Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, April 12, 1999 Volume 35—Number 14 Pages 579–622

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Addresses and Remarks Interviews With the News Media Balkan situation—583, 617 Exchange with reporters in the Roosevelt China, state visit of Premier Zhu Room—583 State dinner—615 News conference with Premier Zhu of China, Welcoming ceremony—603 April 8 (No. 172)—604 Equal pay, roundtable discussion—597 ‘‘Hate Crimes Prevention Act,’’ proposed— Joint Statements 587 Joint U.S.-China Statement: Status of Pennsylvania, departure for Philadelphia—617 Negotiations on China’s Accession to the Philadelphia shipyards, radio remarks—617 World Trade Organization—614 Radio address—579 U.S. Institute of Peace—591 Meetings With Foreign Leaders White House Easter egg roll—583 China, Premier Zhu—603, 604, 614, 615 Bill Signings Proclamations Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and National D.A.R.E. Day—615 Scenic River Act, statement—618 National Equal Pay Day—601 Communications to Congress National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Angola, letter transmitting report on national Day—620 emergency—587 Pan American Day and Pan American Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Week—619 Montenegro), letter reporting on airstrikes Statements by the President against Serbian targets—602 Macedonia and Albania, letter reporting on See also Bill Signings decision to send certain U.S. forces—580, Pan Am Flight 103, delivery of the suspects 582 accused of the 1988 bombing—587 Nuclear Safety Convention, letter reporting— Supplementary Materials 620 Acts approved by the President—622 Communications to Federal Agencies Checklist of White House press releases—621 Croatia, memorandum on assistance—616 Digest of other White House Hate crimes in schools and college campuses, announcements—621 memorandum—590 Nominations submitted to the Senate—621

Editor’s Note: The President was in Philadelphia, PA, on April 9, the closing date of this issue. Releases and announcements issued by the Office of the Press Secretary but not received in time for inclusion in this issue will be printed next week.

WEEKLY COMPILATION OF regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register, approved by the President (37 FR 23607; 1 CFR Part 10). PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Docu- ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Reg- The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents will be ister, National Archives and Records Administration, Washing- furnished by mail to domestic subscribers for $80.00 per year ton, DC 20408, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ($137.00 for mailing first class) and to foreign subscribers for ments contains statements, messages, and other Presidential $93.75 per year, payable to the Superintendent of Documents, materials released by the White House during the preceding Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The week. charge for a single copy is $3.00 ($3.75 for foreign mailing). The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is pub- There are no restrictions on the republication of material lished pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Reg- appearing in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ister Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15), under ments.

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The President’s Radio Address thing they’ve done but simply because of who they are. April 3, 1999 If there’s one lesson we’ve learned in this As we gather in our homes during this sa- century, it’s that that kind of poison will cred week to observe Easter and Passover, spread if not stopped. If there’s one pledge let us take a moment to think about the plight that binds the past and future generations, it is that we cannot allow people to be de- of the people in Kosovo, who have been stroyed because of their ethnic or racial or forced from their homes by a campaign of religious groups when we do have the power violence and destruction, and who look to us to do something about it. for help and hope. Our military mission in Kosovo is a dif- The tragedy in Kosovo has been mounting ficult and dangerous one, but it’s necessary for over a year now. Over the last 2 weeks, and right, and we must stand with all our Serbian forces have intensified their attacks NATO allies to see it through. Our goal is against innocent civilians there, leaving no to exact a very high price for Mr. Milosevic’s doubt about the cold, clear goal of their lead- policy of repression and to seriously diminish er, Slobodan Milosevic, to keep Kosovo’s his military capacity to maintain that policy. land while ridding it of its people. We also must open our hearts and our Nearly one out of every three people in arms to the innocent victims of this conflict. Kosovo has been made homeless since the This week I authorized the expenditure of start of this conflict. Even before the recent $50 million in emergency funds to support surge, well over a quarter of a million people the relief effort and directed our military to had been displaced. Every hour of every day do its part to get critical supplies to people more arrive at Kosovo’s borders, tired, hun- in need. We’ll work with the United Nations gry, shaken by what they have been through. and with the many courageous volunteers Among them are elderly people, who have working on the ground with nongovern- lived their whole lives in peace with their mental organizations from all around the neighbors, only to be told now to leave every- world. thing behind in minutes or to be killed on You can help, too. I urge you to call your the spot. Among them are small children who local Red Cross or church-based charity and walked for miles over mountains, sometimes ask them how you can get involved. To- after watching their fathers and uncles and gether, we’ll provide food, water, and medi- brothers taken from them and shot before cine, blankets, clothing, and shelter to their eyes. Kosovar refugees. We’ll remind the victims Some have been shelled by artillery on of this conflict that for all they have lost, they their long trek to safety. Many have had their have not been abandoned or forgotten. identity papers and family records stolen and European countries are helping as well. destroyed, their history in Kosovo erased, Kosovo’s neighbors, Macedonia and Albania, their very existence denied. are taking the refugees in, despite the huge Our Nation cannot do everything. We burden this places on these poor, struggling can’t end all suffering. We can’t stop all vio- nations; so are Greece, Bosnia, and Bulgaria, lence. But there are times when looking away showing there’s more mercy than madness simply is not an option. Right now, in the in the Balkans, more compassion than cruelty middle of Europe, at the doorstep of NATO, in this troubled region of the world. an entire people are being made to abandon All of us want to provide for the refugees; their homeland or die, not because of any- all of us want to make it possible for them 579

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to return home. Let us do our part for all As the refugee flow out of Kosovo has the innocent people whose lives have been surged, the limited ability of Albania and shattered by this conflict. And let us give our Macedonia to deal with the situation has thanks to our men and women in uniform been overwhelmed. The international organi- who are risking their lives today for our zations engaged in refugee assistance do not ideals, our interests, and their lives. currently have in the region the ability and Let us keep in our prayers the three brave resources to deal with a refugee crisis of this American servicemen now being held with- magnitude. Unless adequate care can be pro- out justification in Belgrade that they may vided for these refugees, a humanitarian dis- return to us soon. Let us do what we can, aster of immense proportions will result. In and what we must, for peace to prevail. And addition to the human suffering involved, let us stay the course until it does. such a disaster carries with it the very real Thanks for listening. possibility of destabilizing the governments NOTE: The address was recorded at 5:05 p.m. on and societies of Albania and Macedonia. This April 2 in the Oval Office at the White House disaster could have the effect of spreading for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 3. The tran- violence in the region that NATO is deter- script was made available by the Office of the mined to prevent. Press Secretary on March 5 but was embargoed In the light of these disturbing events, I for release until the broadcast. In his remarks, the have directed that additional U.S. forces be President referred to President Slobodan deployed to Albania and Macedonia in order Milosevic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro); and the three U.S. to support disaster relief by, among other ac- Army infantrymen in custody in Serbia: Staff Sgt. tivities, delivering food and essentials, con- Andrew A. Ramirez, Staff Sgt. Christopher J. structing shelter, providing coordination and Stone, and Specialist Steven M. Gonzales. assisting in onward movement, and when necessary, providing protection for relief sup- Letter to Congressional Leaders plies and refugees. In regard to the elements of section 815(a)(1)–(8), I am providing the Reporting on the Decision To Send following information. Certain United States Forces to 1 & 2. National Security Interests. I hereby Macedonia and Albania certify that the deployment of additional April 3, 1999 forces to Albania and Macedonia as de- Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) scribed above is necessary in the national se- Since I reported to the Congress on March curity interests of the United States. These 25, 1999, under section 8115 of the Depart- actions will provide additional forces to aid ment of Defense Appropriations Act, 1999 in the relief efforts supporting Kosovar refu- (Public Law 105–262), there have been dra- gees. They also will contribute to the overall matic and very serious developments in effort to stabilize this region that has histori- Kosovo and the region, particularly Mac- cally been a tinderbox, thereby helping to edonia and Albania. Belgrade’s sustained and preserve peace and security in the region. accelerating repression and ethnic cleansing 3. Numbers. The number of U.S. per- in Kosovo has created a humanitarian crisis sonnel who will be deployed for these pur- of staggering dimensions. Estimates are that poses cannot be definitively provided at this more than 800,000 Kosovars have been dis- time, since planning for the deployment is placed from their homes and villages, with ongoing. I would anticipate, at a minimum, large concentrations in Albania, Macedonia, a deployment of 1,000 personnel. It can be and Montenegro, and with the numbers ris- anticipated that headquarters elements, air ing dramatically every day. Throughout crews, airlift control elements, selected trans- Kosovo, Serb forces have burned villages. port and rotary wing aircraft, security per- Homes throughout the region have been sonnel, civil affairs and psychological oper- looted and are smoldering. In Pristina, ations personnel, medical and engineer Kosovars are being forced into rail cars and forces, and logistics support forces may be- shipped to the Macedonian border. come involved in the operation. These forces

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will operate under U.S. and NATO oper- ing the provision of defense commodities and ational control. I will ensure that the Con- services directed pursuant to Presidential gress is informed in a timely manner about Determination 99–20 of March 31, 1999. An deployments described in this report when estimate of likely costs for these deployments the information is available. is being prepared, and I will ensure that it 4. Mission/Objectives. As stated above and is provided to the Congress as soon as it is in my report to the Congress of March 25, available. the overall objective of our efforts with our 8. Effect on Morale, Retention and Readi- allies is to maintain stability in the region and ness. In the first instance, these deployments prevent a humanitarian disaster resulting will have a positive effect on morale, reten- from the ongoing offensive against the peo- tion and readiness because they will dem- ple of Kosovo. The specific military mission onstrate the commitment of the necessary re- of the forces deployed as described in this sources to those aspects of operations relat- report would be to support disaster relief op- ing to response to the worsening conditions erations to aid in the care and protection of brought by the refugee crisis in the area. Kosovar refugees and to provide for their United States forces participating in these own security. operations, as well as U.S. forces deployed 5. Schedule. At this point, it is not possible for other purposes in the region are dedi- to determine how long these deployments to cated professionals serving with great pride Albania and Macedonia in response to this and enthusiasm. Given the importance of dire need will be required. This will be af- these activities, particularly in humanitarian fected by how long Belgrade continues its terms, we anticipate that U.S. forces would campaign of ethnic cleansing and how long maintain the highest morale and effective- beyond the cessation of that campaign it will ness. It has been our experience that per- take before the Kosovar refugees will be able sonnel serving in these types of operations to return to their homes or resettle else- manifest great pride and satisfaction in dem- where. Circumstances permitting, it will be onstrating America’s capacity to ensure care our objective to transfer responsibility for the and protection for people in need. refugees to other organizations such as the However, we recognize that even deploy- United Nations High Commissioner for Ref- ments for the best of reasons increase the ugees as soon as possible. periods of separation from family and add 6. Exit Strategy. The duration of the re- other burdens to military service. quirement for a U.S. military presence in Al- The Department of Defense has underway bania and Macedonia for these purposes will extensive and effective programs to do what depend on the course of events, and in par- is necessary to manage personnel and other ticular, on Belgrade’s conduct on the ground resources so as to reduce these problems. As in Kosovo. So long as Belgrade forces the with any operational deployment, the effects Kosovar refugees to remain dispossessed, on readiness are mixed. In these operations, and the enormity of the situation continues U.S. forces will be conducting one of the mis- to overwhelm the ability of Albania, Mac- sions they have been trained to perform, edonia, and the international relief commu- which will provide an unparalleled oppor- nity to deal with the situation, it is likely that tunity to apply their skills in a unique envi- U.S. forces deployed for these purposes will ronment. We believe that this will contribute be required. Nevertheless, as stated above, significantly to a high state of morale and it will be our objective to transfer responsi- readiness. bility for the refugees to other organizations Sincerely, as soon as the emergency has subsided. In William J. Clinton addition, we are working with our European partners to provide temporary asylum to NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis some of the refugees in third countries. Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 7. Costs. The costs of the deployment de- and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. This scribed in this notice will be paid initially letter was released by the Office of the Press Sec- from FY99 Defense appropriations, includ- retary on April 5.

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Letter to Congressional Leaders has been detailed in my previous reports of Reporting on the Decision To Send March 25 and April 3, 1999. The specific Certain United States Forces to military mission of the strike task force de- Macedonia and Albania ployed to Albania will be to support ongoing NATO air operations to reduce the capacity April 4, 1999 of the Serbian military and security forces Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) to conduct offensive operations. The ground Further to my report to the Congress of force component is for the support and secu- March 25 and April 3, 1999, under section rity of the deep strike elements. Their mis- 8115 of the Department of Defense Appro- sion does not include any planned deploy- priations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105–262), ment of ground troops into the Federal Re- this report is to inform you of my decision public of Yugoslavia. to deploy additional U.S. forces to Albania 5. Schedule. Although it is not possible at in support of ongoing NATO air operations this time to determine how long NATO oper- to reduce the capacity of the Serbian military ations will need to continue, we are deter- and security forces to conduct offensive oper- mined to sustain this effort along with our ations. allies as long as necessary to meet our objec- In particular, rotary wing, artillery, and tives. tactical missile systems will be deployed to 6. Exit Strategy. The duration of the re- establish a deep strike task force in Albania quirement for this strike task force deploy- to enhance NATO’s ability to conduct effec- ment to Albania will depend on the course tive air operations in Kosovo as part of the of events, and in particular, on Belgarde’s re- current NATO mission. In regard to the ele- action to NATO operations. ments of section 8115(a)(1)–(8), I am pro- 7. Costs. The costs of the deployment cov- viding the following to supplement informa- ered by this notice, like the costs of the U.S. tion provided on these elements in my re- contribution to NATO air operations, will be ports of March 25 and April 3, 1999. 1 & 2. National Security Interests. I hereby paid initially from FY99 Defense Operations certify that the deployment of additional and Maintenance appropriations. An esti- forces to Albania as described above is nec- mate of likely costs for these deployments essary in the national security interests of the is being prepared, and I will ensure that it United States. This deployment will provide is provided to the Congress as soon as it is additional specialized forces to reduce the available. capacity of the Serbian military and security 8. Effect on Morale, Retention and Readi- forces to continue repression and ethnic ness. In addition to the specific points I made cleansing and to deter the threat to regional on these matters in my reports of March 25 peace and security. and April 3, I would only underscore and ex- 3. Numbers. I anticipate that a substantial press my deep gratitude for the great pride, deep strike task force, comprised of rotary courage, professionalism, and enthusiasm of wing, artillery, and tactical missile systems, the men and women of our Armed Forces together with supporting and security ele- who are carrying out this critical mission. ments, will be deployed to Albania for these Sincerely, purposes. There is not at this time a defini- tive number of U.S. military personnel who William J. Clinton will be deployed as part of this task force, but I anticipate that, at a minimum, approxi- mately 2,000 will be required. I will ensure NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis that the Congress is informed in a timely Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, manner about the deployment described in and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. This this report when the information is available. letter was released by the Office of the Press Sec- 4. Mission/Objectives. The overall objec- retary on April 5. tive of our efforts with our allies in the region

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Remarks at the White House Remarks on the Situation in the Easter Egg Roll Balkans and an Exchange With Reporters April 5, 1999 April 5, 1999 The President. Thank you very much. I The President. want to welcome you to the White House Good afternoon. I want to speak for a few moments today about the today. And before I say anything else, I want situation in Kosovo, the goals of our mission, to say in this season of peace for us I know and our efforts to respond to the humani- all of us will send our thoughts and prayers tarian crisis there. to our men and women in uniform in Kosovo The weather is now clearing in the region and our prayers and best wishes to the many and the air campaign is continuing. We’re thousands of refugees that have been gen- striking hard at Serbia’s machinery of repres- erated by that terrible conflict. sion, while making a deliberate effort to min- Now, let me first begin by thanking our imize harm to innocent people. Serbian sponsors who make this possible every year, forces, on the other hand, continue their de- and I thank the White House volunteers. I’d liberate, systematic attacks against civilians, also like to thank the staff for preparing— who are guilty of nothing more than being listen to this—7,000 eggs for today’s event. ethnic Albanians. That’s more than we ask them to prepare Mr. Milosevic has created a humanitarian for a state dinner. [Laughter] I’d also like disaster in Kosovo. He can end it today by to thank Scholastic, Inc., for the Prescription stopping the killing. He could end the bomb- for Reading program that Hillary mentioned ing. He could end the suffering of the refu- and tell you all that we have tried to make gees by withdrawing from Kosovo his military this an occasion for family learning, for chil- police and paramilitary forces, by accepting dren and their parents to learn together. The the deployment of an international security Prescription is one example. force, and making it possible for all refugees You can also see an electronic presentation to return, as we move toward a political on the White House at the CD–ROM pavil- framework for Kosovo on the basis of the Rambouillet accords. ion. You can meet American figures in our But more empty promises and token half- history at the Historical Fun Stage. There measures won’t do the job. A commitment will be a lot of storytelling sessions. We have to cease killing in a Kosovo denied its free- a lot of old regulars here and a lot of new dom and devoid of its people is not accept- people, like Jamie Lee Curtis, who’s come able. to join us this year. And we thank all of them If Mr. Milosevic does not do what is nec- for participating. essary, NATO will continue an air campaign. Now, I want to get on with the show, but It will be undiminished, unceasing, and unre- I want to know: Where are the people for lenting. It will inflict such damage that either the Easter egg roll? Are we down there? he will change his calculations, or we will se- Turn around. If you want to see it, they’re riously diminish his capacity to maintain his down right behind us. grip and impose his control on Kosovo. We The First Lady. And over there, too. are prepared to sustain this effort for the long The President. And over there. Are you haul. Our plan is to persist until we prevail. ready? Where’s our famous, faithful whistle We know we are up against a dictator who blower? Hey, Bernie. All right. has shown time and again that he would rath- On your mark. Get ready, set, go! er rule over rubble than not rule at all, some- one who recognized no limits on his behavior except those imposed by others. We have NOTE: The President spoke at 10:10 a.m. on the seen this kind of evil conduct before in this South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, century, but rarely has the world stood up he referred to actress Jamie Lee Curtis and Bernie to it as rapidly and with such unity and re- Fairbanks, White House volunteer. solve as we see today with NATO’s coalition

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of 19 democracies, each with its own domes- High Commissioner on Refugees. James Lee tic pressures and procedures, but all united Witt, the Director of our Federal Emergency in our outrage and in our determination to Management Agency, who is also present, see this mission through. In the meantime, will coordinate private donations to the aid we’ve got to do all we can to aid the victims effort and help to ensure that they go where of Mr. Milosevic’s expulsion policy. they need to go. FEMA will also provide its Before the Serbian offensive began, we expertise to our assessment teams in the re- pre-positioned 36,000 metric tons of food in gion. Finally, I am announcing that Lieuten- the region, enough to feed half a million peo- ant General Mike McDuffie, who is here, will ple for 3 months. We worked with the United be our military coordinator for this operation, Nations to ready lifesaving supplies at which we are calling Operation Sustain Kosovo’s borders with Albania and Mac- Hope. edonia. But it is impossible to prepare fully I hope American citizens will help, as well. for the chaos that this kind of cruelty inevi- We’ve established an 800 number. It’s tably creates. 1–800–USAID–RELIEF. Now, I know that’s We now have committed another $50 mil- got 11 numbers in it, but we tried it just be- lion, over and above the 100 million we had fore we came in, and it works anyway. And provided before the current crisis. Also at our it’s easier to remember: 1–800–USAID– urging, NATO has put its 11,000 troops in RELIEF. Any American can call and make Macedonia to work addressing the humani- contributions to private humanitarian organi- tarian crisis. It is planning to deploy several zations and can get information about the thousand troops to Albania, not only to pro- private organizations that are providing re- vide aid but to provide security for relief op- lief. Many of them are represented in this erations. room today by the people who are sitting We’ve begun shipping 500,000 humani- here, and I want to thank all of them from tarian daily rations for refugees in Albania, the bottom of my heart for their commitment the first of which arrived in Tirana yesterday. and their tireless efforts. Today a large shipment was delivered to Italy Americans all over this country want to by the first of eight 747 flights. We’ll be flying know what they can do. I can tell you, right 10 missions daily by C–130 aircraft to Italy— now, in the short run, with all those people from Italy to Tirana, and taking supplies from building up at the borders, the most impor- there to the border by helicopter. tant thing the American people can do right The first of four shipments of tents for Al- now is to make financial contributions to bania will be flown from Travis Air Force these organizations. They’re there; they’re Base in California soon. We’re also shipping organized; they know who the people are; supplies out of bases in Germany for Mac- they know how to deliver the relief; and we edonia, and we’re preparing an additional can get it done. We do need help. We’re 600,000 daily rations for that country. doing all we can. We need more help. Today, in Los Angeles, the Vice President So if we can get this 800 number out— is meeting with Albanian-American families and again, I’m hoping that the fact that there whose relatives are suffering in Kosovo. are more numbers than normal in it will actu- Today Secretary Albright and I have named ally increase the knowledge of it—1–800– Brian Atwood, who is here with us today, the USAID–RELIEF. It will help a lot. I know Administrator for our Agency for Inter- the American people are profoundly con- national Development, to coordinate our cerned about this. We can tell by mail and overall humanitarian response in the region. the calls coming into the White House, and He will head up a coordinating council that I hope very much that we will see a big up- will include three other distinguished public surge in personal donations to help the relief officials. Julia Taft, our Assistant Secretary effort as well. of State for Population, Refugees and Migra- Now, let me say in addition to that, we’ve tion will take the lead in response by civilian got to do something to take the pressure off agencies to this humanitarian crisis. She is of Albania and Macedonia in terms of the now in Geneva, conferring with the U.N. sheer numbers of people that are there.

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Many nations, from Norway to Turkey, have are involved and who have played a role in agreed to take in large numbers of refugees making this important day come to pass. temporarily, until they can go home. As oth- Thank you very much. ers do their part, we should be prepared to do ours, as well. Today I can say that we Military Leaders’ Support are prepared to accept up to 20,000 refugees. Q. Mr. President, do your military share Our goal is to take some of the burden off your goals in the operation on Kosovo? We the struggling frontline nations. have read many, many stories that—— But let me be clear: The ethnic cleansing The President. I know that. of Kosovo cannot stand as a permanent Q. ——the Pentagon people are not with event. We cannot say, ‘‘Well, we just take you. all these folks and forget about their rights The President. Let me say, I will answer to go home.’’ I don’t believe anyone wants this question, and then I think we might want to do that. That’s not what we’re about. But Secretary Cohen and General Shelton to an- we have to help deal with the practical, im- swer it, since they’re here. And I want to mediate human problems these families face give them a chance to comment. and that these frontline nations face. The ref- First, let me say that one of the jobs that ugees belong in their own homes, on their the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman own land. Our immediate goal is to provide of the Joint Chiefs have is to report to me relief; our long-term goal is to give them their faithfully the view of the Chiefs, the Service right to return. Chiefs, the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And they have performed that faith- Now, before I close, I’d like to say just fully, so that when there is a difference of a word about another important develop- opinion, when there is even a nuance, they ment in another part of the world, something have let me know that, as far as I know, in that’s been of concern to me for many years. every important matter. Ultimately, after all, Today the two suspects accused of carrying I am responsible for all these decisions and out the bombing of Pam Am 103 in 1988 must bear the burden of them, regardless. were delivered by the United Nations to the Now, in this case, everybody’s first choice custody of Dutch authorities, to be tried be- was diplomacy. Let me remind—let’s do a fore a Scottish court sitting in The Nether- little bit of brief history here. In February lands. This is a moment much awaited and of ’98, over a year ago, this problem started. long overdue. We worked on it through diplomacy and with When I became President, we promised the threat of NATO force, all the way up the families of Pan Am 103 that we would until last fall. In October we finally got an pursue the suspects in this case no matter agreement that allowed hundreds of thou- how long it took. We have worked hard on sands of people to come down out of the this for years. I want to thank all the people hills to avoid starvation and freezing with the who are still in the administration, and some pending winter. We all knew—no one was of those who have gone on to other endeav- blind to the difficulties of having to carry for- ors, for their passionate devotion to this ef- ward with any kind of military sanctions. fort. Now, that worked. Then the problems For over a decade, the families have kept arose again this year. When the talks failed, the memories of their loved ones alive. Now we had a series of difficult choices. In the our determination and that of our friends in end, everybody agreed that of a bunch of bad Great Britain and elsewhere finally has paid options, our military campaign was the best off. Finally, diplomacy and sanctions have available option to show aggressive action, to produced the result we wanted. Finally, we keep NATO’s word, to keep our NATO allies have an opportunity to see justice done. together, and to give us a chance to preserve I know that I speak for all the American our objectives. people when I say that our thoughts and Secretary Albright made a point—I believe prayers and support are with the families of it was yesterday—that I would like to reit- Pan Am 103. And we thank all of those who erate. We have a lot of tough questions to

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answer about this operation. And I am quite Chiefs in the tank. They came to the conclu- sure that we cannot answer every one to ev- sion, unanimously, that the only option avail- eryone’s satisfaction. But I would far rather able other than sitting on the sidelines was be standing here answering these questions to pursue the air campaign, given its limita- with these people talking about this endeav- tions. There was no doubt or division on that or, than I would to be standing here having ultimate decision. you ask me why we are permitting a whole- That was not only made clear to the Presi- sale ethnic slaughter and ethnic cleansing dent; it was made clear to key Members of and the creation of hundreds of thousands Congress, as both the Chairman and I of refugees and not lifting a finger to do any- briefed House Members and Senate Mem- thing about it. bers on several occasions, and on each and So I recognize that I cannot answer every every occasion, we raised the issues involved question to everyone’s satisfaction. That is a in waging a military campaign by air, every- legitimate question; all the questions are. We one recognizing its limitations but ultimately are doing the best we can to keep the Alli- understanding that this country could not sit ance together, to be forthright, to be clear, on the sidelines and watch Slobodan and to achieve our objectives. And I believe Milosevic slaughter hundreds and thousands we will prevail. of people, which he was prepared to do, to Q. Well, are the military with you? drive them into the hills, to starve them, to The President. My impression is—and have them freeze to death. We could simply again, I think I owe it to the Secretary of not maintain any credibility as a moral leader Defense and General Shelton, to give them in this world, and certainly not as a leader a chance to answer, because they’re here— of the NATO force. So there was no question that everyone agreed that while there were about the options, and this was the option problems with the air campaign, including that they unanimously agreed to. the weather, which all of you saw last week, Q. Mr. Secretary, the President has said that this was the best available option for us again today that he will persist until the ob- to maximize the possibility of achieving our jectives are, in fact, achieved. You, yourself, mission of standing up against ethnic cleans- have now said that everyone understood that ing, fulfilling NATO’s commitment, getting the refugees to be able to go back home, air power has limitations. If air power has live in peace and security, and have some limitations and cannot achieve the objectives, autonomy. what then? Abandon the objectives? So that’s what I believe. But I want to— Secretary Cohen. The President did not Mr. Secretary Cohen? say we could not achieve the objective. He Q. Will you come back after they answer, laid out three—— Mr. President? Q. [Inaudible]—does not have limitations? The President. No. [Laughter] Secretary Cohen. He laid out—every Q. Can we just ask—— military operation has limitations. There is The President. No, no, go ahead—I want no military operation, including ground Secretary Cohen to answer the question. forces, which does not have limitations. What Secretary Cohen. Let me respond to the the President said at the very beginning was question. The President has outlined it ex- that there are three objectives: Number one, actly right. All of the issues, the military that demonstrate resolve on the part of the issues, were discussed by the Chiefs and NATO alliance—we’ve done that; number amongst the Chiefs, and they looked at the two, to try and deter Slobodan Milosevic options, and knowing that air power had limi- from carrying out his campaign of ethnic tations and knowing that there was going to cleansing and, failing that, to make him pay be tough weather, a tough geography and a a serious, substantial price for doing so, and very robust air defense system. to take his military down as best we can And so those questions were raised; they through the air power. were discussed; they were debated within the Those were the objectives laid out. That Armed Services, so to speak, and with the is exactly what the Chiefs have signed up to.

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NOTE: The President spoke at 2:45 p.m. in the Letter to Congressional Leaders Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his re- Transmitting a Report on the marks, he referred to President Slobodan National Emergency With Milosevic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro); and Pan Am 103 bomb- Respect to Angola ing suspects Lamen Khalifa Fhimah and Abdal April 5, 1999 Basset Ali al-Megrahi. Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) As required by section 401(c) of the Na- tional Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c) Statement on the Delivery of the and section 204(c) of the International Emer- Suspects Accused of the 1988 gency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), I Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 transmit herewith a 6-month periodic report April 5, 1999 on the national emergency with respect to the National Union for the Total Independ- I am gratified that the two suspects ac- ence of Angola (UNITA) that was declared cused in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight in Executive Order 12865 of September 26, 103 were delivered by the United Nations 1993. to the custody of Dutch authorities. Legal Sincerely, proceedings will now take place in accord- William J. Clinton ance with the U.S.-UK initiative for a Scot- tish trial before a Scottish court sitting in The NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Netherlands. Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. The terrorist bombing of Pan Am 103 pro- voked outrage the world over. It led to more than 10 years of effort by the United States Remarks on the Proposed ‘‘Hate and United Kingdom, with the support of Crimes Prevention Act’’ other nations, to bring the suspects to justice. April 6, 1999 I am especially thankful for the repeated intervention of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Thank you very much. Senator Leahy, Annan, who worked tirelessly to implement Senator Specter, Congressmen Cardin and the Security Council resolutions. I am also Delahunt, Secretary Riley, Acting Assistant deeply grateful for the efforts of President Attorney General Bill Lann Lee; to our DC Mandela, President Mubarak, and the Saudi Police Chief, Charles Ramsey, and the other Ambassador to the United States, Prince distinguished guests in the audience who are Bandar, on behalf of King Fahd and Crown in support, broadened support of the ‘‘Hate Prince Abdullah. Crimes Prevention Act.’’ Let me begin by But most important, today is a day to re- thanking Attorney General Ketterer and member the men and women who lost their Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon for being here. lives on Pan Am 103. I know their loved ones I want you to know that the attorney gen- eral got up at 3 o’clock this morning to drive have suffered greatly. They, too, have la- down here from Maine. And of course, he bored hard to bring justice. Last December, got up that early so he could stay lawfully on the 10th anniversary of the bombing, I within the speed limit—[laughter]—coming renewed my pledge to the families that I down here. And he set a good example, and would make my best efforts to bring the ac- he was wide awake and very persuasive on cused to trial. Now, at last, the road to justice the law. has begun. Bishop, we thank you for your very moving remarks. Remind me never to speak behind NOTE: The President referred to President Nel- you again. [Laughter] It was—so much of son Mandela of South Africa and President Hosni what the bishop said about the setting of this Mubarak of Egypt. is many things that I have thought. I think

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you know she and I and those of us who grew Catholics and the others, it is very important up in the segregated South are perhaps more that we deal with these challenges here at sensitive to all these various hate crimes home, even as we continue to support the issues, because we grew up in a culture that work of our people in uniform in the Balkans. was dominated for too long by people who I want to say again, the United States thought they only counted if they had some- would never choose force as anything other body to look down on, that they could only than a last option. And Mr. Milosevic could lift themselves up if they were pushing some- end it now by withdrawing his military police one else down, that their whole definition and paramilitary forces, by accepting the de- of a positive life required a negative defini- ployment of an international security force tion of another group of people. That’s really to protect not only the Kosovar Albanians, what this is all about. most but not all of whom are Muslims, but And if you—as she said, if you look at the also the Serbian minority in Kosovo—every- whole history of this violence we see in body. We’re not for anybody’s hate crimes. Kosovo, what we went through in Bosnia, And by making it possible for all the refugees this, the fifth anniversary of the awful Rwan- to return and to move toward a political dan genocide, that I regret so much the framework based on the accords reached in world was not organized enough to move France. quickly enough to deal with it before hun- Now, as I said, we can’t continue to orga- dreds of thousands of lives were lost—with nize ourselves to try to stand against these the oppression of women in Afghanistan, things around the world—which I firmly with the lingering bitterness in the Middle hope we will. I applaud the women in Amer- East—you see all these things. When you ica who have done so much to bring to the strip it all away, down deep inside there is world’s attention the terrible treatment of this idea that you cannot organize personal women in Afghanistan, for example. And we life or social life unless some group feels bet- have worked hard in Africa to work with ter about itself only when they are oppressing other African forces to build an Africa Crisis someone else. Or people at least believe that Response Initiative so that something like the they ought to have the right to do violence Rwanda genocide cannot happen again. We against someone else solely because of who have to keep working on these things. they are, not because of what they do. Now But first of all, we must always be working at the bottom, that’s what this is all about. on ourselves. That’s really what this is about. And I have said repeatedly since I have Because we know this is more the work of been President that one of the things I have the bishop than the President, but we know sought to do in our country is to bridge all that inside each of us there are vulnerabilities these divides, and to get all of our people to dehumanizing other people simply by put- not to agree with one another, not to even ting them in a category that permits us to like one another all the time—goodness dismiss them or that permits us to put them knows, we can’t like everybody all the time— in a category so that on a bad day, when we’re but to recognize that our common humanity feeling especially bad about something we’ve is more important than these categorical dif- done, we can say, ‘‘Well, thank God I’m not ferences. And also to recognize that over the them.’’ And it is a short step from that—a long run, America will not be able to be a short, short step from that—to licensing or force for good abroad unless we are good even participating in acts of violence. at home. As I said, it may be—I was standing here If you think about the brave men and looking at Secretary Riley and Bishop Dixon; women who are working with our NATO al- I was thinking about all the years that Sec- lies today in Kosovo and you remember that retary Riley and I worked together. It may this basically all started 12 years ago when be that the three of us are more sensitive Mr. Milosevic decided to rally the support to this because we grew up in the segregated of his ethnic Serbian group by turning their South, but it is very easy to get into a social hatred against the Kosovar Albanians and system where you always get to think a little later the Bosnian Muslims and the Croatian better of yourself because you’ve always got

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someone that you can dehumanize. And ecuted a number of serious cases. We have that’s really what this whole issue with gays formed local hate crimes working groups in is today in America. U.S. Attorneys’ offices around the country. We’re not talking about everybody agree- But this is a significant problem. In 1997, ing with everybody else on every political the last year for which we have statistics, over issue. We’re talking about whether people 8,000 hate crime incidents were reported in have a right, if they show up and work hard the United States. That’s almost one an and obey the law and are good citizens, to hour—almost one an hour. pursue their lives and dignity without—free So, what are we going to do about it? I of fear, without fear of being abused. would like to mention—we’ve already talked And this should not be a partisan issue. about the law and I’ll say more about that I want to thank Senator Specter for showing in a minute, but first of all, let me mention up here today. This ought not to be anything three other things. I’ve asked the Justice De- other than a basic, simple statement of Amer- partment and the Education Department to ican principle. include in their annual report card on school But I would like to say one other thing, safety crucial information on hate crimes just as a practical matter. Isn’t it interesting among young people both at and away from to you that we are on the eve of a new cen- schools, not only to warn but to educate. tury and a new millennium, which will be Secondly, I’m asking the Department of largely characterized by globalization, the ex- Education to collect important data for the plosion of technology, especially information, first time on hate crimes and bias on college and the integration of people, and the num- campuses. Another cruel irony, isn’t it—col- ber one security threat to that is the persist- lege, the place where we’re supposed to have ence of old, even primitive, hatreds? Don’t the most freedom, the place where we’re you think that’s interesting? supposed to be the most rational, the place So what I worry about all the time is where we’re supposed to think the highest whether terrorists can get on the Internet thoughts with the greatest amount of space. and figure out how to make chemical and We have significant hate crime problems biological weapons to pursue agendas against there, and we need to shine the light on that. people of different ethnic or religious groups. Third—I’m very pleased about this—we And so it’s very humbling, I think, for those are going to have a public/private partnership of us who think we have brought the modern to help reach middle school students to dis- world and prosperity and rationality to all of cuss this whole issue with them and talk human affairs, to see what is going on in the about tolerance, why it is a moral, as well Balkans and to see these terrible examples as a practical imperative. And the partnership of violence here in our own country. It’s very includes AT&T, Court TV—good for them— humbling. We should remember that each [laughter]—the National Middle School As- of us almost wakes up every day with the sociation, the Anti-Defamation League, scales of light and darkness in our own hearts, Cable in the Classrooms, as well as the De- and we’ve got to keep them in proper partments of Education and Justice. I would balance. And we have to be, in the United like to thank them all, because we have to States, absolutely resolute about this. not only punish bad things when they hap- That’s why I think this hate crimes issue pen, the larger mission is to change the mind, is so important. That’s why I convened the the heart, and the habits of our people when first White House Conference on Hate they’re young to keep bad things from hap- Crimes a year and a half ago. Since then, pening. I would like to say, we have substantially in- Finally, let me join the others—the attor- creased the number of FBI agents working ney general and the bishop—in saying, Con- on these crimes. We have successfully pros- gress should pass this law this year. The

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Federal laws already punish some crimes Memorandum on Hate Crimes in committed against people on the basis of race Schools and College Campuses or religion or national origin, but as the attor- ney general made so clear, not all crimes April 6, 1999 committed for that purpose. This would strengthen and expand the ability of the Jus- Memorandum for the Attorney General, the tice Department by removing needless juris- Secretary of Education dictional requirements for existing crimes and giving Federal prosecutors the ability to Subject: Annual Reports on Hate Crimes in prosecute hate crimes committed because of Schools and College Campuses sexual orientation, gender, or disability, along One of the greatest challenges facing our with race and religion. Nation is to ensure that all Americans share the same opportunities, regardless of their Now, again I say, when we get exercised race, color, religion, national origin, sexual about these things, in particular, when some- orientation, gender, or disability. one dies in a horrible incident in America To meet this challenge, we must ensure or when we see slaughter or ethnic cleansing that our Nation’s laws fully protect all its citi- abroad, we should remember that we defeat zens. That is why I have called on the Con- these things by teaching and by practicing gress to pass legislation to strengthen existing a different way of life and by reacting vigor- Federal hate crimes laws by removing need- ously when they occur within our own midst. less barriers to prosecuting violent crimes That is what this is about. And we should based on race, color, religion, or national ori- remember, whenever we, ourselves, commit gin and expanding the law to cover acts of even a small slip, where we dehumanize or violence committed because of a person’s demonize someone else who is different from us, that every society must teach, practice, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. This and react, if you want to make the most of legislation will assist us in responding to the the world toward which we are moving. kind of heinous and cowardly hate crimes we have witnessed in the last year. Our diversity is a godsend for us and the At the same time, we must learn more world of the 21st century. But it is also the about the prevalence of hate crimes and potential for the old, haunting demons that other acts of intolerance—especially among are hard to root out of the human spirit. The our young people, whose attitudes and expe- ‘‘Hate Crimes Prevention Act’’ would be im- riences will shape the America of the 21st portant, substantively and symbolically, to century. In order to better understand the send a message to ourselves and to the world problem of hate crimes and intolerance that we are going into the 21st century deter- among young people, I direct the Attorney mined to preach and to practice what is right. General and the Secretary of Education to include in their annual report card on school Thank you very much. safety a section on hate crimes among young people, covering crimes committed both dur- ing and after school. In addition, I direct the NOTE: The President spoke at 10:51 a.m. in the Secretary of Education, with appropriate as- Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his re- sistance from the Attorney General, to collect marks, he referred to Andrew Ketterer, Maine at- data on hate crimes and bias on college cam- torney general; Rt. Rev. Jane Holmes Dixon, Suf- fragan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Wash- puses for periodic publication. ington, DC, who introduced the President; and These steps will help us better understand President Slobodan Milosevic of the Federal Re- the problems of bigotry we face among young public of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). people, and to improve the ways we respond

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to these problems, through improved cur- pend on the very things globalization alone ricula, after-school youth programs, and simi- cannot guarantee: peace, democracy, the sta- lar measures. At the same time, our proposed bility of markets, social justice, the protection legislation will help to ensure that when hate of health and the environment. crimes do occur, they are prosecuted as ef- Globalization can bring repression and fectively as possible. I appreciate your com- human rights violations and suffering into the mitment to improving the enforcement of open, but it cannot prevent them. It can pro- this Nation’s laws and to fighting bigotry mote integration among nations but also lead among young people and others, and I look to disintegration within them. It can bring forward to your continuing leadership in prosperity on every continent but still leave these areas. many, many people behind. It can give peo- William J. Clinton ple the modern tools of the 21st century, but it cannot purge their hearts of the primitive hatreds that may lead to the misuse of those Remarks to the United States tools. Only national governments, working Institute of Peace together, can reap the full promise and re- April 7, 1999 duce the problems of the 21st century. The United States, as the largest and Thank you, Richard. Max Kampelman, strongest country in the world at this mo- thank you for being with me today. And I ment—largest in economic terms and mili- thank the U.S. Institute for Peace for arrang- tary terms—has the unavoidable responsi- ing this presentation on, as I’m sure all of bility to lead in this increasingly inter- you know, relatively short notice. dependent world, to try to help meet the I’d also like to acknowledge the presence challenges of this new era. here with me today of Secretary Albright and Ambassador Barshefsky, National Security Clearly, our first challenge is to build a Adviser Berger, and two important former more peaceful world, one that will apparently members of my national security team, Tony be dominated by ethnic and religious con- Lake and Tara Sonenshine, who is a senior flicts we once thought of—primitive but adviser here to the Institute for Peace. which Senator Moynihan, for example, has I would like to begin just by thanking this referred to now as postmodern. We know body for what you do every day to help our that we cannot stop all such conflicts. But administration and the Congress and the when the harm is great and when our values American people think through the most and interests are at stake and when we have challenging foreign policy issues of our time. the means to make a difference, we should And I thank you in particular for your deter- try. mination to reach out to a younger genera- That is what we and our NATO allies are tion of Americans to talk to them about the doing in Kosovo, trying to end the horrible importance of these issues and the world war there, trying to aid the struggling democ- they will live in. racies of southeastern Europe, all of whom In February I gave a speech in San Fran- are threatened by the violence, the hatred, cisco about America’s role in the century to the human exodus President Milosevic’s bru- come. We all know it’s an extraordinary mo- tal campaign has unleashed. We are deter- ment when there is no overriding threat to mined to stay united and to persist until we our security, when no great power need feel prevail. that any other is a military threat, when free- It is not enough now for Mr. Milosevic dom is expanding, and open markets and to say that his forces will cease fire in Kosovo, technology are raising living standards on denied its freedom and devoid of its people. every continent, bringing the world closer to- He must withdraw his forces, let the refugees gether in countless ways. return, permit the deployment of an inter- But I also argued that globalization is not national security force. Nothing less will an unmixed blessing. In fact, the benefits of bring peace with security to the people of globalization, openness and opportunity, de- Kosovo.

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The second challenge I discussed in San our markets, our technology, our investment, Francisco in February is that of bringing our and to bolster the strength of our allies in former adversaries Russia and China into the Asia to counter the threat a strong China will international system as open, prosperous, pose in the 21st century. and stable nations. Today I want to speak What about that scenario? Clearly, if it especially about our relationship with China, chooses to do so, China could pursue such one that is being tested and hotly debated a course, pouring much more of its wealth today as China’s Premier, Zhu Rongji, travels into military might and into traditional great to Washington. power geopolitics. Of course, this would rob Of course, we all know that perceptions it of much of its future prosperity, and it is affect policies. And American perceptions far from inevitable that China will choose this about China have often changed in this cen- path. Therefore, I would argue that we tury. In the early 1900’s, most Americans saw should not make it more likely that China China through the eyes of missionaries seek- will choose this path by acting as if that deci- ing open hearts or traders seeking open mar- sion has already been made. kets. During World War II, China was our I say this over and over again, but when ally, during the Korean war, our adversary. I see this China debate in America, with peo- During the cold war, we debated whether ple talking about how we’ve got to contain China was a solid stone in the monolith of China, and they present a terrible threat to world communism or a country with interests us in the future and it’s inevitable and how and traditions that could make it a counter- awful it is, I remind people who work with weight to Soviet power. us that the same kind of debate is going on More recently, many Americans have in China, people saying, ‘‘The Americans do looked to China to see either the world’s next not want us to emerge. They do not want great capitalist tiger and an enormous mother us to have our rightful position in the world. lode of economic opportunity for American Their whole strategy is designed to keep us companies and American workers or the down on the farm.’’ world’s largest great Communist dragon and And we have to follow a different course. next great threat to freedom and security. We cannot afford caricatures. I believe we For a long time, it seems to me, we have have to work for the better future that we argued about China with competing carica- want, even as we remain prepared for any tures. Is this a country to be engaged or iso- outcome. This approach will clearly put us lated? Is this a country beyond our power at odds with those who believe America must to influence or a country that is ours to gain always have a great enemy. How can you be and ours to lose? Now we hear that China the great force for good in the world and is a country to be feared. A growing number justify all the things you do if you don’t have of people say that it is the next great threat a great enemy? to our security and our well-being. I don’t believe that. I believe we have to What about this argument? Well, those work for the best but do it in a way that who say it point out, factually, that if China’s will never leave us unprepared in the event economy continues to grow on its present that our efforts do not succeed. trajectory, it will be the world’s largest in the Among the first decisions I made in 1993 next century. They argue, correctly, that the was to preserve the alliances that kept the Chinese Government often defines its inter- peace during the cold war. That meant in ests in ways sharply divergent from ours. Asia, we kept 100,000 troops there and main- They are concerned, rightly, by Chinese mis- tained robust alliances with Japan, Korea, siles aimed at Taiwan and at others. From Thailand, Australia, and the Philippines. We this they conclude that China is or will be did this and have done it not to contain China our enemy. or anyone else but to give confidence to all They claim it is building up its military ma- that the potential threats to Asia’s security chine for aggression and using the profits of will remain just that, potential, and that our trade to pay for it. They urge us, there- America remains committed to being in- fore, to contain China, to deny it access to volved with Asia and to Asia’s stability.

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We’ve maintained our strong, unofficial independent, bipartisan body chaired by ties to a democratic Taiwan while upholding former Senator Warren Rudman, to review our ‘‘one China’’ policy. We’ve encouraged the security threat and the adequacy of the both sides to resolve their differences peace- measures we have taken to address it. It is fully and to have increased contact. We’ve vital that we meet this challenge with firm- made it clear that neither can count on our ness and openness but without fear. acceptance if it violates these principles. The issue is how to respond to this. I be- We know that in the past decade, China lieve we should not look at China through has increased its deployment of missiles near rose-colored glasses, nor should we look Taiwan. When China tested some of those through a glass darkly to see an image that missiles in 1996, tensions grew in the Taiwan distorts China’s strength and ignores its com- Strait. We demonstrated then, with the de- plexities. We need to see China clearly, its ployment of our carriers, that America will progress and its problem, its system and its act to prevent a miscalculation there. Our in- strains, its policies and its perceptions of us, terests lie in peace and stability in Taiwan of itself, of the world. Indeed, we should and in China, in the strait and in the region, apply a bit of universal wisdom that China’s and in a peaceful resolution of the dif- late leader, Deng Xiaoping, used to preach, ferences. We will do what is necessary to we should seek the truth from facts. maintain our interests. In the last 20 years, China has made in- Now, we have known since the early 1980’s credible progress in building a new economy, that China has nuclear armed missiles capa- lifting more than 200 million people out of ble of reaching the United States. Our de- absolute poverty. But consider this: Its work- fense posture has and will continue to take ing age population is increasing by more than account of that reality. In part, because of 10 million people, the equivalent of the State our engagement, China has, at best, only of Illinois, every year. Tens of millions of Chi- marginally increased its deployed nuclear nese families are migrating from the country- threat in the last 15 years. By signing the side, where they see no future, to the city Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, China has where only some find work. Due in part to accepted constraints on its ability to mod- the Asian economic crisis, China’s economic ernize its arsenal at a time when the nuclear growth is slowing just when it needs to be balance remains overwhelmingly in our favor. rising to create jobs for the unemployed and China has fewer than two dozen long-range to maintain support for economic reform. nuclear weapons today; we have over 6,000. For all the progress of China’s reforms, We are determined to prevent the diver- private enterprise still accounts for less than sion of technology and sensitive information 20 percent of the nonfarm economy. Much to China. The restrictions we place on our of China’s landscape is still dominated by un- exports to China are tougher than those ap- profitable polluting state industries. China plied to any other major exporting country state banks are still making massive loans to in the world. struggling state firms, the sector of the econ- When we first learned, in 1995, that a com- omy least likely to succeed. promise had occurred at our weapons labs, Now, I’ve met with Premier Zhu before. our first priority was to find the leak, to stop I know, and I think all of you know, that it, and to prevent further damage. When the he is committed to making necessary, far- Energy Department and the FBI discovered reaching changes. He and President Jiang are wider vulnerabilities, we launched a com- working to reform banks and state enter- prehensive effort to address them. Last year prises and to fight corruption. Indeed, one I issued a directive to dramatically strengthen of China’s highest public security officials security at the Energy labs. We have in- was arrested several weeks ago on corruption creased the Department’s counterintel- charges. ligence budget by fifteenfold since 1995. They also know that in the short run, re- But we need to be sure we’re getting the form will cause more unemployment, and job done. Last month I asked the President’s that can cause unrest. But so far, they’ve Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, an been unwilling to open up China’s political

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system because they see that as contributing our interests and values where we disagree. to instability when, in fact, giving people a That is the purpose of engagement. Not to say in their decisions actually provides a insulate our relationship from the con- peaceful outlet for venting frustration. sequences of Chinese actions but to use our China’s biggest challenge in the coming relationship to influence China’s actions in years will be to maintain stability and growth a way that advances our values and our inter- at home by meeting, not stifling, the growing ests. demands of its people for openness and ac- That is what we have done for the last 6 countability. It is easy for us to say; for them, years, with the following tangible results: In it is a daunting task. no small measure as a result of our engage- What does all this mean for us? Well, if ment, China helped us to convince North we’ve learned anything in the last few years Korea to freeze the production of plutonium from Japan’s long recession and Russia’s cur- and, for now, to refrain from more missile rent economic troubles, it is that the weak- tests. It has been our partner in averting a nesses of great nations can pose as big a chal- nuclear confrontation in South Asia. Not long lenge to America as their strengths. So as ago, China was selling dangerous weapons we focus on the potential challenge that a and technologies with impunity. Since the strong China could present to the United 1980’s, it has joined the Nuclear Non-Pro- States in the future, let us not forget the risk liferation Treaty, the Chemical Weapons of a weak China, beset by internal conflicts, Convention, the Biological Weapons Con- social dislocation, and criminal activity, be- vention, and the Comprehensive Test Ban coming a vast zone of instability in Asia. Treaty and accepted the safeguards, report- Despite Beijing’s best efforts to rein in ing requirements, and inspection systems these problems, we have seen the first danger that go with each. signs: free-wheeling Chinese enterprises sell- ing weapons abroad; the rise in China of or- We have also convinced China not to pro- ganized crime; stirrings of ethnic tensions vide new assistance to Iran’s nuclear pro- and rural unrest; the use of Chinese territory gram, to stop selling Iran antiship cruise mis- for heroin trafficking; and even piracy of siles, and to halt assistance to unsafeguarded ships at sea. In short, we’re seeing in China nuclear facilities in Pakistan. Now it’s impor- the kinds of problems a society can face when tant that China join the Missile Technology it is moving away from the rule of fear but Control Regime, a step President Jiang is not yet firmly rooted in the rule of law. agreed to consider at last year’s summit in The solutions fundamentally lie in the Beijing. choices China makes. But I think we would We also have an interest in integrating all agree, we have an interest in seeking to China into the world trading system and in make a difference and in not pretending that seeing it join the World Trade Organization the outcome is foreordained. We can’t do on clearly acceptable, commercial terms. that simply by confronting China or trying This is a goal America has been working to- to contain her. We can only deal with the ward in a bipartisan fashion for 13 years now. challenge if we continue a policy of prin- Getting this done and getting it done right cipled, purposeful engagement with China’s is profoundly in our national interests. It is leaders and China’s people. not a favor to China; it is the best way to Our long-term strategy must be to encour- level the playing field. age the right kind of development in China; China already has broad access to our mar- to help China grow at home into a strong, kets, as you can see from any perusal of re- prosperous, and open society, coming to- cent trade figures. If China accepts the re- gether, not falling apart; to integrate China sponsibilities that come with WTO member- into the institutions that promote global ship, that will give us broad access to China’s norms on proliferation, trade, the environ- markets, while accelerating its internal re- ment, and human rights. We must build on forms and propelling it toward acceptance of opportunities for cooperation with China the rule of law. The bottom line is this: If where we agree, even as we strongly defend China is willing to play by the global rules

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of trade, it would be an inexplicable mistake of delaying reform are greater than the risks for the United States to say no. of embracing it. We have an interest as well in working with As Indonesia learned, you cannot deal with China to preserve the global environment. social resentment by denying people the Toward the middle of the next century, right to voice it. As Korea and Thailand have China will surpass the United States as the shown the world, expressed dissent is far less world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. dangerous than repressed dissent. Both At last year’s summit in China, I made it clear countries are doing better now because their there can be no meaningful solution to this elected governments have the legitimacy to problem unless China is a part of it. But I pursue reform. also emphasized, as I do over and over again, In fact, almost every goal to which China’s with sometimes mixed effect, that rapidly de- leaders are dedicated—from maintaining sta- veloping technologies now make it possible bility to rooting out corruption, to reuniting for China—indeed, for India, for any other peacefully with Taiwan—would actually be developing economy—to be environmentally advanced if they embraced greater openness responsible without sacrificing economic and accountability. growth. We have promoted that goal by airing dif- That challenge is at the top of Vice Presi- ferences candidly and directly with China’s dent Gore’s agenda on the forum on environ- leaders, by encouraging closer ties between ment and development he shares with Pre- American and Chinese people. Those ties mier Zhu. It will be meeting this week. have followed in the wake of official contacts We have been encouraging the develop- and have the potential to bring change. ment of clean natural gas in China and clean- The people-to-people ties have made it er technologies for burning coal. We’ve been possible for over 100,000 Chinese students working with China on a study of emissions and scholars to study in America and thou- trading, a tool that has cut pollution at low sands of American teachers and scholars— cost in the United States and which could students—to go to China. They have enabled do the same for China. In the information American nongovernmental organizations to age, China need not, indeed, China will not help people in China set up NGO’s of their be able to grow its economy by clinging to own. They have allowed Americans to work industrial age energy practices. with local governments, universities, and citi- Finally, let me say we have an interest in zens’ groups in China to save wetlands and encouraging China to respect the human forests, to manage urban growth, to support rights of its people and to give them a chance China’s first private schools, to hook up to shape the political destiny of their country. schools to the Internet, to train journalists, This is an interest that cuts to the heart of to promote literacy for poor women, to make our concerns about China’s future. loans for Tibetan entrepreneurs, to begin Because wealth is generated by ideas countless projects that are sparking the today, China will be less likely to succeed growth of China’s civil society. They have if its people cannot exchange information permitted Chinese lawyers, judges, and legal freely. China also will be less likely to suc- scholars to come to America to study our sys- ceed if it does not build the legal and political tem. foundation to compete for global capital, less Now, we don’t assume for a moment that likely to succeed if its political system does this kind of engagement alone can give rise not gain the legitimacy that comes from to political reform in China, but despite the democratic choice. obstacles they face, the Chinese people clear- China’s leaders believe that significant po- ly enjoy more freedom, in where they work litical reform carries enormous risk of insta- and where they live and where they go, than bility at this moment in their history. We owe they did a decade ago. it to any country to give a respectful listen China has seen the emergence of political to their stated policy about such matters. But associations, consumer groups, tenant organi- the experience of the rest of Asia during this zations, newspapers that expose corruption, present economic crisis shows that the risks and experiments in village democracy. It has

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seen workers demanding representation and But as the next Presidential election ap- a growing number of people seeking the right proaches, we cannot allow a healthy argu- to form political parties, despite the persecu- ment to lead us toward a campaign-driven tion they face. I met with many such agents cold war with China, for that would have of change when I visited China last year. tragic consequences: an America riven by Of course, it is precisely because these mistrust and bitter accusations; an end to changes are meaningful that the Chinese diplomatic contact that has produced tan- Government is pushing back. Its actions may gible gains for our people; a climate of mis- be aimed at individuals, but they are clearly trust that hurts Chinese-Americans and un- designed to send a message to all Chinese dermines the exchanges that are opening that they should not test the limits of political China to the world. freedom. The message they send the world, No one could possibly gain from that ex- however, is quite different. It is one of inse- cept for the most rigid, backward-looking curity, not strength. We often see that a tight elements in China itself. Remember what I grip is actually a sign of a weak hand. said at the outset: The debate we’re having Now, we have made it clear to China’s about China today in the United States is leaders that we think it’s simply wrong to ar- mirrored by a debate going on in China about rest people whose only offense has been to the United States. And we must be sensitive engage in organized and peaceful political ex- to how we handle this and responsible. pression. That right is universally recognized I know the vast majority of Americans and and democratic nations have a duty to defend Members of Congress don’t want this to hap- it. That is why we are seeking support at the pen. I will do everything in our power to see U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva that it does not, so that we stay focused on for a resolution on human rights in China. our vital interests and the real challenges We will also urge China to embrace the International Covenant on Civil and Political ahead. Rights in word and in deed. We will keep We have much to be concerned about: pressing the Congress to fund programs that There is North Korea, South Asia, the poten- promote the rule of law in China. We will tial for tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and the keep working to promote a dialog between South China Sea; there is the tragic plight China and the Dalai Lama and respect for of political prisoners; the possibility, also, that Tibet’s cultural and religious heritage. China will not realize its growth potential, But there is one thing that we will not do. that it will become unstable because of the We will not change our policy in a way that distressed economy and angry people. isolates China from the global forces that But we have every reason to approach our have begun to empower the Chinese people challenges with confidence and with pa- to change their society and build a better fu- tience. Our country, after all, now, is at the ture, for that would leave the people of China height of its power and the peak of its pros- with less access to information, less contact perity. Democratic values are ascendant with the democratic world, and more resist- throughout much of the world. And while ance from their government to outside influ- we cannot know where China is heading for ence and ideas. sure, the forces pulling China toward integra- In all these areas, the debate China’s pol- tion and openness are more powerful today icy has sparked in our country can be con- than ever before. And these are the only structive by reminding us that we still face forces that can make China a truly successful challenges in the world that require our vigi- power, meeting the demands of its people lance. It can also remind the Chinese Gov- and exercising appropriate and positive influ- ernment that the relationship between our ence in the larger world in the 21st century. two countries depends in large measure not Such a China would indeed be stronger, only on the actions of the President and the but it also would be more at peace with itself executive branch but on the support of the and at ease with its neighbors. It would be American people and our Congress, which a good thing for the Chinese people and for cannot be taken for granted. the American people.

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This has been the lodestar of our policy I thank Ida Castro, our EEOC Chair, the for the last 6 years—a goal that is consistent local officials who are here, and Secretary with our interests and that keeps faith with Herman, who bears a lot of the responsibil- our values, an objective that we will continue ities for what we are trying to achieve, for to pursue, with your help and understanding, her work. in the months and years ahead. I’d like to make just a few brief points. This visit by Premier Zhu is very impor- Hillary has made most of the points that need tant. The issues that are raised from time to to be made, and we all know here we’re time, which cause tensions in our relation- preaching to the saved in trying to get a mes- ship, they are also very important. But I ask sage out to the country. But I’d like to point you, at this institute, not to let the American out as I tried to do in the State of the Union people or American policymakers or Amer- that the time in which we are living now in ican politicians in a political season lose sight terms of our economic prosperity is virtually of the larger interests we have in seeing that unprecedented. We had 4.2 percent unem- this very great country has the maximum pos- ployment last month. sible chance to emerge a more stable, freer, I remember a meeting I had—and huge more prosperous, more constructive partner argument I had in December of 1992 when with the United States in the new century. I had been elected but not inaugurated Presi- Thank you very much. dent, about how low we could get unemploy- NOTE: The President spoke at 10:33 a.m. in the ment before inflation would go up. And all East Room at the Mayflower Hotel. In his re- the traditional economists said, ‘‘Man, when marks, he referred to Richard H. Solomon, presi- you get below 6 percent, you know, you will dent and Max M. Kampelman, vice chair, U.S. just see what will happen.’’ And the Amer- Institute of Peace; President Slobodan Milosevic ican people turned out to be a lot more pro- of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and ductive, a lot more efficient; technology Montenegro); Premier Zhu Rongji, former Presi- turned out to be a lot more helpful; we were dent Deng Xiaoping, and President Jiang Zemin of China. in a much more competitive environment. So now, we have 4.2 percent unemployment, lowest rate since 1970, lowest peacetime un- Remarks in a Roundtable employment since 1957, 18 million new jobs. Discussion on Equal Pay But we still have some significant long- April 7, 1999 term challenges in this country. We have pockets of America—in rural America, in [The First Lady opened the program with urban America, in our medium-size indus- brief remarks concerning wage discrepancies trial cities, our Native American reserva- between men and women and then intro- tions—which have not felt any of the impact duced the President.] of the economic recovery. We still have sub- The President. Thank you. That is the stantial long-term challenges to Social Secu- truth. [Laughter] But Hillary didn’t tell you rity, to Medicare. And we still have a signifi- the rest of the story. Senator Harkin, whose cant fact of inequality in the pay of women wonderful wife, Ruth, was also a part of our and men. administration for several years, she has often And the central point I would like to make made more money than her husband. And is that we should not allow the political cli- so we decided that maybe we should become mate or anything else to deter us from con- part of a small but vocal radical caucus saying centrating our minds on the fact that this is we shouldn’t stop at equal pay; we like it a precious gift that the American people have when our wives make more money than we received, even though they have earned it. do. [Laughter] We have enjoyed the benefits Countries rarely have conditions like this. If of that. we can’t use this moment to deal with these I would like to thank Senator Harkin and long-term challenges, including the equal- Eleanor Holmes Norton for being here and pay challenge, when will we ever get around for being longtime champions of this cause. to it?

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That is the message I want America to America has had a particular genius in fig- send back to Washington. Yes, have your dis- uring out how to do these things in a way agreements. Yes, have your fights. Yes, con- that would permit us to generate more eco- duct your campaigns. Yes, do all this. But nomic opportunity and more jobs and more for goodness sakes, realize that this is, at a advances. minimum, the opportunity of a generation, I’d like to make a third point not in my maybe more. And every single problem that notes, but Hillary made me think of it. There we can take off the table for our successors are these people now who are out there say- and for our children is an obligation we ought ing, ‘‘Well, there really isn’t much of an equal to shoulder and get the job done. That’s what pay problem because it’s almost exclusively this is about. confined to women who have children. And And those of us who are old enough to women who have children have to have more remember what the economy was like in the intermittent periods in the workplace’’— 1970’s with the long gas lines, what it was you’ve heard all the arguments—‘‘and once like in the 1980’s when we had the so-called you factor that out, well, there’s no problem.’’ bicoastal economy and my State and Senator Well, I have two reactions to that. First Harkin’s State had double-digit unemploy- of all, if you take that argument to its logical ment in county after county—I’m telling you, conclusion, we would be depopulating Amer- when times get tough and then you go ica before you know it. No one else has really around and try to talk to people about prob- figured out any way to bring children around, lems like this, their eyes glaze over because as far as I know. [Laughter] even the people who would benefit, they’re Secondly, if that is true, it still doesn’t just trying to keep body and soul together. make it right. If you give the people the en- They’re worried about holding on to what tire argument—which I don’t think the anal- they have. We have an opportunity now to ysis supports—but if you did, what does that make a better America for our children, for mean? It means that an important part of all of our children. the equal pay battle should be strengthening The second point I want to make is the the family and medical leave law, for exam- one I made jokingly in the story about Tom ple, something I’ve been trying to do without and me having the privilege of living with success ever since we signed the first bill. women who make more money than we do. It ought to apply to more companies. It ought And that is that this is not just a women’s to be more extensive. It ought to cover more issue. The women who are discriminated situations. We’ve proved that we can do this against often are in families, raising children without hurting the economy. with husbands who are also hurt if their wives And if you believe that having children is work hard and don’t have the benefits of a significant factor here and if you believe equal pay. A lot of the women who are single as I do that’s the most important work of mothers are out there working and they have any society, then why shouldn’t we continue boy children as well as girl children. This is with something that’s done so much good, not just a gender issue, and men should be this family leave law, to find other ways to very interested in this. do it, to find other incentives for flex-time, I can say furthermore that I believe that all kinds of things we could be doing if this it would be good for our overall economy. is a problem. You know, you hear all these problems that Now, finally, let’s talk a little bit about they say it will cause the economy if you do what I think we can do about this right now. this. All this stuff is largely not true. I mean, Earlier this year, I asked Congress to pass every time we try to make a change to have two measures to strengthen our wage dis- a stronger society, whether it’s a raise in the crimination laws and to boost enforcement minimum wage or cleaning up the environ- of existing ones. I ask Congress again to pass ment or passing the family leave law, the peo- the $14 million equal pay initiative that’s in ple that are against it say the same thing. our balanced budget to help the EEOC iden- And we now have decades of experience in tify and respond to wage discrimination, to trying to improve our social fabric. And educate employers and workers about their

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rights and responsibilities. You’ll hear some Now again I say, this should not be a par- pretty impressive people talk about that on tisan issue. It should be an American issue. our panel in a moment. And to help bring And as you argue through these matters this more women into better-paying jobs. year, I ask you, every time you are in contact Again, I ask the Congress to pass the ‘‘Pay- with any person in a position to vote on this check Fairness Act’’ sponsored by Senator in Congress or influence a vote in Congress, Daschle and Congresswoman DeLauro, ask them this simple question: If we don’t which would put employers on notice that deal with this now, when will we ever get wage discrimination against women is just as around to it? unacceptable as discrimination based on race Thank you very much. or ethnicity. Under current law, those who [Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman thanked are denied equal pay because of race can re- the President and First Lady and made brief ceive compensatory and punitive damages. remarks. She then introduced the roundtable This new legislation would give women the participants and each made brief remarks on same right. It will make a difference. It equal pay issues.] would protect employees who share salary in- The President. I would like to just start. formation from retaliation. It would expand We’re going to do a little roundtable and just training for EEOC workers, strengthen re- give the participants a chance to answer a search, establish an award for exemplary few questions and amplify on their remarks. workers. And taking account of Sanya Tyler’s voice We can do more. Today I’m pleased to problems, I still want to ask her one question, announce that we want to strengthen our leg- because obviously the situation at Howard islation by requiring the EEOC to determine and the situation at MIT were resolved in what new information on workers’ salaries different ways. they need to improve enforcement of wage After you won the lawsuit, did you feel that discrimination laws and to find a way to col- the administration treated you and other lect that information. The new provision people who were in the same situation fairly? would call on the EEOC to issue a new rule Did you feel like that the work environment within 18 months to gather, in the most ef- was worse, and did you believe that the pro- fective and efficient way possible, pay data gram also began to get more support, as well from companies based on race, sex, and na- as on the wages? Was title IX and the other tional origin of employees. efforts you made, did you get more support Addressing wage discrimination takes for the program, as well as for your income? courage, as our panelists can tell you. It takes [Ms. Tyler, head coach of women’s basketball courage as an employee to speak out, to gath- at Howard University, had sued because the er evidence, to make the case. It takes cour- university hired a head coach for men’s bas- age as an employer to recognize problems ketball and paid him 4 times her salary. She in pay equity and take steps to remedy them. won and was awarded $2.39 million and re- Just recently—let me just mention the ex- mained in her coaching position. She ex- perience of one of our panelists—we saw this pressed pride in Howard University’s reac- courage among the administrators and tion to the suit, indicating that the adminis- women scientists at MIT, one of our coun- tration had expressed greater openness to try’s most outstanding institutions of higher women’s participation not only in the sports education. Together, they looked at the cold, but in many leadership areas at the univer- hard facts about disparities in everything sity. The First Lady then introduced Pro- from lab space to annual salary. They sought fessor Nancy Hopkins, Massachusetts Insti- to make things right, and they told the whole tute of Technology (MIT), who stated that public the truth about it, which is a rare 5 years ago there were only 15 tenured thing. And I appreciate what they did. I com- women in MIT’s School of Science. The dis- mend them. I hope their success and their crimination against women at MIT was sub- example can be replicated throughout our tle and difficult to identify. She stated that country. an incident upset her, and she wrote a strong

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letter to MIT’s president. She consulted a fel- And therefore, this was a market-based deci- low female faculty member on the tone of the sion; this is what I can get this talent for; letter, and her colleague asked if she, too, and this is what I’m going to pay? Is that could sign it. After polling others, the female what you think happened? And if not, what faculty all signed the letter, and the adminis- is it that you think happened? tration was very supportive. The women gathered data on the problem, and the dean [Professor Hopkins said men approached took immediate action to institute changes. these decisions differently than women, and The First Lady stated that often these prob- women had to share the decisionmaking lems are subtle and not readily apparent, and power. The First Lady then introduced Caro- she commended MIT for its prompt action.] lyn Gantt, an employee at a Washington, DC, senior center, who during her career had wit- The President. You know, the question nessed men with the same or lesser qualifica- that I wanted to ask, because this MIT thing tions in jobs receiving more benefits and is so unusual, is, do you believe that they higher pay. Mrs. Clinton asked how she be- knew it was going on before? And if they came aware of the situation. Ms. Gantt an- didn’t know it was going on before—but all swered that she had contacts in the commu- the women you went to had immediately re- nity who shared information with her and lated in the same way you did and signed that she had access to lists of how much indi- up—how did it happen? Because I think this viduals in her organization were paid and is something that data may not tell you. But that, combined with her knowledge of indi- I think this is what is really important, be- viduals’ duties and qualifications, led her to cause there may be a lot of organizations out recognize the disparity in compensation. there where this sort of just creeps in, but After going to the organization’s board, she the people now running these organizations got the promotion but became a pariah. don’t know it. When she moved into a new position in the And what I’m hoping is that—it’s not District of Columbia Government, she en- like—it may not be as overt as it was when countered the same situation.] Carolyn was in the work force, so how do you think this happened? It’s very impressive The President. Let me just use this re- that the president said, ‘‘Okay, let’s go do markable woman’s case as an illustration of the right thing.’’ But that raises the question a point I made in my remarks, that this is of how did it happen in the first place? something that imposes great economic costs on the society as a whole. [Professor Hopkins stated that this was the You have seven children, right? last frontier of the civil rights/affirmative ac- Ms. Gantt. I still have seven, but they’re tion process. She stated her belief that it grown. [Laughter] wasn’t conscious, and the women themselves The President. And you’re still working weren’t aware of it. It was a subtle and almost part-time? And how old are you? unconscious gender bias that was small in Ms. Gantt. Do you really want me—— each instance, but it accumulated to real [Laughter] pay.] The President. Let me ask you this. Let The President. Let me ask a specific me ask you another question. You are—— question. Do you think—if there was no de- Ms. Gantt. ——[inaudible] category. liberate policy to hire all these people at a [Laughter] lower salary, and then not to raise them at The President. I know I shouldn’t have some point to a comparable salary, and there asked. [Laughter] The reason I ask you is was never a systematic policy, do you believe because you look so much younger than you that—here’s what I’m trying to get at—is are. [Laughter] But let me ask—the point there a still, sort of in the minds of at least I wanted to make is, she has been for some the men who are making these hiring or pay time eligible for Social Security. Here’s the decisions, this notion that there’s a market- point I want to make about the issue. You place out there, and it’s a big deal for a know we’re having this big Social Security woman to be a tenured professor at MIT? debate here now, and we’re in an argument

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in the Congress about how to save Social Se- nurse who also encountered wage discrimina- curity. Why? Because the number of people tion in her field, who discussed the problem over 65 are going to double between now and explained how medical advances pre- and the year 2030. And the Trust Fund runs sented increasingly complex issues for nurses. out of money in 35 years. As her career advanced, she realized that re- And for it to be stable, it needs to last for tirement savings were not sufficient. She 75 years, but in addition to that, we need noted her daughter was planning to be a to lift the earnings limit for people who work nurse, and she wanted things to be better for when they’re over 65, I think, so they can her. Secretary Herman stated that there are still draw their Social Security, number one. policies in place in many institutions but And number two, we need to have a remedial practices inside these institutions often failed program to deal with the fact that the poverty to support the policies and procedures. She rate among single elderly women is twice, said the administration was supporting legis- almost twice the general poverty rate among lation to share salary information without seniors in this country. fear of reprisal and asked Ms. Tyler if she Why? A lot of it is because of stories like thought that would be helpful. Ms. Tyler stat- this. So you’ve either got people like this re- ed that, in her case, pursuing the issue in markable lady who is healthy enough and, court had been very successful and, in the as you can see, more than quite alert and end, yielded solid results.] on top of things and energetic, who continue to work on and on, or you have people who The President. Thank you very much. Let can’t do that, and they are twice as likely to me say on behalf of all of us, we’re delighted be living in poverty even when they draw So- that you’re here. We especially thank Senator cial Security. Harkin and Congresswoman Eleanor This is another of the consequences of this. Holmes Norton for their leadership, and we And so the rest of you are going to have to thank our panelists. They were all terrific. pay to fix this unless you just want to let it Thank you very much. go on, and I don’t think since we have some NOTE: The roundtable began at 1:53 p.m. in Presi- money to fix it now, I presume none of us dential Hall (formerly Room 450) in the Old Exec- want to let it go on, and we’d like to fix it. utive Office Building. In his remarks, the Presi- But we should understand that none of dent referred to Title IX—Prohibition of Sex Dis- this—this kind of discrimination is not free crimination, part of Public Law 92–318, the Edu- to the rest of us, as well. Just because you cation Amendments of 1972. The transcript made haven’t felt it directly doesn’t mean that available by the Office of the Press Secretary also you’re not weakened and lessened because included the full text of remarks of the First Lady of the quality of life, the strength of your and the roundtable participants. society, the fabric of it is not eroded by this. And that’s the point I wanted—I didn’t want Proclamation 7179—National Equal to embarrass her about her age, but I think Pay Day, 1999 it’s important that you understand that this is a cost imposed on the whole society. And April 7, 1999 one of the big efforts we’re going to make By the President of the United States this year in this saving Social Security is to of America do something about this dramatic difference in the poverty rate. And it would be much, A Proclamation much lower if no one had ever had the expe- We live in a time of remarkable promise. riences you just heard described. Our Nation’s economy is the strongest we [Secretary Herman continued the discussion have experienced in a generation, creating saying the pension gap was even greater than more than 18 million new jobs since 1993 the 75-cents-to-every-dollar gap for regular and the fastest growth in real wages in more wages. She pointed out that only 40 percent than two decades. American women have of women have pension coverage. The First contributed greatly to this record of success; Lady then introduced Patricia Higgins, a unfortunately, they have not enjoyed an

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equal share in the prosperity they have women will be rightly appreciated and fairly helped to create. rewarded. The typical woman who works full-time Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, year-round earns approximately 75 cents for President of the United States of America, every dollar the typical man earns. An Afri- by virtue of the authority vested in me by can American woman earns just 65 cents and the Constitution and laws of the United a Hispanic woman earns 55 cents for each States of America, do hereby proclaim April dollar that a white man earns. In the course 8, 1999, as National Equal Pay Day. I call of a week, this pay gap can mean one less upon Government officials, law enforcement bag of groceries, skipping a trip to the doctor, agencies, business leaders, educators, and the missing a rent payment, or not being able American people to recognize the full value to pay for day care. Over the course of a of the skills and contributions of women in working lifetime, it can mean thousands of the labor force. I urge all employers to review dollars, a smaller pension, and fewer savings their wage practices and to ensure that all to provide for a comfortable retirement. And their employees are paid equitably for their when a working woman is denied equal pay, work. it doesn’t just hurt her; it also hurts her fam- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set ily. In more than 10 million American house- my hand this seventh day of April, in the year holds today, the mother is the only bread- of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- nine, and of the Independence of the United winner. States of America the two hundred and twen- Americans have always believed in justice ty-third. and equality. We have always believed that those who work hard should be able to pro- William J. Clinton vide a decent living for themselves and their [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, children. If we are to live up to those ideals, 8:45 a.m., April 8, 1999] we must ensure that women do not suffer wage discrimination. We must continue vig- NOTE: This proclamation was published in the orous enforcement of existing laws, such as Federal Register on April 9. the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, so that no employer under-values Letter to Congressional Leaders or underpays the work performed by women. Reporting on Airstrikes Against To strengthen Department of Labor and Serbian Targets in the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commis- Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and sion efforts to end wage discrimination and Montenegro) expand opportunities in the workplace for women, my Administration has included a April 7, 1999 $14 million Equal Pay Initiative in my pro- Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) posed balanced budget for fiscal year 2000. I reported to the Congress on March 26, This initiative will provide more resources to 1999, on the participation of U.S. military identify wage discrimination, to educate forces in the series of air strikes conducted workers and employers about their rights and by NATO in the Federal Republic of Yugo- responsibilities, and to bring more women slavia (FRY) in response to the FRY govern- into better-paying jobs. We will also work ment’s campaign of violence and repression with the Congress to pass the proposed Pay- against the ethnic Albanian population in check Fairness Act—legislation designed to Kosovo. Since my report on March 26, there strengthen laws that prohibit wage discrimi- have been dramatic and very serious devel- nation. opments in the FRY. Belgrade’s sustained As we observe National Equal Pay Day, and accelerating repression is creating a hu- let us reaffirm our commitment to justice and manitarian disaster of staggering dimensions. equality in the workplace, and let us build Estimates now are that well over one million a Nation for the 21st century where the tal- Kosovars have been displaced from their ents, efforts, and hard work of American homes and villages. At this time, more than

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400,000 Kosovars are in Albania, Macedonia, consistent with the War Powers Resolution. and Montenegro. I appreciate the continued support of the The worsening instability in Kosovo di- Congress in this action. rectly threatens peace in the region. We will Sincerely, continue to intensify our actions to achieve William J. Clinton the objectives I described in my report to the Congress of March 26 and to support NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis the international relief efforts being con- Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, ducted in the region. I have directed U.S. and Strom Thurmond, President pro tempore of military forces to deploy to Albania and Mac- the Senate. edonia in order to support humanitarian dis- aster relief operations for the Kosovar refu- Remarks at a Welcoming Ceremony gees. These relief efforts will include deliv- for Premier Zhu Rongji of China ering food and supplies, constructing shel- April 8, 1999 ters, providing coordination and assisting in logistics movement of displaced persons and Premier Zhu, Madam Lao, members of relief supplies, and when necessary, pro- the Chinese delegation, distinguished guests. viding protection for displaced persons and Premier Zhu, welcome to the White House relief supplies. As a force protection meas- and welcome to the United States. Your visit ure, the U.S. military forces will be equipped is an important event in the long relations for combat. between our people, a relationship that spans Separate from this effort, I have also or- nearly the entire history of the United States. dered additional U.S. forces to Albania. Before this city even existed, even before our These forces consist of rotary wing aircraft, Constitution was signed, China granted our artillery, and tactical missile systems and will newly independent Nation equal standing be stationed in Albania to provide a deep with the powers of Europe. strike task force to enhance NATO’s ability In the late 18th century, it took a ship sail- to conduct effective air operations in the ing out of Boston over a year to make the FRY. Approximately 2,500 soldiers and avi- voyage to China and back. Today, our people ators will deploy as part of this task force. can communicate back and forth in less than The mission of the force does not include the time needed to speak this sentence. But deploying into the FRY. better communication has not always It is not possible to predict how long either brought better comprehension. of these operations will continue. The dura- We have done great things together, and tion of the deployments depend upon the we have disagreed on many occasions. For course of events in Kosovo, and in particular, over two decades in this century, we had no on Belgrade’s conduct with respect to its conversations at all. That was not healthy for campaign of ethnic cleansing and the dura- either China or the United States. tion of the threat posed to peace and security At the dawn of a new century, we now in the region. It is our objective to transfer recognize that our interests coincide on many responsibilities for the relief effort to other issues and diverge on some others but that organizations over time, and to redeploy we have a fundamental responsibility to those U.S. forces, in all circumstances, as speak with candor and listen with an open soon as the situation permits. mind. And certainly, we can agree that China I have taken these actions pursuant to my and the United States can best achieve our constitutional authority to conduct U.S. for- hopes in the next century if we continue to eign relations and as Commander in Chief build a constructive strategic partnership, a and Chief Executive. In doing so, I have relationship that allows us to make progress taken into account the views and support ex- on the issues that matter to our people. pressed by the Congress in S. Con. Res. 21 Those issues include stopping the spread and H. Con. Res. 42. of deadly weapons, building a secure and sta- I am providing this report as part of my ble Asia-Pacific region, ensuring free and fair efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, trade under international rules, promoting

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economic growth while protecting the envi- of the Chinese delegation, I want to thank ronment, embracing the universal principles you again for coming to the United States. of political freedom and human dignity. It is important for the leaders of America Mr. Premier, under your leadership, China and China to meet regularly. has pursued wise economic policies, striving Today we were able to make progress in to maintain growth, low inflation, a stable areas that benefit both the American and currency. You have fought hard against cor- Chinese people. We had the chance to speak ruption, reinvented your government to directly and openly on matters where we make it more efficient, and reformed state- have disagreements. We reviewed our ongo- owned enterprises. ing efforts to enhance the security of both China’s stability during the Asian eco- our nations and to build world peace and sta- nomic crisis has been crucial to Asia’s hopes bility in our efforts to seek peace on the Ko- for a recovery. That has been good for mil- rean Peninsula, to work with India and Paki- lions of Asians who depend upon China’s stan to curb their nuclear competition, to join economic health and for millions of Ameri- in adherence to international agreements cans, from small investors to farmers to peo- limiting the spread of weapons of mass de- ple who work for the many companies doing struction. business in China. America has a stake in In that regard, let me say I hope that both China’s success, in a China that has overcome our nations soon will ratify the Comprehen- the challenges it faces at home, a China that sive Test Ban Treaty to end all nuclear test- is integrated into the institutions that pro- ing. mote global norms on proliferation, trade, and the environment, a China that respects We also discussed our common efforts to human rights and promotes peace. increase prosperity for both our nations. Eco- I am grateful for the Premier’s visit, fol- nomics is Premier Zhu’s primary portfolio. lowing up on President Jiang’s visit here and With his leadership, China’s economy has my visit to China. I am very grateful for the withstood Asia’s financial turmoil and helped opportunity it gives to both of us to address to mitigate its impact on other nations in the our potential and our differences in an hon- region. Now, with Asia’s recovery underway est, open, realistic manner. but regional growth still fragile, Premier Zhu Mr. Premier, I hope you and the American has been squarely addressing China’s tough- people learn a lot from each other as you est economic challenges: reforming state- travel across our Nation and speak in your owned industries and financial institutions, candid, forthright way. I look forward to our rooting out corruption, bringing China into discussion this morning. And again I say, wel- the information age, and expanding inter- come, you are very welcome to the United national trade. These efforts will benefit States. China and its trading partners, including America’s businesses, workers, and farmers. NOTE: The President spoke at 9:50 a.m. on the Our nations also will benefit from new co- South Lawn at the White House, where Premier operative initiatives we have agreed upon in Zhu was accorded a formal welcome with full mili- recent days to develop a private housing mar- tary honors. In his remarks, he referred to Premier ket in China, to create a U.S.-China dialog Zhu’s wife, Lao An, and President Jiang Zemin on job training and labor rights, to support of China. The transcript made available by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the clean energy projects in China. Today we will remarks of Premier Zhu. sign a civil aviation agreement that will dou- ble passenger and cargo flights between our countries, bringing jobs and economic activ- The President’s News Conference ity to both. With Premier Zhu And after extensive efforts by our nego- April 8, 1999 tiators, China has agreed to direct all its gov- ernment agencies to use only licensed com- President Clinton. Good afternoon. puter software, which will greatly assist our Please be seated. Premier Zhu and members software industry in China, now the world’s

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fifth-largest personal computer market. Ad- entitled to fundamental freedoms that in- ditionally, we have reached an important clude freedom of speech, religion, and asso- agreement that will open China’s markets for ciation. U.S. exports of citrus, meat products, and Pa- I hope that China’s leaders will conclude cific Northwest wheat, all highly important that in these areas, too, benefits of change for our farmers. outweigh the risks. I hope and believe we I am also pleased we have made significant can make the kind of progress together that progress toward bringing China into the will enable both of us to have the kind of World Trade Organization on fair commer- strong partnership that would be very much cial terms, although we are not quite there in the world’s interest in the 21st century, yet. A fair WTO agreement will go far toward a partnership against war and terrorism, leveling the playing field for our companies against dangerous weapons and crime, far and our workers in China’s markets, will better health care and education, for a clean- commit China to play by the rules of the er environment, achievements in the arts and international trading system, and bring China the sciences, a deepening of democratic val- fully into that system in a way that will bring ues and prosperity for all our citizens and greater opportunity for its citizens and its in- indeed, for all the world. dustries as well. I have no illusions that cooperation with Today we are issuing a joint statement re- China can resolve all of our differences. Our cording the significant progress we have countries are too large. Our backgrounds are made on WTO and committing to work to too different. Where our interests diverge, resolve all remaining issues this year. we will continue to stand for our values and Ultimately, to succeed in the market- to protect our national security. But a policy based, information-driven world economy, of confrontation for confrontation’s sake, as China must continue its efforts toward re- I said yesterday, will accomplish nothing but form. Premier Zhu has worked very hard on the fulfillment of the bleakest prophesies them. There is still work to be done, and held by people in both the United States and we want to support China in its efforts to China. strengthen its legal system, impose stronger Yesterday I said we should not see this re- labor and environmental protections, im- prove accountability, give citizens greater lationship through rose-colored glasses, nor freedom, and increase their access to infor- should we see it through a glass darkly. We mation. should see it with clear eyes. It is in the inter- We disagree, of course, on the meaning est of the American people and the Chinese and reach of human rights, because I am con- people that whenever we can cooperate, we vinced that greater freedom, debate, and should. This relationship, complex though it openness are vital to improving China’s citi- may be, is profoundly important to the future zens’ lives as well as China’s economy over of every American and every Chinese citizen the long run. It is troubling that in the past and, indeed, to all the world. year, China has taken some steps backwards Premier Zhu. on human rights in arresting people basically Premier Zhu. Thank you. for seeking to express their political views. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to thank I also regret that more progress has not been President Clinton for his invitation, and now made to open a dialog with the Dalai Lama. the delegation of the People’s Republic of We honor China’s remarkable achieve- China is visiting the United States. And today ments, its greater prosperity, and the greater I’m very honored to join President Clinton, range of personal choices available to its citi- to meet all the friends coming from the press. zens, as well as the movement toward local And I am ready to convey through the friends democracy. We appreciate the magnitude of from the media my most sincere greetings its struggles, far greater than those faced by and best regards to the American people. any other country in the world. But the From the moment since I set foot on the American people and, indeed, people all American soil, which started from Los Ange- around the world, believe that all persons are les, when maybe God did not welcome me

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very much, for it rained very hard, but it ap- the 17th of March last year, and today is my pears to me that the American people like first time to experience such press con- me. And today we received a very grand wel- ference—so my heart is now beating. come from the President, and we had a very [Laughter] I’m not as experienced as the good talk with the President and his col- President, because the President is very ex- leagues. And at noon I also attended a very perienced in dealing with you. [Laughter] grand luncheon hosted by Secretary Albright, I’m not that experienced, so should I say which was an opportunity for me to meet something which is not appropriate very many old friends. much, I do hope that you will exercise certain I believe that our talks were frank and can- leniency and try to promote what is good and did, and they were constructive and fruitful. try as much as you can to cover what may Naturally, the result has not been measured not be that appropriate. [Laughter] by how many agreements we may have Thank you. reached; I believe we’ve already reached quite a number of agreements. What is the Premier Zhu’s Visit key that the PRC delegation is able to have Q. Thank you, Mr. Premier. As a matter the opportunity of meeting people from dif- of fact, before your visit to the United States, ferent walks of life in the United States and and also since you set your foot on the Amer- that we can have an opportunity to talk di- ican soil, many of our leaders have such a rectly to the American people to explain to question—that is, given such difficulties that them what is our views. the China-U.S. relations encountered, why As I said in the morning, it is not that only did you still decide to visit the United States friends who say yes to you are good friends. as scheduled? What are your real thoughts? We believe that maybe the friends who are And how do you think China-U.S. relations able to say no to you are the best friends should develop at the turn of the century? for you. Premier Zhu. Are you asking me to tell And from Washington, I will also travel to you the truth? To tell you the truth, I was Denver, to Chicago, to New York, and to really reluctant to come. [Laughter] Two Boston, where I will meet quite a lot of days before my departure from China for the friends from the United States. I’m ready to United States, I received two congressional talk to them, and I’m also prepared to argue, delegations from the United States, one to debate with them. I believe by doing so, headed by Mr. Thomas, the other by Mr. we will be able to promote the communica- Roth. All together, more than 20 Senators tion and mutual understanding between our and Congressmen were at the meetings. I two peoples, thus promoting the relationship said to them, ‘‘As the current political atmos- between us, or rather, the objective of work- phere in the United States is so anti-China, ing to build a constructive strategic partner- I really lack the guts to pay the visit to the ship between the two sides as opened up by United States at present.’’ And they told me the two Presidents, and also to continue to that ‘‘You should go. We welcome you, be- develop the friendship between us. cause we Americans like your new face.’’ As the President said earlier this morning, I said, my old friend, Ambassador Sasser we also reached certain agreement on the told me he was going to go back to the WTO question, and we shall issue a joint United States before me, and he was going statement on this question. And also on these to each and every place that I was going to areas we’ve already agreed upon, such as on visit to introduce me to the local people and the agricultural questions, we will sign cer- also to promote my trip. And he also told tain agreements. In my view, all these will me that he was fully prepared to be even further promote the development of friend- beaten black and blue, and maybe with a ship and cooperation between China and the bandage wrapped around his face when he United States. saw me in the United States. Then I said, And today I am ready to answer your ques- ‘‘Even your Ambassador Sasser, an Amer- tions in a very candid manner. But as the ican, had such a risk of being beaten black Premier of China, I took my office only on and blue, then what would my fate be as a

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Chinese? Will my new face be turned into As I said this morning, I don’t think there’s a bloody face?’’ [Laughter] any problem or question between our two The Senators and the Congressmen didn’t countries that cannot be resolved satisfac- give me any guarantee. But President Jiang torily through friendly consultations. Zemin decided that I should come according As for some other issues, such as human to a schedule, and he is number one in rights and the Dalai Lama, President Clinton China, so I had to obey him. [Laughter] Now, mentioned all these issues in his opening re- I can tell you that I am now in a much better marks. I think we have enough time to argue mood than when I was just about to make over these questions, so I don’t want to dwell the trip, because since I came to the United on these questions long here. States I’ve seen so many friendly faces, and President Clinton. Helen [Helen Thom- I’ve been accorded very warm welcome and as, United Press International]. reception. I believe that through my current visit to Situation in the Balkans the United States I will be able to contribute some of my part to the continued growth of Q. Mr. President, I have a three-part ques- the friendly relations and the cooperation be- tion on—[laughter]—— tween China and the United States. And President Clinton. You learned from her, more than that, I will also be able to get more right? understanding from the American people Q. ——on Kosovo. Solana says that there and maybe develop more consensus with the are ongoing discussions on ground troops. American side on the issues over which we Has the U.S. position changed? Two, has the still argue. Cypriot intervention helped to pave the way And we’ll also be able to conclude several for the release of the American servicemen? agreements in the economic field, for in- And three, is Milosevic a war criminal by stance on SPS. And actually, our negotiations Nuremburg standards? in the field of WTO have been going on for President Clinton. The answer to the first 13 years. And on the part of the Chinese side, question is, no. I believe our present strategy we have already made a lot of concessions. will work if we can keep the allies with it. For instance, in the area of TCK wheat, now The answer to the second question is, I we have already agreed to lift the ban on don’t know. I hope so. We would like to see the exports of wheat from seven American the servicemen released because they never U.S. States to China. And now we have also should have been detained in the first place. decided to lift the restriction on the export They were in Macedonia. They had nothing of citrus from four States of the United to do with the operations against Serbia. And States, including California, to China. I would be for anything honorable that would On the question of China’s accession into secure their release, obviously. the WTO, in my view, the gap between the The answer to the third question is that two sides is really not very significant. Maybe that is, strictly speaking, a legal decision that Mr. President does not quite agree with me has to be made, but I certainly think it should on that; their side still believes that the gap be looked into. is significant. So that’s why at present we are Q. Why are nine commanders named by only in a position to sign a joint statement the State Department to be possibly indicted, instead of a full package agreement. and you don’t mention Milosevic? If you want to hear some honest words, President Clinton. The answer to that is, then I should say that now the problem does I’m not sure. The question I want to empha- not lie with this big difference or big gap, but lies with the political atmosphere. But size to you is, when you start talking about we are very optimistic about the prospect of indicting people, there are laws, there are the development of friendly relations and the standards of proof, there are coverages, there cooperation between China and the United are all those issues. We have asked that this States. be looked at.

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What we do know is this. Let’s look at what Straits? And do you think there should be we know. What we know is that by a delib- a timetable for the reunification of the main- erate policy he has caused hundreds of thou- land and Taiwan of China? And do you wish sands of people to be refugees. We know that to pay a visit to Taiwan? thousands of innocent people have been Premier Zhu. The policy of China and the killed—defenseless, completely defenseless reunification of the mainland and Taiwan of people. We know that people were herded China is a very clear-cut one and the Presi- up and pushed to the borders and pushed dent, Jiang Zemin, has already expounded on over the borders. And today you all have sto- China’s policy in this regard. So I don’t see ries saying that the same borders that people the need for me to reiterate here. were herded up and pushed over or pushed Since the return of Hong Kong to the up next to are now being mined, so if they motherland, the policy of one country, two try to get across them to save their lives they systems, Hong Kong people administering can be blown up. Hong Kong, Hong Kong enduring a high de- We know that he supported, strongly, the gree of autonomy, have been fully imple- Serbian actions in the Bosnian war, which mented, which is a fact there for the people led to the deaths of over a quarter of a million in the entire world to see. And our policy 1 people and over 2 ⁄2 million people being for the reunification of China with Taiwan made refugees. is more generous than our policy towards Now, the important thing to me is to stop Hong Kong. That is to say, Taiwan will be the killing, to stop the exodus, to see the refu- allowed to maintain its army, and we’re also gees return, to see them safe, to see a polit- prepared to let the head of Taiwan come to ical solution that gives them the autonomy the central government to serve as the dep- that they were promised, to have an inter- uty head. national peacekeeping force that will prevent But as for whether he or she is able to this from happening again. be the head, then I’m not sure. But I’m afraid But I have been very clear, Helen—I think it would not get enough votes. Nobody would quite unambiguous that, on the war crimes vote for him. issue, that is something—we have a tribunal set up for that. We have people whose job On the question of the reunification, the it is to make that determination. They should Chinese Government has repeatedly stated examine it and make that determination. that we strive for a peaceful reunification of And I think that’s all that is appropriate the motherland, but we have never under- for me to say, because it’s not my job, and taken to renounce the use of force in this I’m not a legal expert on that question. But regard, because if we were to make such a I do think that the facts are clear. The hu- pledge, make such an undertaking, then I’m manitarian suffering and loss here is stag- afraid that Taiwan would be in the perpetual gering, and it is a repeat of what we saw in state of separation from the motherland. Bosnia. And it is his direct political strategy Just now, in the Oval Office of President for first getting and then maintaining power. Clinton, I saw the portrait of President Abra- And the human loss has been breathtaking. ham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln, in order to maintain the unity of the United States and Taiwan oppose independence of the southern part, Q. Seven hours before you landed in An- he had resorted to the use of force and fought drews Air Force Base yesterday, President a war for that, for maintaining the unity of Clinton made a foreign policy speech in the United States. So I think Abraham Lin- which he mentioned the sending of carriers coln, President, is a model, is an example. to the waters in the Taiwan Straits in March As for whether I’m going to visit Taiwan, 1996. And he said that that move had helped since none of them have issued an invitation maintain the security in the Taiwan Straits. to me, so how can I go there and in what So in your view, how do you see the effect capacity should I go there? I hope you will of the military capabilities of the United also help me to think of this. [Laughter] States on the situation across the Taiwan Thank you.

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President Clinton. I think I have to say I don’t think there can be such a problem, just one thing, if I might, since I got zapped given the tight security measures in the by Abraham Lincoln. [Laughter] First of all, United States and advanced technology. Al- the United States has a ‘‘one China’’ policy, though, it seems that to the technology, with and I have reaffirmed that at every oppor- regard to this microphone, is not that ad- tunity. I do so again today. vanced. [Laughter] Secondly, we believe that this matter I think it’s entirely impossible for China should be resolved peacefully. The facts of to have any effective—or to steal any nuclear the relationship between Taiwan and China technology or military secrets from the over the last 50 years are somewhat different United States effectively under such condi- than the facts leading up to the American tions, such tight security measures. Civil War, as I’m sure that you would all In the scientific exchanges between schol- agree. ars of our two countries, they may have some It does seem to me that China and Taiwan, exchanges concerning defense technologies. apart from the blood ties of being Chinese— But I don’t believe that such exchanges will even the native Taiwanese—that you have a involve any substantive or key technologies. lot to offer each other, including economic As a senior engineer, I’ve been in charge power but beyond that as well. of the industry in China for more than 40 And so I hope that we will see a resolution years, and I have never known any of our of this. And I think if the Premier is as hu- most advanced technology came from the morous and clever in Taiwan as he is here, United States. But the technology develop- I think it would be a good thing for him to ment, or technologies, are the common herit- go. [Laughter] age or common property of mankind. And Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press]. in scientific inventions, actually, all roads lead Premier Zhu. President Clinton’s black to Rome. And in terms of the missile and and blue. [Laughter] the nuclear technologies, indeed, we have learned that from foreign countries. Weapons Lab Espionage and 1996 While in the area of missile technology, Campaign Contributions the pioneer in China is Mr. Tsien Hsueh- Q. A question to the Premier. Sir, how sen, who returned from the United States. do you respond to charges that China stole And in terms of the nuclear technology the nuclear warhead designs and perhaps neu- pioneer in China is Qian Sanqiang, who re- tron bomb technology from the United turned from the lab of Madam Curie of States, and also funneled hundreds of thou- France. But I can assure you that when they sands of dollars to President Clinton’s reelec- returned back, they didn’t bring back even tion campaign? [Laughter] a piece of paper; they just brought back with And Mr. Clinton, do you find any of these them their brains. charges credible? And what do you say to That’s why I said at the press conference criticism that your policy of engaging China last March that I hope you don’t underesti- has benefited China and not penalized them mate your own ability, your own security abil- at all for human rights abuses, trade prob- ity, or your own ability to keep secrets, and lems, and espionage? don’t underestimate the capability of the Premier Zhu. In the capacity of the Pre- Chinese people to develop their own tech- mier of the State Council of the People’s Re- nology. public of China, I’d like to make a very sol- At a luncheon hosted by the mayor of Los emn statement here that I have no knowl- Angeles, the wife of the mayor asked me, edge whatsoever of any allegation of espio- ‘‘How are you going to celebrate the 50th nage or the theft of nuclear technology. And anniversary of the founding of the People’s I don’t believe such a story. Republic?’’ I told her that we planned to hold I’ve also asked President Jiang, and he a very grand military review and also the lat- does not have any knowledge of that at all. est weaponry will be on display. And I also It is not the policy of China to steal so-called told her that all the weaponry are developed military secrets from the United States. And by China itself, not stolen from the United

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States. The wife of the mayor gave me advice, You know, China is a big country with a and she said, ‘‘Maybe you should put a sign big Government. And I can only say that on the weaponry, the missiles, that they are America is a big country with a big Govern- ‘Made in China, not from the United ment, and occasionally, things happen in this States.’ ’’ I appreciated her sense of humor Government that I don’t know about. And very much, and I said, ‘‘That’s a good idea.’’ so I think it’s important that we continue the [Laughter] investigation and do our best to find out what Mr. Clinton stated in the speech that the happened, and I asked for his cooperation. United States has more than 6,000 nuclear Now as to the second part of your ques- missiles, while China only has less than two tion, which is, what do we get out of this— dozen. I think he knows better than I do. the sort of anti-China crowd in America I, to tell you the truth, don’t know the exact says—first of all, the implication is that if number of missiles that we have. [Laughter] someone wants to have a relationship with Although I do not know the exact number us, they should agree with us about every- of our missiles, I agree with you in your con- thing. That’s just not going to happen. clusion. That is, we have a very small number But I would like to point out the following of missiles, and you have a very large num- things: Because of our cooperation with ber. So China does not constitute a threat China, we have lessened the tensions on the whatsoever to the United States. Korean Peninsula for several years; China has On the allegation of political contributions participated with us in any number of arms or campaign financing, I can also state in a control initiatives, including an agreement to very responsible manner here that neither I, restrain its transfers of dangerous weapons nor President Jiang Zemin, know anything and technology to other countries; China is about that. And we, too, also once asked the a signatory to the Comprehensive Test Ban senior military leaders in China, and they told Treaty; and China has worked very hard, as us they didn’t have any knowledge of that. I already said, to stabilize the Asian economy I think this shows that some Americans at a time when it was not only hurting people really had underestimated us. If the political in Asia, but it was beginning to affect the contribution were to be really that effective, American economy. So we get quite a lot out then now I have $146 billion U.S. of foreign of our cooperation with China. exchange reserve, so I should have put out Last point. When you say, what do we get at least $10 billion U.S. for that purpose. Why out of it? He could have people asking him just $300,000? That would be too foolish. that in China. They could say, ‘‘It is the [Laughter] I’ve learned that some people United States, not the European Union, that have spent a lot in lobbying here, but I never sponsors the human rights resolution. The believed such rumors. United States has stricter controls on tech- I think through such mutual discussions nology transfer to China than any other coun- and even debates, we can develop consensus try with which it deals.’’ Both of which are and reach agreement on many issues that will true. serve the interests of both the Chinese and But let me just give you one final exam- American peoples. And we also trust the ple—take the WTO. How could it possibly American people, and we, actually, we have serve America’s interests not to open more never and we would not do such kind of Chinese markets to America’s workers and thing. Thank you. businesses and farmers? They have a much President Clinton. Let me respond to the bigger share of our market, in terms of ex- question you asked me. First of all, with re- ports, than we have of theirs. How could it gard to the two issues, the campaign finance possibly be against our interest to bring more issue and the espionage allegations, I raised Chinese into contact with more Americans both these issues with Premier Zhu last night. and to give more opportunities for America He gave me the same answer he just gave to honestly compete in the Chinese market? you today. And my response was that I hope I think it is clear that the more we work that he and his Government would cooperate together and talk together, and the more with these two investigations. China is involved with the rest of the world,

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the more likely we are to reach positive out- pact do you think China’s economic develop- comes. That is the logic of the policy and ment will have on the stability and the devel- the logic of what we are doing in particular opment of the economy in Asia and the world on WTO. at large? Premier Zhu. I agree to cooperate with Premier Zhu. Last year, China’s economy your side in investigation, so long as you can experienced extreme difficulties due to the provide some clues. And no matter who it Asian financial crisis and the devastating may involve, we will investigate into it. floods hitting some areas in China. But we I’d like here to respond to what President have tided over these difficulties and man- Clinton said on WTO. He said that to allow aged to achieve a 7.8 percent growth of our China in the WTO will be in the best interest GDP. And we have maintained a policy of of the American people. And I want to say not to devaluate the RMB currency. And the that, although China has made the biggest prices in China have been maintained basi- concessions, that will also be in the interest cally stable and some have somewhat de- of the Chinese people. Many Hong Kong clined or have dropped. newspapers say that I’ve come to the United As for the economic development in China States to present a very big gift. I don’t think this year, many foreigners are predicting that such a suggestion is right. I’m sorry; I’m China will be the next to be hit by an eco- afraid I’ve offended the press. [Laughter] nomic crisis. But I don’t think that will be Because if China wants to join the WTO, the case. This year the projected GDP wants to be integrated in the international growth is 7 percent; but in the first quarter community, then China must play by the of the year the growth rate was 8.3 percent. rules of the game. China cannot do that with- So I expect China’s economic development out making concessions. Of course, such con- this year to be better than that of last year, cessions might bring about a very huge im- not in terms of the speed, simply in terms pact on China’s national economy on some of speed, but in terms of the economic effi- state-owned enterprises and also on China’s ciency, economic results. market. Secondly, some foreigners are saying that But I have every assurance to say here, China’s economic reform has come to a stop. thanks to the achievements made in our re- I wish to state here in very explicit terms form and opening up process, we will be able that last year, instead of coming to a stand- to stand such impact. And the competition still, China’s reforms made greater progress arising from such impact will also promote than originally planned. a more rapid and more healthy development Firstly, in terms of the reform of the Gov- of China’s national economy. ernment institutions, last year we set the ob- Here I’d like to call the attention of the jective of cutting the size of the central Gov- Hong Kong press people. In your future re- ernment by half in 3 years time; that is, from ports, don’t ever write things like ‘‘present 33,000 people to 16,000 people. And this ob- a big gift,’’ because that would be inter- jective had been realized last year, just in preted—equivalent to a political contribution one year. Apart from 4,000 Government or campaign financing. That would be very functionaries who have now gone to univer- much detrimental to President Clinton. sities or colleges for further study, all the rest [Laughter] have been reemployed by other sectors, by enterprises. And so I think that represents China and the Asian Economies a very major achievement. Q. I’m a correspondent with CCTV China. And this year, we plan to press forward Recently, there has been much talk within the reform of the local governments. We also and out of China about China’s economic de- plan to cut the size of the local governments velopment, reform and opening up policy. by half in 3 years time; that is, to cut from So, Mr. Premier, would you please make 5 million people to 2.5. some observations on the current state of Third, some foreigners are saying that China’s economy and the prospect of eco- there is a very serious problem of unemploy- nomic development in China. And what im- ment in China, a lot of people have been

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laid off from state-owned enterprises, and Q. That was tough. this has caused a social instability in China. President Clinton. That was real states- I think anybody who has been to China will manship. [Laughter] know that this is not true. In the beginning of last year, indeed, there Human Rights/Weapons Lab Espionage were 10 million laid-off workers or unem- ployed workers. Thanks to our efforts over Q. I think it was more of a ham, but I the past year we have put in place a social have questions for both you gentlemen. Mr. security system. Now all those laid-off work- Premier, as you know the U.S. State Depart- ers or unemployed workers can get basic liv- ment issued a rather scathing report on ing allowances. And many of them have been human rights abuses in your country, and the reemployed. Now there are 6 million unem- United States is in the process of sponsoring ployed or laid-off workers who are in those a resolution before a U.N. group to criticize reemployment service centers waiting for human rights in your country. Do you con- being reemployed, while the establishment sider these assessments totally unfair, or do of such a social security system is very helpful you think it’s possible that there are problems to our efforts to revitalize, rejuvenate the within your country that need to be cor- state-owned enterprises by introducing rected? shareholding system into the large state- And President Clinton, at your last formal owned enterprises and also to reform the news conference, you spoke about the prob- small and the medium-sized enterprises in lems, or at least allegations, of Chinese spy- various ways, including to privatize some of ing, and you said that it mainly dealt in the the small ones. 1980’s, that there were no indications that Lastly, China now is introducing an un- it involved your Presidency. In the wake of precedented reform in its banking system. today’s New York Times report, can you still We are drawing on the experience of the make that statement? Or are you concerned RTC in the United States to form the assets that perhaps you were misled or had infor- management companies in China to handle mation withheld from you about the extent the nonperforming loans of the state-owned of the allegations? banks. I believe that such reform is condu- Premier Zhu. Me first? [Laughter] cive to turning the state-owned commercial President Clinton. You’re the guest. banks into genuine commercial banks, and [Laughter] is also conductive to helping enhance the Premier Zhu. Thank you. Firstly, I wish ability of the central bank to supervise and to say I’m firmly opposed to the U.S. tabling to regulate according to international prac- of a draft resolution directed at China at the tice. Human Rights Commission session. I not So here, I’d like to say that China’s RMB only regard that as unfair but also take it as will not be depreciated, and it will remain an interference in China’s internal affairs. stable. So here, I’d like to call on the Amer- I wish to make three points here. Firstly, ican business people to go to China for in- China has made very big progress in the vestment. You will not face the risk of devalu- human rights area over the past several dec- ation of RMB. If you don’t believe me, then ades since the founding of new China. And I would take the advice from Professor Mil- the Chinese people today enjoy unprece- ton Miller of Chicago University. He advised dented extensive democratic and political me to offer a put option to those who don’t rights. Through certain legal procedures, believe me. through certain procedures, the Chinese Thank you very much. people can voice their criticisms of the Gov- President Clinton. Larry [Larry ernment, and they can also exercise super- McQuillan, Reuters]? vision over the Government. And they can express fully their opinions. And in my view, [At this point, while the microphone was in terms of the freedom of speech and free- being passed to Mr. McQuillan, Sam Donald- dom of press, China indeed has made very son, ABC News, feigned asking a question.] great progress.

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Secondly, I also think that we should put And also in China, the legal workers, the the question of human rights in a historical people working in the legal and the judicial perspective. And I think different countries field, some of them are not that qualified, may have a different understanding of this are not that competent, so sometimes in deal- question. In terms of the human rights con- ing with certain cases they need to improve cept, Mencius, who lived in a period more their work. So under such conditions it’s real- than 2,000 years ago in China, he stated that ly not realistic to demand a very perfect prac- people are the most important and the most tice in the human rights field. precious, while the state is next to that, and So we are willing to listen to you, and we the emperor or the kings are the least impor- are willing to have channels of dialog on tant. So that kind of thought was much ear- human rights questions. We don’t want to lier than Rousseau of France and then the stage a confrontation in this regard. Human Rights Declaration of France. Actually, in China, when I received some And also, different countries have different foreign visitors, they tend to put forward a conditions, and human rights, actually, is also list of so-called dissidents and ask me to re- a concept that has evolved in history. In lease these people. Well actually, we took this terms of per capita income, the per capita matter very seriously, and we have looked income of the United States is 20 times that into all these cases, and if we found that the of China. And also, in terms of education, person on the list has not committed any the ratio of university graduates in the United criminal offenses, then we will just release States, in its total population, is higher than him. the ratio of the illiterate people, plus the pri- Well, before I came to the United States, mary school graduates to the total population many of my friends mailed me a lot of mate- in China. So given such different levels of rials in which they contained a lot of informa- education and also income, it’s natural that tion about the problems of human rights in people may have different concepts of the United States. And they urged me to human rights. bring such materials to President Clinton, For instance, if you want to talk about but I haven’t brought them with me. I don’t human rights to a very poor person, maybe want to hand that over to President Clinton what he is more interested in is—if you want because I trust you are able to resolve your to just talk to him about direct election. But own problems. maybe that is not what he is most interested President Clinton. Actually, sometimes in. What he is interested in most is the other we could use a little outside help, too. aspects of human rights, such as the right [Laughter] to education, the right to subsistence, the Let me say, first of all, in response to the right to development, the right to a cultural question you raise, I read the New York life, and the right to medical care, health Times article today, and while I can’t com- care. So I think human rights actually include ment on specific intelligence reports as a so many aspects. matter of policy, I noted that even the article So I think every country has its own ap- acknowledged that the alleged espionage proach in improving its human rights. One might not have been connected to the na- should not be too impatient, but to tell the tional labs, which is the question I was asked truth, I’m more impatient than you are in in the press conference. how to further, constantly improve the But let me say, I’ve looked into it and we’re human rights in China. doing our best to resolve all outstanding Thirdly, I concede that there is room for questions. And I’ve asked the law enforce- improvement in human rights conditions in ment agencies to try to accelerate their in- China. As you may know, China has a history quiries insofar as they can. of several thousand years of a feudal system, The real issue is, and one that we made fuedal society, so people have very deep- perfectly clear last week, is that for quite a rooted concepts influenced by this historical long while, from the eighties coming right background. It’s quite difficult to change up through the time I became President, the such mentality or concept overnight. security at the labs was inadequate. And I

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think it grew out of, partly, the kind of dual States William Jefferson Clinton and Premier culture of the labs—part of their great cen- Zhu Rongji jointly affirm that China’s admis- ters of science and learning, and they’ve done sion to the World Trade Organization (WTO) a lot of pathbreaking work in energy and al- is in the interest of the United States, the ternative sources of energy and computer People’s Republic of China, and the global processing and the use of software for all trading system. To that end, they welcome kinds of very important nondefense matters, the significant progress made by the United while maintaining their responsibilities in the States and the People’s Republic of China nuclear area. toward a strong agreement based on a And to me, the most important thing of balance of rights and obligations. Noting that all now, besides finishing the investigations agreement has not been reached on some in an appropriate way, is making sure we get important issues, they commit to work to re- the security right. You know that I signed solve these remaining issues through further that Executive order in early 1998. You know bilateral negotiations in order to conclude a what Secretary Richardson has done re- strong agreement as the basis for the acces- cently. And I have also asked the President’s sion of the People’s Republic of China to the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board Chair- WTO. man, Senator Rudman, to head a bipartisan President Clinton and Premier Zhu recog- panel to look into what we have done and nize the complexity of WTO accession nego- to tell us if we haven’t done enough and what tiations. In this regard, they note that agree- else we ought to do. ment has been reached on market access for So I think the most important thing now agricultural and industrial goods as well as is to recognize that for quite a long while, a wide range of services sectors, as set out the security at the labs was not adequate, that in Attachment 1, but that certain matters re- we have been moving to do a lot of things main to be resolved in banking, including in the last year-plus, that we have much more consumer auto finance, as well as securities to do, perhaps, and we asked somebody to and audio visual services. They further wel- look into it, and then to do these investiga- come the conclusion of the Sino-U.S. Agri- tions and do them right and do them as cultural Cooperation Agreement, especially quickly as possible. the resolution of bilateral issues concerning imports by the People’s Republic of China NOTE: The President’s 172d news conference began at 3:51 p.m. in Presidential Hall (formerly of U.S. citrus, meat products, and Pacific Room 450) in the Old Executive Office Building. Northwest wheat, as set out in Attachment In his remarks, the President referred to President 2. President Clinton and Premier Zhu note Slobodan Milosevic of the Federal Republic of agreement has been reached on a variety of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). He also re- important rules to be applicable to the WTO, ferred to Presidential Decision Directive 61 concerning trading rights, technology trans- (PDD–61). Premier Zhu spoke in Chinese, and fer and offsets, state enterprises, and sub- his remarks were translated by an interpreter. In sidies, as set out in Attachment 3. However, his remarks, Premier Zhu referred to Mayor Rich- ard Riordan of Los Angeles, CA, and his wife, they recognize that certain differences re- Nancy. main to be resolved on a mechanism to en- sure implementation, the duration of provi- sions governing dumping and product safe- Joint United States-China Statement: guards, and rules governing textiles trade. Status of Negotiations on China’s President Clinton and Premier Zhu wel- Accession to the World Trade come this significant progress and instruct Organization their trade ministers to resume bilateral ne- April 8, 1999 gotiations in order to satisfactorily resolve the important remaining issues as soon as pos- On the occasion of the official visit of the sible in support of the common goal of ad- Premier of the Government of the People’s mission of the People’s Republic of China Republic of China Premier Zhu Rongji, to to the WTO on strong commercial terms in the United States, President of the United 1999.

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NOTE: An original was not available for Drug Control Strategy provides a com- verification of the content of this joint statement. prehensive approach to move us closer to a drug-free America. An important part of this Proclamation 7180—National long-term plan is our emphasis on educating D.A.R.E. Day, 1999 children. We know that when children un- derstand the dangers of drugs, their rates of April 8, 1999 drug use decline. Our National Youth Anti- By the President of the United States Drug Media Campaign and the Safe and of America Drug-Free Schools program focus on helping young Americans reject illegal drugs and vio- A Proclamation lence. In addition, in recent years, we have The Drug Abuse Resistance Education protected and increased the funding of the (D.A.R.E.) program, founded in 1983 by the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program. Cou- Los Angeles Police Department and the Los pled with programs like D.A.R.E., these ef- Angeles Unified School District, helps chil- forts offer us real hope for freeing America’s dren across our Nation develop into the communities from the tragedy of substance bright, talented, and healthy individuals they abuse and the crime and violence they have the potential to become. The D.A.R.E. spawn. By doing so, we will give our children curriculum is designed to give children in the safe and healthy future they deserve. kindergarten through 12th grade the skills Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, they need to avoid involvement in drugs, President of the United States of America, gangs, and violence. Taught by community by virtue of the authority vested in me by police officers who have the special training the Constitution and laws of the United and experience necessary to address the dif- States, do hereby proclaim April 8, 1999, as ficult issues facing young people, the National D.A.R.E. Day. I call upon our D.A.R.E. program reaches more than 26 mil- youth, parents, educators, and all the people lion students each day in nearly 75 percent of the United States to observe this day with of our Nation’s school districts, encouraging appropriate programs and activities. young Americans to resist peer pressure and In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set to lead lives free from the shadows of drugs my hand this eighth day of April, in the year and violence. of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- D.A.R.E.’s mission is a crucial one. Drug nine, and of the Independence of the United abuse costs our Nation more than 14,000 States of America the two hundred and twen- lives and billions of dollars each year. A re- ty-third. cent study by the Department of Justice con- William J. Clinton firms that drug use continues to be a factor in crimes such as burglary, auto theft, assault, [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, and murder, and that one in six offenders 11:38 a.m., April 9, 1999] commits a crime just to get money for drugs. NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Because of alarming statistics like these, we Federal Register on April 12. must focus our efforts not just on those al- ready addicted to drugs, but on all our young people, so that we can reach them before Remarks at a State Dinner Honoring they are exposed to these illegal substances. Premier Zhu Working in partnership with parents, teach- April 8, 1999 ers, and communities, the D.A.R.E. program conveys to children at an impressionable age May I have your attention, please. Can you a strong message about the dangers of sub- hear? Ladies and gentlemen, Premier Zhu, stance abuse and strives to give them the Madam Lao, distinguished members of the tools and motivation they need to avoid those Chinese delegation; to all of our guests here. dangers. And I would like to say a special word of Expanding on grassroots efforts like welcome to two special Americans who made D.A.R.E., my Administration’s 1999 National an extraordinary effort to be here tonight,

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Reverend Billy Graham, and his wife, Ruth. Premier, we have profound respect for We thank them for joining us. Thank you your efforts to change China in sweeping very much. ways, to build a 21st century China in which I would like to begin with two profound all Chinese have a chance to live full and observations about China. The Chinese civili- prosperous lives. Of course, we have some zation has dazzled the world for thousands differences over what is required to achieve of years, and the Chinese do not have a tradi- that goal. And here in America we are still tion of long speeches before dinner. [Laugh- trying, ourselves, to form the ‘‘more perfect ter] I think there must be a connection. Union’’ of our Founders’ dreams. [Laughter] Therefore, I will be brief. But we both believe tomorrow can be bet- It is not as brief in Chinese as in English. ter than today, and we believe that our re- [Laughter] sponsibility is to make it so before our brief Since 1784, Chinese and Americans have journeys through life are over. shared a lively dialog over how to achieve Last year on March the 5th, the Chinese common cause in the countless pursuits that people celebrated the centennial of the birth animate great nations. Thomas Jefferson took of the first Premier of the People’s Republic, care to promote what he called ‘‘good dis- Zhou Enlai. Americans still remember well positions’’ between the United States and the man who greeted President Nixon in China. Abraham Lincoln, in his first annual 1972 and said to him in a toast: ‘‘The people message to Congress, predicted our extensive and the people alone are the motive force in the making of world history. We are con- trade with China. And of course, Franklin fident,’’ he went on to say, ‘‘that the day will Roosevelt made it America’s purpose to join surely come when this common desire of our with China in defense of freedom. two peoples will be realized.’’ Mr. Premier, Our dialog and cooperation have now sur- as Zhou Enlai’s successor, you have done vived over two centuries and over consider- much to bring this day closer. able challenges. Today the Premier and I Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in worked hard to renew both. We spoke to a toast to the Premier of China, Zhu Rongji, each other with candor and respect about our Madam Lao and the people of China. hopes for our people and our children’s fu- ture. Sometimes speaking candidly is dif- NOTE: The President spoke at 9:04 p.m. in the ficult. State Dining Room at the White House. In his Premier Zhu, I know your own life bears remarks, he referred to Premier Zhu’s wife, Lao witness to this painful truth. But as you said An, and musician Yo Yo Ma. The transcript made this morning, only good friends tell each available by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Premier Zhu. A tape was other what they really think. If you’re right not available for verification of the content of about that, you have turned out to be quite these remarks. a good friend, indeed. [Laughter] As you know, the American people are glad to see you, and to return the hospitality Memorandum on Assistance to you so generously extended to Hillary and Croatia me and our delegation last year. People are April 8, 1999 interested in you. After all, there aren’t many leaders who understand both the intricacies Presidential Determination No. 99–21 of global finance and the intricacies of the Memorandum for the Secretary of State Beijing Opera, who play the huqin, a kind of Chinese fiddle, and who voice both blunt Subject: Eligibility of the Republic of Croatia political views and blunt musical opinions. to be Furnished Defense Articles and For example, this morning’s New York Services Under the Foreign Assistance Act Times reported that you said Western opera and Arms Export Control Act makes you want to take a nap. [Laughter] Pursuant to the authority vested in me by I hope Yo Yo Ma understands the pressure section 503(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act on him tonight. [Laughter] of 1961, as amended, and section 3(a)(1) of

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the Arms Export Control Act, I hereby find what we have from Mr. Milosevic today is that the furnishing of defense articles and not even partial compliance but the illusion services to the Government of the Republic of partial compliance. We and our allies have of Croatia will strengthen the security of the properly rejected it. United States and promote world peace. President Milosevic must withdraw from You are authorized and directed to report Kosovo his military police and paramilitary this finding to the Congress and to publish forces; they are responsible for the violence. it in the Federal Register. He must permit deployment of an inter- William J. Clinton national security force, for we have seen in the past that this is the only way to ensure NOTE: This message was released by the Office his promises are kept. He must allow the un- of the Press Secretary on April 9. conditional return of our refugees because their expulsion from their homes and their land cannot be tolerated. Remarks on Departure for He must take these essential steps as we Philadelphia, Pennsylvania move toward self-government and security April 9, 1999 for the people of Kosovo. In the meantime, we will continue to do all we can to help Situation in the Balkans the victims of the tragedy. Good morning. Before we depart, I’d like Today the First Lady is going to Dover to say a few words about the situation in Air Force Base in Delaware, the main east Kosovo. Over the last several days, we have coast departure point for humanitarian sup- struck hard at Serbia’s machinery of repres- plies, where a C–5 aircraft, our largest trans- sion and at the infrastructure that supports port plane, loaded with humanitarian daily it. Our humanitarian relief operation is bring- rations headed for Albania and Macedonia, ing life-saving supplies to refugees in Mac- will be stocked. edonia and Albania. Our military is doing its Thus far, we have seen 800,000 of the 1.1 part to help there, too. million daily rations we’ve pledged for the I’m gratified by the efforts of all involved region. I am deeply gratified that the Amer- and confident that, after 2 weeks, NATO is ican people have placed over 15,000 calls to determined to persist and prevail. If any- the 1–800 number I announced Monday to thing, Mr. Milosevic’s actions have strength- make donations. I also know that many ened the unity and resolve of our allies. churches and other religious institutions have As our strikes have intensified, Mr. been taking up collections and sending them Milosevic has tried to rearrange the facts on in; we are grateful for that as well. I ask the the ground by declaring a cease-fire while American people to continue their steadfast holding his borders—closing his borders to support. I believe that they will. I am con- fleeing refugees. But the fundamental reality fident we will prevail. is unchanged. Attacks on innocent people Thank you very much. continue. Refugees who were pushed from their homes by force now see their escape NOTE: The President spoke at 10:53 a.m. on the routes blocked by force. South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to President Slobodan Milosevic of Mr. Milosevic still thinks he can manipu- the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and late the situation by cynically using innocent Montenegro). people. He hopes that we will accept as per- manent the results of his ethnic cleansing. We will not, not when a quarter of Kosovo’s Radio Remarks on the Philadelphia people are living in refugee camps beyond Shipyard Kosovo’s borders, not when hundreds of April 9, 1999 thousands more are trapped inside, afraid to go home, but unable to leave. Last week the U.S. Navy and Philadelphia If we settle for half-measures from Mr. signed several important agreements that are Milosevic, we will get nothing more. And good for the city, the Navy, and our Nation.

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I want to thank Mayor Rendell, the people importance, including many in the Minute of the United States Navy, and others who Man National Historical Park, are located were critical to this important achievement. near the rivers in the Town of Concord. These agreements, combined with the deci- Among these is Old North Bridge, site of the sion by the Norwegian company Kvaerner to Revolution’s ‘‘shot heard round the world.’’ invest here, will help transform Philadel- The rivers are featured prominently in the phia’s huge and historic naval shipyard, gen- works of 19th century authors Hawthorne, erating thousands of high paying jobs, help- Emerson, and Thoreau, and have been the ing to revitalize America’s commercial ship- subject of ornithological studies since early building industry. Working together, this re- days of field observation techniques. markable partnership of business, labor, and Important to the designation of these riv- Government will modernize the shipyard and ers and their long-term protection is the train workers to produce state-of-the-art strong local support and commitment to commercial ships. Congratulations to the management and preservation as expressed people of Philadelphia on an important new by the communities and property owners economic venture. along the river segments. Each of the eight NOTE: The President’s remarks were recorded at towns along the river segments held town approximately 12:30 p.m. in the administrative of- meetings regarding the designation of these fices of Memorial Hall in Philadelphia, PA, for river segments. Votes at these meetings in later broadcast. In his remarks, he referred to support of designation and endorsement of Mayor Edward Rendell of Philadelphia. The re- the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord River marks were also made available on the White House Press Radio Actuality Line. Conservation Plan were unanimous among the eight towns. The Conservation Plan relies on local and private initiatives to protect the Statement on Signing the Sudbury, river segments through local zoning and land Assabet, and Concord Wild and use controls. Scenic River Act I am pleased to add these 29 miles of the April 9, 1999 Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. I I have today signed into law H.R. 193, the commend the elected officials and people of ‘‘Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Massachusetts who worked so diligently on Scenic River Act.’’ The Act will designate the river study, building local support for the portions of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Con- wild and scenic river designation and the pas- cord Rivers in Massachusetts as part of the sage of this legislation. I want to particularly National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. I commend the efforts of Representative am pleased that the Congress has moved Marty Meehan, the principal sponsor of quickly to pass this legislation, which has bi- H.R. 193, whose leadership led to the enact- partisan support. ment of this important legislation. I also want This Act recognizes 29 free-flowing miles to recognize Senator Kennedy who cham- of these three rivers for their outstanding pioned this bill in the Senate. ecology, history, scenery, recreation values, and place in American literature. Located William J. Clinton about 25 miles west of Boston, these rivers are remarkably undeveloped and provide The White House, recreational opportunities in a natural setting to several million people living in the Greater April 9, 1999. Boston metropolitan area. Ten of the river miles lie within the boundary of the Great NOTE: H.R. 193, approved April 9, was not re- Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, which ceived by the Office of the Federal Register in was established to protect the outstanding time for designation of a Public Law number. An waterfowl habitat associated with extensive original was not available for verification of the riparian wetlands. Historic sites of national content of this statement.

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Proclamation 7181—Pan American and Ecuador to sign an historic Peace Accord Day and Pan American Week, 1999 last October that finally put their long- April 9, 1999 standing border dispute to an end. As we look to our common future, we must By the President of the United States not forget that our vision for the Western of America Hemisphere also includes Cuba, whose citi- zens must be allowed the fruits of liberty and A Proclamation the rewards of integration. We must also re- Inspired by the powerful words of Thomas member that our commitment to closer co- Jefferson, the courageous military tactics of operation becomes especially important in Jose´ de San Martı´n, and the revolutionary times of tragedy. As hundreds of thousands ´ ´ spirit of Simon Bolıvar and many other lead- of people across the Americas work to re- ers, the peoples of the Americas forged their build their homes and their lives in the after- nations with a profound respect for liberty math of Hurricane Mitch and the earthquake and justice. Today, a devotion to democratic in Colombia, we must be there to lend a ideals unifies the countries in our hemi- sphere. The strengthening of democratic in- helping hand and to provide the tools nec- stitutions and practices throughout the essary to revitalize the economies of our Americas reflects our enduring commitment neighbors and help renew their commu- to human rights, free and fair elections, and nities. United by a proud history and a shared the rule of law. The expansion of open mar- interest in deepening political, cultural, and kets illustrates our determination to achieve economic ties, the democracies of our hemi- sustainable economic growth. At the dawn sphere can serve as a beacon of peace and of a new millennium, we must work with a prosperity for citizens around the world. renewed spirit of cooperation to meet the Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, challenges of our future and fulfill the destiny President of the United States of America, of our region. by virtue of the authority vested in me by In strengthening the ties that bind our na- the Constitution and laws of the United tions together, we reaffirm our shared com- States, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, April mitment of democracy and to the security 14, 1999, as Pan American Day and April of our hemisphere. Last April, the democrat- 11 through April 17, 1999, as Pan American ically elected leaders of our hemisphere met Week. I urge the Governors of the 50 States, in Santiago, Chile, for the second Summit the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puer- of the Americas. Building on the foundation to Rico, and the officials of other areas under laid at the Miami Summit in 1994, we devel- the flag of the United States to honor these oped an action plan for the future. Our strat- observances with appropriate ceremonies egy includes concrete methods to strengthen and activities. democracy, protect human rights, increase In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set access to education, expand free and fair my hand this ninth day of April, in the year trade, and reduce corruption. of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- Thanks in part to the strong bonds be- nine, and of the Independence of the United tween the nations of the Americas, our region has achieved an unprecedented era of peace States of America the two hundred and twen- and stability. As one of the world’s oldest re- ty-third. gional alliances, the Organization of Amer- ican States has served as a guiding institution William J. Clinton in that endeavor. Through several vital initia- tives, it has worked to foster multilateral co- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, operation, to bolster hemispheric security, to 8:45 a.m., April 12, 1999] resolve regional disputes, and to combat cor- ruption, drug trafficking, and international NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the terrorism. Our community of democracies Federal Register on April 13. also encouraged the governments of Peru

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Proclamation 7182—National States Army as they endure unjust captivity Former Prisoner of War Recognition in Yugoslavia and as we work for their safety Day, 1999 and swift release. April 9, 1999 Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United States of America, By the President of the United States by virtue of the authority vested in me by of America the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 9, 1999, as A Proclamation National Former Prisoner of War Recogni- ‘‘We are honored to have had the oppor- tion Day. I call upon all Americans to join tunity to serve our country . . . .’’ With me in remembering former American pris- these simple words, Navy Commander Jere- oners of war who suffered the hardships of miah Denton, released in 1973 from North enemy captivity. I also call upon Federal, Vietnam with his companions after the long- State, and local government officials and pri- est wartime captivity of any group of Ameri- vate organizations to observe this day with cans in our history, summed up the courage, appropriate ceremonies and activities. selflessness, and indomitable spirit of genera- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set tions of American prisoners of war. my hand this ninth day of April, in the year For more than two centuries, Americans of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- have risked and lost their own freedom to nine, and of the Independence of the United defend democracy, preserve America’s lib- States of America the two hundred and twen- erty and values, and protect our national in- ty-third. terests around the world. In Andersonville William J. Clinton or along the Yalu River, confined in Nazi sta- lags or enduring torture in the Hanoi Hilton, [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, our prisoners of war have set an extraordinary 11:46 a.m., April 12, 1999] example of valor, patriotism, and devotion to NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the duty in the face of enormous hardship and Federal Register on April 13. adversity. The somber black and white POW/ MIA flag serves as a reminder of their sac- rifice and symbolizes our Nation’s deep con- Letter to Congressional Leaders cern for and steadfast commitment to these Reporting on a Condition of the brave Americans and their families. Convention on Nuclear Safety But, however dark and trying the ordeal April 9, 1999 for our prisoners of war, their sacrifices did indeed serve a grand purpose. Inspired by Dear lllll: their bravery in captivity, our Nation has In accordance with Condition (1) of the been resolute in its defense of liberty. And, resolution of advice and consent to ratifica- because of their sacrifice, the United States tion of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, today is strong, free, and prosperous, looking adopted by the United States Senate on forward to a future of limitless possibility. March 25, 1999, I hereby certify that the Today we pay special tribute to our Na- United States Government will not engage tion’s former prisoners of war and their fami- in any multilateral activity in the field of lies and express our heartfelt gratitude for international nuclear regulation or nuclear their many sacrifices. They have embodied safety that unnecessarily duplicates a multi- the ideals of a strong people and a free Na- lateral activity undertaken pursuant to the tion. They have represented America at its Convention. best, and they have served a grateful Nation Sincerely, with honor, dignity, and distinction. As we William J. Clinton honor them, let us also keep foremost in our thoughts and prayers Staff Sergeant Andrew NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Jesse Helms, Ramirez, Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone, chairman, and Joseph R. Biden, Jr., ranking mem- and Specialist Steven Gonzalez of the United ber, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations;

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Benjamin A. Gilman, chairman, and Sam Gejden- of Freedom to former Chancellor Helmut son, ranking member, House Committee on Kohl of Germany on April 20. International Relations. The White House announced that the President invited President Jose Aznar of Spain for an informal visit on April 13. The President declared a major disaster in Digest of Other Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supple- White House Announcements ment State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding on April 3–7. The following list includes the President’s public schedule and other items of general interest an- nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and not included elsewhere in this issue. Nominations April 3 Submitted to the Senate The President and Hillary Clinton went to Camp David, MD. NOTE: No nominations were submitted to the April 4 Senate during the period covered by this issue. The President and Hillary Clinton re- turned to the White House. April 5 The President announced the appoint- Checklist ment of Barbara Bostick-Hunt as Special As- of White House Press Releases sistant to the President for Intergovern- mental Affairs at the White House. The following list contains releases of the Office of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as April 7 items nor covered by entries in the Digest of The President announced his intention to Other White House Announcements. appoint John C. Culver, William C. Mauk, and Huel D. Perkins to the J. William Ful- bright Foreign Scholarship Board. Released April 5 The President announced his intention to Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- nominate David L. Goldwyn to be Assistant retary Joe Lockhart Secretary for International Affairs at the De- partment of Energy. Fact sheet: Additional U.S. Humanitarian Relief for Kosovar Albanians April 8 The President announced his intention to Released April 6 appoint Miguel Angel Corzo and Susan Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Keech McIntosh as members of the Cultural retary Joe Lockhart Property Advisory Committee. Released April 7 April 9 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- In the morning, the President traveled to retary Joe Lockhart Philadelphia, PA. In the afternoon, he had a telephone conversation from Memorial Transcript of a press briefing by Deputy Na- Hall with Prime Minister Massimo D’Alema tional Security Adviser Jim Steinberg, NSC of Italy concerning the situation in the Senior Director for Asian Affairs Kenneth G. Balkans. In the evening, the President re- Lieberthal, and Deputy National Security turned to Washington, DC. Adviser for International Economic Affairs The White House announced that the Lael Brainard on the visit of Premier Zhu President will present the Presidential Medal Rongji of China

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Statement by the Press Secretary: U.S. Ports Texas, as the ‘‘Richard C. White Federal Closed to Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Building’’ vessels H.R. 396 / Public Law 106–13 Released April 8 To designate the Federal building located at Transcript of a press briefing by National 1301 Clay Street in Oakland, California, as Economic Council Director Gene Sperling the ‘‘Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building’’ and U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky on trade with China Approved April 6

Released April 9 H.J. Res. 26 / Public Law 106–14 Statement by the Press Secretary: Medal of Providing for the reappointment of Barber Freedom for Helmut Kohl B. Conable, Jr. as a citizen regent of the Statement by the Press Secretary: Visit of Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institu- President Jose Maria Aznar of Spain tion H.J. Res. 27 / Public Law 106–15 Providing for the reappointment of Dr. Hanna H. Gray as a citizen regent of the Acts Approved Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institu- by the President tion

Approved April 5 H.J. Res. 28 / Public Law 106–16 Providing for the reappointment of Wesley H.R. 68 / Public Law 106–9 S. Williams, Jr. a citizen regent of the Board Small Business Investment Improvement Act of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution of 1999 H.R. 774 / Public Law 106–17 H.R. 92 / Public Law 106–10 Women’s Business Center Amendments Act To designate the Federal building and of 1999 United States courthouse located at 251 North Main Street in Winston-Salem, North Approved April 8 Carolina, as the ‘‘Hiram H. Ward Federal Building and United States Courthouse’’ H.R. 171 / Public law 106–18 H.R. 158 / Public Law 106–11 To authorize appropriations for the Coastal To designate the United States courthouse Heritage Trail Route in New Jersey, and for located at 316 North 26th Street in Billings, other purposes Montana, as the ‘‘James F. Battin United States Courthouse’’ H.R. 705 / Public Law 106–19 To make technical corrections with respect H.R. 233 / Public Law 106–12 to the monthly reports submitted by the To designate the Federal building located at Postmaster General on official mail of the 700 East San Antonio Street in El Paso, House of Representatives

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