Special Report:  World Tackles Swine Flu

Special Report: Obama's first 100 days in White House

    WASHINGTON, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The threat of an pandemic of swine flue loomed large when President Barack Obama addressed his third prime-time news conference at the White House on Wednesday, prompting him to vow that his administration will do whatever necessary to curb the deadly virus.

    The president also took the chance to assess his performance on other domestic issues in his first 100 days in office and defend his position to end the practice of torture in the combat against terrorism.     

    EMERGENCY FUNDS TO DEAL WITH FLU

    The president said he has requested an immediate 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in emergency funding from Congress to support governmental ability to monitor and track the swine flu virus which has left one dead in the U.S. and to build supply of antiviral drugs and other equipment.

    "We are continuing to closely monitor the emergency cases of the H1N1 flu virus throughout the United States. As I said this morning, this is obviously a very serious situation, and every American should know that their entire government is taking the utmost precautions and preparations," Obama told a press conference marking the 100th day of his presidency.

    Obama said U.S. public health officials have recommended that schools with confirmed or suspected cases of this flu strongly consider temporarily closing. "And if more schools are forced to close, we've recommended that both parents and businesses think about contingency plans if their children do have to stay home," he added.

    Obama urged every American to take the same steps that need to be taken to prevent any other flu. He said his administration will continue to provide regular updates to the American public on the spread of the virus.

    "Everyone should rest assured that this government is prepared to do whatever it takes to control the impact of this virus," he said.

    The number of confirmed human swine flu cases in the United States has risen to 91, officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier Wednesday.     

    OFF TO A GOOD START, BUT A LOT LEFT TO DO

    Obama expressed his satisfaction with the passage of a 3.4-trillion- dollar budget by Congress on Wednesday, saying that the budget resolution will serve as an economic blueprint for the future of the country.

    "This budget builds on the steps we've taken over the last 100 days to move this economy from recession to recovery and ultimately to prosperity," he said.

    The president listed a recovery act, a health insurance law for children and a housing stabilization plan as the major achievements in his first 100 days in office.

    "So I think we're off to a good start, but it's just a start," he said. "I'm pleased with our progress, but I'm not satisfied."

    "Millions of Americans are still without jobs and homes, and more will be lost before this recession is over. Credit is still not flowing nearly as freely as it should," he said. "Our projected long-term deficits are still too high, and government is still not as efficient as it needs to be."

    Obama said his administration will make an unrelenting, unyielding effort to deal with various challenges facing the country in the days ahead.

    On the domestic front, he said his administration will work on health care reform, an energy legislation, a legislation to set new rules for Wall Street, as well as a legislation to protect credit card users from unfair practices.

    "So we have a lot of work left to do. It's work that will take time, and it will take effort," Obama said.     

    ENDING TORTURE RIGHT THING TO DO

    Responding to a question on water boarding at the news conference, President Obama vigorously defended his position on a bid to end the use of torture in the war against terrorism.

    "I believe that water boarding was torture. And I think that whatever legal rationales were used, it was a mistake," Obama said.

    "What I've said -- and I will repeat -- is that water boarding violates our ideals and our values. I do believe that it is torture," he said.

    "I don't think that's just my opinion; that's the opinion of many who've examined the topic. And that's why I put an end to these practices," he said, noting that he is absolutely convinced it was the right thing to do.

    He said the U.S. could obtain information in other ways, in ways that were consistent with the values of the country.

    By preventing these kinds of "enhanced interrogation techniques, Obama said, the U.S. could make itself stronger and safer over the long term because the step would take away a critical tool that al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations have used to recruit supporters.

    "This is a decision that I'm very comfortable with. And I think the American people over time will recognize that it is better for us to stick to who we are, even when we're taking on an unscrupulous enemy," he said.