secretary Armitage will arrive at
approximately 4:30 p.m., this afternoon, at the TSTC airport, and that
is open coverage.
And with that, I'm glad to jump right into questions.
Q Scott, what do you know about the Jakarta bombing? Does
this have the hallmark of al Qaeda? Does it appear that they're going
after Americans?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, we condemn -- we strongly
condemn this terrorist attack in Jakarta. This is a deplorable attack
on innocent civilians, and our thoughts and prayers are with the
victims and with their families. We fully support President Megawati
and her administration in their efforts to fight terror and rout out
terrorism. And we stand fully prepared to assist in any way possible
in bringing those responsible to justice.
This is a recent attack and there's still information being learned
at this point, so we'll let that investigation continue. But we stand
prepared to assist in any way possible.
Q Does that include sending American investigators?
MR. McCLELLAN: In any way possible. We fully support President
Megawati's efforts to fight terror and we will continue working with
her administration and bring those responsible to justice. I think
that this terrorist attack on innocent civilians is a reminder that we
are still waging a global war on terrorism, and the global coalition
remains steadfast in our efforts to pursue terrorists and bring them to
justice.
We are making important progress in dismantling and disrupting
terrorist networks, but the war continues, and we will not stop until
we have disrupted, dismantled, and defeated these terrorist
organizations.
Q On Powell's visit today, can you be any more specific
about the issues? Is it safe to assume North Korea --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think it'll cover the gamut of foreign policy
priorities across the world. So, yes, I think the issues I mentioned
yesterday, including North Korea, the Middle East, there are a whole
range of issues that they will discuss.
Q Why did you decide to tell us only 24 hours out on this
one, versus Rumsfeld, a couple weeks, the economic advisors, a couple
of weeks' notice?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, we always update the schedule
as meetings are confirmed. This is -- this was something that was
under discussion for the last couple of weeks. It was firmed up last
week, the exact time, date, and location, and so I announced that to
you yesterday. Secretary Rumsfeld's visit was firmed up previously,
and we tend to put out the public schedule in advance, and then update
the President's schedule on a regular basis, as you are aware.
Q Is the administration considering reducing loan
guarantees to Israel because of the -- that they continue to build the
fence, the --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we have expressed our concerns to the
Israelis about the fence. We've urged the Israelis to consider the
route that the fence is taking. The Israelis have stated that they are
considering the route of the fence to minimize the impact on the daily
lives of the Palestinian people. And they will take our views under
consideration. We will continue to talk directly with the Israelis.
The President committed to an open dialogue on this issue, as well as
many other issues.
I think at this point, no decisions have been made regarding the
loan guarantees and speculation in the media at this point is a little
premature.
Q So no decisions have been made, but --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's what I just said.
Q Right, but you're not denying that there are discussions
about possibly the --
MR. McCLELLAN: I just said that no decisions have been made at
this point about the loan guarantees, and speculation is a little
premature at this point about decisions that may or may not be made.
Q Do you want Israel to stop construction of the fence, or
just re-route it somehow?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think it's something that the Prime
Minister -- Prime Minister Sharon and the President addressed recently
in their joint news conference, as well as during their meeting. We
have made our concerns known. The Israelis understand our concerns and
they said that they would act to minimize the impact on the daily lives
of the Palestinian people. And what we want to do is continue to
discuss that directly with the Israelis, continue to have an open
dialogue about this issue so we can keep things moving forward in the
Middle East peace process.
Q -- discuss with the Israeli government the possibility of
reducing the loan guarantee?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, look, I think the Israelis understand our
concerns. I don't want to get into what at this point is any decision
that hasn't been made -- that would be getting into some speculation
about possible decisions, and I just want to avoid getting into
speculation about that. I think it's a little premature to get into
that kind of speculation at this point.
Q So yes or no, have you discussed possibly reducing the
loan guarantees with the --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's what I just -- we have a very open dialogue
with the Israelis, but I'm not going to get into specifics when
decisions like that have not been made, because it's getting into
speculation that I think is a little premature at this point, from the
media standpoint.
Q But is it meant to pressure Israel, the notion that they
might lose some loan guarantees? Is that --
MR. McCLELLAN: See, that would be speculating about a decision.
Q But I'm not asking you to speculate, either say "yes" or
"no" that the United States has raised the possibility of using this as
pressure or not.
MR. McCLELLAN: We are in constant discussion with the Israelis and
they understand our concerns regarding the fence. But beyond that, I
wouldn't want to jump into something where a decision has not been
made.
Q You said yesterday you were going to get -- access
tomorrow to the President. Have you reconsidered, had a chance to talk
to him --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, it's a closed coverage.
Q How about open coverage for their departure, to talk to
them?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me take that under consideration. But we did
open up the arrival. But beyond that, this is part of continuing
discussions that the Secretary and the President have on a regular
basis on a range of issues and we typically do not read-out those
discussions.
Q The arrival happens before the meeting. Can you open
coverage --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's correct. I'll see what I can do. I hear
you, I hear you.
Q Two questions, Scott. First, what about on the Vice
President's visit? Will you open that up for coverage and give us a
photo op there?
MR. McCLELLAN: You're talking about regarding Friday's meeting?
Q No, that would be Rumsfeld. I think the Vice President
is here on Thursday.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think he's coming in, in advance of the meeting
with Secretary Rumsfeld and other defense leaders.
Q Coverage of that?
MR. McCLELLAN: I will keep you posted on that. We're a few days
out on that. And as you're aware, we update you on a daily basis.
I'll let you know of any changes on that.
Q Back on the Israeli fence, there is reporting that says
that the United States really doesn't have any option but to reduce
U.S. aid to Israel by the amount seen as violated, if you will, by the
fence, depending upon the route of the fence. Is this reporting
inaccurate?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, inaccurate on which part of it?
Q Is the reporting inaccurate? Do you have the option of
ignoring the route of the fence, in terms of U.S. aid to Israel?
MR. McCLELLAN: We've made -- again, I think the President and
others in the administration have made very clear our concerns to the
Israelis, and I think it's best that we approach this through an open
dialogue with the Israelis and continue to discuss these issues, and
continue to discuss matters as we move forward.
But, again, I just don't want to get into -- I mean, I have seen
the media reports, I'm very well aware of them, and I'm telling you
that there have been no decisions made in that regard. So I think it's
jumping ahead and getting into premature speculation at this point for
me to be discussing in the media. We'll continue to talk with the
Israelis and have a dialogue about this issue, as well as many others.
Q So you decline to say whether or not you have the option
of ignoring the route of the fence, in terms of U.S. aid?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, of ignoring?
Q You decline to say whether or not the U.S. has the option
of ignoring the route of the fence, in terms of U.S. aid?
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, well, the route of the fence, that's something
I just addressed in terms of we expressed concerns about. In terms of
-- that's kind of getting into a decision that I just said, at this
point, has not been made. But we will continue discussing things with
the Israelis as we move forward.
Q Scott, is it your understanding, or impression, that the
Israelis are using, or intend to use, some of the money, the loan
guarantee money for the fence?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I think that you would need to talk to
Israelis about what they're using the specific money for.
Q But you guys monitor it, right?
MR. McCLELLAN: But, again, see, this is kind of a roundabout way
to continue getting into a decision that has not been made, and I don't
want to --
Q No, no, no, it's not about a decision. It's not about --
it's about how the money is being used, and how you -- what your
understanding of the money -- how the money is being used.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that you can get that from the State
Department and the Israelis, as well, in terms of how that money is
actually being used at this point.
Q Prime Minister Abbas pulled out of talks with Prime
Minister Sharon today over the prisoner release issue. Does that
concern you at all?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, this is regarding talks between Prime Minister
Abbas and Prime Minister Sharon, that Steve asked about. I would point
out a few things. One, there has been successful cooperation between
the parties, particularly on security issues. We have made some
important progress. And we've always noted that this will continue to
be a difficult process as we move forward. But we are continuing to
stay actively engaged.
We are continuing to provide assistance to the parties to keep them
focused on moving forward on the road map, and moving forward on the
peace process. Ambassador Wolf is back in the region. We'll continue
to monitor the situation and work with the parties to keep the dialogue
moving forward. It's important for the parties to continue talking
about how to build upon the progress over there that we have made. And
that's what we will continue to do.
Q Has the President decided to resume U.S. anti-drug
flights to Colombia?
MR. McCLELLAN: Has the President --
Q Decided to resume U.S. --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't have any update on that at this point.
I'll look into that. Did you hear a report?
Q Powell has recommended it.
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, let me look into that and see the latest.
Q What was the question?
MR. McCLELLAN: Regarding resuming anti-drug flights to Colombia.
Q Over Colombia.
MR. McCLELLAN: Over Colombia.
Q In the Indonesian bombing, does the U.S. have any insight
into which groups are responsible?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't have any update at this point. We'll try
to keep you posted as we do.
Q Is there any suspicion at all the Indonesian bombing is a
follow-up to the al Qaeda warning of the past several days, the tape --
MR. McCLELLAN: I just -- I think it's premature to get into that
at this point. Let's let the investigation and facts come out. And
then we'll have more at that point. But I think it's premature to
discuss that at this point.
Anything else?
Q Has President Megawati made any request for help in the
--
MR. McCLELLAN: In the immediate aftermath? I don't know of
specifics, but again, that's why I said that we stand ready to help in
any way possible to bring those responsible to justice.
Q -- contacts between our government and the Indonesian
government?
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, I'm sure there -- I'm sure that there are. I
just don't have specifics on the latest contacts, whether it's on the
ground there or back with -- back here with State Department.
Q Were there any calls, Scott? Does he plan to?
MR. McCLELLAN: No. No update on calls to world leaders at this
point, but we'll keep you posted if there are.
Q Is this meeting Friday with Rumsfeld and Cheney a
high-stakes meeting on a specific agenda? Why is this --
MR. McCLELLAN: It's part of a continuation of the defense briefing
and transformation issues. The Secretary has come to the ranch the
past two years, I believe, to brief the President on transformation
issues. And that's, again, the purpose of the meeting. I'm sure they
will discuss other issues, as well, but that's the purpose of the
meeting.
Q I could be wrong, but I don't recall Cheney being there
at those meetings the last two years.
MR. McCLELLAN: I'd have to double check.
Q But we shouldn't read anything into this as a war council
or any sort of high stakes meeting?
MR. McCLELLAN: No. The purpose of the meeting, at this point, is
what I just said.
Q On Liberia. Charles Taylor is apparently saying that he
wants the war crimes charges against him dropped before he'll leave the
country. What's the U.S. position?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, our position is, first things first, he needs
to leave the country. That's what our focus is. He needs to leave the
country. We continue to urge all parties to cease any and all
fighting, to pull back and abide by the terms of the cease-fire
agreement. We continue to urge the parties to focus on the -- all
their efforts, on the peace talks in Accra. We continue to urge
Charles Taylor to act on his words and leave. And we remain encouraged
by the deployment of the initial vanguard forces into Liberia.
Q He should leave, no matter what, and that's --
MR. McCLELLAN: Our position is very clear: he needs to leave the
country. And that's the first thing -- first things first. Let's
leave the country.
Q Even if that means dropping war crimes --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's not what we've said. We've said, first
things first, he needs to leave the country, and then those issues can
be addressed.
Thanks.
END 11:48 A.M. EDT
|