White House Gaggle

By Nicolas Ferreyros
August 2, 2004

President’s Schedule:

The President spoke this morning with Portugal’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Pedro Santana Lopes. The President congratulated Mr. Santana Lopes on recently becoming Prime Minister. "Both leaders expressed their commitment to continue our close ties including common efforts to support the people of Iraq, to fight international terrorism and to continue strengthening the transatlantic alliance as it takes on new tasks in Afghanistan and Iraq." The President then had his usual briefings. He participated in a Homeland Security council meeting, which included an update on the recent threat alert and the responses we are taking. The President will meet with his Cabinet shortly and the meeting is expected to focus on the economy and homeland security. Following the meeting, the President will be joined by national security and homeland security officials around 11:20 AM in the Rose Garden where he will be, "making remarks on steps we are taking beyond the many already underway to move forward on the recommendations from the 9/11 Commission." The President and Mrs. Bush will then participate in an interview with Redbook Magazine for its November issue followed by a meeting with the Secretary of State this afternoon.

9/11 Commission

Asked if the President would discuss the 9/11 Commission’s suggestions for a National Director of Intelligence or a new CIA director, McClellan replied that now that the task force has completed its review of the recommendations, he expects the President will, "discuss his support for the creation of a National Intelligence Director and also talk about the actions that we will be taking to establish a National Counterterrorism Center." He also expects the President to, "express his strong support for the Commission’s recommendations on congressional oversight reorganization" and that he will actually, "go beyond what it recommends as well, specifically when it comes to the proliferation or spread of WMD’s." The President, "wants Congress to move quickly and responsibly" where action is needed by the Congress on implementing suggestions of the 9/11 Commission. The President agrees with the conclusion of the 9/11 Commission that America is safer because of the actions that we have taken since September 11th, but that we are not yet safe. The President has made it very clear that where action is needed beyond what we are already doing, he will act. His most solemn obligation is the protection of the American people."

National Intelligence Director

Asked about the location of the office of a National Intelligence Director, McClellan responded that he first wants the President to make his remarks. However, he said, "it is very important to make sure that the intelligence is independent and that we even look at ways to strengthen that independence." Talk has already been made about, "the importance of limiting undue influence on intelligence." McClellan said that the undue influence was from undue political influence and pressure. "Under the President’s leadership, this administration has moved forward on the most sweeping reforms to our national security institution in some 50 years. Asked if the President was planning to announce the name of a new national intelligence director, McClellan clearly said that he would not be doing so, but that he would be discussing his support for the position of a director. Questioned about specifics of the possible new position or actions to be taken, McClellan said that more will be discussed after the President makes his remarks today.

Terror Threat

Asked to comment on the terror threat announcements made yesterday and the impact that they might have on the financial markets, McClellan said that the threats are from recent information that has come to light and that appropriate officials are continuing to analyze the information and learn more. Because of the specificity and credibility of that information, it was, "important to share the information publicly . . . As we learn more we will share information appropriately."