19 February 2003
White House Report, Feb. 19: Iraq/Turkey/U.N., Qatar, Indonesia, NATO
(White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer briefed reporters) (750) TURKEY HAS DECISION TO MAKE, WHITE HOUSE SAYS Asked to comment on news reports that the Turkish parliament has put off a previously scheduled vote on whether to allow the U.S. military to use its bases as a launching pad for military action against Iraq, Fleischer said "we have not received any official notification from Turkey about whether they will or will not vote" on that question. This remains an issue that at the moment is not resolved, he said. "And we'll see, ultimately, what the Turkish decision is," he added. "I'm aware of a television interview in which it was explained that nothing is scheduled. It did not say that nothing would happen. So this remains an open issue. We will see, ultimately, what the outcome is. It's open." News reports say Turkey has asked the United States for a $32 billion economic aid package in exchange for use of its bases. Under questioning, Fleischer would not indicate what aid level would be acceptable to the United States. "This is a matter of some diplomacy and conversation," he said. "But it is fair to say that Turkey has heard authoritatively what the position of the United States government is. And now Turkey has a decision to make, and we look forward to hearing, that decision." Turkey, he added, "is desirable, from a strategic point of view, for any military staging, but the military of the United States is sufficiently flexible that whatever decision is made, the United States will still be successful in carrying out any military operations." NEW RESOLUTION ON IRAQ TO BE INTRODUCED AT U.N. The United States and the United Kingdom are working on the drafting of an additional resolution on Iraq that will be introduced at the United Nations Security Council either this week or next week, Fleischer told reporters. The resolution "could be tabled this week, it could be tabled next week. And then the president would not expect a very lengthy debate at all," Fleischer said, adding that he expects it will be "a rather straightforward, simple resolution that enforces Resolution 1441" -- the resolution approved unanimously by the Security Council in November. That resolution, he pointed out, stated that if Iraq did not disarm, there would be serious consequences. President Bush "believes that it remains very important for the United Nations Security Council to be an effective organization. And the president has said to our allies that we intend to work through the United Nations, and we will." The president believes "that, in the end, the United Nations will want to play a constructive role and will be an organization that is relevant. He hopes that will be the case still," Fleischer said. If the Security Council does not act to force Iraq to disarm, the Bush administration and a coalition of the willing will do so, Fleischer said. BUSH SPEAKS WITH LEADERS OF QATAR, INDONESIA In two early morning phone calls February 19, President Bush discussed the need for Iraq's disarmament with the emir of Qatar and the president of Indonesia. Speaking with Qatar's Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Bush reiterated his view that war is a last resort and his intention to continue working through the United Nations, but he also told the emir that Iraq would be disarmed one way or another, Fleischer said. The president congratulated the Emir on political and economic reforms in Qatar, and the two leaders said they hoped to see each other at the earliest possible time, according to Fleischer. Bush and Indonesian President Sukarnoputri Megawati discussed the situation in Iraq and agreed that Saddam Hussein must disarm in accordance with his Security Council obligations, the press secretary said. Bush also "emphasized his appreciation for Indonesia's excellent work in counterterrorism cooperation, including the investigation of the Bali bombings," and "thanked President Megawati for her government's efforts to ensure the safety of Americans working in and visiting Indonesia," Fleischer said. BUSH TO MEET WITH NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson and President Bush were to hold a late afternoon meeting in the White House's Oval Office February 19. "The president will thank him for his strong leadership in NATO's coming to the defense of Turkey," Fleischer said. Also on the agenda will be the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, and NATO transformation and enlargement. (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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