White House Gaggle

By Jay Tamboli
President’s Schedule:

This morning the President received a phone call from Afghanistan’s President, Hamid Karzai, thanking President Bush for the completion of the Kabul to Kandahar road. Bush congratulated Karzai on his work to get the project completed, and the two talked about the completion of the road, the beginning of the Constitutional Loya Jirga, and the capture of Saddam Hussein. The President had his usual briefings this morning, and today he has scheduled several bill signings, including the Can Spam Act, the African-American History and Culture Act, the Hometown Heroes and Survivors Benefits Act, and the American Dream Down Payment Act. At 10:20 the President will be interviewed by Diane Sawyer, to be aired tonight. Announcing the briefing schedule for today, Press Secretary McClellan said, "Secretary Rumsfeld and General Pace are at 1:30, and my briefing has been cancelled . . . oh, wait, that was yesterday. [laughter from press corps] I’m at 12:30." Secretary Evans will read "Cowboy Night Before Christmas" at 8 PM on the White House website.

Iraq’s debt:

Baker met this morning with the Iraqi Finance Minister and the Central Bank Governor to discuss Iraq’s debt. Baker then met with France President Chirac and had a "good discussion." Baker believes they have come to an agreement on reducing the debt burden. Baker will be meeting with German Chancellor Schroeder later today. Estimates of Iraq’s total debt are "in the neighborhood" of $120 billion. Questioned as to why the US does not set an example by forgiving Iraq’s debt to us, McClellan responded that the Iraqi debt discussions were just beginning. Asked if reconstruction contracts had come up in Secretary Baker’s discussions, McClellan replied that lines of communication are open.

Tribunal for Saddam Hussein:

Asked about updates on a tribunal for Saddam, McClellan said only that the capture was recent and the he would keep us updated. He pointed to the President’s statements yesterday and emphasized the role the Iraqi people will take in any proceedings. McClellan did say, though, that there is a continued need to interrogate Saddam Hussein. McClellan would not say how often the President is being briefed on Saddam Hussein, saying only that he is briefed "regularly."

Other:

Asked about David Kay’s investigations into weapons of mass destruction, McClellan said that the search is ongoing. McClellan said that the President was glad Secretary Powell’s surgery went well. The two had not spoken since the surgery, but the President wishes Powell a speedy recovery. McClellan said that tomorrow’s events at Kitty Hawk are an opportunity to commemorate a milestone in our history, but said no policy announcements will be made.