For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 16, 2004
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
1:10 P.M. EST
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. I'm glad to begin with your
questions; I have no opening statement to make. Helen.
Q Is the administration concerned that it has a real
credibility problem, no weapons in Iraq, understating the cost of
Medicare and so forth?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think, Helen, this President has done exactly
what he said he would do when it comes to those issues. And I think
the President has talked at length about the intelligence you referred
to: the intelligence that the U.N. had, the intelligence that the
Congress had, the intelligence that the administration had said that
Saddam Hussein's regime was a threat and a danger. And that danger has
been removed from power.
Q There was no danger, they have not established that. David
Kay --
MR. McCLELLAN: Helen, I understand that you agree that -- or you
say that the world is not safer because of the action we took in Iraq,
but I dispute that. The world is safer because of the action we took
in Iraq. America is more secure because of the action we took in
Iraq. The Iraqi people have been liberated; some 25 million people are
now realizing a better future.
Q -- thousands are dead.
MR. McCLELLAN: And on Medicare, the President did exactly what he
said he was going to do: He kept our commitment to America's seniors
and passed prescription drug coverage for our seniors for the first
time.
Q What about the pricing?
Q What is the President going to argue to the troops in
Kentucky on Thursday, as he marks the one-year anniversary?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think maybe tomorrow we can preview that a
little bit more for you. Obviously, the President will continue to
talk about the importance of staying on the offensive in the war on
terrorism. We are fighting this war on a number of fronts. Last
Thursday's attacks in Spain were a grim reminder that we are a nation
at war, that we are a world at war against terrorism. This is a global
war on terrorism and we must continue to take the fight to the
terrorists.
Q Scott, you said this morning that terrorists shouldn't be
allowed to think that they can influence elections or policy. Do you
think that that was the case in Spain?
MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, we went through this yesterday. There's a
lot of analysis about the election. I'll leave the analysis on the
election to others. But terrorists want to intimidate. They want to
shake the will of the civilized world. And as you heard from the
President earlier, they cannot. The United States remains strong in
our resolve and in our determination. The civilized world remains
strong in its determination and its resolve. We will continue to
pursue this war on terrorism and bring those terrorists to justice
before they can carry out their attacks.
Q Well since you brought it up -- since you brought it up this
morning, I thought maybe you had it in some context.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that, obviously, there has been some
discussion out there on it. I think it is the wrong message to send to
make those suggestions. It is a terrible message to send. We must
send a message of unity, of strength, and of resolve in the war on
terrorism. Terrorists want to break our will and resolve. They want
us to cut and run. There is no negotiating with terrorists. You
cannot make peace with terrorists. We must continue to stand together
and wage this war on the offensive. That's the way to confront the
threat of terrorism.
Q How are you going to get unity, strength and resolve if you
have large populations in Europe opposed to what the United States has
done? And if you get the leadership to shift, as happened in this
election in Spain --
MR. McCLELLAN: Let's distinguish here, there's the global war on
terrorism, and I think in some instances you're referring to some
differences on Iraq. What's important to remember is that -- I think
that we would disagree with some of the suggestions you made in your
question there. I think many of the Iraqi people would disagree, and I
think that the coalition in Iraq would disagree.
Q I wasn't talking about the Iraqis, I was talking about the
Europeans.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, what's important for us all to do is what the
President said earlier -- we must stand together in our resolve and in
our strength and determination, to win the war on terrorism.
Terrorists cannot think that they can influence elections or influence
policy. That is the wrong message to send. That's why we must
redouble our efforts and take the fight to the terrorists.
Now, as far as Iraq, we are now at a point in Iraq where we are
moving forward on the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people. We
are working together to help the Iraqi people realize a brighter and
better future. We are now working together to advance the cause of
freedom and democracy in the Middle East. That will be very important
to winning the war on terrorism.
Q Will the President attempt to bring Europeans along by, for
example, going to the United Nations and offering them a larger role?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, a couple things. One, we've always said the
United Nations has a vital role to play in Iraq --
Q Yes, but you haven't said what it is.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, we've talked about how they -- they were
playing a vital role in the postwar period in Iraq, before they were
attacked by terrorists for what they were doing to help provide aid to
the Iraqi people. They played an important role in looking at the
possibility of elections earlier than what has been called for
previously. We all have a shared commitment to move forward on
elections as soon as possible, and they've been very involved in those
efforts. We also believe that the U.N. can play -- can continue to
play a very vital role in the future for the Iraqi people.
Now there have been three resolutions that have been passed by the
United Nations, and we believe those resolutions do provide for a lot
of the authority that the coalition is carrying out in Iraq. I would
refer you specifically back to Resolution 1511, which authorizes -- and
this is taking it directly from the resolution -- authorizes a
multinational force under unified command. And then it goes on from
there to talk about that. And then it goes on in the next point to
urge member states to contribute assistance under this resolution,
including military forces, through the multinational force referred to
in the above paragraph.
Now, in terms of a future resolution, we've said we're willing to
consider ideas for updating Resolution 1511 at some point around the
time of transfer of sovereignty.
Q Aren't you going to need it when sovereignty is transferred?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's what we've said. We're willing to
look at those ideas. But, again, look back at the resolutions that
have already passed and provide for authority of what we are already
doing in Iraq.
Q Scott, there are some conservatives who believe that there's
a real crisis in the transatlantic relationship over the war on
terror. You said just a minute ago that there's a difference between
supporting the U.S. in the war on terror and Iraq. But you're the one
--
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I said let's make a distinction there. I mean,
he was --
Q All right, but you guys don't make that distinction.
MR. McCLELLAN: It's the global war on terrorism --
Q Now, wait a second. The central front in the war on terror
is Iraq, according to this President.
MR. McCLELLAN: And countries are contributing in many different
ways in the war on terrorism. And you have more than 30 countries
participating on the ground in Iraq.
Q But in the central front -- in the central front. Is not the
litmus test for Spain, for instance, whether they keep troops on the
ground in Iraq as to whether they're going to really cooperate in the
war on terror?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, let's not prejudge things. You have a
new government coming into power. The President had a very good
conversation with the leader of the new government just yesterday. And
the President said he looks forward to continuing to work with him in
the fight against terrorism.
Now, Iraq is the central front now in the war on terrorism. The
terrorists have made that very clear. They realize the stakes are very
high there. The stakes are high in the war on terrorism. And
advancing freedom and democracy is a key component of winning the war
on terrorism. The Middle East is a very dangerous part of the world.
And what we are achieving for the Iraqi people will also help bring
about more stability in that part of the world. And that helps make
the world a safer place and a better place.
But look, we're going to work -- we're going to work with the
Spanish government in the fight against terrorism.
Q Do you think it's a litmus test?
MR. McCLELLAN: We've had a strong alliance in the past. We will
continue to work together on issues of common concern.
Q But you won't say whether you consider it a litmus test, I
mean --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, I've seen comments in the press. That
was not something that was discussed yesterday in the phone call. And,
obviously, there is discussion about the U.N. playing a role in the
future. We want the U.N. to continue to play a vital role in the
future. So we'll continue to talk these issues as we move forward.
Q Is the President worried that there is a view that goes
beyond Spain -- and you know it -- that it's too dangerous to associate
yourself with the United States in the war on terror, and that maybe
there's another way to fight terrorism, aside from aligning yourself
with the U.S.? How dangerous does the President think that trend is,
and what does he think he can do about it?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, anyone who thinks that we are not at war only
needs to look back to last Thursday, because that was a grim reminder
that we are at war against terrorism. And we need to continue to stand
together in this war against terrorism. Terrorists are indiscriminate
in who they attack and where they attack. I mean, you just have to go
back and look at the places that they've attacked previously. They've
attacked in Saudi Arabia; they've attacked in Tunisia; they've attacked
in Morocco; they've attacked in Turkey, in Indonesia -- certainly in
the United States, as well.
So I think you need to keep that in perspective. Terrorists want
to spread fear and chaos. They have no regard for innocent life. It
doesn't matter who and when and where they strike, they simply want to
strike and spread fear and chaos and intimidate us. And you cannot be
intimidated in the face of terrorism, you must stand strong and show
resolve and determination and take the fight to those terrorists.
Q You can't be afraid to be aligned with the U.S., is what
you're saying.
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, in terms of, if you're talking about the
U.S. -European alliance, the President has often spoken about the need
for us to work together on the common challenges that we face. And the
highest and most important challenge that we face together is the war
on terrorism. There are a number of ways to participate in that war on
terrorism, but the coalition in Iraq is strong. The coalition in the
global war on terrorism is strong. And you only need to look to some
of the comments that have been made in recent days to see that that
coalition is very strong, and the will and resolve of the international
community remains firm.
Q Just not with Spain --
Q Well, Scott, if I can follow up. Some of the comments have
come from the new Spanish Prime Minister. You say you want to have a
close, working relationship with him, and I wonder how that is getting
off -- if it's getting off on the right foot, when he says that the
Iraq war was a disaster; that Mr. Bush and Prime Minister Blair need to
engage in self-criticism; and that when he's asked directly if the
President had offered him a congratulatory phone call, very coolly kind
of said, well, I got so many, I can't remember.
MR. McCLELLAN: I haven't seen those comments, but the President
did call him, did congratulate him and they had a cordial conversation
yesterday. And they talked about the importance of continuing to work
together. Obviously, on his comments about Iraq, we strongly
disagree. The coalition strongly disagrees. Most of the Iraqi people
strongly disagree. Twenty-five million Iraqis have been liberated from
a brutal and oppressive regime.
Q How do you know that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Terry's network has actually done a little
bit of looking into that.
Q Yes, I don't trust -- (laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: Not that I always put my confidence in your polls.
(Laughter.) The Iraqi people are realizing a brighter future, one that
will be free and peaceful and democratic. And we all need to work
together to continue to help the Iraqi people to realize their
aspirations. We all need to work together to continue to advance the
cause of freedom and democracy in the Middle East and support efforts
that are already underway in the Middle East. We are sending a clear
and consistent message to the terrorists by the actions that we are
taking.
Q But I wonder, and I think we're all kind of wondering about
the message that is being sent from the Spanish elections. You say it
would be a terrible message if the terrorists were to assume that they
had influenced the Spanish elections. Well, that's not a message, is
it? It's a fact. The terrorists influenced the Spanish elections.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Terry, there's a lot of different analysis
out there.
Q What's the other one? (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: You should look -- there's a lot of analysis about
some of the way the government addressed some of the immediate -- the
matters in the last few days. There's all sorts of analysis out
there. I'm not the one who does the analysis of elections. But I will
point out the facts. And it is the wrong message to let terrorists
think that they can influence policy, that they can influence policy.
Terrorists will not prevail, and we must stand together and show
resolve and strength in the face of these kind of brutal attacks on
innocent men, women and children. We will not be intimidated. An
attack on one country is an attack on all of the civilized world. And
the civilized world must continue to stand together. You simply cannot
make peace with terrorists.
Q And just one more comment from European officialdom. Mr.
Prodi, the EU official, said that military force is not useful in
combating terrorism and that terrorism is infinitely more powerful
today than it was a year ago.
MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, these threats have been building for quite
some time. I think you're very well aware that terrorist attacks have
been going on for some time now. And the past approach of dealing with
it as a law enforcement matter is the wrong approach. It is a war.
Terrorists declared war on the United States of America on September
11, 2001. It is a day this President never forgets.
And the way to make America more secure and make the world safer is
to confront the dangerous new threats that we face before it's too
late. And those threats come from terrorists, they come from the
spread of weapons of mass destruction. And certainly the most deadly
threat of this day is the combination of those two. We must continue
to confront these threats before it's too late. And that's exactly
what we're doing. This is a war. And the terrorists know the stakes
are high in this war.
Q Scott, French President Chirac had some comments today. He
called for solidarity --
MR. McCLELLAN: I was looking at David, but --
Q I know, but he didn't jump on it. (Laughter.)
Q I'll try to be faster.
Q He called for solidarity in the war against terrorism, but he
also said it's essential to deal with poverty --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't just reward people who speak up.
Q -- with other issues that breed, that provide a fertile
breeding ground for terrorists. Is that the right message to be
sending?
MR. McCLELLAN: It's exactly what the President of the United
States is doing. We're confronting the threat of terrorism in a number
of different ways. On the one hand, we're taking the offensive and
taking the battle to the terrorists. On the other hand, we are working
to advance freedom and democracy. We are addressing the roots of
terrorism by helping people realize their aspirations, realize their
hopes and dreams. And so this war is being fought on a number of
different fronts.
Q What are we doing to advance democracy and to alleviate
poverty in places like Egypt and Saudi Arabia?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think you only have to go back and look at
the greater Middle East initiative that the President has outlined to
advance freedom and democracy and promote greater stability in the
Middle East. You only need to look back at what the President outlined
when it comes to the Middle East peace process, a two-state vision of
two states living side-by-side in peace and security in the Middle
East. There is no nation that has a stronger commitment to advancing
freedom and democracy and addressing the roots of terrorism than the
United States of America. This President has provided clear and
consistent and strong leadership in that area.
Q Can you show me results?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, look at what we've done in Afghanistan and
Iraq, right there -- 50 million people have been liberated; they are
realizing freedom; they are realizing what democracy is all about.
Democracy has taken root in both those countries and we will not turn
back in our support of the efforts --
Q I don't think that's what I was talking about. I
specifically talked about Egypt and Saudi Arabia. You mentioned a
presidential initiative. I asked for results.
MR. McCLELLAN: And we want to support their efforts, too. There
are some steps that have been taken in other countries, as well, some
that you mentioned. Obviously, we'd like to continue to see more steps
taken to promote freedom and democracy.
Q Scott, can I follow up on where David was taking you before?
I think I've heard some internally contradictory things today. You
have said that Europe is with us on terrorism, but we may have some
disagreements on Iraq. You've also said --
MR. McCLELLAN: There are many European nations that are helping in
Iraq.
Q That's right. You've said that Europe is with us on
terrorism, maybe disagrees on Iraq, Iraq remains a central front on
terrorism. And, yet, we now have the Spanish, and we didn't really
hear from the leader of the Netherlands today a resounding endorsement
that he would necessarily keep his troops there --
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, I think he said we stand shoulder-to-shoulder
with the United States in the war on terrorism and with the civilized
world. Obviously, they've got some political processes that they have
to follow back at home.
Q And so it's not clear that they keep their troops there
beyond July --
MR. McCLELLAN: The coalition in Iraq is strong. Obviously, you're
going to have a transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people at some
point. And we're still discussing those issues with leaders in Iraq,
about continuing to provide security as we move forward. But the
United States and the coalition will stay until the job is finished and
until Iraq has a free and peaceful and prosperous future.
Q Can you tell us a little bit about what the President plans
to do to convince European leaders that they should take the risks that
are involved? You had the Prime Minister of Spain say in his comments
yesterday that you can't build a coalition together or conduct a war on
a basis of lies -- obviously a statement you folks don't agree with.
Can you tell us what the President's plan is to begin to work
against these kind of -- these kind of views?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President has made the war on terrorism
his highest priority for quite some time now, David.
Q The question is convincing -- convincing these leaders. I
want to hear how he's going to --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think you're making it sound like that that
lack of support is wider spread than it is. There is a strong
coalition in Iraq that is working to help the Iraqi people realize
their aspirations and realize a free and peaceful future. So I
disagree with the premise of the way you stated your question to some
extent. It's important that we -- that we all realize that the stakes
are very high in the war on terrorism. The stakes are very high in
Iraq, which is the central front in the war on terrorism. And it's
become clear from some of the statements made by al Qaeda, themselves,
that they recognize how high the stakes are in Iraq. And that's why we
must continue to stay the course. When we prevail in Iraq with freedom
and democracy for the Iraqi people, we will have dealt the terrorists a
significant blow in this global war.
Go ahead.
Q Scott, by linking the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism
constantly, is there any --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think the terrorists have made that link,
as well.
Q No, I mean by calling Iraq the central front in the war on
terrorism. I mean, that's been your line. But the question is --
MR. McCLELLAN: Not just ours, terrorists have made statements
recognizing that the stakes are high there, and that that's the new
battleground in the war on terrorism.
Q Well, regardless of what the terrorists are saying, in terms
of --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think it's an important point to keep in mind.
When we're talking about how high the stakes are, it's important to
remind everyone that we must work together in this war on terrorism.
Q I don't want to start an argument about whether or not the
terrorists came in after you toppled Saddam, but if you want to go down
that road, but my question is specifically about the message that the
Spanish elections sent and whether or not that linkage has essentially
backfired, seeing as what happened in Spain -- because you had the
terrorist attack, and then suddenly the guy who was against the war in
Iraq won. Is there any thought here at the White House about the fact
that that linkage might be hurting you in Europe and with some allies?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, you're getting into analysis of the
elections. There's a lot of analysis in the post-election aftermath,
and I don't know that all the analysis makes the point that you were
trying to make just there. I'll leave all the analysis to others, but
what we will continue to talk about is the facts. And the facts are
that terrorists do not discriminate. They carry out their attacks --
their attacks to harm innocent men, women, and children. They carry
out their attacks to spread fear and chaos. They carry out their
attacks to shake our will and resolve. But they cannot shake our
will. Our will is too strong. And they --
Q Why Spain?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, why Morocco? Why Tunisia? Why Saudi
Arabia?
Q Why Spain, just before an election -- sorry, why Spain, just
before an election?
MR. McCLELLAN: Why Indonesia? Terrorists carry out their attacks
wherever they can, Helen. They carry out their attacks wherever they
can.
Go ahead.
Q Scott, I think you're saying -- correct me if I'm wrong --
that the President is unconcerned about the election results in Spain
and the professed intentions of the new leader that he's going to pull
the troops out.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think you're saying I'm saying that.
Q Well, you seem to leaving that impression. If the President
is concerned, what is he doing about it?
MR. McCLELLAN: The socialist party was the one who won the
elections in Spain. That was the -- that was the determination of the
Spanish people. And we respect their vote. And now it is time to look
at ways we can work together, continue to work together. We've always
had a strong alliance with Spain. And there are many ways we can
continue working together. And that's the spirit in which this
President is moving forward.
Q Is he concerned about the erosion of this coalition,
apparently siding with Spain?
MR. McCLELLAN: The coalition -- the coalition is very strong. I
think you heard from the Polish government, which is overseeing the
command of many nations and their troops in Iraq. The coalition
remains very strong in their resolve and determination to help the
Iraqi people move forward. Remember what the President talked about
earlier. Free nations are peaceful nations. Advancing freedom and
democracy is at the core of helping us win the war on terrorism,
because when people have freedom, they have hope and they have
opportunity to realize their full potential. And that's what we're
talking about. Terrorists want to destroy that very way of life. And
that's what we're up against.
Q So the President is doing nothing different or in addition,
in light of the election results?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, in light of the attacks on Thursday, the
President has redoubled his commitment to fighting and winning the war
on terrorism and working with other -- and working with other countries
to do so.
Q How has he done that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, in his commitment to continue to stay on the
offensive, that's what I'm referring to.
Q Scott, how do you respond to a recent Pew poll which says
that even a year after Iraq -- the Iraq war, Europeans continue to
express a high level of discontent towards the United States,
especially in France and Germany. Why hasn't --
MR. McCLELLAN: Europe is a number of nations, more than just one
or two.
Q France and Germany, specifically, are saying --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you look at countries like Poland, who have
been under oppressive dictatorships. They certainly understand the
importance of what we're trying to achieve in Iraq.
Q So how do you win over countries --
MR. McCLELLAN: The coalition -- there's a strong coalition in
Iraq.
Q But how do you win --
MR. McCLELLAN: And look, I think it's important to remember that
regardless of where you were prior to the war in Iraq, that now we can
all work together to help the Iraqi people realize a better future.
The United Nations recognizes the importance of helping to move
forward on freedom and democracy in Iraq. There is a strong coalition
of countries that recognizes the importance of what we are trying to
help the Iraqi people achieve.
Q But we're looking at public opinion -- the case of what
France and Germany -- how do you get those people in France and Germany
to think better about us a year later?
MR. McCLELLAN: We are continuing to move forward on the war on
terrorism. I'm not going to sit here and get into every single poll,
Richard, that you want to bring up. Obviously, it's important for
people to look at the attacks that have been carried out across the
world. This is a war on terrorism. The terrorists recognize how high
the stakes are. And we must continue to remain united in our resolve
and determination to bring them to justice before they can carry out
these kinds of attacks on innocent men, women and children.
Goyal.
Q Scott, two questions. One, I had a chance yesterday to see
the "Osama" movie at the State Department's foreign press center. Can
you confirm if President Bush saw this movie? And also, at the same
time --
MR. McCLELLAN: The movie, "Osama"?
Q Right.
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, and he's talked publicly about what a powerful
film that is.
Q Now, the question is, on this movie, since Secretary of
State, Mr. Powell, is in Afghanistan now, this movie is showing still
poverty, these people are living in fear, and also Taliban is there.
And we understand now, of course, Afghanistan was freed and people are
living freely, from the fear of Taliban.
But the question is poverty still is in Afghanistan now. People
are living -- they're still in fear of Taliban back from across the
border from Pakistan. How do we make sure the people do not feel that
what happened in the '80s with Afghanistan, now they can depend on the
United States as far as poverty and fear of -- living and not under the
fear of Taliban?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we've been talking about Iraq some, we've
been talking about Afghanistan, both countries; there are some 50
million people, altogether, who have been liberated from oppressive
regimes that had no regard for their people. They only had regard for
promoting themselves and advancing their own oppressive regimes. And I
think it's important to keep in mind that this President's number one
obligation is to protect the American people. We've been having a
discussion here about some issues; this President knows that his
highest responsibility is the safety and security of the American
people.
The actions that we are taking when it comes to our national
security are making the world a safer place; they're making America
more secure; they're also making the world a better place. We are
confronting dangerous new threats before it's too late. That's what
September 11th taught us, that we cannot treat it just as a law
enforcement matter. We cannot wait, before it's too late, before it's
imminent, and then act. At that point, it's too late. We are also
working to advance freedom and democracy, for the very reason that the
President has often talked about: Free nations are peaceful nations.
And this administration is providing clear and consistent leadership in
these challenging times. We're helping to lead the world; to make the
world not only safer, but make it better. And America is more secure
because of the actions of this President.
Q Scott, what is the President doing this afternoon?
MR. McCLELLAN: He's got an awards ceremony for science and math
students. He tends to have policy briefings and discussions with
staff. I didn't bring the remainder of the schedule out here with me.
Q Is he having any chats with the 9/11 Commission at all
today?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, no.
Q And, also, is Tony Blair coming to the ranch sometime soon?
MR. McCLELLAN: As you know, we always keep you posted if there are
any updates to the schedule.
Q Well, I thought you might make an exception.
MR. McCLELLAN: No. Nice try. (Laughter.)
Q Has he spoken with Blair since last Thursday?
MR. McCLELLAN: As you know, he stays in close contact with Prime
Minister Blair. We don't always read those calls out.
Sarah.
Q Thank you.
Q That sounded like a "yes."
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you know he talks to Prime Minister Blair on
pretty much a weekly basis, if not more often.
Q Saudi Arabian authorities have killed a man they say is the
head of the al Qaeda operations on the Arabian Peninsula. Since the al
Qaeda has such a strong presence in Saudi Arabia, is the President
satisfied that the Saudis are doing enough to fight terrorism?
MR. McCLELLAN: We're working together to fight terrorism. And we
appreciate Saudi Arabia's efforts. They are a strong partner in the
global war on terrorism. Saudi Arabia recognized the threat posed by
terrorists on their own soil. They saw how atrocious these attacks on
innocent men, women and children are. And so we are working together,
in strong partnership, in the war on terrorism.
Q On the missionaries who were killed in Iraq, does the
President have any special message to them? Does he think that these
type of people should continue to risk their lives in Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: Obviously, they were there to help the Iraqi people
realize a better future. And our thoughts and prayers are certainly
with their families. This was a terrible tragedy, and they remain in
our thoughts and prayers. And we are certainly grateful for all the
efforts that they made to help the Iraqi people move forward on a
better future.
Q Would he encourage other missionaries to continue this type
of practice?
MR. McCLELLAN: There are many people, from many different
countries, that are providing humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi
people and helping in Iraq. And security is a very high priority for
the Iraqi people for the coalition. And we continue to work together
to improve the security situation in Iraq.
Q Just one quickly on Korea. Has South Korea weakened its
commitment at all to the war on terrorism because of the --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you heard comments from South Korea last
week, that they remain strongly committed to working with the
international community on our common challenges.
Q -- the impeachment?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q Was that after --
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes. Go ahead.
Q I'd like to follow up on a question I asked about six weeks
ago, about Saddam's oil for influence program. There's a list of 270
government officials, companies, journalists and political parties who
allegedly received oil vouchers in violation of U.N. sanctions. Is the
United States going to confront foreign leaders -- and I can name
them: Jacques Chirac, Vladimir Putin and Kofi Annan -- about this?
Even the New York Times has written about this, so it is newsy, the
widespread corruption within the U.N. Oil for Food program.
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't have any -- I haven't checked on any
updates since you brought this question up last time, Jeff. I
recognize the stories that have been out there, but I've not checked on
any update on that matter.
Q You know of no action by the administration on that stuff?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I just haven't checked on any update on that
situation, Terry.
Q Scott, in Albany, New York, where he went to testify against
same-sex marriage, Brooklyn's Catholic Bishop, Nicholas DiMarzio, noted
what he called the absurdity of same-sex and polygamist marriage. And
he asked this question, "Why can't we have marriages between people and
pets," for which he was denounced by Democrat State Senator Thomas
Duane.
MR. McCLELLAN: Can we get to a question here?
Q Yes. It's the first of two. (Laughter.) Does the President
believe that Bishop DiMarzio should have been denounced by Senator
Duane because of this Bishop's opposition to marriages of bestiality,
polygamy and sodomy?
MR. McCLELLAN: Les, I'm simply not familiar with the specifics of
what he said. I know what the President's views are when it comes to
the sanctity of marriage. And he's made them very clear.
Q So he would agree with the Bishop?
MR. McCLELLAN: Les, I'm not familiar with the specifics of what
was said.
Q The Washington Times cartoonist Garner this morning compared
Senator Kerry's claim to have met foreign leaders, whom he refuses to
identify, as comparable to Al Gore's claim of playing the lead role in
creating the Internet and Clinton's claim to remember black churches
burning in Arkansas when none were burned.
And my question, would the President disagree with this
comparison? And will he agree to any more than the three traditional
debates with Kerry, who left Al Sharpton out in his debate --
MR. McCLELLAN: You said you had two questions. You just worked
two more questions into that one question.
Q That's kind of like the front row --
MR. McCLELLAN: And I think the campaign has addressed the latter
one. In terms of the former, I think I talked a little bit about this
earlier this morning. But what we're seeing is part of a pattern.
This is not the first time that Senator Kerry has made claims and
refused to back them up. The President spoke earlier, when he was
asked about this issue, and said the American people should expect
people who are running for President to back up their claims. And
that's all that we are asking.
Q Will he debate more than the traditional --
MR. McCLELLAN: The campaign has addressed that issue. They put
out a statement last week on that.
Q Can I follow that up? Is the President now in favor of
betraying confidences of conversations that people have in confidence
with foreign leaders?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's making a lot of assumptions, one,
Mark. I mean, Senator Kerry has said that he met with foreign leaders
and that he's heard from those leaders, and, yet, he refused to back up
that claim. And that's why, yesterday, I said that it's either one of
two things: Either he can back up those claims and say who it is, or
he is simply making it up to attack the President of the United
States. And that would be very unfortunate if that is the case. But
this goes to an issue of credibility; it goes to an issue of being
straight with the American people.
And, certainly, if you're talking about foreign policy in this
manner -- and this could be an important foreign policy matter -- if
Senator Kerry has information that could affect our relations, or our
policies regarding another country, then it should be shared with the
American people, and it should be shared with the government.
Q Even if it was a private conversation, he should make it
public?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you're making assumptions there. One, I
mean, he --
Q No, I'm not. I'm asking --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- he has refused to back up his claim. So I think
you are making assumptions there. He has said that he met with and
heard from leaders, but he has refused to back those claims up. And it
is an issue of credibility and straight talk with the American people.
Q Doesn't the President of the United States have conversations
with foreign leaders that you don't read out from here?
MR. McCLELLAN: You know when he meets with foreign leaders,
David.
Q If it was a private conversation, why did he even bring it
up, if it was so private?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q Why did Kerry bring it up if it was private?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, no, that's going to the issue here; he makes
a claim, but he refuses to back it up. This is not the first time that
he has done that. It is part of a pattern. Senator Kerry has made
claims both on the foreign policy and domestic front that he has
refused to back up. And if you're going to make those kind of claims,
the American people ought to be able to know on what basis you make
those claims.
Thank you.
END 1:46 P.M. EST
|