Part 3 of 3: Q Therefore, Vice President Cheney just made the statement he would be available? (Laughter.)
MR. FLEISCHER: It goes right back to what the President said on November 7th, which is that the Vice President will serve if the President decides to run.
Q Ari, on Mideast peace, Sharon is shifting the right of return issue from a negotiating point now to an apparent prerequisite for negotiations. Did this catch the White House off-guard, and is it your feeling that this is just something that -- another poison pill that can be averted with negotiations?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think that all parties have responsibilities. And that's the President's message and that's what he is going to hold all parties to. Israel has responsibilities; the Palestinians have responsibilities; the Arab states have responsibilities. And that will be the guiding point for everything that this President does, and the Secretary does, and Bill Burns from the State Department was just in the region, as we try to move the parties together along the path that the road map lays out.
Q Have you seen any evidence from both parties that they take serious the President's words that this is a goal that he wants accomplished?
MR. FLEISCHER: Certainly. I think you see that in the very fact that the Palestinian Authority is engaged in serious reform. The creation of a new post of Prime Minister is evidence of that. The new cabinet is evidence of that. Prime Minister Sharon only recently reiterated his support for a Palestinian state. If you recall, he did that in the context of a rather divided dispute within his own coalition in the Israeli government, and he was actually challenged from the right, interestingly, about that statement. And he prevailed.
What's important now is to bring the parties together so that their words are matched by their deeds. And that's an often difficult process in the Middle East, but perhaps now the time is the best time we've had in some number of years to make that happen. And the President is dedicated to it.
Q Any invites from either side -- excuse me -- any visits from leaders on either side anytime soon?
MR. FLEISCHER: Never rule those out.
Q Ari, on the aircraft carrier near San Diego last week, the President said declaratively, the war on terrorism will be won. Reviewing actions against al Qaeda, the Taliban, and the government of Iraq a few minutes ago, you said that all that is about a question of diminishing the abilities of terrorist groups, not eliminating their ability to wreak havoc on U.S. or other nations around the world -- which begs the question, how exactly would the President define a victory on the war on terrorism, especially when he said so many times it's an unconventional war, it could go on for a very long time? Will there be a moment we know it's over? Will there be a moment when he can give a speech? And what are the criteria?
MR. FLEISCHER: It's a good question. Clearly, in the current context in which Mr. Gregory asked the question about Iraq, Iraq's abilities and the terrorist abilities have been diminished. The President has said that the tide has turned, and he expresses confidence that we will achieve victory. And of course the President believes that. That's the whole purpose of our efforts.
And just as the President, if you recall, at the beginning of the war with Iraq, traveled to a military base and said, we will be victorious in Iraq, the President sets out that goal, and then charges all in his administration, whether they're a diplomat or whether they're a soldier, to work toward achieving that goal. And that is the push and the direction from the President. I think you'd expect him to say nothing else, nothing less.
Q But, you know, you're talking about chapters, if you will, in a broader thing. And his -- that's why his statements on the carrier were so interesting, because it was so broad and so expansive.
MR. FLEISCHER: I don't know that you could -- I think it's something that, because of the nature of terrorism, it is something that will evolve, in terms of being able to say what constitutes victory. It's kind of like saying that early in mid-1950s, what constitutes victory in the Cold War. I don't think anybody then could have answered you that the victory will come when the Berlin Wall falls and the Soviet Union falls, as well.
There's certain struggles that our nation has historically engaged in, whether it was the Cold War, or whether it's the war on terrorism, that because of the foe, are of a more nebulous nature. And that's what you're seeing here in the war against terrorism. It doesn't lend itself to such an easy definition as a classical historical military battle like the one that just took place in Iraq.
Q Fair point, but in his mind, does he have a definition?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, I think, just as I said, it's a rather more nebulous one -- the definition is when the threat to the United States is diminished to the point where the President feels confident addressing the nation in the war on terrorism the way he did in the campaign against Iraq.
Q But does he envision addressing the nation in that way, to, in effect, declare major combat operations over in the war on terrorism?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, there are no plans to, obviously. The President just said last week that the war on terrorism goes on. And I'm trying to work with Dick's -- what I think is a very interesting question about does a President, in a war of this kind, define the end date?
Q Which is why I was wondering whether we're ever going to --
MR. FLEISCHER: No, there's nothing planned like that. Of course not.
Q Briefly, tax cuts. Senator Grassley is continuing to struggle to come up with enough votes for a package. Are you willing to accept as a price of getting enough of those votes aid to the states?
MR. FLEISCHER: I appreciate the opportunity to negotiate that in public. But, no, this is something that we will continue to work with Congress on. Obviously, the Senate is closely divided. The Senate Finance Committee has narrow margins on it. Aid to the states was not part of the President's original proposal. We will continue to work with Congress.
Q We've got a bunch of governors out there in terrific pain, many of them Republicans. Are you not willing to state from the podium that you're willing to come to their aid if that's what it takes?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President is coming to the aid of the governors in both parties, and the states, and the people of the states, by advocating a plan that creates growth, which is the best way to fill the states' coffers with revenues.
Q Ari, the U.S.-EU relations have gone south during the war in Iraq, and today the WTO has authorized the EU to go ahead with $4 billion in sanctions. If they do decide to go with that, what would that do the U.S.-EU relationship? And where would you say the relationships are headed now that the war is over, are they going up or down?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, again, just on the premise, I differ about U.S. and EU. There were a couple of countries in the EU that opposed the United States actions, and not the majority of countries. In fact, the majority were with us. In terms of the recent action, this is a matter of some longstanding, this is a result of what's called the FSC -- which is foreign service corporations -- foreign sales corporations. And this deals with a WTO action that struck down United States legislation.
We are consulting with the EU about this matter. We are working with the Congress. The Ways and Means Committee is expected to take up a package that deals with resolving the FSC issues in a manner that's consistent with WTO obligations.
Q Would a WTO dispute -- would it further -- if they're not hurt now, would it hurt the U.S.-EU relations of this or another topic?
MR. FLEISCHER: Clearly, trade is always one of those many issues that allies are going to differ about and remain the best of allies. That's the nature of trade. And I think it's a sign of how good relations are with these countries that we trade in so many different categories of goods and services, that we have issues that we're going to differ about. If relations were bad, there would be no trade. So it's part and parcel of a relationship that is as robust as it is, that we're going to have inevitable trade disputes. And that's why the WTO has set up the mechanisms it has. We are part of the WTO. We respect it, and we'll work within it.
Q The President's landing on the Abraham Lincoln was certainly a morale boost for the veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Does the President plan similar recognition for those who served in Afghanistan? Maybe a visit to Fort Bragg to honor the 82nd Airborne?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President has made numerous visits to military bases to thank the personnel who served in the Afghani theater. The visit to the Abraham Lincoln, although it was a ship at sea, was by no means the first visit or the last visit that this President will proudly take to visit our military, wherever they are, however he decides to arrive there.
Q Another question if I might. Opponents on the President's tax cut always focus on the upper 5 percent of Americans and imply that they're undeserving of a tax cut. When is the administration's response to that going to include the fact that this same 5 percent pays over 50 percent of all the federal taxes, and that the bottom 50 percent pay less than 5 percent?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think there's no question the President believes in across-the-board tax relief because he thinks that all Americans deserve tax relief, and it's the best way to stimulate growth in the economy. So he does not make distinctions among taxpayers in that manner. He doesn't engage in what some have called class warfare. He believes all deserve tax relief; it benefits all.
Q There's some talk that Congressman Hefley and some others in Congress may actually put off base closures. Where does the President stand on having more military base closures, or should it stop at this point?
MR. FLEISCHER: I believe we are still a military that is in the process of transformation. I have not heard specifically what Congressman Hefley will do. But the plans for having a posture around the world, in the United States and abroad, that matches defense needs is still underway. The President thinks that the amount of basing must correspond and match, with the taxpayer dollars in mind, to the needs for our troops to be at those places.
Q I wonder if you have any statements from the podium on two international matters. Did you -- did the President send any message to the South Africans regarding the death of Walter Sisulu? And also, do you have any statements today on the 55th anniversary of Israel?
MR. FLEISCHER: Let me take a look on the South African question. I don't have that here, so I don't know. Let me find out about that.
And, of course, the United States recognizes the importance of today. It's the 55th anniversary of Israel. It expresses its pride for the people of Israel on this important occasion. And I will take a look and see if there's any other formal notifications that have gone out and advise you.
Q There are reports the President and Ariel Sharon will be on the podium together next week. Is that confirmed?
MR. FLEISCHER: Are you referring to something that was in the Washington Post yesterday?
Q -- said they may --
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, I noticed that there was something in the Style section of The Washington Post yesterday, and they did not check with the White House before writing it. So that information is actually inaccurate.
Q It's not going to happen?
MR. FLEISCHER: It was an inaccurate report. They did not check with the White House before they wrote it.
Q So it isn't going to happen?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, the President on that night has an event that will be announced shortly. He had other plans with other foreign leaders that night, incidently -- coincidentally, I should say.
Q One quick note on the carrier. This is not my question, but some of my Navy pilot friends that the pilot that flew the President out is lucky he didn't have to swim home, because he caught the #4 wire instead of the #3. (Laughter.) Anyway, my question --
MR. FLEISCHER: Ivan, I would remind you they have the ability to precisely target a lot of different places, and they have coordinates for that seat. I would not want to say anything about Navy flying skills. They all appear excellent to me.
Q It's called a controlled crash, as you know, by those who fly it. But, anyway, the $1 billion and chump change that Qusay apparently took from the bank of Iraq, did it, in fact, cross the border into Syria? Are we tracking it? Where is it now, if we know? And also, is it true, even though the French deny it, that they issued passports at Damascus to some high-ranking officials?
MR. FLEISCHER: I got both these questions yesterday. I don't have any update since yesterday's answers.
Q Ari, there was this unusual scene off the coast of Florida yesterday with three Cuban refugees who refused assistance, but got some level of assistance to actually come to shore. And now, my understanding is that they will be allowed to stay in the country. Was there anybody in the administration who ordered that scenario to take place the way it did? And what message do you think it sends to other potential Cuban refugees?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm going to refer anything on this to Department of Homeland Security. As you know, under the new Department of Homeland Security, they have agencies that have jurisdiction over these matters that are involved in this and have more facts and specifics about what took place on the water and on the ground.
Q Is there anything you can say, though, on camera?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, that's the extent of what I have on that. It's a matter that DHS is handling. They have more information.
Q Can I just clear something up? My understanding is that the Lincoln was about 30 miles off shore.
MR. FLEISCHER: That's correct.
Q Which is, about -- given transit speed, piloting speed, about two hours away from the dock. If the President wanted to meet the sailors where they were, why didn't he meet them in San Diego? Why was the ship kept at sea for an extra afternoon and evening and a night?
MR. FLEISCHER: It was not kept at sea for an extra afternoon, evening or a night. The carrier was always, always, always scheduled to come back on May 2nd. And could you imagine what would have happened if it arrived earlier? Sailors would have gotten off the ship without their family being there. People made plans to attend a May 2nd arrival from different parts of the country. They don't necessarily arrive, ready to go, on the 1st, if they're told it's the 2nd. That was an issue that we talked about on the ship. The date always was May 2nd, and they keep the date that they promised the sailors and their families.
Q Ari, a follow-up on that please, a follow-up on that?
MR. FLEISCHER: Go ahead, Lester.
Q Considering Senator Byrd's charging the President with flamboyant showmanship on the Lincoln, what is the President's reaction to what an editor of West Virginia's Charleston Gazette noted this morning are so many dozens of buildings, roads, statues, bridges, locks, dams, hospitals and even a river named by Robert C. Byrd, that there have been signs posted, the Robert C. Byrd telephone poll and the Robert C. Byrd parking meter? And I have one follow-up.
MR. FLEISCHER: Why don't you ask your follow-up first. (Laughter.)
Q Doesn't the President -- don't you have some reaction to this showmanship business?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think we've exhausted that topic.
Q The Dixie Chicks -- (laughter) --
MR. FLEISCHER: Speaking of topics that have not been exhausted. (Laughter.)
Q The Dixie Chicks, a country music trio, has suffered a decline in sales and radio playtime due to their lead singer's comment in London that she is ashamed the President is from Texas. And my question: Is the President equally ashamed that the Dixie Chicks are from Texas?
MR. FLEISCHER: Lester, I would be ashamed if you were acknowledging that you did not watch the President's moving interview with Tom Brokaw in which he answered that question. So we'll be --
Q Who's Tom Brokaw? (Laughter.)
MR. FLEISCHER: So we'll be happy -- (laughter) -- be happy to provide you a tape.
Q Thank you.
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