White House Gaggle

By Ellen Ratner
White House Gaggle
January 3, 2007
Briefer: Scott Stezel
By: Ellen Ratner

President’s Schedule:

The President had his normal briefings. He has a Cabinet meeting at 9:30 and will make a statement in the Rose Garden afterwards. His statement will focus on the new Congress, fiscal discipline and domestic priorities as was the topic of his op-ed in the Wall Street Journal this morning. At 5:30 today he will have a reception for bi-partisan leaders of Congress.

Saddam Execution:

Asked about the White House’s view of the new information about the execution (video), Scott said that General Caldwell and the United States Embassy have expressed their concerns. He said the real focus of the President is the way forward to peace and stability. The President was informed that the execution was going to happen by the National Security Adviser Mr. Hadley at 6:15 pm on Friday night and the President "concluded his day knowing the process was on its way". Asked if the President gave the green light, Scott said that that it was the Iraqi’s judicial process and referred the press to the multi-national forces in Iraq. He would not answer if the Bush Administration made a case to Iraqi PM Maliki to slow down the process. Scott said that the US Government "was an observer in that process".
Asked if that was so since the US Military turned over the body and carried the body from the execution he said "The President was focused on the Iraq judicial process". Scott said that the President had not seen the cell phone video as that was" not his focus".

Iraq Speech:

Scott said no time has been set for the Iraq speech. He will be consulting with his advisors and working with Military advisors. He wanted to give the new Secretary of Defense time to travel to Iraq. Scott said this is an entire package of options and the President wants to announce it as a whole. The Administration will consult with members of Congress "as we lead up to the speech".

FBI Records and Guantanamo:

The President believes that everyone should be treated with humanity, dignity and respect and referred questions to the Defense Department. When asked about the White House being in charge of the Defense Department he referred the question back to the Defense Department.