*EPF102 04/14/2003
White House Warns "Syria Needs to Cooperate"
(White House Report: Syria, Calls to Leaders, Canada trip, Aussie PM) (750)

The White House April 14 called Syria a "rogue nation" and a "terrorist state," and White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer reiterated President Bush's warning that "Syria needs to cooperate."

He said the White House has two major concerns: that Iraq's arsenal of weapons of mass destruction may have been moved across the border to Syria, and that Syria may be harboring Baath party leaders who fled Iraq during the U.S.-led attack.

President Bush, upon his arrival at the White House from Camp David April 13, said "we believe there are chemical weapons in Syria." He acknowledged that "each situation will require a different response," and said he was still focused on Iraq, but when it comes to Syria, "we expect cooperation, and I'm hopeful we'll receive cooperation."

In response to questions about whether the United States is now focused on Syria as the next stage in the war on terror, Fleischer responded with his own questions. "Do you think the White House and President Bush should look the other way at the fact that Syria is taking in Iraqi leaders? Do you think we should just ignore it?"

"Nations that are interested in peaceful outcomes to world affairs ... when you talk about having peace in the Middle East, broadly speaking, nations should not pursue policies meant to encourage or harbor terrorism," Fleischer said. He cautioned reporters against concluding that the United States has decided to act.

He referred to a 2002 CIA report to Congress on Syrian chemical and biological weapons programs. The report covered a period from January 1 to June 30, 2002.

He read the following excerpt from the report to reporters in his morning briefing: "Syria sought chemical weapon-related precursors and expertise from foreign sources during the recorded period. Damascus already held a stockpile of nerve agent serin, but apparently is trying to develop more toxic and persistent nerve agents. Syria remained dependent on foreign sources for key elements of its CW (chemical weapons) program including precursor chemicals and key production equipment. It is highly probable that Syria also is continuing to develop an offensive BW (biological weapons) capability."

BUSH CALLS LEADERS OF SPAIN, EGYPT, SAUDI ARABIA

President Bush spoke by phone the morning of April 14 with President Jose Maria Aznar of Spain. The two leaders regularly consult on the situation in Iraq, and discussed post-Saddam Iraq, said White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer. They pledged to work together to closely assist the people of Iraq. They also discussed the peace process in the Middle East.

Bush discussed prospects for Middle East peace in separate phone calls with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. With the Crown Prince, Bush also discussed the importance of providing humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq.

BUSH STATE VISIT TO CANADA POSTPONED

After consultations, the U.S. and Canadian Governments have decided to postpone President Bush's May 5 state visit to Ottawa. The White House says the postponement is due to Bush's ongoing obligations to help the people of Iraq build a nation that is whole, free and at peace.

AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER TO BE GUEST AT CRAWFORD RANCH

President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will welcome Prime Minister John Howard of Australia to their ranch in Crawford, Texas, May 2-3.

BUSH SENDS TV MESSAGE THANKING U.S. MILITARY AND FAMILIES

President Bush sent a videotaped message thanking the men and women of the U.S. military and their families for their service and sacrifices. The message began running April 14 over broadcasting facilities around the world on closed-circuit armed services television networks. "All of America is grateful for your sacrifice," Bush said. "I am proud to be your commander-in-chief." The president recorded the message at the White House April 11.

THE WEEK AHEAD

April 15 -- Bush will make remarks on the U.S. economy in the Rose Garden of the White House.

April 16 -- Bush will sign the supplemental appropriations bill at the White House in the morning. In the afternoon, he will visit St. Louis, Missouri, where he will make remarks and tour Boeing's integrated defense systems headquarters. Later in the day, the president and first lady will travel to their ranch in Crawford, Texas, where they will spend the rest of the week through Easter Sunday.

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

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