White House Gaggle

By Victoria Jones
The President began the day with his usual briefings. He also met with
the National Security Council. He looks forward to welcoming President
and Senator Clinton back to the White House for the unveiling of their

portraits. This afternoon the President will travel to Missouri. He
will participate in a conversation on Medicare-approved prescription drug
discount cards.

Vatican

Scott McClellan was asked about the President’s conversation with
Cardinal Sodano while he was in Rome, in which he apparently asked that
US Catholic bishops speak out more on certain issues, such as same sex
marriage and abortion. McClellan stated that it was a good private
discussion, and that they share a number of priorities. He said that the
positions of the President and the Vatican are well known on these
issues.

State Department Report on Terrorism

A question was asked about the State Department report on terrorism
which, it turns out, incorrectly showed a decline last year in terrorism
worldwide. McClellan was asked if the President received similar numbers to the ones in the discredited report and whether it was on the basis of those numbers that he has made his comments about where we are in the war on terror. McClellan stated that the State Department is working to get to
the root of how the mistakes occurred, and to correct them. He said he
was not aware that the White House used any of the numbers in the report.

Stem Cell Research

McClellan was asked if the President is willing to consider any expansion
of his stated policy. McClellan replied that the President is strongly
committed to advancing medical research and combating disease. He said
we are still conducting basic research to understand stem cell research.
He said that National Institutes of Health funding is up 40% since 2001,
and that Alzheimer’s research funding is also significantly increased.
He said it is important to conduct research in a way that does not cross
the moral threshold that the President has set. His position remains the
same. The President does not believe, McClellan said, that we should
create life for the sole purpose of destroying life.

ETI Legislation

In response to a question about the administration’s position on
extraterritorial income exclusion (ETI), McClellan replied that the
position remains the same, and said they continue to encourage Congress
to replace ETI with tax provisions that promote the competitiveness of
American manufacturers and other job creators.

President Clinton’s Book

McClellan said he has not spoken with President Bush about whether the
President intends to read the book. He said that the President will
offer very gracious remarks and words of praise for President Clinton’s
decades of service when he speaks at the portrait unveiling today.

Missing American in Saudi Arabia

McClellan said that the US is working with Saudi Arabia on this matter,
and is in close contact with the family.

Situation in Iraq

In response to a question referring to the International Committee of the
Red Cross apparently calling the situation in Iraq a crisis, McClellan
said that we are making important progress, the Iraqi people are taking
more responsibility, and there has been progress made at the UN, but that
dangers remain. Enemies of freedom, he said, seek to undermine the
transition from oppression to democracy.