[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 47 (Monday, November 24, 2003)]
[Pages 1623-1625]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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----

[[Page 1624]]

    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 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.

[[Page 1625]]

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.