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Skriven 2005-01-10 23:32:58 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0501108) for Mon, 2005 Jan 10
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Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 10, 2005

Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

Press Briefing
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  þ Tsunami relief update
      þ Reference B
  þ Middle East/Election of Abu Mazen
  þ Journalist contracted to administration staff
  þ Transfer of prisoners to third countries
  þ Tsunami warning system
  þ CBS/President's National Guard service
      þ Reference B
      þ Reference C
  þ U.S. aid for tsunami victims through U.N.
  þ Oil-for-food program
  þ Social Security/President's principles
      þ Reference B
      þ Reference C
  þ Sudan peace treaty
  þ Iraq election/intimidation

1:10 P.M. EST

MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon, everybody. As you're aware, the President
received a briefing this morning from the delegation that he sent to assess
the relief efforts in the Indian Ocean region. The President received a
firsthand account of the devastation that took place in the region and the
relief efforts that are underway.

Secretary Powell and the delegation updated the President on the, as you
heard the President say, extraordinary efforts by the United States
government and the American people, along with the international community,
to get immediate help flowing to those who are suffering. The Secretary and
Administrator Natsios also talked about the need to focus on the
rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. They discussed the importance of
the rehabilitation phase to restore basic services in the region, and they
also discussed the need to focus on the long-term reconstruction.

As we've previously indicated, this is a long-term response effort and the
United States will be in it for the long haul. As you heard the President
say earlier today, we're in it today and we'll be -- we're committed today
and will be committed to it tomorrow. We're continuing to assess needs
relating the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction. The United States
made an initial commitment of $350 million to help with the immediate
relief efforts. In addition, our military has been providing
round-the-clock logistical support to get that aid flowing. We have already
provided $78 million in relief assistance to the affected countries.

Secretary Powell said it was important, in the meeting, to continue
assessing needs in each country, and then make decisions about where
resources should be directed based on what those needs are. The delegation
also discussed the good level of cooperation between the United States, the
international relief organizations, and the United Nations, and the
response by the affected countries. Administrator Natsios discussed loans
we are providing to get businesses up and running, and materials we're
providing for short-term housing.

There was a pretty detailed discussion about Banda Aceh, which was the
hardest-hit area both by the earthquake and the tsunami that followed.
Secretary Powell showed the President several pictures of the debris fields
and that included bodies of those who so tragically lost their lives. And
Administrator Natsios commented that he had seen a number of natural
disasters in his time, but he had not seen anything like what he saw on the
trip to the region.

Administrator Natsios will also be attending a donors conference in Geneva
tomorrow, and Secretary Powell, also toward the end of the meeting, let the
President know that every leader they met with expressed their deep
appreciation to the United States for the outpouring of generosity by the
United States from public and private support. And as you're aware, the
President met with some of the presidents of these international relief
organizations and they discussed the level of cooperation going on between
the United States and other countries with those relief organizations. And
the President received a very positive report from those presidents.

And so that's my update at the beginning. I do want to make two quick
announcements on the White House staff. The President is pleased to
announce that Al Hubbard will be the new Assistant to the President for
Economic Policy and the Director of the National Economic Council. And
Candi Wolff will be Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs.
They replace Steve Friedman and David Hobbs respectively. And the President
is greatly appreciative of the service by Steve Friedman and David Hobbs,
and he looks forward to working with these two individuals who he has a
great amount of trust in.

And with that, I will be glad to go to your questions.

Q Scott, when the President talks to Mr. Abbas this week, is he going to
invite him to a meeting in Washington?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't -- I don't think there's a specific meeting that's
contemplated right this minute. The President said, as you heard him say
earlier, that if he would like to come to Washington, he is more than
welcome. The President has previously met with President-Elect Abu Mazen
here in Washington, D.C. And the President earlier today offered his
congratulations to Abu Mazen on his victory. And the President now looks
forward to doing everything we can to help support the meeting in London to
help get things moving to put the institutions in place necessary for a
democratic state to emerge. And the President made it very clear that all
parties have responsibilities to help the Palestinian people as they move
forward on putting institutions in place. Israel has responsibilities, the
Arab states in the region have responsibilities, and the Palestinian
leadership has a responsibility to move forward on putting in place a
unified security force that is committed to fighting terrorism, a
responsibility to end corruption, and they have a responsibility to put in
place reforms that will lead to democratic institutions.

Q Scott, could you be more specific about what the United States'
responsibilities are, other than just this general to support the
Palestinians?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, as these leaders take steps to put these institutions
in place, we are there -- the President made it very clear with Prime
Minister Blair that it's important that we get a strategy in place so that
we can help them put the institutions in place. And that's one of the
things, I expect, that will be discussed at the meeting in London that
Prime Minister Blair is hosting. There are a number of areas where we need
to focus our efforts.

And the President talked about that in his remarks earlier today in the
Oval Office. We provided financial assistance to the elections in the
Palestinian areas, and we will continue working closely with the
Palestinian people as they move forward to build a viable, democratic
state, at peace with Israel. The President laid out a vision back on June
24th, 2002, and he remains firmly committed to doing our part to help them
realize that vision. But all parties must act to move forward on their
responsibilities.

Q Is financial assistance one of the things you're talking about?

MR. McCLELLAN: There's nothing to update at this point. But the President
made it very clear that we are there -- we will be there to help the
Palestinian people as they move forward to put the institutions in place
necessary for a democracy to emerge. And this election was an important
step in that direction. It was an important moment for the Palestinian
people. For the first time, they were able to choose a new leader, after
several years.

Q How many journalists does the administration have on its -- under
contract to promote its programs? And what are the guidelines that you
spoke of earlier this morning? You were very vague, and I'd like to know
what they are.

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not aware of any others that are under contract other
than the one that's been reported on in the media. And questions have been
raised about that arrangement. It ought to be looked into, and there are
ways to look into matters of that nature. As a matter of principle, we
believe very strongly that the media ought to be reporting in an objective,
unbiased and fair manner. And so that's the principle upon which we believe
people should be guided. And the government certainly has a responsibility
to help when it comes to providing accurate information and helping to
adhere to that principle.

Q It's your job, too, isn't it?

MR. McCLELLAN: That is my job.

Q The point is you have hired someone. And why did you, and who would do
this investigation?

MR. McCLELLAN: In terms of the specific contract you're referring to, I
don't know all the details of that contract. The Department of Education
can provide you with information on the specific details within that
arrangement. But I think I made it very clear as a matter of principle what
our view is, and I think the Department of Education Counsel's Office
looked into the matter and reviewed it. There are also questions about
whether or not this commentator should have been disclosing this
information publicly. And so those are all legitimate questions.

Q So he wasn't properly supervised in that respect, or he didn't have the
proper guidance to know how he was to behave?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, see, that's one of the questions you might want to
direct to Department of Education because I'm not sure about the specific
details within this arrangement. But as a matter of a principle, I think
our view is very clear.

Q Just to follow up, will you check as far as you can to see if you're
paying any other journalists?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know of any. Obviously, decisions are made by
individual agencies. I'm not aware of any other arrangements of that
nature.

Q Was anyone at the White House aware of the fact that Armstrong Williams
was on the payroll?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not sure that senior staff was consulted before this
decision was made. I haven't heard anything to that effect.

Q And then on a different subject, does this administration transfer
detainees or prisoners in the war on terror to third countries in order to
have them interrogated with means that would be against this country's law
-- in order to have them tortured?

MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, I think the President has made our view very
clear when it comes to torture. The President does not condone torture, and
he would never authorize the use of torture. So I think it --

Q That's not what I asked, though.

MR. McCLELLAN: Understood. So I think I want to make that very clear right
off the top. Our policy is to adhere to our laws and our treaty
obligations. There are very clear laws in the United States regarding
torture, and there are clear laws at the international level regarding
torture. And our policy is to adhere to that. So I make that very clear.

In terms of intelligence or national security matters, I'm not in a
position to get into commenting -- to get into discussing those. Those are
questions you might want to direct to the appropriate agencies. But our
policy is very clear, and that's what the President expects to be followed.

Q Right, but you can't tell me whether or not there are detainees that have
been transferred to third countries and then tortured, with the
acquiescence of the United States?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I made our view very clear. And in terms of torture,
we do not condone torture and the President has never authorized torture --
nor would he.

Q A related question --

MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead.

Q -- to terrorists. Newsweek in its current issue is reporting the Pentagon
is considering the formation of so called "hit squads" to go after
terrorists and insurgents in Iraq. In the light of the concern over Judge
Gonzales's memo on the treatment of detainees, would the President endorse
such "hit squads" if they were formed?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I haven't seen the specific article. I'll be glad to
take a look at it. But in terms of the war on terrorism, it is a war that
continues. It is a different kind of war, and we remained engaged in this
war on terrorism. We will continue to go after and pursue those who seek to
do us harm. We have brought to justice a number of individuals, some -- I
believe three-quarters -- I'll have to double-check the number --
three-quarters of al Qaeda's leadership has been brought to justice in one
way or another. We're talking about people like Khalid Shaykh Muhammed and
others, who have a history of seeking to do harm to the American people and
being involved in attacks like the one that took place on September 11th.

But as we go after these individuals and bring them to justice, the
President expects that we do so in a way that adheres to our laws and our
treaty obligations. He's made that policy very clear to all.

Q Scott, can you tell us more about the President's meeting on the tsunami
warning system for this country?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, it's going to take place here shortly. In fact, I
think it's starting in a few minutes. So I might be a little late to it, or
I think that's where my able deputy just left to go attend that meeting, so
maybe we can give you more of an update after that. But the -- NOAA and the
Department of Interior have been accelerating our efforts to expand the
tsunami monitoring system and look at ways we can do this on a global
basis. So I think he'll receive an update on where we are in terms of our
own tsunami monitoring system in the Pacific. And I imagine he'll have a
lot of questions about ways we can expand this warning system, in the hopes
that maybe it can help save lives in the event something like this happens
ever again.

Q You mean this is something that is now in existence for the U.S., but the
U.S. is thinking about trying to expand --

MR. McCLELLAN: We do have a tsunami monitoring system in the Pacific region
and we're looking at ways to accelerate efforts to expand that warning
system.

Q There's not one in the Atlantic, for the Atlantic?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think that NOAA can talk to you about that. I mean, I've
seen some of the reports, and I'm sure the President will receive an update
on that, as well, about the small likelihood of anything like that
occurring from that -- from the Atlantic Ocean side of things in the United
States. But, again, that's what -- they're looking at all this to expand it
to have a -- some sort of a global warning system.

Q On the aid, you mentioned that $78 million had already been provided. You
mean you've spent $78 million out of the $350 million pledged.

MR. McCLELLAN: That's right, that's correct.

Q How much of that aid is from contributions by the military? Are you
counting how much they're spending every day?

MR. McCLELLAN: Not logistical support. In terms of this, we're talking
about direct aid in the form of either supplies like water or food, hygiene
kits, things of that nature, or temporary shelter. The military, obviously,
has some of those supplies on hand that they're providing directly. And I
think some of it would be in the form of cash assistance or grants.

But the military -- the logistical support from the military is on top of
that $350 million in aid. So when you're talking about the helicopters that
have been deployed that are working round the clock, and the ships that
have been deployed to the region to help respond and make sure that
humanitarian relief is flowing freely to the region, that's additional
assistance, beyond the direct relief.

Q The other thing is, today CBS has fired four of its personnel who were
involved in the story about the President's service in the National Guard.
Any comment on that?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we felt all along that it was important for CBS to get
to the bottom of this. CBS has taken steps to hold people accountable, and
we appreciate those steps. We also hope that CBS will take steps to prevent
something like this from happening again. I think that the report by the
panel that investigated the matter makes some recommendations it says CBS
should consider. And that's what our position is.

Q Follow-up, follow-up on that, Scott?

MR. McCLELLAN: Not yet, I'll come to you. John, go ahead.

Q Okay, thank you, Scott. Going back to your opening remarks, and the
questions about relief, the London Financial Times reported last week that
a lot of -- well, all of the U.S. aid would now be channeled through the
United Nations and its relief organizations, instead of independently. With
all the controversy and investigations surrounding the U.N.'s financial
practices, why was this decision made, to make such a fundamental change,
and who was responsible for it?

MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, let me back up and walk you through how that
came about. In the immediate aftermath of this human disaster that took
place in the Indian Ocean region, we were able to move quickly with our
partners in India and Japan and Australia to establish what was referred to
as the regional core group. That core group's purpose was to get relief
flowing immediately to those who were suffering in the region. And so that
was its stated purpose. Secretary Powell said from the beginning that he
envisioned that this would go out of business at some point, as it was
merged into the other international relief and response efforts underway.

The United Nations was not in position, we believed, to where that group
could be folded into the United Nations relief efforts. We're coordinating
very closely with the international community in the relief efforts. And we
intend to continue cooperating very closely with the international
community as we move forward on rehabilitation and reconstruction in the
region. And the United Nations, I know, this weekend spoke to some of the
steps they've taken to make sure that the money that they're directing to
the efforts is going to where it should go, and that they're doing that in
a transparent way.

In terms of some of the issues relating to this oil-for-food program
investigation, I think we've made our views very clear. This is a matter
that raises very serious questions. We believe that the investigation
should be done in an open and transparent manner, and that all the facts
should be known, so that everybody can know what occurred. And the
commission has released a number of internal audits in the last day,
publicly. They've also provided those audits to some of the congressional
hearings that are underway on this matter. We believe it should be fully
investigated, and that that is matter that should be done in an open and
transparent way. And so that's a good step, in that sense.

Go ahead, Peter -- I mean Mark. Peter, Mark. Both radio, sorry. I forget
the faces. I hear the voices.

Q Social Security tomorrow, can you describe the forum that's going to take
place? And is the President going to get any more specific about the
proposals that he favors, as opposed to general principles?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, tomorrow I think you're going to have generations
represented on the panel that he's participating in. It's going to be a
conversation on Social Security. And so I think you'll have -- when I say,
"generations," you'll have grandparents represented to middle-age working
Americans or parents, to younger Americans. And I think when you look at my
generation and younger generations, a lot of us don't feel that our Social
Security retirement benefits are going to be around when we retire. We're
not counting on it at this point, because of the fact that the system is
headed toward insolvency.

So I think the President, tomorrow, will continue to highlight the problem
facing Social Security and the need to act to address it now, before it
gets worse, because over time it only gets worse. And so I think, tomorrow,
he'll continue to talk about the problem we face. And it's important that
we have a common understanding of the problem facing Social Security. The
President had a bipartisan commission that looked into the situation and
made some recommendations for fixing it. And he said that would be a guide
for him, moving forward. This is a matter that many Democrats have said is
a problem that needs to be addressed. And the President wants to move
forward in a bipartisan way. So I think it's important, right now, to
continue to talk to the American people about the problem facing Social
Security so that we can move forward in a bipartisan way to get something
done this year.

Q But you're still unable to tell us when we're going to hear specifics?

MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, he indicated -- he indicated, I think in his press
conference, that he would be offering more specific proposals as time goes
by. But I think at this point we're still in the stage of reaching out to
congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle who recognize that this is
a problem and want to solve it, want to work together to solve it. So we're
looking at a number of ideas that are out there that are consistent with
the President's principle that would solve this problem facing Social
Security. Right now we have a more than $10-trillion unfunded liability,
and that's going to put a burden on our children and grandchildren. That's
why we need to act now to solve it.

Q -- it's a crisis, then why not tell us the specifics as soon as possible?

MR. McCLELLAN: For the reasons we've stated repeatedly, that first we need
to have a common understanding of the problem. And so that's what we're
talking about. And secondly, that he wants to -- that this is such an
important issue and such a challenge facing the American people that we
need to move forward in as bipartisan a way as possible to solve it. And
that's the approach that the President is taking.

Q Scott, is the White House 100 percent pleased with the level of
cooperation that you're seeing right now between all the parties to the
peace treaty signed over the weekend in the Sudan? There are reports of
some ongoing violence in the Darfur region.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we remained concerned about violence in the Darfur
region, and we remain concerned about the ability of humanitarian aid to
flow freely to those displaced persons in the region. We do commend the
government and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement for signing the
comprehensive peace agreement. As the President said in his statement
yesterday, what's going to be key now is the implementation of that
agreement, and that as they move forward on that comprehensive agreement
that it is our hope that that will help alleviate the suffering in the
Darfur region.

But the conflict in the Darfur region continues, and this agreement can
serve as an inspiration and model for both sides in that region toward
resolving this in a peaceful way. And we expect all parties in the region
to live up to their cease-fire commitments, to end the atrocities, as the
President said, and to allow for the free movement of humanitarian workers
and supplies. And we will continue to assist the people in Darfur as they
work to reach a lasting peace.

Go ahead, Paula.

Q A moment ago when you said that the President is looking at various ideas
on Social Security that conform with his principles. Does that include the
idea being advanced by the former House Majority Leader Newt Gingrich to
set up a off-budget mechanism rather than changing benefit formula, or
changing benefits at all?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think we've been through this very question before. You've
asked it and I've answered it before. And --

Q -- not about Newt Gingrich's proposal.

MR. McCLELLAN: And as the President develops more specifics, then we will
be talking about the budgeting of that proposal, as well. We are not at
that point. But the President remains open to all ideas that are consistent
with the principles that he outlined. And those principles were very clear:
the need for younger workers to be able to, if they so choose, set up
personal retirements accounts where they could set aside a portion of their
own retirement savings to realize a greater rate of return; the need for no
payroll tax increases; and then to make sure that those at or near
retirement -- for those at or near retirement, that there are no changes in
their Social Security system. But we will talk more about it as we develop
a specific proposal in conjunction with congressional leaders.

Q I want to go back to "Rathergate" for a minute. Four people have been
fired. There's a 224-page report and an eight-page statement --

MR. McCLELLAN: I see you have it there in your hand.

Q -- that's been released. Not a single word of apology to the

President for this episode. Is the White House disappointed in that? Or is
that --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, in fairness, I think CBS has previously expressed
regret about this story airing. In terms of the specific report, it's just
been released this morning. I'm not sure if everybody has had a chance to
fully review the report and look at what the recommendations are, and look
at all the issues they looked at to come to their conclusions.

Q The governor of Baghdad was recently assassinated. Now we learn that an
entire election board in one province has been intimidated by insurgents to
resign, heading to the run-up to the election in Iraq. How close is this
country to dissolving into anarchy? And is the President deeply concerned
that these elections will not give him the result that he's hoping for,
which is the embryonic development of a democracy in Iraq?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think you heard from the President directly on this issue
on Friday. This will be an historic moment for the people of Iraq. Survey
after survey shows that the Iraqi people want to choose their leaders.

Now, I would remind you that this election that will take place on January
30th is one of three elections that will take place in the country over the
course of the next year. This will be to elect a transitional national
government. That transitional government will draft a constitution. Then
they'll also put in place the leadership for that transitional government.
They'll draft a constitution; the people will vote on that constitution;
and then, at the end of the year, the people will be able to elect their
permanently -- permanent representative government. So it's an important
step on the path to democracy.

But as we've indicated, it's not an election that I think you expect will
be perfect. We want a -- best possible election to take place, and we want
the fullest possible participation in that election. But I did a little --
had someone do a little research, and if you go back to our first popular
vote that was recorded in the United States -- I think it was 1824, at
least according to what we were able to pull together -- and there was a
population of nearly 11 million people in the country. We had 356,000
people participating in that election. So democracy takes time to build,
but the Iraqi people are committed to moving forward on a free and
democratic and peaceful future. And we are there to support them every step
of the way.

The terrorists want to delay the election because they want to return to
the past of tyranny and oppression and brutality. But they will fail. The
Iraqi people want a future that is based on democratic values and freedom.

We saw what took place in the Palestinian areas just yesterday. That was a
hopeful moment for the Palestinian people. The election on January 30th in
Iraq will be a hopeful moment for the Iraqi people. But it is only one step
-- a significant step on the path to democracy. And we will be there to
support them every step of the way. You have more than 14 million Iraqis
who are registered to vote. We expect millions will actually do so in a
matter of a couple of weeks. You have close to 19,000 candidates, and you
have more than 100 coalition and parties that have put themselves forward
on that ballot. So I think that shows the desire of the Iraqi people to
choose their leaders.

Go ahead. And then -- go ahead, and then Ed.

Q -- in the Los Angeles Times said yesterday that -- -- (inaudible) -- Iran
is pumping millions of dollars into Iraq. What's your comment --

MR. McCLELLAN: My comment is what we have said before, that all nations in
the region have a responsibility to help the Iraqi people as they move
forward on building a free and peaceful future. Iran, as Syria and others
in the region have stated and signed in documents -- they said that they
will make sure that they can play a -- that they play a constructive role
in Iraq's future. Those countries should not be trying to influence the
outcomes of the election. They should be trying to help support the Iraqi
people as they build a democratic and peaceful future. And they've made
commitments to that effect, and we expect them to follow through on those
commitments and play a constructive role in Iraq's future.

Q How did the President learn of the CBS development? And what was his
direct reaction?

MR. McCLELLAN: His reaction is my reaction to the report. And he was
reformed -- informed this morning right after reports hit the wires.

Go ahead, April.

Q Scott, back on Social Security. Some of your critics are calling the
personal investment account issue the "wheel of misfortune." They're saying
there's no such thing as safe investment in the stock market, and it's
basically a lottery for young Americans. Depending on when you're born, it
could be a high rate of return or a low rate of return. Any comments?

MR. McCLELLAN: My comments would be to read the bipartisan Social Security
Commission report, because Senator Moynihan and the other members of that
commission looked at the current Social Security situation, recognized the
crisis facing Social Security, and called for the need to strengthen Social
Security for future generations to enjoy. And in that, they pointed to the
Thrift Savings Plan, the Federal Employee Thrift Savings Plan, as an
example of how to move forward on establishing personal retirement
accounts.

Now, mind you, these are Democrats and Republicans that are calling for
personal retirement accounts, because they recognize that younger workers
can realize a greater rate of return on their benefits than they would
under the current system now, if they're allowed to invest a portion of
their own retirement savings into personal retirement accounts. And it
talked about the great rate of return that federal employees have realized
from the Thrift Savings Plan, substantially above what people are realizing
from their Social Security benefits right now.

And so that's why the President believes it's important. It's also -- he
also believes it's important for individuals to have more ownership over
their own retirement savings. And so this will strengthen the system.
That's what -

Q People, on average, know the stock market isn't safe. You go from the
business sector to the financial sector to anywhere, it's pretty much just
not a safe bet. What -- you said from that podium that you're looking for
safe investments. What do you term -- what is the definition of "safe?"

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I just pointed to an example, the Thrift Savings Plans
and the mutual funds you're talking about under that plan. And look at what
people have realized from their investments in the thrift savings plan.
That information is publicly available.

Thank you.

END 1:41 P.M. EST
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