    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [September 17, 2003]
    [Pages 1176-1178]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With the Congressional Conference Committee
    on Energy Legislation and an Exchange With Reporters
    September 17, 2003

        The President. I want to thank Members from both political parties
    for coming down here today to discuss the energy bill that's in
    conference. I really do appreciate the commitment of all the parties
    here at the table to work together to get an energy bill on behalf of
    the American people, a

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    comprehensive energy plan that will address supply and conservation,
    help us modernize our electricity grid.
        It's a compelling issue, and there was a good spirit here.
    Obviously, there's not 100-percent agreement, but there is agreement
    that we need to get something done. And I want to thank the Members. I
    want to thank the chairman and the ranking members for taking time to
    come.
        And I'm pleased with the commitment by Senator Domenici and Congressman Tauzin to see if they can't get a bill down here by mid-
    October--I believe is what he told me--Billy--and to my desk. And we
    look forward to working with them. I think the American people are--know
    we need to have a national energy policy. And it's a chance to get it
    done, into law.
        Thanks for coming. I'll answer a couple of questions. Terry [Terence
    Hunt, Associated Press], do you want to start?

    U.N. Resolution on Iraq

        Q. Mr. President, how is the administration recasting the proposed
    U.N. resolution on Iraq to meet the objections of some countries?
        The President. We're still talking about it, Terry. I mean, we are--
    had some discussions this morning on it. The key is to make sure that
    the political situation in Iraq evolves in a way that will lead to a
    free and--a free society. The Iraqis need to develop a constitution and
    then have free elections. Then we can--and then we deal with the
    sovereignty issue. And so therefore, we're talking amongst ourselves.
        King [John King, Cable News Network].

    Saddam Hussein and the Attacks of September
    11

        Q. Mr. President, Dr. Rice and Secretary Rumsfeld both said
    yesterday that they have seen no evidence that Iraq had anything to do
    with September 11th. Yet, on ``Meet the Press,'' Sunday, the Vice
    President said Iraq was a geographic base for the terrorists, and he
    also said, ``I don't know, or we don't know,'' when asked if there was
    any involvement. Your critics say that this is some effort--deliberate
    effort to blur the line and confuse people. How would you answer that?
        The President. No, we've had no evidence that Saddam Hussein was
    involved with the September the 11th. What the Vice President said was, is that he has been involved with Al Qaida.
    And Al Zarqawi, Al Qaida operative, was
    in Baghdad. He's the guy that ordered the killing of a U.S. diplomat.
    He's a man who is still running loose, involved with the poisons
    network, involved with Ansar Al Islam. There's no question that Saddam
    Hussein had Al Qaida ties.
        Caren [Caren Bohan], Reuters.

    Energy Legislation

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President.
        The President. Step forth and speak.
        Q. I know that the ANWR drilling provision is very important to you,
    but are you willing to sacrifice it to get a broader bill?
        The President. One thing I've learned, Caren, is not to negotiate
    with myself, particularly in front of cameras. The conferees will work
    as hard as they can to come up with a good bill that can pass both
    bodies. And we look forward to working with them. I think it's very
    important for our country to recognize that we need to become less
    dependent on foreign sources of crude and, therefore, find ways to do
    that. We had a good discussion. That's certainly a contentious issue,
    and you'll find strong opinions around the table about this. And the job
    of the conferees is to work through these issues, and we look forward to
    helping them.
        Yes, final question.

    Funding for Domestic Priorities and Iraqi Reconstruction

        Q. Mr. President, how do you respond----
        The President. Identify yourself, please.
        Q. Pam Fessler from NPR.

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        The President. Oh, Pam, of course--[inaudible]. How do I respond?
        Q. How do you respond to criticism that you are asking for $20
    billion in aid to reconstruct Iraq at a time when a lot of domestic
    work, such as the No Child Left Behind and the Help America Vote Act are
    not being fully funded?
        The President. Well, I will start with--by responding this way: The
    No Child Left Behind funding is the largest increase in elementary and
    secondary school funding in a long time. And the Title I part of the
    Elementary and Secondary School Act funding is a large increase as
    well--historic increases.
        Secondly, that it is vital that we succeed in Iraq, that a free Iraq
    will make America more secure. A free Iraq will change the dynamics of
    the Middle East, which will be important for peace. And I appreciate the
    support of Congress and the understanding of Congress that we will
    succeed in Iraq. And so the $20 billion is to help rehabilitate that
    country, so that the people of that country can live a free and hopeful
    life.
        Listen, thank you all for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:48 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq; senior Al Qaida associate Abu Musab Al Zarqawi; and USAID officer
    Laurence Foley, who was killed in Amman, Jordan, on October 28, 2002.