For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 22, 2002
President Tours Area Damaged by Squires Fire
Squires Peak Fire Area
Ruch, Oregon
11:33 A.M. PDT
Q Mr. President, if I may, your proposal to thin out the forest
a little bit, some critics say it might cause a drastic increase in
commercial logging. What do you say --
THE PRESIDENT: What the critics need to do is come and stand right
where I stand. It's -- what the critics need to do is come and see
firsthand the effects of bad forest policy. That's what they need to
come and see. And by the way, there's nothing wrong with people being
able to earn a living off of effective forest management. There are a
lot of people in this part of the state that can't find work because we
don't properly manage our forests. And this is the second fire site
I've been to this summer, and it's the same story. Had we properly
managed our forests, the devastation cause would not nearly -- have
been nearly as severe as it has been. And it's a crying shame.
You heard the man say that when a forest like this burns, there's
more likely to be disease. The beetles will come and start -- we've
got to do a better job. And that's why I'm here. I'm going to talk
about how the administration can move, and I'm going to call upon
Congress to enact some reasonable legislation to make sure we better
manage our forest, so these guys aren't having to fight fires every
year. Particularly, one of the biggest we've seen in a long time, the
Biscuit fire. And the point is, is that we can prevent fire by good
sound practice.
* * * * *
Q Mr. President, do you have any reaction to President
Musharraf's rewriting of the Pakistani constitution?
THE PRESIDENT: My reaction about President Musharraf, he's still
tight with us on the war against terror, and that's what I appreciate.
He's a -- he understands that we've got to keep al Qaeda on the run,
and that by keeping him on the run, it's more likely we will bring him
to justice. And I appreciate his strong support.
Obviously, to the extent that our friends promote democracy, it's
important. We will continue to work with our friends and allies to
promote democracy, give people a chance to express their opinions the
proper way. And -- so we'll stay in touch with President Musharraf in
more ways than one.
Q Mr. President --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q -- back to the fire. Do we have enough money in the federal
coffer to pay for all the things needed throughout the West?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we'll -- if we don't we'll deal with it.
Because I mentioned to the Governor, Congress has got a way of spending
money. My job is to make sure they spend on priorities. And if I
didn't think the forest of the United States was a priority, I wouldn't
be here. It is a priority.
The other thing is, is that there are partnerships which can be put
together to the benefit of those who care about conservation, the
state, and those who employ people. And the approach I'm going to talk
about and the approach, frankly, that the Governor has worked with
Governor Kempthorne of Idaho on is a balanced approach, one that
recognizes more than one party involved, that there are a variety of
folks involved with the health of our forests, and all voices ought to
be listened to and a strategy ought to be developed that will -- that
will achieve goals. One of the goals is prevent fire, healthy
forests. Another goal is going to be to conserve our forests. Another
goal will be to provide jobs. So we believe we can do that.
Q Sir, Bill Simon's family's investigation fund was found guilty
of fraud. How do you reconcile that fact with your visits tomorrow to
California to campaign for him, given your corporate accounting --
THE PRESIDENT: I agree -- I understand your question. Bill Simon
assures us that when the courts look at this case he'll be innocent,
and I take the man for his word.
Okay. You're tired of me answering questions, I know. (Laughter.)
It's unbelievable, two days in a row.
Q We like it.
THE PRESIDENT: What?
Q We like it.
END 11:43 A.M. PDT
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