*EPF303 06/30/2004
White House Report, June 30: Supreme Court ruling, Sudan, Iraq, Iceland, El Salvador, Philippines
(White House moving forward on issues raised by Supreme Court ruling on detainees,Bush to discuss NATO ops with Iceland's president, Bush to welcome El Salvador's president to White House, Bush congratulates Philippines's president on re-election) (1130)

SUPREME COURT RULING ON GUANTANAMO DETAINEES ADDRESSED

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters June 30 that the Bush administration has plans to move forward on establishing the status of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The U.S. Supreme Court on June 28 asserted the right of judicial review for some 600 foreign inmates held at the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and stated that Americans and foreigners held as enemy combatants in the war on terror cannot be held without some right of appeal.

"We're pleased that the Supreme Court recognized the authority of the president as commander in chief to exercise his constitutional responsibility in a time of war," McClellan said, "So the National Security Council and the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice and others are discussing these issues. They're working expeditiously to move forward to put a process in place to address these concerns, and that is where things stand at this point."

When asked about administration's policy towards detainees in the war on terror McClellan said, "The court recognized that these are difficult issues to address, but they talked about the ability of those detainees to have notice and the opportunity to be heard."

"We respect the court's decision, and that's why we're moving forward quickly to put a process in place to address those concerns," McClellan said.

SUDAN'S GOVERNMENT MUST DISARM MILITIAS

Secretary of State Colin Powell visited the Darfur region of Sudan June 30 and called for an end to abuse by the Jingaweit militia responsible for the humanitarian crisis in the region.

According to news reports, at least 10,000 people have been killed and up to a million displaced in Darfur since ethnic tensions erupted in February 2003.

During his visit, Powell urged the Sudanese Government to heed the concerns of the international community and find an immediate resolution to the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

President Bush is "deeply disturbed by the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Darfur region of Sudan" McClellan told reporters.

According to the White House spokesman, the United States identified the emerging crisis in 2003 and has delivered approximately 116 million dollars in assistance to suffering local people and pledged a total of almost 300 million dollars in aid.

"The United States calls upon the Sudanese government to act urgently and decisively to neutralize and disarm the Jinjaweed militia and to reverse the crisis and create conditions that will allow the displaced to return home safely and with dignity," McClellan said.

IRAQ WILL CHARGE SADDAM FOR CRIMES

The U.S. transferred legal custody of Saddam Hussein and 11 former leaders of his regime to Iraq June 30 in a step that will begin the process for them to receive justice from the Iraqi people, said McClellan.

Hussein, accused by Iraqis of ordering the killing and torture of thousands of people during his rule, was captured near his hometown of Tikrit on December 13, 2003, and, until now, had been held as a prisoner of war at an unknown location.

Hussein will face charges from a special tribunal that was put in place very early on by the Iraqi Governing Council, said McClellan.

McClellan said that the U.S. has "always believed that Saddam Hussein should face justice by the Iraqi people" and is pleased that that process is moving forward.

"This was a brutal regime that was responsible for mass graves, torture chambers and rape rooms," said the spokesman, "They will be brought to justice and held accountable by the Iraqi people. Saddam Hussein and his regime leaders are going to face Iraqi justice for the grave atrocities they committed against the Iraqi people."

BUSH THANKS BREMER FOR WORK IN IRAQ
President Bush met with Ambassador L. Paul Bremer June 30 to welcome him back from Iraq and to thank him for his work in the country, said the White House spokesman.

Bremer, who served as U.S. senior administrator in Iraq, returned to the United States on June 28 when the United States transferred sovereignty back to the country and dissolved the Coalition Provisional Authority.

Prior to their meeting, Bush and Bremer spoke to a group of Iraqi-Americans who were at the White House to receive an update on the situation in Iraq, said McClellan. The president thanked Ambassador Bremer for his "great work" to help Iraq transition to a "free and peaceful and democratic future," he said.

During his speech, Bush spoke about the challenges that remain for Iraq and a continued U.S. commitment to freedom, said the spokesperson, he emphasized that "our will is unshakable and that the terrorists will not prevail."

"American certainly owes Ambassador Bremer a debt of gratitude for his work over the last 14 months," said McClellan.

BUSH TO DISCUSS NATO OPERATIONS WITH ICELAND'S PRESIDENT

President Bush will meet with Iceland's Prime Minister David Oddsson at the White House July 6.

"Iceland is a valued friend and ally of the United States, making key contributions to NATO operations in Afghanistan and the Balkans," McClellan said adding, "Prime Minister Oddsson, the longest-serving elected leader in Europe, is a strong supporter of the international effort to bring peace and democracy to Iraq."

The spokesman said that the two leaders will discuss a range of issues including combating terrorism, Iraq and NATO operations.

BUSH TO WELCOME EL SALVADORE'S PRESIDENT TO WHITE HOUSE

According to the White House spokesman, President Bush will welcome President Elias Antonio Saca of El Salvador to the White House on July 12th.

"The president looks forward to discussing with President Saca shared objectives in the areas of security, human rights and free trade", McClellan said, "The president values the cooperative relationship with El Salvador, including El Salvador's support for the war on terrorism and the international effort to build a democratic, free and prosperous Iraq."

BUSH CONGRATULTES PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT ON RE-ELECTION

"The president called to congratulate the Philippines's President Gloria Arroyo on winning another term in office," the press secretary said, "President Bush also thanked President Arroyo for her strong support in the war against terror and the Philippines' contributions to help the Iraqi interim government improve the security situation in Iraq."

According to news reports, President Arroyo, re-elected to a six-year term of office May 30, was sworn in June 30 as president of the Philippines.

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

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