Digest of Other White House Announcements, Week Ending Friday, March 4, 2005

The following list includes the President’s public schedule and other items of general interest announced by the Office of the Press Secretary and not included elsewhere in this issue.

February 26

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

February 28

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing and met with the National Security Council. Later, he met with Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld.

The White House announced that the President will welcome Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, to the White House on March 16.

March 1

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

In the afternoon, in the Cabinet Room, the President met with congressional leaders to discuss his recent visit to Europe and foreign policy initiatives.

March 2

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he traveled to Arnold, MD.

Later in the morning, the President returned to Washington, DC.

In the afternoon, in the Residence, the President met with Republican Members of the House of Representatives to discuss Social Security reform.

The President made additional disaster assistance available to Alabama by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for Public Assistance projects undertaken as a result of Hurricane Ivan.

March 3

In the morning, the President had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Ayad Allawi of the Iraqi Interim Government to discuss the political and security situation in Iraq. He then had an intelligence briefing.

In the afternoon, the President had lunch with Vice President Dick Cheney. Later, he traveled to Langley, VA, where he had a briefing at the Central Intelligence Agency. Later, he returned to Washington, DC.

Later in the afternoon, the President participated in an interview with the Editorial Board of the New York Post. Later, he met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He then participated in a photo opportunity with U.S. Senate Youth Program students.

The White House announced that the President will host President Vicente Fox ofMexico and Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada in Texas on March 23.

March 4

In the morning, the President had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister-designate Jose Socrates of Portugal to congratulate him on his party’s February 20 election victory. He then had an intelligence briefing.

Later in the morning, the President traveled to Newark, NJ, where, upon arrival at Newark Liberty International Airport, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer John Herrmann. He then traveled to Westfield, NJ.

In the afternoon, the President traveled to South Bend, IN, where, upon arrival at South Bend Regional Airport, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Lucy Kuminecz. He then traveled to Notre Dame, IN.

Later in the afternoon, the President returned to Washington, DC.

The White House announced that the President will welcome Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland to the White House on March 17.

The President announced his intention to nominate David Garman to be Under Secretary of Energy.

The President announced his intention to nominate Christopher R. Hill to be Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

The President announced his intention to nominate Anthony J. Principi to be a member of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission and, upon confirmation, to designate him as Chairman.

The President announced his intention to nominate Rudolph E. Boschwitz for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as U.S. Representative on the Human Rights Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

The President announced his intention to designate E. Timothy Oppelt as Acting Assistant Administrator for Research and Development at the Environmental Protection Agency.