For Immediate Release Office of the
Press Secretary November 14, 2002
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan James S.
Brady Press Briefing Room
Audio
1:10 P.M. EST
MR. MCCLELLAN: Good afternoon. I have a couple of
world leader phone calls I'd like to start off with. The
President made these calls earlier this morning. The President and
President Aznar had a good conversation earlier this morning.
President Aznar congratulated the United States on the unanimous
United Nations Security Council vote on the Iraq resolution. Both
leaders expressed full solidarity in demanding the Iraqi regime
disarm. The two leaders underscored that the upcoming NATO summit in
Prague will be a major step forward for the Alliance in its new
tasks for the 21st century.
The President also spoke with President Arroyo of the Philippines
this morning. The two leaders discussed the current situation in the
war on terrorism and the President expressed appreciation for
President Arroyo's leadership in combating terror in the
Philippines, and pledged continued U.S. support for her government's
efforts.
Later this afternoon the President will meet with the President
of Bolivia, President Sanchez. And following that, the President
will participate in a meeting with members of Congress on NATO and
his upcoming trip.
A couple more things I'd like to talk about. A little more than a
week ago the American people went to the ballot box and said they
wanted their elected leaders to work together, Democrats and
Republicans alike, to get things done. The President called on
Congress to work in a bipartisan way to act on important priorities
for the American people. We are encouraged by the tremendous
progress Congress is making during this lame duck session, in a very
short amount of time, particularly on the top priority
of creating a department of homeland security so that we can
continue doing a better job of protecting the American people.
Congress also appears to be moving forward on
terrorism insurance legislation, with the House scheduled to
act on that today. This legislation will put hard-hats back to work,
create construction jobs, improve the legal process, and protect
taxpayers. And passing this legislation would create hundreds of
thousands of jobs, and billions of dollars in new investment, and
help with economic security.
Also today, the Senate Judiciary Committee moved
forward two of the President's circuit court nominees:
Michael McConnell and Dennis Shedd are both extraordinarily well
qualified nominees who have been pending since May of last year. And
we are very pleased that they have been voted out of committee and
are now headed for a floor vote to be confirmed by the Senate. And
as the President said, all judicial nominees, now and in the future,
deserve consideration by the full Senate. The voice of the entire
Senate deserves to be heard.
One item that was unfortunate -- earlier today in the Senate, the
Senate refused to take up legislation to address the crisis facing
America's charities, legislation the House passed more than a year
ago. This legislation would help charities by encouraging more
charitable giving. The legislation would help people in need,
low-income Americans have a better quality of life and have a better
economic shot at making in America. And the President remains
committed to reaching out to faith-based organizations, charities
and community groups to help people in need. And we will continue
working to rally the armies of compassion that exist in communities
all across America.
We appreciate the work of Congressman J.C. Watts, Senator
Santorum and Senator Lieberman on this initiative. They have worked
tirelessly to move it forward. But again, we have made some
important progress on other initiatives. And the President is
pleased that Republicans and Democrats, together, are moving to get
things done for the American people.
And with that I will be glad to take your questions.
Q Scott, the Senate homeland security debate began
again in the Senate this afternoon. And Senator Daschle and,
just shortly, Senators Schumer and Clinton are again criticizing the
administration for not supporting an independent commission to
investigate the events of 9/11. Any reaction?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, we would disagree with that
characterization. The administration -- the President strongly
supports a bipartisan commission to expand on the work that has
already been done by our intelligence committees and look at a broad
range of issues. The President believes that's important. We are
continuing to work closely with Congress. We've had discussions over
the last few days since they've been back in town. We'll continue to
talk with them, and we hope we can resolve the remaining issues.
Q Will the President support the move to eliminate the commission
from the bill of creating the department of homeland security?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, as you know, that currently is not a part of
the legislation. The President made it clear that it's important --
Q It was.
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, there are different versions in the House
and Senate, if that's what you're referring to. But the President
believes the number one priority for unfinished business is to pass
the department of homeland security so that we can better protect
the American people. But, at the same time, he remains committed to
a strong bipartisan commission. And there are a couple of issues
that have been outstanding that have not been resolved. We're going
to continue working with Congress to resolve those and get this
moving and up and running as quickly as possible.
Q So he's happy to see the department of homeland security
created without a provision in it creating this commission?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, again, that legislation -- the legislation
is still being debated. But we're pleased that they're moving
forward on creating the department of homeland security. We also
want Congress -- we want to continue to work with Congress on a
strong bipartisan 9/11 commission.
Q If I could just follow up on something I asked this morning. The Israeli army has been in Nablus now in what is a major
incursion after another incursion into Jenin. And we haven't
heard a word from the President on this. Last spring he was out in
the Rose Garden demanding Israelis pull out of those areas. Has he
just given up trying to influence the Sharon government?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Terry, I think the President's views are very
clear, as you pointed out, in the June 24th speech. He's been
working on this, working on the road map he has outlined to get us
to two states living side by side in peace. And the President
remains committed to that. But the President's views are very
well-known and oftentimes, we receive questions from you and others.
And we've made our position very well-known when asked. I made it
known earlier, when you asked me about it, stated the President's
views. And I think his views are pretty clear to everybody, both
here and in the region.
Q But since a road map is dead letter between Palestinians and
Israelis, not going anywhere, and this is an issue that requires
presidential leadership, it seems pretty clear, and there isn't any.
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, I disagree. Sometimes in the region you take
two steps forward and one step back. But we can't lose sight of the
end goal, and that is two states, living side by side in peace.
We're going to continue working on the road map, working with all
parties in the region to implement that road map. It's important,
it's important to the region, it's important to security and
stability.
Q Senator Daschle was expressing doubts about progress in the war on terrorism, Scott. How do
you respond to him?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, first of all, I think the American people
recognize that the war on terrorism is not -- it is a long war.
There are thousands of killers, in over 60 countries, that hide and
run, that want to continue to carry out their evil acts not only
America, but on our friends and allies, and the international
community.
And the President is patient. The President knows that this is a
long war. But we are making tremendous progress. There is a global
coalition of more than 90 countries in this war against terrorism
working to find, to hunt down and bring those terrorists to justice,
wherever they are. And so we've got a great global coalition across
the globe.
I would add that we are also, not only on the diplomatic front,
working closely together, on the terrorist financing front there are
some 167 countries that are blocking terrorist assets; $113.5
million in terrorist assets have been frozen worldwide in over 500
accounts -- over $35 million in the United States, and over $78
million overseas. So the flow of terrorist money through a number of
funding pipelines has been cut.
I would also point out, on the military side, that we have more
than 60,000 troops deployed around the world against terrorism,
9,000 just in Afghanistan, others in the Philippines and Georgia and
Yemen, to mention a few. More than 30 nations have deployed more
than 14,000 troops in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
So we're making tremendous amount of progress. And on the law
enforcement front, you've heard a number of announcements, both here
and across the world, from law enforcement officials, of people that
we are tracking down and bringing to justice. So we're pleased with
the progress that's being made. But this is going to be a long war.
And we will continue to wage it with our global coalition.
Q Do you envision that one day it will be over, or is it going to
be --
MR. MCCLELLAN: Let me come back to the front row, and we'll get
back there in a minute.
Q Despite all that, Osama bin Laden, the man who masterminded the
killings of 3,000 Americans is still on the loose. Isn't that
frustrating? I never hear anybody in the White House express
frustration with the fact that bin Laden is still apparently on the
loose.
MR. MCCLELLAN: Ron, this war has always been about more than one
man, and it will continue to be --
Q But I'm asking about this one man. Is there frustration that
the guy who masterminded the killings of 3,000 Americans is still
taunting us?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Let me put it this way. If Osama bin Laden is
alive, we know he's on the run. We have dismantled his terrorist
network. And we are going to continue tracking down these trained
killers and their leaders and their networks, wherever they are, in
bringing these people to justice. They can hide and they can run.
But we will not stop in pursuing them and bringing them to justice.
Q Scott, the editorial in the leading Iraqi newspaper today is
reaching out to French -- France, China and Russia. Do
you expect that Saddam is going to try to split the U.N. Security
Council and play for time?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I have never tried to predict what he might do.
But one thing I know he better not do is that -- and that is play
games. He better not go back to his history of cheat and retreat and
deceive and deny and playing rope-a-dope in the desert with
inspectors. Saddam Hussein needs to cooperate and he needs to
comply. And he needs to move to disarm. We are very serious about
this. I think that's very clear. And the international community is
speaking with one voice. The United States is speaking with one
voice. And this is about disarmament and he better not start playing
games.
Q Let me just go back to what Randall was asking. Despite all of
the progress that you've made in the war on terror, is
Senator Daschle right in his characterization that it's difficult to
say that we're winning the war on terror?
MR. MCCLELLAN: What was his characterization?
Q That it's difficult to say that we're winning -- it may be
difficult to say that we're winning the war on terrorism.
MR. MCCLELLAN: I just think I addressed that with the tremendous
progress we are making. And I think you look back -- you look back,
and what we have done in Afghanistan, we have removed the repressive
Taliban regime from power. We have chased down members of al Qaeda
and brought them to justice. They are on the run. And they will try
to run and they will try to hide, but we will continue to pursue
them. So we're making a tremendous amount of progress in winning the
war on terrorism. And we will continue to work with our coalition
partners -- over 90 countries -- to bring these people to justice
and defeat and disrupt these networks.
Q Just to clarify one thing -- you said two questions ago that we
have dismantled his terrorist network. In the past, I've only heard
you talk about disrupting the terrorist network. What's the
difference?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I think we have disrupted, we have dismantled the
terrorist -- his terrorist network. There are cells, as you know, in
some 60 countries. We've used those words many a time about
disrupting and dismantling. And we're continuing to work to defeat
these networks, wherever they exist.
Q Second question, Mr. ElBaradei, the head of the
IEA, is in town. He was speaking earlier this morning and
said that the standard that he would use for determining material
breach would not be, say, a single error in the Iraqi declaration,
but rather a pattern of obstruction or of errors. Does that sound
roughly to you like what the White House has in mind?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Our view is zero tolerance when it comes to
complying and cooperating with this resolution. And that continues
to be our view. And it spells clearly out in the resolution what the
regime in Iraq needs to do to disarm. And if they start playing
games, the resolution calls for discussions to be had with the
Security Council. If there are violations, they'll be reported back
to the Security Council. But that does not preclude if the Security
Council or the United Nations does not take action, the United
States, working with like-minded nations, acting to disarm Saddam
Hussein.
But, again, the President seeks a peaceful resolution. War is a
last resort. But the choice is Saddam Hussein's. And we don't want
any game playing, and we've made that abundantly clear. And it is
his choice; he needs to follow through.
Q Scott, two quick questions. One, tonight Kasi will be executed
in connection with the CIA shootings. But it is weird that the
terrorist connection with Osama bin Laden, that his government in
Pakistan, General Musharraf's government is asking for mercy, a
government which has been sponsoring and harboring terrorism. If
President Bush has received any request for mercy from the
government of General Musharraf or anybody?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Goyle, let me just say this. Our thoughts, first
of all, our thoughts and prayers go to the families of the victims.
Secondly, this is a criminal justice matter and the decision of the
jury is being carried out, and that's really all I have to say about
it at this point.
Q And second, if you can confirm a letter to India Globe written
by Congressman Gary Ackerman to President Bush in connection with
the Pakistan and North Korea connection, in which he said there's
very serious -- in the administration because it should be treated
the way we are treating Saddam Hussein because there might be, like
you said yesterday, Saddam Hussein is trying to get nuclear weapons
-- connection with General Musharraf, that he called on the
administration to stop the aid to Pakistan in connection with what
Pakistan has been doing as recently as three months ago, not before
9/11. Yesterday you said that --
MR. MCCLELLAN: Do we have a question?
Q The question is, yesterday you said that General Powell spoke
to him and he made all the pledges. But question is now. We're not
talking the past, we're talking last month, not before 9/11 but
after 9/11. Anything, any country, anybody who harbors terrorism or
sponsoring terrorism after 9/11 will be treated as a country --
MR. MCCLELLAN: I understand. I think I addressed this fully
yesterday. I think Secretary Powell has addressed it and that's
where things stand.
Q John Poindexter is coming up with a program to
computerize data through the Defense Department which would
require commercial transactions like bank deposits, websites, along
with government information -- that would be driver's license,
documents of that nature -- there are critics, including William
Safire, who are saying this goes beyond the USA Patriotic Act, that
this is not -- this is Orwellian, if you would. Is there any
response to the critics -- certain sense that the standard has
change in terms of privacy that Americans have for the sake of
national security?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I've seen the report you're talking about. I've
not been informed about any of the information. I think you need to
direct your question to the Pentagon.
Q Does the President support total information awareness through
data mining?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I've seen the reports, but I think you need to
talk to the Pentagon. This is a question related to something that
the Pentagon may be looking at, so I would refer you to the
Pentagon. That's what I have at this point.
Q You say that if Osama bin Laden is alive that you
know that he's on the run. How do you know he's on the run?
How can you possibly know what he's doing if you don't know whether
or not he's dead or alive? If he's making these audio tapes,
taunting the administration --
MR. MCCLELLAN: I think it's pretty clear to most people that they
know -- that if he is alive he is on the run. The operations --
Operation Enduring Freedom that we began in Afghanistan, that's what
I go back to about dismantling terrorist network and disrupting
their network. That has been a significant accomplishment in the war
on terrorism. And if he is alive, I assure you he is on the run and
he is hiding.
Q What evidence do you have at this point that that's true?
MR. MCCLELLAN: That is his pattern. That is his past history,
too.
Q Intelligence officials now point to what they call increased
chatter in the system by potential terrorists, a level that is
similar to that before 9/11. One, what do you have to say about
that? And two, is there any consideration being given to raising the
threat level?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I appreciate you bringing that up. A lot o you --
there has been a lot of attention focused on the current threat
situation, and some of you have been asking me about that. While
there is no plan at this time to raise the threat level, we do
remain concerned about recent intelligence reporting, as well as the
audio tape received earlier this week, no matter whose voice it is
that is on that audio tape.
Because of this concern, federal agencies are taking a variety of
additional steps to ramp up our protection and prevention measures,
as well as communicating with state and local law enforcement and
the private sector to inform them of our assessment of the latest
information.
If you'll recall, in early October, there was a release of tapes
recorded by bin Laden, as well as Zawahiri, and increased
intelligence reporting against our critical infrastructure,
transportation systems, and the American people and our friends and
allies. That led us to issue several public warnings about the
heightened possibility of either a large-scale or several
small-scale attacks on the United States at home or against our
interests abroad. At that time, we began a coordinated effort among
all levels of the government and the private sector to reduce our
vulnerability and increase our preparedness levels, based on the new
threat information. And that information has not stopped and will be
ongoing for the foreseeable future.
Q So at the moment you're saying -- you're proceeding on the
basis of the notices that go among governmental agencies and to
particular sectors of the economy?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, you asked about the threat level. I would
remind you that the threat level remains at the elevated level,
which means the possibility of significant attack. And that threat
level has not changed. But while we are not raising the threat
level, we are taking additional precautions to meet the threats.
So -- and as the President pointed out yesterday, the most recent
audio tape, we take it very seriously when someone threatens the
international community and threatens the world. And we are going to
take the steps to be prepared.
Q One other question for you. Maura Hardy, who is
the administration's nominee to head Consular Affairs at
State, is up for confirmation, perhaps this week, perhaps
later. Some Republicans are apparently trying to either delay or
block the vote. Does the administration have any feelings about what
is being done to her?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I don't have information on that specific nominee,
but I did make some remarks about moving forward on our nominees,
that there are a number that are being held up. And we hope the
Senate will move forward on the nominees.
Q Scott, the President has said he wants to fill the
SEC chairmanship quickly. Does he want to make an
announcement before he leaves for Europe?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, I don't think we ever speculate about the
timing of personnel announcements or put artificial deadlines out
there. That is an important position. And we're just not going to
speculate about the decision or the timing of the decision. The
President said he wants to move as quickly as possible. I think our
personnel office understands that, as well. So we are moving as
quickly as possible. When the President has something to announce,
then he will do so at that time.
Q Is the White House trying to recruit Assistant Attorney General
Michael Chertoff for the job?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, now that's getting into speculation, and I
think I just addressed that. We went through this earlier this
morning with some others, and we just simply don't speculate on
personnel.
Q Scott, earlier you said that there's still some
issues that remain on the 9/11 commission. Several families
-- several vocal families of some of the victims say that they had a
deal, and that's what's happening right now is essentially a
deal-breaker. But in particular, they go on to say that the White
House right now is actively trying to recruit less vocal victims'
families to support a watered-down version of a commission. Could I
just get your comment, either one way or the other whether that is,
in fact, true, that the White House is trying to reach out to some
of the families at this point?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I disagree with the characterization or the
premise of what you're saying. We have been working not only with
members of Congress, as I pointed out, but we've been working
closely with family members, as well, who want to see a strong
bipartisan commission. It's important to look at a broad range of
issues related to the September 11th attacks. And we will continue
talking with members of Congress. We will continue talking with the
families of victims, as well, so that we can move this forward. We
want to get this going as quickly as possible. And the President
remains firmly committed to a strong bipartisan commission.
Q Just to make sure I understand, so you're saying that the
passage of the House bill yesterday is not tantamount to a
deal-breaker, in your opinion?
MR. MCCLELLAN: The passage of the department of homeland security
bill?
Q Exactly. The fact that the commission was stripped from it.
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, we're continuing to work with members to get
this done. There are other ways to get that commission up and
running.
Q If I can follow up, because that brings up a very good point.
MR. MCCLELLAN: Last one.
Q Senators Lieberman and McCain have introduced an amendment in
the Senate that would restore the 9/11 commission to the homeland
security legislation. Does the White House support that?
MR. MCCLELLAN: As I said, there are other ways to get it down.
But there are still some remaining issues that need to be resolved.
We want to resolve those issues and move forward on this as quickly
as possible. We think we can get this up and running as quickly as
possible. But first, we need to resolve these issues that will make
sure that this is a truly bipartisan commission.
Q Scott, I would like to talk a little bit about how we define winning the war on terrorism.
Shortly after the attacks last year, the President said his goal was
to dismantle terrorist organizations that have global reach. Now,
obviously the Taliban were taken out. That was a government. But we
have a report from the U.N. in August saying that al Qaeda has, in
fact, relocated, but still poses a very serious and dangerous
threat, that they're well-funded and are prepared to strike at any
time. You say that they have been dismantled and disrupted, but we
have warnings from foreign governments and even from our own
government that, in fact, they remain a serious and viable threat.
Do we define winning the war on terrorism essentially by having so
far prevented any further attacks on the U.S.? Because quite
clearly, al Qaeda and lots of other groups that have global reach
have not, in any way, been taken out of the ball game?
MR. MCCLELLAN: David, I think I just look at it a different way
and go back to what we've said from day one, that this war will be a
long war, that -- and as we're talking about threat levels and
everything else, I think it's important to keep in mind that the
best way to protect the American people -- not only do we have to
secure the homeland, but the best way to protect the American people
is to go after these terrorist networks and their leaders wherever
they are and bring them to justice, and that's what we are doing.
As I mentioned, we knew from the beginning that this was going to
be a long war, but the President is a patient person, and he will
continue to lead this global coalition in winning the war on
terrorism. And we've made a tremendous amount of progress, as I
pointed out. But we're going to continue working with our global
coalition until we've disrupted and defeated these terrorist
networks and these trained killers in over 60 countries.
Q Scott, could you tell us about this initiative
which I guess is going to be published in the Federal Register later
today, to subject something like half the civilian federal
work force to competition? What's the idea?
MR. MCCLELLAN: The proposal that you referenced is part of the
President's plan to make government more efficient and more
effective, and the proposal is being put forth today would open
certain non-core government functions to competition. As a result,
we will save taxpayer money and make government more efficient.
Public/private competitions save in excess of 30 percent on each
competition according to various reports.
Q Presumably, though, you realize that you're going to get a
fight from the unions on this. Does the President think that the
election gave him a mandate to pick a fight with the unions?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, I think that the President from day one has
talked about making government more efficient and more effective and
making government work better for the American people. We'll always
remain committed to those principles.
You might want to walk out of here and go jump on -- there is, I
believe, a conference call briefing by OMB right now on this. You
might get a little bit more news there.
Q Well, that's fine if it were on tape, but it's not. (Laughter.)
Forgive me, but does the President just basically not care what the
unions feel about this?
MR. MCCLELLAN: No, of course, we do. We welcome the input of
people on all issues from across the spectrum.
Q Scott, the Weekly Standard quotes the State Department
spokesman as saying on March the 8th of this year, "We've made clear
that actions like targeted killings need to be halted now." And my
question, is that State Department statement in accordance with Bush
policy, or was it wrong, and should the State Department retract and
apologize? And I have a follow-up.
MR. MCCLELLAN: Gosh, Les, I'd have to go back and look at the
specific statement before I would want to do that. I would want to
do that before I jump into that.
Q When our Predator aircraft targeted a Hellfire missile that
killed al Qaeda leader Abu Ali in Yemen, was that acceptable for us
to do it, but not acceptable for Israel to do it?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Les, I think that this issue was addressed last
week and was addressed on the weekend shows, as well, by
administration officials. I don't think I have anything to add to
it.
Q I'd love to hear from you, as an administration official --
what's the story here? Is the State Department wrong, or is this --
what is our policy? I'd like to hear it from you.
MR. MCCLELLAN: The war on terror, as we've been talking about, is
being fought on many fronts. And the President has directed our
government to work to help us track down the killers and trained
terrorists all across the globe.
Q And give them hellfire. But the Israelis, we don't want them to
do it, is that right?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I'm not getting into discussions. I'm telling you
--
Q -- don't want a discussion.
MR. MCCLELLAN: I'm not getting into discussions on operational
issues that we've previously addressed, as well.
Q It's been reported that the National Security
Council has decided that the fuel oil supplies to North Korea should
be cut off after this last shipment. How is this sitting
with our allies? Have we discussed this with Japan and South Korea?
And if so, what are we doing to bring them along on this?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, first of all, there is a board meeting of
KEDO going on right now -- the Korean Peninsula Energy Development
Organization -- and they are talking about this issue that you bring
up. And I think we need to wait to let them have their meetings
before -- I've seen news reports, but then there will be more to say
at that point.
And I would go back, however, to the points that we have made.
North Korea needs to understand that this is not business as usual.
They need to dismantle their nuclear weapons program. This is a
serious issue and we are continuing to work toward a peaceful
resolution with our friends and allies in the region.
Q -- the idea of turning off the spigot as an indication of our
pique with maybe some recalcitrance on their part?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I'm sorry, say that last part again?
Q The fact that we now appear ready to turn off the oil spigot,
is that an indication that we're getting kind of fed up with their
unwillingness?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Without getting into something that may or may not
be announced later, I think I made it clear this is not business as
usual. But at the same time, we are considering together what the
next steps are
to take. So when there's something more to say on that, it will
be after the KEDO meeting.
Q Just a couple of followups. First, on the Pitt
nomination you said you're going to work as quickly as
possible and you don't want to speculate about any personnel
matters. But is it at least safe to say that you're going to do it
faster than you did Pitt's nomination first time around?
And the secondly, the war on terrorism, you
said it's going to be a long war. But do you envision someday seeing
an end of that war, or is it going to be a constant struggle,
winning --
MR. MCCLELLAN: On the first question, again, I'm just not going
to speculate on personnel matters. We never do. And those are
decisions that the President will make, and he will announce when
he's ready to do so. But we are moving as quickly as possible.
The second part of that, on the war on terrorism, what was your
question?
Q Do you envision someday saying it's won? Or is it going to be a
constant struggle where you say, we're winning, we're making
progress, you're in a better situation than you were before --
MR. MCCLELLAN: Let me put it this way. As long as there are
trained killers, wherever they are, trying to harm America, harm
Americans, we will continue waging this war.
Q Scott, I also have two follow-ups. First of all, on this war
against terrorism, has any progress at all been made on public
diplomacy, or is the White House just giving up on trying to win
hearts and minds when people hate the United States?
MR. MCCLELLAN: No, actually, I think I referenced some of our
diplomatic efforts and I talked about how we have a global coalition
of 90 other countries, more than 90 other countries, I might add.
But are you talking about the humanitarian -- humanitarian
assistance we're providing, the reconstruction assistance?
Q Trying to get people to understand America and not hate us. So,
I mean, we talk about it every once in a while. I haven't heard any
reference to it for ages, though.
MR. MCCLELLAN: Let me point out what we're doing on the
humanitarian front, as well, because there are many fronts to this
war on terrorism. Humanitarian aid to Afghanistan started on day one
of the war with 37,000 humanitarian daily rations air-dropped while
those attacks were underway, and more than 575,000 metric tons of
food been delivered since the start of the war. We're providing --
Secretary Thompson has been in the region to work on health care
initiatives with people of Afghanistan. And we are undertaking a
number of reconstruction projects, 211 infrastructure projects in 10
provinces in Afghanistan, training people for an Afghan national
army; and rebuilding -- as we've talked about -- roads and bridges
and highways.
We had a statement on that earlier in the week. So there's a lot
we're doing on the humanitarian front. There's also a lot we're
doing about promoting freedom. Let's not forget that we liberated
the people of Afghanistan from the repressive Taliban regime, and
that is something we will continue to promote.
Q I want to follow up on the Israel
question. Has the White House condemned the latest terrorist
action against the Israelis?
MR. MCCLELLAN: We condemn all terrorist attacks against Israel.
And we've pointed out that Israel has the right to defend herself,
as they do so, and as I've mentioned, they need to keep in mind the
consequences of actions they do take, as we are also working on the
road map toward two states living side by side in peace.
Q Scott, when the President goes to the NATO summit
in Prague next week, how much time will he spend trying to
line up alliance support for a possible coalition against Iraq?
MR. MCCLELLAN: NATO -- we are actually -- and I'm glad you
brought that up. We are going to have a briefer tomorrow to talk
more specifically about the upcoming trip and what we hope to
accomplish, and walk you through some of the meetings and some of
the discussions that will take place. So I don't want to jump ahead
of the briefer for tomorrow. Save something for tomorrow.
But as we do go on to NATO, we continue to work to strengthen our
efforts to -- and both domestically and internationally for a robust
enlargement of NATO, as well as look at transforming NATO to meet
the threats of the 21st century.
Q Without restating why it's a good policy, could
you just tell 850,000 federal employees around the country whether
or not their jobs now are at risk?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Whether their jobs are what? I'm sorry.
Q Are at risk. Are they about -- are they in danger of losing
their jobs under this proposal?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Again, I think I go back to what I pointed about
-- what the proposal does is simply open it up, these non-core jobs
open it up to competition.
Q -- for those 850,000 people?
MR. MCCLELLAN: If the government agency can provide the best
service in the most cost-effective manner, then the government
agency is poised to win that contract. And this goes back to some
core principles of governing and how we approach governing. And I
think the American taxpayer and the American people appreciate that.
Q Have you, in effect, put several hundred thousand federal
employees on notice that their jobs are now up for bid?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, what we're trying to do is make government
work better for the American taxpayer.
Q Scott, I just wanted to ask you, follow up on the Catholic
bishops and a couple of actions they took. One was, they raised
questions about whether we should -- there was justification for preemptive action against Iraq
without further evidence, I wonder if the White House has any
comment on their statement.
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, I think the United States and the
international community were all speaking with one voice when it
comes to the importance of disarming Saddam Hussein. This threat is
real, and it must be addressed. The risk of inaction is too great.
So we are going to continue work with the United Nations and work
with our friends and allies to disarm Saddam Hussein. It's about
protecting not only America, but the region and the world from the
risks that he poses.
Q I wanted to ask you on their new policy about priests whether
the President or the White House feels that that will rebuild some
of the public support behind the church that the President discussed
with the Pope when he was in Vatican City.
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, I think it is important that the Catholic
Church address this issue, and they are working to do that. The
President raised his concerns about this issue in a visit with the
Pope, in fact.
Q On Cyprus, is there any readout on the Cyprus issue from
yesterday's meeting between President Bush and the U.N. Secretary
General Kofi Annan here at the White House?
MR. MCCLELLAN: What about it?
Q Cyprus, do you have anything?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I believe it was discussed. I'll see if I can get
you more of a readout on that.
Q -- by Kofi Annan yesterday that it was discussed extensively.
MR. MCCLELLAN: That's why I said, I believe it was discussed.
I'll see if I can get you more of a readout. We'll get you some
information on that.
Q Scott, during the discussions on the U.N. resolution and Iraq
last week, Mexico opened the possibility of lifting
the sanctions against Iraq. Would that be acceptable by the
United States, but just as a -- some sort of a -- for Iraq to comply
with international community. Would that be acceptable by the United
States?
MR. MCCLELLAN: What we're focused on is disarmament, and the
disarmament of the Iraqi regime of weapons of mass destruction.
That's what we're working with the international community to
achieve. So that's where our focus is.
Q Just to follow up, Scott -- France and Mexico continue to
oppose any unilateral action against Iraq on behalf of the United
States and Britain. Are you guys continuing to talk with your allies
and with the Security Council members?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Look, this is all a choice that Saddam Hussein has
to make. We seek a peaceful resolution, but the choice is his. But
if he does not disarm peacefully and voluntarily, then we are
prepared to work with our friends and allies, like-minded nations
who understand the importance of disarming Saddam Hussein and
reducing this risk that he poses.
Q -- be an immediate attack?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q What will be the trigger for an immediate attack?
MR. MCCLELLAN: Well, I've gone back through this, and I think the
statements I made earlier today address that, that they're addressed
in the resolution, as well. In terms of if there are violations, it
goes back to the Security Council. That's what the resolution spells
out -- for the Security Council to determine serious consequences
that follow. But it does not preclude the United States and our
friends from acting if we need to. And we will if we need to. But
this is a choice of Saddam Hussein -- this is the choice of Saddam
Hussein to make.
Q Ari -- I'm sorry. Scott.
MR. MCCLELLAN: With hair.
Q I got your attention. (Laughter.)
Q Oh, that's on the record. (Laughter.)
MR. MCCLELLAN: I'm -- he put it on the record last week, or a
couple weeks ago. He just didn't put it on camera.
Q I like your new 'do. On the growth package, Treasury Secretary
O'Neill yesterday indicated that he's reviewing several stimulus
options, including accelerating the marriage penalty and child-care
tax credit. Are those two provisions part of the
growth package the President wants to announce?
MR. MCCLELLAN: You're not asking me to speculate about something
the President hasn't announced. Surely.
Q I'm asking you to confirm what Secretary O'Neill said
yesterday.
MR. MCCLELLAN: Again, the President is working on a new growth
and economic package, a new growth and jobs package to lay out and
pass early next year. And he's working with Congress on that. We're
looking at additional ideas. The President also would remind
Congress that they need to move forward on this terrorism insurance.
They appear to be doing that and we're encouraged. And we hope they
will continue working together to get this passed. There are also
other initiatives that he's outlined that are important to get done,
such as making the tax cuts permanent.
Let me go all the way to the back.
Q Thank you, Scott. If the North Koreans are not listening or not
agree to any dialogue with the United States, does the United States
exert aggressive pressure on North Korea?
MR. MCCLELLAN: I'm sorry, what was the question about North
Korea? I didn't get the first part of your question.
Q If North Korea is not listening or not agree any dialogue with
the United States, does the United States assert any
aggressive pressure on North Korea?
MR. MCCLELLAN: We need to continue. We are -- continue to work to
keep maximum pressure on North Korea with our friends and others in
the region. That's what's going on right now. North Korea needs to
understand the importance of dismantling its nuclear weapons
program, and we're working through diplomatic channels to achieve a
peaceful resolution.
Thank you.
END 1:55 P.M. EST
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