Richard L. Siewert Jr.

“ So we're not convinced that giving it a monument status would give it any additional legal protection. So Congress is going to have to act on that and Congress has steadfastly opposed efforts to open ANWR throughout Democratic and Republican control in the Senate. So we think it's very unlikely that Congress will allow the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to be opened for drilling. They defeated it in the '80s and '90s and we think they'll continue to oppose that and we think that's the right course of action. ”

“ The President talked to the Prime Minister and the Chairman in the last couple days and we'll make a decision when we see how those security discussions play out. Q Jake, the President has said now -- said privately, and his negotiations -- and he said it publicly, I believe, Sunday night, that when he goes, his proposals go with him. Is he simply accepting a fact of life there, or does he think it's just simply a good idea that they disappear with him? MR. SIEWERT: I think that's simply the reality. ”

“ That payment of $582 million will allow the U.N. to pay the bulk of the funds owed to other countries for troop contributions to peacekeeping. This move builds on the fine work that Ambassador Holbrooke has done, along with Secretary Albright and others, at the United Nations, and it will go a long way to putting the U.S.-U.N. relationship back on track. ”

“ But the President has met President-elect Bush and wished him well, and given him advice. He's instructed all of us to cooperate in the transition. At the same time, he made perfectly clear he disagreed with that court's decision. Q On this big decision that he has on whether to take Socks and Buddy -- MR. SIEWERT: There are no developments on the Socks-Buddy peace process today. ”

“ Q But is there a discussion of a separation, perhaps a Socks stays in New York and -- MR. SIEWERT: There are a lot of different options, a lot of different options. We haven't made a final decision. Q Does he have a preference of a pet? MR. SIEWERT: No, I'm not going to get into that here. I don't think so. Q They fight like dogs and cats. MR. SIEWERT: I was instructed that the pet peace process was moribund today. Q Yes, but there's little doubt that Buddy is his favorite these days. ”