Iraqi cooperation in Fallujah, Turkish efforts in Cyprus, U.N. Resolution on Haiti, Syrian border security, Ambassadorial nominations

WHITE HOUSE SUPPORTS IRAQI COOPERATION IN FALLUJAH

"It is positive to see Iraqis increasingly willing to step forward to address the security concerns and the defense of freedom in their own country," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters.

According to media reports, Iraqi security forces took over positions from withdrawing U.S. Marines in Fallujah on April 30, and an agreement had been reached to allow an Iraqi security forces to patrol the city and end the month-long siege there.

"We welcome Iraqis being involved in the fight against those who are trying to take away the freedoms that are taking root in Iraq," McClellan said.

"The transition from decades of oppression to a future of democracy is never easy. It takes time, and we are working closely with the Iraqi people and [the] coalition to meet that objective of a free and peaceful Iraq," the spokesman said. "The president has made it clear that the closer we get to transferring sovereignty, the more you will see these thugs, terrorists, and Saddam loyalists seeking to derail the transition to democracy, but they will not prevail."

President Bush "has confidence that our coalition forces, working with Iraqis, will secure Fallujah," McClellan said.

BUSH WELCOMES TURKISH EFFORTS ON CYPRUS VOTE

The spokesman said President Bush telephoned Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Erdogan and welcomed his strong leadership in helping secure Turkish Cypriot approval of the fair and balanced Cyprus settlement outlined by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

"The two leaders recognize the sovereign right of the Greek Cypriots to reject the settlement but share disappointment that a historic opportunity for a united Cyprus to enter the European Union on May 1 has been missed," said McClellan.

"They also expressed hope for the future reunification of Cyprus as outlined by Secretary-General Annan's settlement plan," McClellan said. "The two leaders noted their support for efforts by the European Union and others to lessen the economic isolation of Turkish Cypriots by strengthening economic ties with Greek Cypriots and the outside world."

U.S. SUPPORTS U.N. RESOLUTION ON HAITI

"We welcome the United Nations Security Council's unanimous passage of a resolution authorizing a United Nations peacekeeping operation for Haiti," McClellan said.

The Security Council April 30 authorized a wide-ranging U.N. mission in Haiti, with more than 8,000 troops and police as well as political and human rights experts to help stabilize the troubled Caribbean nation.

According to McClellan, the U.N. force will take over June 1 from the multinational interim force led by the United States that has provided security for Haiti's people in the aftermath of former president Jean Bertrand Aristide's resignation and voluntary departure from Haiti.

"The United Nations mission will help ensure a stable and secure environment so that the Haitian people can move forward with its political and constitutional transformation," McClellan said. "The force will also help the transitional government to reform the Haitian police force and help provide the conditions in which the transitional government can organize free and fair elections at the earliest possible date."

The press secretary noted that a number of countries have already agreed to participate in the U.N. mission.

U.S. CONCERNED WITH SYRIAN BORDER SECURITY

The press secretary told reporters that the U.S. has serious concerns over Syria's harboring and supporting terrorism and its inability to control its border with Iraq.

"We have concerns about the situation in Lebanon when it comes to Syria," McClellan said, "and we certainly have concerns about Syria's continued development of weapons of mass destruction.

"We've expressed those concerns to Syria and we are moving forward on the Syria Accountability Act," the spokesman said.

The Syria Accountability Act, passed in December 2003, is legislation by Congress that authorized restrictions on the export of U.S. goods to Syria.

"We are going to continue to move forward on these sanctions," McClellan said. "Our goal is to make sure that we take steps that will lead to Syria changing its behavior."

BUSH SENDS FIVE AMBASSADORIAL NOMINATIONS TO SENATE

The White House said the president has sent the following nominations to the Senate for its advice and consent:

-- Joyce A. Barr, of Washington, to be ambassador to Namibia;

-- William R. Brownfield, of Texas, to be ambassador to Venezuela;

-- June Carter Perry, of the District of Columbia, to be ambassador to Lesotho;

-- Charles P. Ries, of the District of Columbia, to be ambassador to Greece; and

-- R. Barrie Walkley, of California, to be ambassador to Gabon and to serve concurrently as ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday, May 3: President Bush will participate in a campaign "Bus Tour" through Michigan.

Tuesday, May 4: President Bush will continue his campaign activities in Michigan.

Wednesday, May 5: President Bush will meet with Singapore's Prime Minister Chok Tong Goh in the Oval Office, and later that afternoon he will participate in Cinco De Mayo ceremonies in the East Room. He will attend a Republican National Committee Gala Event that evening.

Thursday, May 6: President Bush will make remarks on the National Day of Prayer in the East Room, and that afternoon he will meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II in the Oval Office.

Friday, May 7: The president will participate in a Bus Tour in Dubuque, Iowa, and then he will participate in an "Ask President Bush" event in Prairie Duquesne, Wisconsin. He will then make remarks at a Lacrosse, Wisconsin, rally and will spend the night at Camp David.

Saturday, May 8: President Bush will deliver his weekly radio address.

Sunday, May 9: No public events scheduled

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