Thursday
Feb092006
White House Gaggle
Thursday, February 9, 2006 at 3:00AM
By Gregory Gorman
February 9, 2006
President's Schedule
President Bush spoke to German Chancellor Merkel this morning on a range of issues including the situation in the Middle East, their shared view of Hamas' need to recognize Israel's right to exist and the importance of working together to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Following the phone call, the president had his usual briefings. At 9:55 am, the president will make remarks on the war on terrorism to the National Guard Association. Later today, President Bush will meet with Polish President Kaczynski in his first visit to the White House since being elected in December, 2005. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan called Poland, "one of our closest friends and allies and a leading strategic partner in the cause of freedom". McClellan said that the meeting will be a chance for the two leaders to discuss a variety of issues. Following their meeting, the two presidents will have lunch in the Old Family Dining Room. This afternoon, the president will have some economic policy time followed by a photo opportunity with the Major Cities Chiefs and County Sheriffs Association. The White House press briefing will be at 2:30 pm today. McClellan was happy to announce that the president will welcome the 2005 NCAA National Football Champions, the Texas Longhorns to the White House for a photo opportunity on Tuesday, February 14th. He will also welcome the 2005 World Series Champions, the Chicago White Sox to the White House one day before on Monday, February 13th.
National Guard Association War on Terrorism Remarks
McClellan announced that President Bush will be giving an update on the progress being made on the broader war on terrorism today to the National Guard Association. His remarks will focus on the actions being taken by a global coalition to disrupt terror networks. In addition, the president will highlight the global nature of the war on terrorism and how victory in the war on terrorism will require strong international cooperation and information sharing. As part of his remarks, the president will discuss recently declassified information about a specific terror threat to the United States. McClellan said, "The president will discuss a specific terror plot to attack America on the West Coast and how through international cooperation, we were able to disrupt that plot". He went on to say that the declassification of this information has been in the works for a while so the administration can provide greater detail to the American people. In response to this announcement, McClellan was questioned on the issue of wiretapping and whether the president's terrorist surveillance or Patriot Act tools were used in obtaining the West Coast terror plot information. McClellan stated that this was not the purpose of the president's statement. He said, "The purpose of this was to show the kind international cooperation that is required to disrupt plots and break up networks". When asked why the president has now decided to make this terror plot information public, McClellan answered, "You don't suddenly declassify things . . . You want to make sure that there is no operational risk involved by declassifying certain information. We take that into account. This speech has been in the works for a few weeks".
National Security Agency Intelligence Briefings
McClellan said that the White House has been glad to provide information to both Senate and House Intelligence Committee members on the NSA surveillance program. McClellan said, "I think members will have a better appreciation for how vital this program is to protect Americans . . . the briefings have provided some context about how this vital tool in the war on terrorism helps protect lives". The administration says that it will continue to work with Congress and will listen to members' ideas. However, the president will resist efforts that will compromise the terror surveillance program.
February 9, 2006
President's Schedule
President Bush spoke to German Chancellor Merkel this morning on a range of issues including the situation in the Middle East, their shared view of Hamas' need to recognize Israel's right to exist and the importance of working together to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Following the phone call, the president had his usual briefings. At 9:55 am, the president will make remarks on the war on terrorism to the National Guard Association. Later today, President Bush will meet with Polish President Kaczynski in his first visit to the White House since being elected in December, 2005. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan called Poland, "one of our closest friends and allies and a leading strategic partner in the cause of freedom". McClellan said that the meeting will be a chance for the two leaders to discuss a variety of issues. Following their meeting, the two presidents will have lunch in the Old Family Dining Room. This afternoon, the president will have some economic policy time followed by a photo opportunity with the Major Cities Chiefs and County Sheriffs Association. The White House press briefing will be at 2:30 pm today. McClellan was happy to announce that the president will welcome the 2005 NCAA National Football Champions, the Texas Longhorns to the White House for a photo opportunity on Tuesday, February 14th. He will also welcome the 2005 World Series Champions, the Chicago White Sox to the White House one day before on Monday, February 13th.
National Guard Association War on Terrorism Remarks
McClellan announced that President Bush will be giving an update on the progress being made on the broader war on terrorism today to the National Guard Association. His remarks will focus on the actions being taken by a global coalition to disrupt terror networks. In addition, the president will highlight the global nature of the war on terrorism and how victory in the war on terrorism will require strong international cooperation and information sharing. As part of his remarks, the president will discuss recently declassified information about a specific terror threat to the United States. McClellan said, "The president will discuss a specific terror plot to attack America on the West Coast and how through international cooperation, we were able to disrupt that plot". He went on to say that the declassification of this information has been in the works for a while so the administration can provide greater detail to the American people. In response to this announcement, McClellan was questioned on the issue of wiretapping and whether the president's terrorist surveillance or Patriot Act tools were used in obtaining the West Coast terror plot information. McClellan stated that this was not the purpose of the president's statement. He said, "The purpose of this was to show the kind international cooperation that is required to disrupt plots and break up networks". When asked why the president has now decided to make this terror plot information public, McClellan answered, "You don't suddenly declassify things . . . You want to make sure that there is no operational risk involved by declassifying certain information. We take that into account. This speech has been in the works for a few weeks".
National Security Agency Intelligence Briefings
McClellan said that the White House has been glad to provide information to both Senate and House Intelligence Committee members on the NSA surveillance program. McClellan said, "I think members will have a better appreciation for how vital this program is to protect Americans . . . the briefings have provided some context about how this vital tool in the war on terrorism helps protect lives". The administration says that it will continue to work with Congress and will listen to members' ideas. However, the president will resist efforts that will compromise the terror surveillance program.
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