For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 15, 2004
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
2:25 P.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. I want to update you on the
President dropping by the United States-Afghan Women's Council
meeting. President Bush and Afghan President Karzai met today with the
United States-Afghan Women's Council to reaffirm their commitment to
Afghan women and their empowerment. The Council was launched by the
two heads of state during President Karzai's first official visit to
Washington, in January 2002. It was created to help the women of
Afghanistan gain the skills and education they need to play a lasting
and prominent role in the Afghan economy, civil society and
government.
As part of its ongoing initiatives, the Council is announcing a new
health advisory committee, to build on its earlier major initiatives,
such as the $5 million Rural Education and Community Health Care
initiative, or RECH, which just graduated its first class of 25 trained
midwives.
In his meeting today, the President reiterated America's ongoing
commitment to Afghanistan and the political and civil transformation
underway there. He made special mention of the women of Afghanistan
and their growing role in their nation. Both he and President Karzai
looked ahead to the September Afghan elections as a watershed event in
the region, as well.
And tomorrow the President looks forward to going to MacDill Air
Force Base, home of the United States Central Command. This is an
opportunity for the President to personally thank our troops for their
service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The speech will be carried live via
satellite to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it will be carried
on Armed Forces Radio and TV.
I expect the President will discuss the progress we are making on
his five-point plan for success in Iraq. And I expect he will also
talk about the way forward in Iraq as we move toward transferring
sovereignty and as we move forward on the electoral process that has
been put in place.
And with that, I will be glad to go to your questions. John,
seeing the only hand up. One question today.
Q From strictly a legal perspective, does the White House see
any reason under the Geneva Convention why it would be compelled to
immediately turn Saddam Hussein over to the Iraqi interim government?
MR. McCLELLAN: Actually, John, the -- well, first of all, we have
made it very clear that we believe Saddam Hussein should face justice
by the Iraqi people for the atrocities he committed during his decades
in power. And we have made it clear that we intend to turn him over at
the appropriate time so he can be tried by an Iraqi tribunal. And
we're continuing to have discussions with the interim government about
that matter.
I think, also, on the broader issue of detainees, you need to look
back at Resolution 1546 that was just unanimously passed by the
Security Council at the United Nations. In it, it provides authority
for the multinational force to continue to detain individuals in Iraq
after June 30th, and to detain new individuals where it is necessary
for security purposes. And certainly, the detention policy is one of
the fundamental security issues on which the multinational force and
the interim government in Iraq will coordinate closely in the weeks and
months ahead to reach agreement on those issues.
Q That's why I asked strictly from a legal standpoint. So 1546
supercedes any obligations that the U.S. might have under the Geneva
Convention?
MR. McCLELLAN: All these issues were worked out --
Q The Convention --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- with the interim government.
Q The Convention is kind of unclear. It states that detainees
who have criminal proceedings pending against them can be continued to
be detained, but since there have been no charges that have been filed,
it gets into a kind of a gray area, which is --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, if you look back to the June 5th letter from
Secretary Powell to the Security Council, which was part of the annex
to the United Nations Security Council Resolution, it specifically
states that among the tasks the multinational force stands ready to
perform is, "internment where this is necessary for imperative reasons
of security." And the letter from Prime Minister Allawi to the Council,
on the same day, in term, states that, "We seek a new resolution on the
multinational force mandate to contribute to maintaining security in
Iraq, including through task and arrangements set out in the letter
from Secretary of State Colin Powell to the President of the United
Nations Security Council." So these are issues that we'll coordinate
and work closely with the interim government on as we move forward.
Q So, really, then, it's not a legal issue at all, it's more
appearances than anything in terms of --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think we've worked out arrangements like
this in other places, as well. And there will be ongoing security
threats after the transfer of sovereignty. And that is why there will
be a multinational force there under -- at least sanctioned by the
United Nations to help provide for the security going forward, and work
to equip and train the Iraqi security forces so that they can
ultimately assume full responsibility for their future. And that's
what's most important. We are going to increase the number of troops
in Iraq, but they're going to be Iraqi security forces.
Q But in the meantime,the multinational force has the authority
to detain Iraqi citizens, if necessary, for security. Does the
multinational force make that determination, or will the Iraqi
government --
MR. McCLELLAN: We do that in close coordination with the interim
government, Terry. Just like we worked with the relationship between
the multinational force and the interim government on military
operations, we'll do the same in this area, as well. You have to
recognize that there are different types of prisoners. I mean, we have
been in Iraq as an occupying power. And you've got criminal prisoners
who we have already begun releasing some, and we'll be turning those
over to the interim government. And then there are detainees that pose
an ongoing security threat -- certainly a security threat to coalition
forces and to the Iraqi people. And those are issues we'll discuss
with the interim government as we go forward.
Q And I just want to know how much authority the interim
government would have, because it would seem to me one of the hallmarks
of being a sovereign government is that you don't let foreign forces
arrest your people willy-nilly.
MR. McCLELLAN: That's why it was discussed as we move forward on
the Security Council resolution, and discussed in the context of the
relationship between the multinational force and the interim
government. And so that's why these issues are worked out in this
way.
Q And Scott, can you just clarify, regarding Saddam Hussein, who
has the final authority in determining whether or not the security is
adequate to turn him over to the Iraqi government?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we're going to work in cooperation and close
coordination with the interim government. That's what we have been
doing and that's what we will continue to do. Obviously, sovereignty
isn't going to -- going to be transferred until June 30th. And then
you will have a sovereign government in place. But Iraqis are already
assuming responsibility in a number of different areas. In fact, I
think the Coalition Provisional Authority briefed on that earlier today
and talked about some of the progress toward transferring sovereignty
to the Iraqi people.
Q Right, but who has the final authority? You're working in
close cooperation --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's why I would describe it as we're working in
close cooperation with the interim government. I wouldn't look at it
the way you are. I would look at it as -- that we worked out these
arrangements, certainly, in the Security Council resolution, we talked
through these issues with the interim government, and we reached an
agreement on the appropriate time to turn Saddam Hussein over so that
he can be tried by the Iraqi people for those atrocities that he
committed.
Q So after June 30th, it would be the Iraqi government, as well
as the U.N. that would have equal say? Or how does -- how does the
multinational force --
MR. McCLELLAN: A multinational force will work with the interim
government to address these issues.
Q They would have equal --
MR. McCLELLAN: Not just on Saddam Hussein, but other detainees
that pose ongoing security threats, as well.
Q -- equal weight in making that determination about security --
MR. McCLELLAN: I would describe it as we're working in close
cooperation and coordination with the interim government. I think
that's the way you should look at it.
Mark, go ahead.
Q It's been a while since we've asked, what can you tell us
about Saddam Hussein and where he's being held and under what
conditions and by who?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you need to address those questions to the
Pentagon or to the military. So they can update you on that. I don't
have a recent update in terms of what the latest information is there.
The military, I'm sure, will be glad to provide you with that
information.
Helen, go ahead. You've been holding your hand up.
Q In view of the national shame that's been heaped on us because
of the prisoner abuse, why can't we find out what memos the President
has read on the question of torture, what new orders he's given since
-- in the aftermath of this horror? What has he done, exactly,
himself, to clear our name?
MR. McCLELLAN: Are you talking about Iraq and what occurred at Abu
Ghraib?
Q I'm talking about all the prisons where abuse could have
occurred.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, there are several
investigations that are underway by the military to look at the prison
system and to go back and look at these issues.
In terms of the abuses that occurred at Abu Ghraib, they are
appalling and they were wrong. We do not tolerate those despicable
acts. Those types of abuses run counter to our values and our
policies. Those who are responsible must be punished for their abuses
at Abu Ghraib. And beyond that, there are a number of ongoing
investigations to look into the abuses there and to also take a broader
look at the prison system to see whether there are systemic problems
that need to be addressed, as well. We want to do everything we can to
make sure something like this does not happen again, because it does
not represent the vast majority, the 99.9 percent of our men and women
in the military who are serving honorably and admirably as they carry
out their duties.
Q But has the President seen any of the memos, has he issued any
orders, has he called Rumsfeld and the top generals in, and said, who
did this, who ordered this?
MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, our policies are very clear, and the
President has stated those policies to people and made it very clear.
Our policy is to adhere to our laws and our treaty obligations. Now,
we --
Q But that hasn't happened
MR. McCLELLAN: -- we are at war on terrorism. And the President
recognizes that his most important responsibility is to protect the
American people. And we are going to seek to gather intelligence from
al Qaeda terrorists who are in our custody, but the President has made
it clear that he expects that to be done in a way that is consistent
with our laws. He directed our military to treat those detainees
humanely and consistent with the Geneva Conventions.
Q How did he do that? Is there a paper on that?
MR. McCLELLAN: He directed that and made that very clear quite
some time ago, that that was what he expected our military to do when
it comes to those detainees that they are holding at Guantanamo Bay.
Now, in Iraq, he made it very clear that the Geneva Conventions
apply. We made that clear very early on --
Q That's where the horror has occurred.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- in terms of this conflict, that the Geneva
Conventions do apply there. And we expect people to adhere to those
conventions.
Q Has he talked to the generals at all?
MR. McCLELLAN: And that's -- and that's why our military is taking
action to get to the bottom of this, hold people responsible and take
steps to prevent it from ever happening again.
Q Scott, along that line, when you say you want to make sure
that nothing like this prison scandal happens again, what will the new
Iraqi government statute contain for the Iraqi prisoners and POWs
currently in American --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, what will the new Iraqi government --
Q Government statute contain as it relates to the POWs and the
Iraqi prisoners currently in American military custody, as it relates
to the ICRC going in to visit them?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I expect we will continue to grant access to
detainees who are in our custody. In terms of detainees that would be
in the custody of the new government, that will be a sovereign
government and you need to direct those questions to that government.
Q It's in your benefit at this point now to have the
International Red Cross come in and take a look and make sure these
atrocities --
MR. McCLELLAN: It's not "now," April, we always work very closely
with the International Red Cross, and it's important that they do have
access to detainees so that they can carry out their important role.
Q But the ICRC does have a concern about this new Iraqi
government statute that may or may not give them the freedoms that
they've had thus far.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, like I said, in terms of the detainees that
would be in our custody, I fully expect that we would continue to grant
the International Committee for the Red Cross access to those
detainees. In terms of the new government that will be in place, it's
going to be a sovereign government and those questions need to be
directed to that government.
Q Will you push -- will this White House push for the same kinds
of access, or even more that was given to the ICRC when -- when the
U.S. military --
MR. McCLELLAN: I said I fully expect that we will continue to
grant access to the Red Cross for our detainees.
Q Will this White House push for the new Iraqi government to
give the ICRC --
MR. McCLELLAN: And those are questions you need to address to the
new government that will be in place in Iraq. I think they fully
recognize the importance of that, as well, but I don't speak for that
new government. It will be a sovereign government, they will have the
authority to make those decisions on their own.
Q I have two questions, if I may. President Karzai of
Afghanistan says he and his people are adamantly opposed to drugs in
his country, and that he and the U.S. plan to get rid of them. But
how? How are you going to eliminate the multi-billion dollar drug
business in Afghanistan, and are some of those profits going to
terrorists?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you heard from President Karzai in the Rose
Garden. He recognizes that it is a problem that they must continue to
work to address and they are working to address it. British forces
that have been there have been working with the Afghan government on
these issues, as well. And we're there to help Afghanistan address
those issues. It is a serious problem that we must continue to work
together to address.
Q Second question. Is the President planning to do anything on
his next birthday to top his father's parachute jump? (Laughter.)
Maybe he'll fly a new F-22 and go supersonic?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, nothing that I know of. I know he had a good
conversation with former President Bush, his father, following his
successful jump the other day. And the President wished him well and
congratulated him on that jump. In terms of what the President may do
on his 80th birthday, well, we'll keep you posted on that. (Laughter.)
Q With regard to the multinational force in Iraq, Japanese
government has declared a commitment of the Japanese self-defense force
in Iraq, to a multinational force after June 30th. Prime Minister
Koizumi explained even if the self-defense force joined the
multi-national force, it would not come under the command of the
multinational force, of so-called unified command, but would continue
to remain under Japanese command. He also said that U.S. government
already understands the Japanese position, including the case of the
withdraw of self-defense force in the condition of -- in the condition
that it would become a combat zone there. Is that true?
MR. McCLELLAN: I missed the last part of that. Could you -- that
very last part?
Q In the case of withdrawal of self-defense force, in the
condition of it will become the combat zone there.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the first part -- first of all, let me point
out that Prime Minister Koizumi and Japan have been a great friend to
the Iraqi people and they have provided strong support to help the
Iraqi people realize a brighter future.
In terms of forces, obviously, they will -- the individual country
forces will be under their own chain of command, and there will be a
multi-national force there. The Iraqi forces will be under an Iraqi
chain of command. And that's all going to be coordinated and we'll
work together on those efforts.
But the last part about the combat zone, I didn't -- I'm sorry, I
didn't understand that last part of your question.
Q My question is, Japanese government says that the self-defense
force will not come under the command of the multi-national force, but
would under the command of the --
MR. McCLELLAN: I expect, like Polish forces and British forces and
Italian forces, they're under, obviously, their own chains of command
within the country. But the multi-national force overall is overseen
by the American command.
Q Two questions. In addition to what the President said this
morning about Ron Reagan, Jr.'s statements on religion, was the
President surprised or offended by them? And then, also, on the "under
God" clause, does the White House plan to take any --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, I mean, you heard the
President's remarks on that very question. I don't think he saw his
remarks the other night, and I think the President addressed the
question earlier. What was the second part of your question?
Q On the "under God" clause, does the White House now plan to
take any action?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we are pleased that the 9th Circuit Court
ruling will not be enforced. And in terms of any future action, you
can expect that this administration will continue to defend "under God"
in the "Pledge of Allegiance."
Q Does anyone here have a reaction to what Ron Reagan said? I
mean --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you heard from the President earlier
today. And, you know, again, I'll leave it at that.
Q Scott, Prime Minister Allawi said that the United States is
going to hand over Hussein to the Iraqis before the June 30 transfer of
sovereignty. President Bush said today that it would come at the
appropriate time and he cited the security need. Does the President --
in saying that, is that an explicit rejection of Allawi's
expectations? And I've got a second question.
MR. McCLELLAN: What it is, and I said it, actually, earlier this
morning to some reporters, too, is that we're going to have those
discussions -- we're having those discussions with the interim
government. We will continue to do so. And we intend to turn him over
at the appropriate time. And that's what the President said in the
Rose Garden, as well. And that's where it stands. So those are
discussions we'll have. Those --
Q Not before June 30.
MR. McCLELLAN: I wouldn't speculate one way or the other on things
at this point. I would just say that those discussions are underway
and we will continue to discuss those matters with the interim
government, and we will turn him over at the appropriate time so that
he can face Iraqi justice.
Q On China, Congress received a report from the U.S.-China
Security Review Commission today outlining the scope of the U.S. trade
deficit. Senator John Kerry took this opportunity to issue a
statement, saying that President Bush has failed to hold China
accountable to its trade agreements not to manipulate its currency. Is
that a fair characterization?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, I think this all goes back to
some of the broader statements that he's made, and pessimism does not
create jobs or grow our economy. Our economy is strong and growing
stronger because of the policies that this President has advocated and
worked to pass. There is more that we need to do, as well. And one of
those areas where we can do more is continue to expand trade because
trade helps create jobs here at home. Trade helps open markets for
American producers and products. And the President is the strongest
proponent of expanding trade.
And in terms of China, we have made some progress with China on a
number of different areas. And we continue to have discussions with
the Chinese government on additional steps that they can take. And I
think you need to go back and look at the steps that they have already
worked to implement. And we'll continue to have those discussions.
Q Is the President satisfied at this point with the progress
that's been made on the currency?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, those are issues that we continue to discuss
with the Chinese government. That's one issue that we have made our
views very clear on and we will continue to make our views known to the
Chinese government, as well. There are some areas where they can do
more. And that's where -- we continue to have those discussions.
Let me go to the back here.
Q Scott, the subcommittee of the House and the International
Relations Committee will have a hearing, I guess, tomorrow on relations
with Egypt. And definitely, some --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, relations?
Q With Egypt.
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, okay.
Q And definitely, some members do have unflattering views of the
relationship between U.S. and Egypt, especially after declining the
invitation to go to the G8. From the White House view, from the
President's view, did -- do the relations with Egypt have been
affected negatively because of declining? And how --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think the President views our relations with
Egypt in very positive terms. We have a good relationship with Egypt,
and certainly, the President has a good relationship with President
Mubarak. He just met with him weeks ago at his ranch in Crawford. And
they had a good discussion there. And they talked about some of the
issues that came up at the G8, as well, and that came up at Sea
Island. They talked about some of the efforts underway by the
international community to support calls for reform from within the
region. We want to be there to do everything we can to support those
calls for reform. And that's why some of the progress that was made
last week at Sea Island was outlined in some of the paper that was put
out by those nations.
And the President had a good meeting with those countries that were
there. We recognize that not everyone could be there for whatever
scheduling commitments that they had. But we appreciate those that did
show up.
Q So you perceive no negative impact, short-term, at least, in
relations with Egypt, especially --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think we have good relations with Egypt, and
we'll continue to have good relations with Egypt.
Go ahead.
Q Until a decision is made regarding Saddam, would he be still
interrogated by the Americans? And how about the 55-most -wanted?
MR. McCLELLAN: How about the what?
Q The 55-most-wanted Iraqi officials. Are there -- still they
would be with the Americans --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, we've made great progress in terms of
that list of 55. Well over 40-some of those leaders have been
captured, or otherwise dealt with. And in terms of all those issues,
again, let me just reiterate, those are issues that we're discussing
with the interim government, and we will work with them to -- so that
we can come to an agreement on when those individuals will be turned
over.
Go ahead, Jeff. You had one.
Q Thanks. Why hasn't the administration made more of the U.N.
inspectors' report that says Saddam Hussein was dismantling his missile
and WMD sites before and during the war? And doesn't that, combined
with the now proven al Qaeda link between Iraq -- between Saddam
Hussein and the terrorist organization -- unequivocally make the case
for going to war in Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think in terms of Iraq and ties to
terrorism, Secretary Powell outlined the former regime's support for
and ties to terrorists when he went before the United Nations.
Director Tenet has testified in open session before Congress about what
we know about those ties. You heard the President talk about some of
those ties earlier today in the Rose Garden when he was asked a
question. So I think those ties are well known, and we have talked
about them previously.
Certainly, when you look at someone like al Zarqawi, he was an
individual who was in Iraq prior to the decision to go to war, and he
is someone who remains in Iraq. And he is a senior al Qaeda
associate.
Q Is that why you went to war?
MR. McCLELLAN: And -- Helen, I think we spelled out our reasons
why we went to war.
Q I think you did.
MR. McCLELLAN: And certainly ties between the regime --
Q There were weapons of mass destruction.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- ties between the regime and terrorism was a very
serious concern.
Q And getting back --
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead.
Q Getting back to that, Scott --
MR. McCLELLAN: In terms -- in terms that you're talking about his
WMD activities, and capabilities, and intentions, those are all issues
that Iraq Survey Group continues to look into. And Charles Duelfer is
heading that group so that we can find out the truth and learn more
about what had happened -- what happened to those programs and
weapons.
Q But the report establishes that there were WMD missiles and
sites in Iraq before and during the war.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think if you look at what has already been
reported by the Iraq Survey Group it clearly shows that the regime was
in serious violation of Security Council 1441, which called for serious
consequences. We know that he continued to have the intention and the
capability when it comes to weapons of mass destruction. And
certainly, this was intelligence shared by Congress, and shared by the
international community -- not just the administration. But those are
all issues that we continue to look at so that we can find out more
about the truth. We know that he had a history of using weapons of
mass destruction on his own people. He used chemical weapons.
Q Scott --
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead, Suzanne. Oh, I'm sorry, Finlay. Let me
go to Finlay, and I'll come back to you. I try to get to everybody one
time before I go to the second round.
Q On trade -- how much political capital is the administration
prepared to spend in terms of getting American farmers, and
particularly sugar producers and cotton producers, to forego their
export subsidies in order to give producers in Africa and other poor
parts of the world access to --
MR. McCLELLAN: Actually, that's something that our trade
representative, Ambassador Zoellick, has talked about. We are trying
to work to get the Doha Round going again and address those issues to
where it is a level playing field, and we reduce those subsidies. But
we have to address it in the context of other nations, as well. And
that's something that we are committed to doing. We've made that very
clear.
Q Did the administration get any kind of signal from the
Europeans that they're willing to forego or cut their export
subsidies?
MR. McCLELLAN: There are some good signs that we can get started
on that Doha Round again, and that's where some of those discussions
have occurred. And so we remain committed to working through that
process to address those issues because we want to make sure that we
have free trade with a level playing field.
Q Scott?
MR. McCLELLAN: Suzanne and then John.
Q Has the President been asked to submit to questioning in the
CIA link investigation?
MR. McCLELLAN: No. And I will do my best to keep you informed at
the appropriate time.
Q That was a no?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes -- no, yes, yes. (Laughter.) All right, thank
you.
END 2:52 P.M. EDT
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