White House Gaggle

By Meganne Britton
White House Gaggle

By Meganne Britton

President’s Schedule

The President attended his usual briefings this morning. This morning he met with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The president will tape his weekly Radio Address today which will be on Monday’s release of the National Drug Policy. At 11:25 President Bush welcomes German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. The president will be participating in a meeting with the Chancellor to discuss issues of terrorism and creating a peaceful Europe. Then the President will have lunch with the Chancellor. This afternoon the president will be signing an executive order on the national community service programs. The order will implement many of the key reforms proposed in the Citizen’s Service Act. Later today, the president will leave for Camp David for the weekend. Press Secretary McClellan will brief again at 2 pm.

Haiti

When questioned on the possibility that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was meeting with President Bush to discuss the use of military action in Haiti, McClellan said the Bush Administration continues to maintain focus on a political solution in Haiti. McClellan said the administration is "actively working to make sure humanitarian efforts are reaching those who need it." According to the press secretary the administration will continue to work with the international community to commit to an international security force as a political solution. McClellan said "we remain actively engaged on a diplomatic front with other nations" to solve the political situation in Haiti. When asked about the French request for the Haitian president to step aside, McClellan said the discussions for the solution were ongoing.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder

The German Chancellor is visiting today. When questioned about the possibility of a German request to bid on Iraq reconstruction, McClellan said "we will let the meeting take place." McClellan also said that nations would be able to participate in subcontracting in Iraq. The press secretary mentioned the appreciation the administration has for the German commitment to reduce Iraq’s debt by the end of 2004.

9/11 Commission

Press Secretary McClellan said the president looks forward to meeting with the Chair and Vice Chair of the 9/11 commission. The president will meet with the two members of the commission for one hour to discuss the information necessary for the commission to complete its review. McClellan reinforced the strong support the president has for the commission. McClellan mentioned the "unprecedented cooperation" the Bush administration has provided to the 9/11 commission. When asked about why President Bush will only meet with the chair and vice chair of the committee he said "we have great confidence that the chairman and vice-chairman can share all the information with the rest of the commission."

The Week Ahead

On Monday the president will be attending the National Republican Senatorial Committee reception. The president will mark the one year anniversary of the creation of the Homeland Security office on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the president will be traveling to Los Angeles to make comments at the White House conference with faith based and community initiatives. He will then attend a Bush-Cheney 2004 luncheon in Los Angeles, and a Republican National Committee Victory 2004 dinner. On Thursday the president will participate in a conversation on the economy in Bakersfield, California, followed by a Bush-Cheney 2004 luncheon in Santa Clara, California. Thursday evening the president will be traveling to Crawford, Texas. On Friday there will be pool coverage for the arrival of the President of Mexico Vicente Fox and Mrs. Marta de Fox. On Saturday President Bush will meet with the President of Mexico. There are no events to announce for Sunday. The president will attend a Bush-Cheney 2004 luncheon followed by the Houston livestock show and rodeo in Houston, Texas and a Bush-Cheney 2004 reception. The president is scheduled to return to Washington, D.C. on Monday March 8.