06 December 2001
White House Report, Dec. 6: Afghanistan, Mideast, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia
(Press Secretary Fleischer briefed press in morning and afternoon)
(650)
TALIBAN LEADER SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE, FLEISCHER SAYS
The President has made it clear that those who harbor terrorists need
to be brought to justice, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer
told reporters, adding that that applies to Taliban leader Mohammad
Omar.
But Fleischer said it was premature to discuss what form that would
take since the situation on the ground in Afghanistan remains fluid.
"Mullah Omar is still fighting the United States. Mullah Omar has not
been captured nor brought to justice. And until that happens, I think
it's all pure speculation," Fleischer said.
"In the event that somebody is captured, careful and proper,
deliberate decisions will be made about what course should come next.
But that is not the case now because he remains a combatant against
the United States and other nations."
News reports say that Mullah Omar is negotiating a surrender of his
forces to Afghan opposition forces in the Kandahar area.
U.S.-EGYPT WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER TO END VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST
The United States and Egypt are working together closely to try to end
the violence in the Middle East and bring peace to the region, Press
Secretary Fleischer said.
Bush phoned Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak early December 6 to review
the situation in the Middle East and praised his "courageous
leadership," Fleischer said, noting that Mubarak has sent his Foreign
Minister Ahmed Maher on a visit to meet with Israeli Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon and with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.
Bush also discussed Egypt's economic situation with Mubarak and
reaffirmed his desire to assist that country, Fleischer said. And he
thanked Mubarak for Egypt's efforts in bringing peace to the Sudan.
BUSH BELIEVES ARAFAT CAN DO MUCH MORE
President Bush "has made it abundantly clear, and has not changed his
views at all, that Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat needs
to do more to bring about a secure environment in the Middle East,"
White House Press Secretary Fleischer said.
"The President is interested in results, and the President will be
looking to make certain that Chairman Arafat takes enduring and
long-term, real and meaningful actions so the terrorists who are
trying to interrupt the peace process in the Middle East cannot be
successful."
Bush "still is concerned that Palestinian jails are built with bars on
the front and revolving doors on the back, and that is not a way to
demonstrate a long-term commitment to peace, in the President's
opinion," Fleischer said.
Asked to comment on Arafat's recent decision to put under house arrest
Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, Fleischer said, "You know,
as Secretary Powell said, there has been some progress. But the
President is looking to make certain that there is real, meaningful,
lasting peace -- efforts to achieve peace that can be measured on the
ground. And the President believes that Chairman Arafat can continue
to do much more."
U.S. GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP ON THE WAY TO SAUDI ARABIA
Fleischer said that a group of Treasury Department, State Department
and National Security Council officials is going to Saudi Arabia to
discuss with Saudi officials the U.S.-led fight against terrorism.
The trip, Fleischer said, "is part of the ongoing cooperation with
Saudi Arabia on the financial front in the war against terrorism."
BUSH MEETS WITH BOLIVIA'S PRESIDENT
Bush met December 6 in the Oval Office with Bolivia's President Jorge
Fernando Rodriquez Nunez.
Prior to the early afternoon meeting, White House Press Secretary Ari
Fleischer said the two presidents would discuss U.S.-Bolivian
cooperation in the war against terrorism and in the war against
narcotics, as well as promotion of trade between the two nations.
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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