    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [June 18, 2003]
    [Pages 653-654]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders and an Exchange
    With Reporters
    June 18, 2003

    Medicare Reform

        The President. I want to thank the Members of the United States
    Senate for coming to discuss the issue of Medicare. I want to
    congratulate Leader Frist as well as Chairman
    Grassley and Ranking Member
    Baucus for really fine work on the Finance
    Committee to get a important piece of legislation moving. We're
    committed to reforming the Medicare system so America's seniors get the
    health care they need.
        These Senators around the table have worked together to see that we
    get a good plan. I asked them to come so I can figure out ways that our
    administration can continue to help the process move forward. The work
    has been really strong thus far. And I want to congratulate you all for
    fine leadership. Welcome to the White House.
        I'll answer a couple of questions. Scott [Scott Lindlaw, Associated
    Press].

    United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair

        Q. Mr. President, Tony Blair is in a bit of trouble at home. He's
    got a couple of ex-Cabinet officials contending he may have exaggerated
    information on weapons of mass destruction. He stood by you. Do you plan
    on saying anything to back him up at home?
        The President. Yes, I'll say something right now: He operated on very sound intelligence, and those
    accusations are simply not true.

    Iran

        Q. Mr. President?
        The President. Yes.

    [[Page 654]]

        Q. Are you hoping the protesters in Iran will topple the Iranian
    Government? And now that the IAEA report is out, how are you going to
    stop them from getting a nuclear weapon?
        The President. Well, the international community must come together
    to make it very clear to Iran that we will not tolerate the construction
    of a nuclear weapon. Iran would be dangerous if they have a nuclear
    weapon. I brought this subject up in the G-8; we had a good discussion
    on the subject with near universal agreement that we all must work
    together to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
        And secondly, I appreciate those courageous souls who speak out for
    freedom in Iran. They need to know America stands squarely by their
    side. And I would urge the Iranian administration to treat them with the
    utmost of respect.
        Stretch [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News].

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Mr. President, do you plan to send Dr. Rice to the Middle East
    soon, particularly given the situation----
        The President. I'll let you know when we decide to do so. We, of
    course, have got Ambassador Wolf in the region
    now, and he's working hard with both parties. And I called President
    Mubarak today to ask him to work with the
    Palestinian Authority to consolidate their security forces under Prime
    Minister Abbas ``Abu Mazen'' so that the Prime
    Minister can achieve the goals that he set out, which is for the
    dismantlement of terror and what hopefully will be a peaceful
    Palestinian state.
        Thank you all.
        Q. You do anticipate sending----
        The President. I said, I'll let you know when we send her.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:23 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Assistant Secretary of State for
    Nonproliferation John S. Wolf; President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt; and
    Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the Palestinian Authority. A
    portion of these remarks could not be verified because the tape was
    incomplete.