White House Gaggle

By Lovisa Frost
White House Gaggle
December 6, 2005

The President’s Schedule

The President had his usual intelligence briefings. At 9.45 am, the
President and Mrs. Bush will do an interview with People Magazine for its

special edition. They will be talking about the first year of the second
term, and how they look forward to the next year. At 10.45 am, the
President will be meeting with the Director-General of the World Health
Organization and discuss pandemic flu preparedness.
At 12.05 pm, President Bush will make remarks at the Republican National
Committee Luncheon. This afternoon, the President has some policy time,
but will also meet with Jewish educators. The event is the beginning of
the Hanukkah reception at the White House. This evening, he will be
lighting the menorah and making remarks in honor of the Hanukkah
celebration.

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan will be briefing at 12.15 pm
today.

Schedule updates: German Chancellor Merkel, who was scheduled to come to
Washington D.C. on January 11th, has postponed her visit to January 13th.
On January 17, the Prime Minister of Belgium will be visiting the White
House.

Iraq

McClellan said that the President is focused on the plan for victory, and
he will continue to talk about this tomorrow, making remarks at the
Council on Foreign Relations. McClellan said, "We are on the verge of
historic accomplishments." He also talked about the progress made in Iraq,
such as the Iraqi security forces patrolling more territory. He continued
to discuss the political front, where he said that the Iraqi people have
shown they are determined to live in freedom.
When asked if there is a concern in the White House that the way the
Saddam Hussein trial is playing out will interfere with due process,
McClellan said, "Saddam Hussein is facing justice for the atrocities he
committed against the Iraqi people and against humanity. The Iraqi people
are holding him to account."
Reporters asked what the President thinks about Saddam Hussein trying to lord
over the courtroom and McClellan answered, "It sounds like you are
looking more at those issues than he is. He believes that it’s up to the
Iraqi people to hold him accountable."

Pandemic Flu Preparedness

The President continues to build up on what has already been outlined in
the national strategy for pandemic flu in Asia. Secretary Leavitt made an
announcement yesterday about state and local authorities, and helping them
have plans in place that are coordinated and consistent with the national
efforts.