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Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule

President Bush had his normal briefings this morning at 8 am. At 8.45 am, he signed HR 4286, Congressional Gold Medal for Aung San Suu Kyi. At 9.45 am, the President will make remarks on the South Lawn commemorating Military Spouses Day. This afternoon at 2.20 pm, President Bush meets with the President of Panama in the Oval office.

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.30 pm today.

Myanmar

When asked if the White House has any doubt that more aid is needed in Myanmar, Perino said that there is no doubt. “There is a need for people to step up and I think the international community is willing to do so.” The White House is hoping that the Burmese military junta will accept help. The US has two navy ships with one disaster assistance response team, DART, who was in the area at the time, doing an exercise on disaster assistance. They have asked to go close to Myanmar in hopes to get to the people on the ground and be able do assessments as well as giving them supplies needed such as clean drinking fresh water.

“When it comes to helping people who are in a desperate humanitarian situation, the President and Mrs. Bush have set the standard of putting aside political differences and getting help to people in need, and that is exactly what we will do here,” Perino said.
When asked about the Burmese junta not allowing US or other aid in, Perino was asked what the source of the US concern is. She said that they have not heard any response after their offers of aid and are especially concerned since they can see the devastation and the death toll is rising.

Panama

Perino was asked if the United States is at all bothered by the President of Panama reaching out to Raul Castro of Cuba, and she said that President Bush will bring up Cuba in their meeting later today. “The President has been someone who understands that there is going to be outreach to people’s neighbors, but we have a different view when it comes to Cuba; but we also think that we have the right view for the policy of the United States,“ Perino said.

GI Bill

Perino was asked why the President is opposed to a new GI bill, and she replied the White House has expressed concerns for some specifics; however, the President is trying to work with Congress to pass a bill that would allow veterans who wants to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouses and children. The White House has some concerns about the Webb amendment but they are willing to work with Congress on it.

Farm Bill

When asked if the veto still stands on the farm bill, Perino said that Congress has been trying to work out their differences and the Administration has been very clear that now is the time for reform. Quoting the President Perino said, “ With farm incomes at an all time high…we should not ask tax payers to pay even more subsidies to millionaire farmers.”
The White House has expressed their concerns and wants to see reform, and Perino said that she knows that Congress has been working hard to get a bill that they President can sign, but if they cannot do that, they should go ahead and pass one year extension or else he would veto the bill.