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[ ... ]
Q Ari, two quick questions. Now the administration will list
two more countries on the list of 18 -- makes 20 -- that all the
foreigners must register with the Justice Department if they visit the
United States. Now, some scientists and some companies are worried
also that when they have conferences here, they said that when they
invite people that visas may not be issued so they might have removed
their conferences out of the United States, and that will not serves
the purpose of their conference.
And also some people are saying that as far as Muslims are
concerned in this country that actually -- (inaudible) -- that they are
being discriminated because of their religion. One person even said
that he, being a Muslim in India, he was not even as (inaudible) as
here in the United States. Where do we go from there?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think what you are saying, Goyle, is that the
government is reacting very strongly to the events of September 11th to
make sure that we do things. One is, respect the rights of immigrants
and visitors to come to our nation. We are a better nation, in the
President's judgment, as a result of having people visit the United
States. We want to do so in a way that protects the American people
and all those who would visit here. Terrorist actions don't only kill
Americans on our soil, they kill foreigners who are visiting our soil
or who are temporarily residing on our soil, as we saw on the attack on
the World Trade Center. Many foreign citizens were killed in that
attack.
And so we are taking actions to make certain that people come to
the United States and that we welcome them to the United States, but we
do so in a way that is protective of our citizens and our guests.
[ ... ]
Q Can I ask on behalf of the reporters if you could explain
simply why the White House won't comment on a debate over who might
lead the President's party in the Senate?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President has a great deal of respect for all
senators, including Senator Lott. And the President views this as a
matter of he will speak out to help the nation make progress and the
issues dealing with race. He will continue to advocate the policies
that I walked through earlier, to help advance racial relations and
improving some racial relations in the United States, just as he did in
Texas, similar to what he did -- and I recall, I believe it was in
1996, when he spoke out about the need for the Republican Party,
immigration, to be a nation that welcomes immigrants to our country. I
know there were some in the Republican Party who spoke about the need
to shut our nation's borders to immigrants.
The President will continue to focus on the policies that he thinks
makes America a richer and better place. And that's why he said what
he said. And beyond that, the President is not going to comment on a
matter that is -- a matter that numerous senators have indicated that
they want to take a look at. There are prerogatives that are available
to the Senate to pursue and the President respects the senators who
have ideas and he respects Senator Lott -- Senator Lott is a friend.
And I leave it at that.
[ ... ]
END 1:44 P.M. EST
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