[Vision2020] Whitehouse E-Mails Update
thansen@moscow.com
thansen@moscow.com
Fri, 16 Apr 2004 23:50:52 GMT
W H I T E H O U S E E M A I L U P D A T E S
WEEKLY REVIEW
April 16, 2004
In this Issue
- AT THE TOP
> Press Conference
> U.N. Assistance
> Tax Relief
- IN THE NEWS
^1 PM Sharon's Plan
^2 Egypt
^3 Japan
^4 What's New
^5 Pan American Day
^6 P.O.W. Recognition Day
^7 Ask the White House
- DID YOU READ?
* 9/11
* Economic Growth
* Help-Wanted Ads
_________________________________________________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~At the Top~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Press Conference
PRESIDENT ADDRESSES THE NATION IN PRIME TIME PRESS CONFERENCE
During a Prime Time Press Conference on Tuesday, President
Bush said, "Above all, the defeat of violence and terror
in Iraq is vital to the defeat of violence and terror
elsewhere; and vital, therefore, to the safety of the
American people. Now is the time, and Iraq is the place,
in which the enemies of the civilized world are testing
the will of the civilized world. We must not waver."
Key Points
President Bush outlined the strategy for Iraq's transition
from dictatorship to freedom:
- Troop strength, now and in the future, is determined by
the situation on the ground. If additional forces are needed,
they will be sent. If additional resources are needed, they
will be provided.
- America's objective in Iraq is limited, and it is firm:
We seek an independent, free and secure Iraq. We have set a
deadline of June 30th for the transfer of sovereignty back to
the Iraqi people. It is important that we meet that deadline.
- Iraq will hold elections for a national assembly no
later than next January.
- Iraqis will elect a permanent government by December
15, 2005, which will mark the completion of Iraq's transition
from dictatorship to freedom.
- Our commitment to the success and security of Iraq will
not end on June 30th. On July 1st, and beyond, our
reconstruction assistance and military commitment will
continue. Coalition military forces will help Iraqis to
protect their government from external aggression and internal
subversion.
Press Conference - Transcript:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040413-20.html
Key Points - President's Iraq Strategy:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040414-5.html
U.N. Assistance
INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN IRAQ'S TRANSITION TO FREEDOM
President Bush and Prime Minister Blair held a press
conference in the Rose Garden Friday. The President said,
"This week we've seen the outlines of a new Iraqi
government that will take the keys of sovereignty. We
welcome the proposals presented by the U.N. Special Envoy
Brahimi. He's identified a way forward to establishing an
interim government that is broadly acceptable to the Iraqi
people. Our coalition partners will continue to work with
the U.N. to prepare for nationwide elections that will
choose a new government in January of 2005."
Key Points
Other nations and international institutions are stepping up
to their responsibilities in building a free and secure
Iraq:
- The United States is working closely with the U.N.
envoy and with Iraqis to determine the exact form of the
government that will receive sovereignty on June 30th.
- The U.N. election assistance team is in Iraq,
developing plans for next January's election.
- NATO is providing support for the Polish-led multinational
division in Iraq and 17 of NATO's 26 members are
contributing forces to maintain security.
President's & Prime Minister's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040416-4.html
Key Points - President's Iraq Strategy:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040414-5.html
Tax Relief
MILLIONS OF FAMILIES BENEFITING FROM PRESIDENT'S TAX RELIEF
On Tax Day, President Bush addressed taxpayers in Des
Moines, IA, where he discussed how tax relief has
contributed to the growing strength of the economy and
called on Congress to make his tax cuts permanent.
Fast Facts
The impact of the President's economic program, including the
tax relief, can be seen throughout the economy:
- Job creation is accelerating -- more than 750,000 new
jobs in the last seven months. Unemployment is below its
average rate in the '70s, '80s, and '90s.
- America is the fastest-growing major industrialized
economy in the world.
- Buoyed by the return of the stock market and strong
home values, household wealth is at a record high.
- Retail sales excluding motor vehicles are currently
growing at the fastest quarterly rate in over 20 years.
- Homeownership is at an all-time high -- 68.6 percent --
with substantial gains among minority homeowners.
America has a choice: It can continue to grow the
economy and create new jobs as the President's polices
are doing; or it can raise taxes on American families
and small businesses, hurting economic recovery and
future job creation.
Full Fact Sheet:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040415-2.html
President's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040415-7.html
_________________________________________________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In The News~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
^1 PM Sharon's Plan
PRESIDENT COMMENDS ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER'S PLAN
On Wednesday the President said, "On June 24, 2002, I laid
out a vision to make this goal a reality. We then drafted
the road map as the route to get us there. The heart of this
vision is the responsibility of all parties -- of Israel, of
the Palestinian people, of the Arab states -- to fight
terror, to embrace democracy and reform, and to take the
necessary steps for peace.
"Today, the Prime Minister told me of his decision to take
such a step. Israel plans to remove certain military
installations and all settlements from Gaza, and certain
military installations and settlements from the West Bank.
These are historic and courageous actions. If all parties
choose to embrace this moment they can open the door to
progress and put an end to one of the world's longest running
conflicts."
President's & Prime Minister's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040414-4.html
President's Statement on the Israeli-Palestinian Dispute:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040414-2.html
Letter From President Bush to Prime Minister Sharon:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040414-3.html
^2 Egypt
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND PRESIDENT MUBARAK OF EGYPT
On Monday President Bush said, "I welcome my good friend,
Hosni, to my home. Our countries have three decades of
solid, beneficial relations behind us, and the United States
will continue to work with Egypt and the Arab world in a
spirit of common purpose and mutual respect."
Presidents' Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040412-3.html
^3 Japan
VP'S REMARKS AT THE WASHINGTON POST-YOMIURI SHIMBUN SYMPOSIUM
On Tuesday Vice President Cheney said, "Japan enters the 21st
century as the second wealthiest nation on the planet and a
leader in science, technology, and innovation. Your example
helped spark an economic miracle that has transformed this
region, yet Japan did more than merely grow prosperous. You
also transformed your country into one of the world's most
stable, decent and successful democracies. In this way, too,
as a beacon of freedom, Japan now serves as an inspiration
for others in this region and beyond."
Vice President's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040413.html
^4 What's New
WHITEHOUSE.GOV HIGHLIGHTS NEW ONLINE FEATURES
New features are added to the White House web site all the
time. To highlight these new features, Whitehouse.gov has
created a What's New web page.
Currently Featured on What's New:
- White House Interactive: It's like a mini-Ask the White
House where citizens' e-mails are answered by Administration
officials.
- White House Radio: We post as many radio interviews
with Administration officials as possible, and they're
available here.
- Presidents & Baseball: Photo essays, history,
interviews and more, all devoted to this great tradition.
- Easter Egg Roll: Great moments from this year's Easter
Egg Roll are captured on this site.
- Kids' Site: An all new White House web site just for
kids, redesigned and updated with games, quizzes, and more.
Find Out What's New:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/whatnew/
^5 Pan American Day
PAN AMERICAN DAY AND PAN AMERICAN WEEK PROCLAMATION
On Tuesday the President proclaimed, "The nations of the
Western Hemisphere will continue to draw upon the Charter to
strengthen the rule of law, protect human rights and
freedoms, encourage economic growth, and promote good
governance. As neighbors, we are expanding prosperity
through open markets and economic reforms -- creating new
opportunities for millions of people and continued economic
progress benefiting the nations of our hemisphere."
President's Proclamation:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040413-17.html
^6 P.O.W. Recognition Day
NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY, 2004
On Monday President Bush stated, "America will never forget
these quiet heroes and all of our former prisoners of war who
suffered adversity in Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf,
Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq, and other conflicts. Our Nation is
grateful to our former prisoners of war for their sacrifice
to help protect the democratic ideals that make our country
strong. Because of the dedication of these men and women in
uniform, people in our own country and in lands far away can
live in freedom. These citizens inspire us, and we will
always remember their service for liberty's blessings."
President's Proclamation:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040412.html
^7 Ask the White House
THIS WEEK'S CHATS @ WHITEHOUSE.GOV
Ask the White House is an online interactive forum where
you can submit questions to Bush Administration officials,
including Cabinet Secretaries, senior White House officials
and behind-the-scenes professionals at the White House.
This Week's Sessions
> Ask the White House - Tax Relief:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/20040415.html
_________________________________________________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Did You Read?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BEFORE 9/11 -- AND AFTER
Former Director of the FBI Louis J. Freeh, Wall Street
Journal 4/12/04:
"The fact that terrorism and the war being waged by al Qaeda
was not even an issue in the 2000 presidential campaign
strongly suggests that the political will to declare and
fight this war didn't exist before Sept. 11."
Full Editorial:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110004943
DAZZLED BY DATA, ECONOMISTS SEE BLUE SKIES AHEAD
Sue Kirchhoff, USA Today 4/14/04:
"Some economists are raising their forecasts for growth in
the first quarter of 2004, based on surging consumer
spending, rising factory orders and glimmers of a turnaround
in the job market.
"The better-than-expected performance is beginning to
translate into rising consumer and business confidence."
Full Article:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2004-04-14-growth-forecasts-raised_x.htm
HELP-WANTED ADS SIGNAL JOB GROWTH
Jonathan Weisman, The Washington Post 4/14/04:
"Economists have long considered help-wanted ad increases a
positive harbinger for the job market. The New York Times
Co., which publishes the Times, the Boston Globe and 17 other
newspapers, said this week that help-wanted revenue rose
sharply in March, at a rate more than double the 5.5 percent
increase over the entire first quarter."
Full Article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9878-2004Apr13.html
__________________________________________________________________
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