For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 14, 2003
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan and a Senior Administration Official
Aboard Air Force One
En route MCAS Miramar, California
12:48 P.M. CDT
MR. McCLELLAN: All right, good afternoon, everybody. I want to
start with an important news development. And what I want to do is I'm
going to have some brief remarks on this, and then I'm going to have a
senior administration official give you a little bit more information.
And then we can do the rest of the gaggle, and I will authorize you all
to go ahead and call this in to your desks, this news.
Earlier this week, Ryuduan bin Isomuddin, known as Hambali, was
captured. He is now in custody of the United States government. Hambali
was al Qaeda's chief representative and senior planner in Southeast
Asia. He was operational chief of Jemaah Islamiya, the violent Islamic
extremist group based in Indonesia. Hambali's capture is another
important victory in the global war on terrorism and a significant blow
to the enemy. The United States will be relentless in its pursuit of
terrorists, in order to rid the world of the scourge of terrorism.
And now I want to bring in a senior administration official to give
you a little bit more information.
Q Can you spell the name?
MR. McCLELLAN: This will be in the transcript: Ryuduan,
R-y-u-d-u-a-n, then bin, b-i-n, and then Isomuddin, I-s-o-m-u-d-d-i-n.
And Hambali, H-a-m-b-a-l-i. That's what he -- he is known as Hambali.
Now let me switch to the senior administration official. He'll give
you a little bit more information.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Hambali is one of the world's most
lethal terrorists. He's a 39-year old. The 39-year old Hambali was al
Qaeda's chief representative in Southeast Asia and operational chief of
Jemaah Islamiya. His lengthy terrorist credentials include the Bali
nightclub bombings in October, 2002, that killed nearly 200 people.
Q He was the main guy for that? Is that what you're saying?
Q Mastermind?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes. Hold on a second. And a deadly
series of church bombings in Indonesia and the Philippines in December
2000. He's a leading suspect in the bombing of the J.W. Marriott Hotel
in Jakarta earlier this month. He's also -- Hambali is a close
associate of the September 11th mastermind, Khalid Shaykh Muhammad,
KSM.
Q You said -- I'm sorry, I missed that. What's the connection
there?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He's a close associate.
Q And spell that other person's name, please?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: KSM, Khalid Shaykh Muhammad,
K-h-a-l-i-d, S-h-a-y-k, M-u-h-a-m-m-e-d. Again, he's who we previously
captured.
Q Would you mind spelling the name of that syndicate? What's the
name of that al Jemaah? Can you spell that, too?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Jemaah Islamiya. J-e-m-a-a-h,
I-s-l-a-m-i-y-a.
Q And he is a chief in that organization?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He's the operational chief of
Jemaah Islamiya. Hang on a second, I'm going to give you a little bit
more information. As I was saying, he is the leading suspect in the
bombing of the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta and close associate of
Khalid Shaykh Muhammad. Hambali facilitated the January 2000 meeting in
Malaysia that included two of the September 11th hijackers.
Q KSM did?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Information obtained from a senior
al Qaeda detainee and corroborated by other sources indicates al Qaeda
tasked Hambali shortly after September 11th with recruiting pilots to
participate in additional hijackings inside the United States.
Q Can you repeat it, from the Malaysia meeting?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes: facilitated the January 2000
meeting in Malaysia that included two of the September 11th hijackers.
Q And who was this? Is this the guy you talked --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We'll see what additional
information I can get you. Let me continue. As I was talking about, on
these additional attacks that Hambali was involved and participating
in, the sources also indicate that an al Qaeda leader in Pakistan
earlier this year provided Hambali a large sum of money for a major
attack. Information obtained from Hambali will assist in our ongoing
efforts to neutralize the threat.
Again, as was previously stated, this is a significant victory in
the global war on terrorism and a devastating blow to the enemy. He was
one of the few remaining senior planners of al Qaeda and their most
important link to terrorist groups in Southeast Asia.
Q Their most important link, l-i-n-k?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes. His detention effectively
diminishes the group's lethal capabilities and global reach. It's still
important to remember that this fight has captured -- that al Qaeda
remains a threat to the United States, our allies and interests around
the world.
Q Can you go over that key sentence: it effectively diminishes the
group's --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Their lethal capabilities and
global reach.
Q That's al Jemaah or al Qaeda?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It's -- the importance of which is
magnified in the series of high profile arrests of al Qaeda operatives
around the world in recent months. It effectively diminishes the
group's lethal capabilities and --
Q Which group?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: What I'm trying to tell you is that
-- al Qaeda. This is a significant victory.
Q al Qaeda.
Q Can you go over again -- after September 11th, Hambali was
recruited to find pilots for further attacks? Is that what you were
saying?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's right, to participate in
additional hijackings inside the United States.
Q That's something that we have known before. I know we've known
about the meeting in Malaysia.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's why I wanted to put this in
perspective, the importance of this, the importance of the capture of
Hambali.
Q Is there new indication that there were plans --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I think you can double-check some
of this with the Central Intelligence Agency.
Q And the Pakistani money for further attacks was in 2003, what you
just said about that --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It was earlier this year, that's
correct.
Q Was that major attack thwarted, or was that J.W. Marriott?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's what I said, information
attained from Hambali will assist in efforts to neutralize the threat.
Q When you said, sources indicate al Qaeda leader of Pakistan
provided him a large sum of money for a major attack.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's right.
Q Was that attack --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Information obtained from Hambali
is going to assist us in our ongoing efforts to neutralize that threat.
We have ongoing efforts to neutralize the threat, among many others.
Q -- is going to assist us or has assisted us?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I said, information obtained from
him will assist us in our ongoing efforts to neutralize this threat.
Q Can you tell us anything about where he was captured, or any of
the details of the operation? A U.S. military operation, other helpful
countries?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It was a joint operation, but I
cannot get into the details of that operation at this point. It did
involve others.
Q In Indonesia?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes.
Q Other governments?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I cannot get into those details,
those specifics at this point.
Q When did he actually --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Earlier this week.
Q Are you -- is this the first news that any --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Remember, this is going to be very
helpful in helping us obtain information about current and future
threats, this capture.
Q Are you telling us this, the first news of this coming out from
anywhere? Like, DOD isn't briefing on this or anything like that? Is
this --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I am announcing it. I am announcing
it.
Q Where was the capture?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Again, I can't get into the
specific details of that.
Q Was it in the U.S.?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Southeast Asia.
Q Can you tell us in what part of the world he is being held right
now?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No, I can't get into those kind of
details at this point.
Q Is he being held by the U.S. government?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's what was said, he's in the
custody of the United States government.
Q Why did you choose to make this announcement instead of CIA or --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: This is a significant announcement.
This is a significant victory in our global war on terrorism. And as
you have heard from -- as you have heard what an evil person he is,
that's what I wanted to describe for you, the importance of the capture
of Hambali.
Q Will the President be making reference to this today?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, listen to his remarks. I
expect he may.
Q Do you know when he was told about this?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yesterday.
Q Do you know by whom? Condi Rice?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: In his briefings, his intelligence
briefings.
Q He was told yesterday?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes.
Q Do you know anything about his reaction?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, again, you might want to
listen to his remarks.
Q I want to make sure I'm a thousand percent clear on something. He
says, an al Qaeda leader in Pakistan provided him a large sum of money
for a major attack. Is that something that we thwarted or one that may
still be brewing, or what?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's what I said. We have ongoing
efforts to neutralize such a threat. And we are -- the information that
we will obtain from Hambali will help us in those efforts.
Q So it wasn't the J.W. Marriott or something that's already
happened?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: At this point, he is going to be
interrogated. We will be able to learn more information about current
and future threats. But we take all threats seriously and we confront
those threats. We address those threats. Intelligence is something that
we take very seriously. And that's why this is such an important
victory.
Now, do we want to go back to Scott for -- are we through with
this?
Q Hambali, himself, provided the information about the Pakistani-al
Qaeda funding, or that information came from somewhere else?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No, I said -- I believe you're
talking about -- which part are you talking about?
Q The Pakistan money. Who was the source of that information?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Sources, sources that we have. We
had senior -- we had information -- that's what I pointed out --
information from a senior al Qaeda detainee, and corroborated by other
sources, about the initial efforts where Hambali was tasked with
recruiting pilots to participate in additional hijackings. And then I
said, those sources -- referring to the same sources -- also indicate
that a large sum of money --
Q The beginning of that sentence was, information --
Q And he --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He will be interrogated about
current and future threats in our custody, and that's why I said, in
that context, we will be able to obtain additional information from him
to help us in our ongoing efforts to neutralize this threat.
Q One last time. You have from sources, detainees, that al Qaeda
provided Hambali with a large sum of money for a major attack?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Right.
Q Where? Here, in the United States? What do you know about the
attack?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's -- the information that I'm
sharing with you at this time is what I have here. We have ongoing
efforts to -- we will seek more information from Hambali on that.
Q What's the language on the other part -- the first part of the
sentence, information obtained --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I've been through this. I've been
through this. We're going to have a transcript on this.
Q I just want to make sure I get it right. Was information obtained
by --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We're going to have a transcript on
this.
Q I just want to make sure --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think --
Q -- got it right: information obtained by U.S. government says --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Will help us in our ongoing efforts
to neutralize the threat.
Q Not what I'm asking, sorry. The part about him recruiting 9/11
hijackers. How do you know that?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: From a senior al Qaeda detainee and
other sources that corroborated that account.
Q He wasn't recruiting 9/11 hijackers, he was recruiting future
hijackers post-9/11?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's correct.
Q All right.
Q I thought this was the January 2000 meeting.
Q No, no, no, that was the Malaysia meeting.
Q Malaysia meeting.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes, different meeting. That was
two of the September 11th hijackers.
Q Can you be precise about --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We'll have a transcript for this.
Q What was precise alleged role in the Bali nightclub? Bali
mastermind, facilitator?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He's their -- as I said Jemaah
Islamiya's is chief operational planner in southeast Asia.
Q Would it be an over-statement to call him the mastermind of that
attack?
Q He's responsible --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He's the operational chief, I would
describe him as the operational chief of -- is Jemaah Islamiya. They
have been linked to the Bali bombings.
Q Linked?
Q He has been linked, or Jemaah --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Jemaah Islamiya -- look, Central
Intelligence Agency can probably provide you additional information
that -- but this is already, this is information that is already out.
Q And as a senior administration official, does the White House --
are you doing this here because the White House is eager to take
partial credit or a large share of the credit for this?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We're announcing this because of
the significance of this capture. We're announcing this because there's
a significant development in our ongoing war on terrorism. And to
provide you with information about this individual and the fact that he
is someone who has a long history of wanting to harm America and our
allies and others around the world.
Q I just can't recall another occasion where the White House
announced a capture like this. I'm sure it's happened, but I can't
recall.
Q Why did you announce it today, and not yesterday, when the
President was informed? Was this in order to link up with the remarks
at Miramar or not to step on --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We're announcing it as soon as we
are able to make this information public. A lot of times there are --
well, for a number of reasons, sometimes these announcements are not
made exactly when they happen, and that involves national security
issues, other reasons about why. But we were able to go ahead and make
this announcement public and wanted to share the information with you.
Q Does this person, Hambali, go into a judicial process now? What
happens there?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He's being detained and
interrogated at this point.
Q Indefinitely?
Q Can you say, his detention, which agency is interrogating him?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He's in the custody of the United
States government.
Q Can I ask one --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: All right, we're going to go back
-- other matters?
Q Back to Scott.
MR. McCLELLAN: All right, thank you everybody. The President had
his usual briefings this morning. Now we are on our way to the Marine
Corps Air Station in Miramar, where the President will thank our men
and women in the Armed Services, and their families for all that they
are doing, and provide an update on the war on terrorism.
Let me give you a little bit of information about the Marine Corps
Air Station in Miramar. First of all, there are going to be about
12,000 military personnel and families there, and they include
personnel and families from the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar,
Camp Pendleton, and the Naval Base Coronado.
Following the remarks, the President will have lunch with military
personnel.
Miramar Marine Corps Air Station is a 24,000 acre installation,
located in the northern suburbs of San Diego. It is one of the largest
military bases in the area. Miramar maintains a military personnel
force of more than 10,000 and an additional 2,000 civilians. It's home
to approximately 225 aircraft, and is the headquarters for the 3rd
Marine Air Wing and the Commander of the Marine Corps Air Base's
western area.
Following his remarks there --
Q Can you --
MR. McCLELLAN: The President, again, will have lunch with military
personnel. Then this afternoon, also at Miramar, he'll have an
interview with the Armed Forces Radio and Television. And once all that
has been aired by the Armed Forces Radio and Television, we'll make the
transcript available -- that probably won't be until this weekend, from
what I understand.
Q When is the transcript going to be available?
MR. McCLELLAN: After it's aired on Armed Forces Television.
Q This weekend?
Q Can you just make a transcript available?
MR. McCLELLAN: As we always do.
Q -- on a day like today, that might be --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, you will not have it before it airs on Armed
Forces Radio and Television, it'll be after it airs. That's the way we
always do it, because they're the ones he's doing the interview with --
just like if it would be with you.
Q Is that broadcast around the world by that network, the Armed
Forces Network?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think it's wherever they broadcast, yes, I believe
so. I'll double-check that.
Then he makes remarks at the Bush-Cheney 2004 dinner in San Diego
this evening, before we depart for Newport Beach, where he overnights.
Q Does this Marine base have a special connection to the Iraq war?
MR. McCLELLAN: There a number -- and I think the President will
talk about it in his remarks -- there are a number of military
personnel at this base that have recently returned from Iraq. And, you
know, I think there are more than 70,000 men and women from bases in
southern California that were deployed in Iraq. So you've got these
other bases that will have military personnel and families there, as
well.
Q Is he going to say anything new today, in terms of this update? I
mean, I was led to believe earlier -- like, a week or two ago -- that
he was going to make some sort of significant military speech. Is that
not the case today?
MR. McCLELLAN: He will provide an update on the war on terrorism
and talk about the important work that we are doing both in Afghanistan
and Iraq and elsewhere in the world to win the war on terrorism.
Q So it's a new speech?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q Is it a new speech?
MR. McCLELLAN: It's an update. It's an update on the war on
terrorism. So listen to his remarks, he'll provide an update.
Q Is he going to track closely with the 100-day report we got last
week?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let him make his remarks and you'll hear from him
directly. But, certainly, yes, he'll talk about the progress being
made, talking about the difficulties that remain. It'll be that type of
--
Q Is he going to go beyond what he said with Rumsfeld and the
military advisors last week? Is it going to be any different than
that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Wait for his remarks. You'll hear them all shortly
--
Q Is he going to --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- as soon as we land --
Q All right. Is he going to mention Arnold's name?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that he made -- we've made very clear our
position on the California recall election. I think you have what our
view is on that.
Q Will he even joke about it, do you think?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, listen to his remarks.
Q The campaign says there will not be a single candidate at either
fundraiser, today, tomorrow. Is that your understanding?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, double-check with the campaign. I'm not aware
of any.
Q Scott, there was a report in the paper this morning that the
administration has decided to sort of not seek further U.N. endorsement
in order to gain the support of more --
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I know. I saw the article. Our policy remains
the same. First of all, the U.N. is involved in Iraq. They have a
special representative, Sergio de Mello, who is working closely with
Ambassador Bremer. I think we have also pointed out that under
Resolution 1483, countries are participating in the stabilization and
reconstruction of Iraq. That resolution provides authority for
countries to participate and help. Again, this is a coalition-led
effort. The U.N. is involved in Iraq. And there are a number of
countries participating in Iraq under Resolution 1483.
Q But is it a challenge for the President to explain to these
military personnel and their families that they're going to have these
long deployments, a year at least, without, perhaps, what some people
would say, if you got more U.N. support, you would get more foreign
troops and could alleviate some of the stress and --
MR. McCLELLAN: I wanted to finish on one point. We are continuing
to talk with other countries that want to participate in Iraq and help,
and we will continue to do so. But in terms of Iraq, the President will
continue to express our gratitude to our men and women in uniform and
their families for the sacrifices they are making. This is an important
cause, it's a just cause, that's part of our global war on terrorism
and bringing democracy and security and freedom to Iraq will help bring
peace and stability to the Middle East. And that will be significant in
our overall efforts in the global war on terrorism. The President will
continue to express our appreciation for all our troops are doing, and
for their families.
What else?
Q I've got a quick Liberia question, and I wonder if you can
preview tomorrow, as well. Rebels handed over parts of Monrovia,
Liberia today. They were holding some of these important places,
including a vital port. Is the President watching these developments
day by day? Is that --
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, absolutely.
Q -- that changed?
MR. McCLELLAN: Now, I do understand that the rebels are -- have
been pulling back. We are, as the President said, doing what we can to
support the ECOWAS mission in Liberia, ECOMIL, in their efforts to
provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Liberia. And we will
continue to work closely with ECOMIL about how we can help facilitate
their efforts. But again, ECOMIL is in the lead, and we are there to
provide support.
Q This would seem to be encouraging development today. Do you know
enough about it to say what --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think you ought to stay in touch with the
Pentagon on the latest developments. But I do understand that the rebel
forces are pulling back. The President noted yesterday that it's
important to secure and open the port so that humanitarian assistance
can be provided to those who have been suffering in Liberia, to the
people of Liberia. That's what we're working to do.
Q One more question for you or the Senior Administration Official.
Do you know if in the intelligence briefing the President got
yesterday, was it on-site briefers, or was he -- I know he usually
talks to Tenet and --
MR. McCLELLAN: Video-conferencing.
Q It was video-conferencing?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.
Q Can you talk about tomorrow's tour at all --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, let me get you -- I'll get you more on that
later. But, again, that's to -- well, the short version, the President
will talk about National Parks Legacy Project and our initiatives to
reduce the backlog and improve maintenance of our national parks, which
are --
Q Backlog --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q The backlog?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, there's been a backlog on maintenance and
repair projects at national parks, it goes back years. And we've taken
significant steps to reduce that backlog and improve maintenance and
make our parks where they are -- make our parks where they are
enjoyable for all Americans.
Q Part of the $5 billion pledge over certain --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's $4.9 billion, yes, we've made significant
steps in that direction, are continuing to work with Congress to
provide additional funding in those efforts.
Q Do you recall how many years that was? Four point nine billion
over --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'll double check it. All right. Thanks everybody.
END 1:15 P.M. CDT
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