For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 9, 2003
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
12:55 P.M. EST
MR. McCLELLAN: The President was -- has been honored to host
Premier Wen here today at the White House. As the two leaders noted
earlier, they had a very -- they have had a very friendly and candid
discussion on a number of important priorities. I would like to just
add that later this afternoon, we will do a background briefing with
some senior administration officials in this room, and we'll get you
the information on that at that time. And with that, I'm glad to go
right into questions.
Steve.
Q What was the proposal that the Chinese Premier offered to
help the economic relationship?
MR. McCLELLAN: In terms of discussing things from the standpoint
of China, I would let them discuss those issues and those specifics.
We do appreciate the way that China has been responding to our concerns
on trade. As you all are aware, the President and President Hu had
discussions about this earlier, as well as Secretary Snow has been to
China, and we appreciate the way China has been responding.
China has made strong public commitments of their resolve to crack
down on intellectual property piracy. The President raised that
issue. China has publicly committed to maintaining an open and
predictable market for U.S. agricultural exports. I would point out
that agricultural exports to China have more than doubled so far this
year to over $3 billion. China is also working to move up the schedule
for U.S. automakers to obtain trading and distribution rights to sell
in China. And China is also sending buying missions to the United
States for big-ticket export items, including a $1.7 billion purchase
of U.S. aircraft last month.
The President reiterated that he is strongly committed to expanding
trade with China, but that trade must be both free and fair. The
President told the Premier that China needs to do more to open its
markets and share a mutually beneficial trade relationship. They had a
very good discussion on these issues.
Q What about the free floating of the Chinese currency? What
discussion was held about that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President brought that issue up in the
meeting in the Cabinet Room. The President reiterated our belief that
the best international financial system is one based on free trade,
free flow of capital, and market-determined exchange rates. And we
welcome the Premier's reaffirmation that he agrees. We also recognize
that the transition to a market-determined currency is a complex
process, and we appreciate that the Chinese have reached out to the
Treasury Department for assistance in that process.
Q Why is the President opposing the exercise of the democratic
self-determination by the people of Taiwan when he says that that's a
cornerstone of his policy worldwide?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, our policy remains the same. And the
President, in the meeting, made it very clear that we support the one
China policy and the Taiwan Relations Act, which is part of the three
joint communiqus, and that we do not support Taiwan independence. You
heard directly from the President on this very issue. The President
made it very clear that the United States opposes any unilateral
attempt to change Taiwan's status, or to change the status quo. The
President also made it clear that that applies to both Beijing's
possible use of force and Taiwan, itself, including referenda and
constitutional reform that would change the status quo.
Q The President does not support Taiwan independence under any
circumstances?
MR. McCLELLAN: We have made it very clear that we do not support
Taiwan independence. We support the one China policy, which is part of
the three joint communiqus. The President believes it's important to
continue urging both sides to refrain from actions or statements that
increase tensions or make dialogue more difficult to achieve.
Q Isn't there a contradiction between that policy of
maintaining the status quo and not allowing unilateral actions, and the
desire, apparently, of a substantial number of the people of Taiwan to
vote on the matter? I thought this President was for that kind of
democratic activity.
MR. McCLELLAN: The President opposes any unilateral attempt to
change the status quo. That has been our policy, and that remains our
policy. And that applies to both Beijing and Taiwan.
Q Scott, on the same issue, the Taiwanese make the point that
the referendum they have proposed is not about independence, the word
doesn't appear in it; it's about the Chinese missile build-up on the
coast facing Taiwan, a missile build-up that I think it's U.S. policy
also to oppose. So could you tell us, separate from the issue of
independence, why is the President opposed to a referendum in a freely
held Chinese state on a question of missile build-up?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President talked about some of this in the Oval
Office. You heard from him directly. It is our view that the recent
statements and proposals coming out of Taiwan that you bring up would
imply a desire to change the status quo, and we oppose any unilateral
attempt to change the status quo, for the very reasons I was just
stating to Terry.
Q Can you imagine any other areas --
MR. McCLELLAN: Hypothetical --
Q -- areas around the world where the President would not favor
a democratically-held referendum?
MR. McCLELLAN: This has been a longstanding policy and it remains
the same.
Dana, do you have something?
Q Yes, what are the consequences for Taiwan ignoring the
President's wishes on this?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we've made our views very clear. Our policy
is well-known. They are very aware of our views, as is Beijing.
Q Are you willing to impose sanctions?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not going to get into just hypotheticals about
what are the consequences if they --
Q Well, they're planning to go ahead with this resolution as of
now. Are the United States willing to impose sanctions?
MR. McCLELLAN: We will continue to emphasize what we already
have. No, I am not going to get into hypothetical actions or anything
like that.
Q But you would not rule out the use of sanctions?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not going to rule in or rule out.
Q There are some, Scott, who say you may not be changing the
policy, but that the President is changing the emphasis. You remember
early on, he did say he opposed Taiwan's independence, but he also said
that he would do whatever it takes to defend Taiwan, the emphasis there
being on defending Taiwan. Now some are saying the emphasis seems to
be on condemning or reprimanding the leadership of Taiwan and issuing
statements that the Premier himself several times said he appreciated.
Is there a shift, at least, in emphasis and is there any connection to
China's help on other matters like North Korea?
MR. McCLELLAN: The policy remains the same, and that's why he
mentioned the Taiwan Relations Act earlier, as well, and referred back
to the three joint communiqus.
Q Can I follow up on that, too?
MR. McCLELLAN: Stay on this subject -- go ahead, John. Did you
have something?
Q If you looked at how he said it at the beginning of the
administration and how he says it now, you are right in that all of the
-- all of the boxes are checked. But it is said with a different --
there seems to be a different emphasis. And not a strategic
competitor, now it's a partner in democracy. Would you at least
concede there is a different emphasis because of the development of the
relationship?
MR. McCLELLAN: I would state that our policy remains the same and
we're making it clear that this applies to both sides. That's what I
would emphasize.
Q On the question of whether or not the referendum itself is
heading down the path toward independence, is there a specific
statement that you could point us to that indicates that that is indeed
what the Taiwanese have in mind by doing this referendum?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's what I said that it seems to imply, a desire
to change the status quo. You've seen the public comments that have
been made.
Q I was wondering which public comment the White House
interprets as an indication that --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think I need to point to each specific
comment, but the comments that have been made publicly by Taiwan
recently.
Q You don't have an example you could give us?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not going to just point to a specific one. I
think that the comments that Taiwan have made recently are very
well-known on this issue.
Q Why shouldn't people see this as the administration picking
and choosing its moral clarity when it comes to foreign policy, by
opposing democracy here because it doesn't suit your interests in the
region, especially since China is helping on North Korea? Why isn't
this kind of cherry-picking your moral clarity?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, this has been a longstanding policy.
This policy has been in place, and what the President said today was
reiterating what that policy is. He was asked a question about it, and
he reiterated what our policy is.
Q My question is, why isn't that hypocritical? I mean, you're
all for democracy in the Middle East and in Iraq, but the Taiwanese
people see that and then America says, no, not for you, not democracy
for you.
MR. McCLELLAN: There are a lot of matters you address around the
world, and different circumstances require different action and
strategies.
Q Well, explain that. Explain why this strategy is different,
why the Taiwanese are being sacrificed for what? What is the larger
good here that the President sees?
MR. McCLELLAN: You might want to go back and look at the three
joint communiqus, and look at that.
Q Lay it out for the American people. They're hearing all this
emphasis from the President.
MR. McCLELLAN: This is what he has said from the beginning.
Q Do you want to get 10 Americans on the street, and see if
it's clear?
MR. McCLELLAN: This is what he has said from the beginning, this
policy.
Q -- reporting here --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sure that you all in this room will do your
best to educate them about what our policy has been and what our policy
is, and why -- and why it is.
Q Why don't you educate us about what the President's thinking
is -- why there's moral clarity when it comes to pushing democracy in
some parts of the world, but not here. What is the larger interest?
MR. McCLELLAN: Wait. We support any change -- any unilateral
attempt to change the status quo. That's what he's made very clear.
Q Even a democratic change?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you need to look at that.
Q Why is it our policy? Is it because China is so much larger
and has such a huge economic market? And what if Taiwan decided it
wanted to become another country -- Formosa, not part of China, would
the United States then accept that?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's a huge hypothetical there. Our policy is
longstanding on this issue. And you go back and look at the three
joint communiqus, look at our policy, one China policy, look at the
Taiwan Relations Act. I mean, that spells out our policy very
clearly. And the President was reiterating that. There have been some
recent comments that have been made by some, and that's why the
President was --
Q The answer to why --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's why the President was stating very clearly
what our policy is --
Q Why?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and what it has been. It's been a longstanding
policy for the reasons spelled out in the three joint communiqus.
Q Scott, you say you oppose a unilateral movement toward
democracy in Taiwan. In what way could Taiwan move toward democracy
that would please the administration?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, this is addressing the current status quo.
We oppose any attempt to change, unilaterally, the status quo, in
regards to China and Taiwan --
Q -- that implies a bilateral, a multilateral --
MR. McCLELLAN: That applies to both China and it applies to
Taiwan. And the President made that clear in the Oval Office in the
meeting with Premier Wen.
Q Premier Wen said that democracy as was being practiced by
President Chen in Taipei was being used as a tool to split Taiwan away
from mainland China. Does the President agree with that?
MR. McCLELLAN: You heard the President's comments. That's what
the President believes, in terms of what he said in his comments, and
what I've reiterated from this podium. That's the President's belief.
Q Does he agree with Premier Wen that President Chen is using
democracy to split Taiwan away?
MR. McCLELLAN: We're working together to address these issues and
talk about any differences we may have, as well, on a whole host of
issues, but also working together on areas of common interest.
Q Scott, in the last few days or few weeks, there have been
statements from China threatening to attack Taiwan. If this issue has
been discussed between President Bush and the Premier of China that
China should not make such a threat against Taiwan, because we will be
there to --
MR. McCLELLAN: The President brought that up in the meeting in the
Oval Office, and made it very clear that this position applies to both,
both Beijing and Taiwan. And that includes the possible use of force
by Beijing, as well as any unilateral attempts by Taiwan to move toward
independence.
Q If there is a threat from China, U.S. will defend Taiwan at
the same time U.S. policy will change on China?
MR. McCLELLAN: U.S. policy will change?
Q Towards China.
MR. McCLELLAN: Our policy is the same under the one China policy
and the Taiwan Relations Act, the three joint communiqus.
John, did you have something?
Q Yes.
MR. McCLELLAN: On this issue?
Q Yes, I just wanted to get your idea of how a unilateral
declaration of independence by Taiwan would affect the application of
the Taiwan Relations Act?
MR. McCLELLAN: One, you're getting into what we oppose, any
unilateral attempt to change the status quo. Now you're going into
some hypothetical about if that happened, how would that affect
things. We deal with the here and now and the way things are. And our
policy has been consistent and clear all along, in terms of Taiwan and
China and independence or unification.
Q You're dealing with the here and now, but you also have to
think about the potential for what could happen.
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't tend to get into all these hypotheticals
from the podium.
Q Haven't you changed the policy here a little bit?
MR. McCLELLAN: Staying on this?
Q I thought that the United States had never foreclosed the
possibility of Taiwanese independence, as long as it was mutually
agreed to.
MR. McCLELLAN: We've made it clear that we do not support Taiwan
independence, and that we oppose any unilateral attempt to change the
status quo.
Q So there's no way --
MR. McCLELLAN: By both -- that's Beijing and Taiwan.
Q -- even if a future government in Beijing agreed to allow --
even if it was mutually agreed to.
MR. McCLELLAN: Unilateral. That's why I emphasized unilateral.
Q So you don't -- it's possible that some day Taiwan could be
independent?
MR. McCLELLAN: It's important for there to be dialogue on these
issues. And that's why we've urged both sides to refrain from actions
or statements that would increase tensions.
Did you have something on this?
Q Just to follow up on John's question about a possible change
in emphasis, are we more concerned today about changes in the status
quo because we have more military commitments today and maybe would
have -- it would be less easy to defend Taiwan against attack?
MR. McCLELLAN: Our policy has not changed. Let me make that very
clear. You're asking comments based on some suggestion that maybe our
policy has changed; that's not the case. This policy has been in
place. And we deal with each issue around the world as circumstances
dictate.
Q But are we more concerned about a change in the status quo
because we would have more difficulty defending Taiwan now that we have
more military --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know if I'd look at it that way.
Q Did the subject of U.S. military aid to Taiwan --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'll come to you next. I'm sorry, go ahead.
Q Did the subject of U.S. military aid to Taiwan come up in the
discussions, and can we expect any kind of change in our supply of
weapons to Taiwan?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't have anything to announce. We'll see if
the background briefers have more on that later. We'll see if we can
get that question for you then.
Q The Chinese Premier said that President Bush told him he
opposed Taiwan's independence. And you just told us that U.S. do not
support Taiwan's independence. Could it be in private U.S. is telling
China opposing Taiwan independence and in public you are saying another
thing, you do not --
MR. McCLELLAN: You heard from the President himself; our policy is
that we do not support Taiwan independence and that we oppose any
unilateral attempt to change the status quo. That's our policy and
we've made it very clear publicly for a long time.
Q I don't understand why the U.S. is committed to defending
Taiwan militarily if it's attacked if it doesn't think that Taiwan can
be a separate country. There's no consistency here.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think there is. And we've talked about this
issue previously, in terms of the one China policy and in terms of the
Taiwan Relations Act. This applies to both sides. This applies to
Beijing, this applies to Taiwan in terms of any unilateral attempt to
change the status quo. And there are a lot of reasons for that.
Q Scott, this is a follow on the currency question. As you
know, this continues to be a concern of American manufacturers. Does
the President believe there was progress made today as a result of
these talks? And was progress made compared to discussions he had in
Bangkok on the same topic?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I think that, as I said, China is responding
to the concerns that we have raised, and that would include on the
issue you bring up, as well. And we appreciate the way that China is
responding. And that's why I pointed out that we recognize the
complexities involved here and we are continuing to work with China on
these issues. But we appreciate the way they're responding to it.
Q Scott, one more time. The President has opened a lot of eyes
around the world by giving a speech in which he has said that he has
been wrong, that President Clinton was wrong, that his own father was
wrong, Ronald Reagan was wrong in the context of the Middle East, in
putting U.S. interests over the rights and aspirations of people
across the Middle East. You just mentioned the complexities of the
relationship with China. Is it because of those complexities that that
standard does not apply when it comes to Taiwan?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, keep in mind the importance of how trade
plays into this, as well, and by expanding trade and promoting free
trade -- with a level playing field, I might add -- how that helps
bring about reforms and changes, and changes things in countries, as
well. And that's -- free trade is a way not only to promote economic
growth, but to promote or plant the seeds for democracy.
Q You indicated that progress was made on the currency issue.
Did the leaders discuss any timetable for revaluing the --
MR. McCLELLAN: No.
Q So what's the progress?
Q So what was the progress, yes.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well --
Q They've given us no timetable --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, they discussed -- it's what I discussed
earlier. I mean, I think that there's a recognition of the need to
continue to work on this issue. I think you can get the view from the
Chinese side, as well. But the transition to a market-determined
currency is a complex process. That's why I brought that up earlier.
The Chinese have reached out to the Treasury Department. There is
some technical cooperation that has previously been established between
the Treasury Department and China's Central Bank. The purpose of that
is to develop the financial sector in China, including the development
of foreign exchange markets and liberalization of the capital markets.
And we appreciate the fact that China has responded and reached out to
us on this important issue. And there's going to be a meeting in
January in Beijing on some of this.
Q Scott, can you just confirm which economic advisors were in
the expanded Cabinet meetings? It was supposed to be Snow, Friedman,
Zoellick --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'll get you that, yes. Secretary Snow, Secretary
Evans, Ambassador Zoellick, they were all in there. I can get you more
of the names. I didn't bring a list out here with me --
Q I'm sorry, what's the January meeting about?
MR. McCLELLAN: It's on the technical cooperation efforts, what I
was talking about, with the U.S. Treasury Department and the Central
Bank. I'd check with Treasury Department about some more specifics.
Are we staying on this topic, or ready to move on? China? You've
had yours. China. And then we'll go to the next issue.
Q Have there been or will there be any discussions with the
Chinese leaders about human rights, in particular the persecution of
Christians in China?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President raised our concerns in the first
meeting in the Oval Office, both on human rights and religious freedom
and the need to do more. He did bring that up, in addition to the
other topics that were covered, some of which you heard from the two
leaders about -- North Korea, Taiwan and the war on terrorism are areas
where we're cooperating.
Q And what were the answers?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I'll let the Chinese speak for themselves.
But we continue to raise those concerns and make our views very clear.
Q Scott, on another topic, there was a major move today in the
Democratic party. Al Gore, the man who won the popular vote in the
last presidential election, threw his support behind Howard Dean. Why
is the White House deflecting anything Democratic, especially right now
when this man, who in some instances beat President Bush in the last
election --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, because there's a lot of important
business to focus on and a lot of important priorities that we're
working to accomplish. And, two, we're not in the Democratic primary.
I think there are nine candidates in there. There are a lot of
differences they're debating amongst themselves. We'll let them debate
those differences and come to a resolution of that, and then there will
be plenty of time for talking about differences down the road.
Q What is the thought -- what is the thought about Al Gore, the
man who won the popular vote, threw his support at this early stage
behind Howard Dean? He could actually be the heir apparent right now
in the Democrat Party.
MR. McCLELLAN: During election year, during primaries, there are
all sorts of endorsements that are made on behalf of candidates.
That's all part of the Democrat primary. We'll let them work out their
differences. The President is going to continue to focus on our
nation's highest priorities of winning the war on terrorism, protecting
the homeland, and strengthening our economy and creating a more robust
environment for job creation. That's what the President is going to
do. There will be plenty of time for talking about the campaign later
after the Democrats have decided -- made their decision.
Q So when can the public expect to see President Bush actually
going against the Democrats, talking -- they're lobbing things against
every time they speak.
MR. McCLELLAN: Not now. The President is going to continue
focusing on the people's business.
Q The same subject of Al Gore. Today when he endorsed Howard
Dean, he also launched a very strong attack against President Bush and
his Iraq policy, including using the word "quagmire," which in a way
resembles -- used to be said in Vietnam. What does the President feel
about the attack that Al Gore launched on his policy?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President is going to stay focused on what we
are trying to accomplish here to make the world a safer and better
place abroad, and to make America more secure at home, as well as what
we are doing to strengthen our economy. As I mentioned, that's what
the President is going to continue to do.
I think the American people recognize that this President has acted
in their best interest to make the world a safer and better place for
future generations and to make America more secure. That's what the
President has acted to do, and that's what we are doing. I don't think
anyone would argue that we would be better off with Saddam Hussein
still in power in Iraq.
Q Scott, is it safe to say that the President --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know if anything you say is safe to say,
Lester. (Laughter.)
Q Is it safe to say that the President would never ever do to
Dick Cheney what Al Gore has done to Joe Lieberman?
MR. McCLELLAN: Vice President --
Q -- isn't that true, that he'd never do that to --
MR. McCLELLAN: The Vice President is doing an outstanding job and
he appreciates -- the President very much appreciates the job that he
is doing.
Q And do we believe that Taiwan has no nuclear weapons?
MR. McCLELLAN: We've made our views known on that, and I'm not
going to --
Q You have?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not going to say any more on the subject.
Q Scott, on the commission of Cuba, what makes sure the
President that this time the commission will succeed in ending the
regime of Fidel Castro? And what the President really expects May 1st
when Cuba receives the first report of this commission, the key to open
Cuba to democracy, or the key to the end of the Castro regime?
MR. McCLELLAN: I didn't catch the last part, but this commission
that the President put in place continues to show his commitment to
helping to bring about a Cuba that has freedom -- has freedom of press,
that has freedom of religion, that -- and the President is strongly
committed to achieving that objective. And the commission was set up
to look at ways that we can continue to move in that direction, as well
as plan for a time when there is a post-dictator Cuba.
Q What is the time frame of that plan to --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that -- I believe that there are some time
lines on the reporting back to the President. I don't recall those
specifically off the top of my head. Their first meeting here at the
White House yesterday was a very productive meeting. They continue to
move forward on that.
Scott, there is speculation that Secretary of State Powell will be
offered the presidency of the World Bank. Has he discussed this with
the President, and who would replace Secretary Powell at State?
(Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: Huge hypothetical. Lot of speculation in that
one. I don't -- the State Department addressed that the other day.
They said they hadn't heard anything about it. We haven't heard
anything about it either, so -- go ahead.
Q Is there any possibility that the President will make another
surprise visit to the troops at Christmas? (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: There's nothing to update on the President's
schedule. The President often pays visits to our troops, both abroad
and at home, but I wouldn't read anything one way or the other into
anything about the President's schedule. We'll keep you updated on the
President's schedule.
Q Scott, at the discussion this morning, did the President
discuss anything about Hong Kong, the elections in Hong Kong?
MR. McCLELLAN: We can check with the briefers later and
double-check that, but I'm not aware that that came up. But we can
discuss that with the briefers later, double-check that.
Q -- got a non-surprise schedule question. The President is
going to the Kennedy Center tonight. Why does he want to hear the
symphony, the Iraqi Symphony?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, this is, one, this is another example of the
Iraqi people realizing the benefits of freedom. I think the Iraqi
Symphony Orchestra exemplifies some of the best about the Iraqi
people. And he looks -- the President and Mrs. Bush very much look
forward to attending this performance. And you all will be there to
watch it, as well.
Q Scott, one quick one on the speech today. When the President
said today that political freedoms are necessary for the Chinese -- for
national greatness and national dignity, did that also apply to the
people of Taiwan?
MR. McCLELLAN: That applies I think broadly to all people. The
President has often talked about freedom is a universal right of all
people. And the President is strongly committed to promoting freedom
and spreading freedom throughout the world.
Thank you very much. And thank you for whoever left this up here.
END 1:21 P.M. EST
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