The perfect plan: Invite Saddam to a "friendly debate", and kill him! Just thought this was funny-- from the white house press briefings Tuesday.
Q Ari, given the fact that the President has talked about the potential conflict with Iraq as a continuation of the war on terror, if an opportunity presents itself, would the President authorize the assassination of Saddam Hussein, and did he tell a U.S. senator that, in fact, he would do that?
MR. FLEISCHER: The executive order that deals with these matters remains in place. And that guides the --
Q What is that?
MR. FLEISCHER: There is an executive order that prohibits the assassination of foreign leaders, and that remains in place. So that's the answer to your question. Now, of course, in the event of military conflict, command and control are different matters, it is well-known, in accordance with previous practice and the law. And that is reflected in anything the President would have done or said.
Q But the question is, if the opportunity presented itself, would he rescind that order and take that shot? So did he say that to Senator --
MR. FLEISCHER: I've looked into it; I can't confirm that he did say it. I do not see that --
Q Did you ask him about it?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President doesn't recall if he said it or didn't say it. The staff doesn't recall the President saying it. But bottom line remains the same, the executive order is in place, and so it's a hypothetical that doesn't exist.
Q Well, but it's not a hypothetical in the sense that this is, as he says, a continuation of the war on terror. And we know it was rescinded with regard to Osama bin Laden. Why shouldn't it be rescinded with regard to Saddam Hussein? And we know that the President wants to avoid war by having him exiled, or something else, so would this be an --
MR. FLEISCHER: I think there is no question the world would be better off if Saddam Hussein would leave Iraq, would disarm, and the situation could be resolved differently. That remains the President's hope. And in the event anything changes, and nothing is planned to change, I will let you know. But there is nothing that has changed it, it remains in place. That's the facts.
Q -- a question I want to ask on a different subject. Can you explain, first, what you meant by the rules of engagement or military conflict? I assume that means the executive order does not apply in military conflict. Could you explain it --
MR. FLEISCHER: It's the longstanding policy about command and control.
Q And how would that apply to the potential assassination of a leader of a country that we are invading?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think that in the event there were hostilities, all military commanders could be part of a war operation. I don't think it would surprise anybody to think that if we go to war in Iraq and hostilities result, command and control and top generals, people who are in charge of fighting the war to kill the United States troops, cannot assume that they will be safe.
Q Including the head of that --
MR. FLEISCHER: Of course, including Saddam Hussein. of course.
Q The directive actually says that?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, we're talking -- we're not talking about the directive. We're talking about in the event of war.
Q Ari, given the fact that the President has talked about the potential conflict with Iraq as a continuation of the war on terror, if an opportunity presents itself, would the President authorize the assassination of Saddam Hussein, and did he tell a U.S. senator that, in fact, he would do that?
MR. FLEISCHER: The executive order that deals with these matters remains in place. And that guides the --
Q What is that?
MR. FLEISCHER: There is an executive order that prohibits the assassination of foreign leaders, and that remains in place. So that's the answer to your question. Now, of course, in the event of military conflict, command and control are different matters, it is well-known, in accordance with previous practice and the law. And that is reflected in anything the President would have done or said.
Q But the question is, if the opportunity presented itself, would he rescind that order and take that shot? So did he say that to Senator --
MR. FLEISCHER: I've looked into it; I can't confirm that he did say it. I do not see that --
Q Did you ask him about it?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President doesn't recall if he said it or didn't say it. The staff doesn't recall the President saying it. But bottom line remains the same, the executive order is in place, and so it's a hypothetical that doesn't exist.
Q Well, but it's not a hypothetical in the sense that this is, as he says, a continuation of the war on terror. And we know it was rescinded with regard to Osama bin Laden. Why shouldn't it be rescinded with regard to Saddam Hussein? And we know that the President wants to avoid war by having him exiled, or something else, so would this be an --
MR. FLEISCHER: I think there is no question the world would be better off if Saddam Hussein would leave Iraq, would disarm, and the situation could be resolved differently. That remains the President's hope. And in the event anything changes, and nothing is planned to change, I will let you know. But there is nothing that has changed it, it remains in place. That's the facts.
Q -- a question I want to ask on a different subject. Can you explain, first, what you meant by the rules of engagement or military conflict? I assume that means the executive order does not apply in military conflict. Could you explain it --
MR. FLEISCHER: It's the longstanding policy about command and control.
Q And how would that apply to the potential assassination of a leader of a country that we are invading?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think that in the event there were hostilities, all military commanders could be part of a war operation. I don't think it would surprise anybody to think that if we go to war in Iraq and hostilities result, command and control and top generals, people who are in charge of fighting the war to kill the United States troops, cannot assume that they will be safe.
Q Including the head of that --
MR. FLEISCHER: Of course, including Saddam Hussein. of course.
Q The directive actually says that?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, we're talking -- we're not talking about the directive. We're talking about in the event of war.