    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 16, 2003]
    [Pages 1547-1549]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Arrival From Camp David, Maryland, and an Exchange With
    Reporters
    November 16, 2003

        The President. Thank you. Today I spent some time in prayer for our
    service men and women who are in harm's way. I prayed for their
    families. I prayed for those who are still in harm's way, whether it be
    American troops or coalition troops.
        The sacrifice that our folks are making in Iraq will serve our
    Nation's interests in the short term and long term. It's best to defeat
    the terrorists in Iraq so we don't have to defeat them here. As well a
    free and stable Iraq, in the heart of a part of the world where there is
    frustration and anger, where the recruiters of hatred are able to find
    terrorists--a free Iraq will be a transforming event. And I appreciate
    the families who are making the sacrifices along with our troops.
        As well in Iraq, it was a tough week, but we made progress toward a
    sovereign and free Iraq. The Iraqi Governing Council has laid out a
    timetable for the transfer of sovereignty. We're pleased with that
    timetable. We think it makes sense. On

    [[Page 1548]]

    the one hand, the politics is moving on; on the other hand, we're going
    to stay tough and deal with the terrorists.
        I also talked to Prime Minister Erdogan over the weekend, expressed our deep condolences for
    the senseless death caused by bombings in Turkey. He assured me that he
    would fight the terrorists and bring the terrorists to justice. I told
    him we would help, and we're grateful. But it's just a reminder that the
    war on terror takes place on different fronts.
        At home, I am pleased with the progress made on the energy bill and
    on Medicare. I want to thank the leaders in the House and the Senate for
    coming together on two important pieces of legislation. On Medicare, it
    looks like there's agreement in principle to provide our seniors with a
    modern Medicare plan, and that's very positive news. I urge the Members
    of the House and the Senate to take a look at it, vote it, and get it to
    my desk as soon as possible. And I'm pleased that we're finally
    developing a national energy plan. So we're making good progress on the
    domestic front here at home.
        Let me answer a couple of questions.

    Saddam Hussein Audiotape

        Q. Can you comment on the latest tape, reportedly from Saddam
    Hussein, that's being aired now?
        The President. I haven't seen the specifics. I suspect it's the same
    old stuff. You know, it's propaganda. We're not leaving until the job is
    done, pure and simple. A free and peaceful Iraq will be a historic
    event. And I'm sure he would like to see us leave, if, in fact, it's his
    voice. And I know that elements of the Ba'athist Party, those who used
    to torture, maim, and kill in order to stay in power, would like to see
    us leave. We will do our job.
        Randy [Randall Mikkelsen, Reuters].

    Helicopter Crash in Iraq

        Q. Mr. President, what information do you have about the chopper
    crash----
        The President. No more than you have, but it's sad. It's a sad day
    when we lose life. It doesn't matter whether it's in a chopper crash or
    an IED, the loss of life is sad.

    Iraqi Transition Plan

        Q. What plans do you have for security after the new transition plan
    is implemented, after the Iraqi sovereignty is granted? How do you
    ensure----
        The President. Well, it depends on what's taking place on the
    ground. Somebody told me, they said, ``Well, this means there's going to
    be less troops.'' Politics is going to go forward. The political process
    will move on. And we'll adjust our troop level according to the security
    situation in Iraq.
        Yes. Who are you with, first of all? I haven't seen----
        Q. Fox News Channel.
        The President. Very good. Welcome.

    Protests During President's Upcoming Visit to the United Kingdom

        Q. Are you concerned at all about the protests that you're going to
    be facing in London when you go?
        The President. No, I'm not concerned at all. I'm glad to be going to
    a free country where people are allowed to protest. Not the least bit.
        Yes, who are you with?
        Q. I'm with CNN.
        The President. Good.

    Iraq

        Q. Do you see the use of surface-to-air missiles as an escalation in
    the conflict in Iraq?
        The President. It's symptomatic of the fact that there was a lot of
    weapons lying around. And we've just got to bring these killers to
    justice, which we will. The military is adjusting. You've been reading
    about the fact that they're adjusting their strategy and their plans.
    That's exactly what the Commander in Chief expects, flexibility on

    [[Page 1549]]

    the ground to change response to a change of tactics with the enemy.
        Hillman [G. Robert Hillman, Dallas Morning News].

    President's Upcoming Visit to the United Kingdom

        Q. Yes, are you concerned at all with your visit to London, that it
    comes at a kind of uncomfortable time in some respects for Prime
    Minister Blair----
        The President. No, I'm not concerned about my trip to London. I'm
    really looking forward to it. It's the second ``are you concerned''
    question about my trip to England. I'm really looking forward to it.
    It's going to be a fantastic experience. I know you--do you have
    something else on the ``concerned'' question there? I cut you off. I beg
    your pardon.
        Q. No, there have just been, you know, immense speculation that this
    is coming at an awkward political time for you and the Prime Minister,
    for that matter.
        The President. Awkward political time for me?
        Q. [Inaudible]--the situation in Iraq.
        The President. No, I'm looking forward to the trip. I'm honored to
    have been invited. I look forward to my consultations with Tony Blair.
    We visit all the time via telephone or via secure video link. I'm
    looking forward to sitting down with him in person. It's going to be a
    great trip.
        I guess--everywhere--every time I go somewhere, there is immense
    speculation. I'm not suggesting you're the speculators, but I remember
    before I went to the Far East, there was some speculation about this and
    speculation about that. No, I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be
    a great trip.
        Yes, sir.

    Steel Tariffs

        Q. Mr. President, are you any closer to a decision on steel?
        The President. Than I was Friday?
        Q. Yes.
        The President. Well, if there is a date at which I'm going to make
    it, I guess I'm 2 days closer. But no, I'm thinking about it. I've got
    some considerations. People are presenting reports to me, which I will
    look at, and let you know at the appropriate time, when I make up my
    mind.
        Yes, sir. Who----
        Q. NBC News.
        The President. Very good.

    Medicare Reform Legislation

        Q. Okay, thank you. Mr. President, what do you think the chances are
    of getting the Medicare bill passed?
        The President. The what? Medicare? You know, that's a good question.
    I think it's good. I think--I'm pleased we've come this far. And I think
    there's going to be immense pressure on Members of both the House and
    the Senate to support this bill. It is a good piece of legislation. It
    is a complex piece of legislation. After all, we're changing a Medicare
    system that has been stuck in the past for a long period of time.
        I'm beginning to get a sense of the supporters for this piece of
    legislation. And there's some mighty active groups of people who are
    interested in good health care for our seniors that are getting
    mobilized, and so I think we've got a good chance of passing it. I know
    I will be actively pushing the bill, because it conforms to the
    principles I laid out of prescription drugs for our seniors, choice for
    seniors, accountability for the Medicare plan. There's a lot of good
    features in this bill. I look forward to working to see its passage.
        Listen, you all have a wonderful Sunday. Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:51 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
    Erdogan of Turkey; former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; and Prime
    Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom.