Q During the first Gulf War, the anti-war activists were out
across the street banging a drum around the clock. Now, the "code
pink" ladies, mostly, have indicated that -- I mean, they've kept
sort of regular hours. But they've indicated now they're going to be
more aggressive, more noisy, as things progress. First off, I'm just
wondering, is the President, do you know, has he noticed them out there
every single day?
MR. FLEISCHER: He has never said anything to me about it, so --
I've not heard him talk about that. The President has talked generally
about protesters, of course. The large protests that took place in
Europe, or in other places, the President, of course, has noticed and
seen those. And one of the things that the President has seen also is,
of course, is the President listens to those who differ with him. He
has seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets all around the world
to protest free trade, but he remains a free trader because he thinks
it's right. So he respects the opinion of those who protest and to
exercise their democratic rights, but he will still act as he sees fit
to protect our country.
Q Thank you. Just to go back to the protest issue, is the
President aware of the global email movement currently happening to
send the Pope to Baghdad, and how might he respond?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well again, the President respects the opinions of
those who differ with him on this. He has heard them, he listens to
them, and he takes all opinions into account for any decision that he
may make. Just as I indicated, I think the free trade protests are a
very good example of people who are well-known, who have strong
opinions, who share those opinions, who exercise their rights to
protest. But nevertheless, the President still makes the judgments
that he makes to represent all Americans.
Q If the Pope was to be in Baghdad as a human shield, how might
that affect the President's decision?
MR. FLEISCHER: He has no basis on that, whatsoever.
Thank you.
END 1:20 P.M. EST