Monday
Oct162006
White House Gaggle
Monday, October 16, 2006 at 3:00AM
By Victoria Jones
16 October 2006
President's Schedule
The president had his usual briefings. He will meet shortly with Minister Mentor of Singapore. Then he will do an interview with Bill O'Reilly of Fox News Channel. This evening there is an Iftaar dinner with ambassadors and Muslim leaders. A scheduled meeting with Secretary Rice and Ambassador Bolton has been postponed because of UN business pending this morning.
The president spoke today with Prime Minister Maliki for about 15 minutes. They discussed a wide range of issues, focusing on the security situation in Baghdad and the need to use appropriate political and military action to tackle the problems of terrorism and militias. The president underscored his commitment to the democratically elected government of Iraq, encouraging the prime minister to ignore rumors that the United States government is seeking to impose a time line on the Maliki government. Both leaders reaffirmed the need for firm leadership and close coordination between the Iraqi security forces and the coalition.
The president also spoke with Prime Minister Singh of India. During the 10 minute call the two leaders discussed several topics, including civil nuclear cooperation and the fight against terror. The president welcomed the prime minister's September 16th meeting with President Musharraf of Pakistan. The two leaders agreed that the North Korean declared nuclear test represents a threat to the civilized world.
Hawaii Earthquake
The president has been briefed. The people of Hawaii are in his thoughts.
Prime Minister Maliki/Iraq
White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said that Prime Minister Maliki understands the ultimate end state is to have the Iraqis in charge of everything. Therefore the president is supporting Maliki's efforts to go after militias in many ways.
Asked what the rumors were, Snow replied the prime minister was concerned that a two month deadline was being placed on the Iraqi government. He may have been referring to Senator Warner's comments, Snow said. The prime minister raised the issue, saying that rumors can undermine confidence in the government and its ability to work effectively fighting terror. The president assured him of the full support of the United States.
The president said he knew Prime Minister Maliki had to make tough decisions, Snow said. On a number of occasions the prime minister referred to the importance of going after terrorists and militias, reaffirming his commitment to doing that. The prime minister did not raise Senator Warner's comments.
Snow said that strategy and tactics often get confused. The strategy is that we want to win in Iraq, and Iraq can sustain, govern and defend itself. The tactics are going to continue to change as appropriate, not only from sector to sector around Baghdad, but around the country.
Snow was asked if, as October is turning into one of the bloodiest months of the war, there was any pressure from President Bush on Prime Minister Maliki to get his security forces up to speed. Snow said there was not. It was not that kind of conversation. The prime minister understands the challenges and that it is difficult.
The prime minister said he feels confident the situation is going to turn. The prime minister reiterated that his plan is not simply military; it is not also involving the police. It has a political component, welcoming people and encouraging people to engage in the political path, and it has to have some economic opportunities too. The prime minister understands he is the leader of all Iraqis, and is going after violence perpetrated on all parties. He does not have blinders on when it comes to the difficulties he faces, and he made that clear to the president. He is also determined to go after it. Ambassador Khalizad and General Casey continue to express their confidence in him.
James Baker/Lee Hamilton Commission
Snow was asked if he had spoken to James Baker about some of his recommendations. Snow replied that a number of papers are being generated by people with a wide variety of opinions. These are not conclusions of the commission. Apparently some people have leaked some of their work product. The commission has come to no conclusions. It will be announcing none, and Baker has not and will not discuss this with the president. It is important for the commission to maintain the independence that was part of its charter from Congress.
Torture
Snow was asked what the president's definition of torture is. Snow said it is defined in US and international law. It was pointed out that we have not practiced that and then Snow was asked the president's opinion of waterboarding. Snow said he obeys the law. He said he has not asked the president for specific techniques, nor would the president discuss them with him. He said the president says it is important not to specify the so called enhanced techniques because that allows terrorists to train to deal with them. Snow said he could not say whether waterboarding is used or not used. Asked if he could find out, he replied 'probably not'.
North Korea Blast
Snow said there was no determination yet on the North Korea blast.
Senator DeWine
Snow was asked if the White House is giving up on Senator DeWine. Snow replied that it is not.
Senator Lieberman
Snow was asked if the president has had any discussions with Senator Lieberman about how he might vote if he is elected as an independent. Snow said that he had not.
UN Sanctions on North Korea
Snow said there have been a lot of comments in the 48 hours since the resolution. They are hearing that the Chinese are examining things that are crossing the border. Secretary Rice is traveling to the region and will meet with the Japanese, Chinese and South Koreans. Snow said we are continuing to work with our allies to try to come up with the proper ways to encourage the North Koreans to do the right thing and the smart thing. China is an equal partner in this, Snow said, and has its responsibilities. The Chinese and South Koreans by reason of their extensive ties with the government of North Korea will have the most leverage and therefore some significant responsibilities.
Tony Snow Fundraising Trip
Snow was asked how he likes fundraising. He replied that he likes getting out of town, and visiting with people who are engaged in the hard work of democracy. It was pointed out that some Republicans are saying that Snow has crossed a line. Snow said he has invited scrutiny, and has invited press to come out. He said he has laid out the conditions they have tried to put together for his going out. To go out and give partisan addresses and call out democrats would be inappropriate so he said he is not doing that.
16 October 2006
President's Schedule
The president had his usual briefings. He will meet shortly with Minister Mentor of Singapore. Then he will do an interview with Bill O'Reilly of Fox News Channel. This evening there is an Iftaar dinner with ambassadors and Muslim leaders. A scheduled meeting with Secretary Rice and Ambassador Bolton has been postponed because of UN business pending this morning.
The president spoke today with Prime Minister Maliki for about 15 minutes. They discussed a wide range of issues, focusing on the security situation in Baghdad and the need to use appropriate political and military action to tackle the problems of terrorism and militias. The president underscored his commitment to the democratically elected government of Iraq, encouraging the prime minister to ignore rumors that the United States government is seeking to impose a time line on the Maliki government. Both leaders reaffirmed the need for firm leadership and close coordination between the Iraqi security forces and the coalition.
The president also spoke with Prime Minister Singh of India. During the 10 minute call the two leaders discussed several topics, including civil nuclear cooperation and the fight against terror. The president welcomed the prime minister's September 16th meeting with President Musharraf of Pakistan. The two leaders agreed that the North Korean declared nuclear test represents a threat to the civilized world.
Hawaii Earthquake
The president has been briefed. The people of Hawaii are in his thoughts.
Prime Minister Maliki/Iraq
White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said that Prime Minister Maliki understands the ultimate end state is to have the Iraqis in charge of everything. Therefore the president is supporting Maliki's efforts to go after militias in many ways.
Asked what the rumors were, Snow replied the prime minister was concerned that a two month deadline was being placed on the Iraqi government. He may have been referring to Senator Warner's comments, Snow said. The prime minister raised the issue, saying that rumors can undermine confidence in the government and its ability to work effectively fighting terror. The president assured him of the full support of the United States.
The president said he knew Prime Minister Maliki had to make tough decisions, Snow said. On a number of occasions the prime minister referred to the importance of going after terrorists and militias, reaffirming his commitment to doing that. The prime minister did not raise Senator Warner's comments.
Snow said that strategy and tactics often get confused. The strategy is that we want to win in Iraq, and Iraq can sustain, govern and defend itself. The tactics are going to continue to change as appropriate, not only from sector to sector around Baghdad, but around the country.
Snow was asked if, as October is turning into one of the bloodiest months of the war, there was any pressure from President Bush on Prime Minister Maliki to get his security forces up to speed. Snow said there was not. It was not that kind of conversation. The prime minister understands the challenges and that it is difficult.
The prime minister said he feels confident the situation is going to turn. The prime minister reiterated that his plan is not simply military; it is not also involving the police. It has a political component, welcoming people and encouraging people to engage in the political path, and it has to have some economic opportunities too. The prime minister understands he is the leader of all Iraqis, and is going after violence perpetrated on all parties. He does not have blinders on when it comes to the difficulties he faces, and he made that clear to the president. He is also determined to go after it. Ambassador Khalizad and General Casey continue to express their confidence in him.
James Baker/Lee Hamilton Commission
Snow was asked if he had spoken to James Baker about some of his recommendations. Snow replied that a number of papers are being generated by people with a wide variety of opinions. These are not conclusions of the commission. Apparently some people have leaked some of their work product. The commission has come to no conclusions. It will be announcing none, and Baker has not and will not discuss this with the president. It is important for the commission to maintain the independence that was part of its charter from Congress.
Torture
Snow was asked what the president's definition of torture is. Snow said it is defined in US and international law. It was pointed out that we have not practiced that and then Snow was asked the president's opinion of waterboarding. Snow said he obeys the law. He said he has not asked the president for specific techniques, nor would the president discuss them with him. He said the president says it is important not to specify the so called enhanced techniques because that allows terrorists to train to deal with them. Snow said he could not say whether waterboarding is used or not used. Asked if he could find out, he replied 'probably not'.
North Korea Blast
Snow said there was no determination yet on the North Korea blast.
Senator DeWine
Snow was asked if the White House is giving up on Senator DeWine. Snow replied that it is not.
Senator Lieberman
Snow was asked if the president has had any discussions with Senator Lieberman about how he might vote if he is elected as an independent. Snow said that he had not.
UN Sanctions on North Korea
Snow said there have been a lot of comments in the 48 hours since the resolution. They are hearing that the Chinese are examining things that are crossing the border. Secretary Rice is traveling to the region and will meet with the Japanese, Chinese and South Koreans. Snow said we are continuing to work with our allies to try to come up with the proper ways to encourage the North Koreans to do the right thing and the smart thing. China is an equal partner in this, Snow said, and has its responsibilities. The Chinese and South Koreans by reason of their extensive ties with the government of North Korea will have the most leverage and therefore some significant responsibilities.
Tony Snow Fundraising Trip
Snow was asked how he likes fundraising. He replied that he likes getting out of town, and visiting with people who are engaged in the hard work of democracy. It was pointed out that some Republicans are saying that Snow has crossed a line. Snow said he has invited scrutiny, and has invited press to come out. He said he has laid out the conditions they have tried to put together for his going out. To go out and give partisan addresses and call out democrats would be inappropriate so he said he is not doing that.
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