White House Gaggle

By Lovisa Frost
February 22, 2006

President’s Schedule

President Bush had his usual intelligence briefings this morning, followed by a meeting with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. At 10.45 am, the President will make remarks to the Asian Society at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C. The remarks presented today will be a preview of

his trip to India and Pakistan and are expected to include topics such as prosperity, fighting terrorism, advancing democracy, expanding free and fair trade as well as meeting common energy needs in a responsible way.

Upon his return to the White House, the President has his weekly lunch with Vice President Cheney.

This afternoon at 1.50 pm, President Bush will participate in a round table interview with press from India and Pakistan. At 2.40 pm, the President and Mrs. Bush participate in a photo opportunity with crew members of the space shuttle Discovery.

At 3 pm, he will make remarks at the Celebration of African American History Month and take part in the presentation of the President’s Volunteer Service Awards in the East Room of the White House.

Tonight, the President and Mrs. Bush are hosting a screening of the movie "Glory Road", in the Family Theatre followed by dinner.

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan briefs the press at 12.30 pm today.
(Please note: The President travels to India on March 1st and continues to Pakistan on March 4th).

Energy

Today following the President’s visit to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Secretary of Energy will announce $160 million in support of the President’s bio-fuel initiative.

Iraq

On behalf of the American people, President Bush extends the deepest condolences to the people of Iraq for the brutal attack on one of holiest
sites in Shiite Islam. The United States condemns this act of violence in the strongest terms.

Port Operations

When asked about people opposing the change of port operations, McClellan expressed the view of the President saying that it is up to those individuals to explain why a company from the Middle East should be held to a different standard than a British company. McClellan said, "This transaction was carefully scrutinized . . . counter-terrorism experts looked at it, the Intelligence Committee did assessments to make sure that there was no national security threat. There are a number of safeguards in place and we will continue to explain that to the American people." McClellan also said that they will continue to talk to members of Congress to make sure that they have the facts. "The President believes that it is the right thing to do." McClellan also talked about the United Arab Emirates as a strong partner in the War on Terrorism and our close relationship with them.

When asked about the political issue this poses, McClellan said that the President does not view it like that. "Port security remains under the
control of the federal government; the Coast Guard oversees the physical security and the Customs and Boarder Patrol oversees the security of the cargo coming in to the ports."

McClellan was also asked if the President expects top Republicans in the House and Senate to back down on this issue. He stated that the administration is continuing to work at making sure that they have the facts and understand the safeguards put in place. This is an issue that has been covered in the press over the last few months . . . , "but I think that we already expressed that we should have, despite the significant number of transactions that go through this
process each year, this is one that we probably should have consulted or briefed Congress sooner," McClellan said. When asked when the President first became aware of the deal, McClellan replied that President Bush just recently learned about it over the last days. "If there had been concerns about national security threats, then I am sure that additional steps would have been taken."

McClellan also stated that the President made sure to check with all the Cabinet Secretaries that are part of this process, even after this got more
attention in the press, to make sure that they were comfortable with the decision that was made.