For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 5, 2003
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
9:50 A.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Week ahead at the end. The President had his usual
briefings. He has taped his radio address. And at 1:15 p.m. will
depart the White House to go to Indianapolis, where the President at
2:20 p.m. will meet with some small business owners and families that
-- some families that will be benefiting from the recently passed Child
Tax Credit. And then the President this evening makes remarks at a
Bush-Cheney reception in Indianapolis, and returns -- goes to Camp
David this evening upon return.
With that, I'll be glad to just go right into questions.
Q The President seems to be making a lot of U-turns in his foreign
policy. Is he beginning to doubt his own rigidity? I mean Korea, the
Iraq and so forth? He seems to be --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I disagree with the whole premise -- I disagree
with the premise of what you said.
Q Isn't he getting more flexible? Is he getting different
advice?
MR. McCLELLAN: Do you have a specific question?
Q Different advisors?
MR. McCLELLAN: Do you have a specific question within that?
Q Pardon me?
MR. McCLELLAN: Because I disagree with the premise of your
question.
Q Okay, well, he is changing his mind. He is softening his
approach, isn't he, in terms of Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: In what way?
Q Making concessions to the U.N., more power and so forth?
MR. McCLELLAN: We have always welcomed the participation of the
international community. And we've always --
Q Yes, but you never gave them any authority --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- talked about the importance of encouraging even
broader international participation in Iraq. So that's something we've
discussed.
Q No, don't go on. I have another question on that.
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, go ahead.
Q Is the President willing to give up more power now to bring
France and Germany and so forth into the realm?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm glad you brought that up. We have all along
talked about the importance of shifting authority to the Iraqi people
as quickly as they are ready to assume more and more responsibility.
That's a shared goal that we have with other nations, as well. And
that's something that the coalition provisional authority is focused
on.
Let me remind you that there is a governing council of Iraqis that
was established. That council earlier this week appointed ministers to
oversee certain areas within Iraq. And so that -- the governing
council was an important step toward a sovereign, free and democratic
Iraq. And the appointment of the ministers is another important step
forward in that process.
They are also moving forward on the political side to establish a
constitutional process. So there are a number of important steps where
the Iraqis are taking more and more responsibility. And as they do
that, we can shift more and more responsibility to the Iraqis.
Q So are you able to convince France and Germany that these are
positive steps that will lead to what everyone is asking for?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, as you are aware, we are consulting with all
the members of the Security Council. The discussions have been
positive. We have had good discussions. Secretary Powell has talked
about this. Some of those responses have been stated publicly and
privately. Some of those have been stated privately. But we have a
shared goal of turning more and more authority over to the Iraqi people
as quickly as we can, and as quickly as they are ready to assume more
and more responsibility. That's what we are focused on doing. And
that's what the focus of the proposed language in the resolution
reaffirms.
Q Could you turn quickly to unemployment? With the figures
going down, to show that jobs are literally disappearing, another rap
for jobs?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I think --
Q Ninety-three thousand --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q Ninety-three Thousand.
MR. McCLELLAN: Right. No, no, I understand. I think today's
numbers are a reminder of the need to act on the additional steps the
President has called upon Congress to pass. The economy is growing.
But the President is not satisfied because there are people who want to
work but cannot find a job. We need to act, continue to act to get the
economy growing even faster so that we can have an environment that
encourages job creation. And that's what -- the President has been
talking about this.
We acted to get the economy out of a recession. And as you heard
the President talk about yesterday, typically, coming out of a
recession, that jobs are usually the last to catch up. And the economy
is continuing to pick up some steam and move in the right direction.
But there is more that we need to do to get it growing even faster.
Q Two different subjects, but back to the U.N. Are you
disappointed by the response by Chirac and Schroeder? Because
Secretary Powell yesterday seemed to indicate he didn't quite
understand what they were talking because he pointed out, we are moving
as fast as we can to turn authority over to the Iraqis. That was
Chirac's --
MR. McCLELLAN: And that's what I just pointed out as well.
Q Right, but are you --
MR. McCLELLAN: That that's always been a priority for us. And
that is reaffirmed in the language that's been proposed for the
resolution.
Q Right. Then, therefore, are you disappointed that Chirac and
Schroeder --
MR. McCLELLAN: There's a consultative process that happens. And
as I said there have been a number of positive discussions, a number of
nations have indicated that publicly. Some others have indicated
privately their receptiveness to what we are working towards.
Q You're not discouraged, Scott?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q You're not discouraged?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the talks are going in a positive
direction. That's what --
Q That's your final --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's what I've described. This is a consultative
process. We're going to continue to talk to all the members of the
Security Council, including France and including Germany. We've had
some discussions with them, Secretary Powell has, and we will continue
to have those discussions.
Q When Gerhard Schroeder says that the U.N. must take full
charge of the political process in Iraq, is that a non-starter for this
administration?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think we've made our views clear. One, you
need to talk to him about what he means by that, by his own remarks.
But we've made it very clear that we have a shared goal here. This is
about the Iraqi people and this is about the future of the Iraqi
people.
And all of us have a stake in what is going on in Iraq because a
peaceful and free Iraq is going to serve as an example for the rest of
the Middle East and help make the world a safer place. So we're all --
this is -- Iraq is now a central part in the war on terrorism. And the
world has a stake in what is going on; the world has a stake in helping
the Iraqi people realize a better future, realize a free and democratic
society. The world has a stake in confronting the terrorists that have
come into Iraq.
Q Why is it a war on terrorists?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me keep going around. I'll come back to you,
if I can at the end. Dana?
Q My second part of my question --
MR. McCLELLAN: Dana, do you want to yield?
Q Go ahead.
Q When we get done with the U.N., I have a question on a
separate subject.
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, I'll see if I can get back to you.
Q Yes.
Q All right, all right, on the jobless number. He said that the
jobless rate is always the last to catch up. But not only is it not
catching up, it's getting worse. What do you ascribe to that? I mean,
this is something that politically is not the greatest thing for --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, remember what we went through. I won't
go back through it at length here, but we went through a recession. We
were attacked on September 11th. We had the corporate scandals. We
are at war on terrorism. And we are going to always make sure that we
are doing everything we can to address those highest of priorities,
winning the war on terrorism and getting the economy growing even
faster. But we acted to get the economy growing, took a number of
steps, and the economy is growing. But again, we want to see it grow
even faster.
And you also have to keep in mind that what usually happens after
recessions, that jobs are one of the last things to catch up. And you
also have high productivity now. High productivity is another reason
employment is lagging. High productivity, while it means better paying
jobs and better living standards, it also means fewer people to do
certain jobs. And it is important that we act to get our economy
growing even faster, to catch up with that productivity. And that is
why we need to continue to act on the President's priorities.
Q What specifically?
MR. McCLELLAN: And what he outlined on -- well, the six steps he
outlined --
Q What specifically?
MR. McCLELLAN: The six steps yesterday, what he outlined
yesterday. We need to act on a comprehensive energy plan to reduce our
dependence on foreign sources of energy and to have a modern
electricity delivery system. We need to act to make health care more
affordable. We need to act on lawsuit reform. We need to act on
expanding -- continuing to expand trade for American products and
American producers. We need to act on making the tax cuts permanent,
to bring more certainty there, so people can plan. So that's what,
specifically.
Q To follow on Dana's question, several economists, prominent
Wall Street economists said this morning they are very concerned about
this number, because they had factored in the stimulus -- the tax cuts
going into effect earlier this summer and the expectation that that
would spur job creation and expansion by companies, both in hiring and
purchasing. It's not happening, and they think that, essentially, the
economy has already absorbed that stimulus, and that the prospect on
job losses in future months paints a pretty bleak picture. Does the
President share those concerns?
MR. McCLELLAN: Keep in mind -- I've already addressed today's
numbers, and the importance of how that underscores the need to act on
some of the additional proposals.
Q Right, but --
MR. McCLELLAN: But there are a number of positive signs in our
economy. There are a number of promising signs in our economy. But
there is more we need to do to get the economy growing even faster.
The President is not satisfied. That's why the President is -- has
been acting and is continuing to lead, to urge further action, so that
we can address exactly what you're bringing up.
Q Scott, do these signs also portend the possibility of
deflation?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry? We're acting to -- on what I just
said.
Q But isn't that still concern, though? Isn't the Fed concerned
about deflation, given all these --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you can talk to the Fed about what their
concerns are about.
Q Scott, how do you respond to some of the stinging criticism
last night in the Democratic debate, particularly -- for instance,
Representative Gephardt calling the President a miserable President?
MR. McCLELLAN: I watched some of the confrontation on TV last
night, and I was impressed by the way the Redskins pulled it out.
(Laughter.)
Q Seriously, Scott --
MR. McCLELLAN: There is a Democratic primary going on. We'll let
them debate those issues among themselves.
Q Did the President watch the debate?
MR. McCLELLAN: Not that I'm aware of.
Q Back on the U.N. The French, the Germans, the Russians --
among others -- did not accept, initially, six months ago, the idea
that weapons of mass destruction constitute a reason to go into Iraq.
And the weapons have not been shown. They did not accept the
President's contention that it was essential for a part of the war on
terror. What is the case now that they should now invest blood and
treasure in Iraq --
MR. McCLELLAN: Exactly what I was talking about, I think in
response to Mark a short time ago, that we all have a stake in helping
the Iraqi people build a better future, and helping the Iraqi people
realize a sovereign, free and democratic country. We all have a stake
in a free and democratic Iraq -- in achieving a free and democratic
Iraq because it will serve as an example to the Middle East. And it
will help bring about a safer world.
So we -- all of us have a stake. Regardless of where we stood
before the battle of Iraq, we can all now work together. And a number
of countries are already participating and helping that effort to help
the Iraqi people build a better future. We've already pointed out more
than 30 countries are participating in our efforts. We welcome that
participation. We also want to continue talking with other countries
to encourage them to participate because of the reasons outlined in
response to Mark's question.
Q And can I just follow up by saying it's obviously a difficult
environment to ask another government to send troops, or to invest
money in Iraq right now. What is the incentive for these countries to
do so, to buy into a multinational operation there now?
MR. McCLELLAN: What is the incentive?
Q What is the incentive for a France or a Germany or a Russia?
MR. McCLELLAN: The exact same -- I mean it's still the same thing
I just said. This is about the Iraqi people and helping the Iraqi
people realize a better future. This is about helping bring about a
free and democratic Iraq. Iraq is central to winning the war on
terrorism. And when we achieve a free, secure and democratic Iraq,
that's going to serve as an example for the Middle East. That's going
us to help address some of these issues. We are --
Q President Bush, Sr. is traveling to Russia next week, at least
reports from Moscow say so. Is he carrying any messages from the White
House?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know the former President's schedule. You
should talk to his office if you have questions about his schedule or
about what he'll be doing.
Q Also, the Kremlin has announced the dates, at least, for the
Putin visit. How soon will you be making any announcements on that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Stay tuned. Philippe.
Q Jean-Louis.
MR. McCLELLAN: I mean, Jean-Louis, I'm sorry.
Q That's okay. Back to the U.N. resolution. You said some
answers were private, others were public. Did the French or the
Germans say something privately different than what they said
publicly?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, there is a consultative process going
on, and I'll let countries speak for themselves about what they have to
say.
Q Was there any conversation between President Bush and Chirac
or Schroeder over the last 48 hours?
MR. McCLELLAN: No. Okay, I've got to go, so -- do we have any
other issues, real quick?
Q Yes, we have one other, which you didn't respond to, which
involves Helen's question. Was the senior State Department official
yesterday signaling any change whatsoever --
MR. McCLELLAN: Thank you for bringing that up.
Q -- in U.S. policy toward North Korea? Any flexible --
MR. McCLELLAN: Helen talked about a broader question, and now
we're getting to the -- that's why I said about the specific -- if you
have a specific question, let's address that.
Q You've got to respond.
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead, what's your question?
Q I was specific. You know what I was asking.
Q Is there new flexibility? Is there any adjustment in policy,
whatsoever? Is there any difference between the situation a
week-and-a-half ago and now?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think it's important to focus on what was
accomplished in the recent talks that took place, the multilateral
talks. The five nations, in a multilateral forum -- when I'm referring
to the five nations, I'm referring to China, Russia, South Korea, Japan
and the United States -- the five nations made it very clear to North
Korea what it needs to do to become part of the international community
and realize the benefits of the international community.
The five nations made it very clear that North Korea must
verifiably and irreversibly end its nuclear weapons program. So there
is a strong message going to North Korea. North Korea is learning that
the international community is not going to reward bad behavior. They
must change their behavior and begin to take concrete steps to
dismantle its nuclear weapons program.
Q I'm sorry.
Q Yes, that didn't really answer the question.
Q My question -- has there been any adjustment in policy, was
the official signaling any new flexibility?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, the official was talking about -- let me go
back to what the President said, back in January, 2003, in a pool spray
in the Oval with the President of Poland. The President said -- and he
said:
"I've instructed our Secretary of State to approach North Korea
about a bold initiative, an initiative which would talk about energy
and food, because we care deeply about the suffering of the North
Korean people. And then the North Koreans made a decision. I view
this as an opportunity to bind together nations in the neighborhood and
around the world to make it clear to the North Koreans that we expect
this issue to be resolved peacefully and we expect them to disarm. We
expect them not to develop nuclear weapons, and if they so choose to do
so -- their choice -- then I will reconsider whether or not we will
start the bold initiative that I talked to Secretary Powell about.
People say, well, are you willing to talk to North Korea? Of course we
are. But what this nation won't do is be blackmailed. And what this
nation will do is use this as an opportunity to bring the Chinese and
the Russians and South Koreans and the Japanese to the table to solve
this problem peacefully."
So we are moving forward on a multilateral approach, exactly what
we've spelled out to address this. And nothing can happen until North
Korea changes its behavior and begins to take concrete steps to
dismantle its nuclear weapons program. North Korea must end,
verifiably and irreversibly, its nuclear weapons program.
Q Are we going to discuss security issues --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you're asking a question that, again, that
North Korea must change its behavior. That's the message. That's why
I referred back to the recent talks. North Korea must change its
behavior and take concrete steps to end its nuclear weapons program.
Q And what was the answer?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's what the message that was sent by the five
nations to North Korea. And so that's where things are.
Q His concrete steps will be answered by U.S. concrete steps, is
what you're telling us.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think the five nations have made it very
clear that we are always willing to talk about what is possible if
North Korea changes its behavior. We are ready -- so I think that's
what --
Q That statement --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's we've talked about all along.
Q But that statement you just read --
MR. McCLELLAN: But now we have five nations sending that very
clear message to the North Koreans.
Q China has also sent a message to the U.S., that it had better
soften its stand.
MR. McCLELLAN: You might want to ask China about some of those
comments.
Q No, you don't have to ask China.
MR. McCLELLAN: China is part -- China, South Korea, Japan, Russia,
the United States, have all made it very clear, the importance of a
non-nuclear peninsula, and made it very clear --
Q And they've made it clear to the U.S., he has to soften --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- that North Korea needs to end its nuclear
weapons program in a verifiable and irreversible way.
And with that, I've really got to go. I'm late for a meeting
already.
Q Week ahead.
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh -- now I'm even going to be later.
Q On the record.
MR. McCLELLAN: I said, shoot. Wednesday, September 10th, 2003,
the President will meet with the Prime Minister of Kuwait in the Oval
Office. Then the President will travel to the FBI Academy in Quantico,
Virginia, to make remarks on Homeland Security.
Thursday, September 11th, the President will attend a service of
prayer -- I mentioned some of this yesterday -- a service of prayer and
remembrance at St. John's Episcopal Church. Then he will participate
in a moment of silence on the South Lawn. Then he will travel to
Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital to visit with some of our troops that
have been wounded in the war on terrorism.
Friday, September 12th, the President will travel to Georgia to
make remarks at Fort Stewart. Then he will travel to Jackson,
Mississippi to attend a Barbour For Governor luncheon. And then the
President will travel to Houston, Texas, to make remarks celebrating
the anniversary of the Power Center. And then the President will go to
Camp David for the weekend.
And I also want to give you an update on remaining campaign events
for the month. You've got today in Indianapolis. And we mentioned the
two next -- early next week -- Nashville, Tennessee, on September 8th;
Jacksonville, Florida, September 9th; Fort Lauderdale, September 9th;
Philadelphia, September 15th; Chicago September 30th and Cincinnati
September 30th.
Q What's he doing Monday and Tuesday?
MR. McCLELLAN: And everybody have a good weekend.
Q Monday and Tuesday travel?
Q Radio address?
MR. McCLELLAN: I actually did that yesterday.
Q Scott, what's the topic of the radio address?
MR. McCLELLAN: Education.
END 10:12 A.M. EDT
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