Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, December 22, 2003 Volume 39—Number 51 Pages 1795–1833

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Addresses to the Nation Directives—Continued Capture of Saddam Hussein—1799 National Preparedness—1822 Addresses and Remarks Executive Orders See also Bill Signings Appointments During National Emergency— North Carolina, 100th anniversary of the 1815 Wright brothers’ first flight at Kill Devil Hills—1813 Interviews With the News Media Radio address—1797 News conference, December 15—1800 Walter Reed Army Medical Center, remarks to medical personnel—1827 Joint Statements Bill Signings President Bush, President Chirac, and Chancellor Schroeder—1812 American Dream Downpayment Act, remarks—1810 Letters and Messages Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year Christmas 2003, message—1829 2004, statement—1798 Hanukkah 2003, message—1829 Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Kwanzaa 2003, message—1829 Restoration Act of 2003, statement—1795 Vision 100—Century of Aviation Proclamations Reauthorization Act, statement—1795 Wright Brothers Day—1815 Communications to Congress Statements by the President Department of the Treasury’s Counterterrorism Fund, letter on providing See also Bill Signings funds—1826 Death of William V. Roth, Jr.—1800 Executive Order on Appointments During Kabul-Kandahar highway, completion—1812 National Emergency, letter reporting—1816 Senator John Breaux’s decision not to seek Iraq, letter transmitting report—1810 reelection—1810 Communications to Federal Agencies Supplementary Materials Determination to Authorize Drawdown for Acts approved by the President—1832 Afghanistan, memorandum—1813 Checklist of White House press releases— 1831 Directives Digest of other White House Critical Infrastructure Identification, announcements—1830 Prioritization, and Protection—1816 Nominations submitted to the Senate—1831

WEEKLY COMPILATION OF Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Docu- PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. 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.gpo.gov/nara/nara003.html. lished pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Reg- ister Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15), under There are no restrictions on the republication of material regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the appearing in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- Federal Register, approved by the President (37 FR 23607; ments. 1 CFR Part 10).

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Statement on Signing the Syria of the Executive, or the performance of the Accountability and Lebanese Executive’s constitutional duties. Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 My approval of the Act does not constitute my adoption of the various statements of pol- December 12, 2003 icy in the Act as U.S. foreign policy. Given the Constitution’s commitment to the Presi- Today, I have signed into law H.R. 1828, dency of the authority to conduct the Na- the ‘‘Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sov- tion’s foreign affairs, the executive branch ereignty Restoration Act of 2003.’’ The Act shall construe such policy statements as advi- is intended to strengthen the ability of the sory, giving them the due weight that comity United States to conduct an effective foreign between the legislative and executive policy. branches should require, to the extent con- Section 5 of the Act purports to impose sistent with U.S. foreign policy. upon the President requirements to take cer- tain actions against Syria unless the President George W. Bush either determines and certifies to the Con- The White House, gress that the Government of Syria has taken December 12, 2003. specific actions, or determines that it is in the national security interest of the United States to waive such requirements and re- NOTE: H.R. 1828, approved December 12, was ports the reasons for that determination to assigned Public Law No. 108–175. This item was not received in time for publication in the appro- the Congress. A law cannot burden or in- priate issue. fringe the President’s exercise of a core con- stitutional power by attaching conditions precedent to the use of that power. The exec- Statement on Signing the Vision utive branch shall construe and implement 100—Century of Aviation section 5 in a manner consistent with the Reauthorization Act President’s constitutional authority to con- December 12, 2003 duct the Nation’s foreign affairs and as Com- mander in Chief, in particular with respect Today, I have signed into law H.R. 2115, to the conduct of foreign diplomats in the the ‘‘Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reau- United States, the conduct of United States thorization Act.’’ The Act is designed to diplomats abroad, and the exportation of strengthen America’s aviation sector, provide items and provision of services necessary to needed authority to the Federal Aviation Ad- the performance of official functions by ministration (FAA), and enhance the safety United States Government personnel of the traveling public. abroad. Subtitle A of title II of the Act amends Section 6 of the Act requires an officer section 106 of title 49 of the United States in the executive branch to furnish informa- Code to abolish the Air Traffic Services Sub- tion to the Congress on various subjects in- committee of the Federal Aviation Manage- volving Syria and terrorism. The executive ment Advisory Council and creates, separate branch shall construe section 6 in a manner from the Council, an Air Traffic Services consistent with the President’s constitutional Committee (ATSC). Section 106 as amended authority to withhold information the disclo- vests in the ATSC substantial governmental sure of which could impair foreign relations, authority, including the power to approve the national security, the deliberative processes FAA’s strategic plan for the air traffic control 1795

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system, certain large procurements, appoint- deadline and what actions it intends to take ment and pay of the FAA Chief Operating to complete the relevant matter. The execu- Officer, FAA major reorganizations, and the tive branch shall implement section 47171 FAA cost accounting and financial manage- in a manner and to the extent consistent with ment structure. Under section 106(p)(6)(C), the President’s constitutional authority to su- as amended, the members of the abolished pervise the unitary executive branch. Air Traffic Services Subcommittee of the The executive branch shall construe and Council automatically become the members implement section 323(b)(2) of the Act, relat- of the ATSC, but only to ‘‘serve in an advisory ing to certain disputes, in a manner con- capacity,’’ with the ATSC beginning to exer- sistent with the constitutional authority of the cise non-advisory authority when the ATSC President to supervise the unitary executive members have been appointed by the Presi- branch. dent by and with the advice and consent of The executive branch shall construe the the Senate. Accordingly, in light of section provisions of section 411(i) of the Act, con- 106(p)(6)(C), the executive branch shall con- cerning the provision of executive branch in- strue the provisions of section 106(p) and formation and records to the National Com- 106(r) that refer to approval or other non- mission on Small Community Air Service, in advisory functions of the ATSC to require, a manner consistent with the President’s con- from the date of enactment of the Act stitutional authority to withhold information through the date on which the last Senate- the disclosure of which could impair the for- confirmed Presidential appointment is made eign relations, the national security, the de- to the ATSC, only notice to the ATSC and liberative processes of the Executive, or the an opportunity for the ATSC to express its performance of the Executive’s constitutional views. duties. Section 106(p)(7)(B)(iii) of title 49, as en- acted by section 202 of the bill, purports to The executive branch shall construe and limit the qualifications of the pool of persons implement section 46111 of title 49, as en- from whom the President may select ATSC acted by section 601(a) of the Act, relating members in a manner that rules out a large to access to and use of classified information, portion of those persons best qualified by ex- in a manner consistent with the President’s perience and knowledge to fill the office. constitutional authority to classify and control Congressional participation in such appoint- access to information bearing on the national ments is limited by the Appointments Clause security. of the Constitution to the Senate’s provision The executive branch shall implement sec- of advice and consent with respect to Presi- tions 702 and 703 of the Act, which relate dential nominees. The executive branch shall to the award of certain government scholar- construe the provisions concerning qualifica- ships, in a manner consistent with the equal tions in section 106(p)(7)(B)(iii) as advisory, protection requirements of the Due Process as is consistent with the Appointments Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Con- Clause. stitution. Section 47171 of title 49, as enacted by Section 44511(f) of title 49, as enacted by section 304(a) of the Act, purports to man- section 712 of the Act, requires the Secretary date the process for cooperation among of Transportation to appoint ‘‘an inde- agencies in the executive branch in con- pendent governing board’’ for a 4-year air- ducting environmental reviews for certain port cooperative research pilot program. The airport projects. In particular, section executive branch shall construe the reference 47171(i) purports to require one part of the to the board as ‘‘independent’’ to mean inde- executive branch to report to committees of pendence within the Department of Trans- Congress when a second part of the executive portation from the FAA, while the board re- branch has not met the first part’s deadlines mains subject to the statutory authority of for action on certain environmental reviews, the Secretary as the head of the Department and then requires the second part to explain and the President’s constitutional authority to the committees why it did not meet the to supervise the unitary executive branch.

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Moreover, the executive branch shall con- priorities, and worked hard until we finished strue the provisions for nomination of can- the job. didates for the board by particular officials The reform and modernization of Medi- or organizations as advisory, as is consistent care was one milestone in a year of accom- with the Appointments Clause of the Con- plishment. We worked with Congress to take stitution. action in a number of areas on behalf of the The executive branch shall construe as ad- American people. Last May, the House and visory the provisions of section 812(a) of the Senate passed my jobs-and-growth package Act that purport to direct or burden the con- into law, delivering substantial tax relief to duct of negotiations by the executive branch 91 million Americans. We reduced taxes for with foreign governments, international orga- everyone who pays income taxes, increased nizations, or other entities abroad. Such pro- the child tax credit, cut the taxes on dividends visions, if construed as mandatory rather than and capital gains, and gave 23 million small- advisory, would impermissibly interfere with business owners incentives to invest for the the President’s constitutional authority to future. conduct the Nation’s foreign affairs, partici- And now we are seeing the results. In the pate in international negotiations, and super- third quarter, the economy grew at the fast- vise the unitary executive branch. est pace in almost 20 years. Productivity, manufacturing, and housing construction are George W. Bush expanding, and we have added over 300,000 The White House, jobs since August. The tax relief we passed December 12, 2003. is working, and our economy is gaining strength. Legislation passed this year also showed NOTE: H.R. 2115, approved December 12, was the compassion and the good heart of Amer- assigned Public Law No. 108–176. This item was not received in time for publication in the appro- ica. We created the American Dream Down- priate issue. payment Fund to help low-income citizens afford the downpayment on homes of their own. We defended children from the vio- The President’s Radio Address lence of partial birth abortion and passed December 13, 2003 new incentives to promote the adoption of children in foster care. And we acted to fight Good morning. This week I was honored the global spread of AIDS by launching a to sign the Medicare Act of 2003, the greatest multiyear emergency effort to prevent mil- advance in health coverage for America’s lions of new infections in Africa and the Car- seniors since Medicare was founded nearly ibbean and to provide medicine and humane four decades ago. This new law will give sen- care to millions more who suffer. iors better choices and more control over This year we took important action to pro- their health care and provide a prescription tect the environment. Our whole Nation saw drug benefit. the devastation left by wildfires in the West, Beginning in 2006, most seniors now with- and we passed healthy forest legislation to out prescription coverage can expect to see thin the underbrush that fuels catastrophic their current drug bills cut roughly in half blazes. in exchange for a monthly premium of about Our Government also took urgent action $35. And for the first time, seniors will have on every front in the war on terror. Congress peace of mind that they will not face unlim- appropriated more than $31 billion for the ited expenses for their Medicare. Department of Homeland Security to pre- These and other major improvements in pare first-responders and safeguard our ports Medicare came about because Republicans and infrastructure and help scientists develop and Democrats in Congress were willing to vaccines against dangerous biological threats. work together for the interests of our senior Our country stood behind the men and citizens. We were able to pass this law be- women of our Armed Forces as they liber- cause we listened to the people, set the right ated Iraq and helped carry out the work of

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reconstruction there and in Afghanistan. In ports to condition the obligation or expendi- Congress, members of both parties worked ture of funds for development or procure- together to provide vital resources for our ment of a major intelligence system on the troops, who are fulfilling their responsibility President’s compliance with the require- to defend the Nation. ments of section 506A. The executive branch All these actions have made us safer, more shall construe these provisions in a manner prosperous, and a better country. We con- consistent with the Constitution’s commit- fronted problems with determination and bi- ment to the President of exclusive authority partisan spirit. Yet our work is not done. to submit for the consideration of the Con- There will be pressing business in the new gress such measures as the President judges year on issues from job creation to health necessary and expedient and to supervise the care to public schools. And above all, we will unitary executive branch, and to withhold in- continue to fight the war on terror until the formation the disclosure of which could im- war is won. pair the deliberative processes of the Execu- On behalf of all Americans, I thank the tive or the performance of the Executive’s Congress for a productive year. Working to- constitutional duties. gether, we can add to this progress in the Section 341(b) purports to require the At- year to come. torney General and the Director of Central Thank you for listening. Intelligence, acting through particular offices subordinate to them respectively, to establish NOTE: The address was recorded at 10:35 a.m. certain policies and procedures relating to es- on December 12 in the Cabinet Room at the pionage prosecutions. The executive branch White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on De- shall implement this provision in a manner cember 13. The transcript was made available by consistent with the authority committed ex- the Office of the Press Secretary on December 12 but was embargoed for release until the broad- clusively to the President by the Constitution cast. The Office of the Press Secretary also re- to faithfully execute the laws and to supervise leased a Spanish language transcript of this ad- the unitary executive branch. Similarly, sec- dress. tions 1102(a) and 1102(c) of the National Se- curity Act, as enacted by section 341(a) of the Act, purport to mandate that the Director Statement on Signing the of Central Intelligence use or act through the Intelligence Authorization Act for Office of National Counterintelligence Exec- Fiscal Year 2004 utive to establish and implement an inspec- December 13, 2003 tion process for all agencies and departments of the U.S. Government that handle classi- Today, I have signed into law H.R. 2417, fied information. The executive branch shall the ‘‘Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal implement this provision in a manner con- Year 2004.’’ The Act authorizes funding for sistent with the President’s constitutional au- United States intelligence activities, includ- thority to supervise the unitary executive ing activities in the war against terrorists of branch. global reach. The executive branch shall construe and Section 506A(c) of the National Security implement section 376 of the Act, relating Act of 1947, as enacted by section 312(b) of to making available classified information to the Act, purports to require the President courts, in a manner consistent with the Presi- to request that the Congress enact laws ap- dent’s constitutional authority to classify and propriating funding for a major intelligence control access to information bearing on the system procurement in an amount set as a national security and consistent with the stat- cost estimate by an entity subordinate to the utory authority of the Attorney General for President or to explain why the President in- the conduct of litigation for the United stead requests amounts below those levels. States. Moreover, beginning with the submittal to Many provisions of the Act, including sec- the Congress of the President’s budget for tion 106 and subtitle D of title III of the FY 2006, section 312(d)(2) of H.R. 2417 pur- Act, seek to require the executive branch to

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furnish information to the Congress on var- raid conducted without casualties, and now ious subjects. The executive branch shall con- the former dictator of Iraq will face the jus- strue the provisions in a manner consistent tice he denied to millions. with the President’s constitutional authority The capture of this man was crucial to the to withhold information the disclosure of rise of a free Iraq. It marks the end of the which could impair foreign relations, national road for him and for all who bullied and security, the deliberative processes of the Ex- killed in his name. For the Ba’athist holdouts ecutive, or the performance of the Execu- largely responsible for the current violence, tive’s constitutional duties. there will be no return to the corrupt power The executive branch shall implement sec- and privilege they once held. For the vast tion 319 of the Act in a manner consistent majority of Iraqi citizens who wish to live as with the requirement to afford equal protec- free men and women, this event brings fur- tion of the laws under the Due Process ther assurance that the torture chambers and Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Con- the secret police are gone forever. stitution. And this afternoon, I have a message for Section 502 purports to place restrictions the Iraqi people: You will not have to fear on use of the U.S. Armed Forces and other the rule of Saddam Hussein ever again. All personnel in certain operations. The execu- Iraqis who take the side of freedom have tive branch shall construe the restrictions in taken the winning side. The goals of our coa- section 502 as advisory in nature, so that the lition are the same as your goals: Sovereignty provisions are consistent with the President’s for your country; dignity for your great cul- constitutional authority as Commander in ture; and for every Iraqi citizen, the oppor- Chief, including for the conduct of intel- tunity for a better life. In the history of Iraq, ligence operations, and to supervise the uni- a dark and painful era is over. A hopeful day tary executive branch. has arrived. All Iraqis can now come together Section 106 enacts by reference certain re- and reject violence and build a new Iraq. quirements set forth in the joint explanatory The success of yesterday’s mission is a trib- statement of the House-Senate committee of ute to our men and women now serving in conference or in a classified annex. The exec- Iraq. The operation was based on the superb utive branch continues to discourage this work of intelligence analysts who found the practice of enacting secret laws and encour- dictator’s footprints in a vast country. The ages instead appropriate non-binding uses of operation was carried out with skill and preci- classified schedules of authorizations, classi- sion by a brave fighting force. Our service fied annexes to committee reports, and joint men and women and our coalition allies have statements of managers that accompany the faced many dangers in the hunt for members final legislation. of the fallen regime and in their effort to George W. Bush bring hope and freedom to the Iraqi people. Their work continues, and so do the risks. The White House, Today, on behalf of the Nation, I thank the December 13, 2003. members of our Armed Forces, and I con- NOTE: H.R. 2417, approved December 13, was gratulate them. assigned Public Law No. 108–177. I also have a message for all Americans: The capture of Saddam Hussein does not mean the end of violence in Iraq. We still Address to the Nation on the Capture face terrorists who would rather go on killing of Saddam Hussein the innocent than accept the rise of liberty December 14, 2003 in the heart of the Middle East. Such men are a direct threat to the American people, Good afternoon. Yesterday, December the and they will be defeated. 13th, at around 8:30 p.m., Baghdad time, We’ve come to this moment through pa- United States military forces captured Sad- tience and resolve and focused action, and dam Hussein alive. He was found near a that is our strategy moving forward. The war farmhouse outside the city of Tikrit, in a swift on terror is a different kind of war, waged

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capture by capture, cell by cell, and victory needs of Iraq, about the future of the health by victory. Our security is assured by our per- care system in Iraq. And we were joined by severance and by our sure belief in the suc- doctors, Iraqi doctors who were anxious to cess of liberty, and the United States of work with their fellow counterparts here in America will not relent until this war is won. America to enhance educational opportuni- May God bless the people of Iraq, and may ties and to get caught up on the latest tech- God bless America. Thank you. nologies in health care. The thing that struck me about the meet- NOTE: The President spoke at 12:15 p.m. in the ing was the kind of joy that they expressed Cabinet Room at the White House. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- about being free. It was a touching meeting, guage transcript of this address. and I want to thank you all for coming. And Doc, I want to thank you for your good work. We are making progress together in improv- Statement on the Death of ing the lives of your citizens with better William V. Roth, Jr. health care. Immunization rates are up. Peo- December 14, 2003 ple are getting better health care. He was reminding me, I think the budget During his extraordinary career as a of Saddam Hussein’s Government for health United States Senator, Bill Roth was the tax- was, like, $16 million, less than a dollar per payer’s friend and the people’s champion. He person. And of course, we’re spending a lot worked to cut wasteful Government spend- more than that now on health care in Iraq. ing and was one of the first to argue that But it was a very meaningful meeting. I want lower taxes would lead to greater economic to thank you—please thank those good docs growth. Among his many other legislative for being there. achievements, he helped create the retire- This weekend’s capture of Saddam Hus- ment account that bears his name and that sein was a great moment for the people of has benefited millions of American families. Iraq. Iraqi citizens have lost a source of fear, He was an American hero, earning a Bronze and they can now focus with confidence on Star for his service in World War II. Bill Roth the task of creating a hopeful and self-gov- was loved and respected by the people of erning nation. With the capture of the former Delaware and by his colleagues in the United dictator, the enemies of a free Iraq have lost States Congress. Laura and I send our condo- their leader, and they’ve lost any hope of re- lences to his wife, Jane, herself a dedicated gaining power. The nightmare of the public servant and superb Federal judge; to Ba’athist tyranny is finally over. the Roth family; and to the Roths’ many The terrorists in Iraq remain dangerous. friends in Delaware and throughout the The work of our coalition remains difficult country. and will require further sacrifice. Yet, it should now be clear to all, Iraq is on the The President’s News Conference path to freedom, and a free Iraq will serve December 15, 2003 the peace and security of America and the world. The President. Thank you all. Please be This achievement comes at the end of an seated. Thank you for coming to this, the last extraordinary year for our country, abroad press conference of the year 2003. and here at home. In 2003, we have become Before I begin, I do want to talk a little a safer, more prosperous, and better nation. bit about a meeting I just attended. Rend Our Armed Forces, joined by our allies, con- al-Rahim is here—she’s the representative tinue on the offensive against terrorist en- from the Iraqi Government, the interim Gov- emies around the world. We continue our ernment, to the United States—as well as Dr. systematic hunt for Al Qaida leaders and Al Khadir Abbas, who is the interim Minister Qaida cells in many countries. I want to of Health. We just had an interesting discus- thank the Congress for standing behind our sion in the Roosevelt Room about the health military with needed resources and for giving

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vital support to the work of reconstruction over to Iraqis for trial? And based on what in Iraq and Afghanistan. you know now about mass executions and America’s economy is growing at a robust hundreds of thousands of graves, do you pace and beginning to generate new jobs for think that execution should be an option? America, American workers. I want to thank The President. He will be detained. We the Congress for passing my jobs-and-growth will work with the Iraqis to develop a way package, which is doing just what it was sup- to try him in a—that will stand international posed to do. And we will continue pursuing scrutiny, I guess is the best way to put it. a progrowth agenda next year. I shared my sentiments today with Prime In this year of accomplishment, we passed Minister Martin of Canada. He asked me Medicare reform. American seniors can now about Saddam Hussein and his trial. I said, look forward to prescription drug coverage, ‘‘Look, the Iraqis need to be very much in- more choices, and a stronger Medicare sys- volved. He was the person that—they were tem. I want to thank the Congress for coming the people that were brutalized by this man.’’ together to get the job done. He murdered them. He gassed them. He tor- This session of Congress has also produced tured them. He had rape rooms. And they vital action on homeland security, healthy need to be very much involved in the proc- forests, global AIDS relief, housing assist- ess, and we’ll work with the Iraqis to develop ance, adoption, Amber alerts to capture kid- a process. napers and rescue their victims, and protec- And of course we want it to be fair. And tion of children from partial birth abortion. of course we want the world to say, ‘‘Well, Members of both political parties can take this—he got a fair trial,’’ because whatever pride in the important goals we have met by justice is meted out needs to stand inter- working together. national scrutiny. I’ve got my own personal We have a great deal to show for our ef- views of how he ought to be treated, but forts in 2003. Yet, unfinished business re- that’s—I’m not an Iraqi citizen. It’s going to mains. The majority in both Houses support be up to the Iraqis to make those decisions. a comprehensive energy bill as well as re- Q. And the question of execution? forms in class action to curtail junk lawsuits. The President. Yes, I said I have my per- The House also passed a medical liability re- sonal views, and this is a brutal dictator. He’s form bill. It is stuck in the Senate. These a person who killed a lot of people. But my measures were blocked, and they are needed. views, my personal views aren’t important in They are needed to help America become this matter. What matters is the views of the more prosperous, and they’re needed to help Iraqi citizens. And we need to work, of America be a better place. When the House course, with them to develop a system that and Senate return in January, there will be is fair and—where he will be put on trial more to do, and I look forward to working and will be brought to justice, the justice he with them. I’ve got a few ideas about what didn’t, by the way, afford any of his own fel- we can do together in the year 2004. low citizens. As we end 2003, we have a lot to be thank- Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters]. ful for, especially for the fine men and women who wear our country’s uniform and Impact of Saddam Hussein’s Capture on who will spend their holidays far from home. U.S. Policy I hope all Americans will keep these brave Q. Thank you, sir. Will Saddam’s capture men and women in their thoughts and pray- accelerate the timetable for pulling U.S. ers during this blessed season. troops out and increase the likelihood of get- I will take some questions, starting with ting more foreign troops involved? AP man [Terence Hunt, Associated Press]. The President. We will stay the course until the job is done, Steve. And the tempta- Trial of Saddam Hussein tion is to try to get the President or somebody Q. Thank you, Mr. President. What’s the to put a timetable on the definition of getting United States going to do with Saddam Hus- the job done. We’re just going to stay the sein after questioning him? Will he be turned course. And it’s very important for the Iraqi

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people to know that. I’ve expressed that to it more likely that the world is peaceful. And Rend; I’ve told that to the Iraqi citizens with that we’re constantly talking about that mes- whom I have met on a regular basis. sage and encouraging people to participate. I tell them two things: One, you can count Gregory [David Gregory, NBC News]. on America remaining until the job is done. And it’s important for them to hear that, be- President’s Greeting to Saddam Hussein cause there will probably be some that will Q. Mr. President, good morning. When continue to test our will. They’ll try to kill Saddam emerged from his hole on Saturday, in hopes that we will flee, and the citizens he told a U.S. soldier that he was willing to of Iraq need to know we will stay the course. negotiate. Might there be room for negotia- I also tell them that now is a chance to seize tion, perhaps in exchange for a public state- the opportunity and show the world that ment to the Iraqi people that may serve your which this Government believes, and that is, interest? And secondly, this soldier also said you’re plenty capable of governing yourself. to Saddam, reportedly, that President Bush And the level of the troops in Iraq will sends his greetings. You say this is not per- depend upon the security situation on the sonal, but you’ve also pointed out this was ground, and those decisions will be made by a man who tried to murder your father. What our commanders. I have not changed my phi- is your greeting to him? losophy of how a President ought to act dur- The President. Good riddance. The world ing wartime, which is to set the strategy, lay is better off without you, Mr. Saddam Hus- out the goals, and empower the military peo- sein. I find it very interesting that when the ple, both civilian and uniform, to make the heat got on, you dug yourself a hole, and decisions necessary to achieve the objective. you crawled in it. And our brave troops, com- And they will make those recommendations bined with good intelligence, found you. And about troop levels and what is necessary to— you’ll be brought to justice, something you go ahead—you’ve got a followup? This is part did not afford the people you brutalized in of the holiday spirit, to give you a followup. your own country. [Laughter] And what was the first part of the ques- Possible Expansion of Coalition in Iraq tion? Q. [Inaudible]—opportunity to get more foreign troops involved? Possible Negotiations With Saddam The President. Well, listen, we’re con- Hussein stantly working to get foreign countries in- Q. I know you’d scoffed at the idea of ne- volved, but I want to remind you we’ve got gotiation. What I’m asking you—— over 60 nations involved now. When you hear The President. Oh, yes, yes. How do you me talk about ‘‘our’’ efforts, I’m talking about know I scoffed at it? Laughing does not mean the efforts of a lot of countries. We’ve got scoffing, but—[laughter]—— a large coalition involved, and of course we Q. Oh, I know, I’m just saying—— will accept the willingness of nations to put Q. There were others who were scoffing. troops on the ground. We’re continuing to [Laughter] work, whether it be troops on the ground The President. Okay. or construction contracts or loans. We’re con- Q. If you were to do something that you stantly reaching out to more nations to get might view as constructive, like making a them involved in the process. public statement, a video statement? And after all, there is a reason why nations The President. David, it’s just way too should be involved in the process. A secure early to tell. First of all, I don’t trust Saddam and free Iraq is in their national interest. A Hussein. I don’t believe he’ll tell the truth. free country, a peaceful country in the heart He didn’t tell the truth for over a decade. of the Middle East is in the interest of all I just can’t believe he’s going to change his nations. This is a transforming event. The ways just because he happens to be captured. emergence of a peaceful Iraq will transform And so I don’t think we ought to trust his the region in a positive way that will make word.

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I think what needs to happen is, he needs know, will be going to both those two coun- to be brought to justice, and the Iraqi citizens tries tomorrow, I think it is, to encourage need to be very much involved in the devel- them to work with us on debt relief, all aimed opment of a system that brings him to justice. at encouraging the development of a free and And there needs to be a public trial, and all peaceful Iraq. the atrocities need to come out, and justice So, no, I don’t agree that this is a dividing needs to be delivered. And I’m confident it line. I think this is a disagreement on this will be done in a fair way. particular issue. And I know that we can work Terry [Terry Moran, ABC News]. together on a variety of other issues, and I’ll cite one example, Iran. I was most pleased France and Germany that the French and Germans as well as the Q. Mr. President, do you believe that the Brits delivered a very strong message to the capture of Saddam Hussein will bridge some Iranian Government about the development of the differences, the bitter differences that of a nuclear weapon. It was a message that have arisen in the world over Iraq? Or do we agree with, and that is: Don’t do so; other- you believe that the Iraq war marks a dividing wise there will be international consequences line, perhaps a long-term dividing line, be- at the United Nations. And it was a very im- tween those countries which fought to topple portant message to be delivered. We agreed Saddam Hussein and those which did not? on that. And working together, it made it The President. Interesting question. I easier for us to send that message. think that—well, first of all, as I want to re- John [John Roberts, CBS News]. Working peat, there’s over 60 nations involved in the my way across here. reconstruction of Iraq now. So there’s a— a lot of people are participating, and we’re President’s Course of Action/2004 out working to encourage others to partici- Elections pate. You’re talking—what you’re talking about Q. Thank you, Mr. President. The capture is France and Germany, if the truth be of Saddam Hussein is something that has known, if I might clarify your question to me. been universally applauded. But there still Look, France and Germany—I have reached remain a lot of lingering questions about the out to them. They’ve reached out to us. It’s postwar phase of Iraq. This administration in our national interests we work together. has stated that it would like to see an interim A whole and united and peaceful Europe is Iraqi Government stood up by next June, the in this country’s interest, and we look forward ability to be able to begin to draw down to working with them on a wide range of troops if that’s possible. Even a political nov- issues, whether it be intelligence sharing or ice would have to say, well, there appears in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. I want to be some political component to all this, to remind you, Germany has committed some way of making real progress ahead of troops to Afghanistan. It’s in this country’s the November elections. interest that Afghanistan emerge as a peace- The President. Yes, well, people can read ful country. Germany is contributing to that whatever they want to read into it. My job effort. There’s a lot of areas where we do is to keep America secure. That’s my job. I’ve work together. got a solemn duty to do everything I can to We had a disagreement on this issue about protect the American people. I will never for- Saddam Hussein and his threat. I obviously get the lessons of September the 11th, 2001. felt like September the 11th changed the Terrorists attacked us. They killed thousands equation to the point where we needed to of our fellow citizens. And it could happen deal with emerging threats and deal with again, and therefore, I will deal with threats, them in a way that would make America threats that are emerging and real. more secure. And they didn’t see that; they We gave Saddam Hussein plenty of time didn’t agree with that point of view. I can to heed the demands of the world, and he understand that. And we are now reaching chose defiance. He did. He said, ‘‘Forget it. out to them, by the way—Jim Baker, as you I don’t care what the United Nations has said

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over a decade. I don’t care about all the reso- And you know, Jim, I will make the deci- lutions passed.’’ He chose defiance. We sions based upon what I think is right to acted. And I acted because I—I repeat—I achieve the objectives I’ve outlined, the ob- have a duty to protect this country. And I jectives I outlined prior to freeing Iraq from will continue to protect the country, so long Saddam Hussein, and that is to make this as I’m the President of the United States. country more secure and the world more A free and peaceful Iraq is part of pro- free. tecting America, because, I told you before, And I’m confident people aren’t going to and I truly believe this, this will be a trans- agree with every decision I make. I under- forming event in a part of the world where stand that, and I don’t expect people to agree hatred and violence are bred, a part of a with every decision I make. But regardless world that breeds resentment. of whether they do or not, I’m going to con- And you know, look, we’re going into an tinue making the decisions in the way that election; there’s going to be plenty of time I think is best for the country. And there for politics. And people can debate all they will be ample time to have the debate about want. I’m going to do my job. That’s what whether or not it’s the right strategy or not. I’m going to do. I’m going to do my job to I look forward to the debate. I look forward make this country safer, and I believe we’re to making my case to the American people making good progress toward that objective. about why America is more secure today Angle [Jim Angle, FOX News]. based upon the decisions that I’ve made. As I said, there’s ample time for politics. 2004 Elections/President’s Strategy I know you all want to jump the gun. It Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Until re- makes exciting news. It makes the stories cently, a growing number of Americans and more interesting and more vital from your a couple of Presidential candidates were say- perspective. Let me just—so that we can get ing it might be time to think about getting this straight early in the process, I take my out of Iraq. I know you said that you intend job seriously. I will do my job, and I look to stay the course, but I wonder what your forward to the political debate later on. So view is of such sentiments, how concerned I’m confident during the numerous press you are about that view among the public, conferences I’ll be having next year, just like and whether or not you think Saddam’s cap- I had this year, that you’ll be asking me ques- ture should change people’s thinking? tions about this political statement or that po- The President. You know, I think litical statement. And my answer is going to Saddam’s capture should make it clear to the be the same until I’m ready to engage, and people of Iraq, most importantly, that he’s that is—let me just tell you what the strategy through, that people can no longer—no is of this administration—forget politics—the longer have to hold back their sentiments and strategy that I’ve outlined in order to do my their feelings toward living in a free society solemn duty, and my duty is not only to keep because he might reemerge. That’s the most the country more secure but more pros- important thing about this capture, is that perous and a better country as well. he can no longer provide any excuse for some Dana [Dana Milbank, Washington Post]. who were afraid to act. And I can understand why people would Federal Deficit be afraid to act in Iraq, afraid that Saddam Q. Thank you, Mr. President. The dollar might come back. After all, he’s a torturer has fallen quite sharply. Wall Street is in- and a killer. I met with a doctor today. The creasingly worried about the deficit—sorry— guy took me aside and he said, ‘‘I want to Wall Street is increasingly worried about the thank you. My dad was murdered by Saddam deficit. Will you have a specific plan for re- Hussein.’’ A lot of people share that senti- ducing the deficit, or will economic growth ment, by the way, because it’s happened to alone take care of the problem? them. And you can understand why people The President. Yes. No, I appreciate that feared him. After all, he stayed in power by question. Josh Bolten laid out a plan that will fear, by ruling through fear. shrink the deficit in half in a 5-year period,

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and that’s based upon reasonable growth as- And since the CIA has been telling you sumptions. And it’s a plan that depends upon that North Korea does have two or more Congress to continue to hold the line on weapons, what lesson should Kim Chong-il spending. draw from the capture of Saddam Hussein? We have a deficit because of, one, a reces- The President. Very deft at weaving in sion, two, a war. I want to remind you all two questions there. Here’s what I took away that in order to fight and win the war, it re- from September the 11th, 2001, that any quires a expenditure of money that is com- time a President sees a gathering threat to miserate with keeping a promise to our the United States, we must deal with it. We troops to make sure that they’re well-paid, can’t pick or choose like we used to, could well-trained, well-equipped. And so we’ve in the past. In the old days, oceans protected exceeded—we’ve spent a lot on defense us from harm’s way, and a President could budgets in order to win the war. We’ve also stand back and say, ‘‘Well, maybe this gath- spent a lot of money to secure our homeland. ering threat is an issue. Maybe it’s not.’’ After And then of course, there was the tax re- September the 11th, that complacency, I lief, a stimulus package which was necessary guess may be the right word, no longer is to make sure that we had ample revenues relevant. And therefore, I began to assess coming into the Treasury in the first place. threats. See, without the tax relief package, there And the threat of Saddam Hussein was a would have been a deficit, but there wouldn’t unique threat in this sense: The world recog- have been the commiserate—not ‘‘commis- nized he was a threat for 12 years and 17 erate’’—the kick to our economy that oc- resolutions, I think it is—I believe it was 17 curred as a result of the tax relief. And the resolutions—for the resolution counter, give tax relief is working. me a hand here—17? Seventeen resolutions. When the Senate finishes its work on the And he ignored them. He just treated the appropriations bill, we will have held discre- U.N. as an empty debating society, as if their tionary spending to 4 percent, and that’s what resolutions meant nothing. This is a person we agreed to with the Congress during the who has used chemical weapons before, budget negotiations. which indicated to me he was a threat. He I want to remind you of a fact that I think invaded his neighbors before. This is a per- you’ll find interesting—or maybe you won’t son who was defiant. He’s a deceiver, and find interesting, but I find it interesting— he was a murderer in his own country. He that non-military, non-homeland-security was a threat. discretionary spending was at 15 percent— And so I went to the United Nations, as increase from year to year was at 15 percent you recall, September the 12th, 2002, and prior to our arrival; then it was at 6 percent, said to the United Nations, ‘‘Let’s work to- 5 percent, and 3 percent. So we’re working gether to disarm this man. You recognized with Congress to hold the line on spending. he had arms. We recognize he’s got arms. And we do have a plan to cut the deficit in Let’s disarm him.’’ And 1441 came about. It’s half. when the world spoke in—through the Sanger [David Sanger, New York Times]. United Nations Security Council with one voice and in a unanimous voice said, ‘‘Dis- Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction/North arm, or there will be serious consequences.’’ Korea In other words, they agreed that Saddam was Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Presi- a threat, and so we moved to disarm him. dent, it’s been 9 months now, and still there In other words, there were serious con- is relatively little evidence of WMD in Iraq. sequences because he was defiant. In retrospect, if you think back over the year, Since then, David Kay has reported back would you have been better to make more that he had weapons programs that would of your—of the argument that you’ve made have put him in material breach of 1441. in recent times, that democratization in the What that means, of course, is that had David Middle East was the reason to go to war, Kay been the lead inspector and had done rather than WMD? the work that he did prior to our removal

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of Saddam, he would have reported back to The President. There are over 60 nations the U.N. Security Council that Saddam was, involved in Iraq. Let’s make sure every- in fact, in breach of the Council resolutions body—let’s all start from the same basis, if that were passed. you don’t mind. So there is international sup- Secondly, North Korea—one of the things, port. When you say there’s over 60 nations David, I think you’ve seen about our foreign involved in Iraq, that means that there’s policy is that I’m reluctant to use military international support in Iraq. Again, I think power. It’s the last choice. It’s not our first you’re talking about one or two countries, if choice. And in Iraq, there was a lot of diplo- I’m not mistaken. And we’re reaching out to macy that took place before there was any them, and we want them to participate. But military action. There was diplomacy prior the idea of spending taxpayers’ money on to my arrival, diplomacy during my time contracts to firms that did not participate in here, and we tried all means and methodolo- the initial thrust is just something I wasn’t gies to achieve the objective, which was a going to do. And you know what? The Amer- more secure America, by using diplomatic ican taxpayers understand that. They under- means and persuasion. stand that clearly. That’s not to say there’s In North Korea, we’re now in the process not other ways to participate, and we look of using diplomatic means and persuasion to forward to including them in the process. convince Kim Chong-il to get rid of his nu- Stretch [Bill Sammon, Washington clear weapons program. And that’s changed Times], Big Stretch. I’m sorry. [Laughter] by altering the dynamics between the United States and North Korea this way, by inviting Howard Dean other parties to be stakeholders in the proc- Q. I know you said there will be a time ess. And that’s been successful thus far, of for politics. But you’ve also said you wanted convincing others that they have a stake in to change the tone in Washington. Howard the process. Dean recently seemed to muse aloud wheth- This started in Crawford with Jiang Zemin, er you had advance knowledge of 9/11. Do where we held a joint press conference, and you agree or disagree with the RNC that this he stepped out and said that we share a com- kind of rhetoric borders on political hate mon goal, and that is a nuclear-weapons-free speech? Peninsula—and as you know full well, that The President. There’s time for politics. the relationship has evolved beyond just a And, you know—there’s time for politics, and statement, where we’re now coparticipants in I—it’s an absurd insinuation. the process of convincing Kim Chong-il to change his ways. And that’s exactly where we Immigration Policy are in the process. And I’m pleased with the progress we’re making, and I hope, of course, Q. In that case, sir, can I follow up on he listens. something unrelated? [Laughter] Tom Ridge Suzanne [Suzanne Malveaux, Cable News recently seemed to discuss something you Network]. had talked about pre-9/11, and that is finding a way to legalize some of the illegal immi- grants in this country. Could you clarify your Iraqi Reconstruction Contracts policy, what it is, short of blanket amnesty? Q. Mr. President, you have justified your The President. Yes. Well, first of all, I policy in awarding prime Iraq contracts to have constantly said that we need to have members of the Coalition Authority because a immigration policy that helps match any of their sacrifice with the war in Iraq. At the willing employer with any willing employee. same time, your administration has indicated It makes sense that that policy go forward. some room for negotiation. Your critics have And we’re in the process of working that called this retaliation and even blackmail. through now so I can make a recommenda- How do you respond to that, and how is this tion to the Congress. policy helpful in generating international Let me also clarify something. This admin- support? istration is firmly against blanket amnesty.

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Let’s see here. Judy [Judy Keen, USA viously, the Afghanistan front was a visible Today]. front. Iraq is a visible front. The Philippines, for example, is a front in the war on terror Impact of Saddam Hussein’s Capture on against Abu Sayyaf. And we’ve had fairly Situation in Iraq/War on Terror stealthy operations there to bring the leader- Q. Mr. President, do you have a sense yet ship of Abu Sayyaf to justice. of how involved Saddam Hussein was in The war on terror encompasses more than planning and directing attacks on coalition just military action, of course, or the use of troops? Should the American people expect special force strike teams. Cutting off money that those attacks will now decrease, or is an important part in the war on terror. should they be prepared that they might, in And so, Judy, it’s very important for people the short term, get worse? to put this—Iraq in a broader context about The President. To answer your question, a war that will continue on. we’re—the Defense Department will try to The reason I bring that up is that these— learn more from Saddam Hussein as time the enemy, the terrorists, the killers may con- goes on. And secondly, I believe there will tinue to try to strike in Iraq. They think they be more violence, because I believe there’s may be able to defeat us there. Yesterday holdovers of Saddam that are frustrated, and was a clear signal to them that they won’t I believe there are foreign terrorists that can- be able to. not stand the thought of a free Iraq emerging The other thing that’s happening in Iraq in the Middle East. This is a—a free Iraq that’s positive, and I think this—some of you, will be a defeat for those who believe in vio- your papers and broadcasts have picked this lence and murder and mayhem. And they up—is that the intelligence on the ground will try to resist us there. is getting better. It’s getting richer. There’s— And that’s—I do believe that there are what they call actionable intelligence, to going to be some people who are persuaded which our military’s responding on a quick that since Saddam Hussein has been cap- basis, is improving. And that’s a very impor- tured, that he will never return, and there- tant development because, as you notice, fore, they need to be a part of the emergence when there’s a hole in the ground and a per- of a free Iraq and a free society and that son is able to crawl into it in a country the there—and it’s going to be very important size of California, it means we’re on a scav- for the Iraqi authorities to reach out to those enger hunt for terror. And the best way to people and talk about a system that guaran- find these terrorists who hide in holes is to tees minority rights and a system which says get people coming forth to describe the loca- that for some the future is bright. tion of the hole, is to give clues and data. And I think when people begin to realize And we’re on it. Our military is respond- that, when people begin—that were—I ing, and our intelligence services are doing would call them fence-sitters—when people very good work. And it’s just a long process begin to realize that the Saddam regime is that requires patience and perseverance. And gone forever and that the new society that yesterday’s arrest of this tyrant and killer was will emerge will be a fair society, it will pro- a good example of persistence and fine tun- tect people, and protect people from the— ing intelligence and gathering information protect them based upon their own religious and the hard work necessary to find people views, for example, guarantee them rights— who are willing to hide in holes. that’s what I mean by ‘‘protect’’—that it’s Other Stretch [Richard Keil, Bloomberg more likely people will begin to sign on to News]. the future of Iraq. And that’s positive. It’s a very hopeful thing. Tax Cuts/Monetary Policy But there will be terrorists, and they want Q. Thank you, Mr. President. At the outset to fight us. Remember this is—Iraq is a battle you said that you will pursue next year, the in the war on terror. The war on terror is election year, a progrowth agenda. Up until being fought on many fronts, and some of now, ‘‘progrowth’’ in this administration has them obviously more visible than others. Ob- largely been synonymous with tax cuts. Can

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you rule out the possibility of further tax cut Q. Do you believe that the invasion of Ku- proposals next year? wait in 1990 should be included, as well as The President. You know, Stretch, it’s a his assassination attempt against former trick question. [Laughter] It’s not very gen- President Bush? erous of you during the holiday season. The President. Ed, that will all be decided [Laughter] by the lawyers. And I will instruct this Gov- First of all, I’m pleased with the economic ernment to make sure the system includes growth that we’ve seen. I believe the econ- the Iraqi citizens and make sure the process omy is strong. I believe it’s getting stronger. stands in—withstands international scrutiny. I’m pleased with the productivity numbers. But we’ll let the lawyers handle all that, and I appreciate the fact that durable—orders for as you know, I’m not a lawyer. And I dele- durable goods are up. It looks like the manu- gate, and I’m going to delegate this to the facturing sector is strengthening. legal community, which will be reviewing all And what I’ve been referring to, in terms this matter. of progrowth, are an energy bill, good tort Tamara [Tamara Lipper, Newsweek]. reform coming out of the Congress. I thought we had a chance to get some this year. It Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction got stuck, unfortunately, in the Senate. In my Q. Thank you, sir. Given your skepticism judgment, it was a mistake. It was a mistake about Saddam Hussein’s ability to tell the not to let class-action lawsuit reform go for- truth, do you think his interrogation might ward. It was a mistake not to get asbestos help resolve any lingering questions about reform, a mistake not to get medical liability what he did with his weapons of mass de- reform. All three of those measures, in my struction and his ties to terrorist groups? judgment, obviously, are justifiable reforms The President. I don’t know. I would at the Federal level which would have made think not. I mean, he’s a deceiver. He’s a a difference in terms of a progrowth environ- liar. He’s a torturer. He’s a murderer. I can’t ment. We need more regulatory relief. We imagine why he would change his attitude, certainly need to send a signal to the capital since he’ll be treated humanely by the U.S. markets that we’re going to maintain spend- coalition—U.S. troops. And you know, I ing discipline. Dana talked about the deficit. would be very skeptical of anything he said, He also mentioned the strong dollar. one way or the other, I might add. You just And by the way, I didn’t answer that part don’t know. He’s a—he’s just—he is what he of your question. I’ll get back there right is. He’s a person that was willing to destroy now. Part of the economic policy of this ad- his country and to kill a lot of his fellow citi- ministration is a strong dollar policy. We fully zens. He’s a person who used weapons of expect markets to set the dollar. But we have mass destruction against citizens in his own a strong dollar policy, which is, in our judg- country. And so it’s—he is the kind of person ment, good for the economic vitality of this that is untrustworthy, and I’d be very cau- country. And so we’ll see, is the answer to tious about relying upon his word in any way, your question. shape, or form. Yes, Ed [Ed Chen, Los Angeles Times]. Yes. Q. Mr. President—— Trial of Saddam Hussein The President. Yes, Bob [Bob Deans, Cox Q. Mr. President, you said earlier this Newspapers]. morning that in a trial, that all of Saddam’s atrocities be brought up. He was in power The Presidency/Conversation With more than 30 years—probably would make Former President Bush for a long rap sheet. Do you believe—— Q. ——when you asked the American The President. Well, Ed, you’re not sup- people for their support 3 years ago, there posed to prejudge. was no way anyone could have imagined the Q. I’m just counting the years. nature of the job you would have before you. The President. Okay, good. If you had known then what you know now,

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sir, would you have wanted the job? Would hustled over to the Oval Office to start mak- you have had any hesitation—— ing calls. One of the calls I did receive was The President. That’s an interesting ques- from my dad, and it was a very brief con- tion. versation. He just said, ‘‘Congratulations. It’s Q. ——about asking the American people a great day for the country.’’ And I said, ‘‘It’s for it? Now, I have to ask you since we’re a greater day for the Iraqi people.’’ here, sir, have you chatted with your dad And that’s what I believe. I believe that since Saddam was captured? yesterday was a day—or Saturday, when we The President. He called me—let me an- captured Saddam, it was a day where Amer- swer your first question. I absolutely would ica is more secure as a result of his capture. have wanted the job. I have come to realize But more importantly, Saturday was a great this job is a magnificent job because you have day for the people who have suffered under a chance to use the position of the United this tyrant. States of America to achieve peace and free- He is—I believe, firmly believe—and dom. And that is a rare opportunity for any person. I put together a fantastic administra- you’ve heard me say this a lot, and I say it tion to help me with this task. I feel very a lot because I truly believe it—that freedom comfortable in the job because I’ve got great is the Almighty God’s gift to every person, advice and advisers to whom I—get good ad- every man and woman who lives in this vice from great advisers to whom I listen. world. That’s what I believe. And the arrest I am comfortable delegating the awesome re- of Saddam Hussein changed the equation in sponsibilities of, in this administration’s case, Iraq. Justice was being delivered to a man war two times to incredibly capable and who defied that gift from the Almighty to brave people. the people of Iraq. And justice will be deliv- At home, this job affords the opportunity ered to him in a way that is transparent and to capture what I call the American spirit for the world to see. And so I told my dad, and to call people to serve in their commu- I said, ‘‘It’s a great day for America, but it’s nities and their neighborhoods and to help a better day for the people of this country,’’ people who hurt. It’s a fantastic opportunity and that’s why. to try to lift up this country so everybody Thank you all for coming. I’ll see you can realize its full potential. I absolutely Thursday, coats and ties. [Laughter] This would seek the office again, and I intend to year, Gregory, don’t take any silverware. do so in ’04, by the way. [Laughter] [Laughter] I talked to my Dad. He called me Sunday morning. I got the call from Donald Rums- feld Saturday afternoon and made the deci- sion there, until I was more certain about NOTE: The President’s news conference began at the facts, that I would talk to very few people. 11:15 a.m. in Room 450 of the Dwight D. Eisen- I talked to Condi and asked her to call Andy, hower Executive Office Building. In his remarks, and I talked to Vice President Cheney. Be- he referred to Rend Rahim Francke, head of cause what I didn’t want to have happen is Iraq’s Interest Section in the U.S.; Prime Minister that there would be this rush of enthusiasm Paul Martin of Canada; James A. Baker III, the and hope and then all of a sudden it would President’s personal envoy on Iraqi debt resolu- turn out not to be the person that we would tion; Joshua Bolten, Director, Office of Manage- hope it would be. So I didn’t talk to my fam- ment and Budget; David Kay, CIA Special Advisor for Strategy Regarding Iraqi Weapons of Mass ily. I told Laura, of course, and pretty much Destruction Programs; Chairman Kim Chong-il of went to bed early Saturday night. North Korea; former President Jiang Zemin of And Condi woke me at 5:15 in the morn- China; National Security Adviser Condoleezza ing, which was okay this time. [Laughter] Just Rice; Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff don’t do it again. [Laughter] But she said that Andrew H. Card, Jr.; and L. Paul Bremer III, Jerry Bremer had just called her and they Presidential Envoy to Iraq. A reporter referred were prepared to say this was Saddam Hus- to Democratic Presidential candidate Howard sein, in which case we got dressed and Dean.

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Statement on Senator John Breaux’s Remarks on Signing the American Decision Not To Seek Reelection Dream Downpayment Act December 15, 2003 December 16, 2003 John Breaux is a distinguished public serv- Thank you all. Thank you for coming. ant. His tenure in the Senate has been Thanks for the warm welcome. It’s great to marked by bipartisan statesmanship, results be back at the Department of Housing and for the people of Louisiana, and dedicated Urban Development. This is not my first service for America. time here, nor will it be my last. During more than 30 years in the Con- I am here today because we are taking ac- gress, John Breaux has put party politics aside tion to bring many thousands of Americans to get things done for the American people. closer to owning a home. Our Government His leadership in getting the 2001 tax cut is supporting homeownership because it is passed helped spur economic growth and job good for America; it is good for our families; creation, and his vision and tenacity on Medi- it is good for our economy. One of the big- care reform have now helped provide senior gest hurdles to homeownership is getting citizens with long-awaited prescription drug money for a downpayment. This administra- benefits and more choices in health care. He tion has recognized that, and so today I’m also has been a leader in the effort to pass honored to be here to sign a law that will comprehensive energy legislation, among help many low-income buyers to overcome many other legislative achievements. that hurdle and to achieve an important part It is with deep respect that Laura and I of the American Dream. extend our gratitude and best wishes to John, I appreciate Alphonso Jackson agreeing to his wife, Lois, and their children. step up and become the Acting Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development. I look forward to his Senate confirmation, a hasty confirmation. I also want to thank Mel Martinez for Letter to Congressional Leaders doing such a fine job as the Secretary of this Transmitting a Report on Iraq important organization. Mel brought integ- rity and honor to the office. He did a fine December 15, 2003 job on behalf of all Americans. And we honor you, Mel. Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) I want to thank all the hard-working offi- Consistent with the Authorization for Use cers and employees of HUD. I appreciate of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of your focus and your dedication, your willing- 2002 (Public Law 107–243), the Authoriza- ness to work on behalf of a better America. tion for the Use of Force Against Iraq Reso- I thank very much Members of the Con- lution (Public Law 102–1), and in order to gress who have taken time to come and join keep the Congress fully informed, I am pro- us for this important bill signing. Senator viding a report prepared by my Administra- Wayne Allard from Colorado is with us. Sen- tion. This report includes matters relating to ator Allard, thank you for your work on the post-liberation Iraq under section 7 of the floor of the Senate. Chairman of the Finan- Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 (Public Law 105– cial Services Committee Mike Oxley is with 338). us. Congressman, thank you for coming. Sincerely, Congressman Jim Leach from Iowa is with us today. Congressman, thank you for being George W. Bush here. Congresswoman Katherine Harris, who had a lot to do with this bill getting passed, NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis is here with us. Katherine, thank you for Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, coming. Delegate Madeleine Bordallo of and Richard B. Cheney, President of the Senate. Guam is with us today. I’m honored you are

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here. Thank you for coming, Madeleine. I end of the decade. That is an attainable goal; appreciate you coming. that is an essential goal. And we’re making I too want to pay homage to a man I call progress toward that goal. In the past 18 Little Woody; that would be Rob Woodson. months, more than 1 million minority fami- He worked hard in the development of this lies have become homeowners. And there’s policy. I think it is safe to say that he was more that we can do to achieve the goal. The the—he developed the concept for this pol- law I sign today will help us build on this icy, a concept embraced by my administra- progress in a very practical way. tion. I’m appreciative that Michelle is here. Many people are able to afford a monthly I also want to thank Dad for coming, Bob mortgage payment but are unable to make Woodson, who is a social entrepreneur, a the downpayment, and so this legislation will person who cares deeply about every Amer- authorize $200 million per year in downpay- ican having the right and a chance to own ment assistance to at least 40,000 low-income a home. Thank the Woodson family. God families. These funds will help American bless you all. families achieve their goals and, at the same I want to thank the representatives of con- time, strengthen our communities. sumer and housing groups that worked hard And there’s more to do as well. We’ll con- on this piece of legislation. I want to thank tinue to pursue a broad agenda to help peo- leaders of the national community organiza- ple own a home. There are three steps I want tions that are with us, members of the real to describe to you right quickly about what estate industry. we intend to do. This administration will constantly strive to First, those who apply for mortgages promote an ownership society in America. should be made aware of all the costs and We want more people owning their own warned about predatory lenders who take ad- home. It is in our national interest that more vantage of inexperienced buyers. So we’ve people own their own home. After all, if you doubled the funds for housing counseling own your own home, you have a vital stake services, including those run by faith-based in the future of our country. and community groups. We understand that And this is a good time for the American buying a home for the first time is com- homeowner. Today we received a report that plicated, and we want to simplify the process. showed that new home construction last We want to help people understand the pros month reached its highest level in nearly 20 and cons of buying a home. We want people years. The reason that is so is because there to be fully aware of what it means to buy is renewed confidence in our economy. Low a home and what it takes. And we want peo- interest rates help. They have made owning ple as best protected as possible from those a home more affordable for those who refi- shysters who would take advantage of first- nance and for those who buy a home for the time buyers. first time. Rising home values have added Second, we need to make the homebuying more than $21⁄2 trillion to the assets of the process more affordable. Some of the biggest American families since the start of 2001. upfront costs in a home purchase are the The rate of homeownership in America closing costs. Sometimes they catch you by now stands at a record high of 68.4 percent. surprise. [Laughter] Many homebuyers do Yet there is room for improvement. The rate not have the time to shop around looking of homeownership amongst minorities is for a better deal on closing costs. You’re kind below 50 percent. And that’s not right, and of stuck with what you’re presented with. this country needs to do something about it. And so they end up paying more than they We need to close the minority homeowner- should. So we’ve proposed new rules to make ship gap in America so more citizens get the it easier for buyers to shop around and to satisfaction and mobility that comes from compare prices on closing costs, so they can owning your own home, from owning a piece get the best deal and the best service pos- of the future of America. sible. Last year I set a goal to add 5.5 million And thirdly, we want to make buying a new minority homeowners in America by the home simpler. Many first-time buyers look

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at the paperwork from a loan application and, pleted—will run through the heart of Af- frankly, get a little nervous about all the fine ghanistan, helping to unify that great nation. print. Those forms can be intimidating to the The United States and Japan pledged to pro- first-time homebuyer. They can be intimi- vide financing and personnel to the project, dating to the second- or third-time home- and we further pledged that the first leg— buyer too. [Laughter] So this administration the 300 miles from the capital of Kabul to has proposed new rules to simplify the forms the important city of Kandahar—would be homebuyers and homeowners fill out when completed by the end of this year. they apply for a loan or close on a mortgage. Today we have met that pledge, as the first We understand that buying a home is a phase of paving the Kabul-Kandahar leg of big step, and so these three recommenda- the highway is completed under budget and tions we’re making, these three changes in ahead of schedule. This new road reduces the rules, will make that step easier, will en- travel time between Kabul to Kandahar to able people to make the step to buying a 5 hours. It will promote political unity be- home—they’ll be able to do so with more tween Afghanistan’s provinces, facilitate confidence. These are practical ways that we commerce by making it easier to bring prod- are working to expand homeownership across ucts to market, and provide the Afghan peo- the country. ple with greater access to health care and The dream of homeownership should be educational opportunities. attainable for every hard-working American. I am grateful for the enormous efforts of That’s what we want. And this act of Con- engineers and laborers from many countries gress I’m going to sign, the regulations that who worked tirelessly and often in the face I hope are finalized soon will help thousands of hardship and danger to finish this leg of of families fulfill the dream. the road on time. This accomplishment un- And so now it is my honor, right here at derscores the firm commitment of the this important Department, the Department United States and coalition to support the responsible for encouraging homeownership Afghan people as they build a democratic, in America, to sign the American Dream stable, and thriving Afghanistan. Downpayment Act.

NOTE: The President spoke at 1:57 p.m. at the Joint Statement Agreed to by Department of Housing and Urban Development. President Bush, President Chirac, In his remarks, he referred to the late Robert Woodson, Jr., former Chief of Staff, Department and Chancellor Schroeder of Housing and Urban Development, and his December 16, 2003 widow, Michelle; and Robert Woodson, Sr., founder and president, National Center for Debt reduction is critical if the Iraqi peo- Neighborhood Enterprise. S. 811, approved De- ple are to have any chance to build a free cember 16, was assigned Public Law No. 108– and prosperous Iraq. Therefore, France, 186. The Office of the Press Secretary also re- Germany, and the United States agree that leased a Spanish language transcript of these re- there should be substantial debt reduction marks. for Iraq in the Paris Club in 2004, and will work closely with each other and with other Statement on Completion of the countries to achieve this objective. The exact Kabul-Kandahar Highway percentage of debt reduction that would con- stitute ‘‘substantial’’ debt reduction is subject December 16, 2003 to future agreement between the parties. More than a year ago, Afghan President Hamid Karzai broke ground on the recon- NOTE: An original was not available for struction of a highway that—when com- verification of the content of this joint statement.

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Memorandum on Determination thanks for being a great American. I’m proud To Authorize Drawdown for you’re here. Afghanistan I appreciate the fact that the Secretary of December 16, 2003 the Navy, Gordon England, is here. The Sec- retary of the Air Force, James Roche, is trav- Presidential Determination No. 2004–15 eling with me today. I appreciate Sean O’Keefe, who is the Administrator of NASA, Memorandum for the Secretary of State, the who has come today. I thank all members Secretary of Defense of my administration who have joined us. I hope you were smart enough to have brought Subject: Determination to Authorize an umbrella. [Laughter] Drawdown for Afghanistan I know we’ve got Members of the Con- Consistent with the authority vested in me gress who are here. Senate Majority Leader by the Constitution and laws of the United Bill Frist from Tennessee is with us today. States, including section 202 and other rel- Senator Frist, thank you for coming. Senator evant provisions of the Afghanistan Freedom Elizabeth Dole from the great State of North Support Act (Public Law 107–327) and sec- Carolina is with us. Senator Dole, thank you tion 506 of the Foreign Assistance Act of for being here. All Members of Congress 1961, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2318, I hereby from North Carolina and from other States, direct the drawdown of up to $135 million thank you for being here. I know we’ve got of defense articles, defense services, and mayors and State officials. military education and training from the De- I appreciate so very much American he- partment of Defense for the Transitional Is- roes who are here, well-known and not so lamic State of Afghanistan. well-known heroes. Let me name four of the The Secretary of State is authorized and well-known heroes who are here: Neil Arm- directed to report this determination to the strong; Buzz Aldrin; John Glenn; one of the Congress and to arrange for its publication great fighter pilots ever, Chuck Yeager, is in the Federal Register. with us today. We’re honored to be in your George W. Bush presence. Thank you for being pioneers. I’m also pleased that we’re joined by Ste- phen Wright and Amanda Wright Lane, who Remarks on the 100th Anniversary of both bear one of the great American names. the Wright Brothers’ First Flight at Powered flight has advanced in ways that Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina could not have been imagined on December December 17, 2003 17, 1903. And in the future, flight will ad- vance in ways that none of us can imagine Thank you all very much. Rain will never as we stand here today. Yet always, for as dampen our spirits. I’m honored to be here, long as there is human flight, we will honor and I’m honored to be in the great State of the achievement of a cold morning on the North Carolina. Outer Banks of North Carolina by two young Madam Secretary, thank you for your fine brothers named Orville and Wilbur Wright. leadership and your friendship. Secretary Mi- Orville Wright lived to see the days of neta, thank you for your great leadership, as barnstorming and military aviation, the jet well. I’m proud that you’re serving in my engine, commercial airlines, and the DC–3. Cabinet. Mr. Governor, I appreciate your The thrill of his life, however, was surely kind comments. I appreciate the values you right here when he felt that first lift of the hold dear to your heart, and I thank you for wing. He flew just 12 seconds and 40 yards, leading this great State. moving so slowly that his older brother ran To John Travolta, we shall call him ‘‘Moon alongside. And later in the day, with Wilbur Man’’ from now on. I appreciate your friend- at the controls, the machine stayed in the ship. I appreciate your love of flight. Thank air for 59 seconds and traveled 852 feet. Yet you for being such a fine entertainer for mil- everyone who was here at that hour sensed lions of Americans, but most importantly, that a great line had been crossed and the

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world might never be the same. A local boy Orville wrote in a letter to a friend, ‘‘Isn’t named Johnny Moore was one of the wit- it astounding that all these secrets have been nesses. He ran down the beach and said, preserved for so many years just so we could ‘‘They done it. They done it. Damned if they discover them.’’ ain’t flew!’’ The Wright brothers’ invention belongs to The anniversary now observed might have the world, but the Wright brothers belong fallen a few days earlier, on the 13th. But to America. We take special pride in their December the 13th, 1903, was a Sunday, and qualities of discipline and persistence, opti- the brothers had promised their dad they mism and imagination—of people like them wouldn’t attempt to fly on the Sabbath. And and a lot of other people throughout our his- on the day they did fly, just like today, the tory. So many great inventions arose in this conditions were not ideal. But they went country, and so many of the great inventors ahead anyway, so they could get home to came from unlikely backgrounds. The Wright Dayton, Ohio, for Christmas. brothers had their storefront bicycle shop. Orville and Wilbur were, in so many ways, Thomas Edison was a newsboy. Eli Whitney ordinary Americans, and hearing of their and Henry Ford worked as farm hands. plans, a lot of folks must have thought those George Washington Carver was born a slave. boys should have stayed in the bicycle busi- There is something in the American char- ness. The story is told of a newspaper editor acter that always looks for a better way and who heard what the Wright brothers had is unimpressed when others say it cannot be been up to. He said, ‘‘Man will never fly, done. Those traits still define our Nation. We and if he does, he won’t be from Dayton.’’ still rely on men and women who overcome [Laughter] the odds and take the big chance with no The United States Patent Office also had advantage but their own ingenuity and the its doubts. So many others had submitted opportunities of a free country. plans and models of flying machines that A great American journey that began at when the brothers sent in theirs, patent offi- Kitty Hawk continues in ways unimaginable cials had a ready response. The office con- to the Wright brothers. One small piece of cluded the plans were inadequate and the their Flyer traveled far beyond this field. It machine could never function as intended. was carried by another flying machine, on The New York Times once confidently ex- Apollo 11, all the way to the Sea of Tran- plained why all attempts at flight were quility on the Moon. These past 100 years doomed from the start. To build a flying ma- have brought supersonic flights, frequent chine, declared one editorial, would require space travel, the exploration of Mars, and the ‘‘the combined and continuous efforts of Voyager One spacecraft, which right now is mathematicians and mechanicians from 1 moving at 39,000 miles per hour toward the million to 10 million years.’’ As it turned out, outer edge of our solar system. By our skill the feat was performed 8 weeks after the edi- and daring, America has excelled in every torial was written. And not only did the ma- area of aviation and space travel. And our chine perform its function, that little wood national commitment remains firm: By our and canvas aircraft had brought together all skill and daring, we will continue to lead the the essentials that still give flight to every world in flight. modern aircraft, from a single-prop plane to This day, however, is one for recalling an Air Force One. heroic event in the history of our Nation and The Wright brothers had some disappoint- in the story of mankind. Here at the Wright ments along the way, and there must have Brothers National Memorial, we remember been times when they had to fight their own one small machine, and we honor the giants doubts. They pressed on, believing in the who flew it. May God bless you all, and may God con- great work they had begun and in their own tinue to bless America. capacity to see it through. We would not know their names today if these men had NOTE: The President spoke at 9:37 a.m. at the been pessimists. And when it was over, they Wright Brothers National Memorial. In his re- marveled at their own achievement. As marks, he referred to Secretary of the Interior

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Gale A. Norton; Secretary of Transportation Nor- President to issue annually a proclamation in- man Y. Mineta; Governor Michael F. Easley of viting the people of the United States to ob- North Carolina; and actor John Travolta, who serve that day with appropriate ceremonies served as master of ceremonies. and activities. Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, Proclamation 7745—Wright President of the United States of America, Brothers Day, 2003 do hereby proclaim December 17, 2003, as Wright Brothers Day. December 17, 2003 In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set By the President of the United States my hand this seventeenth day of December, of America in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the Independence of the United A Proclamation States of America the two hundred and twen- A spirit of exploration and discovery has ty-eighth. been a part of the American character since our founding days. Orville and Wilbur George W. Bush Wright exemplified this spirit when they made the dream of human flight a reality on [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, December 17, 1903. On Wright Brothers 8:45 a.m., December 22, 2003] Day, we honor the vision of these bicycle me- chanics from Dayton, Ohio, and celebrate the centennial of manned, powered flight. NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the One hundred years ago, the Wright broth- Federal Register on December 23. ers changed our world with their 12-second, 120-foot flight in North Carolina. Their Executive Order 13321— achievement inspired other aviation pioneers Appointments During National and marked the beginning of a new era of Emergency freedom. Since that first flight, aviation and aerospace technology has advanced at a re- December 17, 2003 markable pace, allowing us to fly across oceans, break the sound barrier, orbit the By the authority vested in me as President Earth, land on the moon, and study our uni- by the Constitution and the laws of the verse in a way our ancestors could not have United States of America, including the Na- imagined. Each new generation of engineers tional Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et and other inventors, following in the Wright seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Brothers’ footsteps, continues to move the Code, and in order to further respond to the technology of flight further. national emergency I declared in Proclama- Today, air transportation touches the lives tion 7463 of September 14, 2001, I hereby of people throughout the United States, and order as follows: helps unite the American people. Air trans- Section 1. Emergency Appointments Au- portation brings families and friends to- thority. The emergency appointments au- gether, delivers aid to those in need, and fa- thority at section 603 of title 10, United cilitates industry and commerce. States Code, is invoked and made available As we look to the future, we remember to the Secretary of Defense in accordance the extraordinary accomplishments of the with the terms of that statute and of Execu- Wright Brothers. Their determination and tive Order 12396 of December 9, 1982. innovation continue to inspire us as we em- Sec. 2. Judicial Review. This order is not bark on the second century of flight. intended to, and does not, create any right The Congress, by a joint resolution ap- or benefit, substantive or procedural, en- proved December 17, 1963 (77 Stat. 402; 36 forceable at law or in equity by a party against U.S.C. 143) as amended, has designated De- the United States, its departments, agencies, cember 17 of each year as ‘‘Wright Brothers entities, officers, employees or agents, or any Day’’ and has authorized and requested the person.

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Sec. 3. Administration. This order shall be Subject: Critical Infrastructure transmitted to the Congress and published Identification, Prioritization, and Protection in the Federal Register.

George W. Bush Purpose (1) This directive establishes a national The White House, policy for Federal departments and agencies December 17, 2003. to identify and prioritize United States crit- ical infrastructure and key resources and to [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, protect them from terrorist attacks. 8:45 a.m., December 22, 2003] Background NOTE: This Executive order will be published in (2) Terrorists seek to destroy, incapacitate, the Federal Register on December 23. or exploit critical infrastructure and key re- sources across the United States to threaten Letter to Congressional Leaders national security, cause mass casualties, Reporting on the Executive Order weaken our economy, and damage public Regarding Appointments During morale and confidence. National Emergency (3) America’s open and technologically December 17, 2003 complex society includes a wide array of crit- ical infrastructure and key resources that are Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) potential terrorist targets. The majority of Consistent with section 301 of the National these are owned and operated by the private Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1631), I hereby sector and State or local governments. These report that I have taken additional steps with critical infrastructures and key resources are respect to the national emergency I declared both physical and cyber-based and span all in Proclamation 7463 of September 14, 2001, sectors of the economy. by invoking and making available to the Sec- (4) Critical infrastructure and key re- retary of Defense the emergency appoint- sources provide the essential services that ments authority of section 603 of title 10 of underpin American society. The Nation pos- the United States Code, consistent with the sesses numerous key resources, whose ex- terms of that statute and of Executive Order ploitation or destruction by terrorists could 12396 of December 9, 1982. cause catastrophic health effects or mass cas- I am enclosing a copy of the Executive ualties comparable to those from the use of Order I have issued, which is effective imme- a weapon of mass destruction, or could pro- diately. foundly affect our national prestige and mo- Sincerely, rale. In addition, there is critical infrastruc- ture so vital that its incapacitation, exploi- George W. Bush tation, or destruction, through terrorist at- tack, could have a debilitating effect on secu- NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis rity and economic well-being. Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, (5) While it is not possible to protect or and Richard B. Cheney, President of the Senate. eliminate the vulnerability of all critical infra- structure and key resources throughout the Directive on Critical Infrastructure country, strategic improvements in security Identification, Prioritization, and can make it more difficult for attacks to suc- Protection ceed and can lessen the impact of attacks December 17, 2003 that may occur. In addition to strategic secu- rity enhancements, tactical security improve- Homeland Security Presidential Directive/ ments can be rapidly implemented to deter, HSPD–7 mitigate, or neutralize potential attacks.

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Definitions (a) cause catastrophic health effects or (6) In this directive: mass casualties comparable to those (a) The term ‘‘critical infrastructure’’ has from the use of a weapon of mass de- the meaning given to that term in sec- struction; tion 1016(e) of the USA PATRIOT (b) impair Federal departments and Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)). agencies’ abilities to perform essential (b) The term ‘‘key resources’’ has the missions, or to ensure the public’s meaning given that term in section health and safety; 2(9) of the Homeland Security Act of (c) undermine State and local govern- 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101(9)). ment capacities to maintain order and (c) The term ‘‘the Department’’ means to deliver minimum essential public the Department of Homeland Secu- services; rity. (d) damage the private sector’s capability (d) The term ‘‘Federal departments and to ensure the orderly functioning of agencies’’ means those executive de- the economy and delivery of essential partments enumerated in 5 U.S.C. services; 101, and the Department of Home- (e) have a negative effect on the economy land Security; independent establish- through the cascading disruption of ments as defined by 5 U.S.C. 104(1); other critical infrastructure and key Government corporations as defined resources; or by 5 U.S.C. 103(1); and the United (f) undermine the public’s morale and States Postal Service. confidence in our national economic (e) The terms ‘‘State,’’ and ‘‘local govern- and political institutions. ment,’’ when used in a geographical (8) Federal departments and agencies will sense, have the same meanings given identify, prioritize, and coordinate the pro- to those terms in section 2 of the tection of critical infrastructure and key re- Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 sources in order to prevent, deter, and miti- U.S.C. 101). gate the effects of deliberate efforts to de- (f) The term ‘‘the Secretary’’ means the stroy, incapacitate, or exploit them. Federal Secretary of Homeland Security. departments and agencies will work with (g) The term ‘‘Sector-Specific Agency’’ State and local governments and the private means a Federal department or agen- sector to accomplish this objective. cy responsible for infrastructure pro- (9) Federal departments and agencies will tection activities in a designated crit- ensure that homeland security programs do ical infrastructure sector or key re- not diminish the overall economic security sources category. Sector-Specific of the United States. Agencies will conduct their activities (10) Federal departments and agencies under this directive in accordance will appropriately protect information associ- with guidance provided by the Sec- ated with carrying out this directive, includ- retary. ing handling voluntarily provided informa- (h) The terms ‘‘protect’’ and ‘‘secure’’ tion and information that would facilitate ter- mean reducing the vulnerability of rorist targeting of critical infrastructure and critical infrastructure or key resources key resources consistent with the Homeland in order to deter, mitigate, or neu- Security Act of 2002 and other applicable tralize terrorist attacks. legal authorities. Policy (11) Federal departments and agencies (7) It is the policy of the United States shall implement this directive in a manner to enhance the protection of our Nation’s consistent with applicable provisions of law, critical infrastructure and key resources including those protecting the rights of against terrorist acts that could: United States persons.

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Roles and Responsibilities of the ments and agencies, State and local govern- Secretary ments, the private sector, academia and (12) In carrying out the functions assigned international organizations. To the extent in the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the permitted by law, Federal departments and Secretary shall be responsible for coordi- agencies with cyber expertise, including but nating the overall national effort to enhance not limited to the Departments of Justice, the protection of the critical infrastructure Commerce, the Treasury, Defense, Energy, and key resources of the United States. The and State, and the Central Intelligence Agen- Secretary shall serve as the principal Federal cy, will collaborate with and support the or- official to lead, integrate, and coordinate im- ganization in accomplishing its mission. The plementation of efforts among Federal de- organization’s mission includes analysis, partments and agencies, State and local gov- warning, information sharing, vulnerability ernments, and the private sector to protect reduction, mitigation, and aiding national re- critical infrastructure and key resources. covery efforts for critical infrastructure infor- (13) Consistent with this directive, the mation systems. The organization will sup- Secretary will identify, prioritize, and coordi- port the Department of Justice and other law nate the protection of critical infrastructure enforcement agencies in their continuing and key resources with an emphasis on crit- missions to investigate and prosecute threats ical infrastructure and key resources that to and attacks against cyberspace, to the ex- could be exploited to cause catastrophic tent permitted by law. health effects or mass casualties comparable (17) The Secretary will work closely with to those from the use of a weapon of mass other Federal departments and agencies, destruction. State and local governments, and the private (14) The Secretary will establish uniform sector in accomplishing the objectives of this policies, approaches, guidelines, and meth- directive. odologies for integrating Federal infrastruc- ture protection and risk management activi- ties within and across sectors along with Roles and Responsibilities of Sector- metrics and criteria for related programs and Specific Federal Agencies activities. (18) Recognizing that each infrastructure (15) The Secretary shall coordinate protec- sector possesses its own unique characteris- tion activities for each of the following critical tics and operating models, there are des- infrastructure sectors: information tech- ignated Sector-Specific Agencies, including: nology; telecommunications; chemical; trans- (a) Department of Agriculture—agri- portation systems, including mass transit, culture, food (meat, poultry, egg aviation, maritime, ground/surface, and rail products); and pipeline systems; emergency services; (b) Health and Human Services—public and postal and shipping. The Department health, healthcare, and food (other shall coordinate with appropriate depart- than meat, poultry, egg products); ments and agencies to ensure the protection (c) Environmental Protection Agency— of other key resources including dams, gov- drinking water and water treatment ernment facilities, and commercial facilities. systems; In addition, in its role as overall cross-sector (d) Department of Energy—energy, in- coordinator, the Department shall also evalu- cluding the production refining, stor- ate the need for and coordinate the coverage age, and distribution of oil and gas, of additional critical infrastructure and key and electric power except for com- resources categories over time, as appro- mercial nuclear power facilities; priate. (e) Department of the Treasury—bank- (16) The Secretary will continue to main- ing and finance; tain an organization to serve as a focal point (f) Department of the Interior—national for the security of cyberspace. The organiza- monuments and icons; and tion will facilitate interactions and collabora- (g) Department of Defense—defense in- tions between and among Federal depart- dustrial base.

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(19) In accordance with guidance provided ity and attendant mechanisms for co- by the Secretary, Sector-Specific Agencies operation and coordination, including shall: but not limited to those established (a) collaborate with all relevant Federal by presidential directive. departments and agencies, State and (c) The Department of Commerce, in local governments, and the private coordination with the Department, sector, including with key persons and will work with private sector, re- entities in their infrastructure sector; search, academic, and government or- (b) conduct or facilitate vulnerability as- ganizations to improve technology for sessments of the sector; and cyber systems and promote other crit- (c) encourage risk management strate- ical infrastructure efforts, including gies to protect against and mitigate using its authority under the Defense the effects of attacks against critical Production Act to assure the timely infrastructure and key resources. availability of industrial products, ma- (20) Nothing in this directive alters, or im- terials, and services to meet homeland pedes the ability to carry out, the authorities security requirements. of the Federal departments and agencies to (d) A Critical Infrastructure Protection perform their responsibilities under law and Policy Coordinating Committee will consistent with applicable legal authorities advise the Homeland Security Coun- and presidential guidance. cil on interagency policy related to (21) Federal departments and agencies physical and cyber infrastructure pro- shall cooperate with the Department in im- tection. This PCC will be chaired by plementing this directive, consistent with the a Federal officer or employee des- Homeland Security Act of 2002 and other ignated by the Assistant to the Presi- applicable legal authorities. dent for Homeland Security. (e) The Office of Science and Tech- Roles and Responsibilities of Other nology Policy, in coordination with Departments, Agencies, and Offices the Department, will coordinate (22) In addition to the responsibilities interagency research and develop- given the Department and Sector-Specific ment to enhance the protection of Agencies, there are special functions of var- critical infrastructure and key re- ious Federal departments and agencies and sources. components of the Executive Office of the (f) The Office of Management and President related to critical infrastructure Budget (OMB) shall oversee the im- and key resources protection. plementation of government-wide (a) The Department of State, in conjunc- policies, principles, standards, and tion with the Department, and the guidelines for Federal government Departments of Justice, Commerce, computer security programs. The Di- Defense, the Treasury and other ap- rector of OMB will ensure the oper- propriate agencies, will work with for- ation of a central Federal information eign countries and international orga- security incident center consistent nizations to strengthen the protection with the requirements of the Federal of United States critical infrastructure Information Security Management and key resources. Act of 2002. (b) The Department of Justice, including (g) Consistent with the E-Government the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Act of 2002, the Chief Information will reduce domestic terrorist threats, Officers Council shall be the principal and investigate and prosecute actual interagency forum for improving or attempted terrorist attacks on, sab- agency practices related to the design, otage of, or disruptions of critical in- acquisition, development, moderniza- frastructure and key resources. The tion, use, operation, sharing, and per- Attorney General and the Secretary formance of information resources of shall use applicable statutory author- Federal departments and agencies.

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(h) The Department of Transportation protective measures, and best prac- and the Department will collaborate tices. on all matters relating to transpor- tation security and transportation in- National Special Security Events frastructure protection. The Depart- (26) The Secretary, after consultation with ment of Transportation is responsible the Homeland Security Council, shall be re- for operating the national air space sponsible for designating events as ‘‘National system. The Department of Transpor- Special Security Events’’ (NSSEs). This di- tation and the Department will col- rective supersedes language in previous pres- laborate in regulating the transpor- idential directives regarding the designation tation of hazardous materials by all of NSSEs that is inconsistent herewith. modes (including pipelines). (i) All Federal departments and agencies Implementation shall work with the sectors relevant (27) Consistent with the Homeland Secu- to their responsibilities to reduce the rity Act of 2002, the Secretary shall produce consequences of catastrophic failures a comprehensive, integrated National Plan not caused by terrorism. for Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (23) The heads of all Federal departments Protection to outline national goals, objec- and agencies will coordinate and cooperate tives, milestones, and key initiatives within with the Secretary as appropriate and con- 1 year from the issuance of this directive. sistent with their own responsibilities for pro- The Plan shall include, in addition to other tecting critical infrastructure and key re- Homeland Security-related elements as the sources. Secretary deems appropriate, the following (24) All Federal department and agency elements: heads are responsible for the identification, (a) a strategy to identify, prioritize, and prioritization, assessment, remediation, and coordinate the protection of critical protection of their respective internal critical infrastructure and key resources, in- infrastructure and key resources. Consistent cluding how the Department intends with the Federal Information Security Man- to work with Federal departments agement Act of 2002, agencies will identify and agencies, State and local govern- and provide information security protections ments, the private sector, and foreign commensurate with the risk and magnitude countries and international organiza- of the harm resulting from the unauthorized tions; access, use, disclosure, disruption, modifica- (b) a summary of activities to be under- tion, or destruction of information. taken in order to: define and prioritize, reduce the vulnerability of, Coordination with the Private Sector and coordinate the protection of crit- (25) In accordance with applicable laws or ical infrastructure and key resources; regulations, the Department and the Sector- (c) a summary of initiatives for sharing Specific Agencies will collaborate with ap- critical infrastructure and key re- propriate private sector entities and continue sources information and for providing to encourage the development of information critical infrastructure and key re- sharing and analysis mechanisms. Addition- sources threat warning data to State ally, the Department and Sector-Specific and local governments and the private Agencies shall collaborate with the private sector; and sector and continue to support sector-coordi- (d) coordination and integration, as ap- nating mechanisms: propriate, with other Federal emer- (a) to identify, prioritize, and coordinate gency management and preparedness the protection of critical infrastruc- activities including the National Re- ture and key resources; and sponse Plan and applicable national (b) to facilitate sharing of information preparedness goals. about physical and cyber threats, (28) The Secretary, consistent with the vulnerabilities, incidents, potential Homeland Security Act of 2002 and other

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applicable legal authorities and presidential develop appropriate mechanisms for accom- guidance, shall establish appropriate systems, plishing this initiative. mechanisms, and procedures to share home- (33) The Secretary will develop a national land security information relevant to threats indications and warnings architecture for in- and vulnerabilities in national critical infra- frastructure protection and capabilities that structure and key resources with other Fed- will facilitate: eral departments and agencies, State and (a) an understanding of baseline infra- local governments, and the private sector in structure operations; a timely manner. (b) the identification of indicators and (29) The Secretary will continue to work precursors to an attack; and with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (c) a surge capacity for detecting and and, as appropriate, the Department of En- analyzing patterns of potential attacks. ergy in order to ensure the necessary protec- In developing a national indications and tion of: warnings architecture, the Department will (a) commercial nuclear reactors for gen- work with Federal, State, local, and non-gov- erating electric power and non-power ernmental entities to develop an integrated nuclear reactors used for research, view of physical and cyber infrastructure and testing, and training; key resources. (b) nuclear materials in medical, indus- (34) By July 2004, the heads of all Federal trial, and academic settings and facili- departments and agencies shall develop and ties that fabricate nuclear fuel; and submit to the Director of the OMB for ap- (c) the transportation, storage, and dis- proval plans for protecting the physical and posal of nuclear materials and waste. cyber critical infrastructure and key re- (30) In coordination with the Director of sources that they own or operate. These the Office of Science and Technology Policy, plans shall address identification, the Secretary shall prepare on an annual basis prioritization, protection, and contingency a Federal Research and Development Plan planning, including the recovery and recon- in support of this directive. stitution of essential capabilities. (31) The Secretary will collaborate with (35) On an annual basis, the Sector-Spe- other appropriate Federal departments and cific Agencies shall report to the Secretary agencies to develop a program, consistent on their efforts to identify, prioritize, and co- with applicable law, to geospatially map, ordinate the protection of critical infrastruc- image, analyze, and sort critical infrastruc- ture and key resources in their respective ture and key resources by utilizing commer- sectors. The report shall be submitted within cial satellite and airborne systems, and exist- 1 year from the issuance of this directive and ing capabilities within other agencies. Na- on an annual basis thereafter. tional technical means should be considered (36) The Assistant to the President for as an option of last resort. The Secretary, Homeland Security and the Assistant to the with advice from the Director of Central In- President for National Security Affairs will telligence, the Secretaries of Defense and the lead a national security and emergency pre- Interior, and the heads of other appropriate paredness communications policy review, Federal departments and agencies, shall de- with the heads of the appropriate Federal velop mechanisms for accomplishing this ini- departments and agencies, related to conver- tiative. The Attorney General shall provide gence and next generation architecture. legal advice as necessary. Within 6 months after the issuance of this (32) The Secretary will utilize existing, and directive, the Assistant to the President for develop new, capabilities as needed to model Homeland Security and the Assistant to the comprehensively the potential implications President for National Security Affairs shall of terrorist exploitation of vulnerabilities in submit for my consideration any rec- critical infrastructure and key resources, ommended changes to such policy. placing specific focus on densely populated (37) This directive supersedes Presidential areas. Agencies with relevant modeling capa- Decision Directive/NSC–63 of May 22, 1998 bilities shall cooperate with the Secretary to (‘‘Critical Infrastructure Protection’’), and

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any Presidential directives issued prior to this ments as defined by 5 U.S.C. 104(1); directive to the extent of any inconsistency. Government corporations as defined Moreover, the Assistant to the President for by 5 U.S.C. 103(1); and the United Homeland Security and the Assistant to the States Postal Service. President for National Security Affairs shall (c) The term ‘‘Federal preparedness as- jointly submit for my consideration a Presi- sistance’’ means Federal department dential directive to make changes in Presi- and agency grants, cooperative agree- dential directives issued prior to this date ments, loans, loan guarantees, train- that conform such directives to this directive. ing, and/or technical assistance pro- (38) This directive is intended only to im- vided to State and local governments prove the internal management of the execu- and the private sector to prevent, pre- tive branch of the Federal Government, and pare for, respond to, and recover from it is not intended to, and does not, create terrorist attacks, major disasters, and any right or benefit, substantive or proce- other emergencies. Unless noted oth- dural, enforceable at law or in equity, against erwise, the term ‘‘assistance’’ will the United States, its departments, agencies, refer to Federal assistance programs. or other entities, its officers or employees, (d) The term ‘‘first responder’’ refers to or any other person. those individuals who in the early George W. Bush stages of an incident are responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence, and the envi- Directive on National Preparedness ronment, including emergency re- December 17, 2003 sponse providers as defined in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of Homeland Security Presidential Directive/ 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101), as well as emer- HSPD–8 gency management, public health, clinical care, public works, and other Subject: National Preparedness skilled support personnel (such as equipment operators) that provide Purpose immediate support services during (1) This directive establishes policies to prevention, response, and recovery strengthen the preparedness of the United operations. States to prevent and respond to threatened (e) The terms ‘‘major disaster’’ and or actual domestic terrorist attacks, major ‘‘emergency’’ have the meanings disasters, and other emergencies by requiring given in section 102 of the Robert T. a national domestic all-hazards preparedness Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer- goal, establishing mechanisms for improved gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. delivery of Federal preparedness assistance 5122). to State and local governments, and outlining (f) The term ‘‘major events’’ refers to do- actions to strengthen preparedness capabili- mestic terrorist attacks, major disas- ties of Federal, State, and local entities. ters, and other emergencies. (g) The term ‘‘national homeland security Definitions preparedness-related exercises’’ re- (2) For the purposes of this directive: fers to homeland security-related ex- (a) The term ‘‘all-hazards preparedness’’ ercises that train and test national de- refers to preparedness for domestic cision makers and utilize resources of terrorist attacks, major disasters, and multiple Federal departments and other emergencies. agencies. Such exercises may involve (b) The term ‘‘Federal departments and State and local first responders when agencies’’ means those executive de- appropriate. Such exercises do not in- partments enumerated in 5 U.S.C. clude those exercises conducted sole- 101, and the Department of Home- ly within a single Federal department land Security; independent establish- or agency.

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(h) The term ‘‘preparedness’’ refers to departments and agencies and in consulta- the existence of plans, procedures, tion with State and local governments, shall policies, training, and equipment nec- develop a national domestic all-hazards pre- essary at the Federal, State, and local paredness goal. Federal departments and level to maximize the ability to pre- agencies will work to achieve this goal by: vent, respond to, and recover from (a) providing for effective, efficient, and major events. The term ‘‘readiness’’ timely delivery of Federal prepared- is used interchangeably with pre- ness assistance to State and local gov- paredness. ernments; and (i) The term ‘‘prevention’’ refers to ac- (b) supporting efforts to ensure first re- tivities undertaken by the first re- sponders are prepared to respond to sponder community during the early major events, especially prevention of stages of an incident to reduce the and response to threatened terrorist likelihood or consequences of threat- attacks. ened or actual terrorist attacks. More (6) The national preparedness goal will es- general and broader efforts to deter, tablish measurable readiness priorities and disrupt, or thwart terrorism are not targets that appropriately balance the poten- addressed in this directive. tial threat and magnitude of terrorist attacks, (j) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec- major disasters, and other emergencies with retary of Homeland Security. the resources required to prevent, respond (k) The terms ‘‘State,’’ and ‘‘local govern- to, and recover from them. It will also in- ment,’’ when used in a geographical clude readiness metrics and elements that sense, have the same meanings given support the national preparedness goal in- to those terms in section 2 of the cluding standards for preparedness assess- Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101). ments and strategies, and a system for assess- ing the Nation’s overall preparedness to re- Relationship to HSPD–5 spond to major events, especially those in- (3) This directive is a companion to volving acts of terrorism. HSPD–5, which identifies steps for improved (7) The Secretary will submit the national coordination in response to incidents. This preparedness goal to me through the Home- directive describes the way Federal depart- land Security Council (HSC) for review and ments and agencies will prepare for such a approval prior to, or concurrently with, the response, including prevention activities dur- Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal ing the early stages of a terrorism incident. Year 2006 budget submission to the Office of Management and Budget. Development of a National Preparedness Goal Federal Preparedness Assistance (4) The Secretary is the principal Federal official for coordinating the implementation (8) The Secretary, in coordination with the of all-hazards preparedness in the United Attorney General, the Secretary of Health States. In cooperation with other Federal de- and Human Services (HHS), and the heads partments and agencies, the Secretary co- of other Federal departments and agencies ordinates the preparedness of Federal re- that provide assistance for first responder sponse assets, and the support for, and as- preparedness, will establish a single point of sessment of, the preparedness of State and access to Federal preparedness assistance local first responders. program information within 60 days of the (5) To help ensure the preparedness of the issuance of this directive. The Secretary will Nation to prevent, respond to, and recover submit to me through the HSC rec- from threatened and actual domestic ter- ommendations of specific Federal depart- rorist attacks, major disasters, and other ment and agency programs to be part of the emergencies, the Secretary, in coordination coordinated approach. All Federal depart- with the heads of other appropriate Federal ments and agencies will cooperate with this

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effort. Agencies will continue to issue finan- operability, and equipment acquisition for cial assistance awards consistent with applica- major events as well as capacity building for ble laws and regulations and will ensure that prevention activities such as information program announcements, solicitations, appli- gathering, detection, deterrence, and col- cation instructions, and other guidance docu- laboration related to terrorist attacks. Such ments are consistent with other Federal pre- assistance is not primarily intended to sup- paredness programs to the extent possible. port existing capacity to address normal local Full implementation of a closely coordinated first responder operations, but to build ca- interagency grant process will be completed pacity to address major events, especially ter- by September 30, 2005. rorism. (9) To the extent permitted by law, the (12) The Attorney General, the Secretary primary mechanism for delivery of Federal of HHS, the Secretary of Transportation, the preparedness assistance will be awards to the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Vet- States. Awards will be delivered in a form erans Affairs, the Administrator of the Envi- that allows the recipients to apply the assist- ronmental Protection Agency, and the heads ance to the highest priority preparedness re- of other Federal departments and agencies quirements at the appropriate level of gov- that provide assistance for first responder ernment. To the extent permitted by law, preparedness shall coordinate with the Sec- Federal preparedness assistance will be retary to ensure that such assistance supports predicated on adoption of Statewide com- prehensive all-hazards preparedness strate- and is consistent with the national prepared- gies. The strategies should be consistent with ness goal. the national preparedness goal, should assess (13) Federal departments and agencies the most effective ways to enhance prepared- will develop appropriate mechanisms to en- ness, should address areas facing higher risk, sure rapid obligation and disbursement of especially to terrorism, and should also ad- funds from their programs to the States, from dress local government concerns and Citizen States to the local community level, and from Corps efforts. The Secretary, in coordination local entities to the end users to derive max- with the heads of other appropriate Federal imum benefit from the assistance provided. departments and agencies, will review and Federal departments and agencies will report approve strategies submitted by the States. annually to the Secretary on the obligation, To the extent permitted by law, adoption of expenditure status, and the use of funds asso- approved Statewide strategies will be a re- ciated with Federal preparedness assistance quirement for receiving Federal prepared- programs. ness assistance at all levels of government by September 30, 2005. Equipment (10) In making allocations of Federal pre- paredness assistance to the States, the Sec- (14) The Secretary, in coordination with retary, the Attorney General, the Secretary State and local officials, first responder orga- of HHS, the Secretary of Transportation, the nizations, the private sector and other Fed- Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Vet- eral civilian departments and agencies, shall erans Affairs, the Administrator of the Envi- establish and implement streamlined proce- ronmental Protection Agency, and the heads dures for the ongoing development and of other Federal departments and agencies adoption of appropriate first responder that provide assistance for first responder equipment standards that support nation- preparedness will base those allocations on wide interoperability and other capabilities assessments of population concentrations, consistent with the national preparedness critical infrastructures, and other significant goal, including the safety and health of first risk factors, particularly terrorism threats, to responders. the extent permitted by law. (15) To the extent permitted by law, (11) Federal preparedness assistance will equipment purchased through Federal pre- support State and local entities’ efforts in- paredness assistance for first responders shall cluding planning, training, exercises, inter- conform to equipment standards in place at

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time of purchase. Other Federal depart- paredness-related exercises shall participate ments and agencies that support the pur- in a collaborative, interagency process to des- chase of first responder equipment will co- ignate such exercises on a consensus basis ordinate their programs with the Depart- and create a master exercise calendar. The ment of Homeland Security and conform to Secretary will ensure that exercises included the same standards. in the calendar support the national pre- (16) The Secretary, in coordination with paredness goal. At the time of designation, other appropriate Federal departments and Federal departments and agencies will iden- agencies and in consultation with State and tify their level of participation in national local governments, will develop plans to homeland security preparedness-related ex- identify and address national first responder ercises. The Secretary will develop a multi- equipment research and development needs year national homeland security prepared- based upon assessments of current and fu- ness-related exercise plan and submit the ture threats. Other Federal departments and plan to me through the HSC for review and agencies that support preparedness research approval. and development activities shall coordinate (19) The Secretary shall develop and main- their efforts with the Department of Home- tain a system to collect, analyze, and dissemi- land Security and ensure they support the nate lessons learned, best practices, and in- national preparedness goal. formation from exercises, training events, re- search, and other sources, including actual Training and Exercises incidents, and establish procedures to im- (17) The Secretary, in coordination with prove national preparedness to prevent, re- the Secretary of HHS, the Attorney General, spond to, and recover from major events. and other appropriate Federal departments The Secretary, in coordination with other and agencies and in consultation with State Federal departments and agencies and State and local governments, shall establish and and local governments, will identify relevant maintain a comprehensive training program classes of homeland-security related informa- to meet the national preparedness goal. The tion and appropriate means of transmission program will identify standards and maximize for the information to be included in the sys- the effectiveness of existing Federal pro- tem. Federal departments and agencies are grams and financial assistance and include directed, and State and local governments training for the Nation’s first responders, of- are requested, to provide this information to ficials, and others with major event prepared- the Secretary to the extent permitted by law. ness, prevention, response, and recovery roles. Federal departments and agencies Federal Department and Agency shall include private organizations in the ac- Preparedness creditation and delivery of preparedness (20) The head of each Federal department training as appropriate and to the extent per- or agency shall undertake actions to support mitted by law. the national preparedness goal, including (18) The Secretary, in coordination with adoption of quantifiable performance meas- other appropriate Federal departments and urements in the areas of training, planning, agencies, shall establish a national program equipment, and exercises for Federal inci- and a multi-year planning system to conduct dent management and asset preparedness, to homeland security preparedness-related ex- the extent permitted by law. Specialized Fed- ercises that reinforces identified training eral assets such as teams, stockpiles, and standards, provides for evaluation of readi- caches shall be maintained at levels con- ness, and supports the national preparedness sistent with the national preparedness goal goal. The establishment and maintenance of and be available for response activities as set the program will be conducted in maximum forth in the National Response Plan, other collaboration with State and local govern- appropriate operational documents, and ap- ments and appropriate private sector entities. plicable authorities or guidance. Relevant All Federal departments and agencies that Federal regulatory requirements should be conduct national homeland security pre- consistent with the national preparedness

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goal. Nothing in this directive shall limit the mutual aid, and an assessment of how the authority of the Secretary of Defense with Federal first responder preparedness assist- regard to the command and control, training, ance programs support the national pre- planning, equipment, exercises, or employ- paredness goal. The first report will be pro- ment of Department of Defense forces, or vided within 1 year of establishment of the the allocation of Department of Defense re- national preparedness goal. sources. (25) Nothing in this directive alters, or im- (21) The Secretary, in coordination with pedes the ability to carry out, the authorities other appropriate Federal civilian depart- of the Federal departments and agencies to ments and agencies, shall develop and main- perform their responsibilities under law and tain a Federal response capability inventory consistent with applicable legal authorities that includes the performance parameters of and presidential guidance. the capability, the timeframe within which (26) Actions pertaining to the funding and the capability can be brought to bear on an administration of financial assistance and all incident, and the readiness of such capability other activities, efforts, and policies in this to respond to domestic incidents. The De- directive shall be executed in accordance partment of Defense will provide to the Sec- with law. To the extent permitted by law, retary information describing the organiza- these policies will be established and carried tions and functions within the Department out in consultation with State and local gov- of Defense that may be utilized to provide ernments. support to civil authorities during a domestic (27) This directive is intended only to im- crisis. prove the internal management of the execu- tive branch of the Federal Government, and Citizen Participation it is not intended to, and does not, create (22) The Secretary shall work with other any right or benefit, substantive or proce- appropriate Federal departments and agen- dural, enforceable at law or in equity, against cies as well as State and local governments the United States, its departments, agencies, and the private sector to encourage active or other entities, its officers or employees, citizen participation and involvement in pre- or any other person. paredness efforts. The Secretary shall peri- odically review and identify the best commu- George W. Bush nity practices for integrating private citizen capabilities into local preparedness efforts. Letter to the Speaker of the House of Public Communication Representatives on Providing Funds (23) The Secretary, in consultation with for the Department of the Treasury’s other Federal departments and agencies, Counterterrorism Fund State and local governments, and non-gov- ernmental organizations, shall develop a December 17, 2003 comprehensive plan to provide accurate and timely preparedness information to public Dear Mr. Speaker: citizens, first responders, units of govern- In accordance with provisions of the Con- ment, the private sector, and other interested solidated Appropriations Act, 2001 (Public parties and mechanisms for coordination at Law 106–554), I hereby request and make all levels of government. available $7 million for the Department of the Treasury’s Counterterrorism Fund. I Assessment and Evaluation hereby designate this $7 million as an emer- (24) The Secretary shall provide to me gency requirement pursuant to Public Law through the Assistant to the President for 106–554. Homeland Security an annual status report These funds would support Internal Rev- of the Nation’s level of preparedness, includ- enue Service Criminal Investigation Service ing State capabilities, the readiness of Fed- Agents in overseas and domestic eral civil response assets, the utilization of counterterrorism efforts.

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The details of this action are set forth in Each one of you has got a demanding job, the enclosed letter from the Director of the and it’s a tough job here. I’ve seen your work Office of Management and Budget. firsthand. I know how tough it is. But I also Sincerely, know that you count it as a privilege to look George W. Bush after some exceptional Americans, people who are willing to sacrifice for their country. When I spend time with members of our Remarks to Medical Personnel at military, I’m impressed by the idealism and Walter Reed Army Medical Center the concern for each other and the strong December 18, 2003 sense of duty that our soldiers feel. Members of the Armed Forces are now serving in a Thank you all very much. Thanks for the great cause, serving in an historic time. Peace warm welcome. Laura and I are thrilled to and security of our fellow citizens depend be here at the Army Medical Center. We’re upon their bravery and their willingness to thrilled because this is a place of love and serve. In so doing, our soldiers accept the healing and great compassion. This center dangers and the hardships that this cause has a great history and an important mission, sometimes requires. You know them well. and that is, you are serving those who serve I’m coming to know them. They’re the finest our country. In this time of war—and we are of our citizens. at war with an enemy that hates what Amer- If you spend any time with these young ica stands for—the good people of Walter men and women, you know that whether it’s Reed are giving the best of care to the men on the battlefield or in the hospital, our men and women who have been wounded in ac- and women are always thinking of one an- tion. During a difficult time in their lives, other. Even after being wounded, they often they count on you. You give them the kind, speak about returning to their units. And professional care and decency and hope they these aren’t idle words. These are words that deserve. And on behalf of America, I thank come from people who have seen the true you for your service. nature of combat. I’m proud to be their Laura and I have had a great visit here. Commander in Chief. I’m proud to lead such I know I’m not supposed to get out of my fine men and women who are willing to sac- lane and give medical reports—[laughter]— rifice for their country. but I can report that Colin Powell received There’s something else the wounded say, great health care here and he is doing very and they say it often, and they say it clearly. well. They praise you all, and they praise the in- I want to thank General Kiley and Babs credible health care they receive here at Wal- for your hospitality again. I appreciate Colo- ter Reed. The doctors and nurses here are nel Jaffin. I appreciate Colonel B.J. superb and dedicated and tireless. The ad- Mielcarek. She is—she’s been kind of looking ministrative staff and the patient advocates after my body on occasion too. [Laughter] and the chaplains are incredibly committed Fortunately, she’s got a lot to work with. Americans and compassionate souls. You [Laughter] But she’s in charge of the physical show concern for the patients, and you love therapy services. We’ve just come from her their families as well. You give attention to department where we saw some incredible the medical needs, to the emotional needs, work being done and some brave soldiers and to the spiritual needs of those recently who are working hard to get to 100 percent. removed from the battlefield. I appreciate Colonel Saulsbery, deputy I want to thank the volunteers at Walter commander for nursing; Colonel Green- Reed. Many of you are veterans. Many of wood; Colonel Fitzpatrick. And thank you all. you have known war injuries of your own. I really appreciate the hard-working staff, the You’re a source of inspiration and your good docs, the nurses, the people who make this advice for people who are in recovery. The fantastic facility operate in a way that makes country is grateful for your service in the me proud and in a way that will make every past, and your country is very grateful for American proud when they learn your story. your continued service to help lift the spirits

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of those who have been wounded on the bat- ed servicemembers want to remain in uni- tlefield. form and can do the job, the military tries Military medicine is a model of profes- to help them stay. sionalism and organization. It starts with the This country takes—asks a great deal of combat medic, the combat medic who is on the men and women who serve our military. the scene, the first health care a wounded We’re asking a lot of them, particularly in soldier receives within moments of the in- the first war of the 21st century. We put a jury. Patients are then treated by forward lot of fine troops into harm’s way to make surgical teams and at combat support hos- this country more secure and the world more pitals. I found it interesting that Walter Reed free and the world more peaceful. We ask has more than 60 of its staff serving in the them to face great dangers to meet a national Iraqi theater today. You’ve moved your great need. In return, we have made a commit- medicine from this fantastic facility to the ment. We have made a commitment to the battlefront so that our soldiers get instant troops, and we have made a commitment to professional care. their loved ones, and that commitment is that Our wounded troops might next go to we will provide excellent health care—excel- Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany, lent care—to anybody who is injured on the where they receive fine medical treatment battlefield. before being delivered into your hands. Our Here at Walter Reed, all of you are making fellow citizens must understand that every good on that commitment. You’re saving the stop that a soldier makes from battlefield to lives of liberators. You’re healing the defend- Walter Reed is manned by a staff trained in ers of our country. You’re comforting the every skill of trauma medicine. champions of freedom. For that, every single This morning, I had a chance to visit, as person who works here has the respect and I said, B.J.’s shop, which is the physical and the gratitude of our entire Nation. occupational therapy facilities. Walter Reed All of you here today are engaged in a is second to none in this kind of medicine. great cause, a noble cause, an important You’re using the latest prosthetic technology cause for our country and for freedom and to help patients overcome great challenges peace. By your good work, you’re helping to and resume their lives. I know firsthand— protect America. And for that, your Com- I remember coming here a couple of months mander in Chief says God bless, and thank ago to pin the Purple Heart on a fellow who you. lost both legs and one arm. Today I saw him Happy holidays. Thank you all. walking. What makes this story even more profound is, he lost both legs and one arm NOTE: The President spoke at noon in the Law- not as a citizen of the United States but as rence Joel Auditorium. In his remarks, he referred a soldier fighting for the United States. to Maj. Gen. Kevin Kiley, USA, commanding gen- Today I saw a citizen of the United States eral, North Atlantic Regional Medical Command walking. and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and his Americans would be surprised to learn that wife, Babs; Col. Jonathan Jaffin, USA, com- a grievous injury such as the loss of a limb mander, Walter Reed Health Care System; and no longer means forced discharge. In other Col. Billie Mielcarek, USA, chief of physical ther- words, the medical care is so good, and the apy, Col. Patricia A.H. Saulsbery, USA, deputy recovery process is so technologically ad- commander for nursing, Col. Jim Greenwood, USA, deputy commander for administration, and vanced, that people are no longer forced out Col. Thomas M. Fitzpatrick, USA, deputy com- of the military. When we’re talking about mander for clinical services, Walter Reed Army forced discharge, we’re talking about another Medical Center. The Office of the Press Secretary age and another army. This is a new age, also released a Spanish language transcript of and this is a new army. And today, if wound- these remarks.

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Message on the Observance of Today, the Christmas story still speaks to Hanukkah 2003 every generation. December 19, 2003 This holiday season, as we share in the spirit of giving and enjoy familiar Christmas I send greetings to all those celebrating traditions, we give thanks for the wonder of Hanukkah, the festival of lights. God’s love and rededicate ourselves to help- During Hanukkah, people of the Jewish ing those in need. We also pray for our brave faith around the world mark the triumph of men and women in uniform, many of whom Jews against tyranny and oppression more will spend the holidays far from home. Their than two millennia ago. With courage and courage and dedication is helping keep us unfailing faith, the Maccabees secured the safe and extending freedom and peace. We Jewish people’s freedom and reclaimed the are grateful for their service to our country, Holy Temple in Jerusalem. As they prepared and for the support and sacrifice of their fam- to rededicate the Temple, there was only ilies. enough oil for one day, but the light contin- Laura joins me in wishing you a Merry ued to burn for eight days. Today, the light- Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the ing of the Menorah represents this ancient peace and goodwill of the season fill every miracle and brings a message of hope and heart and warm every home. freedom to the Jewish people. George W. Bush As families and friends share in the joyous traditions of Hanukkah, we recognize the NOTE: An original was not available for power of faith to accomplish miracles and verification of the content of this message. bring light from the darkness. We join in giv- ing thanks for the blessings God has granted to our Nation. May the joy of Hanukkah and Message on the Observance of the peace and goodwill of the season fill our Kwanzaa 2003 hearts and inspire us to lead lives of compas- December 19, 2003 sion. Laura joins me in wishing you a blessed I send greetings to those observing and Happy Hanukkah. Kwanzaa. George W. Bush Celebrated by millions across the world, Kwanzaa honors the history and heritage of NOTE: An original was not available for Africa. This seven-day observance is an op- verification of the content of this message. portunity for individuals of African descent to remember the sacrifices of their ancestors and reflect on the Nguzo Saba. Kwanzaa’s Message on the Observance of seven social and spiritual principles offer Christmas 2003 strength and guidance to meet the challenges December 19, 2003 of each new day. During this joyous time of year, Americans Glory to God in the highest, and on earth renew our commitment to hope, under- peace, good will toward men. standing, and the great promise of our Na- tion. In honoring the traditions of Africa, Luke 2:14 Kwanzaa strengthens the ties that bind indi- viduals in communities across our country As families and friends gather to celebrate and around the world. Christmas, we remember all the blessings Laura joins me in sending our best wishes that fill our lives, beginning with the great for a joyous Kwanzaa. blessing that came on a holy night in Beth- lehem. For Christians around the world, the George W. Bush birth of Jesus is a central religious event; an example of God’s profound love for human- NOTE: An original was not available for ity; and the pathway to hope and to new life. verification of the content of this message.

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Digest of Other discuss the capture. Also in the morning, the White House Announcements President had a briefing on details of the cap- ture. In the evening, at the National Building The following list includes the President’s public Museum, the President and Mrs. Bush par- schedule and other items of general interest an- ticipated in the taping of the annual ‘‘Christ- nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and mas in Washington’’ concert for later tele- not included elsewhere in this issue. vision broadcast.

December 13 December 15 In the morning, at Camp David, MD, the In the morning, the President had a tele- President had an intelligence briefing. phone conversation with Prime Minister Paul In the afternoon, in a telephone conversa- Martin of Canada to discuss Canada-U.S. re- tion with Secretary of Defense Donald H. lations. He then had an intelligence briefing. Rumsfeld, the President received notice of Later in the morning, the President met the possible capture of former President Sad- with Iraqi Minister of Health Khadir Abbas; dam Hussein of Iraq by U.S. military per- Rend Rahim Francke, Head of the Iraq In- sonnel in Tikrit, Iraq. Later, he had another terests Section in the U.S.; and a group of telephone conversation with Secretary Iraqi doctors to discuss health care in Iraq. Rumsfeld to discuss further information on The President announced his designation the possible capture. He then had separate of the following individuals as members of telephone conversations with Vice President a Presidential delegation to attend the fu- Dick Cheney and National Security Adviser neral of former President Heydar Aliyev of Condoleezza Rice to notify them of the pos- Azerbaijan: Brent Scowcroft (head of delega- sible capture. tion), Sam Brownback, A. Elizabeth Jones, In the evening, the President and Mrs. and Reno L. Harnish. Bush returned to Washington, DC. December 14 December 16 In the morning, in a telephone conversa- In the morning, the President had a tele- tion with National Security Adviser phone conversation with President Hamid Condoleezza Rice, the President received Karzai of Afghanistan to discuss the comple- confirmation of the capture of former Presi- tion of the Afghan national highway from dent Saddam Hussein of Iraq. He then had Kabul to Kandahar and other developments separate telephone conversations with Sen- in Afghanistan. He then had an intelligence ate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Prime Min- briefing. ister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom, and Later in the morning, in the Oval Office, Central Intelligence Agency Director George the President participated in a photo oppor- J. Tenet to inform them of the capture. The tunity for the Pediatric Equity Research Act President and Mrs. Bush also watched tele- of 2003 and a signing ceremony for the Con- vision coverage of the briefing in Baghdad trolling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornog- by L. Paul Bremer III, Presidential Envoy raphy and Marketing Act of 2003. Later, he to Iraq, announcing the capture. participated in an interview with Diane Saw- Later in the morning, the President had yer of ABC News. a telephone conversation with Adnan In the afternoon, in the Oval Office, the Pachachi, Acting President of the Governing President participated in separate signing Council of Iraq, to express his congratula- ceremonies for the National Museum of Afri- tions. He also had separate telephone con- can American History and Culture Act and versations with Secretary of Defense Donald the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003. He then H. Rumsfeld; Gen. John P. Abizaid, USA, participated in separate photo opportunities combatant commander, U.S. Central Com- for the Vision 100—Century of Aviation Re- mand; Secretary of State Colin L. Powell; authorization Act and the Hometown Heroes and President Jose Maria Aznar of Spain to Survivors Benefits Act of 2003.

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Later in the afternoon, at Blair House, the eral Kofi Annan of the United Nations to ex- President and Mrs. Bush attended the diplo- change holiday greetings. matic corps holiday reception. In the afternoon, the President met with During the day, the President had a tele- James A. Baker III, his personal envoy on phone conversation with James A. Baker III, the issue of Iraqi debt. his personal envoy on the issue of Iraqi debt, In the evening, the President had a holiday concerning Secretary Baker’s discussions dinner with senior White House staff. with President Jacques Chirac of France and The White House announced that the Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany. President will travel to Monterrey, Mexico, In the evening, the President attended hol- on January 12–13, 2004, to attend the Special iday receptions. Summit of the Americas. The President announced his intention to December 17 designate Mark J. Warshawsky as Acting As- In the morning, the President had an intel- sistant Secretary of the Treasury for Eco- ligence briefing. Later, he traveled to Kill nomic Policy. Devil Hills, NC. The President announced his intention to In the afternoon, the President returned designate Gordon H. Mansfield as Acting to Washington, DC. Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In the evening, the President attended hol- The President declared a major disaster in iday receptions. the Federated States of Micronesia and or- dered Federal aid to supplement national December 18 and State recovery efforts in the area struck In the morning, the President had an intel- by Typhoon Lupit on November 22–26. ligence briefing. Later, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, he had an MRI examination of his knees, followed by a brief visit with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, who was recovering from surgery. He then visited Nominations U.S. military personnel injured in Iraq and Submitted to the Senate Afghanistan and awarded Purple Hearts to several of them. In the afternoon, the President had a tele- NOTE: No nominations were submitted to the phone conversation with President Alvaro Senate during the period covered by this issue. Uribe of Colombia to discuss the capture of former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq, Colombia’s fight against drugs and terrorism, and bilateral and regional issues. Later, he had a telephone conversation with President Checklist Vicente Fox of Mexico to discuss the capture of White House Press Releases and bilateral and regional issues. In the evening, the President and Mrs. Bush attended a holiday reception. The following list contains releases of the Office of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as December 19 items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Other White House Announcements. In the morning, the President had an intel- ligence briefing. Later, he met with Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Released December 13 Thompson and Director of National Drug Control Policy John P. Walters to discuss Statement by the Press Secretary announcing progress toward the President’s goals for re- that the President signed H.R. 2417 ducing drug use. Also in the morning, the President had a Fact sheet: 2003: A Year of Accomplishment telephone conversation with Secretary-Gen- for the American People

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Released December 14 Medical Summary: The President’s Ortho- Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- pedic Exam retary Scott McClellan Released December 19 Released December 15 Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- Statement by the Press Secretary announcing retary Scott McClellan the designation of a Presidential delegation Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- to attend the funeral of His Excellency retary Scott McClellan Heydar Aliyev, former President of Azer- baijan Statement by the Press Secretary: President To Attend Special Summit of the Americas Statement by the Press Secretary announcing that the President signed H.J. Res. 80, H.R. Statement by the Press Secretary announcing 1437, H.R. 1813, H.R. 3287, and S. 459 that the President signed H.R. 100, H.R. 622, H.R. 1006, H.R. 1012, H.R. 2620, S. 686, Fact sheet: Facts About the New Iraqi S. 1680, S. 1683, S. 1929, and S. 1947 Healthcare System Statement by the Press Secretary on disaster Released December 16 assistance to the Federated States of Micro- Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- nesia retary Scott McClellan Fact sheet: The President’s National Security Statement by the Press Secretary on the Strategy To Combat WMD French, German, U.S. agreement on Iraqi debt restructuring Statement by the Press Secretary announcing that the President signed H.J. Res. 82 and Acts Approved S. 877 by the President Statement by the Press Secretary announcing that the President signed H.R. 3491, H.R. Approved December 13 2297, and S. 811 H.R. 2417 / Public Law 108–177 Fact sheet: Expanding Homeownership Op- Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year portunities for All Americans 2004 Fact sheet: President Bush Signs Anti-Spam Law Approved December 15 Released December 17 H.R. 1437 / Public Law 108–178 Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- To improve the United States Code retary Scott McClellan H.R. 1813 / Public Law 108–179 Statement by the Press Secretary on Special Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act Presidential Envoy James A. Baker III’s of 2003 meeting with Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi H.R. 3287 / Public Law 108–180 To award congressional gold medals post- Statement by the Press Secretary announcing humously on behalf of Reverend Joseph A. that the President signed H.J. Res. 63 DeLaine, Harry and Eliza Briggs, and Levi Released December 18 Pearson in recognition of their contributions to the Nation as pioneers in the effort to de- Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- segregate public schools that led directly to retary Scott McClellan the landmark desegregation case of Brown Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- et al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka retary Scott McClellan et al.

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H.J. Res. 80 / Public Law 108–181 Approved December 19 Appointing the day for the convening of the second session of the One Hundred Eighth H.R. 100 / Public Law 108–189 Congress Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

S. 459 / Public Law 108–182 H.R. 622 / Public Law 108–190 Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act of To provide for the exchange of certain lands 2003 in the Coconino and Tonto National Forests in Arizona, and for other purposes Approved December 16 H.R. 1006 / Public Law 108–191 Captive Wildlife Safety Act H.R. 2297 / Public Law 108–183 Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 H.R. 1012 / Public Law 108–192 Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic H.R. 3491 / Public Law 108–184 Site Act National Museum of African American His- tory and Culture Act H.R. 2620 / Public Law 108–193 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthoriza- H.J. Res. 82 / Public Law 108–185 tion Act of 2003 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2004, and for other purposes S. 686 / Public Law 108–194 Poison Control Center Enhancement and S. 811 / Public Law 108–186 Awareness Act Amendments of 2003 To support certain housing proposals in the fiscal year 2003 budget for the Federal Gov- S. 1680 / Public Law 108–195 ernment, including the downpayment assist- Defense Production Act Reauthorization of ance initiative under the HOME Investment 2003 Partnership Act, and for other purposes S. 1683 / Public Law 108–196 Federal Law Enforcement Pay and Benefits S. 877 / Public Law 108–187 Parity Act of 2003 Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Por- nography and Marketing Act of 2003 S. 1929 / Public Law 108–197 Mental Health Parity Reauthorization Act of Approved December 17 2003

H.J. Res. 63 / Public Law 108–188 S. 1947 / Public Law 108–198 Compact of Free Association Amendments Preserving Independence of Financial Insti- Act of 2003 tution Examinations Act of 2003

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