Bush supports Brahimi efforts in Iraq; White House comments on Gaza plan, Arafat

BUSH PRAISES U.N. PLAN FOR IRAQ

During a joint press availability with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, President Bush said he welcomes the proposals on an Iraqi interim government presented by U.N. Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi.

Brahimi has "identified a way forward to establishing an interim government that is broadly acceptable to the Iraqi people," Bush said, "Our coalition partners will continue to work with the U.N. to prepare for nationwide elections that will choose a new government in January of 2005."

"We're grateful that Mr. Brahimi will soon return to Iraq to continue his important work," the president said.

"There is nothing in his [Brahimi's] proposal that causes us concern at this time. He had a very successful visit to Iraq," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said.

According to McClellan, Brahimi "said that he was confident we could meet the June 30 timetable and he would be proposing more specifics to the strategy in May."

Brahimi and his staff left Iraq April 15 to brief U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the situation in Iraq. Brahimi was in Iraq to consult on possibilities for an interim government taking over power from the Coalition Provisional Authority June 30 and for Iraqi elections being held next January.

"ARAFAT NOT PART OF SOLUTION," WHITE HOUSE SAYS

"We have a real opportunity to move forward on the road map and reach the two-state vision that the president previously outlined," the White House spokesman said of President Bush's April 14 acceptance of a plan by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to withdraw from settlements in Gaza.

"Remember that the foundation for moving forward on the two-state solution remains cracking down on terrorism and dismantling terrorist organizations," McClellan said.

Asked about the administration's policy toward Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, McClellan said, "Mr. Arafat has been part of the problem. Mr. Arafat has undermined efforts every step of the way. Remember we were making some important progress on the road map when you had Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in his position. But Mr. Arafat was the one who undermined those efforts."
In May 2003, Abbas failed to reach an agreement with the militant group Hamas to end attacks on Israelis and he subsequently resigned as prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority in September 2003.
McClellan stressed the need to set up the institutions necessary for a viable state to exist for the Palestinian people.

BUSH LOOKS TO 9/11 PANEL FOR WMD INTELLIGENCE CRITIQUE

"The president wants to see the recommendations from the September 11 Commission relating to our intelligence capabilities on weapons of mass destruction (WMD)," the spokesman said. "He thinks those will be good sources about what more can be done," McClellan added.

According to news reports, U.S. intelligence operations came under harsh review at public hearings by the September 11 Commission this week. An April 14 report by the commission concluded that U.S. intelligence gathering was fragmented and poorly coordinated before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Asked if the president had considered creating a new director of national intelligence McClellan responded, "That is premature, to start making that suggestion at this point. The president made it very clear that he wants to look at other ways we might be able to reform and revamp our intelligence services."

Currently, the director of central intelligence, George Tenet, is not only the head of the Central Intelligence Agency but also heads the U.S. intelligence community. The intelligence community is a federation of executive branch agencies and organizations that work separately and together to conduct intelligence activities necessary for the conduct of foreign relations and the protection of the national security of the United States.

WHITE HOUSE SUPPORTS EXTENSION OF PATRIOT ACT

The White House spokesman told reporters that the Patriot Act is an important priority for the United States in the war on terrorism and "it's an important priority that we make sure that these provisions do not expire."

Passed shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Patriot Act expanded the government's wiretap and other surveillance authority, removed barriers between FBI and CIA information-sharing, and provided more tools for terror finance investigations.
President Bush will be traveling April 19-20 to cities in Pennsylvania and New York to rally domestic support for the extension of the act.

The Patriot Act "has helped tear down the wall between the FBI and the CIA and allowed us to greatly improve our ability to share information in order to track down terrorists," McClellan said, "and these are important tools for our law enforcement authorities to have in winning the war on terrorism."

BUSH DISCUSSES IRAQ WITH SENEGAL'S PRESIDENT

The president called President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal April 16 to discuss the situation in the Middle East and Iraq. "The two leaders affirmed their commitment to Iraq sovereignty and noted the need to stop thugs, terrorists, and regime remnants responsible for stirring up violence in Iraq," the spokesman noted, adding, "the two presidents reviewed other areas of bilateral cooperation as well."

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday April 19

President Bush will participate in presentation of the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy to the United States Naval Academy in the East Room of the White House. He will then travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to make remarks on the Patriot Act and attend a campaign event in support of Senator Arlen Specter's re-election bid.

Tuesday April 20

The president will participate in a conversation on the Patriot Act in Buffalo, New York, and attend a "Victory 2004" reception in New York City.

Wednesday April 21

The president will make remarks to the 2004 National and State Teachers of the Year event in the White House Rose Garden, following which he will make remarks to the Newspaper Association of America annual convention in Washington, D.C. He will meet with the king of Jordan in the Oval Office and will make remarks at a reception for the "National Race for the Cure" in the East Room.

Thursday April 22

The president tours the Research Reserve in Wells, Maine, and will make remarks on Earth Day. He also made remarks at the President's Environmental Youth Awards Ceremony.

Friday April 23

The president will make remarks in Naples, Florida, on Volunteer Service and will attend a "Victory 2004" luncheon in Coral Gables, Florida.

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