Luke_Wilbur Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 http://www.whitehouse.gov PRESIDENT ADDRESSES THE NATION IN PRIME TIME PRESS CONFERENCE During a Prime Time Press Conference on Tuesday, President Bush said, "Above all, the defeat of violence and terror in Iraq is vital to the defeat of violence and terror elsewhere; and vital, therefore, to the safety of the American people. Now is the time, and Iraq is the place, in which the enemies of the civilized world are testing the will of the civilized world. We must not waver." Key Points President Bush outlined the strategy for Iraq's transition from dictatorship to freedom: - Troop strength, now and in the future, is determined by the situation on the ground. If additional forces are needed, they will be sent. If additional resources are needed, they will be provided. - America's objective in Iraq is limited, and it is firm: We seek an independent, free and secure Iraq. We have set a deadline of June 30th for the transfer of sovereignty back to the Iraqi people. It is important that we meet that deadline. - Iraq will hold elections for a national assembly no later than next January. - Iraqis will elect a permanent government by December 15, 2005, which will mark the completion of Iraq's transition from dictatorship to freedom. - Our commitment to the success and security of Iraq will not end on June 30th. On July 1st, and beyond, our reconstruction assistance and military commitment will continue. Coalition military forces will help Iraqis to protect their government from external aggression and internal subversion. U.N. Assistance INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN IRAQ'S TRANSITION TO FREEDOM President Bush and Prime Minister Blair held a press conference in the Rose Garden Friday. The President said, "This week we've seen the outlines of a new Iraqi government that will take the keys of sovereignty. We welcome the proposals presented by the U.N. Special Envoy Brahimi. He's identified a way forward to establishing an interim government that is broadly acceptable to the Iraqi people. Our coalition partners will continue to work with the U.N. to prepare for nationwide elections that will choose a new government in January of 2005." Key Points Other nations and international institutions are stepping up to their responsibilities in building a free and secure Iraq: - The United States is working closely with the U.N. envoy and with Iraqis to determine the exact form of the government that will receive sovereignty on June 30th. - The U.N. election assistance team is in Iraq, developing plans for next January's election. - NATO is providing support for the Polish-led multinational division in Iraq and 17 of NATO's 26 members are contributing forces to maintain security. Tax Relief MILLIONS OF FAMILIES BENEFITING FROM PRESIDENT'S TAX RELIEF On Tax Day, President Bush addressed taxpayers in Des Moines, IA, where he discussed how tax relief has contributed to the growing strength of the economy and called on Congress to make his tax cuts permanent. Fast Facts The impact of the President's economic program, including the tax relief, can be seen throughout the economy: - Job creation is accelerating -- more than 750,000 new jobs in the last seven months. Unemployment is below its average rate in the '70s, '80s, and '90s. - America is the fastest-growing major industrialized economy in the world. - Buoyed by the return of the stock market and strong home values, household wealth is at a record high. - Retail sales excluding motor vehicles are currently growing at the fastest quarterly rate in over 20 years. - Homeownership is at an all-time high -- 68.6 percent -- with substantial gains among minority homeowners. America has a choice: It can continue to grow the economy and create new jobs as the President's polices are doing; or it can raise taxes on American families and small businesses, hurting economic recovery and future job creation. PRESIDENT COMMENDS ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER'S PLAN On Wednesday the President said, "On June 24, 2002, I laid out a vision to make this goal a reality. We then drafted the road map as the route to get us there. The heart of this vision is the responsibility of all parties -- of Israel, of the Palestinian people, of the Arab states -- to fight terror, to embrace democracy and reform, and to take the necessary steps for peace. "Today, the Prime Minister told me of his decision to take such a step. Israel plans to remove certain military installations and all settlements from Gaza, and certain military installations and settlements from the West Bank. These are historic and courageous actions. If all parties choose to embrace this moment they can open the door to progress and put an end to one of the world's longest running conflicts." REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND PRESIDENT MUBARAK OF EGYPT On Monday President Bush said, "I welcome my good friend, Hosni, to my home. Our countries have three decades of solid, beneficial relations behind us, and the United States will continue to work with Egypt and the Arab world in a spirit of common purpose and mutual respect." VP'S REMARKS AT THE WASHINGTON POST-YOMIURI SHIMBUN SYMPOSIUM On Tuesday Vice President Cheney said, "Japan enters the 21st century as the second wealthiest nation on the planet and a leader in science, technology, and innovation. Your example helped spark an economic miracle that has transformed this region, yet Japan did more than merely grow prosperous. You also transformed your country into one of the world's most stable, decent and successful democracies. In this way, too, as a beacon of freedom, Japan now serves as an inspiration for others in this region and beyond." Vice President's Remarks: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/20...4/20040413.html WHITEHOUSE.GOV HIGHLIGHTS NEW ONLINE FEATURES New features are added to the White House web site all the time. To highlight these new features, Whitehouse.gov has created a What's New web page. Currently Featured on What's New: - White House Interactive: It's like a mini-Ask the White House where citizens' e-mails are answered by Administration officials. - White House Radio: We post as many radio interviews with Administration officials as possible, and they're available here. - Presidents & Baseball: Photo essays, history, interviews and more, all devoted to this great tradition. - Easter Egg Roll: Great moments from this year's Easter Egg Roll are captured on this site. - Kids' Site: An all new White House web site just for kids, redesigned and updated with games, quizzes, and more. Find Out What's New: http://www.whitehouse.gov/whatnew/ PAN AMERICAN DAY AND PAN AMERICAN WEEK PROCLAMATION On Tuesday the President proclaimed, "The nations of the Western Hemisphere will continue to draw upon the Charter to strengthen the rule of law, protect human rights and freedoms, encourage economic growth, and promote good governance. As neighbors, we are expanding prosperity through open markets and economic reforms -- creating new opportunities for millions of people and continued economic progress benefiting the nations of our hemisphere." NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY, 2004 On Monday President Bush stated, "America will never forget these quiet heroes and all of our former prisoners of war who suffered adversity in Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq, and other conflicts. Our Nation is grateful to our former prisoners of war for their sacrifice to help protect the democratic ideals that make our country strong. Because of the dedication of these men and women in uniform, people in our own country and in lands far away can live in freedom. These citizens inspire us, and we will always remember their service for liberty's blessings." ^7 Ask the White House THIS WEEK'S CHATS @ WHITEHOUSE.GOV Ask the White House is an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Bush Administration officials, including Cabinet Secretaries, senior White House officials and behind-the-scenes professionals at the White House. This Week's Sessions > Ask the White House - Tax Relief: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/20040415.html _________________________________________________________________ BEFORE 9/11 -- AND AFTER Former Director of the FBI Louis J. Freeh, Wall Street Journal 4/12/04: "The fact that terrorism and the war being waged by al Qaeda was not even an issue in the 2000 presidential campaign strongly suggests that the political will to declare and fight this war didn't exist before Sept. 11." Full Editorial: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/fe...ml?id=110004943 DAZZLED BY DATA, ECONOMISTS SEE BLUE SKIES AHEAD Sue Kirchhoff, USA Today 4/14/04: "Some economists are raising their forecasts for growth in the first quarter of 2004, based on surging consumer spending, rising factory orders and glimmers of a turnaround in the job market. "The better-than-expected performance is beginning to translate into rising consumer and business confidence." Full Article: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2004...ts-raised_x.htm HELP-WANTED ADS SIGNAL JOB GROWTH Jonathan Weisman, The Washington Post 4/14/04: "Economists have long considered help-wanted ad increases a positive harbinger for the job market. The New York Times Co., which publishes the Times, the Boston Globe and 17 other newspapers, said this week that help-wanted revenue rose sharply in March, at a rate more than double the 5.5 percent increase over the entire first quarter." Full Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...-2004Apr13.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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