Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, February 18, 2008 Volume 44—Number 6 Pages 177–219

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Addresses and Remarks Executive Orders See also Bill Signings; Meetings With Foreign Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Leaders Connection With the National Emergency African American History Month, With Respect to Syria—187 celebration—182 Providing an Order of Succession Within the African development and upcoming visit to Department of Health and Human Africa—189 Services—214 Congressional leaders, meeting—212 Interviews With the News Media Economic Report of the President—179 Heart Truth reception—179 Exchange with reporters on the South Intelligence reform legislation—185, 196 Lawn—196 President Abraham Lincoln’s 199th birthday— Interviews 178 Foreign radio journalists—202 Radio address—177 Matt Frei of BBC World News America— 198 Bill Signings Meetings With Foreign Leaders Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, remarks— 185 Mali, President Toure—181 United Nations, Secretary-General Ban—213 Communications to Congress Statements by the President Syria, blocking property of additional persons Death of Rep. Thomas P. Lantos—180 in connection with the national emergency, Former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri of message transmitting Executive order—188 Lebanon, third anniversary of death—198 Intelligence reform legislation, Senate Communications to Federal Agencies passage—184 Assignment of Function Regarding Medicare Timor-Leste situation—180 Funding, memorandum—212 Federal Support for the AbilityOne Program, Supplementary Materials memorandum—180 Acts approved by the President—219 Implementation of Sections 603 and 604 of Checklist of White House press releases—218 the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Digest of other White House Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107–228), announcements—215 memorandums—181, 189 Nominations submitted to the Senate—216

Editor’s Note: The President was traveling to Cotonou, Benin, on February 15, the closing date of this issue. Releases and announcements issued by the Office of the Press Secretary but not received in time for inclusion in this issue will be printed next week.

WEEKLY COMPILATION OF Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Docu- ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents will be furnished by mail to domestic subscribers for $80.00 per year Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Reg- ($137.00 for mailing first class) and to foreign subscribers for ister, National Archives and Records Administration, Washing- $93.75 per year, payable to the Superintendent of Documents, ton, DC 20408, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The ments contains statements, messages, and other Presidential charge for a single copy is $3.00 ($3.75 for foreign mailing). materials released by the White House during the preceding The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is also week. available on the Internet on the GPO Access service at http:// The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is pub- www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/index.html. lished pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Reg- There are no restrictions on the republication of material ister Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15), under appearing in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the ments. Federal Register, approved by the President (37 FR 23607; 1 CFR Part 10).

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The President’s Radio Address In this time of war, we need a strong De- partment of Justice. Yet the Senate has not February 9, 2008 voted on nominations for seven senior lead- ership positions at the Department. One of Good morning. One of the most important those vacancies is for Deputy Attorney Gen- jobs of any President is to find good men eral. The Deputy Attorney General helps and women to lead Government Agencies, lead efforts to detect and prevent terrorist preside over our courts, and provide vital attacks at home. services to the American people. So I have I’ve selected an outstanding nominee for nominated talented individuals for these po- this position, Judge Mark Filip. This former sitions. Unfortunately, the Senate is not prosecutor has earned a reputation for being meeting its responsibility to consider these fairminded and dedicated. Several years ago, nominees in a timely manner. More than 180 the Senate confirmed him unanimously for of my nominees are waiting for confirmation. a lifetime position on the Federal bench. Some have been waiting for more than a Now I ask Senators to confirm him once year. As a result, careers have been put on again so he can help keep our Nation safe. hold; families have been placed in limbo; and As Senators confirm these nominees, they our Government has been deprived of the must also confirm judges to the Federal service of these fine nominees. bench. I have nominated highly qualified in- On Thursday, I stood with many of these dividuals who will rule by the letter of the nominees at the White House. They are de- law, not the whim of the gavel. Unfortu- cent and talented people. The Senate needs nately, the Senate continues to delay votes to confirm them to address important issues, for 28 of my judicial nominees. Three of my from the economy to public safety to national nominees for the court of appeals have wait- security. ed nearly 600 days. These delays are irre- One of the most important institutions for sponsible; they undermine the cause of jus- America’s economy is the Federal Reserve. tice; and I call on the United States Senate The Fed decides monetary policy, and it sets to give these nominees the up-or-down vote key interest rates that have an impact on they deserve. homeowners and businesses across our coun- When men and women agree to serve in try. Yet the Senate has been delaying three public office, we should treat them with re- of my nominations to the Fed for nearly 9 spect and dignity, and that means giving months. My nominees have valuable experi- them a prompt confirmation vote. When the ence and skills, and I urge the Senate to con- Senate fails to give nominees a timely vote, firm them as soon as possible. it leaves important positions in our Govern- Another important institution is the Fed- ment vacant, and it makes it harder for Presi- eral Aviation Administration. The FAA plays dents of both parties to attract good men and women to serve in these vital posts. a vital role in keeping you safe when you fly. By working together, Republicans and In October, I nominated Bobby Sturgell to Democrats can chart a better course. We can lead the FAA. Bobby has nearly 20 years of bring every nomination to the floor for a vote cockpit experience from his time as a Navy and give the American people the kind of fighter pilot, Top Gun instructor, and com- public servants they deserve. mercial airline pilot. He’s committed to ad- Thank you for listening. dressing problems that have caused airline delays, and I urge Senators to put politics NOTE: The address was recorded at 2:25 p.m. on aside and confirm him to office. February 7 in the Cabinet Room at the White 177

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House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on February atre presents the Lincoln Medal to recognize 9. The transcript was made available by the Office high achievement and personal attributes of the Press Secretary on February 8 but was em- that embody the character of the 16th Presi- bargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office dent. of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- guage transcript of this address. Dr. Ben Carson is the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is one of the most respected surgeons in the Remarks Honoring President world. Twenty years ago, when a 70-member Abraham Lincoln’s 199th Birthday surgical team made history and separated a February 10, 2008 pair of Siamese twins, the gifted hands lead- ing the team belonged to this good man. Welcome. Laura and I are glad you’re Raised with his brother and a single moth- here. Rex, thank you for taking the lead for er—who’s here—Ben Carson didn’t get Ford’s Theatre. If any citizen wants to know much handed to him as he grew up. But his how to make a solid contribution to Wash- mother pushed him to learn and taught him ington, DC, support Ford’s Theatre; it’s to trust in the ways of heaven. From his days worth it. Members of my Cabinet, thanks for at Yale and the University of Michigan Med- coming. Members of Congress, we’re glad ical School, colleagues have known Dr. Car- you’re here. I’ve got two tasks. One is to son as both a skilled professional and a deeply present the Lincoln Medal and invite you to reflective man. a buffet. [Laughter] His many current duties include service I really want to thank Richard for coming. on the President’s Council on Bioethics and I appreciate your words, Allen; thank you a tireless commitment to helping young peo- very much—and Craig Wallace. Avery, I’ve ple find direction and motivation in life. He been subject to a few Presidential imperson- reminds them that all of us have gifts by the ations myself. [Laughter] I’m confident Abe grace of the Almighty God. He tells them would have liked it. [Laughter] I really ap- to think big, to study hard, and to put char- preciate you all coming. It’s made this a very acter first. He tells them to be nice because special evening. I do want to welcome all the in his words, ‘‘If you’re nice to people, then Lincoln scholars here and all the Lincoln en- once they get over the suspicion of why thusiasts. We’re really glad you’re here. you’re being nice,’’—[laughter]—‘‘they will I also am amazed that 200 years have gone be nice to you.’’ [Laughter] His example by. It just doesn’t seem all that long ago, does gives eloquent testimony to the value of per- it? But it’s fitting that we honor Abe Lincoln. severance and to the endless promise of He—of all the successors to George Wash- America. So tonight we proudly honor Dr. ington, he—none had greater impact on the Ben Carson. Presidency and on the country. And he re- President Ronald Reagan called Sandra mains a presence here in the House. I’m Day O’Connor a person for all seasons, and often asked, ‘‘Do you ever see Lincoln’s few Americans have shown a broader range ghost?’’ And I tell people, I quit drinking 22 of talent. She is, after all, the only Supreme years ago. [Laughter] Court Justice ever inducted into the Cowgirl But his office is directly above us. At the Hall of Fame. [Laughter] Born in El Paso, Center Hall, there’s a likeness in marble. His Texas, she spent much of her childhood on portrait hangs in the Oval Office, and there’s a ranch in Arizona, where from a young age, a fabulous portrait of Abe Lincoln in the she learned to ride horses, mend fences, and State Dining Room. And that’s the way it shoot a rifle. should be. He was a fabulous man and a great She was an academic star, attending Stan- President. His life was one of humble begin- ford Law School. It was a different era when nings and steadfast convictions. And so we she got out of law school. After all, not many celebrate his deeds; we lift up his ideals; and law firms wanted to hire a woman. But with we honor this good man. her intellect, independent spirit, and sense And it’s my pleasure tonight to honor two of adventure, Sandra Day O’Connor contin- really fine Americans. Each year, Ford’s The- ued a steady rise in the world. She became

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a State senator, a State court judge, and the some incentives to invest. And so you ought first woman on the highest court in the land. to be planning upon it—on investing now. For 24 years, Justice O’Connor stood out And so I really want to thank the Congress as a careful, fairminded jurist. Sandra Day for getting this bill done, and I’m looking for- O’Connor is a great mom to her three sons, ward to signing it. It’s going to help deal with and she has been a blessing to her husband, the uncertainties in this economy. John. This lovely lady remains one of the Thank you all very much. most admired women of our time. She’s lived a great American life, and our Nation is NOTE: The President spoke at 1:07 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, proud to honor you once again, Justice. Wel- he referred to H.R. 5140. come.

NOTE: The President spoke at 5:54 p.m. in the Remarks at the Heart Truth East Room at the White House. In his remarks, Reception he referred to Rex W. Tillerson, vice-chairman, February 11, 2008 Ford’s Theatre Society; historian Richard Norton Smith; Allen C. Guelzo, professor of history, Get- Thank you all. Welcome to the White tysburg College; and actors Craig Wallace and House. Laura and I are glad you’re here, and Avery Brooks. The transcript released by the Of- thanks for coming. I welcome members of fice of the Press Secretary also included the re- my Cabinet. I particularly want to thank all marks of the First Lady. the healers and compassionate folks who help with heart disease. The Vice President sends Remarks on the 2008 Economic his best. [Laughter] Report of the President All of us here are committed to America’s heart health. I don’t know if our fellow citi- February 11, 2008 zens know this, but this is American Heart Month. And it’s a good time to remember The President. I want to thank members that an estimated 80 million people across of my economic team for submitting this the United States suffer from heart disease. Economic Report of the President. I’m about The disease is the number-one killer of to sign it. And so I want to—Eddie, thank American men and women. Many women, you for your good work, you and your team. however, do not even know they’re at risk, Council of Economic Advisers Chair- and so they don’t take simple steps that can man Edward P. Lazear. My pleasure. protect their health. The President. This report indicates that And that’s where the Heart Truth Cam- our economy is structurally sound for the paign comes in. Over the last 5 years, I ap- long term and that we’re dealing with uncer- preciate the fact that you all have spread the tainties in the short term. And therefore, word, and you represent thousands across what should we do about it? Well, I am so our country who are doing so as well. You’ve pleased that the Congress and the adminis- helped women reduce the factors for heart tration worked closely together to pass a ro- disease, and that’s a noble calling, an impor- bust progrowth package to deal with the un- tant contribution to our country. Every Feb- certainty. That package is about 160 billion- ruary, you encourage women to wear the red plus dollars. What that means is, it means dress, which I appreciate. And I do want to that money will be going directly to America, thank the fashion industry for stepping up workers and families and individuals. It also and—[applause]. means that there is incentives for American And the results are measurable. Women’s businesses. awareness has been raised; women’s lives I’ll be signing this bill soon. But if you’re have been saved. Earlier this month, I was a taxpayer or if you’re a—got income up to— in Kansas City, and I met a woman named earned income—I mean, credited income up Joyce Cullen. In 2003, Joyce saw coverage to $3,000, you can expect money back. And of Laura’s visit to a Kansas City hospital. She if you’re a businessowner, you’re going to get just talked about the symptoms that—of

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heart disease in women. It was just a simple Timor-Leste, and Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, explanation of what people should be aware Prime Minister of Timor-Leste. Laura and of. She woke up with those symptoms shortly I offer our condolences to the families of after Laura’s visit. She went to the hospital. those killed in the attacks, and we send our Her life was saved, and she’s now a part of prayers for a rapid recovery to President Heart Truth. And that’s the effort in which Ramos-Horta and the others injured. you’re involved—simple acts that are spread- Those who are responsible must know that ing across the country and saving lives. they cannot derail democracy in Timor- My job today is not only to welcome you Leste, and they will be held accountable for and to thank you but to introduce the Heart their actions. The United States remains Truth’s national ambassador. Laura is com- committed to working with the people of mitted to the Heart Truth Campaign. She’s Timor-Leste to strengthen democracy there. a great First Lady, and she’s always dear to I also offer my full support to the Govern- my heart—the First Lady. ment of Timor-Leste, the United Nations In- tegrated Mission in Timor-Leste, and the NOTE: The President spoke at 4:40 p.m. in the International Stabilization Force as they East Room at the White House. The transcript work to maintain calm and security. released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of the First Lady. Memorandum on Federal Support Statement on the Death of for the AbilityOne Program Representative Thomas P. Lantos February 11, 2008 February 11, 2008 Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Laura and I are saddened by the death Departments and Agencies of our friend Congressman Tom Lantos. Subject: Federal Support for the AbilityOne Tom was a man of character and a cham- Program pion of human rights. After immigrating to America more than six decades ago, he Americans with disabilities make valuable worked to help oppressed people around the contributions to our country’s workforce that world have the opportunity to live in free- help keep our Nation the world’s economic dom. As the only Holocaust survivor to serve leader. Expanding employment opportuni- in Congress, Tom was a living reminder that ties for these individuals will help ensure that we must never turn a blind eye to the suf- our economy is drawing on the talents and fering of the innocent at the hands of evil creativity of all its citizens and that America men. I appreciate his vision in cofounding remains a place of opportunity for all. Sup- the Human Rights Caucus. I also appreciate porting the AbilityOne Program is one good his efforts to protect our environment, allevi- way to achieve this goal. ate the sufferings caused by HIV/AIDS, and The AbilityOne Program (formerly the strengthen our friendships and alliances Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program) is a Federal around the globe. initiative that works with public and private We will miss Tom’s leadership in the Halls organizations to generate employment op- of Congress. Our thoughts and prayers are portunities for Americans who are blind or with his wife, Annette, their daughters, and have other disabilities. Nearly 43,000 individ- the rest of the Lantos family. uals work in more than 600 community- based nonprofit agencies that serve people with a wide range of disabilities and sell prod- Statement on the Situation in Timor- ucts and services to the Federal Government Leste through the AbilityOne Program. February 11, 2008 The AbilityOne Program has taken steps to embrace successful business practices, in- I strongly condemn the violent attacks cluding e-commerce and performance-based against Jose Ramos-Horta, President of contracting. Strong support from Federal

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customers is critical to fulfilling this impor- the next report required by section 603 of tant program’s employment mission. There- the Act is transmitted to the Congress, fore, I encourage you to ensure that your whichever is later. agency’s procurement officials acquire prod- You are hereby authorized and directed to ucts and services provided by the AbilityOne transmit this determination to the Congress Program, consistent with existing law. and to publish it in the Federal Register. Additional information about the George W. Bush AbilityOne Program may be obtained by con- tacting the Committee for Purchase From NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled fice of the Press Secretary on February 12. or by visiting www.AbilityOne.gov. George W. Bush Remarks Following a Discussion With President Amadou Toumani Memorandum on Implementation of Toure of Mali Sections 603 and 604 of the Foreign February 12, 2008 Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107–228) President Bush. It’s been a honor and a pleasure to welcome the President of Mali February 11, 2008 here to the Oval Office. Presidential Determination No. 2008–11 We discussed a variety of issues. I was touched by the President’s concern about the Memorandum for the Secretary of State life of the average citizen in Mali. We are partners with the President and the people Subject: Implementation of Sections 603 and of Mali through the Millennium Challenge 604 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Account. And one reason we worked with the Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107–228) Government is because they’ve agreed to Consistent with the authority contained in fight corruption and support the education section 604 of the Foreign Relations Author- and health of its citizens. This is a country ization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law that’s committed to the rights of its people, 107–228)(the ‘‘Act’’), and with reference to and we’re proud to be standing side by side the determinations set out in the report to with you. be transmitted to the Congress pursuant to Two issues that are very important to this section 603 of that Act regarding noncompli- administration, Mr. President, were the ance by the Palestine Liberation Organiza- issues that my wife, Laura, discussed when tion and the Palestinian Authority with cer- she came to your country. One is literacy, tain commitments, I hereby impose the sanc- and two is the eradication of malaria. And tion set out in section 604(a)(2), ‘‘Downgrade I assured the President that our commitment in Status of the PLO Office in the United remains strong to both important issues. And States.’’ This sanction is imposed for a period I thank him very much for his hard work of 180 days from the date hereof or until in helping his citizens deal with HIV/AIDS. such time as the next report required by sec- And finally, the President and I spent a tion 603 of the Act is transmitted to the Con- fair amount of time talking about the dangers gress, whichever is later. You are authorized of radicals and extremists associated with and directed to transmit to the appropriate groups like Al Qaida. And we talked about congressional committees the report de- the need for close cooperation to protect the scribed in section 603 of the Act. innocent people from those who murder the Furthermore, I hereby determine that it innocent in order to achieve their dark polit- is in the national security interest of the ical vision. United States to waive that sanction, pursu- So it’s been my honor to welcome a good ant to section 604(c) of the Act. This waiver man here to the Oval Office. shall be effective for a period of 180 days President Toure. Yes. First of all, I would from the date hereof or until such time as like to convey to the President of the United

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States the sympathies and solidarity of the Remarks at a Celebration of African people of Mali because of the destruc- American History Month tion—— President Bush. Thank you. February 12, 2008 President Toure. ——brought by the tor- The President. Thank you all for coming. nadoes in some of the Southern States of the Good afternoon, and welcome to the White United States. House. Laura and I are honored that you And then I told Mr. President that we all came as we celebrate African American were sensitive and impressed by the impres- History Month. This is a month in which we sion that we had from the visit of Mrs. Laura recognize the many African Americans Bush to Mali some time ago. Also, thank the who’ve made great contributions to our President for the friendship between the country. We honor the talent and their cour- people of the United States and the people age. We renew our commitment to securing of Mali and the cooperation between Mali liberty and justice for every American. That’s and the United States that we do entertain why we’re here. on both sides since the independence of Mali I appreciate many of the notables who in 1960. have joined us. Madam Secretary, appreciate But I could also come to the United States you coming—Mr. Secretary, Alphonso Jack- just to tell Mr. President, thank you, because son, and Marcia. Thanks for coming, Mr. the President had some initiatives not only Secretary. Proud you’re here. for Mali but also for Africa, which we believe If I skip some of the notables, it’s because are historical initiatives, and which we do I’m going to say something about them a lit- have the Millennium Challenge Corporation, tle later on. [Laughter] So, Congressman, I’ll the greater participation against the fight be with you in a minute. [Laughter] against AIDS through the Global Fund, the I appreciate Dr. Leonard Haynes, who’s initiative of the eradication of malaria, and the Executive Director of the White House not to forget the Presidential initiative on lit- Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and eracy in Africa, which is very important in Universities. I am proud—Doc, thanks for our view, because when you want to develop, coming. I’m proud to welcome all the presi- you need to also improve basic education. dents from the Historically Black Colleges President Bush. That’s right. and Universities here today; really appreciate President Toure. So I emphasized to the your service to the country. President that—and I reaffirm—that Mali I want to thank Ron Langston, National signed and Mali averred to all different initia- Director of the Minority Business Develop- tives on the fight against terrorism. So it is ment Agency, Roslyn Brock, vice chairman humanly inadmissable, unacceptable to see of the NAACP. Roslyn, thank you for com- or to assist or to be indifferent to the sugges- ing. Somewhere you are—there you are. I tion that we are seeing to some practices thank John Fleming, president, Association which really do not deserve to exist. of the Study of African American Life and So we had a fruitful exchange of views on History. Yes, sir, Reverend Al Sharpton and our cooperation. So I said to Mr. President his wife, Dominique; Reverend, it’s good to that I would like to thank him and also to see you. convey all the gratitude of the people of Mali, Audience member. Daughter. but I emphasized also the fact that may God The President. Daughter. [Laughter] save Mali and the United States. President, Daughter. [Laughter] I don’t get them right thank you very much. all the time. [Laughter] But thank you for President Bush. Thank you, sir. coming. And, Dominique, you’re sure a lot prettier than your father. [Laughter] NOTE: The President spoke at 10:33 a.m. in the Thurgood Marshall, Jr., we’re proud you’re Oval Office at the White House. President Toure here. Yes, thanks for coming. Good to see spoke in French, and his remarks were translated you, sir. State Representative Calvin Smyre by an interpreter. of the State of Georgia, who is the president

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of the National Black Caucus of State Legis- more than a tool of murder; it was a tool lators. Sure proud you’re here. of intimidation that conveyed a sense of pow- Thank you all for coming. There’s a lot erlessness to millions. of other notables here. Just consider yourself The era of rampant lynching is a shameful welcomed. [Laughter] chapter in American history. The noose is not The theme of this year’s African American a symbol of prairie justice but of gross injus- History Month is a celebration of America’s tice. Displaying one is not a harmless prank. cultural diversity. It is a tribute to a scholar Lynching is not a word to be mentioned in who deepened our appreciation for diversity, jest. As a civil society, we must understand Carter G. Woodson. When Dr. Woodson that noose displays and lynching jokes are began his career in the early 20th century, deeply offensive. They are wrong, and they most Americans knew little about African have no place in America today. American heritage. Dr. Woodson set out to This afternoon we honor four Americans correct that. His scholarship helped pioneer who understand what this symbol represents the field of African American studies. And and who are leading the way toward ending by the time he passed away in 1950, the son racial injustice across our land. of freed slaves had become known as the Fa- Congressman John Lewis earned his place ther of Black History. in history long before winning a seat in the It is important for all our citizens to know United States Capitol. As a young man, he the history of the African American struggle became one of the leaders of the civil rights for equality. We must remember that the movement. He organized freedom rides and slave trade brought many Africans to Amer- sit-ins and voter registration drives. One Sun- ica in chains, not by choice. We must remem- day in 1965, he set out to lead a march from ber how slaves claimed their God-given right Selma to Montgomery. The marchers never to freedom. And we must remember how made it past the rows of State troopers out- freed slaves and their descendants helped re- side Selma, but their message made it all the dedicate America to the ideals of its found- way to Washington, DC. Five months later, ing. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act. And Our Nation has come a long way toward more than 40 years later, John Lewis con- building a more perfect Union. Yet as past tinues to inspire us, and we’re blessed to have injustices have become distant memories, him here today. there is a risk that our society may lose sight William Coleman has lived a life of many of the real suffering that took place. One firsts. After graduating first in his class from symbol of that suffering is the noose. Re- Harvard Law School, he went on to become cently, there have been a number of media both the first black American to clerk on the reports about nooses being displayed. These Supreme Court and the first to hold a Cabi- disturbing reports have resulted in height- net post in a Republican administration, as ened racial tensions in many communities. Secretary of Transportation under President They have revealed that some Americans do Gerald Ford. William Coleman has also not understand why the sight of a noose helped open doors of opportunities for oth- causes such a visceral reaction among so ers. He worked alongside Thurgood Mar- many people. shall, father of this good man, on the legal For decades, the noose played a central team that triumphed in Brown versus Board part in a campaign of violence and fear of Education. This ruling exposed the fallacy against African Americans. Fathers were of separate but equal, and it helped return dragged from their homes in the dark of the America to the great truth that all men are night before the eyes of their terrified chil- created equal. For this, we owe William dren. Summary executions were held by Coleman our lasting thanks. We’re honored torchlight in front of hateful crowds. In many to have you today, sir. cases, law enforcement officers responsible Three years after Brown versus Board of for protecting the victims were complicit in Education, nine students in Little Rock their deeds, and their deaths. For genera- stepped forward to test the Supreme Court’s tions of African Americans, the noose was ruling. On September 25th, 1957, Federal

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troops escorted them into the city’s all-white And now it is my great pleasure to intro- Central High School. Once inside, the Little duce the Temptations. Rock Nine were spit on, harassed, and called names. One of the students was a senior NOTE: The President spoke at 3 p.m. in the East named Ernest Green. As graduation day ap- Room at the White House. In his remarks, he proached, some suggested it might be safer referred to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. for Ernest to receive his diploma in the mail. Many people would have taken this advice, not Ernest Green. In May of 1958, Martin Statement on Senate Passage of the Luther King, Jr., was on hand to watch Er- Intelligence Reform Legislation nest become the first African American to February 12, 2008 graduate from Little Rock’s Central High School. We’re honored to welcome Ernest After a full debate, the Senate today cast Green to the White House during the 50th a strong, bipartisan vote in support of legisla- anniversary—[applause]. tion that will ensure that our intelligence pro- And finally, as a young boy, Otis Williams fessionals continue to have the critical tools remembers his mother packing food for their they need to protect the Nation. move from Texas—oh, what a tragic mis- This good bill passed by the Senate pro- take—[laughter]—to Detroit. She did so be- vides a long-term foundation for our intel- cause restaurants along the route refused to ligence community to monitor the commu- serve African Americans. In Detroit, Otis nications of foreign terrorists in ways that are Williams grew up to become the leader of timely and effective and that also protect the one of the most successful vocal groups in liberties of Americans. It will keep closed the history of our country, the Temptations. dangerous intelligence gaps that threatened This group has recorded 37 top 40 singles, our security. And this bill improves on the including 4 number-one hits on the pop Protect America Act passed last summer by charts. Their success paved the way for other providing fair and just liability protection to African American artists. Their melodies con- those private companies who have been sued tinue bringing Americans of all races to- for billions of dollars only because they are gether to this day. believed to have done the right thing and Otis can remember performing in a venue assisted the Nation after the September 11th in South Carolina where blacks and whites terrorist attacks. in the crowd were separated by a barrier. I commend Senators from both sides of The next year when the Temptations re- the aisle who came together to pass this im- turned, the racial divide was gone. As Otis portant bill. I thank Leaders Reid and once put it, quote, ‘‘The highest achievement McConnell and the leaders of the Senate In- for me has been to have our music penetrate telligence Committee, Senators Rockefeller all kinds of barriers, for it to be colorless.’’ and Bond, for finishing work on this bill. The music of the Temptations has given Today the Senate demonstrated that pro- countless Americans sunshine on a cloudy tecting our Nation is not a partisan issue. day—[laughter]—and we cannot help our- The House of Representatives now has an selves from loving them. [Laughter] opportunity to put aside narrow partisan con- Throughout American—African American cerns and come together to pass this bipar- History Month, we remember how individ- tisan bill and send it to my desk without uals, African American leaders of all kinds delay. Our intelligence professionals and pri- helped bring our Nation together. We recog- vate sector partners need the certainty of nize our Nation still has a long way to go. long-term legislation that will allow us to But in the example of the leaders like those keep programs in place to protect the Nation, we honor today, we see strength greater than so that the flow of critical intelligence infor- any division, and we see hope for a day when mation is not interrupted. freedom rings from every mountainside and every corner of the country. NOTE: The statement referred to H.R. 3773.

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Remarks on Intelligence Reform Unfortunately, the House has failed to pass Legislation a good bill. And now House leaders say they February 13, 2008 want still more time to reach an agreement with the Senate on a final bill. They make Director, thank you for joining me. Good this claim even though it is clear that the morning. At this moment, somewhere in the Senate bill, the bill passed last night, has sig- world, terrorists are planning new attacks on nificant bipartisan support in the House. our country. Their goal is to bring destruction Congress has had over 6 months to discuss to our shores that will make September the and deliberate. The time for debate is over. 11th pale by comparison. To carry out their I will not accept any temporary extension. plans, they must communicate with each House Members have had plenty of time to other, they must recruit operatives, and they pass a good bill. They have already been must share information. given a 2-week extension beyond the dead- The lives of countless Americans depend line they set for themselves. If Republicans on our ability to monitor these communica- and Democrats in the Senate can come to- tions. Our intelligence professionals must be gether on a good piece of legislation, there able to find out who the terrorists are talking is no reason why Republicans and Democrats to, what they are saying, and what they’re in the House cannot pass the Senate bill im- planning. mediately. To help our intelligence agencies do this, The House’s failure to pass the bipartisan Congress passed the Protect America Act last Senate bill would jeopardize the security of year. Unfortunately, Congress set the law to our citizens. As Director McConnell has told expire on February the 1st and then failed me, without this law, our ability to prevent to pass new legislation that would keep these new attacks will be weakened, and it will be- tools in effect over the long run. And so at come harder for us to uncover terrorist plots. the 11th hour, Congress passed a temporary We must not allow this to happen. It is time 15-day extension of the current law, which for Congress to ensure the flow of vital intel- will expire at midnight this Saturday. I signed ligence is not disrupted. It is time for Con- that extension. I did so to give Members of gress to pass a law that provides a long-term the House and the Senate more time to work foundation to protect our country. And they out their differences. must do so immediately. Well, the Senate has used this time wisely. Thank you very much. I am pleased that last night, Senators ap- NOTE: The President spoke at 9:01 a.m. in the proved new legislation that will ensure our Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, intelligence professionals have the tools they he referred to H.R. 3773. need to make us safer, and they did so by a wide, bipartisan majority. The Senate bill also provides fair and just liability protections Remarks on Signing the Economic for companies that did the right thing and Stimulus Act of 2008 assisted in defending America after the at- February 13, 2008 tacks of September the 11th. In order to be able to discover enemy— Thank you all. Sit down. Thank you all very the enemy’s plans, we need the cooperation much. Thanks for coming. Thanks for the of telecommunication companies. If these warm welcome. I’m pleased to be joined by companies are subjected to lawsuits that leaders of both parties to enact an economic could cost them billions of dollars, they won’t growth package on behalf of the American participate, they won’t help us, they won’t people. help protect America. Liability protection is You know, a lot of folks in America prob- critical to securing the private sector’s co- ably were saying that it’s impossible for those operation with our intelligence efforts. The of us in Washington to find common ground, Senate has passed a good bill and has shown to reach compromise on important issues. I that protecting our Nation is not a partisan didn’t feel that way; I know the leaders didn’t issue. And I congratulate the Senators. feel that way. And as a result, we have come

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together on a single mission, and that is to There are other ways we can work together put the people’s interests first. And I really to help our economy through this rough do welcome the Members of Congress, and patch. I know many Americans are worried I thank you for your hard work. about meeting their mortgages. My adminis- Madame Speaker, I thank you for your tration is working to address this problem. leadership. Senator Reid, I thank you for Last fall, for example, we brought together your leadership as well. I appreciate very the HOPE NOW Alliance to help struggling much the fact that the Vice President has homeowners avoid foreclosure. Yesterday joined us, along with Congressman Boehner, Secretaries Paulson and Jackson joined Congressman Hoyer, Senator Mitch McCon- HOPE NOW in announcing what is called nell, Congressman Roy Blunt, Congressman Project Lifeline. It’s a targeted outreach ef- Jim Clyburn, and other Members of the fort to help more at-risk homeowners. House and the Senate. You’re welcome here in the people’s house any time. Congress can also help by passing legisla- I’m very grateful that members of my Cab- tion to reform the regulation of Fannie Mae inet have joined us. Secretary Paulson was and Freddie Mac, to modernize the Federal the leader in the negotiations on this, and Housing Administration, and to allow State I thank you very much for your hard work, housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to Mr. Secretary. You’re earning your pay. help homeowners refinance their mortgages. [Laughter] Appreciate other members of my I hope that Congress can act on these matters Cabinet who have joined us as well. quickly. You know, I know a lot of Americans are concerned about our economic future. Our Helping our economy requires us to take overall economy has grown for 6 straight action. It is equally important that we not years, but that growth has clearly slowed. overreact. Our economic success is not the And so in January, I—we had an important result of the wisdom of politicians in Wash- phone call with the leaders of the Congress ington, DC, but of the collective wisdom of to talk about whether or not we could come the American people. Shopkeepers, farmers, together to provide a booster shot for our laborers, entrepreneurs in the private sector economy, a package that is robust, tem- have given us the most—the strongest and porary, and puts money back into the hands most resilient economic system in the world. of American workers and businesses. Congress passed a really good piece of leg- Over the past 7 years, this system has ab- islation, and they did so in a very expeditious sorbed shocks: recession; corporate scandals; manner. The bill I’m signing today is large terrorist attacks; global war. Yet the genius enough to have an impact, amounting to of our system is that it can absorb such shocks more than $152 billion this year, or about and emerge even stronger. In a dynamic mar- 1 percent of GDP. The bill provides tem- ket economy, there will always be times when porary tax incentives for businesses to make we experience uncertainties and fluctuations. investments in their companies so that we But so long as we pursue progrowth policies create new jobs this year. The bill provides that put faith in the American people, our individual tax relief in the form of tax rebates. economy will prosper, and it will continue These rebates will amount to as much as to be the marvel of the world. $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples, with additional rebates for families Now I’m honored to sign the Economic with children. Stimulus Act of 2008. The Members resisted the temptation to load up this bill with unrelated programs or unnecessary spending, and I appreciate that. NOTE: The President spoke at 1:59 p.m. in the I thank the Members for acting quickly. I East Room at the White House. H.R. 5140, ap- thank them for acting to provide immediate proved February 13, was assigned Public Law No. tax relief to the American people. 110–185.

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Executive Order 13460—Blocking blocked and may not be transferred, paid, Property of Additional Persons in exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in: Connection With the National persons determined by the Secretary of the Emergency With Respect to Syria Treasury, after consultation with the Sec- retary of State, to be responsible for, to have February 13, 2008 engaged in, to have facilitated, or to have se- By the authority vested in me as President cured improper advantage as a result of, pub- by the Constitution and the laws of the lic corruption by senior officials within the United States of America, including the Government of Syria. International Emergency Economic Powers (b) The prohibitions in paragraph (a) of Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)(IEEPA), the Na- this section include, but are not limited to, tional Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et (i) the making of any contribution or provi- seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States sion of funds, goods, or services by, to, or Code, for the benefit of any person designated pur- I, George W. Bush, President of the suant to this order, and (ii) the receipt of United States of America, find that the Gov- any contribution or provision of funds, goods, ernment of Syria continues to engage in cer- or services from any such person. tain conduct that formed the basis for the Sec. 2. Section 3(a)(iv) of Executive Order national emergency declared in Executive 13338 is hereby amended to read as follows: Order 13338 of May 11, 2004, including but ‘‘(iv) to be or to have been responsible for not limited to undermining efforts with re- or otherwise significantly contributing spect to the stabilization of Iraq. I further to actions taken or decisions made by find that the conduct of certain members of the Government of Syria that have the Government of Syria and other persons the purpose or effect of undermining contributing to public corruption related to efforts to stabilize Iraq or of allowing Syria, including by misusing Syrian public as- the use of Syrian territory or facilities sets or by misusing public authority, en- to undermine efforts to stabilize Iraq; trenches and enriches the Government of or’’. Syria and its supporters and thereby enables Sec. 3. (a) Any transaction by a United the Government of Syria to continue to en- States person or within the United States that gage in certain conduct that formed the basis evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading for the national emergency declared in Exec- or avoiding, or attempts to violate any of the utive Order 13338. In light of these findings, prohibitions set forth in this order is prohib- and to take additional steps with respect to ited. the national emergency declared in Execu- (b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any tive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004, I hereby of the prohibitions set forth in this order is order: prohibited. Section 1. (a) Except to the extent pro- Sec. 4. For purposes of this order: vided in section 203(b)(1), (3), and (4) of (a) the term ‘‘person’’ means any individual IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(1), (3) and (4)), or entity; the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export En- (b) the term ‘‘entity’’ means a partnership, hancement Act of 2000 (title IX, Public Law association, trust, joint venture, corporation, 106–387), or regulations, orders, directives, group, subgroup, or other organization; and or licenses that may be issued pursuant to (c) the term ‘‘United States person’’ means this order, and notwithstanding any contract any United States citizen, permanent resi- entered into or any license or permit granted dent alien, entity organized under the laws prior to the effective date of this order, all of the United States or any jurisdiction within property and interests in property that are the United States (including foreign in the United States, that hereafter come branches), or any person in the United within the United States, or that are or here- States. after come within the possession or control Sec. 5. I hereby determine that the mak- of any United States person, including any ing of donations of the type specified in sec- overseas branch, of the following persons are tion 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C.

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1702(b)(2)) by, to, or for the benefit of, per- Sec. 9. This order is not intended to, and sons whose property and interests in property does not, create any right or benefit, sub- are blocked pursuant to section 1 of this stantive or procedural, enforceable at law or order would seriously impair my ability to in equity by any party against the United deal with the national emergency declared States, its departments, agencies, instrumen- in Executive Order 13338 and relied upon talities, or entities, its officers or employees, for additional steps taken in Executive Order or any other person. 13399 of April 25, 2006, and I hereby pro- hibit such donations as provided by section George W. Bush 1 of this order. Sec. 6. For those persons whose property The White House, and interests in property are blocked pursu- February 13, 2008. ant to section 1 of this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, States, I find that, because of the ability to 10:37 a.m., February 14, 2008] transfer funds or other assets instanta- neously, prior notice to such persons of NOTE: This Executive order was published in the measures to be taken pursuant to this order Federal Register on February 15. would render these measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing the national Message to the Congress emergency declared in Executive Order Transmitting an Executive Order 13338 and relied upon for additional steps Blocking Property of Additional taken in Executive Order 13399, there need Persons in Connection With the be no prior notice of a determination made National Emergency With Respect to pursuant to this order. Syria Sec. 7. The Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of State, February 13, 2008 is hereby authorized to take such actions, in- cluding the promulgation of rules and regula- To the Congress of the United States: tions, and to employ all powers granted to Pursuant to the International Emergency the President by IEEPA as may be necessary Economic Powers Act, as amended (50 to carry out the purposes of this order. The U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)(IEEPA), I hereby report Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any that I have issued an Executive Order taking of these functions to other officers and agen- additional steps with respect to the Govern- cies of the United States Government, con- ment of Syria’s continued engagement in cer- sistent with applicable law. All executive tain conduct that formed the basis for the agencies of the United States Government national emergency declared in Executive are hereby directed to take all appropriate Order 13338 of May 11, 2004, including but measures within their authority to carry out not limited to its efforts to undermine the the provisions of this order and, where ap- stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq. propriate, to advise the Secretary of the This order will block the property and in- Treasury in a timely manner of the measures terests in property of persons determined by taken. the Secretary of the Treasury, after consulta- Sec. 8. Nothing in this order is intended tion with the Secretary of State, to be respon- to affect the continued effectiveness of any sible for, to have engaged in, to have facili- rules, regulations, orders, licenses, or other tated, or to have secured improper advantage forms of administrative action issued, taken, as a result of, public corruption by senior offi- or continued in effect heretofore or hereafter cials within the Government of Syria. The under 31 C.F.R. chapter V, except as ex- order also revises a provision in Executive pressly terminated, modified, or suspended Order 13338 to block the property and inter- by or pursuant to this order. ests in property of persons determined by

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the Secretary of the Treasury, after consulta- of 180 days from the date hereof or until tion with the Secretary of State, to be respon- such time as the next report required by sec- sible for or otherwise significantly contrib- tion 603 of the Act is transmitted to the Con- uting to actions or decisions of the Govern- gress, whichever is later. You are authorized ment of Syria that have the purpose or effect and directed to transmit to the appropriate of undermining efforts to stabilize Iraq or of congressional committees the report de- allowing the use of Syrian territory or facili- scribed in section 603 of the Act. ties to undermine efforts to stabilize Iraq. Furthermore, I hereby determine that it I delegated to the Secretary of the Treas- is in the national security interest of the ury the authority to take such actions, after United States to waive that sanction, pursu- consultation with the Secretary of State, in- ant to section 604(c) of the Act. This waiver cluding the promulgation of rules and regula- shall be effective for a period of 180 days tions, and to employ all powers granted to from the date hereof or until such time as the President by IEEPA as may be necessary the next report required by section 603 of to carry out the purposes of my order. the Act is transmitted to the Congress, I wish to emphasize, as well, my ongoing whichever is later. concern over the destabilizing role Syria con- You are hereby authorized and directed to tinues to play in Lebanon, including its ef- transmit this determination to the Congress forts to obstruct, through intimidation and and to publish it in the Federal Register. violence, Lebanon’s democratic processes. George W. Bush I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I have issued. George W. Bush Remarks on African Development The White House, and Upcoming Visit to Africa February 13, 2008. February 14, 2008 I’ve been looking forward to coming to the Memorandum on Implementation of museum, and there’s an added benefit, and Sections 603 and 604 of the Foreign that is, I get to be introduced by my wife Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal on Valentine’s Day. [Laughter] Happy Valen- Year 2003 (Public Law 107–228) tine’s. This morning Laura and I join all Ameri- February 13, 2008 cans in honoring the life of Congressman Presidential Determination No. 2008–12 Tom Lantos. In his remarkable 80 years, Tom Lantos survived the Nazi camps of Memorandum for the Secretary of State Hungary to reach the Halls of Congress. As a Representative from California, he was a Subject: Implementation of Sections 603 and fearless defender of democracy, a powerful 604 of the Foreign Relations Authorization advocate of human rights, and a strong sup- Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107–228) porter of the fight against HIV/AIDS. Our Consistent with the authority contained in prayers are with Annette and the Lantos fam- section 604 of the Foreign Relations Author- ily. We thank God for his service. ization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law Five years ago, Laura and I made our first 107–228)(the ‘‘Act’’), and with reference to visit to Africa. Since then, as she mentioned, the determinations set out in the report to she’s taken three more trips. And every time, be transmitted to the Congress pursuant to she came back with fascinating stories, some section 603 of that Act regarding noncompli- of which she just shared with you. And to- ance by the Palestine Liberation Organiza- morrow, as she mentioned, we’re going back, tion and the Palestinian Authority with cer- and I’m really looking forward to it. tain commitments, I hereby impose the sanc- We’re going to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, tion set out in section 604(a)(2), ‘‘Downgrade Ghana, and Liberia. Each of these countries in Status of the PLO Office in the United is blessed with natural beauty, vibrant cul- States.’’ This sanction is imposed for a period ture, and an unmistakable spirit of energy

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and optimism. Africa in the 21st century is I welcome Jendayi Frazer, Assistant Sec- a continent of potential. That’s how we view retary of State for African Affairs. Are you it. I hope that’s how our fellow citizens view going on the trip? Yes. Better get home and Africa. It’s a place where democracy is ad- pack. [Laughter] Thanks for coming. I’m vancing, where economies are growing, and proud to work with you. leaders are meeting challenges with purpose Henrietta Fore, Administrator of USAID, and determination. is with us. Henrietta, thanks for coming. Our visit will give me a chance to meet I better be careful about how I say this with people who are making the trans- for fear of having a huge burst of applause, formation on the continent possible. I’m but I’d like to introduce the Director of the going to witness the generosity of the Amer- Peace Corps—[applause]—Ron Tschetter. ican people firsthand. It will give me a Ron, thanks for coming. It’s good to see you, chance to remind our fellow citizens about sir. And I appreciate you bringing the five- what a compassionate people we are. And person cheering section with you. [Laughter] I will assure our partners in Africa that the There seems to be a groundswell here. United States is committed to them today, [Laughter] tomorrow, and long into their continent’s I welcome the members of the diplomatic bright future. corps. Thanks for coming. And so I thank you for giving us a chance And finally, I do also want to do what Mark to come and visit with you. You could call did, and thank Chuck Dages of Warner this the sendoff speech. Brothers for this trailer. It’s good. I appre- I really want to thank Mark Dybul. I love ciate your support. to support people who are making history. The museum is a testament to America’s I can’t think of any more noble history than long connection to Africa. At least that’s how to be leading the compassionate effort of the I view it. Africa is the birthplace of humanity, American people to help save lives. And, Am- the home of great civilizations, and the bassador, you’re doing a fabulous job. source of enduring achievements in culture I also want to welcome Admiral Tim and art. Africa has also witnessed some of Ziemer. Admiral, good to see you. He’s in mankind’s most shameful chapters, from the charge of making sure that we meet our goals evils of the slave trade to the condescension in reducing the scourge of malaria. Thanks of colonialism. Even the joy of independ- for coming. You and Dybul are results-ori- ence, which arrived with such promise, was ented people. Let me say, I’m a results-ori- undermined by corruption, conflict, and dis- ented President, and so when I meet with ease. Just a decade ago, much of Africa you, I ask you, what are the results? [Laugh- seemed to be on the brink of collapse, and ter] And you’ll hear in a minute, they’re very much of the world seemed content to let it positive. collapse. I appreciate very much Dr. Samper and Today, that’s changing. A new generation his wife, Adriana, for welcoming us. Thank of African leaders is stepping forward and you for leading this important institute. turning their continent around. International I also want to thank Sharon Patton, the organizations and faith-based groups and the Director of the Smithsonian National Mu- private sector are more engaged than ever. seum of African Art. Thanks for welcoming And in one of the major priorities of my Pres- us. It’s not so easy, like, to welcome the Presi- idency, the United States has fundamentally dent. [Laughter] It turns out, the entourages altered our policy toward Africa. are probably bigger than the visitors to your America’s approach to Africa stems from museum—[laughter]—but thank you for both our ideals and our interests. We believe coming. This is an important part of the that every human life is precious. We believe Washington scene. I’d urge our fellow citi- that our brothers and sisters in Africa have zens to come to this important museum. I dignity and value because they bear the mark want to thank the board members of the of our Creator. We believe our spirit is re- Smithsonian National Museum of Africa Art newed when we help African children and who have joined us today. families live and thrive.

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Africa is also increasingly vital to our stra- wrong; it’s still a poor place, but poverty is tegic interests. We have seen that conditions beginning to decline. on the other side of the world can have a This resurgence shows the strength of the direct impact on our own security. We know entrepreneurial spirit in Africa. America is that if Africa were to continue on the old working to help unleash that spirit across the path of decline, it would be more likely to continent. Along with our fellow G–8 nations, produce failed states, foster ideologies of we have relieved some $34 billion in debt radicalism, and spread violence across bor- from African nations in the past 18 months. ders. That is roughly the same level of debt that We also know that if Africa grows in free- was canceled in the previous 11 years com- dom and prosperity and justice, its people bined. We have also made historic increases will choose a better course. People who live in foreign aid. In my first term, we more than in societies based on freedom and justice are doubled development assistance to Africa, more likely to reject the false promise of the part of the largest expansion of American de- extremist ideology. Citizens who see a future of opportunity are more likely to build hope- velopment assistance since the Marshall ful economies that benefit all the people. Na- Plan. At the beginning of my second term, tions that replace disease and despair with I promised to double our assistance again by healing and hope will help Africa do more 2010. And the budget I sent Congress last than just survive; it will help Africa succeed. week will ensure that we meet this commit- For all these reasons, America has dra- ment. matically increased our commitment to de- And just as important, we’re changing the velopment in Africa. We have also revolu- way we deliver assistance. We created what’s tionized the way we approach development. called the Millennium Challenge Account, Too many nations continue to follow either which offers financial support to the world’s the paternalistic notion that treats African most promising developing nations—nations countries as charity cases or a model of ex- that fight corruption, nations that govern ploitation that seeks only to buy up their re- justly, nations that open up their economies, sources. America rejects both approaches. and nations that invest in the health and edu- Instead, we are treating African leaders as cation of their people. equal partners, asking them to set clear goals America is serving as an investor, not a and expecting them to produce measurable donor. We believe that countries can adopt results. For their part, more African leaders the habits necessary to provide help for their are willing to be held to high standards. And people. That’s what we believe. And we’re together we’re pioneering a new era in devel- willing to invest in leaders that are doing just opment. that. So far, more than two-thirds of the The new era is rooted in a powerful truth: MCA’s $5.5 billion is being invested in Afri- Africa’s most valuable resource is not its oil; ca. And on my trip next week, I will sign it’s not its diamonds; it is the talent and cre- the largest project in the program’s history, ativity of its people. So we are partnering nearly $700 million compact with Tanzania. with African leaders to empower their people to lift up their nations and write a new chap- Other nations are seeing the benefits of ter in their history. these agreements. They are moving ahead First, we are working to empower Africans with the tough economic, political, and social to overcome poverty by helping them grow reforms necessary to compete for a compact their economies. After a long period of stag- of their own. In fact, there is now more com- nation, many of Africa’s economies are petition for funds than there are funds avail- springing to life. As a whole, sub-Sahara Afri- able, which ought to say two things: One, ca is projected to grow nearly 7 percent this that this is evidence that the American tax- year. The economies of Ethiopia, Mozam- payers are getting good value for their dol- bique, and Tanzania are among the fastest lars. In other words, if nations are willing to growing in the world. And across Africa, pov- fight corruption, work on rule of law, support erty is beginning to decline. Don’t get me their people and not theirselves, then it

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makes sense to invest with them. And sec- vestment. It will bring more capital to ondly, it is evidence that Congress needs to Rwanda’s dynamic and growing economy. fully fund this important initiative. Look, the idea of somehow being able to The best way to generate economic growth help people through just giving them money in Africa is to expand trade and investment. isn’t working. That’s why I appreciate the ef- When businesses in Africa can sell their forts of Rob Mosbacher and OPIC, recog- products and services around the globe, they nizing that when you invest in capital—invest create a culture of self-reliance and oppor- capital, you create jobs. Paternalism has got tunity. One of the most powerful incentives to be a thing of the past. Joint venturing with for trade is the African Growth and Oppor- good, capable people is what the future is tunity Act. And I appreciate the fact that all about. Congress has extended this good law. Since But in the long run, the best way to lift 2001, exports from sub-Sahara Africa to the lives in Africa is to tear down barriers to in- United States have tripled. It’s also important vestment and trade around the world. And for our citizens to know that U.S. exports to we have an opportunity to do that through sub-Sahara Africa have more than doubled. the Doha round of trade talks. Look, Doha On my visit to Ghana, I will meet entre- is important to enhance trade, but if you’re preneurs who are benefiting from new access truly interested in eliminating poverty, we to U.S. markets. My message to them will ought to be reducing tariffs and barriers all be clear, just like it is to the Congress: For across the globe. The United States stands ready to cut farm subsidies and agricultural the benefit of Africans and for the benefit tariffs and other trade barriers that disadvan- of Americans alike, we must maintain our tage developing countries. On the other commitment to free and fair trade. hand, we expect the rest of the world, espe- Attracting foreign capital is another key to cially the most advanced developing coun- growth. In recent years, African nations have tries, to do the same. And if we both make taken impressive steps to improve their in- good-faith efforts, we can reach a successful vestment climates. According to a World Doha agreement this year. Bank report, 16 countries in sub-Sahara Afri- Secondly, we’re working to empower Afri- ca recently adopted reforms to make it easier cans to alleviate hunger, expand education, to start a business and to register property. and fight disease. America is proud to be the That may sound simple to Americans, but world’s largest provider of food assistance, in- these are important steps to be able to attract cluding emergency food stocks that have capital for investment purposes. When inves- saved lives in places like Ethiopia or Sudan tors look for a promising market, they are and other African nations. It’s a noble effort increasingly turning to Africa. And in a hope- on our people’s part. I don’t know if—most ful sign, private capital flows to sub-Sahara Americans don’t understand that we’re the Africa now exceed development assistance. world’s largest provider of food to feed the We’ve taken several steps to build on this hungry, but we are. progress. Last year, we launched the Africa Yet our ultimate objective is to do more Financial Sector Initiative. As part of this ef- than respond to the hungry; it is to help Afri- fort, our Overseas Private Investment Cor- can countries feed their own people. So I poration mobilized $750 million in invest- have proposed that America purchase crops ment capital for African businesses. Today directly from farmers in Africa, instead of just I’m announcing that OPIC will support five shipping food assistance from the developed new investment funds that will mobilize an world. This initiative would build up local ag- additional $875 million, for a total of more riculture markets. It would help break the than $1.6 billion in new capital. cycle of famine. And it deserves the full sup- And next week, I’m going to sign a bilateral port of the United States Congress. investment treaty with Rwanda. This will be We’re also focusing on education. I’m America’s first such treaty in sub-Sahara Afri- looking forward to seeing the President of ca in nearly a decade. It reflects our shared Tanzania; he’s a good guy. Here’s what he commitment to systems of fair and open in- said: He said, ‘‘It’s an indisputable fact that

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education is key to development.’’ Across Af- behavior so that fewer people are infected rica, students are eager to learn, and often in the first place. they lack quality teachers and just basic sup- And the results are striking. When I visited plies. Things we take for granted in America sub-Sahara Africa 5 years ago—or when we are just lacking in parts of Africa. So in 2002, visited 5 years ago, 50,000 people were re- I launched the Africa Education Initiative, ceiving medicine to treat HIV/AIDS. And the goal of which is to distribute more than when we return this week, there will be more 15 million textbooks, train nearly a million than 1.3 million. teachers, and provide scholarships for One person who knows the benefits of the 550,000 girls by 2010. And we’re headed to emergency plan is Tatu Msangi. She’s a sin- achieving that goal. In other words, these just gle mother from Tanzania. When she be- weren’t empty words; these were concrete, came pregnant, Tatu went to a clinic run by solid goals being funded as a result of the a Christian group, souls showing up to love generosity of the Congress and the American a neighbor just like they’d like to be loved people. themselves. You know, it didn’t take a Fed- Last year, I also announced a new Inter- eral law to say, go to Africa to provide love national Education Initiative, which will help for Tatu; it took a higher calling. These goals make basic education available to 4 million responded. people in Ghana, Liberia, and other nations. She learned she was HIV-positive and en- Laura and I are looking forward to talking rolled in a program designed to prevent to the leaders of Ghana and Liberia about mother-to-child transmission. She went on to this important, transformative initiative. With both these steps, we are matching deliver a healthy, HIV-free girl named Faith. the enthusiasm of African educators with the I will see Tatu next week in Tanzania, but generosity of our taxpayers, and we believe it’s not going to be the first time I met her. strongly that this will open up the door to See, a few weeks ago, she and Faith endured opportunity for millions. The good news is, a rather windy State of the Union Address. so do the leaders of the countries we’re going She sat with Laura in the box, here in the to visit. Capital of the Nation that helped save their The greatest threat to Africa is disease. lives. The greatest threat for a successful Africa is In all, the Emergency Plan for AIDS Re- the scourge of HIV/AIDS and malaria. Two lief has benefited tens of millions in Africa. out of every three people afflicted with HIV/ Some call this a remarkable success. I call AIDS live in sub-Sahara Africa. The disease it a good start. Last May, I proposed to dou- is the leading cause of death in the region. ble our Nation’s initial pledge to $30 billion Just a few years ago, there were fears that over the next 5 years. The people on the con- HIV/AIDS could wipe out much of the con- tinent of Africa have to know they’re not tinent’s population, with death rates that alone. The G–8 has shown leadership by would rival the Black Plague of the Middle agreeing to match our $30 billion pledge. Ages. The private sector has made generous con- We responded. We responded with the tributions as well. Think of what Warner Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. It’s the Brothers has done, for example. And now the largest international health initiative in his- time has come for Congress to act. Members tory to fight a single disease. In 2002, we of both parties should reauthorize the emer- pledged $15 billion over 5 years to support gency plan, maintain the principles that have HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care. made it a success, and double our commit- We set some clear principles on how that ment to this noble cause. money would be spent. We put local partners Malaria is another devastating killer. In in the lead because they know their people some African countries, malaria takes as and their needs. We opened the funding to many lives as HIV/AIDS. And the vast major- faith-based groups, healers willing to deliver ity of those taken by malaria are children medicine to remote villages by bicycle or on under the age of 5. Every one of these deaths foot. We stressed the importance of changing is unnecessary because the disease is entirely

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preventable and treatable. So in 2005, Amer- tastic? And so Laura and I are going to spend ica launched a 5-year, $1.2 billion initiative time with these leaders, saying, what a noble to provide the insecticide-treated beds, in- opportunity; what a great goal; what a great door spraying, cutting-edge drugs that are way to serve humankind. necessary to defeat this disease. It’s not a Finally, we’re working to empower Afri- complicated strategy. It doesn’t take a lot of cans to end conflicts, strengthen democracy, medical research. We know how to solve the and promote peace. When I took office, Afri- problem. That’s why I put the admiral there. ca was home to six major conflicts, in Angola, He knows how to solve problems. He can Burundi, Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and get us from point A to point B in a straight southern Sudan. We concluded that the best line—well, nearly straight line. [Laughter] way to broker peace was to support the ef- And so we set a historic goal—if you have forts of African leaders on the ground, in- a treatable problem on hand, then you’re stead of dictating solutions from Washington, able to set measurable goals—and the goal DC. And today, every one of them has made is to cut the number of malaria-related progress toward peace and stability. deaths in 15 African nations by half. That’s For example, the United States worked the goal. closely with Nigeria to help end the Liberian Like the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, civil war. When the international community the malaria initiative empowers leaders on called for Charles Taylor to step down in the ground to design strategies that work best 2003, the President of Nigeria provided a for their nations. For example, President Yayi plane to take him in exile. When U.S. ma- of Benin has called the fight against malaria rines deployed to Liberia, Nigerian peace- ‘‘a fight against misery.’’ With the help of the keepers deployed at the same time. And malaria initiative, he’s leading a campaign to today, Liberia’s long war is over. And next deliver insecticide-treated bed nets to chil- dren under 5 in Benin. I’m looking forward week in Monrovia, Laura and I will meet to hearing how that’s going when we meet with Africa’s first democratically elected him on Benin on our first stop. I can’t wait woman President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. to find out how well this initiative is doing. Even without major conflict or civil war, Like the emergency plan, the malaria ini- security challenges remain in Africa, and tiative has been matched by G–8 nations, we’re working closely with local partners to which have pledged to cut malaria deaths by address them. The Department of Defense half in an additional 15 countries. This initia- has established a new African Command, tive has also been greeted with generous sup- which will work closely with African govern- port from the private sector, faith-based ments to crack down on human trafficking, groups, and Americans who want to do some- piracy, and terrorism across the continent. thing to save somebody’s life. You can buy We are employing diplomatic tools as well. a $10 bed net and ship it to Africa to save In eastern Congo, we worked with leaders a life. It doesn’t take much money, but it on the ground to broker the recent agree- takes a big heart. One of the interesting gifts ments to demobilize all remaining armed Laura and I got a couple of years ago for groups. And we stand ready to help all sides Christmas was bed nets in our name. It made to implement them. us feel great. In Kenya, we are backing the efforts of Like the emergency plan, the malaria ini- former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan tiative is producing undeniable results. In to end the crisis. And when we’re on the con- just over 2 years, the initiative has reached tinent, I’ve asked Condi Rice—that would be more than 25 million people. According to Secretary Rice—to travel to Kenya to sup- new data, malaria rates are dropping dramati- port the work of the former Secretary-Gen- cally in many parts of Africa. If we stay on eral and to deliver a message directly to Ken- this path, an extraordinary achievement is ya’s leaders and people: There must be an within reach: Africa can turn a disease that immediate halt to violence; there must be has taken its children for centuries into a justice for the victims of abuse; and there thing of the past. And wouldn’t that be fan- must be a full return to democracy.

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In Darfur, the United States will continue tors in the world. Overall, more than two- to call the killing what it is, genocide. We thirds of the nations of sub-Saharan Africa will continue to deliver humanitarian aid. We are free. And for the rest, the direction of will continue to enforce sanctions, tough history is clear, so long as the United States sanctions, against the Sudanese Government does not lose its nerve and retreat into isola- officials, rebel leaders, and others respon- tionism and protectionism. The day will sible for violence. We expect other nations come when a region once dismissed as the to join us in this effort to save lives from ‘‘Dark Continent’’ enjoys the light of liberty. the genocide that is taking place. We will use The United States must remain fully com- all our diplomatic resources to urge full de- mitted to the new era of development that ployment of an effective United Nations we have begun with our partners in Africa. force. The decision was made to count on It’s in our national interest we do so. I’m the United Nations to provide the force nec- going to work closely with the G–8 nations essary to protect people, and so we’re going to ensure they keep their promises as well. to support their efforts. I must confess, I’m Congress must continue to show its commit- a little frustrated by how slow things are mov- ment by fully funding the development pro- ing. And yet we will support their efforts to grams I described today. You see, saving lives find forces necessary to make a robust con- is a calling that crosses partisan lines. It re- tribution to save lives. mains equally worthy in both good economic On this trip, I’m going to visit with brave times and times of economic uncertainty. peacekeepers from Rwanda, a nation that Across Africa, people have begun to speak knows the pain of genocide and was the first of the ‘‘Lazarus effect,’’ where communities country to send troops into Darfur. Other once given up for dead are coming back to nations need to follow Rwanda’s example. life. This work of healing and redemption is Other nations need to take this issue seri- both a matter of conscience and a wise exer- ously, just like the United States does, and cise of American influence. The work is not provide more manpower for this urgent mis- done. In the face of the needs that remain, sion. And when they do, I pledge America it’s important for the African people to be- will provide the training and equipment nec- lieve the American people are not going to essary to deploy the peacekeepers to Darfur. turn away. That’s part of the purpose of our America also stands with all in Africa who trip. The changes taking place in Africa don’t live in the quiet pain of tyranny. We will con- always make the headlines. So don’t be frus- front tyranny. In Zimbabwe, a discredited trated, Mark. That means the work is quiet, dictator presides over food shortages, stag- but it is not thankless. gering inflation, and harsh repression. The Last November, I met a woman from Zam- decent and talented people of that country bia named Bridget Chisenga. Bridget’s hus- deserve much better. America will continue band died of AIDS, and she expected to meet to support freedom in Zimbabwe. And I urge the same fate. Then she went to a clinic oper- neighbors in the region, including South Afri- ated by Catholic Relief Services, funded by ca, to do the same. We look forward to the the American people. Today, Bridget is hour when this nightmare is over and the healthy. She has a job at the clinic, where people of Zimbabwe regain their freedom. she helps provide AIDS medicine to others. These are great challenges, but there is I want our fellow citizens to hear what she even greater cause for hope. In the past 4 said: ‘‘This face is alive and vibrant because years alone, there have been more than 50 of your initiative. I would like to thank you.’’ democratic elections in Africa. Thriving free Americans have heard similar words of societies have emerged in nations with Is- gratitude and hope in the past. They were lamic majorities, Christian majorities, majori- said about the people who liberated the con- ties of other beliefs, which is a powerful re- centration camps and saved the blockaded buke to the ideology of the extremists. In city of Berlin and stood firm until the pris- many nations, women have exercised the oners in the gulags were set free. This spirit right to vote and run for office. Rwanda now of purpose and compassion has always de- has the highest percentage of female legisla- fined America. And that is why the people

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of Africa can be certain they will always have telligence efforts. And that, of course, would a friend and partner in the United States of put the American people at risk. America. Now it’s the House’s turn to act. It is clear God bless. that the Senate bill would pass the House with bipartisan support. Republicans and NOTE: The President spoke at 10:13 a.m. at the Democrats in the Senate can put partisanship National Museum of African Art. In his remarks, aside and pass a good bill. There’s no reason he referred to Rear Adm. Tim Ziemer, USN, why the House cannot do the same and pass (Ret.), U.S. Malaria Coordinator; Cristian Samper, the Senate bill immediately. Acting Secretary, Smithsonian Institution; Chuck Our Government has no greater responsi- Dages, executive vice president, emerging tech- bility than getting this work done, and there nology, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment really is no excuse for letting this critical leg- Group; President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tan- islation expire. I urge congressional leaders zania; former President Charles Taylor and Presi- to let the will of the House and the American dent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia; former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria; and people prevail and vote on the Senate bill President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. The tran- before adjourning for their recess. Failure to script released by the Office of the Press Secretary act would harm our ability to monitor new also included the remarks of the First Lady. terrorist activities and could reopen dan- gerous gaps in our intelligence. Failure to act would also make the private sector less will- Remarks on Intelligence Reform ing to help us protect the country, and this Legislation and an Exchange With is unacceptable. The House should not leave Reporters Washington without passing the Senate bill. February 14, 2008 Now, I am scheduled to leave tomorrow for a long-planned trip to five African na- The President. Good afternoon. This Sat- tions. Moments ago, my staff informed the urday at midnight, legislation authorizing in- House leadership that I’m prepared to delay telligence professionals to quickly and effec- my departure and stay in Washington with tively monitor terrorist communications will them if it will help them complete their work expire. If Congress does not act by that time, on this critical bill. our ability to find out who the terrorists are The lives of countless Americans depend talking to, what they are saying, and what on our ability to monitor terrorist commu- they are planning will be compromised. It nications. Our intelligence professionals are would be a mistake if the Congress were to working day and night to keep us safe, and allow this to happen. they’re waiting to see whether Congress will Members of Congress knew all along that give them the tools they need to succeed or this deadline was approaching. They said it tie their hands by failing to act. The Amer- themselves. They’ve had more than 6 months ican people are watching this debate as well. to discuss and deliberate, and now they must They expect Congress to meet its responsibil- act and pass legislation that will ensure our ities before they leave town on a recess. intelligence professionals have the tools they I’ll answer a few questions. Ben [Ben need to keep us safe. Feller, Associated Press], if you’ve got a Earlier this week, the Senate did act and question, I’ll be prepared to answer. passed a strong bill and did so with a bipar- tisan majority. The Senate bill will ensure President’s Upcoming Visit to Africa/ that we can effectively monitor those seeking Intelligence Reform Legislation to harm our people. The Senate bill will pro- Q. Thank you, Mr. President. It appears vide fair and just liability protection for com- with that deadline approaching that the panies that assisted in the efforts to protect House and the White House might be seen America after the attacks of September the as being engaged in a game of chicken here, 11th. Without this protection, without this li- playing politics with an important intel- ability shield, we may not be able to secure ligence law. If the law expires and something the private sector’s cooperation with our in- happens, wouldn’t you be at least partly to

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blame? And on your Africa trip, if you have to come to the conclusion that there’s a to delay, do you think that you would be threat to America or not a threat. I mean, shortening your trip at all? evidently, some people just don’t feel that The President. As to the latter, the delay sense of urgency. I do. And the reason I do depends on whether the House acts, of is I firmly believe that there’s still people out course, and they got plenty of time to get there who would do us harm. this done. But if we have to delay, we’ll delay. Secondly, I know that the tools that I’ve But I’m going to go to the countries that I just described are necessary to protect us. said I’d go to. Why? Because we need to know what people And to the first case, whether or not this are saying, what they’re planning, and what is politics, I certainly hope not. I can assure they’re thinking. And the tool that I have just you, Al Qaida in their planning isn’t thinking described has been very effective. about politics. They’re thinking about hurting Thirdly, people are wondering why compa- the American people again. nies need liability protection. Well, if you co- Who’s to blame? Look, these folks in Con- operate with the Government and then get gress passed a good bill last—late last sum- sued for billions of dollars because of the co- mer. In other words, they analyzed the situa- operation, you’re less likely to cooperate. And tion; they said there’s a threat; and they obviously we’re going to need people work- agreed to give our professionals the tools they ing with us to find out what the enemy is needed to do the job. The problem is, they saying and thinking and plotting and plan- let the bill expire. ning. My attitude is, if the bill was good enough And so it’s a—to me, it’s a—I guess one then, why not pass the bill again? I mean, way to look at it is, some may not feel that the threat hasn’t gone away. Secondly, same sense of urgency I do. I heard some- they’ve had plenty of time to think about how body say, ‘‘Well, this is just pure politics.’’ to address the issue. Thirdly, the Senate led No, this is what is necessary to protect the the way; the Senate showed how to pass a American people from harm. And I recog- good bill with a bipartisan majority. And the nize there hasn’t been an attack on our coun- truth of the matter is, if there was a willing- try, but that does not mean that there’s not ness to get this problem solved, all the lead- still an enemy that lurks, plans, and plots. ership would have to do is submit the Senate And one of the reasons we’ve been effec- bill for a vote. tive is because we put new tools in place that So we’ll see what happens. My attitude is, give our professionals that which is necessary now is the time to get the job done. There’s to protect us. This is a different kind of threat been plenty of time to think about it, plenty than we’ve ever faced before. It’s a different of time to debate it, and there’s a good way kind of war that we’re fighting, and it re- forward. And hopefully the House leadership quires a different approach. will put this bill for a vote and let the Mem- Again, I’ll repeat to you that the Congress bers vote as they so desire. took a look at this issue and decided that the Mike [Mike Emmanuel, FOX News]. tools were necessary to give to our profes- sionals last—late last summer. And if it was Terrorist Intelligence Surveillance necessary late last summer, why is it not nec- Program/War on Terror essary today? What has changed? Well, the Q. Mr. President, I realize this is a sen- threat hasn’t gone away. It’s still there; it’s sitive matter, but I’m wondering if there’s still real; and we better be worried about it a way you can spell out for the American as a nation. And the House has now got time public what the practical impact may be, if to go out and get the deal done. this law expires, on our intelligence profes- Yesterday—a couple of days—votes ago in sionals, say, next week. the Senate made it abundantly clear that Re- The President. Well, I hope it doesn’t. publicans and Democrats can come together But clearly, there will be a gap. And of and put a good piece of legislation together course, we won’t be able to assess that gap and get it passed. And the House leadership until the time. Step one is, I guess you got has an opportunity to do that now.

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Listen, thank you all very much. Interview With Matt Frei of BBC World News America February 14, 2008 NOTE: The President spoke at 1 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, he re- President’s Upcoming Visit to Africa ferred to H.R. 3773. Mr. Frei. Mr. President, thanks for joining us. You’re famous for saying that you don’t believe in opinion polls. The President. Yes. Statement on the Third Anniversary Mr. Frei. Do you have any idea how you of the Death of Former Prime rate in the countries that you’re going to be Minister Rafiq Hariri of Lebanon visiting in Africa? The President. No, sir, I don’t. February 14, 2008 Mr. Frei. Well, I’ve got news for you, and it’s good news. You rate pretty well, sort of Today marks the third anniversary of the in the average 80s. Is that one of the reasons assassination of former Lebanese Prime Min- why you’re going there? This is one part of ister Rafiq Hariri. The terrorist attack that the world where you’re still very popular. killed Prime Minister Hariri, Minister Basil The President. I go where needed. And, Fuleihan, and many other innocent victims no, I’m going there because I’ve got a firm, was the spark that launched a transformation heartfelt commitment to the continent of Af- in Lebanon, as the Lebanese people de- rica—and had ever since I became President. manded an end to the Syrian occupation and It’s in our interests, national interests that the restoration of their sovereignty. we help people who are suffering from dis- ease and hunger and hopelessness. The only Since the assassination of Prime Minister way a radical can recruit is to find somebody Hariri, many other Lebanese patriots have that’s hopeless. I mean, their vision is, like, been murdered by those who seek to use vio- really dark and dim. lence and intimidation to derail progress to- Plus, I believe to whom much is given, ward a free, independent, and prosperous much is required. And America has been Lebanon. It is vital that the perpetrators of given a lot, and it’s required of us to help these attacks be brought to justice, and I, those who suffer. So mine is a mercy—a mis- sion of mercy and a mission of the cold real- therefore, call upon the international com- ism of the world in which we live—based munity to redouble its support for the Special upon the realism in the world in which we Tribunal for Lebanon. The United States live. support for the Government and people of Lebanon remains firm and unwavering. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Syria, Iran, and their allies must end their Mr. Frei. Your administration has given efforts to undermine Lebanon’s legitimate $15 billion to treat AIDS in Africa, which Government and to interfere in its political is an unprecedented amount of money, and process. The Lebanese deserve a President you want to double that amount yet again. elected in accordance with their Constitu- This is a huge commitment, and yet the ad- tion, without preconditions and in an envi- ministration and you, personally, don’t seem ronment free from fear and intimidation. to be getting a lot of credit for it. The President. Yes. You know, this is kind The foundation of freedom in Lebanon, of tied to your first question about polls. Polls which Mr. Hariri helped lay, remains strong. are nothing more than just like a poof of air. We will continue to support the people of What matters is results. And ultimately, peo- Lebanon as they work to rid the country of ple will be able to make an objective judg- terrorism and violence and exercise their ment of a President and his administration democratic freedoms in peace. and, in this case, a country’s commitment.

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And so all I care, really, about is the results has done so. Secondly, I did remind people of the programs. that we’re sanctioning leaders, that we have I hope by now people have learned that targeted Sudanese companies and individ- I’m not one of these guys that really gives uals, including a rebel leader who have yet a darn about elite opinion. What I really care to be constructive in the peace process. about is, are we saving lives? And in this case, We’re beginning to get a sense that these we are. As I mentioned in my speech—that sanctions are affecting behavior. We’re trying you kindly listened to—when I first went to to ask others, by the way, to do the same sub-Sahara Africa, 50,000 people were re- thing, some of whom are reluctant, some who ceiving antiretrovirals; today, 1.3 million. And aren’t. And then finally, I pledged that we’ll that’s a lot in a very quick period of time. help move troops in. And as I also said— But there’s still so much more suffering, and you might remind your listeners—that I’m that’s why I’ve called for a doubling of aid. frustrated by the pace. The good news is, it’s not just America. As I mentioned in my speech, the G–8 na- U.S. Role in Darfur tions also are supporting this very important Mr. Frei. I’ll get onto that in a minute, initiative. And, you know, it’s a—it’s just— but, I mean, ‘‘genocide’’ is such a loaded— in other words, this isn’t a paternalistic effort; it’s such an important word. And you have this is an effort of mercy. committed troops, American troops, around Mr. Frei. But it has made a huge dif- the world in other cases, Iraq, most famously, ference, hasn’t it? So why not take some Afghanistan. Why not in this case? credit for it? The President. Well, that’s a good ques- The President. Because it’s just not my tion. I mean, we’re committing equipment, nature. I really—you just got to understand training, help, movement. I think a lot of the about me, I’m more interested in seeing re- folks were concerned about America into an- sults and sharing the credit with the Amer- other Muslim country. Some of the relief ican people. I mean, this is not a George groups here just didn’t think the strategy Bush effort. I just happen to be the leader would be as effective as it was. I mean, I of a nation that’s willing to fund this kind actually, believe it or not, listen to people’s of money. And so I praised Congress in my opinions and chose to make this decision. It’s speech; I praised the American people in my a decision that I’m now living with, and it’s speech. After all, they’re the ones who are a decision that requires us to continue to rally funding the effort. the conscience of the world and get people to focus on the issue. Darfur You know, you’re right. I mean, we sent Mr. Frei. You were very tough in your marines into Liberia, for example, to help speech about Darfur. And yet again, you stabilize the country there. And Liberia’s on called what’s happening there genocide. my itinerary, where I’ll meet with the first The President. Yes. woman elected President in Africa’s history. Mr. Frei. Is enough being done by your But I just made the decision I made. administration to stop that? The President. I think we are, yes. You Steven Spielberg/2008 Beijing Olympics/ know, I had to make a seminal decision, and China’s Role in Darfur that is whether or not I would commit troops Mr. Frei. Yesterday Steven Spielberg, the into—U.S. troops into Darfur. And I was Hollywood director, pulled out of the Beijing pretty well backed off of it by a lot of folks Olympics over Darfur. He said the Chinese here in America that care deeply about the aren’t doing enough to stop the killing in issue. And so once you make that decision, Darfur. then you have to rely upon an international The President. Yes. organization like the United Nations to pro- Mr. Frei. Do you applaud his move? vide the oomph, the necessary manpower. The President. That’s up to him. I’m And in my speech today, I did call it geno- going to the Olympics. I view the Olympics cide again; I think we’re the only nation that as a sporting event. On the other hand, I

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have a little different platform than Steven Rwanda/Darfur Spielberg, so I get to talk to President Hu Mr. Frei. I mentioned the genocide thing Jintao. And I do remind him that he can do also because your predecessor, President more to relieve the suffering in Darfur. Clinton, said that the one thing—one of the There’s a lot of issues that I suspect people key things that keeps him up at night is that are going to opine about during the Olym- he didn’t do enough over Rwanda to stop pics. I mean, you got the Dalai Lama crowd; the killing there. Is it possible that Darfur you’ve got global warming folks; you’ve got might become your Rwanda? Darfur. And I just—I am not going to go The President. I don’t think so. I hope— and use the Olympics as an opportunity to I certainly hope not. I mean, Rwanda was, express my opinions to the Chinese people I think, 900,000 people in a very quick period in a public way because I do it all the time of time of just wholesale slaughter. And I with the President. I mean, so people are appreciate President Clinton’s compassion going to be able to choose—pick and choose and concern. And I’m comfortable with mak- how they view the Olympics. ing a decision that I think is the best decision and comfortable with the notion that once U.S. Foreign Policy/War on Terror that decision is made, we’re keeping the Mr. Frei. The Chinese Government has world’s focus as best as we can on that, been saying, in part in response to this, that amongst other issues. America is trapped in cold war thinking. The President. Well, I think that’s just a Zimbabwe/South Africa brush-back pitch, as we say in baseball. It’s Mr. Frei. You also had some very strong a—America is trapped in this notion that we language today about Zimbabwe—— care about human life; we respect human The President. Yes, I did. dignity—and that’s not a trap; that’s a be- Mr. Frei. ——which is an issue that cer- lief—and that many of us in this country rec- tain—Britain and the United States care ognize that the human condition matters to deeply about. Again, this has been going on our own national security. for years. What can be done to stop the crisis See, I happen to believe we’re in an ideo- in Zimbabwe? logical struggle. And those who murder the The President. Yes, I—first is call the— innocent to achieve political objectives are evil people, but they have an ideology. And is to speak to the conscience of the world the only way you can recruit for that ideology and remind people the facts. I mean, is to find hopeless folks. Zimbabwe was the breadbasket of southern I mean, who wants to join an ideology that Africa, and today, it’s in line for food aid. say, women don’t have rights; you can’t ex- Zimbabwe was a—is now a place where peo- press yourself freely; religious beliefs are— ple are repressed because of their beliefs. the only religious belief you can hold is the And you’re right; there is not a lot of outcry. one we tell you; and, oh, by the way, it’s And it’s a frustrating—look, not everything great; you can be a suicider. Hopeless people is perfect in this world, and it just requires are the ones who get attracted by that point constant focus. of view. And therefore, it’s in the world’s in- And one way to do it is for the American terest, from a national security perspective, President to speak out or the British Prime to deal with hopelessness. Minister to speak out. And, as you know, I And it happens to be in our moral interest. mentioned South Africa. I have great respect I repeat to you: I believe to whom much is for the people of South Africa. I just happen given, much is required. It happens to be to believe their Government can do more to a religious notion, but it should be a universal enhance a free society in their region. Yes, notion as well. And I believe America’s soul it’s just—there’s a lot of frustrations in this is enriched, our spirit is enhanced when we world, and there’s a lot of hope in this world help people who suffer. as well.

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President’s Legacy versations to, but I did speak to the Prime Mr. Frei. You’re nearing the end of your Minister, the Speaker, and two Deputy second term and, I guess, one can call is leg- Speakers to congratulate them on a series of acy time. Whatever you do and say about Af- substantial legislative achievements that are rica, there’s only one country, really, that the beginning to say to the world and, more im- wider world will associate with you, and that portantly, the Iraqi people, reconciliation is equation is, Bush equals Iraq. happening, and the legislative body is begin- The President. Yes. ning to function, which is good news. Mr. Frei. Are you happy about that? U.S. Surveillance Reform Legislation and The President. Well, I mean, that’s what Interrogation Techniques the current elite would like everybody to think about, and that’s fine. I think history Mr. Frei. The Senate yesterday passed a will have a—when history marches on, there bill outlawing waterboarding. You, I believe, will be a little more objective look about the have said that you will veto that bill. Does totality of this administration. that not send the wrong signal to the rest Of course, our change in the way we did of the world? aid in Africa is substantial and different, and The President. No, look, that’s not the lives will have been saved. Dealing with liber- reason I’m vetoing the bill. The reason I’m ating 25 million in Afghanistan is part of what vetoing the bill—first of all, we have said that I hope people think of when they look at whatever we do is for legal—will be legal. my Presidency. Being the first President to Secondly, they are imposing a set of stand- propose a two-state solution on Israel and ards on our intelligence communities, in Palestine—I mean, there’s a lot of other terms of interrogating prisoners, that our issues. And I’m happy with Iraq. The right— people will think will be ineffective. the decision to move Saddam Hussein was And to the critics, I ask them this: When right, and this democracy is now taking root. we, within the law, interrogate and get infor- And I’m confident that if America does not mation that protects ourselves and possibly become isolationist and allow the terrorists others and other nations—to prevent at- to take back over, Iraq will succeed. tacks—which attack would they had hoped that we wouldn’t have prevented? And so the U.S. Troop Levels in Iraq United States will act within the law, and Mr. Frei. Are you—do you regret, rather, we’ll make sure our professionals have the I should say, that you didn’t listen to your— tools necessary to do their job within the law. some of your commanders earlier to send Now, I recognize some say that these ter- more troops to Iraq to achieve the kind of rorists really aren’t that big a threat to the results that we’re seeing now to some extent? United States anymore. I fully disagree. And The President. You know, my com- I think the President must give these profes- manders didn’t tell me that early. My com- sionals, within the law, the necessary tools manders said, we got the right level of troops. to protect us. So we’re having a debate not You know, wars—it’s easy to second—the only on how you interrogate people; we’re tactical decisions of war, and I fully under- having a debate in America on whether or stand and expect that to happen. All I can not we ought to be listening to terrorists mak- do is base decisions on the considered judg- ing phone calls in the United States. And the ment of the experts. And I did. And I take answer is, darn right we ought to be. full responsibility for every military decision that’s been made in Iraq. War on Terror/Guantanamo Bay But I’m pleased with what’s happening Detainees now. And the world is beginning to recognize Mr. Frei. But given Guantanamo Bay, that the decision to send more troops—was given also Abu Ghraib, given renditions, does a pretty tough decision at the time—is pro- this not send the wrong signal to the world? viding enough security for the politics to take The President. It should send the signal place. And this morning—you’re the first re- that America is going to respect law but is porter I’ve been able to describe these con- going to take actions necessary to protect

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ourselves and find information that may pro- ought to be supporting the freedom move- tect others. Unless, of course, people say, ments and not shy away from the responsi- ‘‘Well, there’s no threat. They’re just making bility of the comfortable to help those who up the threat. These people aren’t problem- long for freedom. atic.’’ But I don’t see how you can say that And it’s hard work. It’s really hard work, in Great Britain, after people came and blew and it doesn’t happen instantly. You know, up bombs in subways. I suspect the families we live in a world—like, in all due respect of those victims understand the nature of kill- to 24-hour news, we live in a world where ers. everything is, like, instant. But the work And so what people got to understand is, we’re doing is—it takes patience, but most we’ll make decisions based upon law. We’re importantly, it takes faith in the universality a nation of law. Take Guantanamo—look, I’d of freedom that exists in every heart. like it to be empty. On the other hand, And so, yes, I’m not only happy to defend there’s some people there that need to be decisions; I’m confident that they will lead tried. And there will be a trial, and they’ll to a better tomorrow. have their day in court, unlike what they did Mr. Frei. Mr. President, I gather we’ve to other people. run out of time. Thanks for doing this. No, there’s great concern about—and I The President. Thank you, sir. You bet. can understand this—that these people be Mr. Frei. Thank you. given rights, but they’re not willing to grant NOTE: The interview was taped at 11:12 a.m. in the same rights to others. They’ll murder, but the Library at the White House for later broad- you got to understand, they’re getting rights. cast. In his remarks, the President referred to And I’m comfortable with the decisions President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia; Prime we’ve made, and I’m comfortable with recog- Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom; nizing this is still a dangerous world. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of Iraq; and Speak- er Mahmud al-Mashhadani, First Deputy Speaker U.S. Foreign Policy Khalid al-Atiya, and Second Deputy Speaker Arif Mr. Frei. Can you honestly say, Mr. Presi- Tayfur of the Iraqi House of Representatives. He dent, that today, America still occupies the also referred to H.R. 2082. The transcript was re- leased by the Office of the Press Secretary on moral high ground? February 15. The President. Absolutely. Absolutely. We believe in human rights and human dig- nity. We believe in the human condition. We Interview With Foreign Radio believe in freedom. And we’re willing to take Journalists the lead; we’re willing to ask nations to do February 14, 2008 hard things; we’re willing to accept respon- sibilities. And, yes, no question in my mind, The President. Thank you all. Just a cou- this is a nation that’s a force for good. And ple of comments. I’m very much looking for- history will judge the decisions made during ward to the trip. This will be my second trip this period of time as necessary decisions. to the continent of Africa, my wife’s fifth trip. And I firmly believe that we are laying the The reason why I’m looking forward to it is foundation for peace. I want the people on the continent of Africa People have written off the Middle East— to know that the American people care deep- it’s impossible to have—change the condi- ly about the human condition; that when we tions there; let’s just ignore it, or let’s pro- see suffering, it troubles our conscience, and mote stability, which was part of the foreign we want to help. I believe to whom much policy of the past. I chose a different course. is given, much is required. A lot has been Stability didn’t work. Stability created the given to America, and therefore, a lot is re- conditions that were ripe for these terrorists quired of us to deal with human misery in to emerge and recruit. I happen to believe the form of hunger and disease and hopeless- free societies provide hope. And I would ness. hope that people in Europe, for example, un- And so this is going to be a trip that I derstand that freedom has led to peace—and bring the good will of American people, with

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a strategy to help nations deal with the prob- This is a different type of foreign policy. lems they have. I appreciate the leadership It’s a different type of foreign aid. Foreign on the continent of Africa, and I’m looking aid in the past was just, here, take and spend. forward to working with the leaders there as This is foreign policy that reinforces the con- partners in solving some of the problems that ditions necessary for just and peaceful soci- I believe can be solved. eties to develop. And Benin is such a country. And so thank you for coming. I’d be glad And so I’m looking forward to confirming our to answer questions. desire to help and reinforcing the President’s desire to achieve a democracy in which peo- Democracy in Benin/U.S. Foreign Policy ple have got confidence. in Benin Yes, ma’am, Yvonne. Q. I’m Jean Jonas from Benin. The President. Yes, sir. First up. U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa Q. Well, people from my country are very Q. I’m Yvonne from Tanzania. I was happy delighted to welcome you on Saturday. And to hear about you congratulating President I wish to say what they are expecting from Kikwete, calling him a good guy, because I you and from America. You, President Bush, agree he’s a good guy as well. [Laughter] have said that the best way we can build a The President. Well, actually, that’s just peaceful world for the future is to share the Texas vernacular, you know, it’s not a very— principle of freedom with other nations. I [laughter]—it’s not diplomatic talk, but, you took this from the U.S. Government site— know—[laughter]—he is a good guy. this is a word I appreciate. But we highly Q. He’s a good guy, yes, and we’re happy appreciate how your Government fight pov- to receive the MCC money, which we’re erty and encourage growth building. But we about to receive when you come down to would like all this take place in a perfectly Tanzania. Now my question is that Tanzania democratic context. What will be the implica- is among 15 countries that have benefited tion of your trip to Benin, in terms of guaran- from the U.S. initiative on HIV/AIDS, teeing a perfect democracy for building hope PEPFAR program, as well as the malaria ini- and prosperity? tiative. But being an undeveloped country, The President. Democracy is a commit- while—would expect that to see more assist- ment by government and by people. The ance in terms of helping poor countries such people of Benin have committed to democ- as Tanzania develop economically. racy. However, to achieve a perfect democ- So I’d like to know, as you’re winding your racy is very difficult. In my country, we’re term in office, what commitment has Amer- a great democracy. We were imperfect. After ica made to ensure that developing countries all, we enslaved people. And democracy is such as Tanzania is assisted in terms of trade work and requires a lot of work. And it re- and development issues and private sector quires support from—to help leaders deal development as well? with everyday problems. The President. That’s good. First of all, One such problem in Benin is malaria. just in general, our commitment to the con- Your President has made a strong commit- tinent of Africa was doubled when I first ment to help eradicate malaria. Today in a came into office, and then when I got—start- speech that inaugurated my trip—or kicked ed my second term, doubled again. off my trip, I talked about your President’s Secondly, I do agree that the most sub- commitment to provide nets to every child stantive way to help any developing nation 5 and under. That’s a strong commitment. is through the development of commerce We have got what’s called Millennium Chal- and wealth as a result of growing industry lenge Account programs. These are signifi- and businesses, both small and large. And cant aid programs, but they’re given to coun- the best way to foster that is through trade. tries that adhere to rule of law and fight cor- And that’s why AGOA, passed by my prede- ruption and invest in the health and edu- cessor, reauthorized during my Presidency, cation of their people. is a great source of hope for people on the

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continent of Africa because they now have Millennium Challenge Grants/ a market in which to sell. Democracy in Africa Today in my speech, I talked about this Q. Mr. President—— statistic: Exports to the United States from The President. You’re living in Rwanda the continent of Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, now? have tripled. Exports from the United States Q. Yes, I do. to sub-Saharan Africa have doubled. In other The President. Good. Q. And I hope I’ll be there before you words, this trade has been good. One way reach, so I can welcome you. to firm up the commitment to make sure that The President. Thank you, sir. our Nation remains nonprotectionist—in Q. You somehow already replied to the other words, a free trading nation—is to question I wanted to ask you, but I can complete the Doha round. That’s a difficult maybe define it a bit more. It is clear that set of negotiations. The United States has the increase of support of your administra- made it clear that we will reduce our agricul- tion—your two mandates—increased a lot. tural subsidies, but in return, we expect other And don’t you think the U.S. should maybe developed nations—and developing—large also develop a higher level political strategy developing nations—to also reduce their tar- on Africa, that would benefit the U.S. and iffs and subsidies so that I can come to the Africa? Congress and say, here’s an agreement that The President. That’s a very interesting is fair for everybody. question. A couple of approaches to aid in And so the other thing we can do is—so, the past; one was, ‘‘We’re feeling terrible for our assistance aid, by the way, is helping— you. Here’s money,’’ and not much asked in in some cases helps business. One way to do return. The other approach oftentimes has that is through OPIC. And I announced been, ‘‘You’ve got resources; we want them. We’ll exploit them and leave behind some- today a new multimillion dollar—hundreds thing that really doesn’t benefit the people.’’ of millions of dollars of OPIC-type invest- I know those are extreme cases, but never- ment funds that will be available for African theless, if you really think about the history businesses. of supporting Africa, it’s one way to charac- What’s interesting is, capital inflows into terize how things were approached. Some of Africa now exceed grants, development aid. it had to do with the guilt of colonialism; And that’s important because capital inflows some of it had to do with just the gluttony means jobs and commerce and hope and of need for raw materials. In either case, it small businesses. So our plan is a plan that didn’t work. hopefully will sustain the gains that have So we’ve taken this approach that said we been made. It’s not like a one-time shot. It’s will invest in countries where leadership has got structural implications. made a firm commitment to some basic prin- The other thing is, is that you can’t have ciples: rule of law; fighting corruption; invest- a hopeful economy if your people can’t read. ment in people through health and education And so education is a vital link to providing programs; and adherence to the marketplace. hope. And we’ve got a strong education ini- Nations that have received Millennium Chal- lenge grants have met a test. In other words, tiative on the continent—and started early there is a criterion to qualify for the money. in my administration; we’re following What’s happening, Albert, is that other na- through on it. We’re trying to get, I think, tions desirous of a Millennium Challenge like, 12 million textbooks and train 900,000 grant ask, ‘‘What did you do to get your teachers and provide scholarships to 550,000 grant,’’ to other leaders. And so the habits girls, all aiming to provide a basis by which of a just society become an integral part of these investments and these capital flows will the receiving of help. We’re more than will- actually be able to take hold—and that is an ing to help, but in this case, we’re saying the educated workforce, an educated population. help has got to be to reinforce those decisions Albert. by leaders that’ll have a long-lasting impact

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toward a free society. There’s nothing more The President. Why? debilitating to a society than corruption. If Q. The motivating factor of the interest the people think that the leadership is there in Africa. Well, somebody may say it’s the to enrich themselves, they’ll have no trust in new oil finds or the fight against terrorism government. There will be no trust in form or we want to promote democracy. of—any form of government. The President. Yes. A couple of things, And so one of the criterion for Millennium Edwin; first of all, my passion toward Africa Challenge is honesty. We want the leadership has been sustained throughout 7 years. In and government to be honest with the peo- other words, my speech today, if you listened ple. And when we first put out—when I first carefully to it, indicated a strategy that was put out this initiative, I was criticized by first adopted early in my administration. some. That’s just part of the job, evidently. Secondly, there are two reasons why. Now, And it was, ‘‘How dare you insist upon condi- one, conditions of life overseas matters to the tions for your aid.’’ And my answer is, how security of the United States. In other words, can we not? Shouldn’t we expect good lead- if there’s hopelessness, then it’s liable that ership? Shouldn’t we have faith in people extremists who are recruiting people to cre- from a different part of the world demanding ate havoc not only in their respective coun- the same things that we expect of our Gov- tries or neighborhoods but also in our coun- ernment? try—if there’s hopelessness, they have a bet- The answer is, absolutely we should hold ter chance to recruit. So it’s in our national people up to a high standard. Absolutely we security interest, Edwin, that we deal with should expect leaders to adhere to some basic the conditions that enable ideologues—the principle. And absolutely we should trust ideologues of hate to recruit. people to want to live in a free society. Remember that the ideology that is preva- And so we changed the policy. Not only lent, that uses murder as a weapon, cannot did we have a more robust approach to the recruit in hopeful places. I mean, who would issues facing Africans than ever before in our want to follow somebody that says, ‘‘Follow Nation’s history, by a significant amount, but me. My vision is—if you’re a female, follow we have a strategy to do just what you asked. me. My vision is, you have no rights’’? Or, How do we make sure that a free society ‘‘If you disagree with my religious interpreta- is lasting, that it’s not just a moment—you tions, you’ll be whipped in the public know, let’s just do what old George wants square.’’ So it’s in our national interests. us to do, and then he’ll go away and then Equally, if not more important, it is in our societies can revert back its norm. And so moral interests that we help people. I firmly we have—there’s a constant evaluation of re- believe—as I said earlier, I firmly believe in sults based upon high standards. the admonition that to whom much is given, Edwin. How are you? much is required. I believe that is a principle by which people should make decisions in U.S. Role in Africa their individual lives and for the collective Q. Thank you very much. I’m fine. conscience of the United States. It is in our The President. Yes, good, me too. moral interest that we help a brother and Q. Mr. President, I’m impressed by your sister who’s dying of AIDS. And by helping policy statement on Africa today. that soul, it really helps ourselves. The President. Were you listening? America’s generosity has been prevalent Q. Yes, for the—yes. throughout the decades. And every time The President. You were the only people America reaches out to help a struggling soul, in this room; the rest of them fell asleep back we find that we’re a better nation for it. And there. [Laughter] so my interest and my focus and my insist- Q. But just what I’ve from the—what I’ve ence upon results on the continent of Africa listened to here now, I’m mostly impressed; are based on those two premises. it’s quite encouraging. But I just want to The other thing, Edwin, I will tell you is know, what is the motivating factor for the that I’ve got a lot of resources—or we have increasing interest in Africa? a lot of resources at our disposal. And the

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idea of an entire generation of people dying are no plans to make it permanent. I would because of HIV/AIDS troubled my heart. hope that many of the Liberians who have And I felt like America could do something come and been fine contributors here in about it. Fifty thousand people were receiv- America think about going home to help this ing antiretroviral drugs when we first started young country get on its feet after unspeak- PEPFAR. Today, 1,300,000 people are re- able violence and terrible times. ceiving antiretrovirals in a very short period You’ve got a great President, in my judg- of time. ment. I gave her the National Medal of Free- And it’s not enough. It’s just a beginning. dom. After all, she’s the first woman Presi- And so you say, ‘‘Why, Mr. President, do you dent on the continent of Africa. And she— feel that way?’’ It’s because I couldn’t live you know, in my speech today, I said, Africa’s with myself if I didn’t develop an effective greatest resource is not oils or diamonds or strategy and call upon the American people rubber; it’s really people. to help. And the good news is, the American And so, my hope, of course, is that people people have responded—$15 billion over 5. that have been here trying to save themselves We’re now going to double our commitment. from the violence go help this young—not Equally important, other nations have young, but this country get back on its feet. stepped up. The G–8 has committed to Donaig. match the U.S. So all of a sudden, the strat- egy—and most of these strategies, Edwin, Darfur and Chad are really based upon—oftentimes when you Q. Mr. President—— see human suffering, it’s based upon some- The President. What kind of name is that, thing that affects your heart. And so that’s Donaig? why I’ve made the decisions I made. Q. Actually, I’m French, but it’s a Celtic Patience. You’ve been very patient so far. name. The President. Really? Liberian Refugees in the U.S. Q. Yes. Q. Well, Mr. President, I would like to The President. That’s a pretty name. thank you for considering Liberia as one of Q. The situation in Darfur has always been the countries you are going to be visiting this a matter of great concern for you. U.N. offi- time. cials say that the situation on the ground has The President. Yes, ma’am. been worsening over the last few days. Q. And the Government and the people There’s also been very heavy fighting in of Liberia do appreciate all that you’ve done Chad. Do you think there’s a link between for us. Now, Mr. President, last year, your the two, between Darfur and Chad? administration extended by 1 year the tem- The President. I do, yes. porary protective status of hundreds of Libe- Q. And where do we go from there? rians. Now what happens when you leave of- The President. I appreciate that. I do fice? think there’s a link, first of all, and I think The President. Yes. that—let me just step back and say that the Q. Is your Government considering any- United States has called the situation in thing permanent for them, like what most Darfur a genocide. And I made a decision host countries did for Liberian refugees, inte- early on that we would work through the grating them locally, those who wanted to United Nations to help expedite troops that stay. And those who wanted to go back home, would help alleve the suffering and provide taking them back home? Because this some breathing space, hopefully, for the ne- might—it will definitely allow these Libe- gotiations between rebel groups and the rians to continue to contribute to the growth Government. of the economy of the country and also sup- Unfortunately, the rebel groups that were port their families back home. one time three, are now a multiple of three. The President. Interesting; yes, thank you And unfortunately, a government that could for that. I did extend TPS to Liberians here have made a difference early on in Khartoum in America for, I think, 18 months. And there chose not to do so.

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So the United States continues to work obviously, we’d like them to get back to their with the international community to put villages. pressure on the Sudanese Government. I Scott. have issued very harsh sanctions against indi- viduals and Sudanese companies. I also did Zimbabwe so against at least one rebel leader I’m aware Q. In your first trip to Africa, you em- of, because I wanted to send a signal that braced President Mbeki as the honest broker your behavior is causing there to be some in Zimbabwe. It looks like President Mugabe consequences. We’re continually working is a month away from being reelected. So, with other nations to get them to take the what now? same tough approach—nations throughout The President. Well, obviously, we’re dis- the world. Some are reluctant to move; some appointed that the situation in Zimbabwe are anxious to help. since my first trip has gotten worse. And it’s In terms of the conditions on the ground, very important for people to recognize types one thing the United States has done is we’re of government can affect the well-being and providing enormous amounts of aid and, ob- welfare of a country. Zimbabwe used to be viously, are concerned as to whether or not a net exporter of food. Today, it is a net im- that aid makes it into the camps. porter of food. Mr. Mugabe has ruined a Secondly is, I have told the folks at the country, and we have—we and, frankly, United Nations that we would provide train- Great Britain have been the most vociferous ing and equipment to expedite the move- advocates for change, and we still are advo- ment of troops. The question is, will the cates for change. troops show up? One way I can help call the I was hoping that the South African Gov- world to action is when I’m in Rwanda to ernment would have been more proactive in thank the troops of Rwanda, the Kagame its intercession to help the people of Government, for being so proactive. Zimbabwe. It’s not anti-anybody; it’s pro- I’m frustrated by the pace of development people, and that has yet to happen, admit- on the ground. I am not pleased that other tedly. nations—some other nations don’t take nec- One more round here real quick. Yes, essary steps to pressure the Government. I Jean. am—I’ve named another Envoy to the Sudan, whose job it is to really help bring U.S. Trade With Africa a negotiating framework that will work. Q. Thank you, Mr. President. And again, I’ll repeat to you, one of the The President. Is that ‘‘Jean?’’ unfortunate issues has been that the rebel Q. Jean Jonas. I will—— groups have gone from 3 to more than 10— The President. Like they say ‘‘Juan’’— 12, I think it is, or 18, if I’m not mistaken. [laughter]—where I’m from? And there needs to be the U.S. and others Q. Mr. President, I will recommend you, to pull the groups together so that there is during your short visit to my country, to have somebody to negotiate with—that can speak a taste in our juicy, tasty, and nicely per- with—more likely with a unified voice. fumed pineapples. And I do believe that the instability in The President. Pineapples. Darfur affects Chad and French interests. Q. Yes. And then you will figure out that And I do thank the Sarkozy Government for it will be an opportunity for all the American being a responsible nation, rallying EU forces people to have a taste—[inaudible]. to come and provide some help. The President. Yes, that’s a smart move. And it’s a very unfortunate, sad situation That’s good marketing. [Laughter] It’s called that is frustrating. And on the other hand, a taste test. [Laughter] there are some hopeful moments, such as the Q. But, yet, my country does not benefit fact that many in the world are providing much from—— help for the people in the camps. The prob- The President. From AGOA? lem is the people who are in the camps. And Q. Yes.

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The President. Why? Because fruits are oftentimes it is virtually impossible to ship not a part of the AGOA—— goods from one African country to the next Administration official. Pineapples can because there are high intra-Africa tariffs and be imported under AGOA. barriers to trade. And so it’s a—trade is com- The President. So then what we’re going plicated, and we just want to be treated fairly to have to do is, I’m going to have to talk in America. In order to get something to your President and point out the opportu- passed, it has to be viewed as a fair and equi- nities that pineapples are a part of the AGOA table transaction, and I believe we can trade list that can enter into the United achieve such a thing. I’m looking forward to States relatively duty free. that pineapple. [Laughter] Q. Yes, but apart from the pineapple, we Yvonne. have so many things and so many products that can profit from the AGOA but do Government Corruption/Millennium not—— Challenge Corporation The President. You need some export Q. Mr. President, your Government has credit—I mean, not export credit, you need been supporting Tanzania address the issue some help in developing industries that know of corruption as well as good governance how to export. Yes, I’ll be glad to talk to the through the MCC initiative and through the President about that. There are several ways Threshold Program. And it is now been eligi- the U.S. can help. Some grant money that ble to receive the funds, but what’s going encourages people to learn how to be an ex- to happen once you step down to make sure porting company, microloans can also help. what is being done—to make sure that it’s And so can OPIC, which is a way for people going to be sustainable—— to get the capital necessary to be able to de- The President. That’s a good question. velop an infrastructure so that they can take Q. ——it won’t end with you. the pineapple from the field, do whatever The President. You’re right; my Presi- you’re supposed to do, put it in a crate and dency does end. And that’s one of the great ship it to the United States for sale—if you things about American democracy: There know how to market. will be a peaceful transfer of power. And yet In other words, this is a—and so, yes, we’d I’m hopeful that we leave behind an institu- like to help enterprise. The whole purpose tion such as the Millennium Challenge Cor- of our strategy, which is commerce, is much poration, which has a monitoring device that more effective than aid to governments. It’s will more likely assure the people of Tanzania got a more lasting impact. And one of the that today’s anticorruption measures are for things I’m going to do in Ghana is visit entre- real and lasting. preneurs that are taking advantage of market- It’s a very interesting question. I mean, place access. And I’m confident I’m going you know, today’s concern about corruption to hear from leaders in the region saying, may not be tomorrow’s. I suspect any Amer- ‘‘That’s fine; you’re talking about nice things, ican President is going to be worried about and we like AGOA, but you’ve got to do corruption, particularly since we’ve changed something about your agriculture, because it how aid is granted in the first place. And so provides a distinct disadvantage for our farm- the fact that the Millennium Challenge exists ers.’’ will make it more likely future administra- And my answer is going to be, we’re more tions will ask the very same questions we’ve than willing to do so, but we expect other asked. partners in the world to do the same thing. Albert. We expect there to be fairness. And this is a tough issue to get all countries to agree to have equity when it comes to reducing Democratic Republic of the Congo/ our respective subsidies and tariffs, including Rwanda African nations. Q. Mr. President—— One of the things I point up to African The President. Your thing turned off leaders—point out to African leaders is that there, by the way, Yvonne. It clicked off. I

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think yours did. Anyway, far be it for me to Africa-U.S. Relations/Trade interfere with your—— Q. Yes, Mr. President, your planned visit Q. Mr. President, you will see when you to Africa shows that the continent has be- visit Rwanda that 14 years later, after the come important to you and your country. genocide, Rwanda has incredibly developed. Well, that’s why the administration has set But for development in Rwanda, one of the up AFRICOM for development but not for things that are key—that is key is security. war—— And when you started your first mandate, The President. Africa for development there was already a threat, and 8 years later, but not for war. the threat is still there, Mr. President. What Q. War, war fighting, and then the AGOA, do you forecast for the future? Millennium Challenge Account, all for devel- The President. I presume you’re referring opment—but to the ordinary African, he or to those groups that exist—— she can see these things clearly or feel the impact well, maybe because of the gravity Q. FDLR. of the situation or poverty. And one way you The President. ——in your neighbor. made mention of it is to trade, not just aid. Q. Yes. And which are even listed as ter- But we have problem with the African cul- rorist organizations, even by the U.S. ture produced cotton and all that, because The President. Right, right, right, right; of the subsidies here, the effects are de- we’re working with President Kabila on a dis- pressed prices back in Africa. What’s offi- armament program. We’ve been very en- cial—what are you doing to solve this prob- gaged diplomatically in the eastern part of lem of subsidies? Is delicate issue. the Congo. I’ve talked to him about this per- The President. Well, thank you. First of sonally. Our diplomats out of the State De- all, if you’re a mother who’s worried about partment and on the ground are very actively a child dying of malaria, and you see a net engaged in getting people to honor the provided by an American child, then all of agreement. And I fully understand the issue a sudden, the—you get a direct connection and the concerns. between the hearts of Americans and your Q. Because we don’t want to be dragged life. So in other words, you asked me wheth- again—— er—how does the average person sometimes The President. Back into the—no, no feel the effects of American commitment to question. First of all, the amazing thing is, the continent? is that the recovery of your country. And I’m And my answer to you—and I’ll answer really looking forward to going. President the subsidy thing—but my answer to you is, Kagame has been a very strong leader in the first of all, it’s a very important question, be- right sense of the word. To be able to come cause oftentimes, years ago, aid would never make it beyond the palaces. They would kind from where you were to where you are today of end up in a handful of people’s pockets. is pretty remarkable. I think I said Rwanda And our program, Edwin, is really aimed at is one of the fastest growing economies in focusing on individuals. If you believe every the world, if I’m not mistaken. Now, obvi- human life has dignity, therefore, your pro- ously that’s really good news, and, of course, grams ought to reflect that concept. And the one of the things that’s going to matter is way you do that is you make sure that the that the people benefit from that economic aid gets to the people. In this case, we’re vitality and growth. focusing on problems that affect the people But you’re right, it’s one of the ongoing most directly. issues that I talked about in my speech today, And so, at Christmas, I got a—a couple and the reason I did so is I wanted the Presi- years ago, I got nets given in my name or dent and the people of Rwanda to know that in Laura’s name to families on the continent we understand the seriousness of this issue; of Africa. I’ll never know who they were, and that nobody wants a replay of a very dif- they probably don’t know who I am, but the ficult—very terrible period in your history. idea that an American family decided to Edwin. spend money on a Christmas gift aimed at

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helping a stranger is really an important part agriculture; we expect other nations to be of an effective foreign aid policy. more opening to manufactured goods and Secondly, our AIDS initiative works very services. closely with the leaders to design programs And it’s a very complex issue, but it’s one that meet the needs of the country—not that we’re trying to work through. And hope- meet our needs but meet your needs. But fully, if we can get a successful Doha round, the other thing that comes with the AIDS your very question will be answered in a way program is a great outpouring of faith-based that is hopeful to the farmers there in Ghana. groups from America. There are thousands Patience. Patience, where were you edu- of my citizens, Edwin, that would—that long cated? I know I’m not supposed to be asking to spend time in parts of Africa delivering questions, but—[laughter]. help to a total stranger. Other countries— I’m sure that happens, but I happen to say Growth of Liberia that this is the greatest strength of America. And so there will be hopefully somebody Q. Some part of my education was in Nige- in a village in Ghana that runs into one of ria. these missionaries on a mission of love, that The President. Oh, really? Interesting. will see the direct help of an AIDS program Q. Yes. Well, sir—— or a malaria program and education benefits. The President. Are you living—— It may not be that somebody recognizes that Q. I’m living in Liberia right now. a teacher has been trained by U.S. dollars, The President. Are you? Good. How’s it but our policy is to—we’re more focused on going? the person learning. Maybe there will be a Q. Good. benefit to the United States, a direct benefit, The President. Is the capital, like, improv- where somebody says, wow, this is great; ing—— America did this. On the other hand, our Q. Well, we’re sort of, like, accel- focus is more on making sure that the child erating—— learns to read in the first place, because our The President. This is off the record, overall objective is a hopeful society and a right? [Laughter] peaceful society. Q. ——road construction work, so you can To subsidies—I fully understand the angst have a safe—— about the leadership—by the leadership on The President. Well, you don’t need to U.S. subsidies. And I’ve said I’m more than worry about me. [Laughter] willing to—on the Doha round—by the most Q. We’re rushing up everything so you effective place—first of all, AGOA has can—— helped address that to a certain extent. One The President. You’re building things be- way it has—because it’s opened up markets. cause of my arrival? Maybe I ought to come On the other hand, it has not made your every other month. [Laughter] farmers feel more comfortable because of Q. Okay. [Laughter] the—in their view, that the United States The President. Is there noticeable con- farming is not only efficient, but there’s a struction now—— subsidy to make it even more competitive. Q. Yes. I understand that. The President. ——besides my trip? In order to deal with this issue, however, Q. Yes. Yes. From 2003 to date, there has there has to be full reciprocity by devel- been an increase in road construction. We’ve oping—large developing and developed na- got infrastructure—— tions. In other words, the United States farm- The President. Can you see it; a big dif- er is willing to take less of a subsidy if his— ference? can be assured that his product will get a Q. Yes, you can. Yes, you can. fair hearing in somebody else’s market—par- The President. Are people feeling safer? ticularly those that can afford to buy crops Q. Yes. People are feeling safer. Those on on a large scale—and that’s not the case. the ground are feeling safer. Same thing if we reduce our subsidies on The President. Particularly in the city?

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Q. But, like, for Liberians here in Amer- is not—I mean, when you think of, you know, ica—I have been talking to most of them— U.S. command structures, you think military, for them to go back home and join in this which is fine. But this is a different military young democracy. mission than Central Command, for exam- The President. Thank you. ple. And as I told you, there’s going to be a strong State Department component with Security Situation in Africa it, and we’re in the process of making sure Q. And some of the things they’ve been we understand what that integration means saying is the security. And some of them went and then evaluating if and where the facilities back, after the first bout of war and were will be built. It’s on my radar screen. forced to come back. Now they keep saying Donaig. security, and each time, I say, we have the U.N. mission down there. But right now the Kenya’s Presidential Election U.N. mission is gradually drawing down Q. About Kenya, Mr. President, there’s faces. been a month-and-a-half now of continuous Now, will your Government consider es- ethnic violence. Who won this election, and tablishing AFRICOM in Liberia, which what should be done to stop this violence? would consolidate security there? You know, The President. Yes. I don’t think we can like a couple of the subregions bring in in- say we’re certain to who won the election. vestment into Liberia, which is what mostly That’s part of the problem. Secondly, there Liberia needs right now. is a way forward, which is for the parties to The President. First of all, AFRICOM is come together in good faith and work out a brand new concept aimed at strengthening a way forward until there are new elections, nations’ capacities to deal with trafficking or the date of which would be determined by terror, but also to help nations develop forces the parties. capable of doing the peacekeeping that un- I don’t think the United States ought to fortunately too often is needed on the con- go in, or anybody else, to say, ‘‘You must have tinent. an election now.’’ But I do think we can go Secondly, we are in the process of evalu- in and help Kofi Annan convince the parties ating exactly how AFRICOM will work. Now, to work together in a cooperative way so that because it’s a new concept, it was a brand the people can see there’s a way forward. new military-type command—and, by the And to this end, when I’m in Rwanda, I’m way, it’s going to be more than just military; going to ask Condi to go over to Kenya and there will be a State Department component sit down with the leaders in Kenya to see with it, which makes it a very interesting if we can’t help Kofi advance the—Kofi issue. And so we’re in the process of deter- Annan advance the way forward. mining where and how AFRICOM should be situated on the continent. I’m not avoid- Situation in the Horn of Africa ing—I guess I’m avoiding your answer, but Q. One of the U.S. counterterrorism ef- I don’t mean to be avoiding it. I’m just telling forts in Africa has centered on the Horn. Any you exactly where we are in the process. concern about the continuing instability in And obviously, if there is going to be a Somalia and, again, worsening relations be- physical presence on the continent of Africa tween Ethiopia and Eritrea, the impact that in the forms of a headquarters that you just that has not only on stability on the Horn described, obviously we would seriously con- but counterterrorism efforts? sider Liberia. Liberia is a friend. The Presi- The President. Yes, we’re concerned dent has made it abundantly clear to me that about instability anywhere, really, but insta- she would like us to seriously consider Libe- bility is what—and confusion and chaos and ria, and I have told her I would. fear is the conditions under which a group I just want to make sure people under- like Al Qaida can thrive. That’s why they like stand that the makeup and the construct of to kill people, innocent people, to create AFRICOM is still really being thought doubt about existing security, to create fear through, because, as I mentioned to you, this among the population. So any time you see

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that kind of instability, we’re deeply con- Memorandum on Assignment of cerned about it. Function Regarding Medicare Secondly, there have been Al Qaida— Funding some Al Qaida operating out of Somalia, and February 14, 2008 therefore, when you know some Al Qaida have been in and out of Somalia and there Memorandum for the Secretary of Health is some chaos and confusion, the conclusion and Human Services is, we better be worried about it and do something about it. And we are. We’ve got Subject: Assignment of Function Regarding cooperative arrangements in the region that Medicare Funding will make it more likely for us to be able By the authority vested in me as President to provide protections for the people in the by the Constitution and the laws of the region and ourself. United States, including section 301 of title In terms of—yes, and we’re also conscious 3, United States Code, you are directed to of Ethiopia and Eritrea’s border dispute. And perform the function of the President as de- I’m constantly talking to Condi about making scribed under section 802 of the Medicare sure that we’re on top of the situation as the Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Mod- best we can make a positive contribution. I ernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–173, feel pretty comfortable that the State De- 31 U.S.C. 1105(h) (1)). partment and our Embassies are fully aware You are authorized and directed to publish of the issues on the border and are making this memorandum in the Federal Register. sure that the respective leaders understand George W. Bush the position of the U.S., which is to solve this thing through mediation and not stack [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, up the troops to the point where they get— 11:44 a.m., February 15, 2008] where some spark ignites some kind of bor- NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- der dispute. fice of the Press Secretary on February 15, and But the Horn is an area of deep concern it will be published in the Federal Register on for the U.S. We actually happen to have a February 19. base there as well, in Djibouti. And we take the issues there seriously and are very en- gaged with it on a regular basis. Remarks Following a Meeting With Okay, here’s what we’re going to do: We’ll Congressional Leaders get a picture, unless you don’t want one. February 15, 2008 [Laughter] This morning I spoke to the president of Northern Illinois University. I told the presi- NOTE: The interview began at 1:18 p.m. in the dent that a lot of folks today will be praying Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his re- marks, the President referred to President Thom- for the families of the victims and for the as Yayi Boni of Benin; President Jakaya Mrisho Northern Illinois University community. Ob- Kikwete of Tanzania; President Ellen Johnson viously a tragic situation on that campus, and Sirleaf of Liberia; President Paul Kagame of I ask our fellow citizens to offer their bless- Rwanda; U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Richard S. ings, blessings of comfort and blessings of Williamson; President Nicolas Sarkozy of France; strength. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe; Presi- We also just discussed a serious problem dent John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana; President facing our country, and that is the fact that Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the House leaders blocked a good piece of legis- Congo; and former Secretary-General Kofi Annan lation that would give our intelligence com- of the United Nations. A reporter referred to President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki of South Afri- munity the tools they need to protect Amer- ca. The transcript was released by the Office of ica from a terrorist attack. the Press Secretary on February 15. A tape was The American citizens must understand— not available for verification of the content of this clearly understand that there is still a threat interview. on the homeland, there’s still an enemy

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which would like to do us harm, and that Remarks Following a Meeting With we’ve got to give our professionals the tools Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of they need to be able to figure out what the the United Nations enemy is up to so that we can stop it. The Senate passed a good bipartisan bill February 15, 2008 that makes sure our intelligence community President Bush. Mr. Secretary-General, has the tools necessary to protect America welcome back to the White House. Thank from this real threat. And I want to thank you for your efforts to make the United Na- you all and thank the Democrats in the tions a constructive force for good. United States Senate who worked closely I appreciate your tireless work to help with Mitch and John to get a strong piece solve some of the real humanitarian crises of legislation, with a 68-vote majority, out of that we face, such as the crises in Sudan, the Senate. the issues in Burma. I appreciate very much And this bill comes to the House of Rep- your leadership when it came to Kenya, and resentatives, and it was blocked. And by thank you for going to support former Sec- blocking this piece of legislation, our country retary-General Annan. is more in danger of an attack. By not giving I thank you very much for the leadership the professionals the tools they need, it’s that you’ve shown in Iraq. This young democ- going to be a lot harder to do the job we racy is beginning to gain confidence and need to be able to defend America. make progress, and the U.N. mission there People say, ‘‘Oh, it doesn’t matter if this has been very constructive. law hasn’t been renewed.’’ It does matter; I appreciate very much your desire to help it matters for a variety of reasons. It matters the poor and feed the hungry. And on my because the intelligence officials won’t have trip to Africa this week, that’s exactly the tools necessary to get as much information same message I’ll be taking, that the Amer- as we possibly can to protect you. And it mat- ican people are a compassionate people and ters because these telephone companies that a decent people who want to help moms work collaboratively with us to protect the with—deal with malaria or families deal with American people are afraid they’re going to HIV/AIDS, the need to feed the hungry. get sued. And the American people have got So I’m honored you’re here. I appreciate to understand, these lawsuits make it harder your vision. And thank you for your leader- for us to convince people to help protect you. ship and your friendship. And so by blocking this good piece of legisla- Secretary-General Ban. Thank you very tion, our professionals tell me that they don’t much. Thank you very much, Mr. President have all the tools they need to do their job. and ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very And so now the House and Senate are off much for your warm welcome and strong on a 12-day recess without getting the peo- support you have shown me during last 1 year ple’s business done. And when they come while I was carrying out my duty as Sec- back from that 12-day recess, the House retary-General. It has been instrumental and leaders must understand that the decision very much appreciated. they made to block good legislation has made I’ve been trying my best to make United it harder for us to protect you, the American Nations more trust-proof, transparent, and people, and we expect them to get a good accountable and more effective organization. bill to my desk—which is the Senate bill— This effort will continue. At the same time, as soon as possible. with your strong support and international Thank you. community, I’ve been doing my best to ad- dress all these regional country issues, start- NOTE: The President spoke at 8:55 a.m. in the ing from the situation in Darfur, Lebanon, Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, Myanmar, and also Kenya. There are so he referred to John G. Peters, president, Northern many problems that challenge at this time. Illinois University. He also referred to H.R. 3773. I’m committed to address these issues.

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At the same time, I’ve been able to again Executive Order 13461—Providing raise awareness and the political will in ad- an Order of Succession Within the dressing global challenges such as climate Department of Health and Human change. And I need your strong support as Services we are going through this year, a midpoint year, to realize Millennium Development February 15, 2008 Goals by 2015. We are going to focus on food By the authority vested in me as President situation and agriculture, education, health, by the Constitution and the laws of the and all this, statistical systems, infrastructure United States of America, including the Fed- of Africa. eral Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, 5 U.S.C. In that regard, your visit to African states 3345 et seq., it is hereby ordered that: at this time will be very important and his- Section 1. Subject to the provisions of sec- toric. I hope you will be able to discuss with tion 3 of this order, the officers named in African leaders on how to realize this Millen- section 2, in the order listed, shall act as and nium Development Goals, how to help peo- perform the functions and duties of the Of- ple overcome abject poverty and sanitation, fice of the Secretary of Health and Human access to educational opportunities. Services (Secretary), if they are eligible to In that regard, I wish you all the best, that act as Secretary under the provisions of the this is a very great opportunities. And it Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, dur- would be also very much important for inter- ing any period in which the Secretary has national community to sustain the momen- died, resigned, or become otherwise unable tum established in Bali December last year to perform the functions and duties of the office of Secretary. in climate change. I’m going to build up on Sec. 2. this Bali roadmap so that we will be able to Order of Succession. achieve this globally accepted framework, re- (a) Deputy Secretary of Health and placing this Kyoto Protocol. Human Services; (b) General Counsel of the Department The United States is the country with the of Health and Human Services; most innovative for technology and financing (c) Assistant Secretary (Resources and capacities. I count on your leadership and Technology); active participation. I do appreciate your con- (d) Assistant Secretary (Planning and Eval- structive engagement in this, starting from uation); high-level meeting September last year and (e) Administrator of the Centers for Medi- the major economies meeting in September care and Medicaid Services; in Washington and in Honolulu this year. I (f) Commissioner of Food and Drugs; count on your leadership. (g) Director of the National Institutes of All in all, I need your strong support, be- Health; cause I believe a stronger partnership be- (h) Assistant Secretary for Family Support; tween the United Nations and United States (i) Other Assistant Secretaries of the De- is the crucial, the important element in car- partment of Health and Human Services ap- rying out this—my duty as Secretary-General pointed by the President, in the order in and also making United Nations organization which they shall have taken the oath of office more strengthened in carrying out common as such; challenges we share together. (j) Director, Centers for Disease Control Thank you very much, Mr. President. and Prevention; and President Bush. Thank you, sir. Yes, (k) Director, Region 4. thank you. Sec. 3. Exceptions. (a) No individual who is serving in an of- fice listed in section 2 of this order in an NOTE: The President spoke at 10:09 a.m. in the acting capacity, by virtue of so serving, shall Oval Office at the White House. act as Secretary pursuant to this order.

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(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this curity Adviser Stephen J. Hadley and Prime order, the President retains discretion, con- Minister Salam Fayyad of the Palestinian Au- sistent with the Federal Vacancies Reform thority. Act of 1998, to depart from this order in des- The White House announced that the ignating an acting Secretary. President will meet with United Nations Sec- Sec. 4. Revocation. Executive Order retary-General Ban Ki-moon at the White 13250 of December 28, 2001 (Providing An House on February 15. Order of Succession Within the Department of Health and Human Services), and the February 12 President’s memorandum of March 19, 2002 In the morning, the President had an intel- (Designation of Officers of the Department ligence briefing. of Health and Human Services), are hereby In the afternoon, at the historic Evermay revoked. house, the President attended a Republican George W. Bush National Committee luncheon. During the day, in the Roosevelt Room, The White House, the President attended National Security Ad- February 15, 2008. viser Stephen J. Hadley’s meeting with the Helping to Enhance the Livelihood of Peo- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, ple (HELP) Around the Globe Commission. 8:50 a.m., February 19, 2008] The President announced his intention to NOTE: This Executive order will be published in nominate Peter E. Cianchette to be Ambas- the Federal Register on February 20. sador to Costa Rica. The President announced his intention to nominate Jeffrey Robert Brown to be a mem- ber of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund Digest of Other and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund White House Announcements as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. The following list includes the President’s public schedule and other items of general interest an- The President announced his intention to nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and nominate the following individuals to be not included elsewhere in this issue. members of the National Institute for Lit- eracy Advisory Board: Perri Klass; Katherine Mitchell; Eduardo J. Padron; Alexa E. Posny; February 9 Timothy Shanahan; and Richard Kenneth In the morning, at Camp David, MD, the Wagner. President had an intelligence briefing. The President announced his intention to nominate Hyepin Christine Im and Layshae February 10 Ward to be members of the Board of Direc- In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. tors of the Corporation for National and Bush returned to Washington, DC. Community Service. February 11 February 13 In the morning, the President had an intel- In the morning, the President had an intel- ligence briefing. Later, he had separate tele- ligence briefing. phone conversations with Annette Lantos, wife of Representative Thomas P. Lantos, February 14 and Speaker of the House of Representatives In the morning, the President had an intel- Nancy Pelosi to express his condolences for ligence briefing. Later, he had separate tele- the death of Representative Lantos. Then, phone conversations with Prime Minister in the National Security Adviser’s office, he Nuri al-Maliki of Iraq and Speaker Mahmud dropped by a meeting between National Se- al-Mashhadani, First Deputy Speaker Khalid

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al-Atiya, and Second Deputy Speaker Arif Secretary of Defense (Global Security Af- Tayfur of the Iraqi House of Representatives. fairs). In the evening, in the Blue Room, the The President announced his intention to President and Mrs. Bush hosted a Valentine’s nominate Carol Dillon Kissal to be Inspector Day social dinner followed by a performance General of the Small Business Administra- in the East Room by entertainer Denise tion. Thimes. The President announced his designation The President announced his intention to of the following individuals as members of nominate Stephen J. Nolan to be Ambas- a Presidential delegation to Seoul, Republic sador to Botswana. of Korea, to attend the inauguration of Presi- The President announced his intention to dent Lee Myung-bak on February 25: nominate Joseph Evan LeBaron to be Am- Condoleezza Rice (head of delegation); Alex- bassador to Qatar. ander R. Vershbow; Wendy Cutler; Gen. The President announced that he has Burwell B. Bell; Andy Groseta; William R. named Christopher Michel as Deputy Assist- Rhodes; and Hines Ward. ant to the President and Deputy Director of Speechwriting. The President announced that he has named Sara Armstrong as Special Assistant Nominations to the President. The President announced that he has Submitted to the Senate named Meghan Clyne as Special Assistant to the President for Speechwriting. The following list does not include promotions of The President announced that he has members of the Uniformed Services, nominations named Matthew Latimer as Special Assistant to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- to the President and Deputy Director of eign Service officers. Speechwriting. The President announced that he has Submitted February 12 named Mark J. Webber as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Jeffrey Robert Brown, South and Central Asian Affairs in the Na- of Illinois, to be a member of the Board of tional Security Council. Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for a term of 4 years, vice Thom- as R. Saving. February 15 In the morning, the President had an intel- Jeffrey Robert Brown, ligence briefing. Later, he had a telephone of Illinois, to be a member of the Board of conversation with Northern Illinois Univer- Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Sur- sity President John G. Peters to express his vivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal condolences for the victims of the February Disability Insurance Trust Fund for a term 14 campus shooting. Then, in the Oval Of- of 4 years, vice Thomas R. Saving. fice, he met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hyepin Christine Im, Saud al-Faysal bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud of of California, to be a member of the Board Saudi Arabia. of Directors of the Corporation for National In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. and Community Service for the remainder Bush traveled to Cotonou, Benin, arriving of the term expiring October 6, 2008, vice the following morning. Henry Lozano, resigned. The White House announced that the President and Mrs. Bush will welcome His Hyepin Christine Im, Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the White of California, to be a member of the Board House on April 16. of Directors of the Corporation for National The President announced his intention to and Community Service for a term expiring nominate Joseph A. Benkert to be Assistant October 6, 2013 (reappointment).

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Perri Klass, term expiring November 25, 2007, vice Mark of New York, to be a member of the National G. Yudof, resigned, which was sent to the Institute for Literacy Advisory Board for a Senate on January 9, 2007. term expiring November 25, 2009, vice Wil- liam T. Hiller, term expired. John L. Palmer, of New York, to be a member of the Board Katherine Mitchell, of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Sur- of Alabama, to be a member of the National vivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Institute for Literacy Advisory Board for a Disability Insurance Trust Fund for a term term expiring November 25, 2010, vice Mark of 4 years (reappointment), which was sent G. Yudof, resigned. to the Senate on January 9, 2007. Eduardo J. Padron, John L. Palmer, of Florida, to be a member of the National of New York, to be a member of the Board Institute for Literacy Advisory Board for a of Trustees of the Federal Supplementary term expiring November 25, 2009, vice Juan Medical Insurance Trust Fund for a term of R. Olivarez, term expired. 4 years (reappointment), which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007. Alexa E. Posny, of Kansas, to be a member of the National John L. Palmer, Institute for Literacy Advisory Board for a of New York, to be a member of the Board term expiring November 25, 2008, vice Carol of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insur- C. Gambill, term expired. ance Trust Fund for a term of 4 years (re- Timothy Shanahan, appointment), which was sent to the Senate of Illinois, to be a member of the National on January 9, 2007. Institute for Literacy Advisory Board for a Thomas R. Saving, term expiring November 25, 2010 (re- of Texas, to be a member of the Board of appointment). Trustees of the Federal Supplementary Med- Richard Kenneth Wagner, ical Insurance Trust Fund for a term of 4 of Florida, to be a member of the National years (reappointment), which was sent to the Institute for Literacy Advisory Board for a Senate on January 9, 2007. term expiring November 25, 2009 (re- Thomas R. Saving, appointment). of Texas, to be a member of the Board of Layshae Ward, Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Sur- of Minnesota, to be a member of the Board vivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal of Directors of the Corporation for National Disability Insurance Trust Fund for a term and Community Service for a term expiring of 4 years (reappointment), which was sent December 27, 2012, vice Mimi Mager, term to the Senate on January 9, 2007. expired. Thomas R. Saving, Withdrawn February 12 of Texas, to be a member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Warren Bell, Trust Fund for a term of 4 years (reappoint- of California, to be a member of the Board ment), which was sent to the Senate on Janu- of Directors of the Corporation for Public ary 9, 2007. Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2012, vice Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, resigned, Submitted February 14 which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007. Jeffrey Robert Brown, of Illinois, to be a member of the Board of Patricia Mathes, Trustees of the Federal Supplementary Med- of Texas, to be a member of the National ical Insurance Trust Fund for a term of 4 Institute for Literacy Advisory Board for a years, vice Thomas R. Saving.

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David Gustafson, Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- of Virginia, to be a Judge of the U.S. Tax retary Dana Perino Court for a term of 15 years, vice Carolyn Transcript of a press briefing by Chairman P. Chiechi, term expired. of the Council of Economic Advisers Edward William T. Lawrence, P. Lazear on the Economic Report of the of Indiana, to be U.S. District Judge for the President Southern District of Indiana, vice John Dan- Statement by the Press Secretary: Visit by iel Tinder, elevated. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon Joseph Evan LeBaron, of Oregon, a career member of the Senior Fact sheet: The Economic Report of the Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, President to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- Fact sheet: The Heart Truth: Helping Pre- potentiary of the United States of America vent Heart Disease in Women to the State of Qatar. Stephen James Nolan, Released February 12 of Virginia, a career member of the Senior Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, retary Dana Perino to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- potentiary of the United States of America Advance text of the President’s remarks on to the Republic of Botswana. African American History Month

Elizabeth Crewson Paris, Released February 13 of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the U.S. Tax Court for a term of 15 years, Transcript of a press briefing by National Se- vice Joel Gerber, retired. curity Adviser Stephen J. Hadley on the President’s trip to Africa Samuel W. Speck, of Ohio, to be a Commissioner on the part Transcript of remarks by Senator Mitch of the U.S. on the International Joint Com- McConnell of Kentucky and Representative mission, United States and Canada, vice John A. Boehner of Ohio following a meeting Dennis L. Schornack. with the President Statement by the Press Secretary on the Ex- ecutive order blocking property of persons in connection with the national emergency with respect to Syria Checklist of White House Press Releases Statement by the Press Secretary on House of Representatives action on intelligence re- form legislation The following list contains releases of the Office of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as Fact sheet: The House Must Act Quickly To items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Pass Bipartisan Senate FISA Modernization Other White House Announcements. Bill Fact sheet: Bipartisan Growth Package Will Released February 11 Help Protect Our Nation’s Economic Health Transcript of remarks by National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley to the Center for Released February 14 * International Security and Cooperation Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- retary Dana Perino * These remarks were delivered on February 8 and released by the Office of the Press Secretary Statement by the Press Secretary on intel- on February 11. ligence reform legislation

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Statement by the Press Secretary on the Acts Approved House of Representatives vote to hold two by the President top White House officials in contempt Statement by the Press Secretary announcing that the President signed H.R. 4253 Approved February 13 Fact sheet: Congress Must Act Now To En- H.R. 5140 / Public Law 110–185 sure That We Have the Tools To Keep Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 America Safe Fact sheet: U.S. Africa Policy: An Unparal- Approved February 14 leled Partnership Strengthening Democracy, Overcoming Poverty, and Saving Lives H.R. 4253 / Public Law 110–186 Military Reservist and Veteran Small Busi- ness Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of Released February 15 2008 Transcript of a press gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Scott M. Stanzel Approved February 15 Statement by the Press Secretary: Visit of His H.R. 3541 / Public Law 110–187 Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the White Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007 House Statement by the Press Secretary announcing S. 781 / Public Law 110–188 that the President signed H.R. 3541 and S. Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 781 2007

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