For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 12, 2003
Press Gaggle by Claire Buchan
Crawford Middle School
Crawford, Texas
12:25 P.M. CDT
MS. BUCHAN: Good afternoon, everybody. Let me start off by
telling you a little bit about what the President did today and his day
tomorrow and then I'll be happy to take your questions. The President
began his day with his usual intelligence and national security
briefings. And he has been out clearing brush for the better part of
the morning. So that's what he's doing today.
Tomorrow he will be welcoming members of his economic team here for
meetings and for lunch. They will also probably be available to you
all, and we'll keep you posted on the details of that.
Q Will it be everybody?
MS. BUCHAN: I think probably a combination, but we may be able to
get some of them back here to do individual interviews with you all as
well.
Q Claire, can you tell us exactly who is coming?
MS. BUCHAN: Can we fix the sound?
Secretary Snow, Secretary Evans, Secretary Chao, Chief of Staff
Card, Director Bolten, NEC Chairman Friedman, CEA Chairman Mankiw,
Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Harriet Miers, as well as other key
staff.
Q When are they coming?
MS. BUCHAN: They'll come in tomorrow morning, have the meeting,
have lunch, and then depart tomorrow, as well.
Q They all arrive tomorrow?
MS. BUCHAN: Yes.
Q You said yesterday about -- agenda is to talk about ongoing
initiatives. Can you talk any more about what the agenda is and
whether they're looking to strategize on future -- possible future
initiatives?
MS. BUCHAN: The President will meet with the economic team as part
of his ongoing commitment to the economy and to helping create jobs for
the American people who are looking for work. The effects of the
President's tax cut proposal that was proposed earlier this year and
just enacted into law are beginning to be felt; so they'll be reviewing
the current state of the economy, talking about how the tax cuts are
taking effect, what effect they are having. And they'll also be
looking ahead to additional measures that need to be taken, like
passing the energy bill, like tort reforms, restraining spending, which
are all key elements of getting the economy going fast enough to create
jobs.
Q Mainly about reinforcing his message that these initiatives
are working, other initiatives not passed yet need to be passed, not
necessarily talking about another round of tax cuts, or some other
economic stimulus?
MS. BUCHAN: They'll be talking about the current state of the
economy, as they often do, where it stands, what effects the proposal
that has just been signed into law is beginning to have. There are
signs of that -- that that's beginning to be felt by people. Paychecks
are bigger, the child credit checks have recently gone out. There are
signs that productivity is increasing, the most recent GDP numbers were
positive.
So there are signs that the economy is picking up steam, but the
President isn't satisfied. He believes that there's more to be done,
and he has outlined a number of those initiatives for you previously.
And they'll be talking about those, as well.
Q A couple of Democratic economic advisors and a couple of
Nobel Prize winners had a phone conference call this morning talking
about the state of the economy, I'm sure linked to what you guys are
doing. One thing they were saying is that short-term you may get some
effect from some of these efforts, but long-term the structural
deficits that are being built in could be disastrous in terms of Social
Security, Medicare, and the standing in the international community, as
to how the American economy is seen. I wonder if you could respond to
that?
MS. BUCHAN: Sure, a couple of points. Number one, in crafting the
tax relief packages, the President has always had both the short-term
and the long-term in mind. And that's been critical to him, is
ensuring that we take steps that boost the economy now, that create
jobs now, but that don't harm the economy in the future. So that has
been a guidepost for the President.
With regard to the deficit -- you've heard the President say very
clearly and often that the deficit is important, that we do need to
restrain spending, that a goal is to return the economy to -- the
deficit to balance, but that bigger priorities right now are getting
people working, fighting the war on terrorism and winning the war.
Those are high priorities and the President believes we must address
those.
Mike. Oh, was that -- you were stretching. Okay.
Q What form are the meetings going to take? And will all the
participants be at the ranch, or are some participating via
teleconference?
MS. BUCHAN: They'll be at the ranch.
Q Everybody is going to be at the ranch. Is it one big
session, all together, and then they come out with some sort of
statement afterwards, or, no?
MS. BUCHAN: They will have a meeting, probably talk to you all,
and then have lunch and continue discussions through lunch.
Q Out there or here? Out there at the ranch, or here?
MS. BUCHAN: The meetings? Yes.
Q The avail, the press avail.
MS. BUCHAN: Oh, I'm sorry if I confused you. Yes, avail at the
ranch, but I think we are also going to work to bring some of the key
participants here, to talk to you for individual interviews. I think
there's some interest in that.
Q Also, Claire, one other thing. Will there be anybody
outside government -- CEOs, other economic types?
MS. BUCHAN: No.
Q Claire, if you could give administration reaction on two
developments today. First is the Middle East bombings and then I
believe another ambush, another deadly ambush against U.S. soldiers in
Iraq today.
MS. BUCHAN: On the Middle East, we condemn, in strongest terms,
today's terrorist attacks which claimed the lives of innocent Israeli
civilians and injured many more. Our condolences go to the families of
the victims. The Palestinian Authority must act now to dismantle
terrorist networks that perpetuate such attacks, and to prevent future
attacks.
While all parties have responsibilities in bringing peace to the
Middle East, ending terror must be the highest priority, and all
parties -- the Palestinians, the Israelis, and partners in the region
-- must work immediately to end terror and to keep open the path for
peace.
Q Can I follow on that before we get the reaction on the
Iraqi ambush, too?
MS. BUCHAN: Sure.
Q What confidence does the administration -- why is there a
basis of confidence among the administration? I know you have
confidence. Why is there a basis for it among the administration that
the Palestinian Authority can and will dismantle the terror networks?
All we've heard about is negotiations and cease-fires and truces.
Dismantlement is an active step that requires confrontation. That's
what's in the road map. Why is there any basis for confidence on your
part, on the administration's part, that that's going to happen?
MS. BUCHAN: Well, we are in an important moment, and progress is
being made, progress has been made, since the Aqaba Summit. And we are
encouraged that Prime Minister Abbas is committed to peace, and that is
an important step. The parties are talking, and progress is being
made. So it is a hopeful moment, and the parties have an opportunity
to seize peace.
Q Doesn't something like today take the hope away when
another act like this happens?
MS. BUCHAN: Well, clearly, dismantling terrorist networks is a
very high priority, the highest priority, and all parties have a
responsibility to address -- to address terror.
Q Are you encouraging the Israelis not to retaliate in order
to not have another round of violence?
MS. BUCHAN: Israel has a right to defend itself, but, as always,
bearing in mind the consequences of their actions with regard to the
ongoing peace process.
Q Did the President talk to Mr. Abbas today, in response to
this?
MS. BUCHAN: I've not been informed that he's had any phone calls
with foreign leaders.
Q Will Dr. Rice travel to the region, soon?
MS. BUCHAN: The President has said that the Middle East is a high
priority for him, and he has directed Secretary Powell and Dr. Rice to
be involved. Dr. Rice has previously traveled to the region as the
President's personal representative and, as events warrant, she could
well do that in the future. I don't have anything to announce for you
at this time.
Q On Iraq, the ambush in Iraq, any reaction to today's deadly
ambush?
MS. BUCHAN: As we've said before, there are remnants of the former
regime who wish to do harm to both the coalition and to the Iraqi
people, and we'll continue to root them out.
Q There's a lot of chaos still happening in Liberia. Are we
any closer today than we were yesterday to putting more American troops
on the ground in Liberia?
MS. BUCHAN: Nothing has changed since yesterday, Scott. The
President welcomes the developments in Liberia and we are working to
ensure that humanitarian relief can flow to those who need it. We have
a Marine expeditionary unit that is directly off the coast. And, as
Secretary Powell said yesterday, at some point the U.S. Commander will
go ashore, but no developments beyond that.
Q Do you know if that commander has actually gone ashore
yet?
MS. BUCHAN: You should talk to DOD about the specifics on that.
Q Claire, can I follow up on Liberia, too. Should Taylor be
turned over to the War Crimes Tribunal? He's in Nigeria, should
Nigeria turn him over?
MS. BUCHAN: I'll see if we can get a follow-up to you on that, I
don't know what our response is on that.
Q So then, essentially, now that Taylor is gone, he's done
everything that Bush has asked for, and that's it for us, with regard
to Taylor? I mean, is the administration doing anything else to make
sure that he's held to account, whether it be the war crime tribunal,
whether it be any sort of other sanction for his history in Sierra
Leone and in Liberia and --
MS. BUCHAN: We believe that all parties responsible for the
atrocities in Sierra Leone must be held accountable, and we have no
control over the actions of the special court.
Q No control over what?
MS. BUCHAN: The actions of the special court.
Q But then, does that mean that you would endorse the special
court going after him or not?
MS. BUCHAN: It means that we believe all parties have
responsibilities for the atrocities.
Q What does the administration say to the people in Monrovia
who are saying, okay, Charles Taylor did what the President asked, he's
gone -- where is the United States, why aren't they here to help us?
MS. BUCHAN: We are working to ensure that humanitarian relief gets
to those who need it. The people of Liberia have endured a great
suffering and we will work with ECOWAS partners to help ensure that
that humanitarian relief gets to the people.
Q What does the U.S. think of the new Liberian President
Moses Blah?
MS. BUCHAN: Let me see if I can get you some sort of assessment, I
don't have an assessment on that. (* see below)
Q Can you say what the mission is for those 2,000 Marines off
the coast of Liberia? What are they doing there?
MS. BUCHAN: Well, they are off the coast of Liberia to provide
support to West African peacekeepers. As you know, there is a group
that has been authorized to go ashore to provide liaison assistance.
And, as I said, Secretary Powell indicated that the U.S. Commander
would also go ashore.
Q Does that mean that they are on standby for possible
deployment ashore?
MS. BUCHAN: The President has said that we will work with ECOWAS
and now with ECOMIL to help ensure that the humanitarian assistance can
flow to those who need it, and that's where the situation stands,
Mark.
Q Is the President's itinerary for this week in California
set?
MS. BUCHAN: Yes.
Q And it does not involve any appearances on behalf of any
candidates in California?
MS. BUCHAN: No, no.
Q What was the question?
MS. BUCHAN: The question was, is the President's schedule in
California going to change to reflect any appearances for candidates,
and the answer is, no.
Q Does the President have any reaction to an action-figure
doll being sold in his likeness for $39.95?
MS. BUCHAN: I don't know that he's aware of it. (Laughter.)
Anything else? Roger.
Q Back to the economic meeting tomorrow. A year ago, we had
the Waco summit, a rather big production. This year we have a much
gentler, milder meeting. Anything to be drawn from that, at all? And
should we be expecting any new ideas, proposals, tomorrow?
MS. BUCHAN: Well, the President is very committed to the economy,
to working to boost economic growth, to create jobs for every American
who wants a job. He did propose some very aggressive and bold actions
to address those issues earlier this year, which have just been enacted
and are just beginning to really flow through to the economy. In
response to your question about, you know, why one meeting last year,
why a different form of meeting this year, I think that the President
continues to meet in a variety of different formats and just focus on
the economy in a variety of different ways.
Q Is anything new going to come out tomorrow?
MS. BUCHAN: I think I answered that for Scott.
Q The proposals that you described that the President wants
--
MS. BUCHAN: I'm sorry, I can't hear you.
Q Of the proposals you described that the President wants
enacted on the economy, the one that he's been talking about most, that
seems to be a renewed emphasis on, are the re-employment accounts.
That was proposed in the budget in January. Does the President want
that enacted, that proposal enacted this fall?
MS. BUCHAN: The President does want it enacted. You've heard him
address it a number of times. It has passed through one of the House
committees, and it continues to be something that the President thinks
is important. This is an initiative that would help give additional
resources to individuals who have had a hard time finding work, give
them an opportunity to have these personal re-employment accounts,
which would make available $3,000 for purposes of child care, or
re-training, or perhaps, moving expenses.
And then, in the event that they find a job before that $3,000 is
spent, then they have an opportunity to actually get the remainder of
that money for their own personal use.
Q This fall, though?
MS. BUCHAN: The President believes it's an important initiative
and he urges Congress to act on it.
Q Why doesn't the President wade in more on the California
recall? He's also the leader of the party. He's waded in on a lot of
congressional races, gubernatorial races as President. Is he afraid to
get involved in this issue?
MS. BUCHAN: The President thinks that the people of California
will decide what's best for them in this instance, and that's where it
stands.
Q Is the President giving in to objections by North Korea by
not sending John Bolton to those North Korean talks? I read on the
wire today that Richard Armitage said that Bolton would not be going.
MS. BUCHAN: Well, no decision has made been as to who will lead
the U.S. delegation. The President will appoint the head of the
delegation shortly.
Q And you're saying that the President would not submit to
North Korean objections with respect to naming the delegation?
MS. BUCHAN: Well, the President will be the person who will choose
who will head the U.S. delegation. That decision hasn't been made,
expected shortly.
Q -- about the head of the delegation, but about whether
Bolton would be on the delegation at all, right?
MS. BUCHAN: The President will make those determinations.
Q I also noticed in his speech last night, the President took
some pleasure in saying he sees more cows at his ranch than he does the
press. Do you know how many cows he has?
MS. BUCHAN: I don't know how many cows he has. (Laughter.)
Q He should know that he could invite us all to the ranch and
he can change that --
MS. BUCHAN: So you can count the cows. Okay, anything else? All
right, thank you all.
END 12:45 P.M. CDT
* * * * *
Addendum to gaggle
President Blah is the constitutional successor to President
Taylor. We expect him to remain in place temporarily until a
Transitional Government can be agreed upon by all parties at the peace
talks in Accra, Ghana. We will work with President Blah to maintain
the cease-fire and ensure a smooth transition to the Transitional
Government.
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