White House Gaggle

Briefer: Dana Perino

President had his normal briefings this morning. At 10:25 am, he will receive the Annual Report to the Nation by the Boy Scouts of America. At 10:50 am, President Bush meets with the King of Jordan. At noon, President and Mrs. Bush will host a private social lunch with the King and Queen of Jordan in the Family Dining Room of the White House. At 1.15 pm, the President makes remarks to Political Appointees and Federal Government Employees in DAR- Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at noon today.


Middle East

Perino said that, “there is a lot of tension between the Israelis and the Palestinians, “and Secretary Rice is in region to bridge the gaps and bring them back together. One of the things Secretary Rice said, and the President agrees with is that, “Hamas has made themselves an enemy of the Palestinian state.” Perino said that the Palestinians could have a Palestinian state given the leader they have now--Hamas is what is holding them back. Secretary Rice will also be meeting with Prime Minister Olmert as they are also concerned about the situation.

When asked if it is really possible to negotiate peace with a divided Palestine, Perino said that they believe Hamas is a terrorist organization and Israel has the same feeling. She continued to say that, “President Abbas has said that he wants to be the Palestinian President for everybody, including the people living in Gaza, who are living under terrible conditions right now… The strategy is to try to allow the Palestinians to see that is a choice to make. There is a path that can get you to a Palestinian state and possible more security and prosperity… The purpose of Secretary Rice’s trip is to try to establish again this clear strategy and division between the choices there is to make for the Palestinians. “ A reporter questioned Perino when it comes to the Palestinians in Gaza, saying that she assumes that they actually have a choice or wish to make a choice, which that does not seem to be the case. Perino said that she thinks they do have a choice. She also said that the government that US is working with, lead by President Abbas, is the one that has chosen peace. Perino said the “issue is that it is extremely complicated, and we never said that this was going to be easy.” But we do believe that people have a choice, Perino continued, “and the President believes that when people have a choice they will chose freedom.”


OPEC

When asked about a response to OPEC’s decision to not increase production to ease prices, Perino said that she hasn’t heard anything about yet. She will wait until they make an official announcement. Perino did say that she oil producing countries should work to keep the markets well supplied.


Iran

Perino was asked about a comment on Iran who has rejected the sanctions resolution that was imposed by the United Nations. Perino said that they were not expecting anything else from the regime of Iran. We have provided several incentives for the Iranians if they would halt the enrichment of uranium and come to the negotiation table. Perino also said that she was pleased to see that the UN went forward with the 3rd rounds of sanctions. “A lot of people did not think that it was not going to be possible after our National Intelligence Estimate came out in December…”


Ahmadinejad in Iraq

When asked if the President talked to the Iraqi Prime Minister Malaki after the visit of the Iranian President Ahmadinejad, Perino said that they haven’t talked since. Though there have been reports by Ambassador Crocker and General Petreus.


Boy Scouts

When asked if the President has any concerns about discriminatory practices by the Boy Scouts against gays and atheists, Perino said that she had not asked about it, but “the President has always said that everybody should be treated with dignity and respect. “

Current and former commdanders give outlook of slow progress in Iraq

Iraq was the topic of the day at the Pentagon, where current and former commanders took time to update the press on operations in Iraq and the outlook for troop levels and military strategy in the future.

Gen. James Dubik, commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, explained about the transfer of power from Coalition to Iraqi security forces. He explained the substantial growth in the forces that has occurred between June and December of 2007. While limited number of Iraqi security units, army and national police, are conducting and, in some cases, leading operations, the coalition, and primarily the United States remains responsible for weapons and logistical support, or what Dubik called enabling forces. He said that the challenge of handing over the capabilities and of speeding up the vetting process for growing the ranks remains.

Another important appearance was made by former second-in-command in Iraq Gen. Ray Odierno. Odierno has been moved out of Iraq and replaced by Gen. Lloyd Austin as Multinational Corps commander. Odierno was able to draw some conclusions for the press corps about the progress in Iraq over his 15 months as a commander. He said that there have been large security gains on account of the surge, though he said that these gains have not reached a point where they are totally irreversible. However he did say that he was comfortable with planned troop reductions and that that point where gains were irreversible did not have to be reached before the troop dawn downs could continue as scheduled. Within the next week the number of brigade combat teams will be reduced to 18 and then down to 15 by July of 2008.

Odierno did take a rare step into politics saying that any presidential candidate should consider the strategy of assessment of all conditions before acting on draw down. Odierno said it was too early to talk about what specific withdrawal plans from the candidates would look like because as he said, "a lot can change in Iraq in 10 months."



Odierno has insight on the subject of Iran, specifically president Ahmadinejad's recent visit to Baghdad. When U.S. visitors have come to Baghdad in the past there is often some kind of security situation, specifically rocket attacks by what Odierno called "Iraninan surrogates." The reason why Ahmadinejad was able to walk around more freely, said Odierno, was because those militant groups were not attacking. He said he hopes that Iraqis will continue to see Iranian meddling and recognized that it is their training and directions to surrogate militant groups that are causing problems for Iraqis.

He said that overall the surge was a success, not only because of the increase in numbers but the change in tactics. He credited the decrease in abilities of al-Qaida in Iraq to the fact that coalition forces were in the neighborhoods and that the Sons of Iraq program had made supporters of coalitions forces more recognizable.

Senate Armed Services Committee review of Defense Authorization Request

At the Senate Armed Forces Committee review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2009, Senator John Warner (R-VA) said he felt the situation in Iraq was "drifting sideways," but that there were definite signs of improvement. While violence has fallen off considerably, and substantial degradation has taken place, he said, al Qaida remains a threat. Criminal activity remains at a higher than acceptable level, and he said he regrets that the present situation does not show the ability to govern a sovereign nation. "Two steps forward, one back," he said. The Iraq people have a tremendous potential to become a nation that would "be the envy of all in the Middle East." He said he thought the poppy situation is "dismal" and "totally unacceptable."

Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander, U.S. Central Command, said he is encouraged about Afghanistan, because the government there receives a lot of support from the people, and the military force there is really going to be able to provide the stability needed to get them on their feet. Pakistan, he said, just completed an election, and opportunities are available for us to help them help themselves. As he spends his time in the region, he said, he is overall encouraged, and that he "couldn't be any more proud" of the men and women in uniform.

Fallon said that Iraq is a sovereign country and they have the right to do what they choose. Iran shares a long border with them, he said, and there are many things perceived as being good from Iran (in the mind of the Iraqis), but it's a very "mixed bag" and from his perspective, we are not going to be able to help solve the problems in that country without assistance from the outside. His understanding is that Iran is showing positive engagements and is being more cooperative. It's a difficult picture, he said, to determine where we are.

White House Gaggle by Gordon Johndroe

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release February 29, 2008


PRESS GAGGLE BY
GORDON JOHNDROE

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room


9:37 A.M. EST

MR. JOHNDROE: Okay, today's schedule: The President taped his radio address this morning. In it the President will announce the release of the 2008 National Drug Control Strategy. This report lays out the methods the administration is using to combat drug abuse in America and highlights the hopeful progress that we are making in the fight against addiction. ONDCP will have more on that later.

At 8:00 a.m. the President had his normal briefings. At 11:05 a.m. this morning the President will meet with the Secretary General of NATO in the Oval Office. That will be pool at bottom. The President looks forward to meeting with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Following the meeting in the Oval will be lunch in the Old Family Dining Room.

Today's meeting is an opportunity to talk about the upcoming NATO summit in Bucharest in early April, where NATO's transformation through improved military capabilities and continued NATO enlargement will be the key focus. The President and Secretary General will also discuss other critical issues on NATO's agenda, including Afghanistan and the long-term commitment to that mission, as well as missile defense.

At 1:00 p.m. the President departs the White House via Marine One for Texas, and at 4:30 p.m. Central time the President and Mrs. Bush will welcome Prime Minister of Denmark Rasmussen and Mrs. Rasmussen to the Ranch. They will have dinner tonight and meetings tomorrow. This visit underscores the good personal relationship the two leaders have, as well as the strong relationship the United States has with Denmark. The discussion will be wide-ranging, will include Afghanistan, where Denmark is playing a leading role in both security and reconstruction assistance, and in Iraq, where Denmark has contributed to stability efforts since 2003.

They'll also talk about the NATO summit coming up in Bucharest. I expect the President will brief the Prime Minister on Africa and hear about Denmark's own contributions there on that continent. They'll also discuss developments in the Middle East, as well as energy and the environment.

And I will do the week ahead at the end. With that, I'm happy to --

Q Turkey says that it has completed its military mission in northern Iraq and brought its troops back home. U.S. reaction? Do you have the impression they'll do it quickly?

MR. JOHNDROE: We've seen those reports that are just coming out. I think there's one thing that remains clear, and that is the United States, Turkey and Iraq all will continue to view the PKK as a terrorist organization that needs to be dealt with. So we will continue to have cooperation with them on dealing with that organization. I don't think there's anything else to add at this point.

Q Well, I mean, do you think that they completed it in the timely manner that Secretary Gates had requested?

MR. JOHNDROE: Yes, I think you heard the President address this yesterday. It was a targeted and relatively short operation, but I would certainly expect that in the future, that unless the PKK gives up terrorism, that we're going to have to continue to work with the Turks and the Iraqis to go after them.

Q So you expect there will be more --

MR. JOHNDROE: No, I would just say that we'll continue to have to deal with the PKK in the future.

Q Gordon.

MR. JOHNDROE: Yes, Ann.

Q When the President yesterday that he hadn't heard forecasts of $4 gas, was he serious?

MR. JOHNDROE: One, the President realizes that the high price of gasoline is a hardship for many Americans, but the President's point was that neither his advisors nor Energy Department analysts are at this point forecasting $4 a gallon gasoline.

Q It's here. It's already in California.

MR. JOHNDROE: I think that the national average, as of earlier this week, was $3.15, according to the Energy Department and other surveys. And so, no doubt, the price of gas is high. It causes hardship for many Americans. There is a -- it is something the President is concerned about. He talked about that yesterday. It's important for people to remember there are no short-term solutions to this.

There's a -- several things that need to be done. One, Congress certainly shouldn't raise taxes that would increase the cost of gasoline. That would certainly not be helpful. And we need to continue to encourage environmentally friendly domestic production, reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil and look to increase technological advances for efficiency and alternative sources of energy.

Q I'm still a little unclear. When he said that, though, was he being facetious or had he -- what did he mean that he hadn't heard that?

MR. JOHNDROE: I think, one, the government analysts are not forecasting it. But, two, I think it's something that we've heard for quite some time now in the news media, to be frank, for -- I can remember, last year, waking up to some of the morning programs forecasting $4 a gallon --

Q Well, some parts in California I think --

MR. JOHNDROE: -- gasoline. And so it's something we've heard for a while. As of now, that is not the national average. It may or may not happen, but I think the President's point was: one, he realizes the problem and is concerned about it; but two, that's not what the official analysts are predicting.

Toby.

Q Ahmadinejad says that Iran is going to continue pursuing its nuclear program. Does that help or hurt this vote that's expected to happen on more sanctions at the U.N.?

MR. JOHNDROE: Well, I think it's unfortunate that he continues to make these comments. He just further isolates Iran and the Iranian people, and that's not our goal at all. But it looks like the U.N. Security Council is probably headed towards a vote sometime relatively soon on a third set of sanctions against Iran.

And so Iran knows what it needs to do. Iran is the outlier here, as the international community unites. You have the permanent five members plus Germany who have been working on this, and are talking to other Security Council members. And so Iran knows what it needs to do, and then could reap the benefits of that.

Q Gordon, are you confident that vote is going to go your way? In other words, that the U.N. Security Council is going to embrace a third round of sanctions?

MR. JOHNDROE: Well, let's let the vote take place. But I think things are -- we've been talking a lot again with the other members of the P5, as well as Germany, and other members of the Security Council. And so I think that -- I think everyone is in agreement that Iran should not be enriching uranium, and so let's just -- let's let the vote take place in New York.

Q A quick one on Lebanon, too. Prime Minister Siniora comes out today and says he has summoned the U.S. chargé d'affaires to request clarifications about the USS Cole being sent to the region; says he had nothing to do with it. Was there really no coordination between the United States and Lebanon about this show of force in the region?

MR. JOHNDROE: No, I would say we have regular consultations with Prime Minister Siniora and his government, as well as our allies, both in the immediate region, as well as in Europe on the situation in Lebanon.

And so there's constant communication at various levels. But let's be clear: The purpose of the U.S. Navy ships in the eastern Mediterranean is a show of support for regional stability. So I think we all want to -- I know we share with Prime Minister Siniora a desire for the situation in Lebanon to be resolved, and resolved by the Lebanese people.

Q A follow-up on that. The --

Q Is that a confirmation that he wasn't consulted, Gordon?

MR. JOHNDROE: I'll look into the specifics, but we consult regularly with the Lebanese government.

Q Hezbollah is criticizing the move, saying they're facing an "American threat against Lebanon. It's clear this threat and intimidation will not affect us." Any thoughts on their reaction?

MR. JOHNDROE: On Hezbollah's concerns? I would express some of our own concerns with Hezbollah's actions. So I'll just leave it at that.

Yes, John.

Q Two quick questions. One, just briefly on Russia. Has the President spoken to Putin at all this week, or does he plan to before the election, or maybe after it? Anything in this week? Secondly, on NATO, does the President plan to raise the issue of increased need for international troops in Afghanistan? Can you give any specifics on what you guys are looking for? And do you think Congress needs to do more, in terms of oversight, specifically Obama's subcommittee regarding NATO, to work on the NATO issue in Afghanistan? I know that's a lot, sorry.

MR. JOHNDROE: All right. Well, one, on Russia, I'm not aware of any phone calls with President Putin this week, and we'll let you know about any future calls coming up with regards to the election or with President Putin.

And second of all, NATO, there will -- certainly the President will discuss with the Secretary General of NATO the mission in Afghanistan. He will discuss it with the Danish Prime Minister. He discussed it a couple of days ago with the Czech Prime Minister. It is something the President is very much focused on. We appreciate the work of these allies and the troops that they have deployed in Afghanistan and the work that they've done there. And we're talking with other members of NATO about additional troop deployments.

Q Can you give any specifics on what you're looking for, in terms of commitments, though?

MR. JOHNDROE: I think that our commanders on the ground -- I think General McNeil has talked a little bit about some of the needs there. Obviously the President sent in about 3,200 additional Marines. They're, I believe, deploying now. So there's a need for more trainers to help set up the Afghan army and Afghan police and additional PRTs, additional units for various functions. And so we're in discussions with our allies on that.

Q I'm not hearing you mention combat troops. That's part of the need, right?

MR. JOHNDROE: Part of the Marine outfit will be involved in that, as well, but the Defense Department can tell you a little more about that.

Q Gordon.

MR. JOHNDROE: Yes, Peter.

Q Back on oil. Have there been any follow-up discussions with the Saudis since the President's visit to the Middle East about opening up supplies more? As you know, OPEC is meeting next week.

MR. JOHNDROE: I would say we have pretty regular contact. I think that Secretary Bodman was out in the region right after President Bush was in the region. We have regular contact with all the -- with many of these countries. So we'll see. There certainly is a --

(Fire alarm goes off.)

Q What is that?

MR. JOHNDROE: I know, right. Well, I guess we're over. I guess we're done now.

Q Fire drill?

MR. JOHNDROE: Yes, right, exactly. There's a button up here on the new podium. See if one of these guys has something to say.

Q It's an easy way to get out of a briefing.

MR. JOHNDROE: Yes, right.

Q Week ahead? (Laughter.)

MR. JOHNDROE: Yes, no kidding. Do you want me to just release it?

Q Yes.

MR. JOHNDROE: All right, thank you all.

END 9:48 A.M. EST

White House Gaggle

Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule

President Bush has his normal briefings this morning at 8 am.
At 9.45 am, the President makes remarks to the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. At 11.10 am, the President will participate in an interview with April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks. This afternoon at 1:45 pm, he will meet with former Cabinet Secretaries and Senior Government Officials on Free Trade Agreements. At 2 pm, the President will make remarks on “Picturing America” Initiative in the East Room of the White House.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.45 pm today.

Iran

When asked about updates and new incentives to get Iran to negotiate, Perino said that the meeting yesterday was to talk about the next round of sanctions. Perino referred to the State Department for more information.

FISA

Helen Thomas asked why the tele-companies need retro-immunity if they haven’t done anything wrong, and Perino replied that, “if they have not done anything wrong, why are trial lawyers bringing 40 different class-action lawsuits against them? “ Thomas wanted to know why they can’t go to court if they know that they did so many right things. Perino said that any time anyone is sued it is extremely expensive. “They did not break the law,” she added. Perino was also asked why the President did not talk about lost intelligence as mentioned by the Director of National Intelligence McConnell. “What is different now is that back in August, when we signed the six-month extension of the Protect America Act, it did not include retro-active liability protection which is something they said that we needed to have in this bill. The Senate agrees and the majority of the House members agree, and if the House Democratic leaders would allow for a vote this bill would pass, Perino said.

Governors’ idea of another stimulus package

Perino was asked why the President closed the door on the idea of an additional stimulus package, a proposal raised by the Governors yesterday. This was a package to support infrastructure as a way to help revive the economy. Perino replied that the President does not believe that those projects will have the short-term stimulus effects that the country needs. He will listen to all their ideas, though he will not support anything that will raise taxes.

NY Philharmonic North Korea concert

When asked if the President watched or listened to the New York Philharmonic’s concert from N. Korea yesterday, Perino said that she doubts it. When asked if she thinks it was a good idea that they went to North Korea, Perino replied that the President thinks that at the end of the day this is a concern and that it is not going to change the behavior of their regime. They are still not as forthcoming as we need them to be. “They need to move faster of denuclearization, we need a full and accurate report from them, and we need a report on all their proliferation activities. From there it is possible that additional culture exchanges, like Philharmonics, will be available. But you can’t help to think about all the people in North Korea who are not going to be able to hear it. For those who were lucky enough to hear it, I am sure that it was a memorable, and I am sure the philharmonics played a lovely concert. “