The Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discussed the United States’ policy towards Asia at the Heritage Foundation. Rice talked about the rise of Asia and how it is reshaping the world today. She explained that the United States is actually in a stronger position in Asia now than at any other time in the past. (more…)
National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley says at an address to the Proliferation Society Initiative that North Korea has shut down plutonium production, and must continue to fulfill other obligations, such as declaring all nuclear programs, dismantling the plutonium production infrastructure, and ending all proliferation activity. He hopes for a Korean peninsula that is “once again free from nuclear weapons.” (0:40)
National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley spoke at the Proliferation Society Initiative fifth anniversary meeting and said that North Korea and Iran are still great proliferation risks. Hadley said that the position of the U.S. and many other nations is to not betray future generations by allowing Iran to have nuclear weapons. He said the door is still open to negotiations only if Iran suspends their uranium enrichment program.
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Briefer: Dana Perino
By: Ellen Ratner
Schedule:
The President had a private meeting with the King of Jordan in the dining room off the Oval Office. On the King’s visit, Dana said that the President had lots vested in mideast peace talks and that it was good that leaders could talk frankly with the President. He had his usual briefings and then will give the Medal of Honor to Dr. DeBakey. Later he has a photo op with Johns Hopkins donors, and then he will give the Baldridge Award.
Taxes:
The White House wants people to know that it is important for every taxpayer to fill out 1040A form so that they will get a stimulus rebate. This is available for anyone who makes $3,000 plus per year.
North Korea and the Syrians:
Dana said that they would continue to brief members of Congress on national intelligence.
Equal Pay Bill:
Dana would not comment on the bill or if the President would veto as she said they might not be able to get the votes for cloture in the Senate.
Pakistan:
Dana would not comment on reports that the Pakistani government is working with the Taliban militants. She said however that they are “concerned about these types of approaches.”
President’s Remarks Yesterday on Economy:
Dana said that we don’t know what this period is yet and we do not have the data yet, and that the President wants more robust growth in the country.
Farm Bill:
There may be a push for a one-year extension if they can’t get it done.
President Bush, during a press availability with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, addresses “rumors” that the United States is willing to accept less than a full declaration of North Korea’s nuclear programs. President Bush says that North Korea must first make a declaration, and only then will the United States determine whether the declaration is adequate. (1:34)
Briefer: Dana Perino
President’s Schedule
President Bush has his normal briefings this morning at 8 am.
At 9.45 am, the President makes remarks to the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. At 11.10 am, the President will participate in an interview with April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks. This afternoon at 1:45 pm, he will meet with former Cabinet Secretaries and Senior Government Officials on Free Trade Agreements. At 2 pm, the President will make remarks on “Picturing America” Initiative in the East Room of the White House.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.45 pm today. (more…)
At the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Budget for Fiscal Year 2009 Hearing, Representative Illeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), said there are many developments in the present that were of concern. At the top of the list, she said, is the “accelerating spread of the capacity to make nuclear weapons.” She said the threat to the world’s security is obvious, and said the nuclear fuel in a reactor can be used in “dirty bombs.” (more…)
Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) discusses the goals associated with the denuclearization of North Korea during this morning’s Senate Froeign Relations Committee hearing on the Korean Peninsula Six-Party Talks. (0:50)
January 29, 2008
Briefer: Tony Fratto
By: Ellen Ratner
Schedule:
The President had his normal briefings. This morning he has an interview with Morton Kondracke. Then he will go to Baltimore to make remarks on faith based program at the Jericho Program. This is the seventh anniversary of the President’s Faith Based Program. Later he will sign the Executive Order on earmarks that he announced during his State of the Union Address last night. Then he will meet with the Joint Chiefs and Combatant Commanders. This is an annual meeting. A list of participants will be coming from the White House later in the day. The House will vote on HR 5140, the Economic Stimulus bill. On Wednesday the President will fly to California and will discuss Free Trade. On Thursday he will go to Las Vegas and will discuss FISA and the Global War on Terror. On Friday he will go to Kansas City. Data will be available on jobs on Friday.
Financial/Budget Package:
In terms of an economic stimulus the White House said that the solution worked out between the Congress and the Administration will provide immediate tax relief and be large enough to make a difference. The budget will be presented on February 4th. The President will deliver a package that creates a budget surplus by 2012.
FISA:
The President will veto a thirty day extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act . When asked why the White House said they needed FISA and could not get a warrant. White House Spokesman Tony Fratto responded that the Senate had six months to pass a bill.
Asked why the President did not mention
