04 October 2001
Transcript: White House Press Briefing, October 4, 2001
(Secretary Thompson/anthrax incident, Bush statement of
sympathy/Russian plane crash, Prime Minister Blair/release of document
on terrorism, Pakistan/evidence on bin Laden involvement, aid to
Afghanistan, stimulus package, Attorney General Ashcroft/terrorism,
worker assistance proposal, terrorist groups on asset-freeze list, GOP
leadership meeting, airline security personnel, Palestinian state)
(6120)
White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer and Health and Human
Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson briefed.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
October 4, 2001
PRESS BRIEFING BY ARI FLEISCHER AND SECRETARY OF HHS TOMMY THOMPSON
INDEX
Secretary Thompson/brief on anthrax incident
When was President informed
President's statement of sympathy/Russian plane crash
Possible terrorism
President's schedule
Prime Minister Blair/release of document on terrorism
Pakistan/evidence on bin Laden involvement
Aid to Afghanistan
Stimulus package
Attorney General Ashcroft/terrorism
Worker assistance proposal
Terrorist groups on asset-freeze list
GOP leadership meeting
Airline security personnel
Palestinian state/President's view
MR. FLEISCHER: Good afternoon. Before I begin the briefing, I just
want to, for a few brief moments, introduce you to Secretary of Health
and Human Services Tommy Thompson, and Dr. Scott Lillibridge, also of
the Department of Health and Human Services, formerly of the Centers
for Disease Control. They want to just share a little information to
follow up an announcement that was made earlier today by officials in
the state of Florida, at a news conference that concluded just a
little time ago.
Secretary Thompson.
SECRETARY THOMPSON: Thank you very much, Ari. And let me, as Ari
indicated, just bring you up to date with the information that we have
concerning the incident that took place in the state of Florida, and
also following up on the information that the state of Florida has
released within the last hour.
The Centers for Disease Control has just confirmed the diagnosis of
anthrax in a patient in a Florida hospital. Based on what we know at
this point, it appears it is an isolated case. I want to make sure
that everybody understands that anthrax is not contagious and is not
communicable, which means it does not spread from person to person. If
it is caught early enough, it can be prevented and treated with
antibiotics. The Centers for Disease Control has a ready supply, and
if our investigation shows anyone else needs treatment, they will be
notified and treated.
Our public health reporting system worked in a very timely fashion, as
I indicated in my testimony yesterday. Florida public health officials
promptly notified their state health department, who then notified the
Centers for Disease Control and the FBI. And officials are
aggressively investigating the individual's schedule for the last two
weeks and the source of the infection.
I want everybody to understand that sporadic cases of anthrax do occur
in the United States. The most recent one was within the past year in
the state of Texas. And there was a case in Florida in 1974. The last
reported case that we know of was within the last year -- was earlier
in Texas.
The rapid identification of this case in Florida certainly may be a
result of the heightened level of disease monitoring being done by the
public health and medical community. This is the disease monitoring
system in action and it is working. People need to understand that our
public health system is on heightened alert, so we may have more
public reports of what appears to be isolated cases. We will be
responding very aggressively.
But I want to point out once again that this is an isolated case, and
it's not contagious.
Q: Mr. Secretary, given what we know, is there any reason to believe
this is a result of terrorism?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: It appears that this is just an isolated case.
There's no evidence of terrorism -- at this --
Q: Mr. Secretary, do we know if this particular individual had contact
with raw wool? Was he a gardener, working in the ground?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: We have the FBI and we have dispatched, as I said
yesterday in the testimony, as soon as we heard anything suspicious,
we have our CDC officials there, on the ground. And they are going to
go through -- the last couple weeks, go to the restaurants. He
traveled to North Carolina. We've also dispatched people from CDC to
North Carolina, to the communities that he was there. We're checking
with his neighbors. We're investigating with the FBI all known places
and all the things that he might have ingested.
Q: Mr. Secretary, what are some of the sources that could cause such
an infection?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: That's why the doctor is here.
And do you want to answer that?
DR. LILLIBRIDGE: Sure. Sporadic cases may occur from contact with
wool, animal products, hides, that sort of thing. And occasionally we
don't know the context of these. These are sporadic, episodic things
that happen from time to time.
Q: But how sporadic? You just named two cases last year in Texas and
then Florida in 1974. That's two --
SECRETARY THOMPSON: They're very rare. It's very rare.
Q: So this is the third since 1974?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: We don't know that, but this is a confirmed, and
at this point in time, it's an isolated case. And there is no other
indications anybody else has got anthrax.
Q: Do you know if he happened to work around wool or any of the
products that might have --
SECRETARY THOMPSON: We don't know that at this point in time. That's
entirely possible. We do know that he drank water out of a stream when
he was traveling to North Carolina last week. But as far as wool or
other things, it's entirely possible. We haven't got all of the
investigations done. And we're doing a tremendous extensive job of
investigating everything.
Q: How did you find out about it? Did he go into the hospital --
SECRETARY THOMPSON: He went to the hospital. He went into the hospital
on the first of October, and is still in the hospital. And they took a
test, and just the way the system works -- it went up through the
state laboratory. It went up to the state health department, who
contacted us, and they confirmed anthrax, and we reconfirmed it
through our CDC --
Q: Do you automatically test for anthrax, or how did they make the
distinction?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: Well, we sent in the sample, and luckily there was
-- not luckily, but that's the way it works, the system works. And
this individual that was at the health department has just been
educated at the CDC department in Atlanta.
Q: Mr. Secretary, do we know, was this inhalation anthrax? Was this
fellow a hunter?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: It appears at this point in time it's inhalation.
Q: Do you know if he was a hunter?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: We don't know that. We know he was an outdoorsman,
so it's entirely possible that he was --
Q: Mr. Secretary, can you tell us the city, or the town in Florida?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: It was near Palm Beach. He actually lived in --
it's right here --
Q: While you're looking, could you tell us his age and --
SECRETARY THOMPSON: Sixty-three years of age, and he was of British
descent, and --
Q: What's the prognosis? Will he recover?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: That, I can't tell you. He's from Lantana,
Florida.
Q: What are you advising the public health officials in that area and
citizens in that area to do?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: We are advising everybody to, if they have severe
respiratory ailments, to go see their doctor.
Q: What are the symptoms that he's presented?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: We also have all of our EIS, our CDC people, that
need to be there investigating, they're going to go to all the
hospitals and emergency wards, and check everything out.
Q: What kind of symptoms should people look for? What symptoms did he
present?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: It's severe respiratory -- upper respiratory
problems that you would have.
Q: Mr. Secretary, are you reevaluating whether civilians should try to
start taking anthrax medication? And would there be enough available
to even have enough --
SECRETARY THOMPSON: There's enough available. We have an ample supply
and I want everybody to know that -- we have plenty of supply, and we
have enough antibiotics to treat 2 million people for 60 days. And we
have also contacted the pharmaceutical companies, not just today, but
have throughout our planning process, and there is plenty of supply
available. So people should not go out and do anything different than
what they're doing. This is an isolated case, and it's not contagious.
Q: Mr. Secretary, how likely is it that there have been other anthrax
cases in the past year, say, that just simply haven't been diagnosed?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: It's entirely possible.
Q: Possible or likely or --
SECRETARY THOMPSON: Would you say it's probable?
DR. LILLIBRIDGE: It's possible. As you heighten surveillance, you'll
get more.
Q: Could we just ask one other question? When was the last documented
case of anthrax in North Carolina? Could you check that?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: I don't -- well, we certainly will be checking all
of that and getting information out as it goes on.
Q: Mr. Secretary, can you be certain that it's an isolated case?
Q: Can you explain why he was drinking from a stream? (Laughter.) Is
that a reason -- should we know that? Why are you giving us that
detail?
SECRETARY THOMPSON: Just because he was an outdoorsman, and there is a
possibility that -- there are all kinds of possibilities --
Q: Can you contract it that way, is why she's asking -- can you
contract anthrax by drinking unboiled water --
SECRETARY THOMPSON: We don't know yet.
Q: Is he a British citizen, sir?
MR. FLEISCHER: Thank you.
SECRETARY THOMPSON: Thank you.
MR. FLEISCHER: Any additional information will be made available by
either the CDC or the HHS.
Q: We need the doctor's name.
MR. FLEISCHER: Oh, I'm sorry. That was Dr. Scott Lillibridge.
Q: Could you tell us if he was a British citizen? Because he said he
was of British descent.
MR. FLEISCHER: Don't have that, Connie. All right. Let me let you know
about the President's day today.
Q: Is he an MD or PhD?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'd have to look that up. I couldn't tell you. You may
want to just check with HHS.
Q: Ari, just one follow on that? The President was briefed -- can you
tell us who briefed the President about this, and when?
MR. FLEISCHER: Let me -- I'm going to give you information about the
President's day, and then I'll be happy to take your questions. I want
to begin with a statement by the President, and this pertains to the
plane crash into the Black Sea. This is a statement by the President:
I was deeply saddened to learn today of the crash of a Siberian
Airlines passenger aircraft, flying from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk. My
heartfelt sympathies and those of the American people are with the
people of Israel and Russia, and the families of the many victims of
this tragedy.
Earlier today, the President spoke with the Emir of Bahrain on the
phone. That was early this morning. The President and the Emir
discussed the campaign against terrorism and the situation throughout
the region. The Emir expressed his sympathy and condolences for the
victims of the attack on our country on September 11th, and the
President thanked the Emir for his strong support and help in the
campaign, and in hosting U.S. forces, including headquarters for the
5th Fleet, which is located in Bahrain.
The President also this morning spoke with President Kwasniewski of
Poland. It was a warm phone call and the President thanked the Polish
President for Poland's cooperation in the campaign against terrorism,
and for Poland's support of the American people. The support includes
political support, including working with other Central and East
European nations, information-sharing, working on financial control of
terrorists' assets, as well.
The President noted that now, more than ever, we must work together
for the goals of what President Bush discussed in his speech in Warsaw
on June 15th, a Europe whole, free and at peace. That is essential to
meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
Following that, as you know, the President traveled to the State
Department to announce a new package of humanitarian aid for the
people of Afghanistan. He had a lunch meeting with various members of
Congress to discuss working together with Congress on vital issues in
the domestic agenda. He also went to the Department of Labor where he
announced a new package of assistance for dislocated American workers.
And the President, later this afternoon, will be meeting with the Emir
of Qatar to discuss the strong cooperation that we have received from
our good friend in the region, and to reaffirm the strong U.S.-Qatar
relations.
And that is my update for the day. I'd be happy to take your
questions.
Q: Ari, does the President believe that the crash of the Russian
airliner was an accident?
MR. FLEISCHER: John, we are in the process of working with officials
in the appropriate nations to ascertain all information that is
available, but it's too soon to say. There are no conclusions that
have been reached.
Q: Has he talked to Putin about this yet?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President has not, no.
Q: The British government today released a 20-page document outlining
some of the evidence against bin Laden. Is there any reason that the
British government released this kind of report as opposed to the
United States government? And there was some suggestion from Secretary
Powell at one point that the government might or might not. Why is
this coming out of the British government?
MR. FLEISCHER: I don't speak for other governments; I can't give you
an answer to that.
Q: Did we review it? Did we have an early copy of it?
MR. FLEISCHER: I don't know the answer to that question.
Q: Was the White House aware that the British government was going to
release this evidence?
MR. FLEISCHER: I know the first I heard of it was when it was on its
web page. So I don't know the answer to that question.
Q: Did the President or anybody have a problem with that being
released?
MR. FLEISCHER: Again, I don't --
Q: You went to great lengths not to --
MR. FLEISCHER: As far as I understand it, the document does not
contain any classified information. It's a good, strong look back at
the activities that have been done by the al Qaeda organization, Osama
bin Laden.
Q: It does include new information. It does include information that's
not been in the public --
Q: Going back to the anthrax, yes -- was the President, he's obviously
been informed. When was he informed, who informed him? Can you give us
some of those details on that?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President was informed this morning, and it was
part of his -- I think he may have been informed by Dr. Rice.
Q: Yes, Ari. Is there any plan now for the United States to release a
document similar to the one released by the British? And if they're
releasing a document that they say was cleared by the U.S., why aren't
we releasing one?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not aware of that statement that they say it was
cleared by the U.S. I just indicated that I don't have any information
on that topic.
Q: Do you have any information that the U.S. is planning to release a
similar document?
MR. FLEISCHER: There is no change in anything I've indicated to you
previously about the United States' dissemination of information about
this.
Q: Okay. And on the other point, of evidence, apparently we are now
sharing evidence with Pakistan. I thought earlier indications were
that the U.S. thought it wasn't necessary to share any information
with Pakistan.
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not sure where you were led to that conclusion. As
I've indicated many times here, the United States will continue to
talk with its allies and share information as we consult.
Q: Evidence?
MR. FLEISCHER: A lot of information.
Q: Ari, speaking of Pakistan, does the U.S. think it's good for the
Pakistanis to continue to have at least diplomatic relations with the
Taliban, or would the U.S. prefer that country to sever ties?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, prior to this, as evidence of how oppressive the
Taliban regime is, only three nations in the world had relations. Two
of those three have now severed ties. Pakistan, as a free nation, does
as it sees fit.
Q: Is the administration, though, I mean, is it sort of feeling that
at some point, to totally alienate the Taliban, that the Pakistanis
should sever ties with --
MR. FLEISCHER: I have no comment beyond that.
Q: Ari, any particular reason why Secretary Thompson made the
announcement here instead of at HHS?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the reason is, he actually was here for another
meeting, and so there was a practicality to it as well. But it's
important to share information with the American people, and that's
what you can expect. I think one of the things, as the President has
said, as the nation goes through all the effects of everything from
September 11th is, keep the public informed. And we've talked about
this before -- the best way for our nation to win this war is through
the forthright sharing of information. And that's important.
Q: Well, in that spirit, can you share the evidence against bin Laden?
(Laughter.)
MR. FLEISCHER: In addition to the steps that Secretary Thompson
outlined specifically, from public health officials in Florida, is the
administration taking any actions elsewhere in the country, within the
military, that you can share to deal with a possible anthrax outbreak?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, first of all, I would be careful on your words
when you say "outbreak," --
Q: I said "possible."
MR. FLEISCHER: -- because this is, as the Secretary just said, it
appears to be an isolated case, which is exactly what the officials on
the ground, the health officials in Florida who briefed the Florida
press about this matter earlier today said.
But the Department of HHS has for years, as you heard Secretary
Thompson say, has been working on preparation plans, and those plans
include a training of local officials, and the Secretary just alluded
to that, as well. So there are a series of protections that have been
put into place.
Q: Do you know of any specific threats concerning this kind of
potential terrorist activity that the country has received?
MR. FLEISCHER: Nothing specifically that I'm aware of.
Q: Just one more question on the anthrax. When Dr. Rice informed the
President, did she know at the time that this was an isolated
incident, or was it still cause for alarm several hours ago?
MR. FLEISCHER: That was the first report; and as always with first
reports, you collect information to ascertain as fully as you can and
as quickly as you can all the facts. And you just heard them from the
Secretary.
Q: When was the government able to determine that it was an isolated
incident? An hour ago, 15 minutes ago?
MR. FLEISCHER: That information would be a question you need to
address to the CDC to see precisely when they would make that
determination.
Q: Just for clarification then, when Dr. Rice informed the President,
the administration was not aware that this could -- was just an -- or
appeared to be just an isolated case?
MR. FLEISCHER: Again, all the facts as they were being developed were
shared at various points throughout the day. So it's impossible to put
an exact timetable on what information was developed when. It was
shared over the course of the morning and into the afternoon.
Q: Ari, can you give us some more details on this $320 million in aid?
How is the food going to get into the right hands? How are you going
to make sure it doesn't fall into the hands of the Taliban, et cetera?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, unfortunately, there is a history of working to
get food to people who live in repressive regimes. And there is always
a concern to make certain that the food is kept out of the hands of
the Taliban who will deny it to their people, while getting it to the
people who were suffering. And in this case, the United States
government will work with world food programs, with the United
Nations, to get food into the regions where it can do the most good.
Q: Is the idea here to, aside from feeding the people, to win the
hearts and minds of Afghans who might be willing to abandon the
Taliban?
MR. FLEISCHER: Two points on that. One, the purpose is to feed people
who are hungry. There is a grave humanitarian crisis shaping up in
Afghanistan as a result of the actions of the Taliban. And as the
President said in his remarks at the State Department, one of the
great things about our nation that enables us to win wars and to be
such a good people is that our nation has a good heart. And you're
seeing that put into place when we help feed the people of
Afghanistan.
But even before September 11th, the United States was Afghanistan's
largest supplier of food, because it's the right thing to do, and it's
the humanitarian thing to do. So the United States has always made
that distinction between the people of Afghanistan and the Taliban
regime.
Q: You apparently now, judging from Dr. Rice's remarks, U.S. does, in
fact, embrace a notion first mentioned by Tony Blair to go in and do
something in a major way to help build and develop Afghanistan to end
hunger and that sort of thing, once the chips fall where they may on
whatever happens in the near future?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, to repeat what I've said many times, the United
States is not engaged in nation-building in Afghanistan, but the
United States will help those who seek a peaceful,
economically-developing Afghanistan that's free from terrorism.
Q: On the stimulus package, does the President believe that the $60
billion to $75 billion should be split evenly between corporate and
individual as Senator Daschle and others have recommended, for it? And
also in setting these parameters, does the President believe that
House Leader Dick Armey's suggestion a $150-billion tax cut package
would adversely affect the economy and increase long-term rates?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President has already established his range.
And so you know where the President stands. And the President is going
to work with Congress to find the right mix and the right balance so
that enough goes to stimulate investment on the demand side by getting
it into the hands of consumers, while also providing enough to get in
the hands of corporations and businesses that stimulates investment so
they can keep their workers employed.
Q: An unrelated question. On the U.S. package, would the President
like to give a holiday for payroll taxes as a way of increasing the
economy?
MR. FLEISCHER: The idea of a rebate is one of the ideas that is under
consideration. And the President will take a good look at that.
Q: Is he inclined to be in favor --
MR. FLEISCHER: I think it's too soon to say what the ultimate shape of
this package is going to be. The President announced the parameters
yesterday; he gave the three principles about stimulating consumers,
helping to provide incentives for businesses, as well as the placement
of aid for displaced workers. So he's going to work with Congress on a
series of things that fit that bill.
Q: Ari, Secretary Ashcroft today said he was disappointed with the
grandfather clause. He claims that the terrorism battle is going to
take longer than the time the Congress wants to put --
MR. FLEISCHER: By the grandfather clause, I presume you're referring
to the House antiterrorism bill that includes a sunset. Well, the
President shares that concern. It is entirely possible, if not likely,
that this war against terrorism is going to last beyond the sunset.
And it's important that policymakers have a realistic understanding of
what this different type of war will involve, and how long it will
require giving the law enforcement agencies the tools they need so we
can prevent further attacks on the country.
Q: Will he get involved with the Congress in trying to increase the
time or changing --
MR. FLEISCHER: I just made clear the President's position.
Q: Can you spell out why the administration opposes notification of a
court after grand jury information is shared with intelligence
agencies? Why does the administration oppose the notification --
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm going to refer you to Justice particularly on that.
That's a matter much more legal than I can entertain.
Q: Ari, Daschle says the worker assistance plan that the President
announced today is not enough. Is this a limit, or is this just sort
of a first step that the President is taking in terms of worker
assistance?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, this is the President's proposal. This is what
the President believes is the best way to help workers get back on
their feet and to help them as they go through any of the effects of
unemployment, including loss of health care, since the attacks.
Q: So he's open to other proposals, possibly, and maybe spending some
more money, as well?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, as always, he will work with the Congress. But
this is the President's proposal; this is what he calling on the
Congress to pass. The President has announced that he believes it's
important to extend unemployment benefits for 13 weeks, and to provide
$3 billion worth of national emergency grants through the states so
people can get health care, so they can get job-training. The
President believes this is the best solution.
And also, the President said one thing that's very important, when he
said it's important also that people in Congress don't start inventing
or designing new systems, new-fangled notions. There are a series of
existing protections that need to be beefed up, that need to be
lengthened. But the existing provisions on the books have proved
before capable of doing the job to help people who have lost their
livelihood. And the President is confident they will do so again.
He also thinks it would be a mistake if people try to engage in a
whole series of new government programs, new creations, while there
are a series of existing ones that need to be strengthened.
Q: Can I follow that?
Q: Along those lines, is the President concerned about what the
legislative process might do to any stimulus package, and of course,
whether or not it can be done in three or four weeks?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think everybody in Congress has said that they
would like to get it done in that type of time frame. Congress
typically adjourns sometime in the fall, and so the President will,
obviously, work with the Congress. That is our system. But make no
mistake; the President feels strongly about what the best package is.
Q: Ari, are you saying this package the President put forward today
should satisfy Democratic concerns about laid-off workers, and that
therefore, the airline security bill should go forward without any
further holdup?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President does think that the question of how
to help people who have lost their jobs is best considered in the
context of a stimulus bill and it should not be part or bogged down in
an otherwise important aviation bill.
Q: So this should reassure Democrats that the President is going to be
faithful in addressing that thing so that the airport security should
go ahead --
MR. FLEISCHER: Jim, I think the substance of what the President's
proposing speaks for itself, that it's very important to help people
who have lost their jobs so they can have an extended period of
unemployment at a time like this. People who have lost their jobs,
they right away get concerned about their health care, and the
President is addressing that by providing $3 billion worth of grants
so that people can get their COBRA coverage paid for.
But there's also a tendency at times, too, done by both parties, to
turn everything into a Christmas tree and to start funding everything
for everybody in all times and for all reasons. And throughout this,
it's always important to protect taxpayer money while bringing help to
those in need.
Q: -- any indication the Democrats are satisfied by this in the first
instance?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President announced just an hour or two ago, so I
think it's important to let the Democrats think.
Q: Democrats are saying -- they're saying it's a good first step, but
one problem they have is the unemployment benefits. They could settle
with just additional 13 weeks, but they're concerned about all 50
states. So what would the President's plan do for a worker not in a
state that is hardest hit, but who is laid off because of the effects
of the September 11th attack? That's the question they have.
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, obviously, the focus of the package is on those
states that are impacted the most, and that's where there is the
greatest amount of unemployment as a result of this. But keep in mind,
of course, you're talking about an additional 13 weeks on top of an
existing 26 weeks -- that's half a year, that's six months. So it's
also premature on some of those questions.
Q: Let me ask you a couple of questions about the asset-freezing. Why
were the Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad missing from your list of
suspected terrorists?
MR. FLEISCHER: They're already covered on existing lists.
Q: And have the Saudis complied with your request to freeze assets of
27 people and organizations?
MR. FLEISCHER: You'd have to talk to Treasury specifically for a
case-by-case on all the various people that have been mentioned in the
President's executive order from the Rose Garden. But suffice it to
say the administration and the President are very satisfied with the
cooperation of Saudi Arabia.
Q: The other list that the Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad are on,
does it crack down as hard as the list that the President put out
today?
MR. FLEISCHER: When you say, "crack down as hard," that's a hard
distinction to make. I think the question is, is it effective.
Q: Does it, for example, go after the banks that don't comply?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'd have to check that out, Ron. Talk to Treasury.
Q: Going back to the Afghan relief a little bit. One way to feed
Afghan refugees is via military aircraft of humanitarian Meals Ready
to Eat, or MREs. Is the President in favor of doing that? Also,
possibly setting up tent cities or other refugee camps in neighboring
states, staffed perhaps by the military and other organizations?
MR. FLEISCHER: At this point, I'm not going to comment on some of the
questions about means of delivery into Afghanistan. Obviously,
anything involving that information could be misused by people who
might hear what I say. So I'm going to be careful about how I indicate
food aid is going to be brought into the people of Afghanistan.
Q: The House leadership, the GOP leadership is coming over to meet
with the President. Can you tell us what that meeting is about? Is it
a follow-up to their meeting earlier with Mineta? And where is the
President now on federalizing airline security?
MR. FLEISCHER: This is a follow-on to a whole year-long series of
meetings that the President is going to continue to have with members
of Congress. He's having a group down tonight; he had a group over for
lunch today. As you know, he met with the four leaders yesterday. He's
going to continue to have different members of Congress down to talk
to them -- that's how you make progress on many of these issues that
you're asking me about. Will Congress agree, will Congress have other
ideas -- the way you get Congress to agree is to listen to their ideas
and bring people together.
Q: And airline security personnel, is the President more open to that
idea now?
MR. FLEISCHER: On the federalization question? The concerns of the
President remain about putting all screeners on the federal payroll.
And let me give you a for instance about one of the items of the
President's concern, and that is, as you know, when somebody is put as
a member of the federal civil service, it's virtually impossible to
ever take any type of action or disciplinary action if their work is
not up to standards. And the President thinks it's very important that
in the case of the screeners and the workers, that the managers have
the ability to make certain that their work is up to all relevant
standards and can take disciplinary action if appropriate or if
necessary.
So there are a host of issues that can involve diminishment of safety,
as people are put on the federal payroll. And these are types of
things that need to be worked out with the Congress. Q But is the
President willing to compromise on that, if that's what it takes to
get the airline security --
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not going to -- let's just see what develops on the
Hill.
Q: Ari, in view of --
MR. FLEISCHER: Only two today, Les. (Laughter.)
Q: In view of the President's gratitude to the many Americans who
donated blood for the wounded at the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon, what is the White House reaction to the Harvard Crimson news
report quoting a Harvard undergraduate organization leader named
Clifford Alexander's email to all members, "On the Red Cross form you
will be asked, are you a man who has had sexual contact with another
man since 1973. This applies to many of you. You should lie." Since
the AIDS tainted blood donations also killed Arthur Ashe, surely the
White House deplores this statement urging such lying, don't you, Ari?
MR. FLEISCHER: Les, I'm not familiar with that report.
Q: I've got it right here. You can read this --
MR. FLEISCHER: You can keep it.
Q: Right there. It's on the net. If this is true --
MR. FLEISCHER: Do you have a follow-up?
Q: Yes, I do, but if it's true, you deplore it, don't you, Ari?
MR. FLEISCHER: What's your next question, Les?
Q: Last Saturday night at the Congressional Black Caucus awards
dinner, CNS reports that they videotaped President Clinton being
confronted, interrupted and shouted out by a member of ACT-UP who said
Mr. Clinton was a liar, responsible for his lover's death because
Clinton never launched a Manhattan Project to conquer AIDS. Does the
President -- the President doesn't agree with this charge against his
predecessor, does he? And he deplores such behavior, doesn't he?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm also not familiar with that report.
Q: Ari, after the statements President Bush made yesterday about the
possibility of a Palestinian state, does he intend to speak to Yasser
Arafat? I don't think he's had a conversation with him since he became
President.
MR. FLEISCHER: As always, we keep you informed of all of the
discussions that the President has, or wherever I can, with foreign
leaders.
Q: Back on humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. How can you work through
the U.N. food program and other NGOs when most of those organizations,
if not all, have pulled their people out of Afghanistan? Reports from
the region indicate there's nobody left. How do we work through those
programs?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think USAID, the Agency for International
Development, and the State Department addressed many of those
questions in the briefing they provided earlier today. So I want to
refer you to that. They're the experts.
Thank you.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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