17 December 2001

White House Report: Arafat, Afghanistan, India/Pak, Cuba, Bush

ARAFAT'S "CONSTRUCTIVE" WORDS MUST BE MATCHED BY DEEDS, WHITE HOUSE SAYS

The weekend speech by Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat urging cessation of violence against Israel was constructive, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters December 17.

While President Bush "viewed Chairman Arafat's words as constructive" Fleischer said, "the President is also most interested in making certain that the constructive words are matched by concrete actions. And only time will tell."

Asked if Arafat has done enough to arrest the people he's been asked to arrest, Fleischer said: "The President will watch to make certain that the concrete actions result in a diminution of the violence that is plaguing Israel. And that will be the real measure of Chairman Arafat's leadership."

PRESIDENT SATISFIED WITH PROGRESS OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

President Bush "is very satisfied with the progress of the war in Afghanistan," said Fleischer. "He's pleased with the results. He's pleased with the military successes and the victories, as well as the political progress in helping Afghanistan to have a government that will represent the people of that nation."

The Press Secretary made clear, however, that "the military is still engaged in significant bombing in Afghanistan... the war remains an engaged war, a shooting war.

"And the President's focus is on the long term, and that means that he has said repeatedly in private and in public that he remains committed and resolved and will not leave Afghanistan militarily until the objectives are achieved. And those objectives are the destruction of the al Qaeda network, including bringing to justice not only Osama bin Laden, but his top lieutenants, as well as the government and the leadership of the Taliban."

Bush, Fleischer said, "continues to be patient and urges the American people to be patient. As I said, the President is very satisfied with the pace of the war, but there's a lot of work ahead."

Fleischer refused to speculate what may come after Afghanistan. He pointed out, however, that Bush "has made clear that this is a war against terrorism, (against) those who would do harm to us around the world, and that there are multiple fronts in that war."

Those fronts, Fleischer said, include political, economic, and military.

BUSH URGES INDIA, PAKISTAN WORK TOGETHER ON WAR AGAINST TERRORISM

Asked about the recent terrorist attack on India's Parliament, and whether India had a right to attack terrorist training camps just over the border in Pakistan, Fleischer said:

"India has a legitimate right to self-defense. And at the same time, the President counsels that this is a very difficult situation in the region and one that could spiral out of control. And so, therefore, he urges that both sides share information, work with each other, and take no action that would in any way hinder the war against terrorism, to which both India and Pakistan have committed themselves."

Fleischer noted that President Bush spoke with India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee the day of the attack, but does not think he spoke directly with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf.

"The Indians, as we understand it, have arrested two individuals that are suspected in the attack, and the investigation is ongoing, being conducted by the Indian government to bring to justice all those who were responsible for this," Fleischer said, adding that the United States has offered its assistance to India.

ALL MEMBERS OF U.S. MISSION IN HAITI ARE SAFE, FLEISCHER SAYS

Asked to comment on the assault by two armed men on the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince Haiti early December 17, Fleischer said:

"The White House received a report, of course, from the ambassador, and the ambassador reported that all members of the U.S. Mission in Haiti are safe and accounted for. The ambassador requested additional police protection for the embassy and the consulate, and the government of Haiti responded quickly to that request. The embassy is closed to the public today, following the attack, and the United States urges all citizens in Haiti to remain in their homes today."

BUSH POSITION ON MAINTAINING SANCTIONS AGAINST CUBA UNCHANGED

Asked to comment on the significance of the arrival in Havana December 17 of the first shipment of foodstuff paid for in cash by the Cuban government since the U.S. began its economic embargo against Cuba in 1963, and whether it signifies an indirect easing of the sanctions, Fleischer responded:

"No. No, the President's position remains unchanged on maintaining the sanctions against Cuba until it is free and until democratic elections are held. This was an action taken privately and in accordance with the law that was passed by Congress previously and signed into law. So the law has been obeyed in this case."

BUSH HOLDS EID AL-FITR WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION TO MARK END OF RAMADAN

President Bush held a reception at the White House December 17 in honor of Eid al-Fitr -- the Muslim holiday to mark the end of Ramadan.

Attending the event were a group of 20 Muslim children between the ages of eight and 10, and their families or chaperons. The children all go to school in the Washington, D.C. area.