    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [May 19, 2004]
    [Pages 899-901]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Cabinet Meeting and an Exchange With Reporters
    May 19, 2004

        The President. Thank you for coming. I've just met with my Cabinet
    to discuss a variety of issues. We spent a lot of time talking about the
    situation in Iraq. I detailed our plan and our strategy to transfer full
    sovereignty to the Iraqi people on June the 30th. I reminded them that a
    lot of progress has been made already toward that transfer. Eleven
    ministries are now run by Iraqi citizens--I might add, capably run by
    Iraqi citizens.
        I discussed with the Cabinet the plans of Mr. Brahimi, the U.N. representative who is consulting with Iraqi
    leadership and Iraqi citizenry, as well as our own Government officials
    there, about the interim government and who will occupy the positions of
    responsibility in that government. I

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    anticipate in the next couple of weeks decisions will be made toward who
    will be the President and the Vice Presidents as well as the Prime
    Minister and other ministers.
        Thirdly, we talked about the U.N. Security Council resolution, which
    is--the Secretary is moving forward. He's in consultations with Security
    Council members--a Security Council resolution which will embrace the
    new interim government and the need to provide security so that free
    elections will happen as promised to the Iraqi people.
        We've got hard work to do. I told my Cabinet we've got hard work to
    do. After all, we saw the vivid savagery of the enemy. The decapitation
    of a U.S. citizen reminds us all about the
    barbaric nature of those who are trying to stop progress toward freedom.
    We understand the nature of that enemy. We also understand the nature of
    our brave troops. They're motivated. They're skilled. They're well
    trained. They will accomplish the mission.
        Then I talked about the economy. We're pleased with the economic
    progress here in America. After all, the growth rates are high. New jobs
    are being created; 1.1 million new jobs since last August have been
    created by the entrepreneurs and small-business owners and risktakers of
    America. And that's positive.
        I am concerned about the price of gasoline at the pump. I fully
    understand how that affects American consumers, how it crimps the
    budgets of moms and dads who are trying to provide for their families,
    how it affects the truck driver, how it affects the small-business
    owner.
        I anticipated this 3 years ago. I asked my team to put together a
    strategy to make us less dependent upon foreign sources of energy. I
    submitted that plan to the United States Congress. Now we want people to
    have it both ways, just like they've tried to have it both ways over the
    last couple of years. On the one hand, they decry the price at the pump,
    and on the other hand, they won't do anything about it. They won't take
    action. Congress needs to pass the energy plan.
        We had a very interesting discussion about capacity. For example,
    had ANWR been passed--had it not been vetoed in the past, we anticipate
    an additional million barrels of oil would have been coming out of that
    part of the world, which would obviously have a positive impact for
    today's consumers.
        And so it's time for some action here to get us less dependent. They
    need to pass that which I have submitted to Congress, so this country
    will become less dependent on foreign sources of energy.
        All in all, we're upbeat about the spread of freedom and peace and
    the ability for our fellow citizens to find work.
        Let me answer two questions, starting with Lindlaw [Scott Lindlaw,
    Associated Press].

    Israeli Action Against Demonstrators

        Q. Thanks, Mr. President. You've called for maximum restraint from
    both sides in the Middle East. Today Israel's military acknowledged they
    fired four tank shells, machine guns, a missile into a crowd of
    demonstrators. One, was it justified? Two, what are you telling them,
    and what are you hearing?
        The President. I continue to urge restraint. It is essential that
    people respect innocent life, in order for us to achieve peace. And
    we'll get clarification from the Government. I haven't had a chance to
    speak to the Government or be briefed. But I am--I will continue to
    speak out about the need for all parties to respect innocent life in the
    Middle East.
        Caren [Caren Bohan, Reuters].

    Gasoline Prices/Strategic Petroleum Reserve

        Q. Sir, Senator Kerry has suggested halting shipments to the
    emergency oil reserves. Your energy bill is a long-term strategy. What
    are some short-term steps that can be taken?

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        The President. If people had acted on my energy bill when I
    submitted it 3 years ago, we would be in a much better situation today.
        Secondly, we will not play politics with the Strategic Petroleum
    Reserve. That Petroleum Reserve is in place in case of major disruptions
    of energy supplies to the United States. The idea of emptying the
    Strategic Petroleum Reserve plays--would put America in a dangerous
    position in the war on terror. We're at war. We face a tough and
    determined enemy on all fronts, and we must not put ourselves in a worse
    position in this war. And playing politics with the Strategic Petroleum
    Reserve would do just that.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:04 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Lakhdar Brahimi, Special Adviser
    to the U.N. Secretary-General; and American hostage Nicholas Berg, who
    was killed in Iraq in early May by senior Al Qaida associate Abu Musab
    Al Zarqawi. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of these remarks.