For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 16, 2003
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
12:46 P.M. EST
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. I have one statement by the
President that I would like to begin with, and then I'll be glad to
take your questions.
More than a year ago, Afghan President Karzai broke ground on the
reconstruction of a highway that, when completed, will run through the
heart of Afghanistan, helping to unify that great nation. The United
States and Japan pledged to provide financing and personnel to the
project. And we further pledged that the first leg, the 300 miles from
the capital of Kabul to the important city of Kandahar, would be
completed by the end of this year.
Today, we have met that pledge, as the first phase of the paving of
the Kabul-Kandahar leg of the highway is completed, under budget and
ahead of schedule. This new road reduces travel time between Kabul to
Kandahar to five hours. It will promote political unity between
Afghanistan's provinces, facilitate commerce by making it easier to
bring products to market, and provide the Afghan people with greater
access to health care and educational opportunities.
I am grateful for the enormous efforts of engineers and laborers
from many countries who worked tirelessly and often in the face of
hardship and danger to finish this leg of the road on time. This
accomplishment underscores the firm commitment of the United States and
coalition to support the Afghan people as they build a democratic,
stable, and thriving Afghanistan.
And with that, I will go right into questions.
Q Scott, it was reported on the radio just about 50 minutes ago
that in his interview this morning, President Bush said he believes
Saddam Hussein should face the ultimate penalty. Should we take that
as an indication that the President does support the death penalty in
this case for Saddam Hussein?
MR. McCLELLAN: He did participate in an interview a short time
ago. That will be airing later this evening. I think in that
interview, in addition to commenting about what his view was, he made
it very clear that it is not up to him, it will be up to those who will
try Saddam Hussein. And he has made it very clear that that trial
should be fair, it should be something that withstands international
scrutiny. He's made it very clear that the Iraqi people should know
that Saddam Hussein will be held to account for the atrocities he
committed and for the brutality he carried out on the Iraqi people.
He's going to face the justice that he denied to millions of Iraqis
while he was in power for decades.
Q Yesterday he was very careful to say that, I've got my own
ideas about what should happen, but it's up to the Iraqis. This
morning, he went further than that. It sounds like it's an endorsement
of execution or some other form --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think -- again, I think you can watch the
interview later this evening and hear his -- the full context of his
remarks. I'm not getting into who's showing it. I'm being fair and
impartial up here. But he talks a little bit about what he said
yesterday when he was asked, and he said, I have my personal views, but
it's not up to me. And he went on to talk about the importance of the
Iraqis being involved, and the Iraqis being fully involved in that
decision.
Q But it does sound like he's sending a signal to whoever will
eventually try Saddam Hussein that that would be an appropriate
punishment.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, I think he was talking about his view,
but he made it very clear that it's not his view that matters. It's
the view of the Iraqi people. The Iraqi people will be the ones that
will hold him accountable.
Q The Baker trip, there are indications coming out, literally
in the last few minutes, that there's some progress to report. Can you
give us a fuller readout of that now?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, this is the initial meeting that
Secretary Baker is participating in with some world leaders. Secretary
Baker is the President's personal envoy, and he did have some very good
meetings today. We appreciate the commitment by France and Germany to
work to restructure and reduce the debt burden on the Iraqi people. We
all share the same goal of helping the Iraqi people build a better
future, build a future that is free and prosperous. And Secretary
Baker will continue his work to seek to restructure and reduce the debt
burden on the Iraqi people, because the Iraqi people should not be
saddled with the debt of the former regime that was more interested in
using money to build palaces and torture chambers and rape rooms then
it was in helping the Iraqi people.
Q What's the total goal here, though? Is it complete
forgiveness of debt? Is it just to restructure to get a smaller
number? And has the administration, or is the administration prepared,
then, to allow those countries to bid on contracts for Iraq if they,
indeed, make good on this pledge to restructure --
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, first part of your question, the estimate of
Iraq's debt burden is somewhere in the neighborhood of $120 billion. I
think the Treasury Department could give you more details about that
specific amount. We are working -- Secretary Baker, as the President's
personal envoy, is working to seek to restructure and reduce the debt
burden. And he's meeting, at the highest levels, with other leaders
around the world. Right now, his trips are in -- his visits are in
Europe, and then he'll be going to Russia later in the week, as well.
But these are just the initial meetings, so I don't want to get into
putting a specific amount on it.
Q Well, what's the goal? Do you want it to be zero, or is that
-- I mean, what --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think we need to have -- let these initial
meetings occur first. Secretary Baker is going to report back to the
President after he returns later this week and we'll discuss his
meetings in more detail with the President at that point, I suspect.
What was the second part of your question?
Q Well, they seem to be doing what the President wanted them to
do pretty quickly. Obviously, they were prepared to do that. Is that
going to be in exchange for them being allowed to bid on the contracts
that they were not going to be allowed to bid on?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, I think we've made it very clear that
when it comes to the U.S. taxpayer dollars that we believe that those
tax dollars should be going to the countries that have been involved in
helping to liberate the Iraqi people and help them build a free,
peaceful and prosperous future. And also Iraq, as well, because the
Iraqis have been very involved in this effort, and they are continuing
to be more and more involved and assume more and more responsibility.
So we welcome the opportunity to discuss that issue with countries
and the reason we reached the decision that we did. And certainly, as
I said last week, and this position still stands, that if additional
countries want to join the efforts of some 60 countries and the Iraqi
people in the overall reconstruction, then circumstances can change.
We will discuss that with those countries. I'm not prepared to discuss
that with those countries from this podium, though.
Q Can I follow that, Scott?
MR. McCLELLAN: You may.
Q You said that the Iraqi people should not be saddled with the
debt of the former regime. By that do you mean the ill-spent, if you
will, debt of Saddam's regime? Are you differentiating between the
debt that he rolled up and the different ways that he rolled it up, in
building palaces and various other things, as you seek to reduce this
debt load? And I guess I'm also following David's question, do you
want the entire debt removed, or are you just trying to get a
significant portion of it --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think I addressed that. One, these are just the
initial meetings. We need to let these discussions occur first so we
can have these discussions directly with the countries where that debt
is owed. But remember, we all share the goal of a better future for
the Iraqi people. We all share the goal of a free and peaceful and
prosperous Iraq. And let's let these initial meetings take place. But
Secretary Baker's mission is to seek to restructure and reduce that
debt burden, because that's an important component of helping to build
a free and peaceful and prosperous Iraq for the Iraqi people. And so
the President will look forward to hearing back from Secretary Baker
when he returns.
Q And on my first question, are you differentiating between how
the money was spent? In other words, money spent, for example, on
palaces, or weapons programs, you want that forgiven first -- that debt
forgiven first?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think, again, this is -- I don't know if I
would necessarily differentiate. Let's let the meetings take place.
We have just recently really turned our focus to restructuring the debt
burden for the Iraqi people. Our initial focus, when it came to the
financial side of the reconstruction in Iraq, was on the international
participation, specifically the Madrid Donors Conference, which was
very successful. And we appreciate the commitments by a number of
countries of some $13 billion, in addition to the commitment that the
United States has made, and other coalition people. And then you're
also going to have revenue coming in from Iraqi oil, as well, to help
make up the difference for the total $55 billion we're looking at in
reconstruction costs.
Terry. This Terry, then that Terry. We'll do both Terrys.
Q Prime Minister Blair has said that massive evidence of
weapons of mass destruction has been found in Iraq. What's he talking
about?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you have -- I don't speak for the Prime
Minister, number one, so I haven't seen his specific comments. But
certainly, if you look back at the interim report from David Kay and
his Iraq survey group, it points out that Saddam Hussein was in serious
violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441, which the President
directed us to seek at the United Nations and to finally hold Saddam
Hussein to account for, after 12 years of denial and after some 17
resolutions that he continued to defy. And that resolution called for
serious consequences.
If you look back at the interim Kay report, it talked about his
clandestine network of biological laboratories; it talked about the
live strain of the deadly agent botulin; it talked about sophisticated
concealment efforts that the Iraqi regime went to; and it talked about
the, as we talked about earlier today, Terry, the advance design work
on prohibited longer-range missiles.
Q Okay, but nothing -- since the Kay interim report, there's no
new massive evidence that has been discovered?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there's nothing to report at this point. The
Iraq survey group continues to do its work. As we indicated
previously, that they were not complete with their search and that work
continues. But make no mistake about it, in the post-September 11th
environment, it's important to confront gathering threats. The most
solemn responsibility and obligation the President of the United States
has is to protect the American people. And we cannot allow this
dangerous regime and this threat to continue without being confronted.
We did confront it, and the world is better off without Saddam Hussein
in power.
Q And then just on another subject, Howard Dean said yesterday
that the capture of Saddam Hussein did not make America any safer.
MR. McCLELLAN: There are a lot of Democrat primary candidates, and
some others said something contrary to that. The bottom line is that
the world is safer and better without Saddam Hussein in power. America
is more secure because of the decisive action that the United States
took, along with our coalition partners, to remove his regime from
power. And the Iraqi people have been liberated, and the Iraqi people,
I think will let you know that they are grateful for our efforts.
Q So Governor Dean is wrong?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, I'll leave the Democratic primary
politics to the Democratic primary.
Other Terry.
Q Is it your understanding that Baker has got specific
commitments from Germany and France for not only debt restructuring,
but substantial debt reduction?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I'm not prepared to get into any more than I
already have, in terms of the meetings. They were good discussions.
We appreciated the commitments they made on the need to restructure and
reduce the debt burden, and certainly the need for the Paris Club to
address this next year. Secretary Baker has yet to report back to the
President. He will report back to the President when he returns from
his trip. And I'll keep you posted if there are any additional
conversations within that time frame.
Q Do you know if they were talking about specific dollar
figures?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I've described it the way I did, and I will
leave it there. And you can ask those countries themselves if they
want to say more on it.
Q Can you give us even a ballpark on how much the U.S. thinks
Iraq owes -- owes it?
MR. McCLELLAN: You might check with Treasury on more details. I
know the overall amount. We'll do our part, as well. The United
States is the one that led this effort to remove the regime from
power. We have made significant contributions, along with coalition
forces, in helping the Iraqi people build a free and peaceful and
prosperous future.
Q What is the Bush administration's policy on what it plans to
do with the debt? Is it policy to restructure it? Is it policy to
forgive it? What is the Bush administration policy on that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, these efforts are just getting underway.
I've made it very clear, and I think everybody knows that the United
States, along with other coalition members, has made very significant
contributions to helping the Iraqi people realize a free and peaceful
and prosperous future. We remain committed to seeing that through, and
we will see it through, along with our coalition partners and along
with the Iraqi people, who continue to assume more and more
responsibility. But this is an effort that is just getting underway.
We're looking at the overall debt burden on the Iraqi people. And I
think you can continue to expect the United States to do our part to
help the Iraqi people realize a free and peaceful and prosperous
future.
Q Just one quick follow-up, on another subject. Kofi Annan,
speaking at the U.N. today, said that the U.N. wants to help in Iraq's
transition, but they need much greater clarity from the coalition in
terms of what kind of assistance the U.N. can give in a political
transition. Are you willing to give that? Can you give the U.N. more
clarity, and do you want them to --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think there was clarity given in the three
Security Council resolutions that passed in the postwar time period.
And it called on the United Nations to play a vital role. We want them
to play a vital role. They were playing a vital role when,
unfortunately, they were -- there was a terrorist attack carried out on
these humanitarian workers that were just simply there to help the
Iraqi people. And we are hopeful that they can return to Iraq soon.
Certainly in those -- in Security Council Resolution 1511, it
specifically talked about how the United Nations can be very helpful in
the electoral process and the constitutional process.
Q Two quick questions. One, I hope Osama bin Laden got the
message from the capture of Saddam Hussein. And there must be now
pressure on the President to capture or to get Osama bin Laden now --
you think the very same thing that worked in Iraq will be heading
towards --
MR. McCLELLAN: We are dismantling and disrupting the terrorist
network, globally. There are a lot of different ways we're doing that,
in cooperation with a broad coalition of countries, whether it's
through tracking down these terrorists and bringing them to justice, or
cracking down on the terrorist financing that funds their efforts, or
intelligence-sharing, to help dismantle their infrastructure.
I would point out that we've already brought to justice some
two-thirds of the al Qaeda leadership. A lot of those were the
middle-management types, as the President likes to describe them. And
we are continuing to pursue other leaders within that al Qaeda
terrorist network, including Osama bin Laden. I think he can fully
expect that he will be brought to justice by this administration.
Q Second, if President is aware of assassination attempt on
General Musharraf at the very same time when Saddam Hussein was
captured?
MR. McCLELLAN: One, yes -- fully briefed on all those matters and
those situations that occur around the world. President Musharraf is
someone that has worked very closely with us on the war on terrorism,
and it's another indication that that war continues and we must
confront it everywhere. And that's what we are doing with our global
coalition partners.
Q Are you pleased -- without getting into the details, are you
at least encouraged by the first signals coming out of Paris and Berlin
with the visit of the special envoy?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think we welcome the commitments that have been
made. Chancellor Schroeder publicly commented on this. I think the
French have put out some comments, as well. And we appreciate their
commitment and their recognition that we all share in the goal of
helping the Iraqi people build a better future.
Q Secretary Baker, I think is scheduled to go to Paris, London,
Rome and Moscow and London, if I'm not mistaken. Is he also expected
to maybe add a few capitals to his itinerary, or is that it?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think he pretty much described it. I mean,
he's already -- he already met earlier today with the Iraqi Finance
Minister and the Iraqi Central Bank Governor. He met with President
Chirac, he met with Chancellor Schroeder. He will be meeting with
Prime Minister Berlusconi tomorrow, and then he will be meeting with
Prime Minister Blair and President Putin later in the week before
returning to Houston. I have no updates beyond that on his itinerary
at this point.
Q Scott, regarding the documents that were confiscated when
Saddam was apprehended, has the President been briefed on what some of
these documents contained, and can you give us an idea from the podium
what type of organization these documents might point to --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't get into intelligence briefings that the
President receives. But I think you can expect that he will be kept up
-- he has been and will continue to be kept up to date on matters, as
needed and as warranted.
Q Is there any evidence, or is there any hope that some of the
names, identities, locations --
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me remind you all in this room. One, this is a
military matter, as President described it, so a lot of these questions
are best directed to the military. But let me remind you that Saddam
Hussein deceived and lied to the world for some 12 years, and he defied
his international obligations for some 17 resolutions. I don't expect
him to, all of a sudden, change his stripes. He is someone that cannot
be trusted, given his long history of deceit and lying. And I would
just point that out.
Q Two quick questions. First, following on the bin Laden
question. Has there been any redoubling of an effort in this White
House or any request from the White House, from the President himself,
to make a renewed effort to catch bin Laden, after the capture of
Saddam Hussein?
MR. McCLELLAN: That effort is ongoing. That remains one of the
priorities within the overall global war on terrorism. He has been
responsible for some great atrocities, but it's more than just about
any one person. But we will bring those leaders to justice that are
still out there. We continue to work to find them and bring them to
justice.
Q My second question. There were four economic indicators
today that suggested a further strengthening of the economy. Consumer
prices fell, industrial production was up, housing stats were up, and
the third quarter current account deficit narrowed. Is the
administration convinced that the economy recovery has taken hold? And
to what degree has the weakening dollar contributed?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that the numbers you pointed out
demonstrate that the President's jobs and growth package is having the
positive effect it was supposed to on our economy. The economy is
moving in the right direction. The President has outlined a six-point
plan to continue to strengthen our economy and create an even more
robust environment for job creation.
But you did point out several new positive indicators today, that
showed that new home construction for November reached its highest
level in some 20 years, industrial production was above expectations,
with widespread gains in manufacturing. And the Consumer price Index
report showed continued low inflation. And we've previously seen the
GDP numbers that are out there, with the 3rd quarter at its highest in
nearly 20 years. We expect it won't stay that high, but there will be
continued, sustained economic growth; and that there have been more
than 325,000 jobs over the past four months created -- new jobs
created, making that the best four-month period since the four months
ending in February 2001. So there are a lot of encouraging signs for a
recovery in a number of areas.
Q Is the weakening dollar, though, which is producing more
exports, contributing to the stimulus at all?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President made his comments yesterday
on the dollar and our policy and views, and I'll leave it at that.
Q Can you tell us about the North Carolina speech tomorrow, the
President attending the first flight anniversary?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President looks forward to going to North
Carolina tomorrow to commemorate a very historic day in our nation's
history, and certainly in the history of flight, which was the first
flight by the two brothers there. And he looks forward to making some
remarks there to commemorate that special occasion of the Wright
brothers' historic flight.
Q Is he going to have a larger theme? Is he going to talk
about the future of manned space flight?
MR. McCLELLAN: No comments from the front row here. I'll come
comment while you're on tonight. (Laughter.)
Q Is he going to talk about the future of manned space flight,
Scott?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know if he might just make reference to
it. I mean, I wouldn't necessarily rule that out. But obviously, he
is strongly committed to the exploration of space. He's made that very
well-known. In the aftermath of the Columbia, the President directed
there to be an interagency review of our space policy. That
interagency review has been underway. But I don't -- do not expect him
to announce any new initiatives from that tomorrow.
Les, and then April.
Q Since the President yesterday said it was, "an absurd
insinuation" for Governor Dean to raise the question of whether the
President had advance information of 9/11, can you assure us that the
President does not disagree with Senator Lieberman's statement: if
Howard Dean had his way, Saddam Hussein would be in power today, not in
prison. And I've got one follow-up.
MR. McCLELLAN: All the Democratic primary candidates speak for
themselves. I did note that there were some other comments made by
some of the other candidates in the Democratic primary. The President
has made it very clear where his focus is. His focus remains on our
nation's highest priorities, protecting the American people, and that
means winning the war on terrorism and working to make the world a
safer and better and more free place, and working to make America more
secure and more prosperous. That's where the President's focus is, and
he explained it very well yesterday that there will be a time for all
that politics later.
Q The President would not disagree with Democrat Congressman
Norman Dicks' statement that his fellow Washington state Congressman
Jim McDermott is, "Just not right, is just ridiculous, and is engaged
in fantasy," in McDermott's alleging that the U.S. military could have
found Saddam Hussein a long time ago if they wanted?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think I have to dignify every ridiculous
comment out there.
Q In other words, McDermott is ridiculous, isn't he?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that members of his own party adequately
addressed his comments.
Go ahead Sarah -- April. Just making sure you're paying
attention. Some of these guys in the front row keep talking, and
they're not paying attention.
Q We're capable of multi-tasking.
MR. McCLELLAN: Good point, good point, but don't take any
silverware Thursday.
Q Oooh!
MR. McCLELLAN: Hey, I'm just reiterating what the President said.
Q Scott, going back to the issue of this $120 billion that --
of Iraqi debt, some critics are saying it's hypocritical to go around
to other nations around the world and ask them to forgive or
restructure, what have you, and then at home you have to ponder what
you want to do.
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know if I would look at it that way at
all. I made it very clear that the United States, along with our
coalition partners, has made very significant contributions to help the
Iraqi people have a free and peaceful and prosperous future. I also
made it very clear that we'll continue to do our part. We've just
turned our focus to these efforts, and those efforts are just
beginning. But we're looking at the overall debt burden on the Iraqi
people. And as I said, as we move forward to building a free and
peaceful and prosperous future of the Iraqi people, you will -- you can
count on the United States continuing to do its part. So I don't look
at it at all the way you're suggesting.
Q I understand. Well, I'm calling some people and asking them
what they thought.
MR. McCLELLAN: I understand.
Q But let me ask you this: Why not have your plan already in
place, before you go out to these other nations?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, we have just really turned our focus to
these efforts, and it is just getting underway. And as I -- I think
I've already addressed this pretty thoroughly.
Q Does the President plan to have at the White House the
soldiers who actually captured Saddam Hussein? Perhaps the one who
said, "President Bush sends his regards," should he be hired as a
presidential speechwriter? (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one we've got a --
Q Press secretary. (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: Whoa, whoa, whoa. I made the comment about
Gregory, not about you, Ed. (Laughter.)
MR. GREGORY: You don't hear that from me, do you?
MR. McCLELLAN: Certainly some more colorful quotes than I give.
One, the President pointed out in his comments both over the
weekend and yesterday that he appreciates all the successes and great
accomplishments of our men and women in the military. And that
includes those involved in helping to bring Saddam Hussein to justice.
I do not have any updates on his schedule in terms of specifically
that. Obviously, I'll keep you posted on any updates to the
President's schedule as they occur.
Q The extension of unemployment benefits runs out four days
before Christmas. You said last week that the administration is
working with Congress on this. Will the President make any public
appeal to Congress to reinstate or extend the benefits and make them
retroactive?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think I addressed this last week. It still
stands where I addressed it last week. We did work to
Q You did --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, no, I did. I said that we had worked with
Congress to extend unemployment benefits three times previously. The
most important thing that we are doing is we are working to continue to
strengthen our economy. Because of the action the President took, the
economy is growing and continues to move in the right direction. But
there's more to do. We have a six-point plan out there. I think that
America's workers and families want paychecks and jobs first and
foremost, and that's where our focus is on, is creating as robust
environment for job creation as possible. And the President continues
to remain concerned, because there are still people who are looking for
work that cannot find a job. And so, as I said, we will continue to
work with Congress on that matter.
Q On the road map for peace, does the capture of Saddam Hussein
help or retard the road map negotiations? And are there other sources
giving money to the Palestinian terrorists -- the homicide terrorists
now that Saddam Hussein is --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think building a free and peaceful and democratic
Iraq for the Iraqi people will help bring about greater peace and
stability in the region. The President has talked about the importance
of what we're trying to accomplish in Iraq and how we're working to
help the Iraqi people. But certainly, it also will help make America
more secure. It will help bring about peace and stability in a region
that has been a breeding ground for terrorism.
But not only are we working in Iraq, the President has put forward
other initiatives, too, to not only help build a safer region, but
build a better region and a better world, I might add.
And, go back over here, and I'll come back to you guys.
Q The Iraqis have stated that they want to give Saddam Hussein
a very speedy trial, within a few weeks. Does the President think that
it's possible to bring Saddam Hussein to account, give his many, many
victims a chance to testify to get justice and also to give him some
semblance of a fair trial if a trial is held within a very few weeks?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, I can certainly understand and
appreciate some of the feelings of the Iraqi people. It was a
historic development over the weekend when we brought this brutal
dictator -- when we captured this brutal dictator. And he will be held
to account for the atrocities that he committed against the Iraqi
people and against others, as well.
But I think that these are issues we'll continue to discuss with
the Iraqi people. Obviously, it's important for our military to
continue to get information from him that can be helpful to our overall
efforts and helpful to helping bring about greater security in Iraq.
So those are discussions we'll continue to have with the Iraqi people.
Q So, would you then keep him perhaps longer than the Iraqi
people want, if they want him handed over and we still want to ask him
questions? Will we keep him?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me just -- well, one, keep in mind, that that's
why I said I appreciate and understand some of the comments that are
being made, that they want him to be held to account and some want to
move quicker than others. Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who had
a blanket of fear and intimidation over the Iraqi people. And it's
still taking time to fully lift that blanket of fear and intimidation
that was over the Iraqi people after some three decades of being
tortured and being intimidated and being denied justice that they
deserve. So we'll continue to have those discussions.
Q Scott, a very large portion of the paper on the $120 billion
is actually being held by Arab countries, specifically Saudi Arabia,
for financing Iraq's war against Iran for eight years. Why then are we
going to Europe first to try to get them to forgive debts --
MR. McCLELLAN: They're going to be -- these are just some initial
-- there's some initial meetings, Rick. I think you fully expect one
of the reasons the President called on Secretary Baker to be his
personal envoy was because of the unique qualifications that he
possesses. Secretary Baker was someone that knows the leaders in that
region very well. He has worked with them previously, if you might
recall. And so he brings a lot of unique qualifications to go to those
leaders at the highest level and talk about the importance of this
issue with them. And so I think you can fully expect that there will
be discussions with them, as well. Everybody has a part to play in
helping to reduce this burden on the Iraqi people, so that they can
realize a brighter future.
Q Second question. Is the administration kind of disappointed
with the reaction of the Arab man on the street on the capture of
Saddam Hussein, where they seem to express shame or anger that he gave
up without a fight and that the Americans were the ones who captured
him?
MR. McCLELLAN: I've seen a lot of comments from the Iraqi people
that express gratitude. That's what I've seen. The President knows
that the decision he took was the right decision, because the world is
better off without Saddam Hussein in power. And America is more secure
because of it.
Q Back on a trial, do you see any need at all for U.N.
involvement in organizing a tribunal or setting up a trial?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that these are discussions that the
coalition, that the United States and the coalition will have with the
Iraqi people. I think it's important for the Iraqis to know that
Saddam Hussein will be held to account. And that's why the President
made it very clear that the Iraqis would be the ones involved in this
and holding Saddam Hussein to account.
Q So you don't see a need then?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, we think the U.N. certainly has a
vital role to play in certain areas, in terms of the election process
and the constitutional process. But right now, in terms of conducting
a fair trial of Saddam Hussein and one that withstands international
scrutiny, those are discussions that we're having with the Iraqi
people.
Q Thank you.
MR. McCLELLAN: Thank you.
END 1:20 P.M. EST
|