*EPF502 03/02/01
White House Report, Friday, March 2, 2001
(El Salvador, Greece, Ireland, Mideast, Canada, Balkans) (1450)

PRESIDENT BUSH MEETS WITH PRESIDENT FLORES OF EL SAVADOR

President Bush and President Francisco Flores of El Salvador met in the Map Room of the White House for about 20 minutes on the afternoon of March 2.

Following the meeting, Bush, in a written statement, said he had commended Flores "for the strong leadership he and his government have shown in the aftermath of two recent earthquakes that killed and injured thousands of people and left many more homeless."

Bush said the United States had responded to these earthquakes by quickly sending rescue workers and over $16 million in relief assistance to the people of El Salvador.

"Today, I told President Flores that the United States has pledged $52 million in reconstruction assistance to El Salvador this fiscal year, and I will seek to match or increase that amount for next year," Bush said.

"In addition, I informed him of the Attorney General's decision to grant temporary relief from deportation for a period of 18 months for Salvadoran citizens living in the United States. This will allow them to continue to work here and to remit some of their wages back home to support El Salvador's recovery efforts."

Following the meeting, Flores spoke with reporters as he was leaving the White House.

He said that the Bush administration's decision to grant Temporary Protection Status for Salvadoran families in the United States "is immensely important for us, because it will allow Salvadoran families here in the United States to send their help to Salvadoran families in the devastated areas in our country.

"And secondly, he has approved an aid package that includes $52 million for this year and $58 million for next year. This will allow us to reconstruct our water systems, the basic infrastructure and the housing, which is so important to the 200,000 families that have lost their homes."

Flores was asked what he thinks of President Bush's approach to Latin America and to El Salvador in particular?

He responded that "We find a sensible change in terms of this administration's relationship with Latin America. Mr. Bush, the fact that he has made his first official visit to Mexico, the fact that he has received me today, the fact that he has expressed during his campaign that he will be looking at Latin America as a very close neighbor, we find that this is absolutely true, that he has given us concrete evidence that he is putting not only his words but his will so that this will be a reality."

BUSH PHONES GREEK PRIME MINISTER

President Bush phoned Greek Prime Minister Konstantinos Simitis the morning of March 2, "to express his strong commitment to U.S.-Greek relations," White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer reported.

"It was a warm and friendly call," said Fleischer.

Bush has made telephone calls to numerous leaders around the world since becoming President January 20.

BUSH TO MEET WITH IRELAND'S PRIME MINISTER

President Bush and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern will meet at the White House March 16th, on the eve of St. Patrick's Day.

"They will mark the enormous contributions to America made by the Irish people. And the two leaders will review ongoing ties, including the strong interest of the United States in supporting the Northern Ireland peace process," White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said at his afternoon briefing.

FLEISCHER COMMENTS ON ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN SITUATION

Fleischer made clear that the United States is "going to continue to be as helpful as we can to the parties" in the region. "And any agreement that the parties reach will be an agreement that we can support," he said.

Asked whether Bush plans to meet with Israel's Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon, if and when he comes to the United States, Fleischer said:

"Well, of course. Prime Minister-elect Sharon must still first form his government, and until that happens, it would be premature to discuss any type of formal meeting."

BUSH ADMINISTRATION PLANS FOR DEFENSE DEPARTMENT

Asked about the budget for the Defense Department, Fleischer said Bush "has been crystal clear" on this subject, and so has the Secretary of Defense, "and they stand together" on this, he said.

"And that is ... that we will not let defense budgets drive defense strategy; we'll have a defense strategy that drives the defense budget. And that's why he's directed the Secretary of Defense to undertake the force structure review, which the Defense Department is in the middle of now, and they will continue to review our nation's military priorities and needs, and once the review is complete, we'll have more to say."

Earlier on March 2, Bush himself commented on this at a meeting at the White House with state legislators from across the United States.

He told them that as Commander-In-Chief, he "must set a clear mission for all departments, particularly the Department of Defense. And the mission is to be prepared to fight and win war, and therefore prevent war from happening in the first place. It's a clear mission and a clear statement of purpose."

Bush said he thinks it's very important for his administration "to send this message to Congress and to the country -- that we'll first develop a strategic vision of military spending, a strategic vision of the military, and then we'll figure out how to spend the money; as opposed to let's spend the money first and then maybe develop a strategic vision afterwards. It's called planning."

"But we do increase the military budget, starting with the personnel, to make sure folks are better housed, better paid and better trained," he said.

BUSH LOOKS FORWARD TO GOING TO CANADA IN APRIL

Bush told the March 2 meeting of state legislators that he was "looking forward" to going to Quebec City in April where he will attend the third Summit of the Americas.

He noted that he recently had "had a good visit" at the White House with the Prime Minister of Canada. Bush said he was "confident our nations will continue our long friendship together -- work together for the good of our two countries and our hemisphere."

Attending the meeting of state legislators from across the United States were visitors from Quebec and South Africa. Bush thanked them for coming and said he was "sure glad you're here."

FLEISCHER COMMENTS ON BUSH POLICY TOWARDS THE BALKANS

Asked if Bush's recent endorsement of the idea of a European Rapid Reaction Force and the recent withdrawal from the Balkans of 750 Americans, had anything to do with Bush's previously announced intention to reduce U.S. presence in the area, Fleischer said "No," there was no connection.

"The withdrawal of the 750 Americans from the Balkans was a long-planned withdrawal," he said.

Fleischer said Bush "has been crystal clear" that he will consult with our allies and "work with our allies" about U.S. involvement in the Balkans and "any type of decisions that are made."

But "the President, as a general approach, does believe that the United States is overextended," Fleischer said.

BUSH WEEK AHEAD SCHEDULE

The President and the First Lady will spend the weekend of March 2-4 at Camp David, the Presidential Retreat in Maryland.

On Sunday, March 4, Bush will travel from Camp David to Newport News, Virginia to speak at the christening of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.

His remarks at the event "will be a tribute to Ronald Reagan. It will be a reflection about how former President Reagan changed the country for the better, and how good and proud he made us feel about our nation, and how strong he made our national defense -- something that we are still benefiting from today." Fleischer said.

On Monday, March 5, the President will be at the White House.

On Tuesday, March 6, Bush will travel to Chicago where he will speak at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

On Wednesday, March 7, Bush will host the President of South Korea for a working visit and lunch at the White House.

On Thursday, March 8, he will meet at the White House with the NATO Secretary-General. Then he will travel to Fargo, North Dakota where he will remain overnight.

On Friday, March 9, the President will travel to South Dakota and to Louisiana and then he will spend the weekend at his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

Bush's travels are predominately to discuss his economic plan for the nation with the American people, the press secretary said.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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