Tuesday
Oct162007
White House Gaggle
Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 3:00AM
By Lovisa Frost
White House Gaggle October 16, 2007 Briefer: Tony Fratto By: Lovisa Frost
President's Schedule
President Bush had his normal briefings at 8 am this morning. Early this afternoon he will have a private meeting the Dalai Lama in the residence. At 3.55 pm, the President will meet with members of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors. Following the meeting, the President will make a statement on the issue at 4.30 pm in the Rose Garden.
Announcements:
President Bush welcomes the following leaders to the White House:
On October 22: Mongolian President Enkhbayar; on December 11, Giorgio Napolitano, President of Italy and on February 4, 2008, Romani Prodi.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.30 pm today.
Dalai Lama Visit
Reporters wanted to know about the announced visit of the Dalai Lama to the White House. When asked why the White House will not announce an exact time for this meeting, Fratto said that the meeting is in the early afternoon, held in the private residence. Because this is not a head of state, but instead a spiritual leader, there are not pictures or readouts. However, tomorrow, the President and the Dalai Lama will appear in public at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at the US Capitol. When asked about the Chinese objections over the meeting between the Dalai Lama and the President, Fratto said, "We understand the concerns of the Chinese."
President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors.
Following the reports of the conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the spring of this year, the President formed a commission headed up by former Secretary Donna Shalala and former Senator Dole. Their findings were reveals in a report in July, and there were six main recommendations. Some of the recommendation could be implemented administratively and others required Congress to act. In the meeting today, the President will discuss progress of the recommendations and plans moving forward on implementation.
Warrant Less Wiretap
Based on news story where Verizon have handed over data without court orders, Helen Thomas asked about the warrant-less wire tapping. Fratto did not want to get in to any details of any classified information. He did say that this was a letter from Verizon in response to Democratic lawmakers and showed very specific ways that they assist law enforcement over a broad array of issues, ranging from helping the Justice Department find child pornographers and other criminal cases.
India Nuclear Deal
Fratto was asked if the India Nuclear Deal was about to collapse, and he replied that; "We understand that all politics are local, and there India is a thriving democracy. They have work to do, and they may need some additional time on their end to get their part of this deal done."
Secretary Rice and Turkey
In regards to the recent controversial bill passing on genocide in regards to Turkey, Fratto was asked whether Secretary Rice have reached out to Turkey on the issue. He responded that Sec. Rice has been in contact with her Turkish counterpart, and also send the Assistant Secretary along with other officials to Ankara." There has been a great deal of communication."
FISA legislation
When asked if the President have been reaching out to Blue Dog Democrats in support of this legislation, Fratto said that there was a number of democrats who supported the President's position on FISA reform including being in favor of the "Protect America Act". The next few weeks, the White House will follow the developments closely. Fratto said that they are in communications with lots of members of Congress on this bill. "It is going to be a little bit of a marathon to get to the right legislation. "
Furthermore, Fratto said that what is clear is that the President is not going to accept legislation that reopens up the intelligence gap, and doesn't give the intelligence community the flexibility that they need in order to go after terrorists, foreign agents, and others that threaten this country.
White House Gaggle October 16, 2007 Briefer: Tony Fratto By: Lovisa Frost
President's Schedule
President Bush had his normal briefings at 8 am this morning. Early this afternoon he will have a private meeting the Dalai Lama in the residence. At 3.55 pm, the President will meet with members of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors. Following the meeting, the President will make a statement on the issue at 4.30 pm in the Rose Garden.
Announcements:
President Bush welcomes the following leaders to the White House:
On October 22: Mongolian President Enkhbayar; on December 11, Giorgio Napolitano, President of Italy and on February 4, 2008, Romani Prodi.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.30 pm today.
Dalai Lama Visit
Reporters wanted to know about the announced visit of the Dalai Lama to the White House. When asked why the White House will not announce an exact time for this meeting, Fratto said that the meeting is in the early afternoon, held in the private residence. Because this is not a head of state, but instead a spiritual leader, there are not pictures or readouts. However, tomorrow, the President and the Dalai Lama will appear in public at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at the US Capitol. When asked about the Chinese objections over the meeting between the Dalai Lama and the President, Fratto said, "We understand the concerns of the Chinese."
President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors.
Following the reports of the conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the spring of this year, the President formed a commission headed up by former Secretary Donna Shalala and former Senator Dole. Their findings were reveals in a report in July, and there were six main recommendations. Some of the recommendation could be implemented administratively and others required Congress to act. In the meeting today, the President will discuss progress of the recommendations and plans moving forward on implementation.
Warrant Less Wiretap
Based on news story where Verizon have handed over data without court orders, Helen Thomas asked about the warrant-less wire tapping. Fratto did not want to get in to any details of any classified information. He did say that this was a letter from Verizon in response to Democratic lawmakers and showed very specific ways that they assist law enforcement over a broad array of issues, ranging from helping the Justice Department find child pornographers and other criminal cases.
India Nuclear Deal
Fratto was asked if the India Nuclear Deal was about to collapse, and he replied that; "We understand that all politics are local, and there India is a thriving democracy. They have work to do, and they may need some additional time on their end to get their part of this deal done."
Secretary Rice and Turkey
In regards to the recent controversial bill passing on genocide in regards to Turkey, Fratto was asked whether Secretary Rice have reached out to Turkey on the issue. He responded that Sec. Rice has been in contact with her Turkish counterpart, and also send the Assistant Secretary along with other officials to Ankara." There has been a great deal of communication."
FISA legislation
When asked if the President have been reaching out to Blue Dog Democrats in support of this legislation, Fratto said that there was a number of democrats who supported the President's position on FISA reform including being in favor of the "Protect America Act". The next few weeks, the White House will follow the developments closely. Fratto said that they are in communications with lots of members of Congress on this bill. "It is going to be a little bit of a marathon to get to the right legislation. "
Furthermore, Fratto said that what is clear is that the President is not going to accept legislation that reopens up the intelligence gap, and doesn't give the intelligence community the flexibility that they need in order to go after terrorists, foreign agents, and others that threaten this country.
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