For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 2, 2003
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Scott Mcclellan
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10:35 A.M. EST
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me run through the President's morning, and the
rest of the day. The President spoke with President Mubarak this
morning. The two leaders discussed contacts between -- or contacts
that are currently underway between the government of Israel and the
new Palestinian cabinet, as well as the situation in Iraq.
President Mubarak noted that he had met earlier today with
Assistant Secretary of State Burns, who is in the region to talk about
moving forward with discussions between the government of Israel and
the new Palestinian cabinet. And that was pretty much a summary of the
call.
The President had his usual briefings this morning. And as you are
aware, he participated in the bill signing of the Adoption Promotion
Act of 2003 -- you have his remarks from that already.
Upon arrival in Pittsburgh, the Freedom Corps greeter will be Mila
Nguyen. She is an active volunteer in the Pittsburgh community. She
volunteers with Pittsburgh Cares, which is a nonprofit that creates
volunteer opportunities for individuals in the Pittsburgh area and
she's been involved in a number of different volunteer activities, from
helping children at MHMR centers to helping senior citizens to helping
collect trash in the Pittsburgh area, as well.
Following that, the President makes remarks at the Bush-Cheney 2004
luncheon in Pittsburgh. And then we go back to the White House, where
he will participate in a photo opportunity with some of the NASCAR
champions. This really is an event to congratulate the 2003 NASCAR
Winston Cup Series point champion, Matt Kenseth. I expect that some of
the former champions and some of the other top drivers will be there
for this event, as well, as we congratulate the Winston Cup series
champion.
And, let's see, a couple of other things. He will also be on "Ask
the White House" -- the NASCAR Winston Cup winner will also be on "Ask
the White House" at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon.
And one other quick announcement. The President will participate
in a series of bill signings over the course of the next week, which
began earlier today by signing the Adoption Promotion Act. The
President looks forward to signing the Healthy Forest Restoration Act
tomorrow at the White House -- or, I'm sorry, at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. This common sense legislation will help protect
communities, save wildlife and restore forest health.
Later in the week, he will also be signing the 21st Century
Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, and the National Consumer
Credit Reporting System Implementation Act. And then on Monday, he
will sign historic legislation that strengthens and modernizes Medicare
for our nation's seniors, including providing seniors with long awaited
prescription drug coverage.
Q That's at the White House?
MR. McCLELLAN: We'll let you know, we're finalizing all those
details. We'll get you more information as that's finalized, but it
will be in the Washington area.
The bill signings reflect a time of bipartisan accomplishment on
important priorities for the American people, and the President looks
forward to participating in all these bill signings over the course of
the next week.
With that, I'll be glad to go into questions.
Q Tom Usher, from U.S. Steel, Arlen Specter, flying up today,
both said they were going to argue to the President that he not lift
the steel sanctions. My question is, is the President still open to
arguments at this point, or to changing his mind?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we have been listening to producers, to
consumers, to members of Congress and others, about their views on the
issue. And the President has visited with people during various events
across the country about this issue, that have expressed their views.
The President still has not made a decision; it remains under review.
I expect he will have a decision -- or make a decision in due course.
Q So is he still open to new arguments, or to listening to
people?
MR. McCLELLAN: It continues to be under view, and we have been
listening to the views of others and of all interested parties, and we
continue to. So, yes.
Q Can I ask you about reports from Iraq, of the arrest of a
Saddam lieutenant, al-Duri? Do you know anything about whether that's
--
MR. McCLELLAN: I've seen those reports, and we have no
confirmation of that at this point.
Q Of either arrest or killing him, or anything --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's right.
Q Is the First Lady going to go to Afghanistan?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think her press secretary addressed that
yesterday.
Q Can you tell us if she does?
MR. McCLELLAN: I will leave it where her press secretary addressed
it yesterday. I think Mr. Johndroe did able job of addressing that
yesterday.
Q I'll volunteer for the secret mission. (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: Anything else?
Q Who is the President's favorite NASCAR driver?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, like I said, there will be a number of
champions there today, and he looks forward to visiting with each and
every one of them. There are some former champions, there is the
current champion, and then there are some others that I think finished
in -- in like the top 10 this past year.
Q Did he watch any of the series?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me double check.
Q The Israelis are protesting a decision by U.S. officials to
meet with this unofficial delegation of Israelis and Palestinians who
have negotiated an unofficial peace agreement. Are those Israeli
protests causing you to rethink whether that's a wise --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think you're referring to some of those
members that will be in Washington later this week. I understand there
may be some meetings at the State Department. I think for specifics
about that, you ought to obviously check with the State Department. As
far as what we've said, is that we continue to believe that the best
path forward toward realizing the President's vision, of two states
living side by side in peace and security, is the road map. And we've
always said that discussions by private citizens or entities can be
useful, but that the best path forward to realizing the President's
vision is the road map.
Q Does the President support these meetings?
MR. McCLELLAN: We continue to -- as I noted, Assistant Secretary
of State Burns has been in the region meeting with officials of both
parties, and working on ways to move forward on discussions between the
government of Israel and the new Palestinian cabinet. And so we
continue to remain actively engaged in working with the parties to move
forward on the road map that was agreed to by a number of entities and
countries.
Q Did you hear anything on the plane about a campaign finance
decision?
MR. McCLELLAN: No.
Q It didn't come down, as far as you know?
MR. McCLELLAN: I haven't heard anything about it.
Q Is the President going to have any meetings with the steel
chairman -- any private time with the steel chairman today?
MR. McCLELLAN: Up here in Pittsburgh? I don't know if there's
anything specifically scheduled, but I'll try to keep tabs on it for
you, and let you know. But, no, there's nothing scheduled, per se.
Q But he will see him in the course of --
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, I imagine so, yes, I imagine he would. I'll
try to keep you posted if there's any more.
Thanks.
END 10:43 A.M. EST
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