Text 2287, 838 rader
Skriven 2006-03-09 23:33:48 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0603096) for Thu, 2006 Mar 9
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Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 9, 2006

Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
James S. Brady Briefing Room


  þ Dubai port deal
      þ Reference B
      þ Reference C
      þ Reference D
  þ Medicare prescription drug benefit
  þ Republican dissatisfaction
  þ Iran
  þ Budget
  þ North Korea counterfeit issue

1:05 P.M. EST

MR. MCCLELLAN: Good afternoon, everyone. I want to begin with one brief
announcement. Our new Chairman of the President's Council of Economic
Advisers, Ed Lazear, is holding a press briefing at 2:00 p.m. today, down
at our offices at 1800 G Street, to talk about the economy. As you all are
aware, the economy is growing strong. It grew at 3.5 percent just last
year, faster than any other major industrialized nation. The unemployment
rate is down to 4.7 percent. We've seen more than 4.7 million new jobs
created in the last couple of years, and real, after-tax income is up more
than 8 percent, productivity is high, and home ownership is at record
levels.

And so I know that Ed looks forward to talking more about where we are in
terms of the economy. As you all are aware, job numbers are coming out. The
employment report is coming out tomorrow, as well.

And with that, I'm glad to go -- jump straight to your questions.

Q What was the time on that?

MR. McCLELLAN: It's at 2:00 p.m. Is that it? No.

Q Leaders -- Republican leaders from the House and the Senate say they're
prepared to block the Dubai Ports deal. With that information, does the
President still intend to veto any legislation such as that?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, as I've been talking to you all about over the last
couple of days, our emphasis is on working together to try to find a way
forward. And that's what we've been discussing with members. There have
been a lot of conversations going on. The lines of communication remain
open.

There have been conversations going on between the company and Congress,
between the administration and Congress, and we continue to work to try to
find a way forward. One part of moving forward is to move ahead on reform
of the Committee on Foreign Investment process. And that's something we are
committed to. It's something we support. I think there's a desire on the
part of a lot of people to improve and update that process.

Q But when the congressional leaders say, we are going to pass legislation
to block this, does the President still say, I'm going to veto that
legislation?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President had a good discussion earlier today with
Republican leaders who were over here for one of the regularly scheduled
meetings. And the meeting was really to discuss ways we can work together
on important priorities.

And they talked about a range of issues. They talked about moving forward
on the budget in a fiscally responsible way and building upon the record
we've put in place. They talked about the encouraging signs on the Hill
about the President's line-item veto act. They talked about moving ahead on
the emergency supplemental for Iraq and Afghanistan and the ongoing efforts
along the Gulf Coast and supporting the people there with additional
resources. They talked about the President's State of the Union
initiatives. They talked about energy and -- his energy initiatives, his
economic competitiveness initiatives, and his health care initiatives. So
they talked about a range of issues.

And the President brought up the issue of the ports, as well, and they had
a good discussion about it. This was a very -- the whole meeting was a
positive discussion. It was an open exchange of ideas about how we can work
together on --

Q He asked you a direct question.

MR. McCLELLAN: -- on shared priorities. So our emphasis is on not trying to
draw lines or issue veto threats, it's on how we can work together and move
forward.

Q But, Scott, I'm sorry, are you watching something different than we are?
Because as far as we can tell, the congressional leadership has said, it's
dead. The President has issued a veto threat heretofore, and yet it's our
understanding that he did not repeat that during today's meeting, so --

MR. McCLELLAN: That's correct.

Q So why not? Why didn't he repeat it during the meeting?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, because we're focused on how we can move ahead
together, and how we can resolve this matter. And that's what I was just
stressing to you. And maybe everybody didn't hear that clearly, but it
doesn't mean the President's position has changed. It means our emphasis is
on how we can work together to move forward. And so to suggest that we're
sitting there drawing lines or issuing veto threats takes things out of
context of where things are. Where things are is that we're working
together and trying to move forward.

Q Is the President convinced that the deal is not dead?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, David, I think that what we're focused on is
continuing the discussions. The discussions are ongoing with members of
Congress. Both chambers are at different points in the legislative process
in terms of this issue that you bring up, so the discussions are ongoing.
The process is ongoing, and we're going to continue to have those
discussions with leaders as we move forward.

Q Where is the way out here? Does the President have an idea about how to
keep this --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, those are discussions we're having with leaders.

Q But --

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know that I'd describe it that way about the way
forward.

Q Is he hopeful? Or does he think this is dead?

MR. McCLELLAN: He thinks that it's important to continue to work with
members on a way forward, and that's what we're doing. And that's why I
said that the lines of communication are open. As you know, the company
requested an additional 45-day investigation. That will be a rigorous and
thorough investigation. That process is just getting underway and heading
toward the investigation. But again, I know there's a tendency sometimes in
this room to want to try to point out lines being drawn or veto threats
being issued. And that's not where it is. So I'm trying to tell you where
things are right now. Where things are is that we're talking about how we
can move ahead together.

Q All we want to know is, where are you?

Q But what does this say about --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Helen, you can have your questions in a minute. David
has got the floor right now.

Q Just one more. What does this say about the President's relationship with
his own party?

MR. McCLELLAN: What does what say?

Q The fact that there's a rebellion among Republicans who are saying we're
not going to support you on --

MR. McCLELLAN: That sometimes there's a disagreement on an issue here or
there. We are a party that is united and moving forward on a record of
accomplishment, a record of results. We are leading the charge when it
comes to advancing the fight in the war on terrorism. We're leading the
charge when it comes to strengthening our economy and creating an
environment for strong job growth. I just talked to you about how healthy
our economy is.

So if you look at the reality of things, we have achieved many things for
the American people, and we need to continue to work together to build upon
that record. And that's exactly what we're doing. They had a very good
discussion earlier this morning -- the President did with Republican
leaders. And we're moving forward to advance in the war on terrorism. We're
moving forward to continue to strengthen our economy. We're moving forward
on implementing substantial prescription drug savings for our seniors. And
today, the President is signing the renewal of the Patriot Act into law. So
it's interesting you would bring that question up on the very day that he
is meeting with congressional leaders and talking about ways we can move
ahead on important priorities.

This afternoon he's meeting with bipartisan leaders in the House on energy
legislation, and how we can build upon the comprehensive energy legislation
we passed last year to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy.

Q Scott --

MR. McCLELLAN: Helen.

Q That's a very nice filibuster. You've been asked very simple questions.
Is he going to veto it, or is he speaking some sort of real compromise?

MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, let's talk about a really simple question. I don't
think you can simplify it that way.

Q Why?

MR. McCLELLAN: Because it takes things out of process of where things are.
And I know you might want to simplify --

Q All right, then where are they?

MR. McCLELLAN: But I want to give you an accurate reflection of where
things are.

Q Do you have a proposal to compromise with all the opposition?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm trying to tell you and you keep wanting to jump in.

Q No, you jump to 10 other subjects. It's very -- it's on the table.

MR. McCLELLAN: Because they talked about those other subjects, as well.

Q I didn't -- we didn't ask you that.

MR. McCLELLAN: I know, but I think it's important to put it in context.

Q No --

MR. McCLELLAN: So the American people have an accurate reflection --

Q Now we know -- what would he do? In view of the overwhelming opposition
--

MR. McCLELLAN: Helen.

Q -- does he have a plan to --

MR. McCLELLAN: You've asked your question, let me try to respond to you.

Q Okay.

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, the approach we're taking is working with members of
Congress to move forward, and that's exactly where we are. That's where
things are.

Q But does he have an idea of how it can be compromised?

MR. McCLELLAN: How what can be --

Q This whole business of the ports.

MR. McCLELLAN: That's why those discussions are ongoing.

Q Well, what's being discussed?

MR. McCLELLAN: Like I said, I mean, one area where we're talking about
moving ahead is on CFIUS reform. That means improving and reforming --

Q It shouldn't be retroactive.

MR. McCLELLAN: -- the process that's underway.

Q Scott, just back to the veto. You said that this doesn't mean the
President is changing his position. His position before was that he would
veto it. Why can't you say whether or not you still -- he has that
position?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, let's talk about --

Q Are you backing off?

MR. McCLELLAN: Let's talk about that -- no, what we're doing is trying to
work together with Congress to move forward and to find a resolution to
this issue. And there were very good discussions earlier today with
Republican leaders who were over here for a regularly scheduled meeting.
The President, when he was asked that -- he was asked that question. He was
asked that question I guess a week or two -- a couple weeks ago, and he
responded to that question. But where we are in the process right now is
working together with members to resolve this matter and to move forward.

Q I understand that you want to move forward and you want to resolve this
process. But by saying it doesn't mean the President is changing his
position, that means he would still veto it.

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think it's an accurate reflection to try to suggest
that lines are being drawn or that veto threats are being issued, because
what we're doing is emphasizing -- focusing on ways we can work together.

Q So you're backing off that, or you're not backing off it?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I just said that --

Q He would still veto it?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, see, you're trying to draw lines. We're trying to work
--

Q The President drew the lines, I didn't draw the lines.

MR. McCLELLAN: He was asked a specific question a couple weeks ago, so
let's put it in context.

Q And we're asking you a specific question.

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me put it in context. What the President is doing is
reaching out to congressional leaders. We're reaching out to congressional
leaders and we're talking about how we can move ahead together. I don't
know how I can be more accurate in terms of the way I reflect where things
are than I am right now, because that's where they are.

Q Does the veto threat extend to the amendment that passed in the House
committee last night?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, if you're talking about attaching things to emergency
spending legislation, I think we've always had a very clear principle about
emergency spending legislation, how we believe that legislation ought to be
clean. I mean, this is legislation that will provide vital resources to our
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and provide vital funds to the people along
the Gulf Coast who are rebuilding their communities -- the President had a
very good visit yesterday. And what we don't want to see happen is anything
that would slow that legislation down from going forward.

But again, let's talk about where things are in terms of our discussions.
Those discussions are ongoing. The process is ongoing, and we've had good
discussions.

Q Well, you'd rather somehow get that stripped out of the language, so you
wouldn't have to veto it?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, Steve, I think that the lines of communication
remain very much open. The exchange between members and the administration
is ongoing, and we're talking about how we can move ahead together.

Q Scott, does the President regret -- given what's happened with these
discussions with Congress, does the President regret calling reporters to
the front of Air Force One to issue the veto threat, stepping off the
helicopter and coming over to us and reiterating the veto threat? Would
this all -- this conversation have unfolded differently if the veto threat
was never made?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President called reporters up to the front to talk
about his trip and to talk about important priorities that we were focused
on.

Q Which happens every time, happens every trip?

MR. McCLELLAN: He's done it on a number of times, a number of occasions. I
can go back and pull those transcripts for you.

Q It was kind of an uncommon thing, though, to then step off and repeat it.
He had a point he wanted to make.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, no, let's put it in context, too, though. He was asked
a specific question, and he was expressing what his position is and what
his views are.

Go ahead, John.

Q Thank you, Scott. You mentioned the prescription drug bill earlier in
your remarks. Now when I asked you about if it would be delayed or changes
were made, on at least one occasion last year you said it would not, there
would be no changes or no delay, correct?

MR. McCLELLAN: In terms of implementing the prescription drug and the other
health care benefits that we're providing seniors?

Q Yes.

MR. McCLELLAN: That's moving ahead right now.

Q Now, on February 28th The Washington Post reported, "The Bush
administration has taken a first step toward simplifying the program by
circulating a memo last week among benefit providers that seeks idea for
possible changes to the plan." Now, if you're soliciting a memo or
circulating a memo that solicits changes to the plan, doesn't that --

MR. McCLELLAN: I think they're talking about, as we move forward in future
years, because this is a major modernization of Medicare, the most
significant improvements in Medicare in some 40 years. And what this will
do is provide seniors with not only more choices, but better benefits. It
will provide them modern health care, it will provide seniors with
substantial savings on their prescription drug costs, and many seniors are
already seeing their payments for prescription drugs come down
significantly. And the Center for Medicare Services can -- Medicare and
Medicaid Services can provide you with that information.

But I think the article you're referring to, if I recall correctly, while
we were traveling in South Asia, was talking about looking at things that
we may need to do in the future as we move forward on these important
benefits for America's seniors.

Q Well, no, they said it is acknowledged glitches, and they are holding
town hall meetings to educate seniors about the benefits.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's important, because the enrollment period is
still ongoing. It started back in November. The prescription drug benefit
just went into effect in January. And that enrollment period continues. And
there are millions of seniors that are currently enrolled in the program,
and we'll continue to reach out to educate seniors, so that they can make
the best possible choices.

Q So the changes that are being solicited by this memo, which I assume --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, if you're talking -- and I'm not sure exactly what
article you're talking about, but, yes, Secretary Leavitt and Administrator
McClellan have been working to move forward to make improvements and to
work on any glitches. But for the vast majority of seniors, this program is
working very well, and they're realizing significant savings. And they're
getting the kind of health care that they need.

Q Now will Administrator McClellan make public this memo?

MR. McCLELLAN: You'd have to talk to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid
Services.

Q You're not your brother's keeper, then?

Q Scott, there's a perception by some that the opposition to the Dubai
Ports deal, the concessions forced on oversight of NSA eavesdropping and
some compromised language in the Patriot Act, not to mention resistance by
some Republicans to some of President's spending priorities, or spending
cuts, if you will, of Medicare, expansion of health savings accounts, are
all indications that the reelection this year is pushing some Republicans
to, as one person put it, head for the tall grass. Is the President
concerned that '06 is interfering with his priorities?

MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, let me back up, because you brought up the
ports issue again. I mean, the President recognizes there are strong views
and there are concerns that members have on this issue. That's why we've
been reaching out to members. That's why we have been having discussions
about how we can move forward. And so let's put that in perspective.

But to go to your second question, or the issue that you're getting into, I
think that there's a tendency in this town to try to selectively pick
snapshots when the broader reality is that we have a record of results and
that we're getting things done for the American people. We are on the
offensive in the war on terrorism. We are prevailing in the war on
terrorism. It's a long war and much continues to be done. But we are now on
the offensive in taking the fight to the enemy, because of the President's
leadership and because of the leadership of members of Congress.

We are also working to put in place pro-growth policies to keep our economy
strong. It's because of the policies we put in place that our economy is
growing strong and jobs are being created on a large-scale basis over the
last two-and-a-half years. And as I pointed out, look at the modernization
efforts underway for Medicare. We are implementing important reforms that
are saving seniors significant amounts of money on their health care, and
providing them with the kind of benefits that best meet their individual
health care needs.

Q Are you telling me that you look at the opposition to the Dubai Ports
deal in a different way than some of the --

MR. McCLELLAN: Let's look at what's happening today. The President is
signing into law the renewal of the Patriot Act, a vital tool in the war on
terrorism, a vital tool that helps us to prevent attacks from happening.
The President is meeting with a bipartisan group of House leaders, after
having previously met with a bipartisan group of senators, to talk about
how we can move forward on the Advanced Energy Initiative that he has
outlined that will help us transform the way we power our cars and power
our homes and businesses.

Q You said the President recognizes that Republicans have strong views and
concerns. Does he think those strong views and concerns are politically
motivated?

MR. McCLELLAN: Keith, you'd have to ask people their own reasons about why
--

Q Does the President believe those are the reasons?

MR. McCLELLAN: -- they feel a certain way about this issue. The President
has expressed his views and talked about what his position is. And what
we're doing now is continuing to engage in ongoing discussions with members
of Congress about how to move forward. Yes, you've seen that there are some
strong opinions that members have, there are concerns that members have.
And that's why we are reaching out, that's why we're engaging in ongoing
discussions and talking about how we can move ahead together.

Q But you're not telling me that he thinks they are based on policy, you
won't comment, actually.

MR. McCLELLAN: You have to ask that -- I mean, I think people have
different reasons about where they stand on this particular issue.

Q Okay. Did he ask the leaders to strip this tradition from the
appropriations bill?

MR. McCLELLAN: This morning?

Q I mean, from the supplemental?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think I'm expressing what our views are, but again, the
tone of this discussion was one about how we can work together on a number
of shared priorities and how we can move forward on key priorities that we
both share.

Q Well, you didn't just discuss tone, you discussed specifics. So I'm
asking, on that specific --

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not aware of that. I'm just not aware of that.

Q Considering what the President heard this morning from congressional
leaders about the opposition on Capitol Hill, is the White House
considering pulling --

MR. McCLELLAN: What are you talking about, what the President heard?

Q On the ports deal, on the ports deal. What they discussed in the meeting
--

MR. McCLELLAN: As I said, the President brought up this issue to talk about
it, and talk about how we can move ahead together --

Q Exactly, and you said that the congressional leaders shared their
opinions. But in any case, because of what they shared with him about its
lack of a future, in their opinion, on the Hill, is the White House
considering pulling or tabling the Dubai Ports deal on a temporary or
permanent basis as a possible solution?

MR. McCLELLAN: The new transaction that was put before the committee, the
review process that is for that is moving forward and it's headed toward
the 45-day investigation. Again, I don't want to jump ahead of where things
are, and I don't want to jump ahead of where the discussions are with
members of Congress. Those discussions continue. But I think you need to
step back and look at the nature of the discussions that took place today.
The discussions were very positive. They had a good discussion about a
range of issues, and even on this issue they had a good discussion. It was
very much an open exchange of ideas about how we can move ahead.

So I've seen some reports out there that seem to be based on secondhand
accounts that don't reflect the nature of the discussions that took place
earlier today.

Q But is that, or is that not something the White House would consider,
tabling it perhaps temporarily as a possible solution --

MR. McCLELLAN: I know you want to draw me into discussions with members of
Congress. We're going to continue to have discussions with members of
Congress. I'm not going to try to speculate about things, or rule things in
or rule things out. Let's let those discussions --

Q You're not ruling it out?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm not ruling anything in, either. Don't try to take it
further than what I've said. I'll leave it where it is. But the 45-day
investigation that the company requested, that is something that is before
the committee right now, and the committee is headed in that direction,
moving ahead on that review process and then, eventually, the 45-day
investigation.

Q When does that 45 days start?

MR. McCLELLAN: You can check with Treasury in terms of where they are in
terms of the latest.

Q At the end of that period, though, would the White House consider it?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?

Q At the end of that period though, would the White House consider it?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?

Q At the end of that period.

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know in terms of when the transaction is put before
the committee that there's anything we can do at this point. It has to go
through that process. So I think you have to look at where the process is.
That was a congressionally mandated process, and when someone puts that
transaction forward, it goes through that process. And there's a -- there's
procedures --

Q You can't -- pull it until that's over?

MR. McCLELLAN: Hang on -- there are procedures in place for that process.
So I don't think you should try to jump to broader conclusions from it at
this point.

Q But you cannot pull it or table it until the 45-day process is over?

MR. McCLELLAN: Talk to the Treasury Department about the specifics about
the process. I don't -- you're trying to draw me into this. I'm saying I
don't know of any discussion like that.

Q Scott, to pursue what Martha was asking -- you've left me a little
confused. On the one hand, you say the position has not changed. On the
other hand, both in this morning's gaggle and today, you have not used the
word "veto" again, even though the President is the one who brought it up,
and you have not even repeated an administration rationale for why the plan
-- why the deal should go forward or what harm it would do to our
relationship with the UAE if it didn't go forward.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we've expressed our views very clearly on this issue.
And the President has spoken about why he --

Q You've left us, though, with the impression now --

MR. McCLELLAN: -- has the views he has.

Q Yes, but you've left us with the impression of while he has the views he
has, he is, at this point, in some different kind of mode -- you might call
it salvage mode -- to see if there is any piece of this that he can still
save. Is that an accurate characterization?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think so. Those are your words. I think an accurate
characterization is the way I described it.

Q Scott, on Iran, is the United States and the world really backing
themselves into a corner with these threats about possible military action
against Iran? Is the world really prepared to use military action?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know what you're talking about, because what we've
said is that we are pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear issue
when it comes to Iran. And the international community has sent a very
clear message to Iran, the regime in Iran, that we are not going to allow
you to develop nuclear weapons. The international community is concerned
about the regime's pursuit of nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian
program.

And now the report that the Director General put before the International
Atomic Energy Agency board has been reviewed. Now the process is moving to
a new phase, it's a new diplomatic phase before the United Nations Security
Council. And there will be active discussions going on, probably beginning
early next week, within the Security Council. There are already initial
discussions that are occurring in New York between diplomats representing
the various countries involved in the Security Council process.

But we have also said -- Secretary Rice has said this -- that the first
step in the Security Council would not be looking at sanctions. It would be
looking at the possibility that a strong presidential statement laying out
very clearly for the regime what it needs to do, and calling on the regime
to take certain steps. And so that's where thing are.

But this is about Iran and the regime's behavior. The regime may want to
try to change the subject; what they ought to do is change their behavior.

Q But what if they don't? I mean, the rhetoric has become very heated all
around --

MR. McCLELLAN: That's why it's been reported to the Security Council, so it
can be discussed. And there are a number of diplomatic options that are
available and at our disposal. Again, that's why I pointed out where we are
in terms of the first step of expectations.

Q Senate Budget Committee Chairman Gregg yesterday proposed a spending plan
that would set a ceiling of $90 billion on emergency funding in the war in
Iraq. His argument is that going outside the budget process, as the
administration has been doing, is tantamount to shadow budgeting. And so
I'm wondering if the administration is willing to consider this approach.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we're going to continue to work with Congress to move
forward and make sure that our troops have what they need in Iraq and
Afghanistan. I think we've expressed our views in terms of why this is put
into the emergency supplemental funding legislation. And you want to make
sure you know exactly what the needs are before moving forward on that
funding.

Again, there's a difference between the annual budgeting for priorities
that are ongoing and needs during a time of war. And I think we spelled out
the distinctions there.

Q And also, Senator Grassley has sidetracked tax reconciliation bill and
put pension reform on the front burner because there's just this major
disagreement on the alternative minimum tax and capital gains, dividends
tax cuts. I just wondered if the administration agrees with this approach,
and if not, what is the great urgency for getting investment tax breaks
through this year when they don't expire for a couple of --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, in terms of how they move forward on the legislative
process, it's ultimately up to Congress. So what we're focused on is how we
move forward on these important priorities and how we continue to move
forward on making the tax relief permanent. The tax relief has helped us
get our economy growing in a very strong way and led to very strong job
creation. And we need to continue to build upon that. We need to continue
to move and act on controlling wasteful spending and reining in that
spending.

We have a record of changing the growth in our non-security discretionary
spending and slowing that, actually cutting non-security discretionary
spending and slowing the growth of overall discretionary spending below the
rate of inflation. We also need to continue to act on the mandatory
spending side. So there are a number of areas where we need to continue to
act to keep our economy growing and competitive. Tax relief is an important
part of that. The competitiveness initiative is another important part of
that. The energy initiative and the health care initiatives are, as well.

Q Scott, can you talk a little -- back to the ports again -- can you talk a
little bit about what kinds of talks the White House is having with the
company, either directly or through intermediate --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I said that I think that the company is continuing to
have discussions with congressional leaders, and the administration and
Congress are continuing to have discussions --

Q What about the White House talking to the company?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the matter is before the Committee on Foreign
Investment. I don't have any other updates for you beyond that. There are a
lot of conversations going on, Roger.

Q The White House is not talking about some way out of this, talking with
the company about some way out of this --

MR. McCLELLAN: You're trying to get me to draw -- trying to draw me into
discussions that are ongoing between the administration and Congress, and
between the company and Congress, and I'm just not going to do that.

Q Thank you, Scott. The United States and North Korea are meeting in New
York to resolve the counterfeit issue. How do you think it will affect the
future of six party talks?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think it is just a briefing that was being provided.
I think the State Department talked about it. So it's a separate issue from
the six-party talks. We are going to continue to take steps to stop North
Korea's engagement in illicit activities. And we've made that very clear.
And I think the meeting you're referring to is simply a briefing on this
matter. It wasn't to talk about the six-party talks.

But where we are in terms of that is that all parties to the six-party
talks are ready to come back to the discussions -- with the exception of
North Korea. North Korea has not said that they are ready to come back
without precondition.

We have said, we're ready to continue the discussions without any
precondition, and other countries have said that, as well. And we're
waiting on North Korea to make that commitment. There are some good
principles that were agreed to, and we want to continue to move forward on
those.

Q Scott --

MR. McCLELLAN: Thank you. Go ahead.

Q Scott, can I just review what the President said? You keep talking about
this context. What do you say to those in Congress who plan to take
legislative action? This is February 21st in Air Force One, President Bush
said, "They ought to listen to what I have to say about this. They ought to
look at the facts and understand the consequences of what they're going to
do. But if they pass a law, I'll deal with it with a veto." I don't
understand why you're saying you're not drawing lines in the sand? That's a
line in the sand.

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm telling you where the emphasis is right now, and where
things are in terms of the process and the discussions. Again, that was a
question he was specifically asked a couple weeks ago.

Q If he was asked it again today, what would he say?

MR. McCLELLAN: Martha, he would say what I'm saying right now, so I think
I've expressed our views.

Q That you're moving forward. He would not say again, I would veto it?

MR. McCLELLAN: It doesn't change what I just said. Again, look at the
meeting that took place earlier today, and let me again describe for you
the nature of that meeting. The nature of that meeting was to talk about
how we can continue to work together on important priorities and how we can
move forward on other issues. And one of the issues the President brought
up was this very issue.

But to try to suggest we're trying to continue to get into drawing lines or
issuing veto threats is not --

Q But you are backing --

MR. McCLELLAN: -- is not --

Q You are backing --

MR. McCLELLAN: -- is not where things are.

Hang on, let me finish.

No, I didn't say that. I said that our position hasn't changed, but our --
where we are right now in the process is, working with Congress to try to
find a way forward. I know that there's sometimes a tendency to simplify
things, but it takes it out of context when you do that. And that's why I'm
stressing to you where things --

Q Well, he put it pretty simply when he said he would veto it.

MR. McCLELLAN: That's why I'm trying to stress to you where things are
right now.

Q All right, but did the President --

Q But the line in the sand was drawn. And if you're saying, no, no, no,
we're not backing off, the position is just the same, the position isn't
just the same if you're not drawing a line in the sand, because the
President drew a line in the sand.

MR. McCLELLAN: I think I gave you an accurate description of where things
stand. I don't think anything changes in terms of what I just said earlier
in this briefing.

Q Scott, but you're giving the impression that you're backing from the veto
threat?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I just answered that question earlier.

Q So you're not doing that?

Q You're not backing off?

Q The President is not backing off?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think people in this room are trying to get us into
drawing lines with Congress. We're trying to work with Congress to move
ahead.

Q You drew the line.

Q We didn't draw the line.

MR. McCLELLAN: And that's where we are.

Q You did it.

MR. McCLELLAN: No, actually, David, I didn't. What I'm saying is that we're
all working together to try to find a way ahead. So I didn't do that.

Q The President drew the line. Martha just read it to you. I mean, he did
it, and you are not willing to stand up there, --

MR. McCLELLAN: That's right.

Q -- and say the President still has the view that he would veto it.

MR. McCLELLAN: He was asked a specific question. And as I said, his views
and what he has expressed are what they are, and they remain the same. But
where we are right now in the process, David, is trying to work together to
move forward. And so I don't think anybody is trying to -- from our side it
trying to get into drawing lines. We're trying to work together to move
ahead. And I don't know how clearer I could be, but that's the accurate
reflection of where things are. It's not an accurate reflection to suggest
otherwise. And so what I'm trying to do is put this in context for you all
in this room. And you can keep asking the same question, but I'm giving you
an accurate reflection of where things stand in this process. And that's
the best I can do.

Thank you.

END 1:31 P.M. EST

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