2001 US press briefings
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
12:38 P.M. EDT
MR. FLEISCHER: I'll take your questions.
Q Well, we want some personnel announcements. (Laughter.)
MR. FLEISCHER: Do I hear a thank you? It's Friday in the White House press room.
Q Ari, on Argentina. Have they asked for help from the United States, in the way of the $15 billion or any amount of money? Have they asked for help?
MR. FLEISCHER: Steve, let me answer it to the greatest degree I can. President Bush has sent a message of support to President de la Rua with respect to the economic situation in Argentina. The President said that he was watching the economic situation in Argentina closely, and he noted that President de la Rua's Wednesday proposal to bring down the fiscal deficit in Argentina.
Treasury officials, including Secretary O'Neill, are in touch with the appropriate Argentine officials, and any questions beyond that I'm going to refer to the Department of the Treasury.
Q What triggered his note? Why did he send the note? Was there something that prompted that, other than the general economic climate there?
MR. FLEISCHER: It's well-known about the economic troubles that Argentina is facing. So it's a statement from the President to the President of Argentina.
Q What was it that you said about the fiscal situation? I'm sorry, I couldn't hear it.
MR. FLEISCHER: The President -- President Bush informed President de la Rua that he was watching the economic situation in Argentina, and his note was an expression of support for President de la Rua.
Q Ari, on Cuba, can you outline the President's general thoughts about the importance of underscoring freedoms in Cuba and also looking ahead to what he's going to be looking at next week?
MR. FLEISCHER: Today is the eve of the 7th anniversary of the ramming of a tugboat called the 13th of March Incident. It was a ramming of a tugboat by Cuban authorities. The President will shortly have an announcement of several specific actions he has taken to further the cause of democracy and the people who yearn to be free in Cuba. An announcement will be coming out from the President later on that topic, and I can't get into the specifics until it's out from the President.
Q I'm not looking for specifics, just your thoughts of why it's important, why he wants to underscore freedom in Cuba.
MR. FLEISCHER: The President believes that it's important to promote democracy and freedom everywhere, and as totalitarianism and communism have faded from the scene, there remain just a few isolated spots on this earth where it remains, and Cuba is one of them. The President is on the side of those who yearn to be free.
Q And looking ahead to next week, I know he hasn't made this -- well, you can say that -- but he's going to be facing a decision next week on whether to allow Helms-Burton to take effect.
MR. FLEISCHER: There is a separate matter dealing with legislation called Helms-Burton Title III specifically, and under the law, that matter will not need to be concluded until July 17th.
Q What is weighing on -- is he worried about the consequences that any decision might cause among European allies --
MR. FLEISCHER: I think he'll address whatever his concerns are at the time he makes his announcement, which will be not until next week.
Q Ari, there have been some meetings this week on the education bill. And as I understand it, some significant players, even Republican lawmakers, have advised the White House that because of the complexities of the education reform bill and working them out, that they think they need more time to do a really good bill before July and they can't meet that deadline. Is the White House willing to engage with Congress on extending the President's preference to have this done by July in lieu of the complexities of the education?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President would be disappointed if Congress were not able to send him an education package prior to the children going back to school. But he does want to work with the Congress and will work with the Congress in a bipartisan fashion. This has been an issue where tremendous progress has been made. Congress is focusing on education in a different manner this year with President Bush's support. And it's a matter that is less ideological and much more practical in terms of how do you help our schools to help our children.
And so, the President continues to urge Congress to get the work done before the August recess, but he will work in a very collegial fashion with the Congress.
Q That's not an absolute deadline, in other words?