*EPF402 09/09/2004
White House Report, September 9: Iraq, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Latvia
(United States continues to help Iraqis move forward on timetable for elections) (290)

President Bush discussed the situation in Iraq September 9 with General John Abizaid, the head of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq John Negroponte and General George Casey, the commanding general of Multi-National Force in Iraq.

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said progress continues to be made in the country and the United States is helping the Iraqi people move forward on the timetable set out for national elections in the country, despite threats to security.

"We've always said that there are going to be difficulties and dangers along the way, particularly as we move closer to holding elections," McClellan told the press September 9 en route to Colmar, Pennsylvania.

But, he added, "[W]e are there to support the interim government and Iraqi forces as they work to address these ongoing security threats."

When asked about Costa Rica's request to be removed from the list of U.S. coalition partners in Iraq, McClellan responded that each country "has to make their own decision about how they want to participate, and in what ways."

The press secretary condemned the terrorist attack against the Australian embassy in Indonesia and said the incident shows the true nature of terrorism, and presents a grim reminder that the United States remains engaged in a global war on terrorism.

Also, President Bush announced September 8 that he intends to nominate Catherine Todd Bailey as ambassador to Latvia. Bailey is currently the president and founder of Operation Open Arms, a charitable organization, and had also served as a public relations consultant for Creative Alliance.

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

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents