Transcript of Ari Fleischer Sept. 13 Press Gaggle

Transcript of Ari Fleischer Sept. 13 Press Gaggle
To: National Desk
Contact: White House Press Office, 202-456-2580

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is the
transcript of Ari Fleischer's daily press gaggle:

MR. FLEISCHER: Good morning, gagglers, and thank you for
allowing me to come to briefing room to do this under our normal
rules: no TV, no radio, but this of course is all on the record.
And I will be briefing today on camera at 2:30 p.m.

This morning, the President arrived in the Oval Office at
approximately 7:10 a.m. He made a series of phone calls to world
leaders, including Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan, Prime
Minister Berlusconi of Italy, Lord Robertson of NATO, and Crown
Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. All four expressed their
condolences and deepest sympathies to the people of the United
States over this terrorist attack. And all four told the
President that they stand united with the people of the United
States in combatting terrorism.

The President later today will be making a phone call to
Mayor Giuliani. He will also, late morning -- we'll get you an
exact time as soon as we can -- depart for a local hospital for
a private visit to meet with the families of people who are in
the hospital here, and to thank the many doctors and nurses who
have saved lives at these hospitals.

The President will also, this afternoon at -- is it 3:30 p.m.
-- 3:30 p.m., I believe, is the meeting with members of Congress
from the regions that have been affected -- here at the
Pentagon, up in New York City -- by the terrorist acts.

Also, the President is declaring today that tomorrow should
be a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance. The President
tomorrow will attend a prayer service in Washington, D.C. The
President is calling on Americans during their lunch hours today
-- he will call on them at tomorrow's Day of Prayer and
Remembrance to take time during their lunch hour to attend
prayer services at churches, synagogues, mosques, other places
of their choosing, to pray for our nation, to pray for the
families of those who were victimized by this act of terrorism.

Q: When the President made these phone calls, what was the
purpose? I mean, you said they expressed condolences, but he
called them. Did he call them for some reason?

MR. FLEISCHER: The President is continuing, and will
continue, to make phone calls around the world as part of his
effort to assemble an international coalition that stands united
to combat terrorism.

MR. FLEISCHER: They have all said that they will stand united
with the United States to fight terrorism.

MR. FLEISCHER: It's the words I've used, Helen. I'm not going
to get more specific than that.

MR. FLEISCHER: Because that's the tenor of the conversation
that they're having.

Q: But is a coalition just a rhetorical agreement, we don't
like terrorism? Or are you looking for more significant support
of any type -- militarily, economically, joining in some kind of
sanctions regime, anything?

MR. FLEISCHER: It is more than rhetorical, but I'm not
prepared to go beyond that. It is an expression of world
support, and world condemnation -- just as with NATO's action.
This is unprecedented, that NATO would say an attack on one
nation is an attack on all. NATO has not invoked its Article 5
clause before.

Q: But that has a legal implication. I mean, that implies
action. The NATO action --

MR. FLEISCHER: I think I know where the questions are going,
what you're after. But when it comes to action, you're asking me
to predict or to indicate publicly any future events, and I'm
not going to do that.

Q: No, we're not asking you that. We're asking, is the United
States asking these countries for military help or for any other
kind of help?

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not going to go beyond that, what I've
said, to address any specifics.

MR. FLEISCHER: Because these are conversations between the
President and foreign leaders, and the President does not share
every aspect of every sentence he has with foreign leaders.

Q: Ari, when you say "coalition", it does mean something,
it seems, more than just standing shoulder to shoulder. I mean,
no one likes terrorism. Every nation formally condemns
terrorism. Nobody stands up in the United Nations and says,
hooray for terrorism. What does "coalition" mean, when the
President is seeking to build it?

MR. FLEISCHER: Coalition means that the world stands united,
and they are sending a signal to those who have carried out this
act that the world is united with the United States.

MR. FLEISCHER: Listen, I know what you're asking. I'm just
not going to go beyond that.

Q: You know what we're asking, but you're telling us you're
not going to answer it?

MR. FLEISCHER: Helen, what I'm saying is that I'm not going
to discuss every sentence of the President's conversations with
foreign leaders.

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm describing it as I've described it. I'm
not going to go beyond that.

Q What we're trying to establish is that what you all are
discussing in these things, without any reference to specifics
of any sort, is beyond the level of just expressions --

Q Well, without doing the specifics. Presumably you all
would like to have -- if you need them, ever --

MR. FLEISCHER: Listen, this is -- I don't know if you want
to spend all of your time on this and this topic, because I'm
not going to go beyond that.

Q Isn't that something the nation needs, right now, is
specifics, when everyone, including people here in the White
House, are rattled from this?

MR. FLEISCHER: Actually I think, April, that the nation
completely understands the need for the President and our
planners to be able to protect our nation, to carry out the
nation's mission in a manner that is not shared in all aspects
publicly.

Q But, Ari, the words of war continue to be floated
around, and a lot of people are wondering when and how. And
they're looking to the White House for specifics, and to see so
this situation won't happen again. What can you give to the
American public to reassure them, in your conversations with
these other nations, that you are working to secure the security
of the American public?

MR. FLEISCHER: As the President said yesterday, the United
States will use all our resources to conquer this enemy. But if
the press corps is asking for anybody in government to list what
specific actions the United States is going to take in the
future --

MR. FLEISCHER: -- of that nature, I think the American
people are content to let the government go about its business,
so that we can do exactly what the President said.

Q Can you say, Ari, why the U.S. sees it so important to
sort of have this international consensus to fight terrorism? Is
it the magnitude of the situation? Is it that beyond going after
those responsible, deemed responsible for the attacks, we're
looking at taking this opportunity to do more of a worldwide
assault on terrorism?

MR. FLEISCHER: I think the best explanation of it, Kelly,
comes from the United Nations. In the Security Council
resolution that they passed, the United Nations declared that
this attack on the United States is a threat to international
peace and security. And I think it is comforting for Americans
and for all nations around the world to know that nations around
the world are joining in coalition with the United States to
combat terrorism.

Q Just one last question. A coalition meant -- the same
thing recalls President Bush #1, who formed a coalition to go
into the Persian Gulf -- to start a war in the Persian Gulf.
That brings something to our minds; is that what you're talking
about?

Q You know, they were never reticent in saying they were
trying to get Russia on board, and other countries, and so
forth. What's the big deal? Why the secrecy? We're not asking
what they're going to do.

MR. FLEISCHER: Because, Helen, what you're really asking me
to do is indicate, does this mean the United States and nations
around the world are engaged in military planning? And I'm not
going to discuss anything that deals with military planning.

Q Yes, two questions for you. One, have you learned
anything else about the Pennsylvania flight, which holds, it
seems, some promise of yielding things since it didn't hit a
target. Have you learned anything else about that? What brought
it down, any clues from that?

And, second, I'm a little confused -- you seemed to suggest
yesterday that you were confident that the terrorist plan had
been completed. Yet, there seem to be concerns elsewhere in
government that there is a danger of follow-on attacks. And I'm
not clear what the administration believes the state of play is.

MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, I indicated that the action up in New
York that was executed on that day appeared to be completed from
that day's events, and that the risk was reduced. And as the
President indicated, there is still risk to our country,
although it was at a reduced level at that point.

So the President, in his remarks yesterday, did warn the
American people that we need to still remain vigilant in the
fight against terrorism. And clearly the fact that it took place
is a warning sign to all of us, and the country will continue to
be vigilant, but --

Q But the FAA warned airlines and the security directors
yesterday that there was a risk of follow-on attacks, and gave
a great deal of specifics on that front, seeming to suggest
that, in fact, we believe the opposite of what you seem to be
suggesting, which is that there is a continuing risk, and that
they have not yet completed their plans.

MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, I indicated the risk has been reduced.
I didn't say it has gone away.

MR. FLEISCHER: Oh, anything on that is going to come from
the Attorney General or the appropriate law enforcement
agencies.

Q Ari, to defend himself against criticism that this
represents prima facie the greatest all-time intelligence
failure, the CIA director has said, in essence, we failed to
prevent this attack, but there are many terrorist attacks that
we have successfully prevented. Will we ever get any details
about those successful efforts of the CIA?

MR. FLEISCHER: I don't know. I would have to talk to the CIA
about that and see what information can be provided.

Q Not from CIA. But it seems to me that if this is just
the most recent in a string of attacks, some of which were very
soon preceding it, that we ought to have details about them.

Q Ari, what specifically is the White House seeking from
Congress in terms of latitude for action? Is the $20 billion
going to be enough?

MR. FLEISCHER: The administration is very pleased with the
action taken by the Congress, and the President is gratified to
Democrats and Republicans who passed that measure, that provides
substantial help and flexibility as the government plans for how
to help people and take in the appropriate actions.

Q Yes, but there have been reports that the White House
is seeking something more specific, some kind of permission,
short of a declaration of war, for the White House to take
action. Are you doing that? And could you at least be specific
about that matter?

MR. FLEISCHER: I indicated yesterday that the administration
is of course talking to Congress about the appropriate measure
here. And there have been discussions with Congress about a
joint resolution, which the administration views as another show
of unity by the Congress with the administration in combatting
terrorism. There is no question that Congress believes that the
President has the authority to act in his self-defense, act in
the self-defense of the United States. And we are talking to
Congress about appropriate language.

Q You don't need any additional congressional
authorization to take any sort of military action?

MR. FLEISCHER: Well, as I've said, Jim, the administration
is gratified by Congress's show of unity and we're going to
continue to work with Congress on the appropriate language and
the show of unity.

But, also, as previous Presidents have maintained, and
President Bush does, that under the Constitution the President,
of course, has the authority as Commander in Chief to act to
protect our nation.

Q As a matter of practical reality, last time Congress
authorized use of force at a large scale was the Gulf War, and
that authorization was made conditional on the administration
showing congressional leaders certain things -- that diplomatic
efforts had been exhausted, et cetera.

Should Congress be playing a role, as it did then, in
deciding what and when should happen?

MR. FLEISCHER: Terry, Congress has a vital role to play in
this. And as the President expressed to the members of Congress
yesterday in the meeting, that we stand together and we are
going to work very closely, the White House and the Congress.
And we will continue to provide information to the Congress; the
President will continue to talk very closely with the leadership
of the Congress in both parties.

You know, I almost hesitate at times like this to even say
"both parties," it just is so remarkable how in the leadership
meeting there were no parties in that room -- there were just
American citizens in that room who were elected representatives
of the people.

I hope I've answered that question with a specificity on the
joint resolution, but also about the constitutional authority
vested in the President.

Q Will you seek any specific authorization from Congress
before taking military action?

MR. FLEISCHER: As I indicated, the President is gratified by
the actions of the Congress to show unity. But as all
administrations before have said, this President says, the
Constitution vested that authority in the President. But beyond
that, it's speculation.

Q But the administration asked for this joint resolution,
is that right, asked Congress to work on this --

MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, and, Kelly, this is classic as you work
with the Hill and you have meetings. We really have been working
this together with the Hill. I'm not really sure where anybody
begins and ends when you're working closely together on
something where you really are so united.

Q Ari, what is the administration's position on possible
implementation of sky marshals on every U.S. flight? And,
secondly, Terry's colleague yesterday reported that some of the
people in the Pentagon were a little bit skeptical about your
comments yesterday that the White House and Air Force One were
targets of attack, given that the plane had come from the south.
What do you make of that?

Q Can you confirm the substance of that threat that was
telephoned in, the words, Air Force One is next, and using code
words?

MR. FLEISCHER: Okay, I'm sorry. On the sky marshal question,
check with transportation, but measures are being taken to
protect passengers on the flights.

Q But would the White House keep open to the possibility
of having a sky marshal on every flight?

MR. FLEISCHER: The White House is working with the
Department of Transportation, as the Department of
Transportation implements its safety plans. And of course the
White House is going to support whatever steps are needed to
protect safety.

MR. FLEISCHER: Randy's question, and then we're going to
wrap this up, because we're going to keep this to gaggle rules.
Randy's question was asking me to confirm the report about Air
Force One as a target, using code words, and I confirmed that.

Q Why couldn't you confirm that yesterday, when we were
all asking you -- yesterday we asked you a thousand times what
evidence you had and you weren't able to give us that
information? Is there a reason you couldn't?

MR. FLEISCHER: I was not the one who gave it to the press.
It's in the press today, but it's the press today and throughout
all of this I have to find the right balance in this White House
-- and you all have seen this before, being helpful to you all,
which is my job, and also sharing information in a way that
provides the information best. So that's why, Ron.

Q You have gone a lot farther, Ari. The people here at
the White House had gone a lot farther in providing information
now, than the Attorney General, who said he couldn't provide
this information out of need to protect the ongoing probe. Why
is the White House -- you and Karl Rove, as quoted in the New
York Times today -- are you worried about the President's image,
in terms of trying to defend, keeping him out of Washington and
when the Attorney General is saying that we can't reveal this
information?

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm just not going to reveal any -- believe
me, I understand sources and methods and I'm not indicating
anything of that nature.

Q Did they say, "Air Force One is next"? I think the
Times is saying, "Air Force One is next."

Q Can I just ask one other thing on the plane that
eventually hit the Pentagon? Do you have any sense of the flight
plan, of where the plane flew over? Did it fly around the White
House before actually hitting the Pentagon? You talked about
that plane, believing it was originally intended for the White
House, did it ever -- believe it sort of turned around, I think,
and flown over the White House?

MR. FLEISCHER: It was on a flight path directly for the
White House and it hit the Pentagon, instead.

Q When you say that it was on a flight path for the White
House, do you mean that if it had not hit the Pentagon and had
continued across the river it would have hit the White House?

MR. FLEISCHER: On the religious leaders question, the
President has been praying every day. And tomorrow, at the
prayer service here in Washington, the President will be joined
by a group of leading religious leaders. We'll have more
information on that for you a little bit later today.

Q The minister that's coming in today, through the First
Lady, is it going to be opened up to the other --

Q Yes, we understand through CBS, that she's having a
minister in for her staffers, for the women who were shaken in
her office. Are other staff here going to be talking to that
minister for comfort?

MR. FLEISCHER: Let me check with the First Lady's office on
that. Officials here at the White House have been notified that
counseling services are available and have been available.

One second, let me try to help you on some other
information here. Other briefings today by Cabinet Secretaries,
and we're going to continue at the agency level to provide you
with all the information that is possible. Secretary Mineta --
and this is tentative, but let me share this -- Secretary Mineta
is scheduled to brief now, at 10:00 a.m.; Secretary Powell at
11:30 a.m.; Secretary Wolfowitz at noon; General Ashcroft at
12:30 p.m. And at 2:00 p.m., Army Brigadier General Clyde
Vaughn, Director of Military Support briefing on military
support activities to civilian authorities in the New York and
D.C. area.

I'm going to do my best every morning to provide the
briefing information to you.

Q Ari, there have been several reports about harassment
against Arab Americans and mosques being shot at. Does the
President have any response to that?

MR. FLEISCHER: He does. The President believes very strongly
that all Americans must be mindful of the rights of Arab
Americans and Muslims. They are law abiding Americans and we
stand united as one nation in fighting terrorism.

Ari Fleischer is far too kind to Helen Thomas, although he did get perturbed with her today. She needs to retire, if I were Hearst, I would be embarrassed to have her on my payroll. And I keep wondering where all the questions were during the last 8 years. The press docilely fed up the crapola that Clinton and his press secretaries fed them, they knew they were lying, and the press never questioned them.

The Bush administration has been straight from day one, and the press assumes that Ari Fleischer is lying. The press is assuming that President Bush acts like the weasel we had as president before, that he is only looking out for his own skin and for any opportunity to pose before the cameras. President Bush is working hard on a solution and doesn't need these vultures circling.

And, secondly, Terry's colleague yesterday reported that some of the people in the Pentagon were a little bit skeptical about your comments yesterday that the White House and Air Force One were targets of attack, given that the plane had come from the south. What do you make of that?

MR. FLEISCHER: And who are these people?

Q Well, I don't know, they weren't my sources.

MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I wouldn't have said it if it wasn't true.

Ah yes, the anonymous sources from the Pentagon. The afternoon briefing should be really interesting.

Nope, she does not. I just finished listening to the press briefing, and her questions were actually worse. I really think the press corps is losing it. There was a rumor that the OEB was being evacuated, Ari Fleischer denied that rumor, and Helen Thomas kept pestering him about it. I just sat listening to the briefing with my mouth open. At one point a reporterette asked Ari if he understood her question (and I am so flabbergasted, I can't remember what her stupid question was.) He had answered the question, and she just kept at it.

And then Terry Moran essentitally calling him a liar over the threat to the White House and AF1 yesterday. The reporters were like sharks today, they did not have any honor today. They need to get a clue and grow up.

No, it isn't, and it makes my heart break that there are reporters out there that think their stupid vendetta against this President is more important than truly asking questions about the news. I've got a list of reporters here who I am writing to right now to tell them my disgust. As I've said before, I don't mind the hard questions being asked. But to hear the contempt and arrogance in this press briefing today was beyond belief.

Well, what they need to do is not take the press with them to New York tomorrow on AF1. Let the press corps take the chartered press jet and not even allow a press pool on board AF1. I'm sure they could pass it off as security concerns. The question that really disgusted me was Terry Moran's where he said that the three airplanes had plowed into the WTC and the Pentagon, and why did the White House think that a phone call was a credible threat? I couldn't believe my ears. I'm still speechless.

And Ari Fleischer is a consummate professional. He never loses his cool.

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