[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.