Mokhiber: Ari, two things. How many people have been killed in this war?

Ari Fleischer: That's a question you need to address to DOD.

Mokhiber: The government has no estimate on civilian and military deaths, both sides?

Ari Fleischer: It is an operational question, and as you are familiar with, that needs to be addressed to DOD.

Mokhiber: Last month, Rachel Corrie, an American student living in Gaza, was bulldozed to death trying to defend a Palestinian home. Israel said it was a mistake, but eyewitnesses say it was a deliberate act. Also, last week Brian Avery, another American, was shot in the face by the Israeli Army. A number of members of Congress, have introduced House Concurrent Resolution 111, calling on the administration to investigate Rachel Corrie's death. (See www.rachelcorrie.com)

And I was wondering whether the President will launch such an investigation.

Fleischer: The President is already in touch with high officials, with the State Department, about this matter. The President spoke with Prime Minister Sharon about it too - and to express our concerns about this - and they are being looked into.

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-Thanks to Russell Mokhiber

White House reporter Russell Mokhiber is the editor of the Washington, D.C.-based Corporate Crime Reporter - www.corporatecrimereporter.com. He co-authors the weekly Focus on the Corporation column with Robert Weissman which Common Dreams publishes. He can be reached at: russell@nationalpress.com