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QUESTION: Let me turn to the issue of Iran. Many Democrats out on the presidential campaign --

SECRETARY RICE: Sorry, George, I have to get rid of my little friend here.

QUESTION: You've got to tell the President to do something about those mosquitoes down in Crawford. (Laughter.)

SECRETARY RICE: Well, I think it's the Texas fly. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: We've made a lot about this resolution by Senators Kyl and Lieberman, supported by an overwhelming majority of senators. But others, particularly on the presidential campaign trail, including our next guest, Senator Christopher Dodd, have said it's a backdoor authorization for military action in Iran. Here's Senator Dodd:

"I'm very concerned that we're going to see those 76 votes come back, being waved in front of us here as a justification for the Bush Administration to try to take military action in Iran."

Does the Administration believe that this resolution gives the President the authority to take military action against Iran?

SECRETARY RICE: Look, George, I'm not going to get into a constitutional argument about the President's authorities. That stands on its own: the President's authority to use whatever means he needs to use in order to secure the country. However, there is nothing in this particular resolution that would suggest that, from our point of view. And clearly, the President has also made very clear that he's on a diplomatic path where Iran comes into focus. Obviously, it can be the case that he will never take his options off the table, but this particular resolution has nothing to do with that, from our point of view. This resolution is saying that there need to be strong measures taken against Iran, which we have definitely done.

QUESTION: How about on the other side? Senator Obama has suggested in recent interviews that he'd be willing to offer Iran positive benefits along with the threat of sanctions if they were willing to make some progress on their nuclear program, might even be willing to take the idea of regime change off the table. Is the Administration open to providing carrots as well as sticks to Iran?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, in fact, we've put forward a proposal with our allies -- the Europeans, the three European countries, Germany, France and Britain; Russia and China -- the six have put together and put forward a package of incentives for the Iranians if they will suspend their enrichment and reprocessing activities, if they'll come to the table and negotiate. We've said that we could look at trade issues, we could look at political issues. We have not even rejected the idea that Iran should have civil nuclear power and, in fact, would be prepared under certain circumstances to participate in that. They just have to give up the fuel cycle, the enrichment and reprocessing that can lead to the technologies that can lead to a nuclear weapon.

So, in fact, that's been precisely the Administration's policy that we, on the one hand, tell the Iranians there's a path out, it's a path of trade and aid and civil nuclear power; but if you can't accept the just demands of the international community, just demands that have been in two Security Council resolutions that were unanimous, then we will have to pursue further sanctions.

So, frankly, that is the Administration's policy. I've even said, George, that we would reverse 28 years of policy, and if the Iranians suspend their enrichment and reprocessing, I'm prepared to meet my counterpart anyplace, anytime, anywhere. So the question isn't why will we not talk to Tehran; the question is why will Tehran not talk to us.

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