For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 21, 2004
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
CONTENTS:
President's trip to Europe
Russia/Yukos sale
Recent killings in Mosul
Reference B
Reference C
Strength of insurgency
Reference B
Prison abuse/FBI memos
Reference B
Meeting with Kweisi Mfume
Reimportation of drugs
Immigration reform
Secretary Rumsfeld
Palestinian state
Fanny Mae/Frank Raines
President's view on religious symbols
Russia/nuclear storage in United States
12:35 P.M. EST
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. I want to begin with an update to the President's schedule, and then give you a quick
readout on a world leader call from this morning.
The President will travel to Germany and the Slovak Republic, following his meetings on February 22, 2005, with NATO and
European Union leaders in Brussels, Belgium. Chancellor Schroeder will host the President in Germany on February 23rd.
In addition to a bilateral program in the Slovak Republic on February 24th, the President will meet with Russian
President Putin.
The President has emphasized his desire to work with all of our friends and allies in Europe to promote global
development and prosperity, to defeat terrorism, and to encourage freedom and democracy as alternatives to tyranny and
terror. This trip, which will be the President's first foreign trip following his inauguration, will underscore the
President's commitment to building on our shared values of freedom, democracy and human rights, and to work closely with
European allies and friends on the 21st century challenges that we face together.
Q Where in Germany, Scott?
MR. McCLELLAN: We'll get you more details later.
Q Can you talk about the agenda?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me finish the President's call.
The President this morning spoke with Prime Minister Erdogan. The President congratulated Prime Minister Erdogan on the
European Council's December 17th decision that the European Union would begin accession talks with Turkey on October 3,
2005. The leaders agreed on the EU's decision -- agreed that the EU's decision should help strengthen Turkey's relations
with both Europe and the United States. The two leaders also discussed the need to increase security cooperation among
the United States, Turkey, and Iraq. The President and Prime Minister Erdogan talked about the importance of moving
forward on Iraqi elections in January, as well.
And that is all I have. I will be glad to go to your questions.
Q Do you have any concerns about the way Russia has handled the sale of Yukos, and will this come up at the meeting on
February 24th?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, we have previously indicated concerns about the situation regarding Yukos. We are disappointed that
Russia went ahead with the auction of the Yukos subsidiary. We had hoped for a solution that would allow for the
legitimate enforcement of tax laws, but avoid harming investors, especially American investors. And we have communicated
to the Russian government repeatedly that its handling of the Yukos matter could have a chilling effect on the foreign
investment in Russia, and affect its role in the global economy. We continue to believe it's Russia's responsibility to
seek greater integration into the world economy, to create an environment governed by the protection of property rights
and rule of law, and to restore confidence in its political, legal and judicial institutions.
The United States supports the ability of investors to pursue interests in Russia and believes that Russia should ensure
a stable, predictable and transparent environment for those investors.
Q Will the President raise this with Putin?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think the agenda is being worked out now, and the President does bring up the concerns that we
have when he meets with President Putin. We have a very good relationship, as the President talked about yesterday, and
it's a relationship where we can talk about our efforts to work together on shared priorities like the war on terrorism,
as well as talk about differences that we may have in a very open way.
Q The President also --
Q Scott, do you have anything on the Mosul attack?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me keep going. Go ahead, John.
Q Anything on the Mosul attack?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, General Hamm just briefed a short time ago on that. The President mourns the loss of life and prays
for the families of those who were killed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. The
terrorists and Saddam loyalists are desperately seeking to derail the transition to democracy and freedom in Iraq. The
enemies of freedom understand the stakes involved. You heard the President talk about that yesterday. They will be
defeated, and a free and peaceful Iraq will emerge. When it does, it will be a major blow to their ambitions and the
ambitions of those who espouse hatred.
For too long, John, we ignored the Middle East and it became a dangerous breeding ground for terrorism. A free and
peaceful Iraq will help transform the Middle East and make the world a safer and better place and provide people with
hope and opportunity, as opposed to oppression and hatred. So it's critical that we continue to move forward on
completing the mission in Iraq. And we appreciate our troops who are serving and sacrificing for an important cause.
Q The President also said yesterday that these insurgent and terrorist attacks are having some kind of effect in Iraq,
they are an effective propaganda tool. Is this another example of that?
MR. McCLELLAN: John, what we are focused on is working with the Iraqi people and the Iraqi security forces to defeat the
terrorists and defeat the Saddam loyalists. Our men and women understand the stakes involved. They understand -- our men
and women in uniform understand the importance of the mission. They know that this mission is critical to the safety and
security of the free world. And we appreciate their service and sacrifice. We are forever grateful for those who have
fallen in defense of freedom and building a better future for the Iraqi people.
And this afternoon the President will be visiting some of the wounded and families at Walter Reed, and I'm sure that he
will talk to them about the important mission that they have served and sacrificed for in Iraq.
Q Scott, can I ask you, you have said for months, and the President has said that they are trying to derail freedom,
these insurgents, and that the insurgents will be defeated -- as you just said. And, yet, you've said that for months
and, yet, the insurgency continues to grow stronger. This now appears to be the most deadly attack against U.S. troops
since the war began. How can you show that progress is being made?
MR. McCLELLAN: Actually, General Casey briefed on it last week when he was here in Washington, D.C. and he talked about
the progress that had been made in places like Fallujah and Najaf and Samarra. And he talked about how even Iraqi
security forces in those areas were partnering with us to address the ongoing security challenges. There are tough
challenges that remain; the President talked about that yesterday. But we are making important progress on the ground.
We also have to keep in mind that the terrorists and Saddam loyalists have adapted and changed their tactics. We adapt
and change with that, as well, to meet those ongoing security challenges. We saw what was accomplished in Fallujah.
Security has been brought to the city of Fallujah, great progress made there. There are other areas that we must
continue to address some of the ongoing security challenges. And it's important that we continue to help the Iraqi
people move forward on the political process, as well, because as they move forward on holding elections next month,
that will be a significant blow to the ambitions of those who want to turn back to the past. The terrorists and Saddam
loyalists want to turn back to the past of oppression and brutality. That will not happen. The Iraqi people have made it
very clear that they want a free and peaceful future and that they want to move forward on elections.
Q Scott, what has the President been told about why this mess hall was within range of the rocket fire and vulnerable to
attack?
MR. McCLELLAN: This attack just occurred today. We know what you all know, at this point. General Hamm briefed reporters
a short time ago about the situation on the ground, and that's what we know at this point. So we will continue to be
briefed about it as more is learned.
Q If the United States military can't completely secure an American military base from this kind of attack, what does it
say to Iraqis who are expected to show up at 9,000 polling places next month?
MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, there -- as General Hamm and others -- I mean, as General Casey, I believe, last week, and others
have pointed out, in about 15 of the 18 provinces in Iraq, there is security and peace. There are some provinces where
there are security challenges that remain because the terrorists recognize what a significant blow it will be when Iraq
is a democratic, free and peaceful state. It will be a major blow to the ambitions of the terrorists. It is critical to
our efforts to win the war on terrorism. That's why they're desperately seeking to derail the transition and attacking
our forces, attacking the Iraqi people, attacking innocent civilians. They will be defeated. We have seen progress made
to bring to justice those who are the enemies of freedom, and we will continue to pursue them.
Q The message to the Iraqi people from this podium is, in most of your country it's okay, go vote?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the Iraqi people are grateful for the sacrifices that coalition forces are making to help them
move forward on a better future, a future that is in stark contrast to the past, of oppression. And that's what we will
continue to do. The Iraqi people are registering to vote. They're filing for office. As the President talked about
yesterday, you've seen a number of political parties that have already -- that have filed for the election, to
participate in the election with hundreds to thousands of candidates that are involved in that election process. They
are determined to move forward on holding elections. We are determined to help them move forward on elections, because
moving forward on the political process, as well as moving forward on the security front and the reconstruction front
will help defeat those who want to turn back to the past.
Q Was the President aware of the FBI charges of abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo by the Defense Department?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, I think what you're referring to is some of the reports about some memos that have
been publicly released now. And some of this information dates back to previous periods of time. The President expects
that any allegations of abuse are taken seriously and fully investigated, and that corrective measures are taken to make
sure that abuse does not occur again. That's what the President expects. The President made it very clear yesterday
again that we are a nation of laws and a nation of values, and we adhere to our laws and values. And he expects --
Q So you're sure now that it doesn't go on anymore?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me finish. The President expects that there -- if there are allegations of abuse, that those
allegations need to be taken seriously. They need to be fully investigated, people need to be held accountable and
brought to justice if they're involved in wrongdoing, and that preventative measures and corrective measures are put in
place to prevent it from happening again. The Department of Defense has a number of investigations ongoing into
allegations of abuse. I think they show that they take these allegations very seriously, and that's what we expect.
Q You've several times made the point that eventually you expect the insurgents will be defeated. But this is a pretty
sophisticated attack today, apparently, from what we know of it. What does this attack say to you about the
resourcefulness and capabilities of the insurgents now, even after Fallujah? And the President made a point yesterday of
saying that the elections at the end of January are just the beginning of a process, not the end.
MR. McCLELLAN: That's correct.
Q Does that suggest that we should expect this kind of violence to go on throughout the year?
MR. McCLELLAN: And I think we've addressed that previously, that as we continue to move forward on helping the Iraqi
people build a free and democratic future, and a peaceful future. The enemies of freedom will continue to seek to derail
that transition. But as -- each step that we move forward is another defeat for the ambitions of the terrorists and the
Saddam loyalists who want to return to the past. And the political process is critical to moving forward toward a
democratic and free and peaceful Iraq for the Iraqi people.
Now, General Hamm, a short time ago, said that the investigation into the attack today is ongoing. So I don't think it's
appropriate for me to get into talking about the specific attack. But we have talked about how some of these terrorists
that have come into the country and the Saddam loyalists who fled the battlefield previously were changing some of their
tactics. And we are adapting to meet the challenges from those changing tactics, as well -- and the military has talked
about that -- and we will continue to do so.
But we expect violence to continue as we move forward on helping the Iraqi people build a free and peaceful future. But
they will -- those who seek to derail that transition will be defeated. We have seen in a number of areas the progress
that has been made. But we will also always remember those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of the Iraqi people
and on behalf of building a better and safer world.
Q Scott, as you say, the violence -- you're expecting the violence to continue. This goes back to the security for the
military who is fighting in Iraq. What is being done to fortify military bases over there? What's being done to help
these soldiers deal with these insurgents?
MR. McCLELLAN: A lot. Our men and women in uniform are performing superbly. We are greatly appreciative of the service
and sacrifice that they are making in Iraq and Afghanistan and other areas of the world in the war on terrorism. They
understand the importance of their mission. And we will always make sure they have what they need to complete that
mission. That's what the President has made clear repeatedly.
Q What's needed today? What's needed to fortify a U.S. military base --
MR. McCLELLAN: The military can talk to you about the specific steps that they're taking. They're the ones who are in
the best position to do that. General Casey did that last week, and they will continue to keep you updated on what
they're doing to address the ongoing security challenges and partner with Iraqi security forces to address those
security challenges.
Q And on another topic, real quickly. In a matter of minutes, the President is supposed to meet with Kweisi Mfume, the
head of the NAACP -- the outgoing head of the NAACP. What is the President going to discuss and what's on the
President's civil rights agenda for his second term?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, this was a meeting that was requested by Mr. Mfume. Mr. Mfume asked for the meeting to discuss ways
we can work together in the future. The President and Mr. Mfume have had a good relationship in the past, and this
meeting is an opportunity to talk about ways we can work together in the future on shared priorities. The President is
always open to talking to people who want to work together on our common challenges and our shared priorities. So he
looks forward to the meeting here shortly. And in terms of the actual meeting, I think we need to let it take place for
now.
Q So does this mean that the NAACP -- Kweisi Mfume is the outgoing head of the NAACP. Does this mean the NAACP will now
have an open door to come and sit and talk with the President, after years of a chasm between the two organizations?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me repeat what I just said. The President is always open to sitting down and visiting with and
working with those who want to work together on shared priorities. He has had a good relationship with Mr. Mfume in the
past. Today's meeting is a way to talk about how we can work together in the future. Mr. Mfume sent the letter
requesting the meeting prior to his announcement that he would be leaving as president of the NAACP. So we look forward
to hearing what he wants to bring up. The President, I'm sure, will have some things to say, as well, and talk about
ways we can work together.
Q Will there be a readout on that?
MR. McCLELLAN: This was scheduled as a private meeting. I will see what else we can get you all later in the day, but
the President felt this was a good opportunity to sit down and talk in private about ways we can work together in the
future.
Q Can Mfume come to the stakeout?
MR. McCLELLAN: Anybody is welcome to go to the stakeout, April.
Q Back on Mosul, to follow up on April's question. Already the critics are saying that this is another example that
soldiers aren't protected, that this was -- this mess hall was simply under a tent. How does the administration respond
to that criticism? And then, also, can you clarify the Iraqi elections -- is that seen as really a benchmark when it
comes to, I guess, measuring just how much the violence will increase or what you expect after those elections?
MR. McCLELLAN: It's an important step in the process toward a democratic, free and peaceful Iraq. The President talked
about yesterday how it's the beginning of the process toward a free, democratic and peaceful Iraq. And this election
will be about putting in place a transitional government as we move forward, from the interim government to a
transitional government, that will work on drafting a constitution, getting that to the Iraqi people for their approval
and then, ultimately, at the end of next year, they will be able to hold elections to decide who their permanent
representatives are for their government going forward.
And it's important that we move forward on all fronts, because as we move forward on the reconstruction front, the
political front and the security front, it helps defeat those who seek to derail that transition and it helps defeat
their ambitions. The Iraqi people are assuming more and more responsibility for their future. And as they assume more
responsibility, those who seek to stop that from moving forward will see that their days are numbered.
Q So the administration has been trying to prepare the American people for the increase in violence leading up to the
election. Do you think that that will subside once the election occurs?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you have to adjust to circumstances on the ground. And we always look to the commanders on the
ground to tell us what is needed, and then we work to make sure they have what they needed, in terms of the best
equipment and all the resources to complete the mission. And as circumstances change on the ground, the military adapts
to those circumstances. And that's what they've been working to do with some of these issues involving improvised
explosive devices and RPG attacks.
Q The President, during the campaign, was pretty skeptical about reimportation of drugs -- or sounded skeptical of the
reimportation of drugs from Canada. And he said he was awaiting a report, and it seems that that report is going to come
out today. Has he read that yet, and does he have a position?
MR. McCLELLAN: He is familiar with the report. I believe there's a briefing here shortly. The President's top priority
has always been the safety of the American people when it comes to drugs, and that will remain his top priority. We have
the strongest system of regulation of drugs of anyplace in the world. And so let's let the briefing take place and then
we can talk about it further.
Q Scott, if I could go back to the FBI memos for a moment. Were the concerns of the FBI, as communicated to the Director
and other officials there, from its agents who have been at Guantanamo Bay ever shared with any officials at the White
House?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's a broad question. I mean, I can go check specifics if you want to bring it to my attention; I can
see what else I can get for you. We're aware --
Q The FBI agents are saying people in Guantanamo, military officials are, one, posing as FBI agents, and two, doing
things to prisoners that we are not allowed to do, which they considered abuses.
MR. McCLELLAN: Generally speaking, we are aware of the allegations of abuse that are being made available in some of the
documents that have been released. And I told you what the President's view is. Everybody knows what the policy is. And
we've made it very clear that we expect that policy to be followed. And so, yes, we do stay in touch with the Department
of Defense on issues of this nature when they come up. The Department of Defense has assured you, has assured the public
that they take these issues seriously, that they have investigations going on. There have been instances where they have
taken action to hold people accountable for alleged abuse.
Q Right. But what I'm asking about in this particular case, you had the FBI expressing specific concerns from people who
had been down there and seen what they considered abusive behavior. Are you saying, in that particular instance, those
particular concerns were expressed to the White House?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, in terms of specifics, this information is becoming public so we're becoming aware of more
information as it becomes public, as you are. I think that these are matters that are typically addressed with the
Department of Defense, and the Department of Defense is the one who takes action to look into those matters. So I can't
say that specific matters and memos, internal memos at the FBI, I can't say that we were necessarily aware of those. I'd
have to check on individual matters.
Q Well, the question would be whether the White House knew that the FBI was concerned that there were abuses and that
its name was being invoked in perpetrating those abuses. If the White House didn't know, then we would be led to believe
that it was up to Director Mueller to go to Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and say, hey, your guys are doing things that are
wrong and blaming my guys for doing it.
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, there's a lot of documents that have been released. I'd have to check into specific instances and
let you know on that.
Q So you -- would you clear up one thing? There was one story out there that the President had signed some executive
order that somehow dealt with the interrogation of prisoners?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that's already been cleared up by the Department of Defense, as well as the Department of
Justice, who said that that individual was mistaken.
Q Well, would you just state for the record whether the President had ever signed any sort of order dealing with
interrogation?
MR. McCLELLAN: There is no executive order relating to interrogation techniques. When it comes to military detainees and
interrogation methods, those are determinations made by the Department of Defense.
Go ahead, Sarah.
Q Scott, the President says he wants to see immigration reform in his second term. He wants to see people who are
willing to work be allowed to enter the United States. But many thousands of hardworking people, some who have been here
for many years and who have families here, entered the U.S. illegally. Has the President changed his position on
amnesty?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, the President's position is very clear. I think you heard him talk to this issue yesterday at length.
He remains committed to moving forward on his temporary worker program and working with Congress on that matter.
Go ahead, Goyal.
Q Scott, Asia Today Magazine was searching the best man of the year. They interviewed so many people here and also
overseas, and most of the voices came for President Bush. What I want to hear, really, is directly from the President
why and how he should be the man of the year, and best person for --
MR. McCLELLAN: For -- for what award?
Q Asia Today Magazine.
MR. McCLELLAN: Those are determinations, obviously, for that magazine to make, and they're very well aware of his record
and his leadership and we'll leave it to them to make that determination.
Q And secondly --
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me keep moving. Jacobo, go ahead.
Q Scott, yesterday, the President defended Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld quite vehemently at yesterday's press
conference. Is it just an open-ended endorsement, or will the President continue to review the performance of the
Pentagon, especially when things are not going always well in Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President works very closely with Secretary Rumsfeld. As we carry out the war on terrorism and as we
move forward on transforming the military, he will continue to do so. He appreciates the job that he is doing. You heard
directly from the President yesterday, and that's where I would leave it.
Q Scott, to follow up on that, since both The Washington Times and The Maryville, Tennessee Daily Times report that when
Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter Edward Pitts rehearsed Army Specialist Thomas Wilson of what to ask Secretary
Rumsfeld, the Pentagon had already up-armored 97 percent of the vehicles in Wilson's regimental combat team, and the
last 20 of their 830 vehicles were in the up-armored pipeline, said General Speaks, in a Pentagon briefing last week --
MR. McCLELLAN: And your question.
Q So my first question: What is the President's reaction to the fact that all of this was ignored by the old big media,
like The Washington Post, who published a page one poll reporting a majority want Rumsfeld to go?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President was asked about this very issue in the Oval Office, and he made his views very
clear, that he could understand why the soldier was asking the question that he did. He said, if I were in that
soldier's position, I would have asked the same question. The question came from the soldier. It was his decision to ask
the question. And in terms of the increase of armoring Humvees, the military has worked to increase the number of
armored Humvees that are being produced a month, from 35 to 450. Secretary Rumsfeld has talked about that, and the
Pentagon has talked about it, as well.
It's important that we make sure our troops have everything they need. And when circumstances on the ground change,
sometimes there's a need to change what equipment and armor they have, and we need to make sure it gets to them as
quickly as possible. That's what the President expects.
Q Yesterday the President's said, there will never be peace until a true democratic state emerges in the Palestinian
territory. And my question: How does he imagine that this can possibly take place when the lead candidate to run this
Palestinian state is a Holocaust denying, four-decade assistant to Arafat, who now demands of Israel the right of Arab
return?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President believes that we have a very unique opportunity before us in the Middle East, and I think
that all parties recognize that this is an opportunity we need to seize. We have an opportunity to move forward on a
Palestinian state, and getting to a Palestinian state living side-by-side at peace with Israel. That's the President's
two-state vision. All parties have responsibilities moving forward. We need to continue to work together to put in place
a strategy so that the Palestinians can put in place institutions necessary for a democracy to emerge.
The President knows that when you have democracies living next to each other, that they're at peace with one another.
And that's why it's important to move forward on this. And it's important to let the Palestinians choose who their
leaders are. And in terms of the election next month, that will be a step, but it is not the completion of a democratic
Palestinian state. There is much work to be done. And the President talked about how he appreciated Prime Minister
Blair's efforts in that respect, as well.
Q For the last 18 months, Fanny Mae's CEO, Franklin Raines, has told Congress, investors, taxpayers, that his company's
accounting is sound. On Wednesday, the SEC ruled the accounting is flawed and the company should restate earnings by as
much as $9 billion. Should the board of Fanny Mae, a government-chartered company, remove Raines?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that those are matters that the board will work to address. In terms of the issues relating to
Fanny Mae, there are some ongoing investigations by independent agencies that I'm not going to get into discussing.
We've long talked about the importance of making sure that government-sponsored enterprises, like Fanny Mae, have a
strong regulator, and some of the issues that have arisen recently underscore the need for that. GSEs like Fannie Mae
have an important role to play in increasing home ownership opportunities for the under-served. And we believe there
should be vigorous oversight so that those enterprises serve their public purpose and contribute to a sound and strong
financial system. And that's what our views are. But in terms of those matters, those are matters that the board will
address.
Q Scott, with regard to the attack in Mosul today, for the last two weeks, we've been hearing about not enough armored
Humvees being out in the field. Now this attack has taken place at the base. A holiday is coming; insurgent groups like
to strike on symbolic days. What can you say to the parents of American troops who are over there who are concerned,
given the fact that the holidays are coming and that these reports seem to be gaining critical mass?
MR. McCLELLAN: We can say what the President says when he visits with the families of those who are serving in places
like Iraq and Afghanistan: Your loved one is serving an important cause and an important mission. The efforts in Iraq
are critical to winning the war on terrorism, as the President talked about yesterday. This is about transforming a
dangerous region of the world that for too long we ignored, and bringing hope and opportunity to that region and
defeating the ideology of hatred that the terrorists in that region espouse and seek to advance.
And we can also say that we thank you for your service and your sacrifice, as well. The families have made tremendous
sacrifices, and we appreciate all that they do. And the President also tells them that your loved ones who are in harm's
way will have everything they need to complete their mission. We will make sure they have the best possible equipment
and the resources they need to carry out that mission. And that's what our commitment is.
Q Are you ramping up force protection in light of this?
MR. McCLELLAN: The military has acted on a number of fronts. They talked about those issues over the last few days, and
they talked about the steps they're taking to address some of the challenges that remain.
Go ahead, Connie.
Q Scott, what are the President's thoughts on restrictions on religious symbols, especially during the holidays? After
all, this is a nation that's built on religion and relies heavily on God. And by the way, while we're at it, merry
Christmas.
MR. McCLELLAN: Thank you. Happy holidays to everybody here.
Q You can say, Christmas.
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not sure about what restrictions you're specifically referring to. I think -- the President believes
that we ought to be welcoming of people of faith, and people ought to be able to express their views freely and openly
and -- whether they worship in a God or not. And the President has talked about that.
Q But the challenge is specifically on Christmas symbols, on nativity scenes and so forth.
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I'm not sure what you're referring to in terms of restrictions. But the President believes --
we're a country that values the ability of people to freely worship as they choose.
Q Do you mind looking into it and trying to --
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead. Go ahead.
Q Yes, I wanted to come back to the agenda of the meeting with Putin, if I may, for a second. The meeting will happen
two days before the new vote in Ukraine. Do you expect that to be a major subject in the discussion? Also the President
yesterday mentioned --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, the meeting with Putin? That will be --
Q Yes.
MR. McCLELLAN: That won't be until February. When the vote -- the vote on Ukraine will be --
Q All right, sorry, I don't know what I'm talking about.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- this week. That's okay, I don't either, so -- (Laughter.)
Q That is a moment of frankness in the briefing room. (Laughter.)
MR. McCLELLAN: -- then we can begin the holidays.
Q Apology made, apology accepted. The other subject that the President himself mentioned yesterday was this idea of
allowing the Russians access to the nuclear storage facilities in the United States. Is this a new idea? And, again,
will it be a major subject of discussion?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I think that is something that they will discuss when they meet. The prevention of the proliferation
of nuclear material is one of our top security priorities. And he will likely bring that up with President Putin when
they meet. We have long-established cooperation in this area, and the two leaders can discuss ways to improve that
cooperation, including through sharing ideas and ways to build confidence that both countries are doing separately and
together, and to make sure we're doing all that is necessary to secure nuclear material.
Q Why was it needed? Why was this new initiative needed? Was there a lack --
MR. McCLELLAN: We've done -- we've taken a lot of steps to work to address some of the unsecured nuclear material in
countries around the world, including in Russia. And I think the President was talking about it would be an opportunity
for Russia to see how we address some of those issues, too, and ways to improve some of that cooperation.
Q I'm going to follow up on Connie's question with specifics. The ACLU has gone to court to prevent a 5th grade class in
Oklahoma from singing Christmas carols during a holiday program. Also, this is happening in New Jersey. In Seattle, a
city building, they had to take the Christmas tree down because the city was being threatened by a lawsuit from the
ACLU, and Americans for the Separation of Church and State.
These are very important symbols to people of faith, not only Christians, but members of other faiths. We know that the
President is a man of faith, and I'm sure that the faithful who believe they're being persecuted would appreciate some
strong support and encouragement from the President.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President has made it very clear that people ought to be able to freely worship as they
choose. And in terms of schools, he's talked about those issues, as well. He has been a strong supporter of voluntary
efforts like voluntary student prayer. And so I think his views are very clear on these issues.
Q Scott, just about all of us in this room are old enough to remember what happened in 1983, with the Marine barracks
bombing in Beirut, and what that one incident did to American resolve regarding that mission. I'm just wondering if the
President believes -- and I realize the Mosul thing is quite different, the circumstances are quite different, but it's
been widely reported -- I'm wondering if the President worries that the American people are going to continue to be
accepting of the consequences of this invasion ad infinitum or at some point --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, there -- a free and peaceful and democratic Iraq is going to emerge. It's going to be
an Iraq that is run by the Iraqi people, as they choose to run that country. And we've made that very clear. The
President will continue to talk to the American people about the challenges that remain. As he talked about yesterday,
there are still some tough challenges going forward. But he will also talk to them about the importance of the mission
we are working to complete in Iraq.
As I said, for some two decades at least, we ignored the Middle East while terrorism was building and strengthening. And
we saw what happened on September 11th because of that. It was a threat that was emerging that was not being confronted.
This President made a decision after September 11th that we are going to confront the war on terrorism on all fronts.
This is a struggle of ideologies; it's a struggle of the ideology of hatred and tyranny and the ideology of freedom and
democracy. And we must continue to move forward to build a safer and better world, and Iraq is critical in those
efforts. And so that's what he will continue to talk about.
Thank you all. Have a happy holiday, and good luck to those in Crawford.
Q Will you be briefing tomorrow?
MR. McCLELLAN: I will not be briefing tomorrow. Thank you.
END 1:10 P.M. EST