*EPF101 06/14/2004
White House Report, June 14: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bush Schedule
(White House cites progress in Iraq, U.S. concern with attacks on foreigners in Saudi Arabia, President Bush's weekly schedule) (730)

WHITE HOUSE CITES PROGRESS IN IRAQ, CAUTIONS ON DANGERS

"We are making important progress as we move towards transferring sovereignty to the Iraqi people on June 30," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters June 14.

"The Iraqi people are assuming more and more responsibility for their future, and we are seeing that kind of progress being made in the ministries and with the appointment of the interim government," McClellan said.

U.N. Special Envoy to Iraq Lakhdar Brahimi and Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi announced the members of Iraq's interim government June 1. On June 30, the interim government will assume full sovereignty and will oversee all government ministries and operations in Iraq. The ministries will report to Prime Minister Allawi, who will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the interim government.

McClellan noted the commitment of the international community and the United Nations to Iraq evidenced by the passing of a Security Council resolution on Iraq.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546, adopted unanimously June 8, endorses the new interim government of Iraq, allows the multinational force to provide security in partnership with the new government, and calls upon the international community to aid Iraq in its transition.

Despite Iraq's progress, McClellan said, "there are still dangers that remain, and we have seen that over the weekend. We have said that you can expect to see the enemies of freedom continue to try to carry out their violence as we move forward on transferring sovereignty and move forward holding elections for a democratically elected representative government in Iraq."

According to news reports, a pair of car bombings June 13 killed a U.S. soldier and 12 Iraqis, and gunmen assassinated a senior Education Ministry official. Assassins killed Deputy Foreign Minister Bassam Salih Kubba, a career diplomat, June 12 as he drove away from his home to work.

The press secretary quoted Prime Minister Allawi as saying, "We will confront anyone who wishes to attack Iraq, its people and friends. We will take a decisive stand on these attacks."

U.S. CONCERNED WITH ATTACKS ON FOREIGNERS IN SAUDI ARABIA

"There is an American citizen missing in Saudi Arabia and we are working with authorities in Saudi Arabia on this matter and we are in close contact with the family," the White House spokesman said.

According to news reports, al Qaeda announced June 13 the kidnapping of a U.S. engineer and claimed responsibility for the murder of Kenneth Scroggs, a U.S. citizen.

"Clearly, al Qaeda has been determined to try and carry out attacks in Saudi Arabia," National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said in a June 13 interview with CNN.

Rice also voiced mounting concern about attacks against Westerners in Saudi Arabia, which have sharply escalated since early May.

"The State Department put out an advisory on April 15 and it is always important for U.S. citizens to take those advisories very seriously, and that advisory still stands," McClellan said.

The advisory urged Americans to leave the country and to defer travel to Saudi Arabia. It noted that the U.S. government has received recent and credible information indicating that extremists are planning further attacks against U.S. and Western interests.

THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE

Monday, June 14: President Bush and Mrs. Bush participated in a ceremony at the White House for the unveiling of the Clinton presidential portraits. Later that afternoon, the president traveled to Liberty, Missouri, and participated in a Conversation on Medicare-approved prescription drug discount cards.

Tuesday, June 15: The president will meet with Afghanistan's President Hamid Kharzai and in the evening will attend the Congressional Picnic at the White House.

Wednesday, June 16: The president will deliver remarks to military personnel in Tampa, Florida.

Thursday, June 17: The president will attend a Cabinet meeting at the White House, and in the afternoon will speak at the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Washington. He will attend a Nethercutt-for-Senate reception in Washington and travel to Fort Lewis, Washington.

Friday, June 18: The president will make remarks to military personnel at Ft. Lewis and then travel to Reno, Nevada, to deliver remarks.

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

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