[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 38 (Monday, September 22, 2003)]
[Pages 1237-1239]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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

[[Page 1238]]

energy policy. And it's a chance to get it done, into law.
    Thanks for coming. I'll answer a couple of questions. Terry [Terry 
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.
    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.

[[Page 1239]]

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. He 
also referred to Title I of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 
(Public Law No. 103-382), which amended Title I of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law No. 89-10).