Wednesday
May042005
White House Gaggle
Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at 3:00AM
By Kelly Giddens
President's Schedule
The President held phone conversations this morning with two world leaders. He spoke with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to extend his condolences and regret regarding the accidental death of Nicola Calipari, the Italian intelligence agent who was killed by US military forces in Iraq on March 4th. Despite the incident, the friendship between the two men remains strong and their alliance unchanged, according to White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan. The President then spoke with Georgia President Mikhail Saakashvili to discuss his upcoming trip there. The President expressed his support for the economic and democratic reforms underway and articulated his appreciation for Georgia's contributions in Iraq. He also expressed his support of Georgia's effort to find a peaceful settlement to the country's separatist conflicts and in building better diplomatic relations with Russia through the current negotiations regarding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia. Following his phone conversations, the President has his usual briefings and a met with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. At 10:30 this morning the President will participate in a round table discussion about strengthening Social Security at the 2005 Latino Small Business Economic Conference. This afternoon the President will be holding a number of interviews with the foreign television media to discuss his upcoming trip to Eastern Europe. He will be speaking with Latvian National Television, Lithuanian State Television and Estonian TV. This evening the President will be attending a reception in the Rose Garden followed by dinner in the East Room to celebrate Cinco de Mayo where he will be delivering remarks. The National Security Advisor will hold a press briefing at 12:00 pm today to discuss the President's upcoming trip. The State Department will be holding a press briefing at 2:00 pm today.
The Arrest of Abu Farraj al-Libbi
The President will deliver brief remarks on the Pakistan arrest of al-Qaeda leader Abu Farraj al-Libbi today prior to his speech on Social Security at the Latino Small Business Economic Conference. Press Secretary Scott McClellan stated that the US has made great progress in its efforts to dismantle the al-Qaeda terrorist network. He also said that three-fourths of the key leaders and associates of the al-Qaeda network have been brought to justice one way or another. McClellan called al-Libbi's capture a great success in the global war against terrorism citing that he is one of the organization's most senior operational planners. McClellan applauded the Pakistani government and gave credit to the intelligence community. In response to a question regarding the State Department report stating that there has been a surge in terrorist attacks since the war on terror began, McClellan noted that "we remain engaged in a global war on terrorism . . . this is a determined enemy who seeks to carry out great harm against innocent civilians and spread their ideology of hatred." He noted that this is one of the reasons it is "so important to continue to spread freedom around the world and support efforts to advance democracy." He also said that the arrest is demonstrative of the great cooperation around the world in fighting this global war on terrorism.
DC Voting Rights
In response to a question about Rep. Tom Davis's (R-VA) proposed bill which would give DC residents a congressional delegate in Congress, Mr. McClellan reiterated the President's opposition to the legislation.
Terrorism and the Southern Border
Mr. McClellan responded to a question regarding border patrol and access to terrorists saying the US has already taken steps to increase security along the southern border. In addition the President will continue to take measures to ensure that the borders are secure. Mr. McClellan also noted that border security is one reason the President has spoken about the importance of immigration reform. He also stated that the President's reform will enable the US to focus more resources on assuring that those who do enter this country are not attempting to carry out attacks.
John Bolton's Nomination
Mr. McClellan stated that the administration has been in contact with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding the confirmation of John Bolton as US Ambassador to the UN. The President continues to urge the Senate to quickly approve John Bolton so he can help move forward with UN reform.
Iran, North Korea, and WMDs
Mr. McClellan spoke about US cooperation with other nations in finding diplomatic solutions to North Korea and Iran's nuclear weapons program. Iran is currently involved in talks with several European nations and has agreed to suspend all nuclear-related activities during the discussions with the European powers. He said that it was an important step in showing the international community that Iran is not currently pursuing a nuclear weapons program. McClellan expressed the President's view that Iran needs to reassure the national community that they are not making nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian program. Regarding North Korea, Mr. McClellan said that the President remains in close contact with his partners in the region and they continue to urge North Korea to return to the six-party talks.
Social Security
Mr. McClellan expressed the President's view of Social Security as a form of social insurance and articulated the President's feeling that the elderly should not live in poverty. He also stressed the lack of the "safety net" within the current system. Mr. McClellan declined to comment on the difference in benefits between personal accounts and the current system should the President's proposal, which offers a choice, be adopted, but did express the President's desire to maintain current benefit levels.
President's Schedule
The President held phone conversations this morning with two world leaders. He spoke with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to extend his condolences and regret regarding the accidental death of Nicola Calipari, the Italian intelligence agent who was killed by US military forces in Iraq on March 4th. Despite the incident, the friendship between the two men remains strong and their alliance unchanged, according to White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan. The President then spoke with Georgia President Mikhail Saakashvili to discuss his upcoming trip there. The President expressed his support for the economic and democratic reforms underway and articulated his appreciation for Georgia's contributions in Iraq. He also expressed his support of Georgia's effort to find a peaceful settlement to the country's separatist conflicts and in building better diplomatic relations with Russia through the current negotiations regarding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia. Following his phone conversations, the President has his usual briefings and a met with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. At 10:30 this morning the President will participate in a round table discussion about strengthening Social Security at the 2005 Latino Small Business Economic Conference. This afternoon the President will be holding a number of interviews with the foreign television media to discuss his upcoming trip to Eastern Europe. He will be speaking with Latvian National Television, Lithuanian State Television and Estonian TV. This evening the President will be attending a reception in the Rose Garden followed by dinner in the East Room to celebrate Cinco de Mayo where he will be delivering remarks. The National Security Advisor will hold a press briefing at 12:00 pm today to discuss the President's upcoming trip. The State Department will be holding a press briefing at 2:00 pm today.
The Arrest of Abu Farraj al-Libbi
The President will deliver brief remarks on the Pakistan arrest of al-Qaeda leader Abu Farraj al-Libbi today prior to his speech on Social Security at the Latino Small Business Economic Conference. Press Secretary Scott McClellan stated that the US has made great progress in its efforts to dismantle the al-Qaeda terrorist network. He also said that three-fourths of the key leaders and associates of the al-Qaeda network have been brought to justice one way or another. McClellan called al-Libbi's capture a great success in the global war against terrorism citing that he is one of the organization's most senior operational planners. McClellan applauded the Pakistani government and gave credit to the intelligence community. In response to a question regarding the State Department report stating that there has been a surge in terrorist attacks since the war on terror began, McClellan noted that "we remain engaged in a global war on terrorism . . . this is a determined enemy who seeks to carry out great harm against innocent civilians and spread their ideology of hatred." He noted that this is one of the reasons it is "so important to continue to spread freedom around the world and support efforts to advance democracy." He also said that the arrest is demonstrative of the great cooperation around the world in fighting this global war on terrorism.
DC Voting Rights
In response to a question about Rep. Tom Davis's (R-VA) proposed bill which would give DC residents a congressional delegate in Congress, Mr. McClellan reiterated the President's opposition to the legislation.
Terrorism and the Southern Border
Mr. McClellan responded to a question regarding border patrol and access to terrorists saying the US has already taken steps to increase security along the southern border. In addition the President will continue to take measures to ensure that the borders are secure. Mr. McClellan also noted that border security is one reason the President has spoken about the importance of immigration reform. He also stated that the President's reform will enable the US to focus more resources on assuring that those who do enter this country are not attempting to carry out attacks.
John Bolton's Nomination
Mr. McClellan stated that the administration has been in contact with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding the confirmation of John Bolton as US Ambassador to the UN. The President continues to urge the Senate to quickly approve John Bolton so he can help move forward with UN reform.
Iran, North Korea, and WMDs
Mr. McClellan spoke about US cooperation with other nations in finding diplomatic solutions to North Korea and Iran's nuclear weapons program. Iran is currently involved in talks with several European nations and has agreed to suspend all nuclear-related activities during the discussions with the European powers. He said that it was an important step in showing the international community that Iran is not currently pursuing a nuclear weapons program. McClellan expressed the President's view that Iran needs to reassure the national community that they are not making nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian program. Regarding North Korea, Mr. McClellan said that the President remains in close contact with his partners in the region and they continue to urge North Korea to return to the six-party talks.
Social Security
Mr. McClellan expressed the President's view of Social Security as a form of social insurance and articulated the President's feeling that the elderly should not live in poverty. He also stressed the lack of the "safety net" within the current system. Mr. McClellan declined to comment on the difference in benefits between personal accounts and the current system should the President's proposal, which offers a choice, be adopted, but did express the President's desire to maintain current benefit levels.
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