[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 21 (Monday, May 24, 2004)]
[Pages 920-922]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 921]]

    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 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 Military Shelling 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?
    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

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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 U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan; 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.