THE WHITE HOUSE

                 Office of the Press Secretary

                                                                 ­

For Immediate Release                         September   10, 2008

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

     I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153) (AEA), the text of a proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of India Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.  I am also pleased to transmit my written determination concerning the Agreement, including my approval of the Agreement and my authorization to execute the Agreement, and an unclassified Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement (NPAS) concerning the Agreement.  (In accordance with section 123 of the AEA, as amended by title XII of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (Public Law 105‑277), a classified annex to the NPAS, prepared by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, summarizing relevant classified information, will be submitted to the Congress separately.)  The joint memorandum submitted to me by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy and a letter from the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission stating the views of the Commission are also enclosed.

     The proposed Agreement has been negotiated in accordance with the AEA and other applicable law.  In my judgment, it meets all applicable statutory requirements except for section 123 a.(2) of the AEA, from which I have exempted it as described below.

      The proposed Agreement provides a comprehensive framework for U.S. peaceful nuclear cooperation with India.  It permits the transfer of information, non-nuclear material, nuclear material, equipment (including reactors) and components for nuclear research and nuclear power production.  It does not permit transfers of any restricted data.  Sensitive nuclear technology, heavy-water production technology and production facilities, sensitive nuclear facilities, and major critical components of such facilities may not be transferred under the Agreement unless the Agreement is amended.  The Agreement permits the enrichment of uranium subject to it up to 20 percent in the isotope 235.  It permits reprocessing and other alterations in form or content of nuclear material subject to it; however, in the case of such activities in India, these rights will not come into effect until India establishes a new national reprocessing facility dedicated to reprocessing under IAEA safeguards and both parties agree on arrangements and procedures under which the reprocessing or other alteration in form or content will take place.

     In Article 5(6) the Agreement records certain political commitments concerning reliable supply of nuclear fuel given to India   Agreement does not, however, transform these political commitments into legally binding commitments because the Agreement, like other U.S. agreements of its type, is intended as a framework agreement.

     The Agreement will remain in force for a period of 40 years and will continue in force thereafter for additional periods of 10 years each unless either party gives notice to terminate it 6 months before the end of a period.  Moreover, either party has the right to terminate the Agreement prior to its expiration on 1 year's written notice to the other party.  A party seeking early termination of the Agreement has the right immediately to cease cooperation under the Agreement, prior to termination, if it determines that a mutually acceptable resolution of outstanding issues cannot be achieved through consultations.  In any case the Agreement, as noted, is a framework or enabling agreement that does not compel any specific nuclear cooperative activity.  In the event of termination of the Agreement, key nonproliferation conditions and controls would continue with respect to material and equipment subject to the Agreement.

     An extensive discussion of India's civil nuclear program, military nuclear program, and nuclear nonproliferation policies and practices is provided in the Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement (NPAS) and in a classified annex to the NPAS submitted to the Congress separately.

     The AEA establishes the requirements for agreements for nuclear cooperation, some of which apply only to non-nuclear-weapon states (see AEA, section 123 a.).  The AEA incorporates the definition of "nuclear-weapon state" from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which defines it to mean a state that has manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to January 1, 1967.  Therefore India is a non-nuclear-weapon state for NPT and AEA purposes, even though it possesses nuclear weapons.  The Agreement satisfies all requirements set forth in section 123 a. of the AEA except the requirement of section 123 a.(2) that, as a condition of continued U.S. nuclear supply under the Agreement, IAEA safeguards be maintained in India with respect to all nuclear materials in all peaceful nuclear activities within its territory, under its jurisdiction, or carried out under its control anywhere (i.e., "full-scope" or "comprehensive" safeguards).

     The Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006 (the "Hyde Act") established authority to exempt the Agreement from the full-scope safeguards requirement of section 123 a.(2) of the AEA, as well as certain other provisions of the AEA relating to supply under such an agreement, provided that the President makes certain determinations and transmits them to the Congress together with a report detailing the basis for the determinations.  I have made those determinations, and I am submitting them together with the required report as an enclosure to this transmittal.

     Approval of the Agreement, followed by its signature and entry into force, will permit the United States and India to move forward on the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative, which Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and I announced on July 18, 2005, and reaffirmed on March 2, 2006.  Civil nuclear   cooperation between the United States and India pursuant to the Agreement will offer major strategic and economic benefits to both countries, including enhanced energy security, an ability to rely more extensively on an environmentally friendly energy source, greater economic opportunities, and more robust nonproliferation efforts.

     The Agreement will reinforce the growing bilateral relationship between two vibrant democracies.  The United States is committed to a strategic partnership with India, the Agreement promises to be a major milestone in achieving and sustaining that goal.

     In reviewing the proposed Agreement I have considered the views and recommendations of interested agencies.  I have determined that its performance will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security.  Accordingly, I have approved it and I urge that the Congress also approve it this year.

                             GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    September 10, 2008.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release                         August 29, 2008

Labor Day 2008

I send greetings to all Americans celebrating Labor Day 2008.

In America, all citizens have an opportunity to forge their own paths forward, and their success is limited only by the size of their dreams.  From engineering to healthcare and from small businesses to education, the American people are the most industrious, enterprising, and productive in the world.  These talented and innovative workers provide for their families and play a vital role in building a more prosperous future for our country.  By trusting in the ingenuity and creativity of America's risk-takers and dreamers, our country will remain the most vibrant, hopeful, and dynamic around the globe.

Each year on Labor Day, we honor the dedicated men and women of our Nation's workforce.  Their determined efforts add to the strength and vitality of our country and build a brighter future for America.

Laura and I send our best wishes.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

(Crawford, Texas)

                                                                  ­

For Immediate Release                           August 25, 2008

MINORITY ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT WEEK, 2008

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

     The opportunities of America make our land a beacon of hope for people from every corner of the world.  America's minority-owned businesses contribute greatly to our economy and the richness of our country.  During Minority Enterprise Development Week, we recognize minority entrepreneurs and recommit ourselves to fostering an environment where everyone can attain the American dream.

     In America, people's dreams matter more than their background.  Across our country, minority business owners are working hard to achieve their goals and helping to extend the promises of America to their fellow citizens.  These businesses and their employees are vital contributors to our national prosperity.

     My Administration has lowered taxes, supported pro-growth policies, and enacted an economic stimulus package to encourage small and medium-sized business growth.  By keeping more money in the hands of families and small businesses, they can save, invest, spend, and give back to their communities.  Our economy is resilient and dynamic because Americans are the most industrious, creative, and enterprising people in the world and because we believe in a free market economy that rewards those qualities.

     During Minority Enterprise Development Week, we recognize the value minority entrepreneurs and their employees add to our country.  They are vital to our Nation's economic strength and an essential part of our national heritage.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 31 through September 6, 2008, as Minority Enterprise Development Week.  I call upon all Americans to celebrate this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to recognize the many contributions of our Nation's minority enterprises.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

twenty-fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

                             GEORGE W. BUSH

   GEORGE W. BUSH

Straight To The Point:

President Bush: "The Work Of Democratic Development Is The Great Cause Of Our Time"

President Bush Participates In Ceremonial Groundbreaking For United States Institute Of Peace, Says "Advancing The Cause Of Liberty Is Necessary To Advance The Cause Of Peace"

"[W]e're in an ideological struggle against violent extremism.  The U.S. Institute of Peace is playing an important role, and I thank you for that.  In Afghanistan, you're helping a young democracy establish the rule of law and strengthen public education and build civil society.  In Iraq, you're helping the nation overcome the legacy of decades of tyranny by strengthening government institutions and promoting peaceful engagement.  And although the struggle against violent extremism is in its early years, there's no doubt in my mind freedom will again prevail – and your help is going to be important."

– President George W. Bush, 6/5/08

"The United States Is Leading And Must Continue To Lead The Cause Of Freedom For The Sake Of Peace"

President Bush: "Free societies are peaceful societies."  "We believe that freedom is the birthright of every man, woman and child. …  Freedom helps supplant the conditions of hopelessness that extremists exploit to recruit terrorists and suicide bombers.  People who live in liberty are less likely to turn to ideologies of hatred and fear, and that is why the United States is leading and must continue to lead the cause of freedom for the sake of peace."  (President George W. Bush, Remarks At Ceremonial Groundbreaking Of United States Institute Of Peace, Navy Hill, Washington, DC, 6/5/08)

·         "Our most solemn obligation is to protect the American people."  "That is why we're pursuing and bringing to justice terrorists.  We're fighting them overseas so we don't have to face them here in the United States of America."

"Civilian Expertise Is Vital To Strengthening The Institutions Of Freedom" 

President Bush: "We launched what's called a Civilian Stabilization Initiative, which is being run out of the State Department in the Office of Reconstruction and Stabilization."  "In the future, civilian expertise will be needed in other countries where we do not have ongoing military operations.  At the moment we lack the capability to rapidly deploy civilian experts with the right skills to trouble spots around the world."

·         "America is training international peacekeepers so they can deploy to provide security in troubled regions.  We started what's called the Global Peace Operations Initiative."  "The whole idea is to work to train international peacekeeping forces so they can do the work necessary to provide stability and security, so institutions can advance.  So far, we've trained more than 40,000 peacekeepers, and the plan is to train 75,000 additional." 

·         "In Iraq and Afghanistan, we've developed an important tool to tap into civilian expertise called Provincial Reconstruction Teams."  "PRTs bring together civilian, diplomatic and military personnel.  They move into communities that our military has cleared of terrorists.  They help ensure that security gains are followed with real improvements in daily life by helping local leaders create jobs and deliver basic services and build up local economies."

"Aiding The Rise Of Strong And Stable Democracies Requires … The Efforts Of Other Governments … Non-Governmental Organizations, And People Around The World" 

President Bush: "[W]e must be confident in our ability to help others realize the blessings of freedom."  "My big concern is that the United States becomes isolationist and nervous; we don't support those values that have stood the test of time."

·         "[T]he work of democratic development is the work of non-governmental organizations, like the U.S. Institute of Peace."  "[T]hese organizations can go into countries where it's harder for governments to operate.  So it's very important for this government and future governments to always be a strong and steady partner to non-governmental organizations and groups like the U.S. Institute of Peace." 

·         "The work of democratic development is the work of all free nations."  "The work of democratic development sometimes requires young democracies under siege to band together with partnerships to deal with common threats." 

·         "[I]t's in our interest that we continue to increase the number of students coming to study in the United States."   "[I]f we expect democracies to prevail, to marginalize the extremists, countries – it requires countries to have good, strong democratic leaders, and the best way to encourage that is to have them come to our colleges and universities. We've made good progress about changing the student visa regime after 9/11.  We've increased the number of students coming here."

"It's In Our Security Interest To Eliminate Safe Havens For Terrorists And Extremists"

President Bush: "It's in America's vital interest to help all … combat ideologies of hate."  "It's in our security interest to eliminate safe havens for terrorists and extremists.  It's in our national interest to develop institutions that allow them to govern their territories effectively and improve their lives."

·         "We're transforming the United States military so we can deliver justice to the terrorists in a more effective way."

·         "We're transforming America's capabilities to help poor and struggling societies become healthy and prosperous."  "[W]e've seen those effective transformations through the Emergency Plan for AIDS, or Malaria Initiative, or the Millennium Challenge Account.  The Millennium Challenge Account represents a different approach to development.  It rewards nations that govern responsibly and fight corruption, and invest in the health and education of their people, and use the power of free markets and free trade to lift the people out of poverty." 

·         "We're also transforming America's capabilities to helping … emerging democracies build free institutions while under fire from terrorists and under pressure from state sponsors of terror."

THE WHITE HOUSE

                 Office of the Press Secretary

                                                                ­

For Immediate Release                               May 29, 2008

National Homeownership Month, 2008

- - - - - - -

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

     For many Americans, owning a home represents freedom, independence, and the American dream.  During National Homeownership Month, we highlight the benefits of owning a home and encourage our fellow citizens to be responsible homeowners.

     My Administration is committed to helping Americans achieve their dreams of homeownership.  We have worked to ensure that the mortgage industry is more transparent, reliable, and fair, and in order to sustain homeownership, we have launched initiatives to help responsible homeowners keep their homes.  The FHASecure program has given the Federal Housing Administration more flexibility in refinancing mortgages for homeowners who have good credit histories but cannot afford their current payments.  In addition, the HOPE NOW Alliance connects struggling homeowners with lenders, loan servicers, and mortgage counselors to help families stay in their homes.  Homeowners deserve our help, and these initiatives assist those in need.

     During National Homeownership Month and throughout the year, I encourage all Americans to take advantage of financial education opportunities to explore homeownership.  My Advisory Council on Financial Literacy is finding ways to help educate people from all walks of life about matters pertaining to their finances and their futures.  By practicing fiscal responsibility, Americans can contribute to the strength of our neighborhoods and our country.

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2008 as National Homeownership Month.  I call upon the people of the United States to join me in recognizing the importance of homeownership and building a more prosperous future for themselves and their communities.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

                             GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

__________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                                 May 19, 2008

STATEMENT BY COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT ED GILLESPIE

NBC News responded to our objection to their editorial decision to misleadingly edit the President’s interview with Richard Engel as aired on NBC Nightly News and The Today Show by noting it was available in its entirety on the MSNBC website. This misses the point.

While we appreciate that viewers can visit the MSNBC website to see how NBC News edited the interview to completely alter the nature of the President’s answer, we know that most will not – it’s simply absurd for people to have to log onto the internet and stream video to get accurate information from NBC News.

We also look forward to hearing their response to our additional concerns about their labeling Iraq as a “civil war”, and if they have reason not to believe official economic data.

# # #

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

______________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                              May 6, 2008

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

UPON SIGNING H.R. 4286,

CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL: DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI

Oval Office

8:49 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  I just signed a bill passed by the leaders of the Senate and House who have joined me to honor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with the Congressional Gold Medal.

This is a fitting tribute to a courageous woman who speaks for freedom for all the people of Burma, and who speaks in such a way that she's a powerful voice in contrast to the junta that currently rules the country.

Burma has been hit by a terrible natural disaster.  Laura and I and members of the Senate and House here express our heartfelt sympathy to the people of Burma.  The United States has made an initial aid contribution, but we want to do a lot more.  We're prepared to move U.S. Navy assets to help find those who've lost their lives, to help find the missing, to help stabilize the situation.  But in order to do so, the military junta must allow our disaster assessment teams into the country.

So our message is to the military rulers:  Let the United States come to help you, help the people.  Our hearts go out to the people of Burma.  We want to help them deal with this terrible disaster.  At the same time, of course, we want them to live in a free society.

I want to thank you for your leadership, thank you for your determination to send a message that America stands with this courageous woman.  Thank you.

                              END 

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the First Lady

______________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                              May 5, 2008

STATEMENT BY THE FIRST LADY

ON BURMA

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

3:05 P.M. EDT

MRS. BUSH:  Thank you, everybody, for coming out.  I just want to make a few comments about Burma.

On Saturday, Cyclone Nargis swept through Burma.  The storm affected more than 2 million people, and according to the Burmese media, killed thousands.  The aftermath has left cities paralyzed, families separated and houses and businesses destroyed.

Americans are a compassionate people and we're already acting to provide help.  The U.S. has offered financial assistance through our embassy.  We'll work with the U.N. and other international non-governmental organizations to provide water, sanitation, food and shelter.  More assistance will be forthcoming.

The United States stands prepared to provide an assistance team and much needed supplies to Burma as soon as the Burmese government accepts our offer.  The government of Burma should accept this team quickly, as well as other offers of international assistance.

As they cope with this tragedy, the men and women of Burma remain in the thoughts and prayers of many Americans.  It's troubling that many of the Burmese people learned of this impending disaster only when foreign outlets -- such as Radio Free Asia and Voice of America -- sounded the alarm.  Although they were aware of the threat, Burma's state-run media failed to issue a timely warning to citizens in the storm's path.

The response to the cyclone is just the most recent example of the junta's failure to meet its people's basic needs.  The regime has dismantled systems of agriculture, education and health care.  This once wealthy nation now has the lowest per capita GDP in Southeast Asia.

Despite the havoc created by this weekend cyclone, as far as we can tell Burma's military leaders plan to move forward with the constitutional referendum scheduled for this Saturday, May 10th.  They've orchestrated this vote to give false legitimacy to their continued rule.  The proposed constitution was drafted in a flawed process that excluded opposition and some key ethnic groups.  It would effectively give the military a veto over any constitutional changes.  The constitution would prohibit democracy activists who are current or former political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, from taking office.  To ensure their constitution becomes law, the regime has been intimidating voters and using force against dissidents.  Public gatherings have been banned and printed materials may not be distributed without governmental approval.

As the date of the referendum draws near, there's been an increase in arrests of opposition party members and activists.  This continues to take place, despite a call from the international community, and most recently from the United Nations Security Council, for Burma's government to ensure its referendum is free, fair and inclusive.

In response to the regime's continued repression, President Bush has instructed the U.S. Treasury Department to freeze assets of Burmese state-owned companies that are held in U.S. banks.  This adds to actions last year to expand U.S. sanctions against Burma's regime, and to tighten sanctions against its top leaders.  We thank the European Union, Canada and Australia for joining the United States in imposing similar restrictions.  And we appeal to China, India, and Burma's fellow ASEAN members to use their influence to encourage a democratic transition.

Burma's ruling generals have had their chance to implement the good government they promised to their people.  If it proceeds under current conditions, the constitutional referendum they have planned should not be seen as a step toward freedom, but rather as a confirmation of the unacceptable status quo.

Thank you all very much for giving me a chance to speak.  I'm going to leave tomorrow for Crawford, for Jenna's wedding, and I wanted to be able to make a statement about Burma before I left.

So I'm happy to take questions.

Q    Mrs. Bush, could you offer us any specifics yet about the scope of the U.S. disaster relief package?

MRS. BUSH:  Right now, the earliest part of the relief is money that the embassy already has, that's already there that we can distribute to other NGOs -- the World Food Program, other groups that are on the ground.  If they will let our DART team in, then we'll be able to assess what else we can do.  And we do have other supplies and commodities in the area -- not in Burma, but close in the area, that would be available soon for help if our DART team can get in and see what they can do.

Q    And given your concerns about the ruling government there, are you also worried that any U.S. aid might not get to the people affected?

MRS. BUSH:  Well, I'm worried that they won't even accept U.S. aid.  And I urge the government to accept aid from the United States and from the entire international community right now, while the needs of their people are so critical.

Q    Mrs. Bush, is there any evidence that the sanctions the U.S. and other nations have imposed on the leaders in Myanmar, or Burma, have had an effect?

MRS. BUSH:  Only anecdotal.  We have heard, and not -- probably can't really confirm -- about some of the leaders who are targeted -- actions that they've taken that make us think they don't like those targeted sanctions on the leaders themselves.

Q    Madam, do you have any strong message for the dictatorship, military dictatorship in Burma as far as this democracy and this cyclone is concerned?  And do you think they will have a change of heart and minds because of this tragedy?

MRS. BUSH:  I hope so.  I hope that their will be one good thing that comes out of such huge destruction, and that would be the government's realization that the people of Burma need help and they need more help than they can give them -- or that they've been able to give them.

And the country has just been totally decimated with both education, agriculture -- all of the things that made Burma one of the richest countries in Asia have now been dismantled.  And it's very, very important that the regime start to accept both technical help from out of the country and, obviously in this sort of disaster, very -- be able to accept the really basic help that anybody would need, any country would need and any people would need after this kind of disaster.

Q    And madam, what message you have for India, what India can do?

MRS. BUSH:  Well, I think India can help.  India is close, on the border there.  I think there are a lot of ways they could help and get help there quickly, and maybe the Burmese government would accept it more readily from the Indian government than they do from the U.S. government.

April.

Q    Mrs. Bush, why such an historic interest?  This is a first, for a First Lady to come to this podium and talk about a cyclone.  Why such a historic interest?

MRS. BUSH:  Well, you know I've been interested in Burma for a long time.  It started really with an interest in Aung San Suu Kyi and reading her works and just the story of a Nobel Prize winner who's been under house arrest for so long, whose party was overwhelmingly elected in an election and then never able to take office.  And so it started with an interest in her, and then just the more I've seen, the more critical I see the need is for the people in Burma to be -- for the world to pay attention to the people of Burma, and for the world to put pressure on the military regime.

Q    And a follow-up.  What about the issue of sanitation?  You talked about that, and dysentery.  Could you talk a little bit more about --

MRS. BUSH:  Those are the sort of things that international help would be critical for.  We don't know, for instance, in the -- people were already talking about the high price of rice.  We don't know -- they would have been just in the planting season -- what would happen if this big 12-foot surge of ocean water, salt water comes over the -- what would have been rice-planting ground.  We just don't know, but it seems very, very dire.  They were all -- already needed the help of the World Food Program, the WFP -- and now they'll need it even more.

And so it's really important for the regime to accept this kind of help to open their doors to all the help, to all of the help the U.N. could give, from U.N. AIDS* to UNICEF -- each one of the international programs that can help, as well as help from every government that is willing to help.  And I know there are a lot of governments that are.

Q    Why do you think that the government didn't allow the state-run media to post those warnings?

MRS. BUSH:  I don't know.  I have no idea.

Q    Quick follow on that.  Do you think that they have blood on their hands for that lack of warning?

MRS. BUSH:  Well, I just think it's very, very important -- that we know already that they are very inept; that they have not been able to govern in a way that lets their company -- country, for one thing, build an economy.  This is a country that's rich in natural resources.  Their natural resources are being depleted as they sell them off, as far as we can tell from the outside, for the financial benefit of the regime itself and not for the good of the people.  We know that.

We know these huge forests -- teak and mahogany forests may be being depleted -- that they have.  Their gem shows -- last year many American gem countries [sic] and European gem countries [sic] refused to go to the big gem auctions because they didn't want to prop up the government.  But we do know that a lot of -- that China, for instance, a lot of Chinese gem buyers did go.

Q    Mrs. Bush, the European Union has pledged $3 million.  That initial aid offer from the United States is only $250,000.

MRS. BUSH:  That's right.

Q    If they accept some assistance, how large would the U.S. --

MRS. BUSH:  Well, I don't know that.  I mean, we'll have to see what it would be, and I can't speak to how large that would be.  But I can -- I feel sure that it would be substantial if we can give it.  The money that -- the first fund, the first $250,000 from the U.S. government is money that the embassy already has in a fund for something like this, and they can give it immediately to the World Food Program or other NGOs that are meeting the very immediate needs.

If we can get some sort of team in there to assess what the other needs are, then I feel very assured that the United States government will follow with bigger --

Q    What have they said?

MRS. BUSH:  I don't know that.  They haven't said anything, as far as I know.

Q    Mrs. Bush, what can you tell us about the President signing legislation in the near future to award Aung San Suu Kyi the Congressional Gold Medal?

MRS. BUSH:  The President will sign the legislation tomorrow, the congressional legislation that awards Aung San Suu Kyi the Congressional Medal of Honor.**  And I was hoping to be here with him when he did that.  I don't think I'll be here because I think I'll be going on tomorrow.

But he will, and I think that's important.  I think it's just another way, like the Senate and the House caucuses on Burma, that let the people of Burma know that the United States is standing with them.  And we do know that they listen to Radio Free Asia and they listen to Voice of America, and so it's very important to get our message out on those radio stations so that people in Burma know that we are aware of what's happened, and we are very aware of the needs of the people after the cyclone.

Q    Do you think that might, though, affect the military junta's willingness to receive aid from the international community, particularly the U.S.?

MRS. BUSH:  I hope not.  I hope that the military will realize they have to accept aid from everybody they can possibly accept it from.  And maybe that will be the something good that can come out of this terrible destruction.

Q    Will they let her come to the U.S. to accept the medal?

MRS. BUSH:  They might let her come accept; they might not let her ever go back.  I don't think she would ever do that, because she couldn't be assured that she could go home.  That's why she didn't go see her husband when he was dying in England.

Anything else?

Q    Yes.  The U.S. only provides a few million dollars in annual humanitarian aid to Myanmar now.  Some relief officials have raised concerns that the existing U.S. sanctions plus the sheer lack of trust between the two countries will impede the flow of any significant U.S. aid following the cyclone.  And the question is, how is the U.S. government going to balance those two objectives -- the ones of maintaining financial pressure on the junta, and at the same time making sure the cyclone victims aren't victimized once again?

MRS. BUSH:  Well, that's the very -- that's always the question when sanctions are part of any sort of pressure that we can put on a government.  And in fact that seems to be the only kind of pressure the United States can put on Burma.  Certainly we hope that India, for instance, and other countries in the neighborhood can step up if they won't accept aid from the United States.

But I think in front of their own people and in front of the world, if they don't accept aid from the United States and from all the rest of the international community that wants to help the people of Burma, that that is just another way that the military regime looks so cut off and so unaware of what the real needs of their people are.

Okay, one last one.

Q    Ma'am, is there any way for the Burmese leaders to salvage the referendum process?  Should they scrap it, start from scratch?

MRS. BUSH:  Well, I'm not going to give them any advice, but it would be very, very odd I think if they went ahead and held a referendum this Saturday.

Q    Madam, all the best for the wedding, Jenna's wedding.