White House Gaggle

By Victoria Jones
White House Gaggle
May 14, 2007
By Victoria Jones

The President had his usual briefings. At 1.25 pm, he will make an announcement in the Rose Garden about his directing the administration to implement his 20 in 10 plan to reduce the nation’s addiction to oil. At 2.00 pm, there will be a conference call with reporters with the EPA administrator, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Agriculture and deputy Secretary of Energy.

Iran Talks

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow was asked about the forthcoming talks with Iran about Iraq. He said that this provides an opportunity to talk about only Iraq. It reiterates the fact that if the Iranians want to play a positive role in Iraq, the US is open to that. This would include ceasing the shipment of EFPs and other weaponry, and also doing other things to ensure the security of the Iraqi people. He did not know when the talks would take place.

Full diplomatic recognition is still not going to happen, Snow said. The United States has been very clear about what the Iranians have to do to get that, and has the support of the European allies. That policy remains in effect. This is an opportunity to talk specifically about Iraq. There have been opportunities in the past. The Iranians did not avail themselves of it.

Vice President Cheney

Snow was asked whether the Vice President’s "ultimatum" to Iran on the battleship have the full blessing of the President. Snow replied that the Vice President did not issue any ultimatums. He merely expressed US policy that is backed up by international law. The International Law of the Sea Treaty requires nations to permit safe passage of vessels, especially through straits and narrows.

Snow was advised to read the daily numbers of the dead in news stories every day. He said the people killing think it is good for them. In some cases they go on the internet and glorify it, and there is pornography of violence, so they can persuade other people to join them. The US is saying with the Iraqis that there is an alternative to this.

War Funding Bill

Snow was asked if there are any new negotiating sessions on the war funding bill. Snow said he was not aware of anything that Josh Bolten has scheduled for today. Members of the negotiating team are in contact with the Hill every day.

G8 Statement

Snow was asked if the administration objects to the inclusion of greenhouse gas reduction if the statement coming out of the G8. Snow said we work through these issues with our allies, and he declined to talk about preliminary discussions.

Missing US Soldiers

Snow was asked if he has any information on the missing US soldiers. He said the US is not discussing anything publicly about that, and encouraged the press not to leap to conclusions. He did not even want to go so far to characterize what happened. Asked if he would not characterize it as a kidnapping, Snow said he would make no characterization at this point.

Paul Wolfowitz

Snow was asked whether, if the World Bank votes on Wolfowitz this week, the President will continue to give him his full support. He said he would not answer a question based on things that have not happened. Wolfowitz has an opportunity to present his case. The Bank has its own process. The President supports him. That remains unchanged. Asked if the President has made any calls to world leaders about Wolfowitz, Snow said that he did not think so.