White House Gaggle

By Victoria Jones
White House Gaggle
February 20, 2007
By Victoria Jones

President’s Schedule

The President had his usual briefings. At 10.10 am, the President participates in the ceremonial swearing in of the Director of National Intelligence. He has a meeting on health care initiatives at 1.15pm, and policy time at 2.05 pm.

Iran

Iran has said that it will suspend uranium enrichment only if western nations do the same. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow was asked what he thought of this. He asked the reporter if he thought it was a serious offer. Snow said the international community has said to Iran that it can have nuclear power but not nuclear weapons.

Snow was asked if it was fair for everyone in the world to stand down on nuclear weapons enrichment. He said no. Asked if it was acceptable for the US to have nuclear weapons, Snow replied that it was.

Snow was asked if the US agrees with Muhammad al Baradei’s assessment that Iran is six months away from nuclear achievement. Snow said he would not cavil at al Baradei’s assessment. They would look for the larger IAEA report, which is due out soon.

Asked if the US would push for more sanctions if Iran does not suspend enrichment, Snow said there would likely be more diplomatic activity. "The deadline is tomorrow, we await the IAEA report, " Snow said.

Al Qaeda

Snow was asked whether he agreed with a report in the New York Times that states that Al Qaeda is on the rise. He said Al Qaeda is trying to adapt and adjust. The old leadership structure was shattered in the wake of the war in Afghanistan. However, this is a determined enemy. In the last couple of years, we have seen an attempt by the Taliban with Al Qaeda’s assistance to become more of a force on the battlefield, especially in southern Afghanistan. Al Qaeda still is a serious player and needs to be dealt with seriously.

Asked whether the administration has taken its eye off the ball, Snow replied that that was not true. The President had a series of meetings last year with the presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan to talk about this. There was a redeployment of NATO forces within Afghanistan to deal with this threat. There have been a series of discussions about what to expect with the new offensive. At the same time there has been aggressive intelligence activity all over the world to try to keep track of Al Qaeda.

People think if things are not public, that nothing is being done, and quite often some of the significant battles, as the President said on 20 September 2001, are things that are never going to make headlines because they are done behind the scenes. It is simply wrong to suggest that at any time the United States is taking its eye off the ball, or that it is not capable of contemplating action in more than one theater.

Snow was asked how much of a problem it is not to be able to go into Waziristan to look for Usama bin Laden. Snow said he could not comment on military operations. The US continues to talk with the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan about the problem of cross border incursions. It is a priority.

Snow was asked whether there is a change in the level of concern about Al Qaeda. Snow said no. There has never been any diminution in the US’ belief that Al Qaeda is a threat. There are other players in the game as well. It is a mistake to look at the war on terror as a two party issue. There is a global terror network. Some parts are well organized and some are not.

Healthcare Events

Snow was asked for his assessment of the progress of the President’s healthcare initiative. He said the reception on Capitol Hill is one that both parties are looking at with interest. Democrats feel under some obligation to get things done. The President has put together some serious proposals. We have found that a number of Democrats as well as Republicans have been receptive to all the major items the President has put forward.

Snow said the event today is talking about the importance of free markets and health care, and how they can better meet the needs of individual consumers. One of the real frustrations of the health care system is that it does not create products that are tailored to anybody’s individual needs, but rather to large corporate needs. The President will talk about the possibility of a competitive market that will deliver more care at a lower price, as we have seen in the prescription drug benefit.

Baghdad Briefing Transcript

Asked if there was an update on obtaining the Baghdad briefing transcript, Snow said no, but suggested that what General Pace said was what he meant. It was pointed out that a transcript had been requested. Snow recommended talking to colleagues, and said that the slides were available everywhere. The reporter wanted to know about the "highest officials" statement, the context and whatever else may have been said. Snow said he was hoping to get something, but did not have it. This has been blown out of proportion. There may not be a clean tape that can be transcribed.

Non-Binding Resolutions/Congress

Snow was asked whether, now that a non-binding resolution has been passed in the House of Representatives, the President expects a major battle. Snow replied that he did not know. It is up to Members of Congress. The President is committed to funding the troops in the field, the reinforcements and also the supplemental care and equipment that they will need to continue conducting their missions, not only in Iraq, but in Afghanistan and around the world. The President will be arguing strongly for his supplemental request.

Indictments in Italy

Snow was asked if there was any substantive US government reaction to the indictments in Italy. He suggested talking to the State Department. He did not know if the US is talking to Italy.