U.S. Interests Section, Havana and the Cuban Protest March

U.S. Interests Section, Havana and the Cuban Protest March

Question: Was the U.S. Interests Section in Havana open during the Cuban protest march today?

Answer: Yes, the U.S. Interests Section was open today.

2005/519 Released on May 17, 2005

Taken Question Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC May 17, 2005 Question Taken at May 17, 2005 Daily Press Briefing

Open Skies Aviation Agreement with Ethiopia

U.S. Signs Open Skies Aviation Agreement with Ethiopia

The United States is pleased to announce the signing of an Open Skies air transport agreement with Ethiopia. U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Maria Cino and Ethiopian State Minister of Infrastructure Haile Asegide signed the agreement today, May 17, 2005 in Washington, D.C.

This is the first air services agreement between the United States and Ethiopia. It allows airlines to make commercial decisions with minimal government intervention. It provides for open routes, capacity, frequencies, designations, and pricing, as well as opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements, including code sharing. It also includes all-cargo seventh freedom rights, allowing airlines to perform international cargo operations without connecting to their homeland.

Establishing Open Skies as the basis of U.S.-Ethiopian aviation relations is an important step toward spurring trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two nations.

With this signing, Ethiopia is the 70th country with which the United States has negotiated a bilateral Open Skies agreement.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/522 Released on May 17, 2005 Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC May 17, 2005

Repatriation and Reintegration of Sudanese Refugees

United States Support for Repatriation and Reintegration of Sudanese Refugees

The United States is contributing an additional $18 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support the repatriation and reintegration of Sudanese refugees from Kenya to southern Sudan. This assistance is part of the United States’ commitment to Sudan announced by Deputy Secretary Robert Zoellick at the April 2005 Oslo Donors’ Conference.

Organized returns of Sudanese refugees are expected to begin this fall. This contribution will allow UNHCR to address the immediate needs of returning refugees while in transit and after arrival at their final destination. UNHCR will also rehabilitate basic social and economic infrastructure and provide essential services in areas of return. Some 150,000 Sudanese refugees will be assisted by UNHCR in the first 18 months of this repatriation and reintegration program.

During fiscal years 2003 – 2005, the United States has committed over $1.6 billion to Sudan for humanitarian assistance, conflict resolution in Darfur, reconstruction and development, and support for implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The United States urges other donors to strengthen their efforts in support of the Sudanese people.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/523 Released on May 17, 2005 Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC May 17, 2005

Filibuster and Cloture

Filibuster and Cloture

Using the filibuster to delay or block legislative action has a long history. The term filibuster -- from a Dutch word meaning "pirate" -- became popular in the 1850s, when it was applied to efforts to hold the Senate floor in order to prevent a vote on a bill.

In the early years of Congress, representatives as well as senators could filibuster. As the House of Representatives grew in numbers, however, revisions to the House rules limited debate. In the smaller Senate, unlimited debate continued on the grounds that any senator should have the right to speak as long as necessary on any issue.

In 1841, when the Democratic minority hoped to block a bank bill promoted by Kentucky Senator Henry Clay, he threatened to change Senate rules to allow the majority to close debate. Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton rebuked Clay for trying to stifle the Senate's right to unlimited debate.

Three quarters of a century later, in 1917, senators adopted a rule (Rule 22), at the urging President Woodrow Wilson, that allowed the Senate to end a debate with a two-thirds majority vote, a device known as "cloture." The new Senate rule was first put to the test in 1919, when the Senate invoked cloture to end a filibuster against the Treaty of Versailles. Even with the new cloture rule, filibusters remained an effective means to block legislation, since a two-thirds vote is difficult to obtain. Over the next five decades, the Senate occasionally tried to invoke cloture, but usually failed to gain the necessary two-thirds vote. Filibusters were particularly useful to Southern senators who sought to block civil rights legislation, until cloture was invoked after a fifty-seven day filibuster against the Civil Right Act of 1964. In 1975, the Senate reduced the number of votes required for cloture from two-thirds to three-fifths, or sixty of the current one hundred senators.

Many Americans are familiar with the filibuster conducted by Jimmy Stewart, playing Senator Jefferson Smith in Frank Capra's film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, but there have been some famous filibusters in the real-life Senate as well. During the 1930s, Senator Huey P. Long effectively used the filibuster against bills that he thought favored the rich over the poor. The Louisiana senator frustrated his colleagues while entertaining spectators with his recitations of Shakespeare and his reading of recipes for "pot-likkers." Long once held the Senate floor for fifteen hours. The record for the longest individual speech goes to South Carolina's J. Strom Thurmond who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

SOURCE: Senate.gov

Priscilla R. Owen Biography

Priscilla R. Owen Biography

Priscilla Richman Owen is currently a Justice on the Supreme Court of Texas. Prior to her election to that court in 1994, she was a partner in the Houston office of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. where she practiced commercial litigation for seventeen years. She received a bachelor of arts degree, cum laude, from Baylor University, and graduated in the top of her class from Baylor Law School in 1977, receiving a juris doctor, cum laude. She was a member of the Baylor law review.

In private practice, Owen handled a broad range of civil matters at the trial and appellate levels. She was admitted to practice before various state and federal trial courts, and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Fifth, Eight, and Eleventh Circuits. She is a member of the American Law Institute, the American Judicature Society, the American Bar Association, and a Fellow of the American and Houston Bar Foundations.

Justice Owen served as the liaison to the Supreme Court of Texas’ Court-Annexed Mediation Task Force and to statewide committees regarding legal services to the poor and pro bono legal services. She was part of a committee that successfully encouraged the Texas Legislature to enact legislation that has resulted in millions of dollars per year in additional funds for providers of legal services to the poor. Justice Owen also serves as a member of the board of the A.A. White Dispute Resolution Institute and is on the boards of advisors of the Houston and Austin Chapters of the Federalist Society. Owen was instrumental in organizing a group known as Family Law 2000 that seeks to find ways to educate parents about the effect the dissolution of a marriage can have on their children and to lessen the adversarial nature of legal proceedings when a marriage is dissolved.

Justice Owen has been honored as Baylor Young Lawyer of the Year and as a Baylor University Outstanding Young Alumna. Among her community activities, Justice Owen serves on the board of Texas Hearing & Service Dogs. She is a member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Mission in Austin, Texas where she teaches Sunday School and serves as the head of the altar guild.

In her successful re-election bid to the Supreme Court of Texas in 2000, every major newspaper in Texas endorsed Owen.

SOURCE: USDOJ: Office of Legal Policy

Janice R. Brown, Support, Resumé

Janice R. Brown, Support

Gerald F. Uelmen, Professor, Santa Clara University School of Law

"Too often, the best advice for those who want to rise in today’s judiciary is “keep your head down.” Unfortunately, the surest path to confirmation in this climate is anonymity. Judges who have compiled a track record of strong positions on controversial issues will be passed over. They shouldn’t be, because a willingness to stick your neck out and accept criticism is often the hallmark of a great judge. A president or a governor should be willing to occasionally risk a bruising confirmation battle to elevate a jurist with great potential to make a difference.

"That’s precisely what President George W. Bush has done in nominating California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown to the D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. He should be applauded for this appointment, and she should be promptly confirmed. But that’s unlikely to happen. The judicial confirmation process has become mired in “payback” and special interest politics. Justice Brown will be targeted by liberal because of the opinions she authored in controversial abortion and affirmative action cases. On both of these issues, she voted the same way as Stanley Mosk, a great “liberal” jurist with whom Justice Brown had a lot in common.

"Although I frequently find myself in disagreement with Justice Brown’s opinions, I have come to greatly admire her independence, her tenacity, her intellect and her wit. It’s time to refocus the judicial confirmation process on the personal qualities of the candidates, rather than the “hot button” issues of the past. We have no way of predicting where the hot buttons will be in years to come, and our goal should be to have judges in place with a reverence for our Constitution, who will approach these issues with independence, an open mind, a lot of common sense, a willingness to work hard and an ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

"Janice Rogers Brown has demonstrated all these qualities in abundance." Op-Ed The Record, August 9, 2003, page 5.

SOURCE: USDOJ: Office of Legal Policy For further information please contact Barbara Comstock in the Office of Public Affairs at (202) 514-2007.

Janice R. Brown Resumé

Birth: May 11, 1949 Greenville, Alabama

Legal Residence: California

Education: 1967 - 1969 California State University
1972 - 1974 B.A. degree

1974 - 1977 University of California School of Law
J.D. degree

2002 - 2004 University of Virginia School of Law
LL.M. degree

Bar Admittance: 1977 California

Military: 1977 - 1979 Legislative Counsel Bureau
Deputy Legislative Counsel

Experience: 1979 - 1987 California Department of Justice
Attorney General’s Office
Deputy Attorney General

1987 - 1990 State of California
Business, Transportation & Housing Agency
Deputy Secretary & General Counsel

1990 - 1991 Nielsen, Merksamer, Parinello, Mueller & Naylor
Senior Associate

1991 - 1994 Governor Pete Wilson’s Office
Legal Affairs Secretary

1994 - 1996 California Court of Appeals for the Third District
Associate Justice

1998 - 1999 University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Adjunct Professor

1996 - present California Supreme Court Associate Justice

National Emergencies Act and Burma

Message to the Congress of the United States Regarding the National Emergencies Act and Burma

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. I have sent the enclosed notice to the Federal Register for publication, which states that the Burma emergency is to continue beyond May 20, 2005. The most recent notice continuing this emergency was published in the Federal Register on May 19, 2004 (69 FR 29041).

The crisis between the United States and Burma arising from the actions and policies of the Government of Burma that led to the declaration of a national emergency on May 20, 1997, has not been resolved. These actions and policies, including its policies of committing large scale repression of the democratic opposition in Burma, are hostile to U.S. interests and pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency with respect to Burma and maintain in force the sanctions against Burma to respond to this threat.

GEORGE W. BUSH THE WHITE HOUSE, May 17, 2005. # # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 17, 2005

National Emergency with Respect to Burma

Notice of Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Burma

On May 20, 1997, the President issued Executive Order 13047, certifying to the Congress under section 570(b) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public Law 104 208), that the Government of Burma has committed large scale repression of the democratic opposition in Burma after September 30, 1996, thereby invoking the prohibition on new investment in Burma by United States persons contained in that section. The President also declared a national emergency to deal with the threat posed to the national security and foreign policy of the United States by the actions and policies of the Government of Burma, invoking the authority, inter alia, of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. On July 28, 2003, I issued Executive Order 13310 taking additional steps with respect to that national emergency by putting in place an import ban required by the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 and prohibiting exports of financial serv

Because the actions and policies of the Government of Burma continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on May 20, 1997, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency must continue in effect beyond May 20, 2005. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to Burma. This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

GEORGE W. BUSH THE WHITE HOUSE, May 17, 2005. # # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 17, 2005

Maladapted children change goals during conflicts

Maladapted children change goals during conflicts

Although they may only look like they're arguing over a video game, when children conflict with their peers they are often trying to achieve a wide variety of goals. For instance, a goal could be instrumental (getting to use the video game), relationship-oriented (trying to stay friends with the other kid), self-protection oriented (trying to avoid getting hurt in the conflict) or even retaliation-oriented.

Now researchers from North Dakota State and Duke universities report in the May/June issue of the journal Child Development that children's goals change significantly if they face obstacles to resolving a conflict on a first or second try, and that children who already have problems with their peers show antisocial changes to their goals.

Previous research on goals found that highly aggressive or highly submissive children rejected by their peer group tend to select goals that work against maintaining good relationships with other children. In this study, the researchers explored whether these poorly adjusted children might initially start out in a conflict situation with a healthy goal orientation, but change to negative goals when they have trouble resolving the conflict.

To test their theory, the researchers asked 252 fourth- and fifth-grade children how they would react in hypothetical conflicts involving a same-sex peer. After providing their initial strategy, children were asked to rate their efforts to achieve certain goals with that strategy. Then researchers asked the children what they would do if their first strategy didn't work. After the children provided a second strategy, they were again asked to rate their efforts to reach certain goals with that strategy. Finally, the children were asked what strategies and goals they'd follow if their second strategy didn't work.

The researchers found that aggressive and submissive children who had problems with their peers exhibited several antisocial changes to their goals, including an increased desire to retaliate and a decreased desire to attain relationship-oriented objectives.

They were also less likely than more-accepted children to forgo instrumental goals (e.g., getting to have a book that both children wanted). Additionally, children who exhibited antisocial changes to their goals were more likely to use aggression, assertion and manipulation to resolve conflicts.

"These findings highlight the important role that ongoing changes in children's goals have for their social adjustment," said first author Wendy Troop-Gordon, PhD, assistant professor at North Dakota State University in Fargo. "One implication is that peer-rejected children may need social skills interventions that focus on maintaining adaptive combinations of goals during challenging social interactions, such as conflicts with peers." ###

Summarized from Child Development, Vol. 76, Issue 3, Modifications in Children's Goals When Encountering Obstacles to Conflict Resolution by Troop-Gordon W (North Dakota State University) and Asher SR (Duke University). Copyright 2005 The Society for Research in Child Development, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contact: Andrea Browning abrowning@apa.org 202-336-5926 Society for Research in Child Development

Charles S. Ciccolella, Reuben Jeffery III, Linda Jewell, James A. Rispoli, John F. Tefft

Nominations Sent to the Senate

Charles S. Ciccolella, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, vice Frederico Juarbe, Jr., resigned.

Reuben Jeffery III, of the District of Columbia, to be Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, vice James E. Newsome, resigned.

Reuben Jeffery III, of the District of Columbia, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for a term expiring April 13, 2007, vice Barbara Pedersen Holum, term expired.

Linda Jewell, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Ecuador.

James A. Rispoli, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Environmental Management), vice Jessie Hill Roberson, resigned.

John F. Tefft, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Georgia.

# # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 17, 2005

President to nominate six individuals, appoint eleven 05/17/05

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

The President intends to nominate Charles S. Ciccolella, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training. Mr. Ciccolella currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training at the Department of Labor. He previously served in the United States Senate Rules Committee as Director of Information Technology Policy. Prior to his service in the Senate, Mr. Ciccolella served for twenty-eight years in the United States Army. He earned his bachelor's degree from Auburn University and his master's degree from Central Michigan University.

The President intends to nominate Reuben Jeffery III, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, for the remainder of a five year term expiring April 13, 2007, and as Chairman. Mr. Jeffery currently serves as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Economic Affairs at the National Secretary Council. He previously served at the Department of Defense as Representative and Executive Director of the Washington, DC Office of the Coalition Provisional Authority. Earlier in his career, Mr. Jeffery worked for Goldman, Sachs & Company in Paris, France, London, England, and New York, New York. He earned his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his master's degree and J.D. from Stanford University.

The President intends to nominate James A. Rispoli, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of Energy (Environmental Management). Mr. Rispoli currently serves as Director of the Office of Engineering and Construction Management at the Department of Energy. He previously served as Principal Deputy Director of the Office of Engineering and Construction Management at the Department of Energy. Earlier in his career, Mr. Rispoli served as Vice President and Managing Principal for Pacific Ocean Area at Dames & Moore. Having served in the United States Navy and Air Force, Mr. Rispoli earned his bachelor's degree from Manhattan College, his first master's degree from the University of New Hampshire and his second master's degree from Central Michigan University.

The President intends to nominate Linda Jewell, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Ecuador. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ms. Jewell currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. She previously served as Director of the Office of Policy Planning and Coordination for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. Prior to this position, Ms. Jewell served as Deputy Chief of Mission in San Jose, Costa Rica. She earned her bachelor's degree from Yale University and her master's degree from Johns Hopkins University.

The President intends to nominate John F. Tefft, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Georgia. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, he currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at the Department of State. Ambassador Tefft previously served as the International Affairs Advisor (Deputy Commandant) at the National War College. Earlier in his career, he served as Ambassador to Lithuania. Ambassador Tefft earned his bachelor's degree from Marquette University and his master's degree from Georgetown University.

The President intends to appoint Daniel H. Stone, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (Navy).

The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships:

Richard A. Bennett of Maine
Terry E. Branstad of Iowa
Archie W. Dunham of Texas
P. Robert Fannin of Arizona
Cathy Gillespie of Virginia
Anne Heiligenstein of Texas
Carol Jean Jordan of Florida
David M. Roederer of Iowa
Judy Baar Topinka of Illinois
William L. Webb, III of Alabama

# # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 17, 2005 Personnel Announcement

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to Washington

Visit by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to Washington

President Bush will welcome Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House on May 26, 2005. The United States remains committed to the vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. President Bush looks forward to discussing with President Abbas a range of bilateral and regional issues, including Gaza Disengagement and efforts to move ahead on the roadmap toward a peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.

# # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 17, 2005 Statement by the Press Secretary

Deputy Secretary Zoellick to Travel to Jordan

Deputy Secretary Zoellick to Travel to Jordan

Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick will travel to Jordan from May 18 through May 20 to meet with senior Jordanian officials and to participate in the World Economic Forum at the Dead Sea, where he will discuss President Bush’s efforts to promote peace, prosperity, and security in the broader Middle East.

In addition to making a special public address at the World Economic Forum gathering on Friday, May 20, Deputy Secretary Zoellick will meet with senior government officials from throughout the region, as well as business and civil society leaders, to discuss the process of reform.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/518 Released on May 17, 2005 Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC May 17, 2005

U.S. Mexican Relations, Ambassador Antonio Garza

U.S. Mexican Relations: Comments by U.S. Ambassador Antonio Garza

Question: What is the Department’s view of issues raised in remarks last week by U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio Garza?

Answer: We have a strong partnership and multi-faceted relationship with Mexico. As Ambassador Garza said, we believe as friends and partners we should speak cordially and frankly about the issues that affect both Mexico and the United States. Clearly our economic partnership is a vital element of our bilateral relationship and the Ambassador was carrying out his responsibilities in addressing these issues.

2005/515 Released on May 16, 2005 Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC May 16, 2005 Question Taken at the May 16, 2005 Daily Press Briefing

Women's Suffrage in Kuwait

Women's Suffrage in Kuwait

We offer our congratulations to the leadership of Kuwait, the Kuwait National Assembly, and to the people of Kuwait on the passage today of full political rights for Kuwaiti women. The ability of women to play a full role in the political life of Kuwait adds a welcome and necessary element to the vibrant and critical roles they already play in numerous spheres of Kuwaiti society. We are confident that women will further strengthen Kuwait's democracy, and the U.S. strongly supports today's development.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/514 Released on May 16, 2005 Press Statement, Richard Boucher, Spokesman, Washington, DC, May 16, 2005

FRIST APPLAUDS WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE IN KUWAIT

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D (R-TN) today made the following statement on the Kuwait parliament’s passage of a law granting women the right to vote and run in elections for the first time:

“I'm pleased with the Kuwait parliament’s decision to move closer to universal suffrage and allow women to vote and run for public office. In January, when I met with the Speaker of Kuwait’s parliament, Jassim al-Khorafi, we spoke of the need for women’s suffrage and the positive example it would set for Kuwait’s neighbors on their path to democracy. The right to participate in one’s government is universal, and I'm confident that women will play a vital role in the spread of democracy throughout the Middle East.”

SOURCE: Bill Frist, M.D ### Senator Bill Frist, M.D. May 17th, 2005 -

FRIST STATEMENT ON JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS

FRIST STATEMENT ON JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS

US Senator William H. Frist, M.D.

“Republicans believe in the regular order of fair up and down votes and letting the Senate decide yes or no on judicial confirmations free from procedural gimmicks like the filibuster, and I hope Senator Reid and others know our door is always open to reasonable proposals for fair up or down votes for judicial nominees.”

### SOURCE: Bill Frist, M.D

Rob Portman Swearing-In Trade Representative

Remarks by the President at Swearing-In Ceremony for the United States Trade Representative FULL STREAMING VIDEO

Presidential Hall Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building 2:34 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. I'm pleased to congratulate a distinguished public servant, Rob Portman, on becoming our new United States Trade Representative.

It's an honor to be with Rob's dad, as well as Jane and Jed and Will and Sally. Glad you all are here. It's always great when our Trade Representative has teenagers in the house. (Laughter.) It helps him become a skilled negotiator. (Laughter.) I appreciate the other members of the Portman family who have joined us.

I thank members of my Cabinet who are here -- Josh Bolten, thank you for coming. I appreciate Peter Allgeier, who is the Deputy U.S. Trade Minister. Peter, good to see you, sir. I want to thank the members of Congress who came -- David Camp from Michigan, Paul Ryan from Wisconsin -- and Janna. I appreciate -- I'm not through yet. (Laughter.) And Melissa Hart. Rick Lazio, former member, thank you for coming.

I want to thank the ambassadors who are here, Diplomatic Corps -- embajadores de Central America, as well as other ambassadors -- welcome.

Ambassador Portman will be carrying on the superb work done by Bob Zoellick. Under Ambassador Zoellick's outstanding leadership, the U.S. Trade Representative's Office has worked with Congress to pass trade promotion authority. We've completed free trade agreements with twelve nations on five continents. And those agreements will open a combined market of 124 million consumers for America's farmers, small businesses and manufacturers. I want to thank all the men and women at the USTR for the good work they have done.

Ambassador Portman is the right man to carry on this important work. He has a great record as a champion of free and fair trade. In his early days as an attorney, he specialized in international trade law. Throughout his time in Congress, he built a reputation as a steadfast proponent of the power of open markets to spread hope and prosperity around the world. As an Ohioan, Rob knows how much American farmers and workers depend on our export markets and how the expansion of agreements around the world can contribute to our economy here at home.

To advance our trade agenda, we have three priorities in the months ahead. Our first trade priority is to pass the Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, known as CAFTA. That is an important priority of this administration, and it should be an important priority of the United States Congress. Last week I met with the six Presidents from the nations. We all share an interest in prosperity for our people and peace in the region, and CAFTA gives us an historic opportunity to advance these common goals.

The agreement does four key things: It will level the playing field for American farmers and businesses. It will help our economy. It will make the region more competitive with Asia. And it will strengthen democracy in our backyard. At the moment, about 80 percent of imports from the region already enter the United States duty-free. Our market is open to the goods from CAFTA nations. CAFTA will open the region's markets of 44 million consumers to our goods and our services and our crops. CAFTA will also lower barriers in key segments like textiles. This would put CAFTA countries and America in a better position to compete with low-cost producers in Asia.

As it opens the Western Hemisphere markets, CAFTA will also bring the stability and security that can only come from freedom. Today, a part of the world that was once characterized by unrest and dictatorship now sees its future in free elections and free trade, and we must not take these gains for granted. These are small nations, but they are making big and brave commitments, and America needs to continue to support them as they walk down the road of openness and accountability. By transforming our hemisphere into a powerful free trade area, we will promote democratic governance and human rights and the economic liberty for everyone. CAFTA is a really important piece of legislation.

Our second trade priority is to encourage the Doha Development Agenda now being pursued by the World Trade Organization. This new framework is the largest negotiation of its kind in history, and it would reduce and eliminate terrorists in key industry sectors, and unfair agricultural subsidies, and open the global market in services.

Finally, our third trade priority is to ensure that those who sign trade agreements live up to their terms. China's membership in the World Trade Organization has been a good thing for America. Our exports to China have increased 81 percent since China's entry into the WTO. When it joined the WTO, China also agreed to the rules of international trade, and it's in the interest of both China and the United States for China to abide by them.

One reason I selected Ambassador Portman for this job is because I know he'll work to see that our farmers and our workers and service providers are treated fairly. Ambassador Portman will work to ensure that China stops the piracy of U.S. intellectual property, lifts the barriers that are keeping our goods and services out of China, and demonstrates its commitment to transparency and distribution rights for our products.

America is a nation founded on the idea of open exchange, and free and fair trade is a win-win for all sides. By opening new markets, we'll increase prosperity for our small businesses and farmers and manufacturers, and create jobs for American workers. By enforcing trade laws and agreements, we will ensure a level playing field for America's workers. American workers can compete with anybody, any time, anywhere when the rules are fair.

Rob Portman is America's Trade Representative; he's also my friend. I know his integrity and his wisdom and his dedication. And I know he's the right man to carry out our bold agenda at this important moment for world trade.

I want to thank you all again for coming. Congratulations, Rob. (Applause.)

AMBASSADOR PORTMAN: Thank you all. And thank you, Mr. President, for those remarks, and for the extraordinary opportunity that you've given me to be able to make a positive difference in people's lives through promoting that very ambitious trade agenda you just outlined. And I want to thank Andy Card, my dear friend and the Chief of Staff, for being willing to swear me in today. In the first Bush administration, I had the pleasure of working under Mr. Card, and I now have the opportunity to work with him again, and I look forward to it.

I'm so glad that so many friends and family are able to be here today, Mr. President. This is a neat opportunity for me to be able to say thank you to so many of them. I'm particularly grateful, of course, to my family -- my wife Jane, our three kids, Jed, Will and Sally. And per your comments about negotiations, let me tell you, these three are superb negotiators. (Laughter.) I just hope I'm half as good at negotiating access for U.S. products as I am, and have become, on allowances and curfews. (Laughter.) If I'm that good, I'll do a good job for you.

I'm grateful to my family because they have allowed me to pursue the privilege of public service, despite the sacrifices, but even more grateful that they've encouraged me and supported me in this. They've all given this job their blessing. Will Portman has taken to calling me TROTUS -- Trade Representative of the United States. (Laughter.) Jane has become the First Lady of Trade. And I'm very, very proud of them.

I'm also glad my dad was able to be here today. He's also been very encouraging of my work in public service even though he's a small business guy. He started a business from scratch and taught us the values of hard work and ethics. And I'm delighted he's here today. And, of course, the same is true of my brother, Win, who's here, and my sister, Jenna, and their wonderful families who have also joined us.

I also see I've got some constituents here from back home, Mr. President, and it's great to have them here. My friends from Ohio who have gathered for this special day are the people who gave me the opportunity to serve in Congress, and gave me the opportunity now to be able to serve our nation in this capacity. I will be forever grateful to them.

Finally, I want to acknowledge my congressional staff -- the most incredible staff, the best on the Hill -- and my colleagues who are here. I see these three colleagues that you mentioned earlier -- all three of them. (Laughter.) And there are others who are going to join us at the reception. They're from both Houses and both parties, and they are good friends. And I will be seeing lots of them, because, as this last couple of weeks has taught me, I'll be spending a lot of time on Capitol Hill, and I look forward to that.

In the last two weeks, in fact, Mr. President, my team and I have been very busy. In fact, the day after I was confirmed, you sent me on a plane for Europe where I met with trade ministers from all around the world. And there, I worked with our trade partners to rejuvenate the ongoing global negotiations you just talked about, called the Doha Development Agenda. By reducing barriers to trade across the board, Doha has the potential to substantially expand U.S. exports and also to spread hope and opportunity to the developing world. And when we were in Europe 10 days ago, we were able to make a major breakthrough to be sure that that Doha Development Agenda continues on track.

Doha talks are one part of a more comprehensive trade agenda that I will pursue, as the President has laid out: First, to expand export opportunities by opening markets around the world; second, to be sure that we are enforcing our trade agreements and our trade laws; and third, to spread economic and political freedom. By opening new markets for American workers and farmers, we create more and better-paying jobs right here at home. In fact, over 12 million American jobs now are supported by exports, and those jobs pay about 15 percent higher than the average wage. One in every three acres of American farmland is planted for export, and one in every five manufacturing jobs in this country is dependent on the export of our products.

Our first opportunity to open new markets is the Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement. It's a classic win-win situation. We have the opportunity here to open new markets for our workers, for our farmers, for our service providers, while, at the same time, leveling the playing field with a region that already enjoys mostly duty-free access to the United States. At the same time, we can help lift people out of poverty in Central America and the Dominican Republic, and we can help solidify those fragile democracies and staunch allies.

This is a situation where the Congress should have an incentive to move, and move quickly, to approve the agreement, because it's good for our workers and farmers, service providers, and it's also good for those countries. If we turn down this agreement, we are taking away opportunities for our workers, and we are turning our backs on good neighbors who need our help.

Opening new markets is critical, but we must also ensure that our trading partners play by the rules. To ensure that, I will use all the tools available to us. This includes consultation and negotiation, but, when appropriate, it also means taking legal action to enforce our rights and to defend American interests.

A top priority of mine will be China. The President already mentioned this and I concur with him that China's entry into the WTO was, and remains, in the best interests of the United States. It brought China into a rules-based system, which is very important. It also allowed us to significantly expand U.S. exports, good and services. But our trade relationship with China also presents challenges. We face a trade deficit that is too high, in part because the Chinese do not always play by the rules. I have already begun a top-to-bottom review of China trade issues, and I will work closely with Congress to see that American workers, farmers and businesses are treated fairly.

Finally, Mr. President, as you articulate better than anyone, trade is central to our freedom agenda. Freer trade means more open, transparent markets, undercuts corruption and cronyism, promotes prosperity. In doing so, it deepens the roots of democracy.

As a former congressman, I know that economic change and foreign competition can be difficult for people. We cannot ignore these concerns. But we also cannot retreat to economic isolationism. The evidence is overwhelming that free and fair trade is in the best interest of our economy and makes Americans better off. I believe the right way forward is smart economic engagement, opening markets, tough enforcement, and using trade as a powerful weapon to spread freedom.

Mr. President, you have a great team of dedicated professionals as USTR, some of whom are here today, and I am very proud to follow my friend, Bob Zoellick, in joining them to promote your ambitious agenda.

I thank you for the trust you've show in me and for this opportunity to serve. I will give you and the American people my very best. Thank you.

END 2:49 P.M. EDT For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 17, 2005 REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Regarding Antigua Convention

Message to the United States Senate Regarding Antigua Convention, TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:

With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith the Convention for the Strengthening of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission established by the 1949 Convention between the United States of America and the Republic of Costa Rica, with Annexes, (the "Antigua Convention"), which was adopted on June 27, 2003, in Antigua, Guatemala, by the Parties to the 1949 Convention. The United States signed the Antigua Convention on November 14, 2003. I also transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of the Secretary of State with respect to the Antigua Convention, with an enclosure.

The Antigua Convention sets forth the legal obligations and establishes the cooperative mechanisms necessary for the long term conservation and sustainable use of the highly migratory fish stocks (such as tuna and swordfish) of the Eastern Pacific Ocean that range across extensive areas of the high seas as well as through waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of numerous coastal States. Once in force, the Antigua Convention will replace the original 1949 Convention establishing the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). Revisions to the 1949 Convention will strengthen the mandate of the IATTC to reflect changes in the law governing living marine resources since the adoption of the original Convention more than 50 years ago.

The highly migratory fish stocks governed by the Antigua Convention constitute an important economic resource for the countries of the region and vital components of the marine ecosystem of the Eastern Pacific Ocean requiring careful conservation and management. Early entry into force and implementation of the Antigua Convention will offer the opportunity to strengthen conservation and management of these resources in important ways, including through enhanced efforts to ensure compliance and enforcement of agreed conservation and management measures.

The Antigua Convention draws upon relevant provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (the "LOS Convention") and the 1995 United Nations Agreement on the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (the "U.N. Fish Stocks Agreement"). The Antigua Convention gives effect to the provisions of the LOS Convention and U.N. Fish Stocks Agreement that recognize as essential, and require cooperation to conserve highly migratory fish stocks through regional fishery management organizations, by those with direct interests in them - coastal States with authority to manage fishing in waters under their jurisdiction and those nations and entities whose vessels fish for these stocks.

The United States, which played an instrumental role in negotiation of the revised Convention, has direct and important interests in the Antigua Convention and its early and effective implementation. United States fishing concerns, including the U.S. tuna industry, U.S. conservation organizations, and U.S. consumers, as well as those people who reside in those U.S. States bordering the Convention Area, have crucial stakes in the health of the oceans and their resources as promoted by the Antigua Convention.

I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the Antigua Convention and give its advice and consent to ratification.

GEORGE W. BUSH THE WHITE HOUSE, May 16, 2005. # # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 16, 2005

Regarding WCPF Convention

Message to the United States Senate Regarding WCPF Convention, TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:

With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith the Convention on the Conservation and Management of the Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, with Annexes (the "WCPF Convention"), which was adopted at Honolulu on September 5, 2000, by the Multilateral High Level Conference on the Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The United States signed the Convention on that date. I also transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of the Secretary of State with respect to the WCPF Convention.

The WCPF Convention sets forth legal obligations and establishes cooperative mechanisms that are needed in order to ensure the long term conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks (such as tuna, swordfish, and marlin) that range across extensive areas of the high seas as well as through waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of numerous coastal States. These constitute resources of worldwide importance, with the fisheries for tuna in the Western and Central Pacific being the largest and most valuable in the world. Implementation of the WCPF Convention will offer the opportunity to conserve and manage these resources responsibly before they become subject to the pressures of overfishing and over capacity that are so evident elsewhere in the world's oceans.

The WCPF Convention builds upon the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1995 United Nations Agreement on the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. The WCPF Convention gives effect to the provisions of these two instruments, which recognize cooperation to conserve highly migratory fish stocks as essential, and require those with direct interests in them -- coastal States with authority to manage fishing in waters under their jurisdiction and nations whose vessels fish for these stocks -- to engage in such cooperation through regional fishery management organizations.

The WCPF Convention balances in an equitable fashion the interests of coastal States, notably the island States that comprise the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), in protecting important fishery resources off their shores, and the interests of distant water fishing States, notably Asian fishing nations and entities (Japan, Republic of Korea, China, and Taiwan), whose fishing vessels range far from their own shores.

The United States, which played an instrumental role in achieving this balance, has direct and important interests in the WCPF Convention and its early and effective implementation. The United States is both a major distant water fishing nation (with the fourth-largest catch in the region) and an important coastal State with significant Exclusive Economic Zone waters in the region (including the waters around Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands).

United States fishing concerns, including the U.S. tuna industry, U.S. conservation organizations, and U.S. consumers, as well as those residents of Hawaii and the U.S. Flag Pacific island areas of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, all have a crucial stake in the health of the oceans and their resources as promoted by the WCPF Convention.

I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the WCPF Convention and give its advice and consent to its ratification.

GEORGE W. BUSH THE WHITE HOUSE, May 16, 2005. # # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 16, 2005

Newsweek Report of Quran's Desecration Erroneous,

Newsweek Report of Quran's Desecration Called Erroneous, Pentagon says report is wrong, magazine expresses regret

By Merle D. Kellerhals, Jr. Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Newsweek magazine apologized May 15 for an erroneous news report alleging that interrogators at the U.S. detention center at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base had desecrated the Islamic holy book the Quran.

"We regret that we got any part of our story wrong, and extend our sympathies to victims of the violence and to the U.S. soldiers caught in the midst," Newsweek Editor Mark Whitaker wrote in a note to readers in the magazine's current issue that went on newsstands May 15 in Washington.

U.S. military officials said May 12 that investigations into desecration charges from detainees at Guantanamo were not credible.

At least 15 people died and more than 100 others were injured in rioting between protesters and local security forces across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other areas of the Middle East following publication of the magazine story May 9.

The White House reacted strongly to the Newsweek apology May 16, saying the newsmagazine should retract the story.

“This was a report based on a single anonymous source that could not substantiate the allegation that was made,” White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. “The report has had serious consequences. People have lost their lives. The image of the United States abroad has been damaged."

McClellan called it puzzling that “while Newsweek now acknowledges that they got the facts wrong, they refuse to retract the story.”

Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, told Newsweek that its original story was wrong following an extensive internal U.S. military investigation at Guantanamo Bay.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said May 12 before a U.S. Senate committee that "disrespect for the holy Quran is not now, nor has it ever been, nor will it ever be, tolerated by the United States. We honor the sacred books of all the world's great religions. Disrespect for the holy Quran is abhorrent to us all."

Whitaker expressed regret for the violence over the brief news item that appeared in the magazine's "Periscope" section.

"I've expressed regret for the loss of life and the violence that put American troops in harm's way," Whitaker said May 15 in a news report.

Whitaker said the news story had been based on an anonymous source -- a "senior U.S. government official." That unnamed source, Whitaker said, now says he is not sure if the information he provided is true. The magazine, which did not verify the Quran allegation with anyone else, has not identified its confidential source.

The magazine’s editor says Newsweek adheres as often as possible to a policy of identifying its news sources, but some sources will not speak on the record, particularly when it involves sensitive information. The U.S. news media have been evaluating and debating the use of anonymous news sources in stories over the past year, in part to address concerns by readers that news stories are not perceived as factual.

An expert in media law and ethics at the University of Minnesota says this situation illustrates several important aspects of reporting news from unnamed sources.

First, the Newsweek story was reported without direct attribution, and second, use of unnamed sources carries a certain risk for a news organization's reputation, says Professor Jane Kirtley, who is the Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law at the University of Minnesota's School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

And she said that, in using news sources without attribution, journalists and their organizations assume the risk of becoming the source of the information in the minds of readers -- which is usually not intended. An added factor is whether or not the source has a hidden agenda in providing the information to the news media, she said.

Finally, she said understanding the impact of a news report can be doubly troubling when the news spreads across multiple cultures as has occurred in the Newsweek case.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Newsweek’s report about the alleged desecration of the Quran “is demonstrably false and there have thus far been no credible allegations” of such an act.

He called Newsweek’s report irresponsible, saying it “had significant consequences that reverberated throughout Muslim communities around the world." He said the magazine "hid behind anonymous sources, which by their own admission do not withstand scrutiny. Unfortunately, they cannot retract the damage that they have done to this nation or those who were viciously attacked by those false allegations."

General Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said military investigators "have found no credible allegations of willful Quran desecration." He said Army General Bantz J. Craddock, commander of U.S. Southern Command, was in Guantanamo Bay investigating the allegations, but no interrogation logs reviewed so far have confirmed such an incident.

Joint Task Force Guantanamo said in a statement issued May 11 its members "are sensitive to the religious beliefs and practices of the detainees in U.S. custody." The U.S. military investigation into the allegations by Newsweek began May 10.

The Newsweek item that triggered the violence and deaths across South Asia and the Middle East alleged that an upcoming U.S. Southern Command report was expected to contain a reference about desecration of the Quran. Whitaker said the source for the Newsweek report now says he "could no longer be sure" that the desecration allegations were true.

National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley said in an interview May 15 on CNN's "Late Edition" news show "if it turns out to be true, obviously we will take action against those responsible."

SOURCE: usinfo.state.gov Created:16 May 2005 Updated: 16 May 2005