For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 4, 2003
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Crawford Elementary School
Crawford, Texas
11:50 A.M. CDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Good morning. Welcome to Crawford; it's good to
see everybody.
The President had his usual intelligence briefings this morning,
and tended to other presidential duties, before spending some time
clearing brush.
One update to the schedule. Secretary Powell and Deputy Secretary
Armitage will arrive in Crawford tomorrow afternoon. They will have
dinner with the President, followed by a meeting on Wednesday
afternoon, to continue ongoing discussions on a range of policy
priorities. And they will have lunch at the ranch, before departing
Wednesday. This is something that has been in the works for the last
couple of weeks and is a continuation of discussions the Secretary has
had with the President on a regular basis. So the President looks
forward to visiting with Secretary Powell and Deputy Secretary Armitage
tomorrow night and the following day.
And with that, I'm glad to jump right into questions.
Q The first one here, a little bit of stage fright here,
but he did want to ask about the story in The Post this morning -- he
read it with great interest, about Secretary Powell. Anything to that
story, or are you knocking it down?
MR. McCLELLAN: Congress just recently recessed, members have gone
home. Just two days ago, we left Washington for the Western White
House, and already the speculation and gossip is running full speed in
Washington, D.C. I think you have to love August, when there's a news
void to fill and there's a lot of the rumor mill going around
Washington, D.C.
Look, Secretary Powell and Deputy Secretary Armitage are
outstanding members of the President's team, and they are highly valued
members of the President's team and they're doing an outstanding job.
The State Department has already issued a statement in which they said
that the purported conversation between Dr. Rice and Deputy Secretary
Armitage did not take place, and I can confirm that from our end. They
also went on to say that there is no basis for the story.
Q Would the President like for Secretary Powell to be
around for a second term?
MR. McCLELLAN: Steve asked if the President would like Secretary
Powell to be around for a second term. Well, thank you for making sure
that there is a second term. (Laughter.)
Look, the President thinks he's doing an outstanding job and
appreciates the job that he is doing. The President looks forward to
Secretary Powell continuing to work with him in our foreign policy
realm. I think Secretary Powell has made it very clear that he and
Deputy Secretary Armitage serve at the pleasure of the President and
they are enjoying the job that they are doing.
So I just think that this is a lot of the Washington, D.C., August
recess rumor mill going on here right now.
Q Can you say whether or not in any forum, in any way,
Powell and/or Armitage have indicated that they would not serve in a
second term if there is one?
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, Mark, I think I indicated and I think the
State Department has indicated that there really was no basis for the
story, let me make that very clear; that there's always going to be a
lot of speculation and gossip about different Cabinet departments,
particularly there in the month of August. But there is no basis for
that story.
Q L.A. Times has a lengthy story about the danger of
weapons development in Iran. What is the present level of the White
House's concern about nuclear weapons in Iran?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's one of a number of concerns that we
have in regards to Iran. We have continued to work with the IAEA and
the international community to make sure that there are more intensive
inspections of Iran and its nuclear weapons program. It is a matter
that remains a serious concern. We're working with the international
community, we're working with the IAEA to make sure that they do not
continue on this course, which is unacceptable.
Q -- moved down that same road toward nuclear development,
or have you seen any positive signs at all --
MR. McCLELLAN: We have expressed a lot of concerns. IAEA is
continuing to work with Iran on the next steps, and we are working with
the international community to keep pressure on Iran to open up to more
intensive inspections, and we will continue doing that. But we have a
lot of concerns about their pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Q Howard Dean is running an ad in Austin, attacking the
President on foreign policy and on the economy. One, has the President
seen this, since he is here --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think that's -- look, that's politics.
There's a Democratic primary going on, there are a lot of candidates
trying to grab headlines, but they need to work out their own
differences and there will be plenty of time for politics later. The
President is continuing to focus on the people's business, and that's
what he's going to continue to do.
Q Can I just clarify one logistical thing? Can the
President get Austin TV from the ranch? I mean, could he -- if he'd
turn on the television, could he potentially see --
MR. McCLELLAN: I really haven't looked into it, but the TV here in
this area gets the Waco TV, as far as I know.
Q So can you now state that Secretary Powell and Armitage
will serve if there's a second term; is that what you're saying?
MR. McCLELLAN: I appreciate you giving us a second term, that's
what I'm saying. But the Secretary has made it very clear that he
serves at the pleasure of the President. The Secretary is doing an
outstanding job and we very much appreciate the leadership he has
provided on our foreign policy team.
Q -- didn't answer the question. If there's a second term,
and the President asked them to serve --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the way I addressed the question was that
there's really no basis for this story. It's a lot of speculation,
it's a lot of the Washington, D.C. gossip and rumor mill. So that's
the way I would address the question.
Q So you're saying if there's a second term, he will
serve. That's what you're saying.
MR. McCLELLAN: One, we're not in a second term at this point. We
are where we are. This is just a lot of the Washington, D.C. rumor
mill.
Q Has the President had any indication from other members
of his Cabinet about whether they would be willing to serve in a second
term? Do you expect broad turnover?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't want to get into any speculation about
that. I'd let individual Cabinet members address those questions.
Q Can I ask you two about Liberia?
The first peacekeepers
arrived today. Where does that put us, in terms of a decision, on U.S.
troops in Liberia?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we are very encouraged by the initial
deployment of West African forces. I would remind you that this
initial deployment will take several days to complete, and get those
forces in place. The United States continues to be actively involved
in the planning and execution of this initial deployment of West
African peacekeepers. I think for specifics you need to talk to the
Department of Defense.
But as the full ECOWAS force arrives, the immediate task continues
to be to reinforce the cease-fire and create the conditions so that
they can begin to provide the humanitarian assistance to the people of
Liberia. But we continue to participate in all military and political
planning taking place in the region. And we will continue to do so.
We will also continue to provide support to the ECOWAS troops, both
financial and logistic. We have already provided financial assistance
to --
Q I don't hear you repeating your insistence that Taylor
step down. Is that still a condition for U.S. troops hitting the
ground?
MR. McCLELLAN: Our position has not changed. Charles Taylor needs
to step down.
Q Do you confirm the visit by Dr. Rice in the Middle East
in the coming weeks?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q Do you confirm the visit by Dr. Rice in the Middle East
in the coming weeks? Palestinian newspaper came out with the news
yesterday.
MR. McCLELLAN: There's nothing to update you on her schedule at
this point. When we have something to announce, we'll do so at that
time, if there is something to announce.
Q Can you describe to us -- are you working with the
British to consider a new U.N. resolution?
MR. McCLELLAN: He's asking about a new U.N. resolution and if
we're working with the British. Well, there have been some discussions
with some countries that have expressed a concern that they feel they
need more authority than the current resolution provides. We believe
that 1483 does provide sufficient authority for nations to
participate. A number of nations are already participating in Iraq
under 1483. We will, obviously, continue to listen to concerns other
nations may have. But our view is that we believe 1483 provides
sufficient authorities for nations to participate. And we appreciate
the ones that already are participating in reconstruction in Iraq under
resolution 1483.
Q You don't really see much of a need for a new resolution,
but --
MR. McCLELLAN: There have been some discussions with some
countries that feel like they may need additional authority. But we
believe there is sufficient authority under resolution 1483.
Q Scott, is there any administration response to North
Korea's denunciation of John Bolton and saying that he wouldn't be
welcome at the multilateral talks?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, he was speaking for the administration. And
I think his remarks last week reiterated things that we had previously
said. But the President of the United States, in consultation with the
Secretary of State and others, makes the decision about who represents
the United States in our delegation. We are continuing to work out the
details and the timing of the next round of multilateral talks. It was
a positive development that North Korea agreed to those talks. And
we'll continue working with our friends and allies to make sure that
those multilateral talks come about sooner than later.
Q -- to submit to North Korea saying that it wouldn't deal
with John Bolton?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I think it made it very clear. The
President of the United States makes the decisions who participates in
the delegation for the United States of America.
Q Scott, can I follow-up on Liberia?
The Charge
d'affaires, Aaron Kollie, said in Washington that -- basically accused
the administration of funneling money to the rebel group -- to a rebel
group in Liberia through the country of Guinea, basically that the
U.S. is essentially helping the rebels in Guinea.
MR. McCLELLAN: That's the first I've seen of that report, and no,
I'm not going to comment on a report that I haven't seen at this
point. So I'll take a look at that report.
Q What specifically are Powell and Armitage going to talk
about with the President? Is it Middle East or North Korea or what?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- a range of issues, and certainly some of the
ones you probably touched on. We will try to do a photo release from
that meeting tomorrow. That's the coverage of it, though. But as you
are aware, the Secretary of State and the President meet on a regular
basis, and this is part of a continuation of discussion of those policy
priorities.
Q And Secretary Rumsfeld is coming later in the week,
right?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's right. And every year -- both these
individuals, I believe, the past two years have come down to the ranch
to focus on some important priorities. Secretary Rumsfeld and the
President will be talking about defense issues and transformation
issues, as they have in the past. And the President looks forward to
receiving an update and discussing some of those issues.
Q Scott, what was the President's reaction to the story in
The Washington Post?
MR. McCLELLAN: His reaction is my reaction, I'm speaking on his
behalf, but it's -- there just was not a basis for that story.
Q Did he say, "Oh my God"?
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, yes, I think he views it -- it's the usual
Washington, D.C., rumor and gossip that goes on, particularly during
the month of August, when it's a slow news time back in Washington,
D.C.
Q Scott, what's on the agenda tomorrow?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I'll try to give you any update I can
afterwards. But the agenda will focus on a range of policy priorities
that are going on in the foreign policy realm. Let's let the meeting
take place and I'll try to give you more of an update at that point.
But I think you can expect that they'll discuss the issues that are at
the top of the foreign policy agenda these days, from the Middle East
to Iraq to Liberia, among others. And I'll try to get you more --
North Korea, I'll try to get you more of an update after the meeting
takes place, if I can.
Q Was this something previously scheduled or did it come up
--
MR. McCLELLAN: This has been discussed for the last couple weeks.
Again, Secretary Powell came here last year to meet with the President
as well.
Q (Inaudible.)
MR. McCLELLAN: I will see what I can do, but I would not expect
it. I think it's just going to be a photo release at this point.
Q What's the President's view of the stand-off in the Texas
Senate over redistricting with the Democrats out of the state?
MR. McCLELLAN: I addressed that issue last week back in
Washington. I think that that's a matter that the State of Texas is
addressing. And like any other state, they address issues like this
and we'll leave it to the State of Texas to address that.
Q Just logistic stuff, and maybe you just answered this --
I can't hear the questions. But on Powell, they're coming in here
tomorrow night; is that right?
MR. McCLELLAN: Tomorrow -- I don't know the exact time. It's late
afternoon, I believe. They'll have dinner with the President tomorrow
night. And then on Wednesday, they will have a meeting with him for a
couple of hours before having lunch and then departing back to
Washington, D.C.
Q And it's your expectation that we will have no access to
any of the principals; is that right?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- but this is part of the ongoing discussions the
Secretary has with the President. There's no coverage planned for it.
Q If there are developments from Iraq on Saddam Hussein,
what is the plan for that? Where would any announcement of Saddam
Hussein's capture or death come from? Would it come from --
MR. McCLELLAN: First things first, but our troops in Iraq are
doing an outstanding job, going on the offensive, pursuing remnants of
the former regime, loyalists to the former regime, foreign terrorists
and other killers who are in Iraq, and they are going to continue to go
on the offensive and defeat these people.
They also continue to pursue Saddam Hussein, as you mentioned. And
they will find him, but first things first.
Q How would we learn of that first? Would that come from
the Western White House? Would it come from --
MR. McCLELLAN: At this point, it's speculating about any capture
or anything else of that nature. So our troops continue to pursue him.
They will find him. Let's let that take place. And if there's more to
update you on at that point, then we will do so then.
Q Let me make sure Scott gets his question in.
Q I yield to Don's question.
Q What is the response to the al Qaeda threat about if the
detainees at Guantanamo are tried or put to death or something, what's
the response on whether that's taken seriously or whether that's
something to consider?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we take all threats seriously, let me be very
clear on that. But I think that the CIA continues to analyze that
tape. It's a reminder that we continue to be engaged in a global war
on terrorism. It's a reminder that al Qaeda continues to want to harm
America and our friends and allies.
And that's why we are going after them. We are taking the war to
al Qaeda and going after them where they are, and bringing them to
justice. We have made great progress in the war on terrorism, and we
will continue to pursue them wherever they may be and bring them to
justice. We are dismantling and disrupting al Qaeda, and we will win
this war. We have made tremendous progress.
I would just like to point out a couple of things. Since September
2001, more than 3,000 al Qaeda suspects have been detained in over 90
countries. Almost all of those directly involved in orchestrating the
September 11th terrorist attacks are now in custody or confirmed dead.
Of the senior al Qaeda leaders, operational managers, and key
facilitators we have been tracking, 65 percent have been captured or
killed.
So the United States and our allies, the global coalition, have
denied al Qaeda its sanctuary in Afghanistan. We've removed the
Taliban regime, which supported and provided sanctuary to al Qaeda.
We're disrupting their finances. We've dismantled entire al Qaeda
cells throughout the world. And we have captured or killed many of
their top leaders since 9/11, including the September 11th mastermind,
Khalid Sheik Mohammed, and key plotters, Ramzi Binalshibh and Abu
Zubaydah and Muhammad Atef, among others.
So we are continuing to -- it's a reminder that we need to continue
going after these terrorists, where they are, and disrupting and
dismantling their networks and bringing them to justice.
Q Scott, Prince Saud told Dr. Rice last week, you're
welcome to come to Saudi Arabia and question al Bayoumi. Yesterday al
Bayoumi, on television, said, I'm ready to talk. Do you know where
that interrogation stands?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- that conversation. We are working closely with
the Saudis in the war on terrorism, including ongoing investigations.
And we will continue to do so. The Saudis have been very cooperative.
And we do look forward to having access to him and questioning him.
And the Saudis have been very cooperative in that effort. I don't have
any update at this point on where that stands. But the Saudis have
been very cooperative. We have good relations with the Saudis, and we
are working cooperatively in this effort.
Q Do you expect such an interview this week, today, this
month?
MR. McCLELLAN: I just don't have anything to update you on, but
things are moving forward, and the Saudis are cooperating and working
to make that happen.
All right. Thanks, everybody.
END 12:09 P.M. CDT
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