Lawrence Ari Fleischer

“ Well, we can -- see what happens in Washington. The money is proposed to be spent on one meritorious program, another meritorious program, another. It all goes to government spending if it's not cut in taxes. ”

“ Two domestic items I want to talk about, because they're both very much on the President's mind and he has discussed them this morning. The President is looking forward to the vote this afternoon in the United States Senate on the budget for the country. The President believes that the Senate this afternoon will move in the right direction, to provide the American people with substantial tax relief, very much like what he promised during the course of the campaign. ”

“ What is China's response when we ask that the service people be released? What is their explanation for why they continue to be held? MR. FLEISCHER: They're aware of our request that they be released, and that is the course of the negotiations that we're in with the Chinese, to determine the best, as Secretary Powell described it earlier this morning, exchanging the precise ideas so that goal can be secured. Q Ari, there's an agreement in effect between the United States and China that was signed back in January of '98, calling for maritime and aviation issues. ”

“ I'm not going to discuss the specifics of something that's very sensitive that is in the middle of being discussed, as we speak. There has been an exchange of rather precise ideas between the Chinese government and the United States government. That is ongoing. And we're going to continue to monitor it. Q Then would you characterize the kind of work which remains to be done as the building of a framework for both to exchange ideas, or explanations, as the Secretary of State put it? MR. FLEISCHER: Ideas, explanations, work continues to be done to secure their release. ”

“ And for us to start publicly to discuss what is still a conversation going back and forth between American officials and Chinese officials would not be productive in obtaining the President's goal, which is to bring our men and women and home. Q Is the goal some sort of joint statement, at least? MR. FLEISCHER: Again, I'm not going to discuss what is going on between the two parties as they negotiate. Q Ari, what explanation can you offer the American people as to the administration's view of why our servicemen and women are over there? Why are they being held? What can you tell the people? ”

“ There are important diplomatic exchanges underway, and a reminder of where the United States and China stand diplomatically at this very moment. Q There's actually -- I've listened to what you've said about the budget, but there is actually some specific numbers that were thrown around this morning. Top Republicans have said that $1.6 trillion tax cut is dead. Dick Cheney has negotiated for a $1.4 trillion. John Breaux has said, you're lucky to get $1.2 trillion. Can you talk about the specific numbers? Is $1.2 trillion in the tax cut acceptable? ”

“ Now, there may be some movement that remains, but the point the President is focused on, and look how much is getting done, that is because he has set a tone of leadership, he fought for something that he believes in. ”

“ I assured you that the American position is unchanged. Q There are some Republicans on the Hill who actually are saying that maybe the President could have done more in lobbying, persuading members of the Senate on both sides of the aisle, and that if he had done so the tax cut may actually be at a larger amount than what we think. ”

“ But his meeting took place with Dr. Rice. Q Any discussion on China? MR. FLEISCHER: I haven't talked to Condi about her meeting. Q Just to change to the Middle East, for a minute. Holy Week is approaching, of course, for Jews and Christians. Is the White House taking any more active step to try to quell the violence? And can you give us any general ideas about where diplomacy is going? MR. FLEISCHER: Well, as you know, there was just a meeting this week between the Israelis and the Palestinians. And that was facilitated by the United States. ”

“ So the President is pleased with what is taking place, but he's cognizant of the fact that there -- work does remain, and the end result remains that our men and women should come home, and our plane should be returned. ”

“ Q And did they report anything in particular to the President back on what they learned in the conversations they were able to have alone with the U.S. service personnel that might shed light on some of the disputed facts of the collision? ”