Friday
May282004
White House Gaggle
Friday, May 28, 2004 at 1:00AM
By Ellen Ratner
President's Schedule:
The President talked with Russian President Putin this morning. They discussed the UN Security Council Resolution. Scott McClellan said that they understood the importance of working together and that both Presidents agreed that it is important that the Iraqi people's interests are being taken into account. The President had his usual round of briefings and then dropped in to a breakfast for veterans with the Secretary of Veteran Affairs. Today he will meet the Prime Minister of Denmark. He will thank him for efforts to build a "free and peaceful Iraq". They will also discuss the President's five-step plan and the situation in the Mid-East. This afternoon the President will have an interview with Paris Match. The issue will come out on June 3rd. The President will discuss his upcoming trip to France. His radio address this week will focus on Memorial Day and the WWII Memorial. This afternoon on "Ask The White House" the Park Service Director will take questions.
Who will govern Iraq?
Asked if the administration had vetoed the Iraqi scientist to be Prime
Minister, McClellan would only say that the UN Envoy "had not put forth
final determinations". In terms of the Iraqi Governing Council nominating one of their own members, McClellan answered that it is "one of the many ideas being put forth . . . and that they would welcome Iraqis participating in this process."
Veterans and the Budget:
Concerning the memo about the FY 2006 budget, McClellan reiterated that no decisions have been made about the 2006 budget. He talked about increasing health care funding by forty percent since 2001, and "increasing access to those who need it most". He also said that they had greatly decreased the disability claims backlog and that the "President has a strong commitment to honoring veterans." He said that budget guidelines are distributed in every administration . . . veterans are our priority."
Relationships with Homeland Security and the FBI:
Asked about Congressman Cox's comments on the turf war, McClellan said that Secretary Ridge was involved and that the President "discussed this with the principals". He said it was not accurate that he (Ridge) was out of the loop and that everyone felt it was important to keep the American people informed. When asked if Ridge and Ashcroft are giving different messages, he said each gave their message from their position of responsibility. McClellan then said that as we head into summer it was important to keep the American people informed. He suggested speaking to the FBI in terms of which bulletins were issued to law enforcement officials.
The Week Ahead:
The President will dedicate the WWII Memorial on Saturday. On Sunday he will meet some of the Rolling Thunder leadership who will arrive at the White House on motorcycles. He will address the broader Rolling Thunder group via telephone. On Monday he will lay a wreath and make a speech at Arlington. On Tuesday he will attend the first White House Conference on Faith Based Initiatives and then leave for Denver. Dr. Rice will brief on the President's trip. He will address the graduating class of the Air Force Academy on Wednesday. Thursday he will meet with the Prime Minister of Australia at the White House before he leaves for Europe.
President's Schedule:
The President talked with Russian President Putin this morning. They discussed the UN Security Council Resolution. Scott McClellan said that they understood the importance of working together and that both Presidents agreed that it is important that the Iraqi people's interests are being taken into account. The President had his usual round of briefings and then dropped in to a breakfast for veterans with the Secretary of Veteran Affairs. Today he will meet the Prime Minister of Denmark. He will thank him for efforts to build a "free and peaceful Iraq". They will also discuss the President's five-step plan and the situation in the Mid-East. This afternoon the President will have an interview with Paris Match. The issue will come out on June 3rd. The President will discuss his upcoming trip to France. His radio address this week will focus on Memorial Day and the WWII Memorial. This afternoon on "Ask The White House" the Park Service Director will take questions.
Who will govern Iraq?
Asked if the administration had vetoed the Iraqi scientist to be Prime
Minister, McClellan would only say that the UN Envoy "had not put forth
final determinations". In terms of the Iraqi Governing Council nominating one of their own members, McClellan answered that it is "one of the many ideas being put forth . . . and that they would welcome Iraqis participating in this process."
Veterans and the Budget:
Concerning the memo about the FY 2006 budget, McClellan reiterated that no decisions have been made about the 2006 budget. He talked about increasing health care funding by forty percent since 2001, and "increasing access to those who need it most". He also said that they had greatly decreased the disability claims backlog and that the "President has a strong commitment to honoring veterans." He said that budget guidelines are distributed in every administration . . . veterans are our priority."
Relationships with Homeland Security and the FBI:
Asked about Congressman Cox's comments on the turf war, McClellan said that Secretary Ridge was involved and that the President "discussed this with the principals". He said it was not accurate that he (Ridge) was out of the loop and that everyone felt it was important to keep the American people informed. When asked if Ridge and Ashcroft are giving different messages, he said each gave their message from their position of responsibility. McClellan then said that as we head into summer it was important to keep the American people informed. He suggested speaking to the FBI in terms of which bulletins were issued to law enforcement officials.
The Week Ahead:
The President will dedicate the WWII Memorial on Saturday. On Sunday he will meet some of the Rolling Thunder leadership who will arrive at the White House on motorcycles. He will address the broader Rolling Thunder group via telephone. On Monday he will lay a wreath and make a speech at Arlington. On Tuesday he will attend the first White House Conference on Faith Based Initiatives and then leave for Denver. Dr. Rice will brief on the President's trip. He will address the graduating class of the Air Force Academy on Wednesday. Thursday he will meet with the Prime Minister of Australia at the White House before he leaves for Europe.
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