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Skriven 2006-02-23 23:33:26 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0602231) for Thu, 2006 Feb 23
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President Discusses Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned Report with Cabinet
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 23, 2006

President Discusses Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned Report with Cabinet
The Cabinet Room


˙˙˙˙˙The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned
˙˙˙˙˙Fact Sheet: The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned
˙˙˙˙˙President's Cabinet
˙˙˙˙˙

9:16 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. My Cabinet just met to get a
report from Fran Townsend about the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina.
On September the 6th, I asked Fran to conduct a thorough review of the
federal response to Katrina and to make recommendations about how we can
better respond in the future. I wasn't satisfied with the federal response.
Fran and her team produced a lessons learned document, and she just briefed
the Cabinet about lessons learned.

I reminded our Cabinet that hurricane season begins in June and that we
will be tracking the implementations of the recommendations in this report.
I want to thank her for her report. It's a good work. We will learn from
the lessons of the past to better protect the American people.

We have made a strong commitment to people in the Gulf Coast and we will
honor that commitment, as well. The report helps us anticipate how to
better respond to future disasters. In the meantime, our commitment to
rebuild and help rebuild Mississippi and Louisiana is ongoing and robust.

I'll be glad to answer some questions. Terry. Two questions. You're the
first questioner.

Q Mr. President, dozens of Sunni mosques have been attacked and scores of
people have been killed after the bombing of the Golden Mosque. How serious
is the danger of a civil war in Iraq?

THE PRESIDENT: First of all, the people of the United States strongly
condemn the destruction of the Golden Mosque. We believe in freedom to
worship. And I understand the consternation and concern of Iraqi Shias when
they see this most holy site wantonly destroyed.

I appreciate very much the leaders from all aspects of Iraqi society that
have stood up and urged for there to be calm. They recognize two things --
one, the Iraqi people want to live in a democracy. After all, 11 million
people voted in the last election. In other words, given a choice of
whether or not they want democracy or a different form of government,
millions of people showed up to vote, making a clear statement to the Iraqi
authorities, as well as to the people of the world they want democracy.

Secondly, the voices of reason want all aspects of Iraqi life -- understand
that this bombing is intended to create civil strife, that the act was a
evil act. The destruction of a holy site is a political act intending to
create strife. And so I'm pleased with the voices of reason that have
spoken out. And we will continue to work with those voices of reason to
enable Iraq to continue on the path of a democracy that unites people and
doesn't divide them.

Finally, I do want to assure the Iraqi people that the U.S. government is
serious in our commitment in helping to rebuild that holy site. We
understand its importance to Iraqi society and we want to stand
side-by-side with the government in making sure that beautiful dome is
restored.

Caren.

Q Sir, do you wish you had known earlier about the Dubai Ports deal and
were you surprised by the controversy over it?

THE PRESIDENT: The more people learn about the transaction that has been
scrutinized and approved by my government, the more they'll be comforted
that our ports will be secure. Port security in the United States will be
run by Customs -- U.S. Customs -- and the United States Coast Guard. The
management of some ports, which, heretofore, has been managed by a foreign
company will be managed by another company from a foreign land. And so
people don't need to worry about security. This deal wouldn't go forward if
we were concerned about the security for the United States of America.

What I find interesting is that it's okay for a British company to manage
some ports, but not okay for a company from a country that is also a
valuable ally in the war on terror. The UAE has been a valuable partner in
fighting the war on terror. A lot of goods are shipped from ports to the
United States managed by this company.

And again, I repeat to the American people, this wouldn't be going forward
if we weren't certain that our ports would be secure. But I also want to
remind folks that it's really important we not send mixed messages to
friends and allies around the world as we combine -- put together a
coalition to fight this war on terror.

And so we'll continue to talk to people in Congress and explain clearly why
the decision was made. Many of those doing the explanations are around this
table, and I want to thank them for bringing a sense of calm to this issue,
as people understand the logic of the decision.

Thank you all.

END 9:22 A.M. EST

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