    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [September 25, 2003]
    [Pages 1198-1199]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With the Congressional Conferees on Medicare
    Modernization and an Exchange With Reporters
    September 25, 2003

        The President. Listen, thank you all for coming. Today we met with
    the conferees on Medicare and had a good and frank discussion about the
    need to work together to get a Medicare bill that modernizes the system,
    that fulfills the promises to America's seniors, that uses the latest
    technology to improve the health care of our elderly.
        And in my judgment, the sentiment was optimistic. I believe people
    know it's possible to get it done. And there's a lot of work to get
    done, but fortunately, we're surrounded here by conferees that are
    plenty capable, plenty smart, and care deeply about the future of the
    country.
        And so I want to thank them for coming. I want to thank you for your
    commitment to our seniors, and I look forward to working with you to get
    a good bill out of both bodies and to my desk before you go home this
    fall.
        I'd like to take a couple of questions. Terry [Terence Hunt,
    Associated Press].

    Medicare Reform Legislation

        Q. Mr. President, with huge Federal budget deficits, do you have any
    qualms about spending $400 billion on Medicare prescription drugs?
        The President. First of all, no, I don't. I think it's the right
    thing to do. We have an obligation to our seniors. Secondly, we've
    proposed a plan that reduces the deficit in half by 5 years--within 5
    years. I absolutely believe we're doing the right thing.

    Iran/Meeting With President Vladimir Putin of
    Russia

        Q. Sir, what did you think of the discovery of traces of weapons-
    grade uranium----
        The President. Do what now?
        Q. What did you think of the discovery of weapons-grade--traces of
    weapons-grade uranium in Iran? And will this be on your agenda with
    President Putin this weekend?
        The President. It was on my agenda--it will be on my agenda with
    President Putin this weekend. It was on my agenda with many of the world
    leaders I met with in New York. It is very important for the world to
    come together to make it very clear to Iran that there will be universal

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    condemnation if they continue with a nuclear weapons program. And I will
    tell you, the response was very positive. People understand the danger
    of the Iranians have a nuclear weapons program. But you bet; I'll talk
    to President Putin about it this weekend.

    Saddam Hussein/Lessons of 9/11

        Q. Sir, in February of 2001, your Secretary of State said that the sanctions against Iraq had prevented Saddam
    from developing any significant capability with respect to weapons of
    mass destruction. A year-and-a-half later, before the U.N., you called
    Saddam a grave and gathering danger. And I'm wondering, what changed in
    that time? Was it the nature of the threat? Did you get new
    intelligence? Or did 9/11 put a new--set a new playing field for those--
    --
        The President. Yes, the Secretary of State said the same thing as
    well, that Saddam was a threat. Nine-eleven changed my calculation. It
    made it really clear we have to deal with threats before they come on
    our shore. You know, for a long period of time we thought oceans could
    protect us from danger, and we learned a tough lesson on September the
    11th. It's really important for this Nation to continue to chase down
    and deal with threats before they materialize, and we learned that on
    September the 11th.

    OPEC Production Cuts/National Economy

        Q. Mr. President?
        The President. Yes.
        Q. OPEC yesterday announced an agreement to cut oil production by
    3.5 percent.
        The President. Yes.
        Q. What is your reaction to that? What do you think of it? And what
    are the consequences for the U.S. economy?
        The President. My reaction is, is that I would hope our friends in
    OPEC don't do things that would hurt our economy.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:19 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these
    remarks.