Bush discusses Iraq with top advisors, Rice to testify before 9/11 Commission

BUSH, TOP ADVISORS DISCUSS IRAQ MILITARY SITUATION

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters April 7 that President Bush participated in a videoconference with his National Security Council on the continuing military operations in Iraq.

"The president received an update on the operational activities under way in Fallujah and some other parts of Iraq, and an update from [top U.S. commander in Iraq] General Abizaid himself," McClellan said.

The spokesman said "our commanders on the ground have an aggressive and coordinated strategy to restore order and defeat the extremists, and they're continuing to pursue that through an offensive military operation that is under way in Fallujah and certain other parts of the country."

In the last three days of fighting in Iraq, 35 coalition soldiers and at least 200 Iraqis have been killed in attacks throughout the country, according to news reports.

Asked by reporters if Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr was gaining support throughout Iraq the spokesman responded, "this is an individual who is reacting to the strong efforts we are taking to end illegal activities that are going on in Iraq. And he has a small militia that is seeking to derail these democratic reforms that we are helping to provide for the Iraqi people.

"He [Sadr] is an individual who pledged solidarity with terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah. But he will not succeed. And there is an arrest warrant that has been issued for him. Sadr was someone that was indicted for the murder of a moderate and broadly respected Shi'a cleric."
The press secretary also discussed ongoing efforts by the Coalition Provisional Authority and Iraqis to bring both political and economic stability to Iraq. He noted, "You have more than 200,000 Iraqis who are now involved in their own security. They represent the largest contingent of people involved in providing security for their country."
When asked if Bush was considering altering the June 30 deadline for the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq McClellan said: "He remains firm, firmly committed to that timetable. and the vast majority of the Iraqi people want to see sovereignty transferred on the previously agreed to timetable."
"The president is very proud of our troops. He knows our troops are performing well and knows that our troops will prevail against this violent power play by a relatively small number of extremist elements in Iraq," McClellan said.
RICE TO TESTIFY APRIL 8 BEFORE 9/11 COMMISSION
The White House Spokesman said National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, in her public testimony April 8 before the September 11 Commission, "will lay out the facts and talk about exactly what we were doing, the steps and actions that we were taking to confront the threat from al Qaeda and terrorism."
"We took the threat seriously before September 11th and we were taking a number of steps to confront the threat prior to September 11th. It was a high priority for this administration. So she looks forward to testifying publicly tomorrow and talking about these issues and answering whatever questions the commission has," McClellan said.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)