White House Gaggle

Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule

President Bush had his normal briefings at 8 am At 11.10 am, he will meet with the Prime Minister Gilani of Pakistan. This afternoon, at 3.15 pm, the President will participate in a photo opportunity with members of the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program in the East Room of the White House.

White House Press Secretary Dan Perino will brief the press at 12.45 pm today.
There will also be an on-camera mid-session review briefing by Jim Nussle, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Ed Lazear, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors.

Announcements:
The final t-ball game will be held the on September 7th, and it will be a salute to the troops, featuring little league players whose parents are on active duty from all five branches of the military. This is the 20th t-ball game held on the south lawn of the White House.

Pakistan

When asked about missiles at school inside the Pakistani border with Afghanistan and if there are any reactions from the White House, Perino said that she saw the report but did not have any further information. There was also a follow up questions in regards to President Bush’s feelings about Prime Minister Gilani doing everything he can in order to confront the extremists, and Perino asked to get back once the meeting between the two had taken place. However, Perino said that “President Bush believes that the Pakistanis, including Prime Minister Gilani, recognize that the terrorists are a threat to the Pakistanis themselves not just to the Unites States or other civilized nations…” Their own Prime Minister Bhutto who was murdered by terrorists, so they have incentives to go after terrorists do it but there are under exceeding pressure from border areas, price of food ect, Perino said. The President will have a lot to talk about with the Prime Minister and maybe most importantly the discussion on counter terrorism, but also reiterating the US commitment of other types of aid such as economical, education reforms, and health care issues, Perino stated.

When asked if there are any indications that the Pakistani government really has made any attempts to confront the Taliban in the border area, Perino replied that there are operations underway to try to go after the enemy, but the government has also tried to establish some communication so that they can try to take solve the situation diplomatically. “I think the President thinks that we all need to continue to do more, and that includes us, “Perino said.

Deficit

When asked about the deficit forecasted at $ 490 billion, Perino said that she was not allowed to discuss numbers on the record but refered to the mid-session economical briefing by Jim Nussle, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Ed Lazear, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. Perino did say that the bipartisan economical stimulus package of $158 billion added to the deficit though they still think that this was the right thing to do. “ The best way to help the reduce the deficit is to make sure that you keep a lock on spending, but also that you can try to help grow the economy, so we hope to pull out of this economic downturn over the next few months because of that stimulus package, “ Perino said. Perino was also asked if we are still on track to a balanced budget by 2012, and she said that she believes so, though she referred to Director Nussle to expand on it.

Olmert statement

Perino was asked about a reaction from the White House regarding Israeli Prime Minister Olmert’s statement expressing doubt on a peace agreement with the Palestinians, and she replied that they have always said that they would not be able to get a final peace deal in terms of having everything resolved, but instead to have a way forward that would outline steps that they have to take.

China- Olympics and foreign press access

Perino was asked if the White House is satisfied with the security situation and also the access for foreign journalists. “Having the Olympics in China is different than having them in the United States… so we are aware of a lot of the concerns… From our perspective, so far, we feel that we have had some pretty good corporation we always like to have more access for our journalists so we continue to work on it. “

Defense officials: Pakistan border porous, foreign fighters in Afghanistan

The U.S. forces in Iraq are entering a 45-day period of review recommended by outgoing Multinational Forces commander Gen. David Petraeus. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen recently returned from a visit to the Middle East and he spoke with optimism about his trip to Iraq saying that if conditions continue to improve, he expects "to be able to, early in the fall, to recommend to the secretary and the president further troop reductions."

Regarding Afghanistan, Mullen noted that coalition forces are seeing more foreign fighters flowing across the border with Pakistan "unmolested and unhindered." Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Gates described all U.S. military action toward Pakistan in response to this as defensive counter attacks and dismissed the notion of a cross-border offensive by the U.S. Gates also said that the absence of pressure has created an opportunity for more people to cross the border and launch attacks. He called for more pressure and engagement with Pakistan to increase security on the Pakistani side of the border.

Military commanders in Afghanistan have made it clear that there is an increased need for more troops in there, but both Mullen and Gates have said that an increase of troops in Afghanistan hinges on troop reductions in Iraq. Some forces, the USS Lincoln for example, have been shifted to support Afghanistan and Gates said that other options are being examined. Both Gates and Mullen said that more troops in Afghanistan would make a big difference in security in Afghanistan.

An recent attack on an outpost in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, which killed nine U.S. troops and resulted in the abandonment of the outpost was described by Mullen as one of significant numbers and sophistication. "It was a very large group, several hundred insurgents, it was very well planned, a very sophisticated attack...from what I can see right now is that they were well trained, well armed, and it was a significant number and a complex attack," he said.

Pakistan: An outpost for democracy?

Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee presided over a hearing on Pakistan and it’s role in American foreign policy. Biden said that in order to establish a lasting, comfortable relationship between Pakistan and America, the U.S. should triple non security aide to 1.5 billion dollars annually and pledge that amount over the next ten years. He also called for a billion dollar democracy dividend, which would help moderate, secular, political leaders show the Pakistani people that they can deliver.

He said that this plan would change the dynamic of the Pakistan-U.S. relationship because it could persuade the Pakistani’s that America is not a fair weather friend but an “all weather friend” and show Pakistani leaders that America is an ally that can be relied upon.

Biden said that the Pakistani American relationship was been transactional. He said that Americans believe that they are paying to much to Pakistan and receiving to little, and the Pakistani’s believe the opposite. The only way to make things better, he said, is with long term non-security related investment.

Afghan Journal: The view from the border with Pakistan

Tail gunner's view of flying through Afghanistan



Taliban flags on the Pakistan side of the border with Afghanistan



Afghan Border Security frisking entrant from Pakistan


See more photos while Richard is embedded in Afghanistan on our Flickr page!

White House Gaggle, April 23, 2008

Briefer: Dana Perino
By: Ellen Ratner


Schedule:

The President had a private meeting with the King of Jordan in the dining room off the Oval Office. On the King’s visit, Dana said that the President had lots vested in mideast peace talks and that it was good that leaders could talk frankly with the President. He had his usual briefings and then will give the Medal of Honor to Dr. DeBakey. Later he has a photo op with Johns Hopkins donors, and then he will give the Baldridge Award.

Taxes:

The White House wants people to know that it is important for every taxpayer to fill out 1040A form so that they will get a stimulus rebate. This is available for anyone who makes $3,000 plus per year.

North Korea and the Syrians:

Dana said that they would continue to brief members of Congress on national intelligence.

Equal Pay Bill:

Dana would not comment on the bill or if the President would veto as she said they might not be able to get the votes for cloture in the Senate.

Pakistan:

Dana would not comment on reports that the Pakistani government is working with the Taliban militants. She said however that they are “concerned about these types of approaches.”

President’s Remarks Yesterday on Economy:

Dana said that we don’t know what this period is yet and we do not have the data yet, and that the President wants more robust growth in the country.

Farm Bill:

There may be a push for a one-year extension if they can’t get it done.