MS. PERINO: All right. I will have an update for you about the President's activities on the economy in a moment, so bear with me though, I have a couple of other things. The President at 2:05 p.m. today will have a secure video teleconference with PRT leaders, provincial reconstruction team leaders in Afghanistan, and President Karzai will join him for that. PRTs are helping to improve the lives of Afghan citizens, and they'll have a chance to hear about their progress.

Following that, the President will meet with President Karzai in the Oval Office. He looks forward to discussing with him the state of the international community's ongoing efforts to help improve security there and reconstruction in Afghanistan, as well as the governance of Afghanistan. And it will give them a chance to talk about the expansion of the Afghan National Army, the continued training of that army, and the strategic partnership talks.

Just for your -- just as a reminder, the two leaders last met in Egypt in May during the President's visit to the Middle East.

Also, at 4:20 p.m. today, as I told you yesterday, the President will meet with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown. That will be in the Oval Office, and they will discuss the global economy; certainly Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, and other issues of shared concern.

At 7:00 p.m. this evening, the President and Mrs. Bush will attend the 2008 National Book Festival Gala performance and dinner. Both events are being held at the Library of Congress, Jefferson Building, here in Washington. There are approximately 400 guests and we can provide you more information, or the First Lady's office could, too, if you're going to have anything on that.

Also, we welcome the Senate's ratification yesterday evening of Albania's and Croatia's ascension to NATO. This step recognizes the tremendous progress made by these countries in recent years. Their membership in NATO, once ratification by other allies is completed, will be a great asset to the alliance. Both countries are already active participants in military operations, along with U.S. forces and those of our allies. The Senate vote underscores how these new democracies have helped to close a dark chapter in the history of the Balkans, and are making strides in ensuring the entire region is peaceful, democratic, and on the path toward full Euro-Atlantic integration.

We also hope to welcome Macedonia as a member of NATO as soon as the issue of its name is resolved, and to continue NATO's enlargement process to include other allies in the future.

Now, you heard from the President already this morning about the economy. I know you've been following the developments on Capitol Hill. Let me just give you a little bit of what is going on here at the White House to help bring this to a conclusion. The President has been talking with his senior advisors Josh Bolten, Joel Kaplan, Ed Gillespie, Dan Meyer, Keith Hennessey, Eddie Lazear, and others. The President spoke to the Republican leaders this morning, Mitch McConnell and John Boehner. He will be on the phone with other members today, I would expect, and I'll provide you updates as possible throughout the day.

Josh Bolten and Joel Kaplan have been on the phone regularly with members of Congress, as well. The President instructed his legislative affairs team and his economic policy advisors here at the White House and at Treasury to keep working with Congress. Keith Hennessey, the Director of the National Economic Council, is on the Hill right now meeting with members. He's also been on the phone with members to discuss the policy options and the concerns and trying to find a way that we can resolve them.

Dan Meyer, who is the Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, was in the meeting last night on Capitol Hill. He was up there again this morning, and his staff, John Emling and Chris Frech are also up there working with members to address their concerns. Secretary Paulson is also on the Hill, and he's calling in providing updates to Joel Kaplan and Josh Bolten and to the President, as well. He was also meeting with members, and then working the phones last night.

So we have a lot of work to do, but I think things are continuing to head in the right direction. One thing we know is that everyone understands the urgency with which we need to get something done.

seen at 09:00, 26 September in Whitehouse Press Briefings. Email this to a friend.
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