For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 11, 2003
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
12:45 P.M. EST
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me read out a couple of world leader calls from
earlier today. The President made a farewell call to Canadian Prime
Minister Jean Chretien this morning. The President called to
congratulate Prime Minister Chretien on his long years of service to
the Canadian people. The President also thanked the Prime Minister for
being a friend of the United States during his tenure as Prime Minister
and for Canadian contributions in the war on terrorism.
Q Did he mention the contract?
MR. McCLELLAN: The second call this morning, the President spoke
to Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi about the need to restructure and
reduce Iraq's crushing debt burden. And the President also, as he did
yesterday in his phone calls, asked the Prime Minister to receive his
personal envoy on this issue, Secretary of State -- former Secretary of
State James Baker, to discuss the issue.
And with that, I'll be glad to go into questions.
Q Does the deputy --
MR. McCLELLAN: Why are you always first? This is like a week of
John Roberts gets to go first every day.
Q I'm kind of hard wired that way. Does the Deputy Secretary
of Defense still enjoy the confidence of the President?
MR. McCLELLAN: Absolutely. He's doing an outstanding job to help
make the world a safer and better place.
Q The President is in no way upset about the timing of the
release of this memo?
MR. McCLELLAN: About the release of a decision that had gone
through an interagency process, had been thoroughly reviewed by all the
appropriate agencies, and had the full support of the President of the
United States?
Q I guess the answer is, yes. Is he upset about the timing of
the release of the memo?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think we discussed this earlier, discussed this a
little bit yesterday, the reason why we came to the decision that we
did. And this is really a part of supporting and honoring United
States forces, coalition forces, and the Iraqi people who have been
risking their lives and making sacrifices to build a free and peaceful
future for the Iraqi people.
Q And does he believe that the timing of the release of the
memo will throw a monkey wrench into James Baker's efforts to try to
restructure and relieve Iraq's debt?
MR. McCLELLAN: And that's something -- obviously you heard from
the President earlier on that very issue. The restructuring of debt
and reduction of debt for the Iraqi people is an important priority
that all nations should look at carefully. The Iraqi people should not
be saddled with the debt of a brutal regime that was more interested in
helping itself by building palaces and building weapons programs and so
forth than helping the Iraqi people have a better future.
Q Sorry to bring you back on point here, but does it make Mr.
Baker's job more difficult?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, those -- Secretary Baker will be beginning
initial fact-finding mission to discuss these issues with heads of
state. And he looks forward to talking about this issue with the heads
of states. We appreciate all the contributions that countries around
the world are making to help the Iraqi people. These stakes are very
high in Iraq, and we all have a responsibility to do what we can to
help. And one way that people can contribute is by helping reduce or
restructure the debt burden that the Iraqi people have because of the
former regime. And so we look forward to those discussions and that's
where it is right now.
Q I gather the contract issue came up in the call to Chretien
because Chretien told reporters that the President said to him that it
basically wasn't appropriate that Canada was mentioned as among those
countries who would be off the contract list and that he told Chretien
not to worry about that. Is that accurate?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President was very up front, as he was
with the other leaders, in saying that lines of communication would be
open on these issues. We, as I said yesterday, we welcome discussing
this decision with other countries. And we will be glad to do that.
And so I --
Q What are you saying here, because this is --
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me finish. I think that, and I said this
yesterday, as well, that we'll be glad to talk with Canadian officials
about this decision. We do very much appreciate the contributions that
they have made, both in Afghanistan and to Iraq, and we'll be glad to
discuss those issues with them.
Q So Canada shouldn't worry?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q Canada shouldn't worry about being left out.
MR. McCLELLAN: I said we'll be glad to discuss those issues with
them and discuss that --
Q Well, I don't -- this is just not clear for the American
people, Scott, I'm sorry.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and discuss the decision with them. The
President of the United States called to express his gratitude for the
friendship that Chretien exhibited.
Q You want to be about a policy, let's be clear. The
President, in the Oval -- in the Cabinet Room today as saying, if you
supported the war, you put boots on the ground, then you get
contracts. That's what taxpayers expect. That's clear.
MR. McCLELLAN: Right.
Q So are you saying that that's just a bargaining position,
that if the lines of communication are open, if they agree to -- I
mean, is there a quid pro quo here that if they forgive debt, then
they'll be back on the good grace list?
MR. McCLELLAN: Remember what I said earlier, that if other
countries want to participate in the coalition efforts and the efforts
of the Iraqi people going on right now in Iraq, then circumstances can
change. I was very clear about that. And we'll be glad to discuss
this decision with other countries.
Certainly the reason for the decision was focused on the sacrifices
and the contributions that will be made -- that were being made by
coalition partners, that will be made -- that were being made by
countries that were contributing forces on the ground, and the
contributions and the sacrifices being made by the Iraqi people.
That's why that decision was made. And this is U.S. taxpayer dollars.
Q Why shouldn't the American people view this as a bargaining
position by the United States?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, it was very clearly in the memo, Secretary
Wolfowitz -- Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz spelled out in the memo that we
want to continue to expand the number of countries that are
participating in Iraq. And we will continue reaching out to countries
and asking for them to participate. And I made very clear yesterday
that circumstances can change if countries want to participate in the
efforts that are ongoing in Iraq because it's important to the world.
Q But why won't you be clear, that this is a bargaining
position? You're saying to these other countries that if you want to
play, you've got to pay. You've got to forgive the debt, and then you
can -- then you can get a piece of the action. Isn't that what you're
saying?
MR. McCLELLAN: Actually, what I'm saying is that countries can
participate in a number of ways, and companies from those countries can
already participate in Iraq, even if they're not eligible for the U.S.
taxpayer dollars. Remember, we're talking about U.S. taxpayer dollars,
but there are a number of companies already participating in Iraq
through subcontracts and other means. They can participate through the
international funding. They can participate as subcontractors to those
companies that receive the prime contracts.
But we're talking about U.S. taxpayer dollars. And the President
was very clear earlier, talking about how it was our men and women in
the military who made sacrifices; it was the Iraqi people who made
sacrifices; and it was coalition partners who made sacrifices; and that
it's perfectly appropriate for the U.S. taxpayer dollars to be going to
those countries for the prime contracts.
Q Also feel that he'll bend that position if they agree to
help.
MR. McCLELLAN: And I think the American people understand that
because they've been asked to make a significant contribution to our
efforts.
Q Aren't you saying, Scott, that he will bend that position if
these countries -- France, Germany, Russia, and others, agree to
forgive debt?
MR. McCLELLAN: One, I'm not discussing this issue with other
countries from this podium. I'm saying that we welcome the opportunity
to discuss this decision with other countries, that if other countries
want to participate in the ongoing efforts, then circumstances can
change. That's what I'm saying.
Q Canada is not eligible for -- to bid on these contracts since
they did not put its troops at risk in Iraq? Is that correct?
MR. McCLELLAN: If you look -- I would refer you back to the memo
that was publicly posted by the Pentagon and that had been discussed
prior to that by Pentagon officials at two trade fairs. The memo makes
clear who is eligible for those prime contracts, and it lists the
countries, some 63 nations, in a -- that includes coalition partners,
it includes the United States, it includes Iraq, and it includes
countries that have contributed forces on the ground in Iraq. That's
what it includes.
Q But not Canada?
MR. McCLELLAN: They are not on that list.
Q Scott, I think what may be confusing is how the list is
developed, because yesterday the Pentagon had a briefing to clarify
that if you were either publicly supportive in word of the mission in
Iraq, or militarily supporting it with troops, you could be on that
list. But not everybody on that list has troops.
MR. McCLELLAN: That's why I said coalition partners and countries
contributing forces.
Q But today, the President, just now in the Cabinet Room said
two or three times, if you put lives at risk, if you have troops
involved, you will be on that list, you will be rewarded with
contracts. So the President seemed to be more narrowly defining how
you can be on that list.
MR. McCLELLAN: I didn't really read that much into it. The list
was publicly posted; it was an interagency review process that it went
through. The decision was made, and I made it very clear who is
included on that list. The list is a public document.
Q The President didn't mean to suggest that you must have
troops involved in Iraq in order to have access to contracts?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President -- this decision was very clear, and
you're reading a lot more into those comments than I would.
Q The President did say -- quote -- "It's very simple. Our
people risk their lives. Coalition friendly folks risk their lives.
And therefore, the contracting is going to reflect that."
MR. McCLELLAN: It does reflect that. It's a nice way to -- it's
also a nice way to honor the sacrifices and contributions --
Q It also includes a number of countries that did not risk
lives.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and the contributions that are being made by
coalition forces, and that are being made by the Iraqi people. The
Iraqi people -- Iraqi companies are eligible for these contracts.
They've been very involved and they're already receiving contracts to
do more and more of the reconstruction work.
Q The list of countries eligible for primary contracts also
includes a number of countries that did not risk lives in Iraq.
MR. McCLELLAN: They were part of the effort from the beginning.
There were a variety of ways that people could signal their support or
help in our efforts in Iraq.
Q How do you define "from the beginning"? Because you keep
repeating that. I mean, Canada is an example that actually lost troops
in Afghanistan, contributed money in Iraq --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm referring to Iraq. I'm referring to the
decision to enforce a Security Council resolution that called for
serious consequences if Saddam Hussein continued to defy the
international community and not comply with his international
obligations.
Q So that's not broken down in terms of financial
contributions, troops? It's just a position --
MR. McCLELLAN: The list is very public and it spells out who, in
the memo, is eligible.
Q Scott, is Secretary Baker going to seek specific debt relief
commitments on his trip next week?
MR. McCLELLAN: His -- and when we announced that he would be the
President's personal envoy, we spelled out that he would be seeking to
restructure and reduce the debt burden for the Iraqi people. He has
not even had any meetings at this point. We need to let the meetings
occur first, and then we can talk more about that at that point. But
he will be --
Q He won't be seeking --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, no, his effort is specifically seeking to
restructure and reduce Iraq's debt burden. That's what his mission is
and that's what his focus is.
Q On the same subject about this Iraqi contracting, this
international fund for -- the separate international fund that nations
can go through to get this $13 billion to get some of these contracts,
how much does the White House or the U.S. government weigh in on that
one? Because it seems like it's all about the military and military
action, and that fund is just out in the wind now.
MR. McCLELLAN: What fund is just out in the wind?
Q There's a separate international fund, $13 billion --
MR. McCLELLAN: Right. The Madrid Donors Conference.
Q Right, that nations could -- how much --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not as much an expert on how that is set up.
But international-- you've got international organizations involved
there.
Q Does the White House have any pull in how that money is
disbursed and to who -- to what countries it's disbursed to?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's not -- that coalition -- or that money for
the efforts in Iraq -- as I said, I'm not an expert on how that is set
up, but you need to look to the international organizations that would
be involved in distributing that for those questions.
Q But does the United States have any weight in saying who --
MR. McCLELLAN: The United States has a say in how U.S. taxpayer
dollars are spent.
Q I understand that. I'm not talking about this separate --
MR. McCLELLAN: You're talking about international -- I know. Our
fund and what our focus that we're discussing about on this decision
was related to the wartime supplemental and the $18.6 billion under
that that was specifically set aside for reconstruction costs to help
the Iraqi people build a better and more prosperous future.
Q All right, maybe I need to rephrase this.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think you need to look at what the -- who
defines that and who has more -- who has say over that funding,
international funding.
Q The point is, is that these nations who have not given
militarily or who have not supported --
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, quit the conversation up here.
Q These nations who have not given militarily, who have not
supported, have another route to go to get this --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, yes, you've got $13 billion, and so they are
eligible for that funding. In fact, any country around the world is
eligible -- or companies from -- for that international funding, as
long as they're not on any state sponsor of terror list.
Q Right. But what, if there is any, influence does the Bush
administration have on what nations can get that money? This is what
I'm trying to find out.
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, and I said that, look at how that is set up
and how that's defined. I think you're trying to pull me in a
direction that --
Q No, I'm just asking for a straight answer.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- you need to direct to other entities that have
authority over that money.
Q Scott, you keep saying that circumstances could change if
countries participate. If I could just try with a yes or no question.
Is writing off debt considered participating?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, this question has been asked and it's been
answered. And I --
Q No, it hasn't --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm sorry, it has been answered. I mean, it
may not be the way you want it answered, but -- (laughter) -- it has
been answered.
Q Is it a yes or a no?
MR. McCLELLAN: That is a high priority. I said if countries want
to join in the efforts going on in Iraq, the coalition efforts and the
efforts by the Iraqi people, we look forward to discussing ways that
they can do that --
Q -- money in?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and circumstances can change, as I said, related
to that. But you're asking me to speculate about things from this
podium. We will have discussions with countries if they want to
discuss this decision or if they want to discuss matters relating to
the restructuring of the debt.
Q Scott, the President said today, restructuring debt or
forgiving debt would be one way to contribute to the effort in Iraq.
MR. McCLELLAN: Right. There are a lot of ways to contribute.
People are contributing through the international fund, as well. And
we're grateful for all those contributions.
Q But my question is, does that --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, keep in mind, that this $18.6 billion in
U.S. taxpayer dollars that was passed by Congress, the Pentagon is
already moving forward on that process. And we are looking to move as
quickly as possible to award contracts to carry out the projects that
need to be carried out for the Iraqi people. And so we'll be moving
rather quickly on that funding for reconstruction.
Q I think what we're saying here, what we're trying to find
out, we're trying to ask, in saying debt forgiveness is one way to
contribute, was the President not opening the door to that as a way of
getting in on the contracts?
MR. McCLELLAN: What the President was saying is that he is
grateful for the contributions the countries are making. And he would
be grateful for contributions that they would make to the restructuring
of Iraq's debt. You're asking me to get in discussions with countries
from this podium, and that's not what I'm going to do.
Q Let me ask just one -- is there any other way we should
interpret that? Is there a reason we should not interpret that as
opening the door to --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you should look at it as the way it was
said, and you've heard my comments -- what I said yesterday and what
I've said here today from this podium about this decision and about --
and what I've said about whether or not countries want to join in those
efforts.
Q Can I go to another subject?
MR. McCLELLAN: All right, I'll come to you next Jacobo.
Q Another subject. Do you have any comments about this visa
frauds that have been going on for some time -- and I asked the same
question at the State Department the other day -- like at the U.S.
embassies and consulate in India and also in Sri Lanka, and several
people, including Americans working there were arrested. And victims
were charged in India as much as $20,000 to come to the U.S. And now
here, this week, the India Globe is getting a report in New Jersey, at
the Newark International Airport, an INS inspector, immigration
inspector was taking $5,000 for each person to enter the U.S. for a
business or work visa, and $7,000 for a green card or immigrant visa.
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I think this issue did come up at the State
Department yesterday, and I think that they addressed it. So you want
to probably direct that question there. That would a better position
to --
Q What can --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, they'll be in a better position to address
that issue, Goyal.
Q My second question, just on a domestic level, you think this
"do not call" policy is working? Because now these people are putting
recording on you when you are doing work or eating, and now you cannot
tell anybody --
MR. McCLELLAN: They're recording me?
Q They're putting recording on your phone. Now, get -- they
don't call in person, but they put the recording on my --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, no, that -- it would apply to that, as well.
Q You cannot even tell them, do not call.
MR. McCLELLAN: It would apply to that, as well. Yes, we think
that that's a great thing for -- that the "do not call" list is great
for consumers to have. I'm trying to work to add media to that list so
I don't get the calls at home myself. (Laughter.)
Q Excuse me. Scott, you said yesterday -- you said yesterday
that the -- the 63 nations on the list would get primary contracts.
MR. McCLELLAN: That's right.
Q But you stated that they can subcontract to any country that
they want to have along.
MR. McCLELLAN: That's correct.
Q Including France, Germany, Russia, et cetera.
MR. McCLELLAN: Right.
Q Is there a percentage limit on the subcontracting if it
happens to be, for example, one of those countries that are not? Is
there a limit on the number of --
MR. McCLELLAN: Not that I'm aware of, but I'm not a procurement
expert. Those might be better directed at the Pentagon who is
overseeing that contracting. Go ahead, Tom.
Q Scott, Tom Ridge yesterday at a town hall meeting in Miami
said the government ought to, in some way, give legal status to the 8
to 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. Was the White House aware
of these comments, and is this a new administration policy?
MR. McCLELLAN: One, no. I think there are some that had
interpreted this as some broad amnesty discussion, and that's not at
all what he was suggesting. He's very involved in, obviously,
overseeing border security and immigration matters now under the new
Department of Homeland Security. And I think he's been looking at the
issue of the large number of illegal immigrants we do have in the
country, and looking at those that could be threats and those that are
here for other reasons. And so he's just talking about the realities
that we are facing now.
The President has always been a strong believer that America should
be a welcoming society. We are, after all, a nation of immigrants, as
he often points out. And in that context, obviously we had a review
going on and we had discussions going on with Mexico to bring about a
more orderly, more safe and more humane migration policy. September
11th obviously occurred, we had some priorities that had to be
addressed -- from border security to the immigration infrastructure.
We've taken steps to improve border security, significant steps, I
might add, and have made great progress there. And we've taken steps
to improve the immigration infrastructure. Those are some foundation
for moving forward on a more orderly, safe and humane migration
policy. This is a matter that really is under review at this point.
We continue to look at it; there are some proposals that have been put
forth by members of Congress; Secretary Ridge is very involved in this
effort, obviously.
Q About the Chretien call, could you clarify something? You
said again from the podium today that Canada is not on the list. Yet,
Chretien in Ottawa today said that the President assured him, said, in
fact, that the media got it wrong and that Canada would not be excluded
from contracts. Which contracts was the President referring to?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, I said that the purpose of the
President's call was to wish him well as he leaves office. That was
the purpose of the call. The President obviously did discuss the topic
you bring up with him, and like he said to other leaders, "There will
be open lines of communication on this, we'll be glad to discuss these
issues with you." And that's where it was left.
Q Can I also ask you --
MR. McCLELLAN: Because the main purpose of the call was not that
topic.
Q Does the President agree with the view expressed in the
Wolfowitz memo, that Canadian companies do pose some sort of security
risk to U.S. interests?
MR. McCLELLAN: I've read that memo and I saw nothing like that in
the memo.
Q Congress left town without extending unemployment benefits,
which are due to expire December 21st. Does the administration believe
that the Congress should make that a first order of business when they
return?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, the President worked closely with
Congress to extend unemployment benefits on three previous occasions.
And the President has made it very clear that as long as there are
people looking for work who cannot find a job, there is more that we
need to do. He is not satisfied.
And the most important thing that we can do for workers and
families and those who are seeking employment, is to continue working
to move our economy in the right direction. It is moving in the right
direction. There are a lot of positive indicators showing that the
economy is moving in the right direction and showing that new jobs are
being created. But there is more to do, and that's why the President
has a six-point plan to create an even more robust environment for job
creation.
So that's what's most important, but we'll continue working with
Congress on that issue, as well.
Q -- know that the more to do at the moment does not include
extending --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the most important thing for America --
America's workers and families, is that they want paychecks and jobs.
And we have made important progress in there -- progress to get there.
Jobs are being created. There is more that we need to do to create an
even more robust environment. That's where the President's focus is.
We did extend unemployment benefits three times previously. We'll
continue to work with Congress on that issue. But I would point out
the economy is strengthening, it continues to grow and we'll continue
to work with Congress to act to create an even more robust environment
for job creation.
Q Why can't you say whether or not you support just an
additional extension in the meantime?
MR. McCLELLAN: I said we'd work with Congress.
Q On the President's task force to determine the future status
of Puerto Rico, why is no firm date set for his findings? And why is
it necessary to take up to two years to make a recommendation to the
President, when the issues in Puerto Rico are so well known?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, this is something that is just
getting underway. It was just announced, so they need to begin their
work and have the discussions and listen to the wishes of the Puerto
Rican people. And the President, under this directive -- I believe
it's at least an annual report that needs to be made to the President
of the United States -- but we've always said we wanted to look at the
wishes of the Puerto Rican people, and this is an issue that has been
discussed for a long time in Puerto Rico.
I might add that Puerto Rico is a wonderful place to visit, as I
was just there on my honeymoon. (Laughter.)
Q Scott, what can you tell us about a Washington Post report
that the CIA is helping set up an Iraqi intelligence service inside of
Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, several months ago Iraqis
requested our assistance in establishing an intelligence service
capability, and we are assisting them with their request. The United
States government is assisting in that effort.
The primary mission of that intelligence service will be to provide
information to combat terrorism inside Iraq. This is all part of our
larger effort to continue working with the Iraqi people to turn more
and more responsibility over to the Iraqi people for security in their
own country. So that's what that is. But they had requested our
assistance. The United States government is assisting in that effort,
at the request of the Iraqi people.
I would point out that Iraqis continue to become more and more
involved in their own security, from patrolling the streets of Baghdad
and other cities, to protecting critical infrastructure, and, most
importantly, protecting their fellow citizens from the terrorists who
want to return Iraq to the days of a very brutal regime, which will not
happen.
Q Scott, Majority Leader DeLay said on December the 4th:
entertaining free-lance peace plans like the Geneva Plan that morally
equate to terrorism and self-defense are not only counter-productive to
the peace process, but dangerous in its validation of terrorists and
terrorism. No wonder Yasser Arafat likes this thing.
And my question -- first of two -- does the President believe
Majority DeLay is wrong?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, the President has made it very
clear what his vision is, he outlined that June 24, 2002, here in the
Rose Garden, that he is working to -- and the first United States
President to do so -- outline a two-state vision of Israel and
Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, and that the road
map is the way to get there. We remain firmly committed to the road
map. We remain firmly committed to working with the parties in the
region -- Israel and Palestine and Arab nations, as well -- and that's
what we are doing.
And I would point out that the foundation remains -- the foundation
for moving forward remains cracking down on terrorism.
Q At the Democrat get-together in New Hampshire, and on NPR and
Fox, Governor Dean has kept mentioning what he calls: the most
interesting theory, that President Bush was tipped off in advance about
9/11. And Washington Post columnist Krauthammer writes: when
Representative Cynthia McKinney first broached this idea before the
2002 primary election, it was considered so nutty it made her, former
Representative McKinney, question. The President doesn't believe that
Dr. Krauthammer, who is a psychiatrist, is wrong about this nuttiness,
does he?
MR. McCLELLAN: Les, you're asking me about the Democratic primary
and the politics that are going on in the Democratic primary. I don't
--
Q I'm asking about Dr. Krauthammer. He's a psychiatrist.
MR. McCLELLAN: Les, I don't intend to vote in the Democrat
primary. Let me make that very clear.
Q I'll run away.
MR. McCLELLAN: One more quick one.
Q On the contracts. In the Cabinet Room, the President said he
hadn't consulted his lawyer yet. Should he have done that, or was that
a direct signal to Chancellor Schroeder that he doesn't --
MR. McCLELLAN: I addressed this question yesterday. It was
addressed by other officials, I believe U.S. -- at the United States
Trade Representatives Office, and it was addressed by the Pentagon. We
believe it is fully consistent with international obligations. That
all was addressed during the interagency review process. And so that's
--
Q Shouldn't he take it as a message to Chancellor Schroeder
that he doesn't really care about international law and what he thinks
about --
MR. McCLELLAN: I made it very clear that this is consistent with
our international obligations.
Q Thank you.
MR. McCLELLAN: Thank you.
END 1:13 P.M. EST
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