Remarks to press November 16

The attacks upon synagogues in Istanbul November 15 are a reminder that the war on terror is taking place on many different fronts, President Bush said in remarks to the press November 16.

President Bush said he had spoken with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan over the weekend to express his condolences.

Erdogan "assured me that he would fight the terrorists and bring the terrorists to justice. I told him we would help, and we're grateful," he said.

Bush also spoke about the situation in Iraq, stressing that coalition forces will "stay tough and deal with the terrorists" while working to turn power over to the Iraqi Governing Council as soon as possible.

"The Iraqi Governing Council has laid out a timetable for the transfer of sovereignty. We're pleased with that timetable, we think it makes sense," he said.

Bush highlighted the importance of the work that U.S. and coalition forces are doing in Iraq.

"It's best to defeat the terrorists in Iraq so we don't have to defeat them here," he said. He added that "a free and stable Iraq, in the heart of a part of the world where there is frustration and anger, where the recruiters of hatred are able to find terrorists, a free Iraq will be a transforming event."

Following is the White House transcript of Bush's remarks:

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
November 16, 2003

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT TO THE PRESS UPON ARRIVAL

The South Lawn
12:51 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Today I spent some time in prayer for our servicemen and women who are in harm's way. I prayed for their families, I prayed for those who are still in harm's way, whether it be American troops or coalition troops.

The sacrifice that our folks are making in Iraq will serve our nation's interests in the short-term and long-term. It's best to defeat the terrorists in Iraq so we don't have to defeat them here. As well, a free and stable Iraq, in the heart of a part of the world where there is frustration and anger, where the recruiters of hatred are able to find terrorists, a free Iraq will be a transforming event. And I appreciate the families who are making the sacrifices, along with our troops.

As well, in Iraq, it was a tough week, but we made progress toward a sovereign and free Iraq. The Iraqi Governing Council has laid out a timetable for the transfer of sovereignty. We're pleased with that timetable, we think it makes sense. On the one hand, the politics is moving on, on the other hand, we're going to stay tough and deal with the terrorists.

I also talked to Prime Minister Erdogan over the weekend, expressed our deep condolences for the senseless deaths caused by bombings in Turkey. He assured me that he would fight the terrorists and bring the terrorists to justice. I told him we would help, and we're grateful. But it's just a reminder that the war on terror takes place on different fronts.

At home, I am pleased with the progress made on the energy bill and on Medicare. I want to thank the leaders in the House and the Senate for coming together on two important pieces of legislation. On Medicare, it looks like there's agreement on principle to provide our seniors with a modern Medicare plan. And that's very positive news. I urge the members of the House and the Senate to take a look at it, vote it and get it to my desk as soon as possible.

And I'm pleased that we're finally developing a national energy plan. So we're making good progress on the domestic front here at home.

Let me answer a couple of questions.

Q: Can you comment on the latest tape, reportedly from Saddam
Hussein, that's being aired now?

THE PRESIDENT: I haven't seen the specifics. I suspect it's the same old stuff. You know, it's propaganda. We're not leaving until the job is done, pure and simple. A free and peaceful Iraq will be a historic event. And I'm sure he would like to see us leave. In fact, it's his voice. And I know that elements of the Baathist party -- those who used to torture, maim and kill in order to stay in power -- would like to see us leave. We will do our job.

Randy.

Q: Mr. President, what information do you have about the chopper
crash --

THE PRESIDENT: No more than you have. It's sad. It's a sad day when we lose life. It doesn't matter whether it's in a chopper crash or an IED, the loss of life is sad.

Q: What plans do you have for security after the new transition plan
is implemented, after the Iraqi sovereignty is granted? How do you ensure --

THE PRESIDENT: Well, it depends on what's taking place on the ground. Somebody told me, they said, well, this means there's going to be less troops. Politics is going to go forward. The political process will move on. And we'll adjust our troop level according to the security situation in Iraq.

Yes. Who are you with?

Q: I'm with Fox News Channel.

THE PRESIDENT: Very good.

Q: Are you concerned at all about the protests that you're going to
be facing in London when you go?

THE PRESIDENT: No, I'm not concerned at all. I'm glad to be going to a free country where people are allowed to protest. Not the least bit.

Yes, who are you with?

Q: I'm with CNN.

THE PRESIDENT: Good.

Q: Do you see the use of surface to air missiles as an escalation in
the conflict in Iraq?

THE PRESIDENT: It's symptomatic of the fact that there was a lot of weapons lying around. And we've just got to bring these killers to justice, which we will. The military is adjusting. You've been reading about the fact that they're adjusting their strategy and their plans. That's exactly what the Commander-in-Chief expects, flexibility on the ground to change response to a change of tactics with the enemy.

Hillman.

Q: Yes, are you concerned at all with your visit to London, that it
comes at a kind of uncomfortable time, in some respects, with Prime Minister Blair --

THE PRESIDENT: No, I'm not concerned about my trip to London. I'm really looking forward to it. It's the second, "are you concerned" question about my trip to England. I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be a fantastic experience. I know you -- do you have something else on the concerned question there? I cut you off. I beg your pardon.

Q: No, there have just been, you know, immense speculation that this
is coming at an awkward political time for you and the Prime Minister, for that matter.

THE PRESIDENT: Awkward political time for me? No, I'm looking forward to the trip. I'm honored to have been invited. I look forward to my consultations with Tony Blair. We visit all the time via telephone or via secure video link. I'm looking forward to sitting down with him in person. It's going to be a great trip.

I guess -- everywhere -- every time I go somewhere there is immense speculation. I'm not suggesting you're the speculators, but I remember before I went to the Far East, there was some speculation about this, some speculation about that. No, I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a great trip.

Yes, sir.

Q: Mr. President, are you any closer to a decision on steel?

THE PRESIDENT: Than I was Friday?

Q: Yes.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, if there is a date at which I'm going to make it, I guess I'm two days closer. But, no, I'm thinking about it. I've got some considerations. People are presenting reports to me, which I will look at, and let you know at the appropriate time, when I make up my mind.

Yes, sir.

Q: NBC News.

THE PRESIDENT: Very good.

Q: Okay, thank you. Mr. President, what do you think the chances
are of getting the Medicare bill passed?

THE PRESIDENT: The what, Medicare? You know, that's a good question. I think it's good. I think -- I'm pleased we've come this far. And I think there's going to be immense pressure on members of both the House and the Senate to support this bill. It's a good piece of legislation. It is a complex piece of legislation. After all, we're changing a Medicare system that has been stuck in the past for a long period of time.

We're beginning to get a sense of the supporters for this piece of legislation. And there's some mighty active groups of people who are interested in good health care for our seniors that are getting mobilized. So I think we've got a good chance of passing it. I know I will be actively pushing the bill, because it conforms to the principles I laid out of prescription drugs for our seniors: choice for seniors, accountability for the Medicare plan. There's a lot of good features in this bill. I look forward to working to see its passage.

Listen, you all have a wonderful Sunday. Thank you very much.

(end transcript)

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