MR. JOHNDROE: Good morning. Let me make a few statements on a number of issues, and I'll be happy to take your questions.

The President was briefed this morning via secure video by Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff, as well as FEMA, on Tropical Storm Fay. The White House is following the storm very closely. The federal government is coordinating with state and local governments throughout the region, particularly the state of Florida, to prepare for the tropical storm.

Members of the administration have been in contact with Governor Crist, Senator Nelson, as well as the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. FEMA has activated its federal and regional operation centers and deployed liaisons to state emergency operation centers. Additionally, National Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces, an Incident Management Assistance Team and Mobile Emergency Response System, are ready to assist if needed. Other federal resources have been pre-deployed to the state to assist the state in response to the storm, if they are needed. At this time the state has not identified any unmet needs and has not requested any federal assistance.

An update on Wednesday: the President will make remarks to the VFW Convention. His speech is a look back to the important steps that have been taken in the global war on terror over the last seven and a half years. He then travels to New Orleans, where the President will make remarks at Jackson Barracks on the rebuilding efforts that continue in the Gulf Coast. He will also travel to Gulfport, Mississippi that evening where he will have dinner with community leaders.

A note on the situation in the Gulf Coast: General O'Dell, the Coordinator, recently announced in New Orleans with Governor Jindal the decision to allow Louisiana 30 years to repay the state's share of hurricane protection construction, the levees for the New Orleans area. This represents a substantial move to allow the state to gain better financial footing in the coming years, while simultaneously paying their share of the construction costs.

A statement we provided a little bit earlier on Pakistan: President Bush is committed to a strong Pakistan that continues its efforts to strengthen democracy and fight terror. President Bush appreciates President Musharraf's efforts in the democratic transition of Pakistan, as well as his commitment to fighting al Qaeda and extremist groups. President Bush looks forward to working with the government of Pakistan on the economic, political and security challenges that they face.

And lastly this morning, on Georgia: On Saturday, Russian President Medvedev signed a cease-fire agreement committing Russia to end hostilities and withdraw its forces to their pre-August 6th locations. As President Bush said on Saturday, now Russia needs to honor its agreement and withdraw its forces and, of course, end military operations.

The Russians have said that their withdrawal would start at midday today. We will continue to closely monitor Russian actions in Georgia for confirmation of the withdrawal. This is something that should be achieved without delay.

Secretary Rice is on her way to Brussels, where she will meet with NATO foreign ministers, as well as EU officials, tomorrow, to consult with allies, and make clear to the entire world that we stand with a free Georgia. She will also discuss our humanitarian aid to Georgia and urge similar quick actions from allies in the EU in support of the Georgian people. She will then continue on to Warsaw, Poland, where she will sign an agreement for the deployment of U.S. missile defense interceptors in Poland.

And with that, I am happy to take your questions. Toby.

seen at 09:00, 18 August in Whitehouse Press Briefings. Email this to a friend.
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