Tuesday
Jan042005
White House Gaggle
Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 3:00AM
By Ellen Ratner
President's Schedule:
The President spoke with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg today. He is also President of the European Union. They will be meeting in Brussels in February. The President will also meet today with the Secretaries of HHS and Education to get updates on their departments and to say thank you for their service. Scott McClellan will brief at 12:30 pm and the State Department will brief at noon.
Prime Minister Allawi and Iraq:
The White House confirmed that the President had a conversation with Prime Minister Allawi yesterday. Asked why there was not a read out on the phone call, Scott McClellan said that no read out will be provided for that particular phone call. Scott also said that the President talks to Prime Minister Blair on a regular basis but that the White House does not provide a read out those phone calls; however they will confirm when asked. On the Allawi call, they discussed the security situation in the upcoming elections and on trying to get the fullest participation in the upcoming election. The White House supports the time table of the election at the end of the month. The White House said that they condemn the assassination of the governor of Baghdad. Scott also said that "for much of the country, the situation is secure enough to move forward with the election. The Prime Minister and others are reaching out to Sunni leaders." Scott also said that people in Iraq are registering to vote "in large numbers." He said that the "focus is on making sure there is as full a participation as possible." Al-Zarqawi is claiming responsibility for the assignation, said Scott McClellan.
Social Security:
The President has not endorsed any plan, and is committed to the principles he outlined. Scott said the current system is not sustainable. He said that there would be no benefit cut for those at or near the retirement age. After repeated questions about what 'near' retirement age would mean, Scott said that he would not comment. He would only say that they were in the 'early stages of discussions with Congressional leaders" and that they were proceeding in a bi-partisan way. He said that without reform there would be either massive taxes or massive benefit cuts for future generations and that right now there was an empty promise to younger workers. On reports concerning a formula indexed to prices rather than wages, Scott would only say that they were discussing those ideas with members of Congress. He said that first there needed to be a common understanding of the problem.
Tsunami:
Asked if there had been an increase in support and hits to the Freedom Corps website, Scott answered that the two leaders (Bush 41 and Clinton) were on the morning talk shows. That there was an immediate need for relief efforts and that there was a tremendous outpouring of support. He said that "our nation stands at the forefront of generosity and compassion" He said that the President has not yet made a personal contribution and that there are currently no plans for Mrs. Bush to go to the region.
South Korea:
Scott said he had not heard that the President offered to join the President of South Korea in a trip to North Korea.
Palestinian Elections:
The White House is in close contact with all parties in the region. He had no updates on the President's phone calls.
President's Schedule:
The President spoke with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg today. He is also President of the European Union. They will be meeting in Brussels in February. The President will also meet today with the Secretaries of HHS and Education to get updates on their departments and to say thank you for their service. Scott McClellan will brief at 12:30 pm and the State Department will brief at noon.
Prime Minister Allawi and Iraq:
The White House confirmed that the President had a conversation with Prime Minister Allawi yesterday. Asked why there was not a read out on the phone call, Scott McClellan said that no read out will be provided for that particular phone call. Scott also said that the President talks to Prime Minister Blair on a regular basis but that the White House does not provide a read out those phone calls; however they will confirm when asked. On the Allawi call, they discussed the security situation in the upcoming elections and on trying to get the fullest participation in the upcoming election. The White House supports the time table of the election at the end of the month. The White House said that they condemn the assassination of the governor of Baghdad. Scott also said that "for much of the country, the situation is secure enough to move forward with the election. The Prime Minister and others are reaching out to Sunni leaders." Scott also said that people in Iraq are registering to vote "in large numbers." He said that the "focus is on making sure there is as full a participation as possible." Al-Zarqawi is claiming responsibility for the assignation, said Scott McClellan.
Social Security:
The President has not endorsed any plan, and is committed to the principles he outlined. Scott said the current system is not sustainable. He said that there would be no benefit cut for those at or near the retirement age. After repeated questions about what 'near' retirement age would mean, Scott said that he would not comment. He would only say that they were in the 'early stages of discussions with Congressional leaders" and that they were proceeding in a bi-partisan way. He said that without reform there would be either massive taxes or massive benefit cuts for future generations and that right now there was an empty promise to younger workers. On reports concerning a formula indexed to prices rather than wages, Scott would only say that they were discussing those ideas with members of Congress. He said that first there needed to be a common understanding of the problem.
Tsunami:
Asked if there had been an increase in support and hits to the Freedom Corps website, Scott answered that the two leaders (Bush 41 and Clinton) were on the morning talk shows. That there was an immediate need for relief efforts and that there was a tremendous outpouring of support. He said that "our nation stands at the forefront of generosity and compassion" He said that the President has not yet made a personal contribution and that there are currently no plans for Mrs. Bush to go to the region.
South Korea:
Scott said he had not heard that the President offered to join the President of South Korea in a trip to North Korea.
Palestinian Elections:
The White House is in close contact with all parties in the region. He had no updates on the President's phone calls.
Reader Comments