White House Gaggle

By Ellen Ratner
President’s Schedule:

President Bush made an announcement about his nominee for the new Treasury Secretary
in the Rose Garden. Earlier today he had his intelligence briefing. He will then
meet with ‘outside’ experts on Iraq which will include Fouad Ajami from Johns

Hopkins University, Michael Vickers from the Center for Strategic and Budgetary
Assessments, Wayne Downing from the US Military Academy, Amir Taheri and Former
General Barry McCaffery.

He will attend the credentialing ceremony for the Ambassador from Iraq and will
spend time this afternoon on economic policy. Later this evening he will have dinner
with some family members from Flight 93 and view the movie in the family theater
with them.

Over the weekend the president called the President of Indonesia and offered help.
He had a private dinner with King Abdullah of Jordan on Sunday in the residence.

Earthquake:

USAID is sending five million dollars. There will be a military medical team based
in Japan sent to the area as well as the USAID disaster team. The USS Essex is on
its way to the area.

Iran:

The United States’ position is to consult the EU team on the incentives package.
There will be a meeting on Thursday in Vienna. Dana said the obligations of the
Iranians are clear and that they must suspend
enrichment.

Problems in Iraq:

Helen Thomas asked if the president read newspapers concerning what was happening in
Iraq. Dana said that the president was "very well informed". When asked if the
president was personally disturbed by the Haditha allegations, Dana said that he had
full confidence that the military would be able to investigate this. Dana did not
know when he was informed of this.

Secretary Snow’s resignation:

Dana said that Secretary Snow said he would like to leave earlier in the year and
that Chief of Staff Josh Bolton ran point on finding a new nominee.

Meeting with Auto Executives:

A reported meeting with auto executives is not on the president’s schedule for Friday.