National Issues

The United States deplores the Belarusian regime's incomprehensible refusal to release political prisoner Aleksandr Kozulin during the days leading up to and following the death of his wife, Irina Kozulina, on February 23. We reiterate our call for Mr. Kozulin's immediate release.

President Bush on Monday said, "We share a responsibility to protect our country. I get briefed every morning about threats we face, and they're real. And therefore the question is, what do you do about them? In my judgment, we have got to give the professionals who work hard to protect us all the tools they need. To put it bluntly, if the enemy is calling to America, we really need to know what they're saying. And we need to know what they're thinking. And we need to know who they're talking to."

The President and Mrs. Bush will welcome King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan to the White House on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. The President looks forward to discussing with the King the bilateral relationship between the United States and Jordan, Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, the situation in Lebanon, and other regional issues. Following his meeting with King Abdullah, the President and Mrs. Bush will host the King and Queen for a private lunch.

The President has called on Congress to pass the bipartisan Senate bill, which would improve on the PAA by giving our intelligence professionals the tools they need to protect the Nation for the long term and by providing liability protection for companies alleged to have assisted in defending the Nation after 9/11. The House ignored this call and allowed the PAA to expire without replacing it with the bipartisan Senate bill. The President has listened to the judgment of these same professionals that the absence of long-term legislation creates uncertainty that poses a risk to those tools and could lead to the loss of intelligence information and that further short-term extensions of the PAA do not solve the problem. Stating that fact is not a scare tactic - it reflects the considered judgment of the intelligence community, whose principal concern is not politics, but doing their jobs.

President Bush on Sunday said, "I value our governors because our governors are some of the nation's foremost policy entrepreneurs. I appreciate what you do. I appreciate the sacrifice your families have made to serve America. It was in that spirit that Teddy Roosevelt hosted the first governors meeting here at the White House 100 years ago. I can't imagine what they were thinking about what America would look like a hundred years ago. And I'm not sure what people will think a hundred years from now. But I do know it makes sense to put wise policy in place in the meantime, so America can remain prosperous and strong and free."

Despite Speaker Pelosi's Misleading Claims, FISA Is No Substitute For The Bipartisan Senate Bill; Speaker Pelosi's Continued Refusal To Permit A Vote On The Senate Bill Is Weakening Our Ability To Protect The Country From Terrorist Attack

In his weekly radio address, President Bush said, "Members of Congress will soon be returning to Washington, as well, and they have urgent business to attend to. They left town on a 10-day recess without passing vital legislation giving our intelligence professionals the tools they need to quickly and effectively monitor foreign terrorist communications. Congress' failure to pass this legislation was irresponsible. It will leave our nation increasingly vulnerable to attack. And Congress must fix this damage to our national security immediately."

Today, The Washington Post incorrectly asserted that President Bush has neglected his commitment to democracy in Africa. The Post's blatantly one-sided article ignores the significant democratic progress that has been taking place across the African continent. During his recent trip to Africa, the President highlighted examples of the democratic reforms taking place in Benin, Tanzania, and Liberia.

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and ordered Federal aid to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of February 5-6, 2008.

THE PRESIDENT: I would say this is one of the most exciting trips of my presidency. Exciting because when we first got to Washington, Africa was -- parts of Africa were in turmoil, not much had been to arrest disease, there wasn't intense world focus on the continent -- the second trip to Africa for me, the fifth for Laura -- was a chance to herald courageous people in their efforts to deal with hopelessness. And what really made me happy was that the people of Africa have come to appreciate the generosity of the American people.

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate five individuals and appoint five individuals to serve in his Administration.

President Bush on Thursday said, "I want the people of Liberia to know, Madam President, the United States stands with you. We want to help you recover from a terrible period. We want you to build lives of hope and peace. And under your leadership, that's exactly what's happening. It's my honor to have presented you with the National Medal of Freedom; it's the highest civilian award a President can give, and I did so because of your courage and your leadership. And we are so excited to be with you."

President Bush on Thursday said, "It is easy to destroy a country; it is hard to rebuild a country. And I, Madam President, I want you to know that the United States of America supports you as you rebuild your country. We share a special history with Liberia. It's a history that is deep, and I want the people of your beautiful country to know that our help is just beginning."

President Bush on Thursday said, "I'm pleased to visit your land. I thank you for the invitation. I thank the Liberian people for courage and steadfastness and enduring faith in the power of freedom. With your continued determination, there is no doubt in my mind that Liberia will become a beacon of liberty for Africa and the world, and you will forever uphold the 'Lone Star.' "

President Bush on Thursday said, "And so our desire in the United States is to answer the universal call to love a neighbor and to help those -- I believe to whom much is given, much is required. A lot has been given the United States of America, and I firmly believe it's in our national interest to help others not only realize the blessings of liberty, but to fight disease when they find it and to deal with illiteracy where we encounter it."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "This long tradition of friendship and cooperation continues today. Today Ghana and the United States are working to strengthen democracy and good government. Together we're harnessing the power of global trade to alleviate poverty. And, Mr. President, rest assured I will work to complete the Doha Round. Together we're working to preserve peace, combat disease and help ensure that all of Ghana's citizens can give their children what we all want for our children: a more hopeful future."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "I also want to thank you for your leadership, Mr. President. As I said upstairs ...I hope a lot of people in Ghana understand this, what I'm about to say, but you're really one of the respected leaders around the world, because of your firm commitment to peace. I thank you for your leadership here on the continent of Africa. My administration's strategy is to support African leaders to deal with Africa's problems."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "In addition to some great singing, last year's American Idol featured a fundraising campaign called, "Idol Gives Back." The campaign brought in more than $75 million for charities working in the United States and Africa. Seventeen million dollars went to organizations that protect American families -- African families from malaria. And one of these charities, Malaria No More, has used the donations to provide bed nets for more than 2 million mothers and children in Uganda and Angola and Madagascar and Mali and Zambia. ...Laura and I hope, and Jordin hopes, that America's generosity will still pour forth, and we ask our fellow citizens to contribute to this worthy cause."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "One of the things I tell our country all the time is our great strength lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens. And I don't think there's any more giving people than in the Peace Corps. So Reverend, thank you very much for joining us and bringing some of the -- our fellow citizens who are making a huge difference in people's lives."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "First of all, it's an honor to be in your country, and it's an honor to be with you. I don't know if the people of your country truly understand your standing in the international community, but you are one of the most respected international leaders. You have represented your country well, you have represented the continent of Africa well, and you represent certain basic values extremely well. So it's an honor to be with you today."