U.S. believes al-Zarqawi murdered Berg, Bush meets with G-8 foreign ministers, $25 billion Iraq request, Rice to meet Palestinian prime minister, week ahead

U.S. INTELLIGENCE BELIEVES AL-ZARQAWI MURDERED BERG

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters May 14 that the U.S. Intelligence Community believes it was al Qaeda terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who beheaded U.S. civilian Nicholas Berg May 11.

"We will pursue those terrorists and bring them to justice, McClellan said. "There is simply no justification for such brutal acts against innocent civilians."

"He (al Zarqawi), for a long time, has been known as a dangerous terrorist who is a senior al Qaeda associate," the spokesman said, "He was responsible for the killing of an American diplomat in Jordan and responsible for overseeing a poison laboratory in Iraq."

According to news reports, al-Zarqawi, a poisons expert, is thought to be responsible for hundreds of deaths in Iraq. In April, al-Zarqawi was sentenced to death in absentia in Jordan for masterminding the successful 2002 plot in the murder of Laurence Foley, a diplomat and administrator of U.S. aid programs in Jordan.

The press secretary stressed that al-Zarqawi will be brought to justice.

BUSH DISCUSSES IRAQ WITH G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS

The White House spokesman said that President Bush held a meeting May 14 with the G-8 foreign ministers to discuss the current situation in Iraq.

"We are pleased that there are some 30 countries that are providing troops to help the Iraqi people have a stable and free future," McClellan said.

He noted that Bush talked to the foreign ministers about the importance of putting aside past differences and working together to help the Iraqi people realize a brighter future.

When asked about Bush's reaction to a comment from the French foreign minister that France would not send troops to Iraq, McClellan said, "We have always said countries have to make their own decisions about what they can do to support efforts in Iraq."

The spokesman said the president also discussed the importance of supporting efforts by leaders and people in the greater Middle East to advance political and economic reform, including moving forward on the two-state vision.

The G-8 ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States are expected to discuss the situation in Iraq and the Middle East during their June summit at Sea Island, Georgia.

WORKING WITH CONGRESS ON $25 BILLION IRAQ REQUEST

The White House spokesman said that the administration will work closely with Congress to establish a $25 billion contingency reserve fund for military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"This is an important reserve fund, to make sure that there is no disruption, in terms of funding or resources for our troops, going forward in Iraq," McClellan said.

The White House May 11 sent Congress its formal request for the $25 billion it says it needs until Congress acts on a larger supplemental bill -- expected to be between $50 billion and $75 billion -- probably next spring.

According to media reports, senators at a Senate Armed Services hearing questioned the White House's proposal to let it allocate the money to finance Iraq and Afghanistan operations for coming months without the approval of Congress.

McClellan said, "We want to plan for contingencies that can be affected by circumstances on the ground, particularly the security situation on the ground. And that's what this is about."

He stressed that the request for the $25 billion was made to ensure that there is no disruption in funding or resources for military personnel after the 2004 fiscal year.

RICE TO DISCUSS GAZA PLAN WITH PALESTINIAN LEADER

The press secretary told reporters that National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will meet with Palestinian National Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Queria May 17.

He noted that Rice looks forward to the meeting and will discuss the importance of moving forward on a recent proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon calling for the withdrawal of Israeli settlements from Gaza.

McClellan said that the Sharon's plan is an important step toward a viable democratic state for the Palestinian people.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday May 17: President Bush will deliver remarks in Topeka, Kansas, and then travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend a Bush/Cheney 2004 reception.

Tuesday May 18: President Bush will make remarks at the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee in Washington.

Wednesday May 19: The president will hold a cabinet meeting and participate in a photo opportunity with the NCAA Winter Sports Champions. That afternoon, the president will make remarks at the Sons of Italy Foundation's 16th Annual National Education and Leadership Awards Gala.

Thursday May 20: President Bush will meet with the president of Greece

Friday May 21: The president will deliver the commencement address at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and will attend a Victory 2004 reception that evening.

Saturday May 22: President and Mrs. Bush will attend a private dinner for their daughter's graduation in Austin, Texas, and will overnight at the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas.

Sunday May 23: The president and first lady will attend a private dinner for their other daughter's graduation in New Haven, Connecticut.

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