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Weekly Review
thansen@moscow.com
Sat Jun 19 00:06:22 PDT 2004
W H I T E H O U S E E M A I L U P D A T E S
WEEKLY REVIEW
June 18, 2004
In this Issue
- AT THE TOP
> 9/11 Commission
> Jobs & Economic Growth
> Rx Drugs
- IN THE NEWS
^1 Paul Johnson
^2 Iraq
^3 Afghanistan
^4 Our Troops
^5 Clinton Portraits
^6 Website Exclusives
- DID YOU READ?
* Did You Read? - 9/11 Commission
_________________________________________________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~At the Top~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9/11 Commission
REPORT CONFIRMS ADMINISTRATION'S VIEWS OF AL-QAEDA/IRAQ TIES
A 9/11 Commission staff report supports the Bush
Administration's longstanding conclusion that there was no
evidence of "collaboration" between Iraq and al-Qaeda on the
9-11 attacks against the United States. The Administration
has said, however, that it was worried about a number of
contacts between Iraq and al-Qaeda, including contacts
between senior Iraqi intelligence officers and senior members
of al-Qaeda. The Commission's investigation does not dispute
that contacts between Iraq and al-Qaeda occurred.
The Administration also knew that Iraq was harboring a
terrorist network headed by Zarqawi. Zarqawi, the senior
al-Qaeda associate who was known to be in Baghdad for medical
treatment in May 2002, continues to undertake indiscriminate
acts of terrorism today. The Administration knew Saddam had
longstanding, direct, and continuing ties to a number of
terrorist groups, including groups responsible for killing
Americans.
On Thursday, both President Bush and the 9/11 Commission's
Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton commented on press reaction to
this 9/11 Commission staff report:
"The reason I keep insisting that there was a relationship
between Iraq and Saddam and al-Qaeda [is] because there was a
relationship between Iraq and al-Qaeda. This administration
never said that the 9/11 attacks were orchestrated between
Saddam and al-Qaeda. We did say there were numerous contacts
between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda. For example, Iraqi
intelligence officers met with bin Laden, the head of
al-Qaeda, in the Sudan. There's numerous contacts between
the two."
- President George W. Bush, 06/17/04
"I must say I have trouble understanding the flack over this.
The vice president is saying, I think, that there were
connections between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein's government.
We don't disagree with that. What we have said is... we
don't have any evidence of a cooperative, or a corroborative
relationship between Saddam Hussein's government and these
al-Qaeda operatives with regard to the attacks on the United
States. So it seems to me the sharp differences that the
press has drawn, the media has drawn, are not that apparent
to me."
- Lee Hamilton, 9/11 Commission Vice Chairman, 06/17/04
President's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040617-3.html
Jobs & Economic Growth
PRESIDENT BUSH'S POLICIES SUPPORT AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESSES
Small businesses create 7 out of 10 new jobs in America
and account for more than half of the output of our
economy. The President's policies are helping America's
small businesses and workers; nearly 1 million jobs have
been created in the last 100 days and more than 1.4
million new jobs have been created since August.
Key Points
- President Bush recognizes that supporting America's
small businesses is critical to ensuring continued job
creation.
- The President has made tax relief for America's small
business a key component of his economic program.
- America is the world's largest exporter, and the
President is committed to expanding markets for American
products and services.
- The President is committed to reducing the costs of
doing business in America.
- The President has made tax relief permanence a top
priority, because raising taxes on small businesses will hurt
economic growth and job creation.
Because small businesses are vital to our Nation's
prosperity and reflect the hard work of the American
people, the President has taken important steps to
assist small businesses and the people they employ by
reducing taxes, encouraging investment, and removing
obstacles to growth.
President's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040617-7.html
Fact Sheet: Supporting America's Small Businesses:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040617-4.html
In Focus - Jobs & Economic Growth:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/economy/index.html
Rx Drugs
MEDICARE DRUG DISCOUNT CARDS HELP SENIORS SAVE ON DRUG COSTS
President Bush traveled to Kansas City, MO on Monday to
discuss with seniors the benefits of the new
Medicare-approved Drug Discount Cards. Six months after he
signed into law this historic legislation, seniors are able
to achieve real savings on their prescription medicines by
signing up for the cards.
Seniors can use the card to save 15 to 30 percent off the
usual retail price of most brand name drugs and more on
generics at neighborhood pharmacies. Low-income seniors
struggling with high drug costs will be able to get these
savings, plus an additional $600 a year credit - or $1,200
over the next 18 months - to help pay for prescriptions.
Seniors can learn how to sign up and find the best card for
them by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by visiting
www.medicare.gov. The web site has price comparison tools
so, for the first time, seniors can get information on actual
drug prices allowing them to comparison shop.
Fact Sheet - Medicare Rx Drug Cards:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040614-23.html
President's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040614-12.html
FDA Chief Discusses New Discount Card on 06/14:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/radio/
_________________________________________________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In The News~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
^1 Paul Johnson
PRESIDENT BUSH CONDEMNS MURDER OF PAUL JOHNSON
President Bush on Friday said, "The murder of Paul shows the
evil nature of the enemy we face. These are barbaric people.
They're trying to shake our will; they're trying to get us
to retreat from the world. America will not retreat.
America will not be intimidated by these kinds of extremist
thugs.
"May God bless Paul Johnson."
President's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040618-5.html
^2 Iraq
THREE RECENT EVENTS ILLUSTRATE PROGRESS IN IRAQ
Three events from last week illustrate that President
Bush's five-step plan for Iraqi sovereignty is working --
and the international community is coming together to help
Iraqi's secure their own future.
Three Key Events
- U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546: Unanimously
adopted June 8th, it supports free elections and reauthorizes
the multinational force to help provide security in Iraq.
- Strong G8 Summit Support: For both the Iraqi Interim
Government and the President's plan to promote democracy in the
broader Middle East.
- President of a Free Iraq Visits U.S.: President
Al-Yawer attended the G8 Summit, thanking the American people
for their sacrifices and emphasizing Iraqis are working to make
sure they were not in vain.
Fact Sheet - Five-Step Plan for Iraq:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/05/20040524-4.html
President's Remarks Outlining His Five-Step Plan for Iraq:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/05/20040524-10.html
^3 Afghanistan
PRESIDENT BUSH MEETS WITH PRESIDENT KARZAI OF AFGHANISTAN
President Bush welcomed Afghan President Karzai to the
White House on Tuesday where the two leaders discussed the
significant progress in Afghanistan. Addressing reporters
in the Rose Garden, President Bush outlined five new
U.S.-Afghan initiatives to "help the Afghan people achieve
the peace, stability, and prosperity they deserve."
Key Points
The five new U.S.-Afghan initiatives outlined by President
Bush include:
- A training program for newly elected Afghan politicians
and assembly members to help build democratic institutions.
- Building modern schools, printing new textbooks, and
training teachers in a new curriculum that teaches religious
and ethnic tolerance.
- Expanding exchange programs that help foster
understanding and respect between the U.S. and Afghanistan.
- Continuing Afghanistan's revival by pursuing a
bilateral trade agreement, and encouraging foreign investment
in Afghanistan.
- Creating opportunities for Afghan women through
training in business management skills and small business
grants.
"Three years ago, the Taliban had granted Osama bin
Laden and his terrorist al Qaeda organization a safe
refuge," said President Bush. "Today, the Taliban has
been deposed, al Qaeda is in hiding, and coalition
forces continue to hunt down the remnants and
holdouts.
"Afghanistan's journey to democracy and peace deserves
the support and respect of every nation, because free
nations do not breed the ideology of terror... my
government reaffirms its iron-clad commitment to help
Afghanistan succeed and prosper."
President Bush's & President Karzai's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040615-4.html
^4 Our Troops
PRESIDENT SALUTES MILITARY, VISITS BASES IN FL AND WA
On Wednesday, the President addressed military personnel at
MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL. In his remarks, the
President said, "Wherever your duty has taken you, I want you
to know that you are a part of a great force for good in this
world. The defense of our country, the security of our
friends, and the peace of the world depend on you. Thank you
for working hard, and for bringing credit and honor to the
United States military."
On Friday President Push spoke to military personnel, visited
with wounded soldiers and met with families of fallen
soldiers in Fort Lewis, WA. In his remarks, the President
said, "Each of you is a volunteer. You sacrifice in the
service of a higher calling, the cause of your nation. And
we are grateful for that sacrifice. People all over our
country will join me in saying, thank you for what you're
doing for our country."
President's Remarks - FL:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040616-4.html
President's Remarks - WA:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040618-1.html
^5 Clinton Portraits
THE PRESIDENT WELCOMES PRESIDENT CLINTON AND SENATOR CLINTON
President Bush welcomed President Clinton and Senator Clinton
to the White House for the unveiling of their portraits on
Monday.
President's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040614-2.html
^6 Website Exclusives
HIGHLIGHTS OF CONTENT FOUND ONLY AT WHITEHOUSE.GOV
This week's highlights featured on Whitehouse.gov:
> Ask the White House - Treasury Secretary Snow:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/20040618_2.html
> Ask the White House - Commerce Secretary Evans:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/20040618.html
> Ask the White House - Labor Secretary Chao:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/20040617.html
> Ask the White House - The Environment:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/20040614.html
> White House Radio - Vice President Cheney:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/radio/index.html
> White House Radio - Secretary Colin Powell:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/radio/index.html
> White House Radio - Asa Hutchinson:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/radio/index.html
_________________________________________________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Did You Read?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"COMMISSION CONFIRMS LINKS"
Stephen J. Hadley, Deputy National Security Adviser, USA
Today, 06/18/2004:
"A 9/11 commission staff report is being cited to argue
that the administration was wrong about there being
suspicious ties and contacts between Iraq and al-Qaeda.
In fact, just the opposite is true. The staff report
documents such links.
"The staff report concludes that:
- "Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden 'explored possible
cooperation with Iraq during his time in Sudan.'
- "'A senior Iraqi intelligence officer reportedly made
three visits to Sudan, finally meeting bin Laden in 1994.'
- "'Contacts between Iraq and al-Qaeda also occurred
after bin Laden had returned to Afghanistan.'
"Chairman Thomas Kean has confirmed: 'There were
contacts between Iraq and al-Qaeda, a number of them,
some of them a little shadowy. They were definitely
there.'
"Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is the leader of a terrorist
group that is responsible for a number of deadly
attacks throughout Iraq. He and his men trained and
fought with al-Qaeda for years. Zarqawi's network
helped establish and operate an explosives and poisons
facility in northeast Iraq. Zarqawi and nearly
two-dozen al-Qaeda associates were in Baghdad before
the fall of Saddam's regime. In 2002, one al-Qaeda
associate bragged that the situation in Iraq was "good"
and that Baghdad could be transited quickly."
Full Column:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2004-06-17-hadley_x.htm
__________________________________________________________________
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