Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, December 23, 1996 Volume 32—Number 51 Pages 2509–2534

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Addresses and Remarks Executive Orders See also Appointments and Nominations Federal Alternative Fueled Vehicle Radio address—2512 Leadership—2509 Second term domestic policy team—2527 Television rating system, briefing—2525 Interviews With the News Media White House children’s Christmas party— Exchanges with reporters 2532 Old Executive Office Building—2527 Oval Office—2522, 2525 Appointments and Nominations News conference with European Union Education Department, Senior Adviser to the Leaders, December 16 (No. 133)—2514 Secretary, remarks—2527 Energy Department, Secretary, remarks— Meetings With Foreign Leaders 2527 European Union Housing and Urban Development European Commission President Santer— Department, Secretary, remarks—2527 2514 Labor Department, Secretary, remarks—2527 European Council President Bruton—2514 Small Business Administration, Administrator, Ireland, Prime Minister Bruton—2514, 2522 remarks—2527 Transportation Department, Secretary, Statements by the President remarks—2527 Stabilization Force in Bosnia, approval—2524 White House Office National AIDS Strategy—2524 Assistant to the President for Domestic U.N. Security Council approval of Secretary- Policy, remarks—2527 General Annan—2509 Council of Economic Advisers, Chair—2527 Special Envoy to the Americas, remarks— Supplementary Materials 2527 Acts approved by the President—2534 Checklist of White House press releases— Communications to Federal Agencies 2534 Adoption and alternate permanent placement Digest of other White House of children in the public child welfare announcements—2533 system, memorandum—2513 Nominations submitted to the Senate—2534

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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Statement on the United Nations That is why I decided we needed a new Sec- Security Council Approval of Kofi retary-General. I knew this would be a con- Annan as Secretary-General troversial decision, but it was the right thing December 13, 1996 to do. The outgoing U.N. Secretary General, I’m delighted by today’s vote in the United Boutros Boutros-Ghali, is an honorable man Nations Security Council, selecting Kofi who has led a great career—from the break- Annan of Ghana to be the new U.N. Sec- through for Middle East peace at Camp retary-General. We are hopeful that the Gen- David to his leadership of the United Nations eral Assembly will concur with the Security as it celebrated its 50th anniversary. Now, Council early next week. we must prepare the United Nations for the Through his decades of work at the United demands of the next 50 years. I am confident Nations and in the international arena, Kofi Kofi Annan will rise to this task with convic- Annan has established excellent working re- tion. lations with many countries, including the I am committed to work closely with the United States. Over the last 4 years as U.N. Congress to meet America’s obligations to Undersecretary for Peacekeeping, and the United Nations and to make good on our throughout his impressive career, he has arrears. And I am sure that my nominee for proven himself an able and energetic man- our U.N. Ambassador, Bill Richardson, will ager—professional, impartial, well-versed in work effectively with the new Secretary-Gen- the issues at hand, and a true proponent of eral to renew and revitalize this historic orga- reform. We are confident he will take con- nization to take on the challenges of the fu- crete steps to inspire the world to support ture. the U.N., inspire the U.N. to live up to its ideals, and transform those ideals into action. NOTE: This item was not received in time for pub- Since its founding more than half a century lication in the appropriate issue. ago, the United Nations has been a vehicle for peace and progress that has served the interests of America and the world. Since tak- Executive Order 13031—Federal ing office, I have worked hard with Congress Alternative Fueled Vehicle to sustain America’s support for the United Leadership Nations. December 13, 1996 Precisely because we believe in the United Nations, my administration has also led the By the authority vested in me as President fight for far-reaching U.N. reform. To meet by the Constitution and the laws of the Unit- the challenges of the 21st century, the U.N. ed States of America, including the Energy must keep pace with the times—achieving Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (42 its work with fewer people and resources, re- U.S.C. 6201 et seq.), the Energy Policy Act ducing waste and rationalizing priorities, and of 1992 (Public Law 102–486) (‘‘the Act’’), producing better results at lower costs. The and section 301 of title 3, United States world community needs a United Nations Code, and with the knowledge that the use that spends less on overhead and outdated of alternative fueled motor vehicles will, in agencies and more on services that directly many applications, reduce the Nation’s de- benefit people’s daily lives. pendence on oil, and may create jobs by pro- I believe the United Nations must have viding an economic stimulus for domestic in- a leader who is committed to these goals. dustry, and may improve the Nation’s air

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quality by reducing pollutants in the atmos- class, and the total number of vehicles of phere, it is hereby ordered as follows: each fuel type operated by the agency. The Section 1. Federal Leadership and Goals. Director of the Office of Management and (a) The purpose of this order is to ensure Budget shall issue further reporting guidance that the Federal Government exercise lead- as necessary. ership in the use of alternative fueled vehi- (b) If an agency has failed to meet the stat- cles (AFVs). To that end, each Federal agen- utory requirements, it shall include in its re- cy shall develop and implement aggressive port an explanation for such failure and a plans to fulfill the alternative fueled vehicle plan, consistent with the agency’s current and acquisition requirements established by the requested budgets, for achieving compliance Act. The Act generally requires that, of the with the Act. The plan shall include alter- vehicles acquired by each agency for its native sources of suitable AFVs if the agen- fleets, subject to certain conditions specified cy’s primary vehicle supplier is unable to in section 303(b)(1) of the Act, 25 percent meet the AFV requirements. should be AFVs in fiscal year (FY) 1996, 33 (c) The Secretary of the Department of percent in FY 1997, 50 percent in FY 1998, Energy and the Administrator of General and 75 percent in FY 1999 and thereafter. Services shall cooperatively analyze the agen- These requirements apply to all agencies, re- cy AFV reports and acquisition plans, and gardless of whether they lease vehicles from shall submit jointly a summary report to the the General Services Administration (GSA) Director of the Office of Management and or acquire them elsewhere. That section also Budget. defines which Federal agency vehicles are Sec. 3. Exceptions for Law-Enforcement, covered by the AFV acquisition require- Emergency, and National Defense Vehicles. ments; this order applies to the same vehi- Section 303 of the Act allows exemptions to cles, which are primarily general-use vehicles the acquisition requirements for law-enforce- located in metropolitan statistical areas with ment, emergency, and vehicles acquired and populations of 250,000 or more. used for military purposes that the Secretary (b) To the extent practicable, agencies of Defense has certified must be exempt for shall use alternative fuels in all vehicles capa- national security reasons. Law enforcement ble of using them. Agencies shall continue vehicles shall include vehicles used for pro- to work together in interagency committees tective activities. Each agency that acquires recommended by the Federal Fleet Conver- or utilizes any such vehicles shall include in sion Task Force established by Executive its report an explanation of why an exemption Order 12844 of April 21, 1993, to coordinate is claimed with respect to such vehicles. their vehicle acquisitions and placement. Sec. 4. Fulfilling the Acquisition Require- Sec. 2. Submission of Agency Plans and ment. (a) Agencies may acquire alternative Reports on Statutory Compliance. (a) Sixty fueled vehicles to meet the requirements of (60) days after the date of this Executive this order through lease from GSA, acquisi- order, and annually thereafter as part of its tion of original equipment manufacturer budget submission to the Director of the Of- models, commercial lease, conversion of con- fice of Management and Budget, each agen- ventionally fueled vehicles, or any combina- cy shall submit a report on its compliance tion of these approaches. All vehicles, includ- with sections 303 and 304 of the Act. A copy ing those converted for alternative fuel use, of the report shall also be submitted to the shall comply with all applicable Federal and Secretary of Energy and to the Administrator State emissions and safety standards. of General Services. The report shall state (b) Based on its own plans and the plans whether the agency is in compliance with the and reports submitted by other agencies, the Act, and substantiate that statement with Administrator of General Services shall pro- quantitative data including numbers and vide planning information to potential AFV types of vehicles acquired and the level of suppliers to assist in production planning. their use. At a minimum, the report shall in- After consulting with AFV suppliers, the Ad- dicate the number of vehicles acquired or ministrator of General Services shall provide converted for each fuel type and vehicle to Federal agencies information on the pro-

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duction plans of AFV suppliers well in ad- ing assistance for agency purchases of electric vance of budget and ordering cycles. vehicles. Up to $10,000 or one-half the incre- (c) As required by section 305 of the Act, mental cost over a comparable gasoline-pow- the Secretary of Energy, in cooperation with ered vehicle, whichever is less, may be pro- the Administrator of General Services, shall vided as funding assistance for each electric continue to provide technical assistance to vehicle, subject to the availability of funds. other Federal agencies that acquire alter- Sec. 7. Agency Cooperation with Stake- native fueled vehicles and shall facilitate the holders on Alternative Fueled Vehicle Place- coordination of the Federal Government’s al- ment and Refueling Capabilities. The Sec- ternative fueled vehicle program. retary of Energy shall work with agencies Sec. 5. Vehicle Reporting Credits. The procuring AFVs to coordinate the placement gains in air quality and energy security that of their vehicles with the placement of simi- this order seeks to achieve will be even larger lar vehicles by nonfederal alternative fuel if medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are oper- stakeholders. Federal planning and acquisi- ated on alternative fuels, and if ‘‘zero-emis- tion efforts shall be coordinated with the ef- sions vehicles’’ (ZEVs) are used. Therefore, forts of the Department of Energy’s ‘‘Clean for the purposes of this order, agencies may Cities’’ participants, private industry fuel sup- acquire medium- or heavy-duty dedicated al- pliers, and fleet operators, and State and ternative fueled vehicles or ZEVs to meet local governments to ensure that adequate their AFV acquisition requirements, and they private sector refueling capabilities exist or shall be given credits for compliance with will exist wherever Federal fleet alternative their AFV targets as follows. Each medium- fueled vehicles are located. Each agency’s duty and ZEV shall count the same as two fleet managers shall work with appropriate light-duty AFVs, and each dedicated alter- organizations at their respective locations, native fueled heavy-duty vehicle shall count whether in a ‘‘Clean Cities’’ location or not, as three light-duty AFVs. The ZEV credits on initiatives to promote alternative fueled may be combined with vehicle size credits. vehicle use and expansion of refueling infra- The Director of the Office of Management structure. and Budget, in consultation with the Sec- Sec. 8. Definitions. For the purpose of this retary of Energy, shall issue detailed guid- order, the terms ‘‘agency,’’ ‘‘alternative ance on the classification and reporting of fueled vehicle,’’ and ‘‘alternative fuel’’ have medium-duty, heavy-duty, and ZEVs. In the the same meaning given such terms in sec- reports mandated in section 2 of this order, tions 151 and 301 of the Act. medium- and heavy-duty AFVs and ZEVs Sec. 9. Executive Order 12844. This order shall be identified separately from light-duty supersedes Executive Order 12844. vehicles. Sec. 10. Judicial Review. This order is not Sec. 6. Funding Alternative Fueled Vehicle intended to, and does not, create any right Acquisition. (a) The Department of Energy or benefit or trust responsibility, substantive will no longer request or require specific ap- or procedural, enforceable by a party against propriations to fund the incremental costs of the United States, its agencies or instrumen- alternative fueled vehicles, including any in- talities, its officers or employees, or any other cremental costs associated with acquisition person. and disposal, for other agencies. Agencies William J. Clinton shall formulate their compliance plans based on existing and requested funds, but shall not The White House, be exempt from the requirements of the Act December 13, 1996. or this order due to limited appropriations. (b) An exception regarding funding assist- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, ance shall be made for electric vehicles, 11:26 a.m., December 16, 1996] which are in an earlier stage of development NOTE: This Executive order was published in the than other alternative fueled vehicles. The Federal Register on December 17. This item was Secretary of Energy shall establish a program not received in time for publication in the appro- beginning in FY 1997 to provide partial fund- priate issue.

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The President’s Radio Address the word ‘‘family’’ or ‘‘parents’’ or ‘‘home’’ December 14, 1996 mean, particularly when there are open arms waiting to welcome these children into safe Good morning. Today we’re taking impor- and strong households where they can build tant new steps to make adoption easier and good, caring lives. to move children out of foster care faster. As part of this initiative, I’m directing the These efforts will help to give even more Secretary of Health and Human Services, children what every child needs and de- Donna Shalala, who is also with us today, to serves, loving parents and a strong and stable launch an extensive effort to determine what home. steps we must take to meet our goal. I want I’m delighted to be joined in the Oval Of- the Secretary to report back to me with her fice today by a remarkable group of children recommendations in 60 days. This report and parents who know firsthand the tremen- must tell us how we can help States set and dous possibilities of adoption and by the First meet urgent new adoption targets. It must Lady who has worked so long and hard on describe how we can improve coordination this issue and whose efforts have made today among local, State, and Federal authorities possible. so that every community has access to the I’m especially pleased to be able to take best ways to encourage adoption. And it must this action now, in this season of hope and outline what sensible financial incentives we light. The holidays we celebrate this month can provide States to raise adoption rates. teach us that through faith and love we can I also want the Secretary to determine truly repair the world. I can think of no better what additional changes we can make in Fed- way to fulfill the promise of this season than eral laws and regulations to ensure that chil- to bring a child into a family and a family dren won’t get trapped in foster care. And to a child. I want to know if there are any new provi- There are more than 450,000 children in sions we can put in place to move children the Nation’s foster care system. They are through the system faster and to protect placed there because of abuse, neglect, or them when they leave. a home life that is neither safe nor secure. There are other steps we are taking imme- While most of these children eventually re- diately. I’m instructing the Departments of turn to their original homes, nearly 100,000 Treasury, Labor, Commerce, and Health and of them simply don’t have that option. Those Human Services to launch an all-out effort children wait far too long, typically 3 years to heighten public awareness about adoption or more, to find permanent homes and fami- and to recognize those in the private sector lies to love them. who are committing themselves to this im- Promoting adoption has been at the heart portant cause. of our administration’s efforts to protect our Let me also say how grateful I am to those children and strengthen our families. Earlier in Congress of both parties who are working this year I was proud to sign a $5,000 tax so hard to make adoption a reality for Ameri- credit to help families adopt children. We ca’s most vulnerable children. I want to thank put an end to racial preferences for adoption. especially Senators Rockefeller and DeWine No longer can laws keep children of one race and Representatives Kennelly and Camp for from nurturing arms of adoptive parents of their efforts. another. This is a good start, but we must The fact that we are commemorating the do more. birth of a child that began life in a manger That is why I have just signed a Presi- and became the Prince of Peace should re- dential directive with a clear goal: We will mind us that the promise of God has been double the number of children we move placed in every child. We must work tire- from foster care to permanent homes, from lessly to make sure that every boy and girl 27,000 a year today, to 54,000 a year by the of America who is up for adoption has a fam- year 2002. With this effort we’re saying no ily waiting out to reach him or her. No child child should be trapped in the limbo of foster should be in foster care for one day longer care, no child should be uncertain about what than he or she needs to be.

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This is a season of miracles, and perhaps I believe we should increase the number there is no greater miracle than finding a lov- of children who are adopted or permanently ing home for a child who needs one. placed from the public foster care system Thanks for listening. each year toward the goal of at least doubling that number by the year 2002. Returning NOTE: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from home is not an option for about 100,000 of the Oval Office at the White House. Following the over 450,000 children in the Nation’s fos- the address, the President and First Lady talked with children in foster care. ter care system, yet only approximately 20,000 were adopted last year and approxi- mately 7,000 were permanently placed in Memorandum on Adoption and legal guardianships. While the number of Alternate Permanent Placement of adoptions each year has been constant for Children in the Public Child Welfare many years, I believe that by working with System States to identify and break down barriers to permanent placements, setting annual nu- December 14, 1996 merical targets, rewarding successful per- Memorandum for the Secretary of Health formance, and raising public awareness, we and Human Services, the Secretary of the can meet the target of at least 54,000 chil- Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, the dren adopted or permanently placed from Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the the public foster care system by the year Office of Personnel Management 2002. Today, therefore, I direct the Secretary of Subject: Steps to Increase Adoptions and Health and Human Services, in consultation Alternate Permanent Placement for Waiting with State and civic leaders, to report to me Children in the Public Child Welfare System within 60 days on actions to be taken to move During this Holiday Season, as we reflect children more rapidly from foster care to on the importance of family in our own lives, permanent homes and at least to double, by let us remember the tens of thousands of our the year 2002, the number of children in fos- Nation’s children in the public child welfare ter care who are adopted or permanently system who live without permanent and car- placed out of the public foster care system. ing families. Foster care provides temporary I. To increase the number of children shelter and relief for children who have been who are adopted or permanently abused or neglected. placed each year, this report should I am committed to giving the children include, but should not necessarily be waiting in our Nation’s foster care system limited to, recommendations in the what every child in America deserves—lov- following areas: ing parents and a healthy, stable home. The (a) Plans to work with States on setting goal for every child in our Nation’s public and reaching State specific numerical welfare system is permanency in a safe and targets, using the technical assistance stable home, whether it be returning home, of the Department of Health and adoption, legal guardianship, or another per- Human Services National Resource manent placement. While the great majority Centers to make information on best of children in foster care will return home, practices available to States and to en- for about one in five, returning home is not gage community leaders, parents, and an option, and they will need another home, the business and faith communities; one that is caring and safe. These children (b) Proposals to provide per child finan- wait far too long—typically over 3 years, but cial incentives to States for increases for many children much longer—to be in the number of adoptions from the placed in permanent homes. Each year, State public welfare system. Options con- child welfare agencies secure homes for less sidered should have little to no net than one-third of the children whose goal is costs, as increases in the number of adoption or an alternate permanent place- adoptions from the public system will ment. I know we can do better. reduce foster care costs, thereby off-

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setting much if not all of the incentive (f) Plans to examine alternative perma- payments; nency arrangements, such as guard- (c) A proposal to ensure continued ag- ianship, when adoption is not pos- gressive implementation of the Multi- sible. ethnic Placement Act, as amended by Last month, I signed a proclamation des- the Inter-ethnic Adoption Provision ignating November as National Adoption of the Small Business Job Protection Month—a time to increase awareness about Act; the tens of thousands of children waiting for (d) Plans to compile and publish an an- families and to encourage all Americans to nual State-by-State report on success consider the rewards and responsibilities of in meeting the numerical targets; and adoption. However, adoption must be a na- (e) Plans to recognize successful States. tional concern throughout the year. There- fore, I direct: II. To move children more rapidly from (a) The Secretary of Health and Human foster care to permanent homes, the Services to develop and lead a public report shall also recommend changes awareness effort including use of pub- to Federal law and regulations and lic service announcements, print ma- other actions needed to emphasize terials, and the Internet; the importance of planning for per- (b) The Secretaries of Health and manency as soon as a child enters the Human Services and the Treasury in foster care system. The Secretary’s re- consultation with State, civic, and pri- port should include, but should not vate sector leaders to develop and dis- necessarily be limited to, rec- seminate information about the new ommendations in the following areas: adoption tax credits and other adop- (a) Plans to provide States with funding tion benefits; to identify barriers to permanency (c) The Secretaries of Labor and Com- and to develop targeted strategies to merce, in consultation with State and find permanent homes for children civic leaders, to identify and recognize who have been in foster care a par- companies in the private sector with ticularly long time; model policies to encourage and ease (b) Proposals to shorten the period of adoption among employees; and time between a child’s placement in (d) The Director of the Office of Person- foster care and his or her initial hear- nel Management to direct all Federal ing at which a permanency deter- agencies to provide information and mination is made; support to Federal employees who (c) A proposal to clarify that the purpose are prospective adoptive parents. of ‘‘dispositional hearings’’ is to plan William J. Clinton for permanency and, as appropriate, to consider referrals for family medi- ation, termination of parental rights, The President’s News Conference adoption, legal guardianship, or other With European Union Leaders permanent placements; December 16, 1996 (d) A proposal to clarify the ‘‘reasonable efforts’’ requirement and other Fed- President Clinton. Thank you very much. eral policy as it relates to permanency Please be seated. It is a pleasure to welcome and safety; back to the White House Prime Minister (e) Plans to ensure that States give appro- Bruton of Ireland and President Santer of priate weight to permanency planning the European Commission. by establishing standards for securing A year ago in Madrid, the United States permanency through adoption or and the European Union launched the New guardianship, once a decision has Transatlantic Agenda to fight international been made that a child cannot be re- crime and terrorism and drug trafficking, to turned home; and support peacemakers around the world, to

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bring down barriers to commerce between for the EU to join the Korean Peninsula En- our two nations. Today I am proud of the ergy Development Corporation. The EU’s fi- concrete progress we have made in that short nancial contribution and political support for year. KEDO are essential so that we can keep fro- Our commitment to reducing trade bar- zen and eventually dismantle North Korea’s riers is paying off, clearing the path to greater dangerous nuclear program. prosperity. Next month our negotiators will And I welcome the EU’s positive response finish work on a set of mutual recognition in our proposal to establish an African crisis agreements which will abolish requirements response force. This initiative would help Af- that a broad range of products, including rican nations respond under the auspices of telecommunications and medical equipment, the U.N. to humanitarian and peacekeeping be reinspected and recertified for each oth- needs like those we have seen recently in er’s markets. This will remove barriers on $40 Rwanda and Zaire. We look forward to work- billion worth of trade between the United ing with European, African, and other na- States and the European Union, cutting red- tions to turn this concept into a reality. tape for our businesses and prices for our I applaud the European Union for the im- consumers: one standard; one test; one time. portant step forward it has taken by adopting I want to especially thank the Transatlantic a common position on Cuba, one that puts Business Dialogue for their leadership in support for democracy at the heart of the achieving these agreements, especially the relationship between Europe and Cuba, in European and American cochairs, Jan keeping with values shared by great democ- Timmer, former chairman of the Phillips racies on both sides of the Atlantic. And I Corporation—excuse me—Phillips Elec- hope that together we and our allies will con- tronics Corporation, and Dana Mead, chair- tinue to increase our support for freedom man of Tenneco. They are both here today, there. and I’d like to ask them to stand and be rec- As we look ahead, the historic strength of ognized. Thank you very much, gentlemen, the relationship between the United States for what you did. and Europe is deepening and taking new I also thank our European partners for forms as we face new challenges. I thank helping us to complete the landmark infor- Prime Minister Bruton and his government mation technology agreement finished last for the outstanding leadership that Ireland week in Singapore. It will eliminate by the has given the EU during its Presidency. And year 2000 all tariffs on computers, semi- I thank President Santer for making the last conductors, telecommunications equipment, year’s achievements possible. I am deter- and software products. That’s a $5 billion cut mined that we will carry them on in the com- in tariffs on American exports which will ben- ing year. efit producers and consumers all over the Mr. Prime Minister. world. Prime Minister Bruton. Thank you very We have also deepened our work for peace much. Mr. President, this has been a very and freedom in Bosnia. Today we agreed the successful summit between the European civilian reconstruction effort there must Union and the United States. We have dis- move faster and that we have to have greater cussed how we can promote peace and stabil- progress on projects for which funds have ity in the world, how we can enhance our already been pledged. I thank the European trade between Europe and the United States, Union for the generosity that has made it how we can meet the new challenges that the largest donor to reconstruction, and are emerging on the world’s stage. we’re working together to ensure the success And one of those I think was very aptly of another donors conference next year. described by you, Mr. President, in your The U.S. and the EU are also moving to book ‘‘From Hope To History’’ when you confront new security threats. Our law en- said, the very openness of our society makes forcement officials are now working on a new us vulnerable to new forces of destruction joint counternarcotics offensive in the Carib- that cross national borders: organized crime, bean. We’re on the verge of an agreement drug cartels, the spread of dangerous weap-

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ons, including biological and chemical ones, I believe if there’s anything subject that and most of all, vicious terrorism. These were requires—there’s no subject, rather, that re- the challenges that this summit, first and quires more cooperation across the Atlantic foremost, set out to address. for which our citizens will give us full support We have identified, in Europe at the Dub- than the subject of the battle against crime. lin summit, that organized crime represents I’d also like to say, however, that this perhaps the biggest single threat to the secu- wasn’t the sole subject we discussed. We ap- rity of ordinary individuals in our societies plauded the work of those who are involved at the present time. Organized crime re- in the very successful World Trade Organiza- spects no borders. It is using the most mod- tion summit in Singapore. And I emphasize ern technology available to promote its evil the word ‘‘very.’’ This was an outstandingly ends. And it can only be combated if civilized successful summit with a huge number of states are equipped with the same sophistica- countries taking part, and yet in Singapore tion and are willing to cooperate with one itself, through sophisticated negotiation, we another with the same will as those who are were able to reach major agreements. You’ve seeking to break our laws and threaten the mentioned the result of them. They will free lives of our people are applying in their illicit up trade and information technology, and activity. they are showing out a pathway for the future We have taken major steps at this summit as far as trade is concerned, which is ex- in regard to the fight against drugs, which tremely good. I am glad to say also that we will reach feeds organized crime. We’ve agreed on a agreement before the end of January on the program of action to support the govern- mutual recognition by our standards authori- ments of the Caribbean area to ensure that ties of products produced in the EU and in that area is no longer used as a transit area the U.S. A lot of business costs will be saved for drugs. We have reached agreements to by ensuring that one certification will apply cooperate on money laundering. And one of for a product. If it’s safe enough for the Unit- the suggestions that I made to the President ed States, it would be safe enough for Europe is that we should also look at how we can and vice versa. That will save a lot of money pursue the assets gained through crime, so for business and will enable more employ- that there will be no place that people who ment and more innovation to take place. have gained assets through crime can hide As the President said, we share concern those assets in the world without law enforce- about the recent annulment of elections in ment being able to confiscate those assets Serbia, and we look forward to the OSC mis- in order to compensate the victims of the sion there. We also welcomed the U.S. pro- crimes that are being committed. posal for an African crisis response force, We also, I think, have got to use tech- which you referred to, which is a practical, nology to the full to combat the use of tech- longstanding requirement. nology for crime. In the book that I’ve just We enhanced, during the Irish Presidency quoted, Mr. President, you said that when of the European Union, Europe’s participa- a child born today is old enough to read— tion in the Middle East peace process. And that’s in 3 or 4 years’ time—there would be we hope, as you do, Mr. President, for a rapid 100 million users of the Internet in the world. conclusion to the negotiations in Hebron. The truth of the matter is that the Internet This is a vital and long overdue confidence- is being used to promote child sexual abuse. building measure as far as the peace process Modern technology is being used to move in the Middle East is concerned. money across the exchanges from one coun- And I, like you, Mr. President, would like try to another, money that has been gained to applaud the people who have been in- through the sale of narcotics or other crimi- volved in the Transatlantic Business Dia- nal activities. We must equip ourselves with logue. They have kept us on our toes. They sufficient sophistication, as civilized govern- have ensured that we reached agreements ments, to ensure that we can meet that chal- that we mightn’t have agreed were it not for lenge head on. their practical pressure.

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Finally, I think it’s appropriate as we enter vinced me that although our views may differ 1997 that we should look back in history and on the means, we certainly agree on the end say that next year will be the 50th anniversary goal. Europe will remain firmly opposed to of the Marshall plan. Through the Marshall all extraterritorial legislation, whatever its plan, a prosperous and triumphant United source, and will continue to defend its inter- States assisted a prostrate Europe back onto ests. But we remain determined to search its feet in one of the greatest acts of generos- for common ground with the United States ity in human history. There was no require- in our desire to bring democracy, freedom, ment on the United States to do what it did and human rights to Cuba. We must all con- under the Marshall plan. It did it, and it is tinue to work to bring Cuba into the inter- fair to say that the United States has profited national community. and prospered as a result of that generosity, Two days ago European leaders restated even though that wasn’t its intention. in some detail the policies they have held I think now that Europe and the United towards Cuba for at least a year. They en- States are on an equal footing, we can, I dorsed a common position calling on Cuba think, continue in that spirit of mutual gener- to reform its laws so as to guarantee political osity. We have the capacity to be generous, and civil rights. We must sustain a dialog with too, now in Europe, just as you were, the Cuba in which we make clear that the further United States, so generous in 1947. And I deepening of our relations with that country hope that our dialog will intensify on that is linked to Havana’s own efforts to improve basis. human rights and political freedom. No Thank you. agreement with Cuba could be envisaged if President Santer. Mr. President, Prime political circumstances did not improve. Minister, ladies and gentlemen, 6 months ago Secondly, I have greatly appreciated the in this very room I said the world needed chance to discuss China with President Clin- joint leadership from Europe and America ton and, in particular, China’s entry in the as much as ever before. And 6 months later WTO. There is little really that separates us progress in that regard has been impressive. on many of the key issues. We must work The New Transatlantic Agenda signed a to get China into the WTO as soon as pos- year ago has brought us a rich harvest. We sible on the right terms for China and for have worked successfully together on hu- us all. manitarian aid and nuclear nonproliferation, I was also able to confirm Europe’s deter- and we are cooperating to bring peace to the mination to press ahead with the enlarge- Great Lakes region, as well as making sure ment of the European Union, to include it holds in Bosnia and in the Middle East. countries from Central and Eastern Europe. The New Transatlantic Agenda has also This is vital for the stability of the continent delivered to the world the prospect of a and as such is a major interest of the United major deed on information technology in States. Singapore which will boost trade and provide Let me conclude by saying that the strong- vast new opportunities for business. We are er Europe becomes, the more effective our also working together for a worldwide agree- joint leadership with America will be. I have ment on telecoms. reassured President Clinton that a united Next month we are hopeful of promoting Europe will be a stable, open, and powerful transatlantic trade by cutting unnecessary ad- friend of the United States. Those here in ministrative controls on business through a America who doubt the will of most Euro- mutual recognition agreement. We are also pean Union countries to build such unity fighting drugs and drug-related crime by should witness their resolve to create a single working to stop dangerous chemicals falling currency at the EU summit that I and, of into the wrong hands. course, Prime Minister John Bruton, as Today’s summit has helped us take stock President in office, have just attended in and prepare to cooperate in other areas. Let Dublin. me mention two. Firstly, we have helped President Clinton has shown himself to be clear the air on Cuba. Today’s talks have con- a loyal ally of the European Union. We look

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forward to working with him over the next President Clinton. Well, we can say what few years, a time when Europe will undergo we believe and we can press our views on great change, change that I believe to be fun- all those issues, and we are. But I want to damentally in the interest of the United assure you that we have been in very close States economically and politically. contact with both parties for some time Next year, as the Taoiseach said, next year now—I have personally, our administration we will see that 50th anniversary of the Mar- has—and we’re pushing ahead. shall plan and the 40th anniversary of the The talks are at a critical juncture, I think. Treaty of Rome which created the European The situation is full of tension and full of Community. Those events are naturally con- frustration. And I’m pleased that the Prime nected. The Marshall plan has helped to re- Minister and Chairman Arafat talked yester- vive and unite Europe, which is now working day. That’s a good thing, better than not talk- in a renewed partnership with the United ing. But sooner or later they have to do some- States throughout the world. History shows thing. And they’ve had an agreement within that there is always more that unites us than grasp with very little difference on Hebron divides us. for some time now. The time has come to Thank you. make that agreement. But I don’t think that President Clinton. Helen [Helen Thom- on the settlement issue that anything should as, United Press International]. be done which would, in effect, be seen as preempting the outcome of something Middle East Peace Process they’ve already agreed to should be part of Q. Mr. President, since you’ve been other- the final negotiations. And we’ve had a very wise preoccupied, the Middle East peace clear position on that all along. process is going down the drain. The Israeli Prime Minister is encouraging the expansion Cuba and the Helms-Burton Amendment of settlements in occupied Arab lands and Q. Mr. President, Jacques Santer says also new financing. Isn’t it time that you you’ve cleared the air on Cuba. Does that spoke out? And while we’re in the region, mean you won’t be implementing Helms- are you prepared to lift the ban on travel Burton? And, Mr. Bruton, does that mean to Lebanon? that Europe will be withdrawing its court ac- President Clinton. The answer to the sec- tion against the United States at the WTO? ond question is that our advisers still tell me Or are you still at loggerheads? they do not believe it is safe for American President Clinton. I thought you’d never business people to do that, and so I am not, ask. [Laughter] I don’t think it necessarily at this time, prepared to do it. means either one. I’ll let the Prime Minister The answer to the first question is, of or President Santer speak for themselves. I course, we have been in active contact with have a decision deadline on that which has both sides in the negotiations between the not been reached, and I have not gotten the Israelis and the Palestinians, pushing for an final recommendation from Mr. Eizenstat, agreement on Hebron. There’s been very lit- who’s been working on that for me, and oth- tle difference between them for weeks and ers in the administration. weeks and weeks now. And we need to get But I would say this was a decision that the Hebron agreement over and behind us Europe made on its own that was very im- and go on to other issues. pressive to me, not only the common position With regard to settlements, I believe the on democracy but the action taken by all the State Department stated yesterday what my member nations of the EU on human rights position is, which is that it just stands to rea- and the decision made to channel further aid son that anything that preempts the outcome through the nongovernmental organizations. of something that both parties have agreed All those steps are quite significant and show to should be part of the final negotiations that we are now working together to promote cannot be helpful in making peace. And freedom and democracy in Cuba. And that, that’s my concern about that. to me—it obviously has to be a factor in the Q. Can you do anything about it? decision I make, but that decision will be

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made sometime in the middle of next month. Q. The Cuban Government has given And I’m not prepared to announce it yet and CNN permission to open up a bureau in Ha- haven’t received a final recommendation yet. vana. The U.S. Government is sitting on that Prime Minister Bruton. Could I say that request right now. Do you think it’s appro- there is, of course, a difference in method, priate to give CNN permission to have a bu- but there is absolutely no difference in objec- reau in Havana, President Santer? tive between the European Union and the President Santer. For the first question— United States. We both want to see pluralist [laughter]—I must say, I remember it as the democracy in Cuba at the earliest possible Taoiseach said, we have the same target. We moment. We believe that the denial of demo- are sharing, the United States and the Euro- cratic rights to the Cuban people is an anach- pean Union, the same values of democracy, ronism in the modern world and is denying of pluralism, and so on. We are already dif- the Cuban people something to which they fering in means. And in that respect, we’re are absolutely entitled. The United States sticking, of course, to the decision taken by and the European Union are working with the European Council about this—about also vigor towards the same objective. It’s fair to the panel which is pending before the WTO say that at the 2d of December council in Geneva. chaired by Dick Spring, a very strong dec- But on the other hand, I repeat that we laration was adopted by the European Union, have adopted a clear policy, a common posi- absolutely unanimously, calling for democ- tion for Cuba in a positive way, and we are racy in Cuba and saying that we will work implementing this common position. And the together as a union of 15 to achieve that ob- head of states and government in Dublin last jective. weekend, they confirmed this common posi- Of course, there are differences between tion. And we’re working on that, and we’re us in regard to what we consider to be an elevating on that, I hope so, very construc- attempt to apply U.S. law outside U.S. terri- tively with the United States to bring the plu- tory, to the detriment of European compa- ralism of democracy to Cuba. nies. However, that’s an issue that can be— President Clinton. On the question of an issue that we will deal with in the course Cuba versus China or any other country, I of normal negotiation. can do no better than Ambassador Albright Q. Monsieur Santer, does that mean that did when she pointed out that the United the European Union is going to drop its ef- States cannot afford to have a cookie-cutter fort to take this issue of the Helms-Burton approach to the promotion of peace, democ- law to the World Trade Organization or to racy, and prosperity. We have to have dif- the World Court, in following up the first ferent policies for different nations, different question? regions, different realities. That’s the first And Mr. President, if I could ask you a point. The second point is the Chinese have related question: Why is it useful to engage not shot down any innocent American citi- in constructive engagement and trade policy zens out of the sky recently, and that had with China, which has a human rights policy a very chilling effect on our relationships with which you so strongly oppose, yet it’s not Europe—or with Cuba and clearly raised the worthwhile to engage in constructive engage- security issues related to our proximity. ment with Cuba? And at the risk of following On the bureau location, this is the first I’ve up with a very self-serving question—— heard of it. I think you better give me a President Clinton. You asked three ques- chance to huddle, think, and I will give you tions there. [Laughter] an answer to that, in public or private, but Q. Very self-serving question. As you I can’t do it right now. know, the Cuban Government—— Mr. Fornier [Ron Fornier, Associated President Clinton. Do I watch CNN Press]. every day? Yes, I do. Go ahead. [Laughter] I was thinking of the most self-serving ques- Middle East Peace Process tion I could think of. Go ahead. [Laughter] Q. I want to ask you a question about your Q. You’re close. [Laughter] CIA designate. But a quick followup to Hel-

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en’s question. Your aides have been intimat- are being introduced will not have to go ing that—more than what you said—the through a twin-track approach, they will be West Bank—it’s not helpful, the West Bank able to get the requisite recognition in one settlement issue. Your aides have been inti- jurisdiction and that would then be recog- mating that it’s actually an obstacle to peace. nized in the other. Do you agree with that? President Clinton. Do you agree with President Clinton. Absolutely. that? Q. It is an obstacle to peace? Mr. Dana Mead. Yes, sir. Essentially im- President Clinton. Absolutely. mediately. Director of Central Intelligence- Central Intelligence Agency Designate Q. [Inaudible]——cooperation in Europe, Q. And on Tony Lake, he is telling con- we have an agency called the Central Intel- gressional leaders that it was a mistake to ligence Agency, which you may or may not keep Congress uninformed when your ad- know much about, but they are living in se- ministration looked the other way as Iran cret all the time, and they’re trying to over- shipped arms to the Bosnia Muslims. Do you throw other nations around the world and agree it was a mistake, and do you think his sell arms to nations—even those fighting in confirmation is in jeopardy? a civil war, they sell to both sides. Don’t you President Clinton. No, I don’t think his think that’s adverse to cooperation? confirmation is in jeopardy because he did President Clinton. They shouldn’t do a superb job as National Security Adviser, anything illegal, and if they are today, I don’t and this country is in better shape than it know about it. I can’t vouch for what they was 4 years ago, and because he’s very well- did before I showed up. qualified to be head of the CIA. Yes, go ahead. I believe that what he said is right. A lot of things were happening during that period Middle East Peace Process of time. We were not under any legal obliga- Q. Mr. President, during your second ad- tion of any kind, as far as I’m aware, to make ministration, are you prepared to enforce any kind of specific notation about the cables your policy on the settlement issue upon the that went back and forth regarding this issue. Israeli Government, using American finan- But in retrospect, he said it probably would cial, political means in order to enforce the have been better to inform key Members of policy? Congress on a confidential basis, and I accept President Clinton. Let me say what I that. have said all along, what I strongly believe. I would like to point out, though, one rea- I believe the United States cannot impose son why I don’t see how in the world this a peace in the Middle East. What the United could be any kind of basis for voting against States can do is to create the conditions in him—the Congress actually mandated that which it is easier for peace to be made by policy just a few weeks later, if you’ll remem- the parties because we work to minimize the ber. The Congress actually mandated that risks of peace. the arms embargo not be enforced by the From my point of view, sir, the most sig- United States, going far beyond anything that nificant incentive to making peace in the had transpired in the cables. So I think that Middle East is the clear consequence of what ought to be on the public record, and that will flow if it is not made. We cannot—this will be a factor here. is not a situation in equilibrium here. It’s not as if tomorrow will be like today and the day Mutual Recognition Agreement after tomorrow will be like today and the day Q. How long will it take for business— after that will be like today. This is a process on the MRA’s? that, once having been undertaken, is either Prime Minister Bruton. Pretty well im- going to go forward or fall back. It will either mediately after it comes into force, because lead to greater integration or greater disinte- any new standards, any new products that gration and greater trouble. And I think the

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leaders of the Middle East are well aware Greece and Turkey of that. Q. Did you talk about the problems be- It has always been my position that we ex- tween Greece and Turkey and the crisis in ercised the influence most profoundly when the Aegean and the problems of Cyprus with- we did it in that context—when we said what in the context of the accession of Cyprus to we had to say to them in private, but our the European Union? public role maintained its essential balanced President Santer. Yes, of course, we dis- neutral position that we had to create the cussed it. conditions in which peace could occur, and President Clinton. I’ll be glad to com- then we were morally obligated—and in ment, but since you mentioned the European terms of our interests—obligated to mini- Union, I think I should let them reply. mize the risks for peace. I still believe that. President Santer. You know, the position But I’ve already said what I have to say about of the European Union in this respect is very the present situation, and I think it’s pretty clear. We defined it in a package on the 6th clear. of March, 1995, in which package we devel- oped the ideas that we would establish a cus- EU–U.S. Anticrime Efforts toms union with Turkey. It is in force from Q. Taoiseach and Mr. President, could you the first of January 1996 and is benefiting surmise what kind of financial outlay might from the European Union, and also third be involved in the crime and drugs package countries are benefiting from it. Unfortu- you’re talking about, put a bit more flesh on nately, the second deal is not yet realized, the joint action that will be taken by the two achieved, because of the financial protocol, governments, by Europe and the U.S.? because of the blockade of Greece, you Prime Minister Bruton. Well, the bulk know, because the difference they have with of this will be within existing budgets, where some islands in the Aegean Sea. And the people will cooperate on agreed standards. third element of this package is also the de- One of the areas where already the United velopment of human rights, the promotion States is very active in Europe is in police of human rights. And we are stressing also training. The United States has set up an in- these problems with the Turkish Govern- stitute in Budapest, which is helping the ment. And in the financial provisions through Eastern European countries to engage in po- our program MIDA, we are providing some lice training, to bring their police levels up programs to Turkey to strengthen the human to a sophisticated standard capable of dealing rights situation in Turkey and also to assist with the modern crime as we know it in the the civil society and also the needs of the West, unfortunately. population in the southeast, in the poorest We can see more cooperation in that area. part of Turkey. The fact that we will conclude a customs That is what we are doing for Turkey at agreement, for example, very shortly will this moment. We hope that there would be mean that our customs authorities will co- also some evolution in the human rights situ- operate much more effectively, within exist- ation and that we can deal also with the dif- ing budgets, on sharing information in order ferences between Turkey and Greece on the to stop crime moving from—or stop drugs basis of the resolution the European Coun- moving from one jurisdiction to another. cil—not the European Council but the The European Union will be preparing a Council of Ministers of the European Union major report on organized crime as a whole, took on the 15th of July to go to the inter- which is in a sense a new phenomenon on national core to deal with all these legal insti- its present scale, by the end of April. And tutional problems. we would hope to see the United States as- For Cyprus, we didn’t change our policy, sisting us and participating with us in that not at all, because Cyprus is a candidate to study—that we will go forward, if you like, become a member of the European Union. with the next wave of legal changes and also And we clearly defined on the 6th of March, the devotion of resources to back those legal 1995, that negotiations for enlargement with changes up on a transatlantic basis. Cyprus would start 6 months after the con-

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clusion of the intergovernmental conference. President of the European Council and President And this conclusion, we hope, would be fin- Jacques Santer of the European Commission. In ished under the Dutch Presidency in June his remarks, the President referred to Stuart E. 1997. So we are starting with the negotiation Eizenstat, Special Representative of the President at the beginning of 1998. and Secretary of State for the Promotion of De- mocracy in Cuba. President Clinton. Let me make two gen- eral comments. Number one, the United States believes that an integrated and demo- Remarks Prior to Discussions With cratic and prosperous Europe is very much Prime Minister John Bruton of in our interest, therefore we support the ex- Ireland and an Exchange With pansion of the European Union. But we rec- Reporters ognize that it is for the Europeans to decide the terms and the parties and the timetable December 17, 1996 of that expansion. But in general, we wel- Irish Peace Process come the strengthening and the broadening The President. Let me say I’m delighted of the Union. to have Prime Minister Bruton here again Secondly, we have spent a lot of time since today, along with the members of his govern- I’ve been in office trying to minimize ten- ment, and we’re going to talk about Northern sions and resolve difficulties between Greece Ireland today. And I want to reiterate my and Turkey. And in particular, I have made call for the IRA to institute a cease-fire in an effort to try to resolve the problems over words as well as deeds. If they do that, I Cyprus. I believe that the future of the Euro- am convinced that Sinn Fein will be invited pean Union and the future of the United to participate in the talks, and we believe that States will be much brighter and much less substantive and inclusive peace talks are the troublesome if these things can be resolved. only way to resolve this. I believe that Greece and Turkey are two Meanwhile, the talks go on. Senator great nations that have an enormous com- Mitchell is doing a terrific job. And I want monality of interest, whether in NATO, to say also a word of appreciation to the Loy- whether in their interest in European inte- alists for holding the cease-fire. I think that’s gration, whether in their interest in minimiz- a very good thing. We can’t make peace until ing chaos in the vicinity in which they both we end violence, and that’s what we’re going live—if they could simply resolve these long- to talk about today, how we can keep working standing difficulties between them. And I can on that. only say for my part that I intend to do what- Q. Do they await the British elections, I ever I can in these next 4 years the American mean, the question of movement and people have given me to try to help work progress? out the situation in Cyprus and work out the The President. Maybe the Prime Minister problems generally between Greece and ought to answer that. Turkey. Prime Minister Bruton. I would like to They are both our allies, and they’re both say that I completely endorse what the Presi- very, very important to a stable 21st century. dent just said. On the contrary, I think an And I intend to invest an enormous amount immediate cease-fire would have advantages of effort in trying to succeed there. And I that a postponed cease-fire wouldn’t nec- ask them to reexamine their positions and essarily carry. I think it would set a policy try to reach out to one another. They plainly position in regard to Sinn Fein’s participation have more in common looking to the future in talks in place before an election, which than they do which divides them. It is only would carry through into the next British the past which continues to bedevil them. Parliament in a much more durable way, Thank you very much. whereas a postponed cease-fire after the NOTE: The President’s 133d news conference election would go into the term of office of began at 2:20 p.m. in Room 450 of the Old Execu- a new government, with perhaps a new oppo- tive Office Building. The President met with sition, and there would be much less cer- Prime Minister John Bruton in his capacity as tainty about the response.

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So I agree entirely with what the President The President. This will be like a Jesuit- has said. I think from every point of view, ical examination. [Laughter] the point of view of their own movement, [At this point, one group of reporters left the from the point of view of maximum oppor- room, and another group entered.] tunity, from the point of view of maximum durability of inclusive talks—a cease-fire now is the right choice for the Republican move- Irish Peace Process ment to make. And I’m very, very heartened Q. When you meet with Mr. Bruton today, that the President has said that again in such do you think—there has been a lot of discus- clear terms. sion over just what Sinn Fein has to do in The President. The British and the Irish order to get to the table, but is there anything Governments have made enormous efforts else that Britain can also do to encourage here, but we can’t succeed—or they can’t Sinn Fein to get to the table at this point? succeed unless there is a cease-fire, an end The President. Well, that’s what—we’re to the violence, and we ultimately have inclu- going to discuss all of that. I just want to sive talks. And I’m convinced that will hap- say again that first I appreciate what the Irish pen if there is a cease-fire. and British Governments have done to date. Secondly, I still believe the IRA should im- Legal Defense Fund mediately call a cease-fire, in words as well Q. Mr. President, let me ask you about as deeds. I’m convinced that Sinn Fein will a domestic issue, sir. Is Charles Trie a friend be invited to participate in the talks if that of yours, and do you agree with the decision happens. And I think inclusive talks are the to return the money he attempted to deliver only way to make peace. to your legal defense fund? The talks will go on. Senator Mitchell, I The President. Yes, and yes. think is doing a fine job, though Loyalists Q. Were you aware he was raising money should be commended for holding the cease- for your legal defense fund? fire. But peace will not come in the presence The President. Not till it came in. But of violence; it must come with the absence I supported the decision. I was aware of the of violence. I’m convinced of that. That’s decision to return the money because—and what we’re going to talk about today. I think in all these fundraising endeavors, the Q. Mr. President, in the event of an Irish rules should be that all the checks should cease-fire, do you believe—personally be- be checked to make sure that not only the lieve that Sinn Fein should get immediate fact but any even appearance of impropriety and automatic access to the talks process? should be removed. And Mr. Cardozo was The President. Well, I believe that Sinn interested in the appearance of that, so was Fein would be invited to participate in the I, and that’s why the decision was made. talks fairly soon thereafter. That’s what I be- That’s what our campaign did, and as the lieve. But we have to talk about the details, Democratic Party’s people have said, that’s you know. The Prime Minister has to keep what they should have done. But the cam- me educated here. The texture of the Irish paign did it, the legal defense fund did it, peace struggle is rather complex. and I think it was handled appropriately. Q. Mr. President, with all your foreign pol- Q. Is he a close friend of yours? icy challenges in the second term, will Ire- The President. I’ve known him a long land still be a priority as it was in the first time. I knew him when he and his family term? came over and started a little restaurant The President. Yes. about a mile from my home 20 years ago. Q. Mr. President, what was your reaction And I saw them start with nothing and build to this attempt to smear Martha Pope in up their family enterprise. They’ve worked some of the British newspapers? very hard in this country, and they’ve done The President. She’s a fine woman and well. a friend of mine. And I understand that the Q. Now we’ll get a real story, when the charge has been retracted. And if that’s true, Irish press comes in. that’s good. It should have been. We ought

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to have more false charges retracted in this to fight AIDS-related discrimination at every world, and I’m pleased by that. turn; to lead the global fight to end AIDS; Q. Do you know anything about a possible and to translate our research advances into cease-fire that would inject new life into the treatment as quickly as possible. peace talks? These goals will help to guide our work The President. I know nothing more than in the coming term, and more specifically in you do probably about that. We’re going to the coming year. We have made significant talk about it. I know we’re working for it, progress in the last 4 years. Researchers and we’ll keep working for it. working toward a cure and a vaccine are re- Q. Mr. President, there is a perception porting encouraging news and giving us that the talks in Northern Ireland are going hope. New treatments, approved by the FDA nowhere at the moment, that an agreement in record time, are producing some very en- on decommissioning which looked close this couraging results in terms of the quality of week is not now likely in the immediate term. people’s lives and the potential for extending Are you as pessimistic as some people are the length of life. in Northern Ireland? This progress results from more than a The President. No, we can’t afford pes- decade of investment in AIDS research, pre- simism. I mean, after all, if you just look at vention, and care. I am very proud that in the whole sweep of events in the last 3 years the four budgets my administration has pro- or so and compare that to the previous 25 duced, funding for AIDS programs has in- years, I still think that things are moving right creased by 55 percent. We have also along here. We’re in a rough patch, but if strengthened the Office of AIDS Research we just keep at it, I think it will come out at NIH and tripled funding for AIDS drug all right. assistance programs. Prime Minister Bruton. Exactly. Despite this progress, we must recognize that the AIDS epidemic is not over. Far too NOTE: The President spoke at 10:05 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, many of our sons and daughters are still los- he referred to Charles Yah Lin Trie, CEO, ing their lives to this epidemic every day. Far Diahatsu International Trading Co.; Michael H. too many are still becoming infected. We will Cardozo, executive director of the Presidential win the battle against HIV, but to do so we Legal Expense Trust; and Martha Pope, Deputy must stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight to the Special Adviser to the President and Sec- and we must build on the strides we have retary of State for Economic Initiatives in Ireland. made. I am confident that my administration A tape was not available for verification of the will do its part and that we have taken yet content of these remarks. another step forward in that battle today.

Statement on Receiving the National AIDS Strategy Statement on Approval of the New December 17, 1996 Stabilization Force in Bosnia December 17, 1996 I am pleased today to receive the first-ever National AIDS Strategy. In the 15 years of I have formally approved NATO’s new op- this epidemic, we have never had such a uni- eration plan for the Stabilization Force fied strategy. This strategy represents an im- (SFOR) that will succeed the NATO-led Im- portant milestone in the history of the fight plementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia after to defeat this epidemic. December 20. I welcome NATO’s decision The National Strategy reiterates our ad- yesterday to approve formally the new oper- ministration’s and our Nation’s commitment ation plan and today to approve the Activa- to winning the battle against AIDS. It estab- tion Order that will authorize the start of lishes six major goals for our national efforts: SFOR’s mission. to find a cure and a vaccine; to reduce new SFOR’s limited and focused mission is to HIV infections; to assure people living with consolidate the peace that IFOR successfully HIV and AIDS access to high-quality care; established and maintained. During the past

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12 months, IFOR separated and ensured the ary 1st. They are on time, and they have done demobilization of former warring factions. It what they said they would do. And they are provided the secure conditions in which going to give America’s families more help democratic elections could be held and the in choosing appropriate television program- reconstruction of Bosnia’s shattered econ- ming for their children. omy could begin. IFOR succeeded in bring- Now, it is now appropriate to say that it ing an end to a war that threatened stability is the personal responsibility of the family, in Europe. Now, by preventing the parties first of all, to make use of this system. In from sliding back into armed conflict and a year, you know, the new televisions will providing more breathing space for political have these V-chips, but for right now there and economic efforts to take hold, SFOR will will be other ways that the industry will work help Bosnians assume full responsibility for to make available the information to parents. their future—a future without an outside They have to use it. They have to evaluate military presence. it, and then they have to communicate back As the leader of NATO and the principal to the industry how they feel: Do they like architect of the Dayton peace, the United it; do they not like it; where is it inadequate; States must continue to lead in this new mis- what suggestions they have for changes? As sion to consolidate the peace in Bosnia. At this system is implemented, the ball will the same time, our European allies are shar- plainly be in the court of the parents of ing the responsibility for building long-term America to make the most of this and to actu- stability. The European Union is the leading ally give feedback about it. donor to the economic reconstruction effort I would also like to say that at the request and shoulders the burden of helping Bosnia’s of the Vice President, the industry has agreed refugees. Europe will also contribute a great- to make a systematic effort to get the contin- er share of the troops for SFOR than it did uous parental input and evaluation so that for IFOR, with the U.S. providing less than they will know how this system is going down, half of what we provided for IFOR. to what extent it’s being used, and how it’s SFOR’s mission will last 18 months. Every being received by the parents of this country. 6 months we will review and consult with So I feel that this is a very important step Congress on whether stability can be main- forward. Over the next several months the tained with fewer forces. By helping the industry has agreed that they will review their Bosnian people build a peace that is self-sus- findings and the reactions to what they’re taining, SFOR will also help advance our fun- doing. I think that’s a very positive thing. And damental goal of building a Europe that is I want to thank the Vice President for what peaceful, undivided, and democratic. he has done and ask him to say a word or two. And then if you have any questions, we’ll try to answer them. Remarks Following a Briefing on the [At this point, the Vice President made brief Television Rating System and an remarks.] Exchange With Reporters December 19, 1996 Television Rating System Q. Mr. President, are you then leaving The President. Let me begin by saying open the possibility that at some future time that, as all of you know, that the Vice Presi- the administration might agree with the par- dent and Secretary Riley and members of the ents groups who want this rated by content? White House staff and I have just met with The President. No, what I—let me refor- Jack Valenti and Eddie Fritts and Decker mulate the question in a way—what I’m say- Anstrom. ing is, and I don’t think the industry disputes I want to thank the industry leaders for this, I have no idea if this is the very best the television rating system which they have system that could be devised. I do believe proposed today. Earlier this year, in Feb- it’s a huge step forward over what we have ruary, I asked them to do this. They said that now, which is nothing. And this issue has they would and that they would do it by Janu- been debated, as I said the other day, for

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years and years and years. Now finally some- Hostage Crisis in Peru thing significant has been done. Q. Mr. President, could you give us your You know what the argument is. The argu- evaluation of the hostage crisis in Peru at the ment is, should these rating systems be age- moment? related or should they be content-specific? The President. Well, obviously, we are If you think about the literally hundreds and keeping up with it very closely, and we’re hundreds, maybe thousands and thousands very concerned about it. We’re concerned of programs that are on all the stations avail- about all those who are held hostage. But able, on all the cable channels, as well as all it’s been my experience in matters like this the networks every week, it seems to me that that—first of all, the Peruvian Government organizing them by age and then letting par- is doing its best and the President, too, to ents use the system and seeing how it works manage this difficult situation in an appro- and giving feedback—if the consensus is priate way. We are having communications reached down the road that there ought to with them. And I think the less any of us be more content in the rating system, it will around the world say beyond that, the better, be a lot easier to do and to know what the because we don’t want to do or say anything content indicators mean once you group that would complicate what is already a very these programs in an age-based way. difficult undertaking that we obviously hope So that’s what—it was not for me to do. will have a good outcome. We’ve been very circumspect here in believ- Second Term Transition ing that this is not a Government function; Q. Do you expect to wrap up your Cabinet this is a private function. And that’s what we announcements tomorrow? mean by—it’s not up to—in my view, the The President. Well, we have I think four only thing that I would condemn would have more announcements to make, and I think been bad faith. There has been no bad faith we will be making them in a timely fashion. here; there’s been an extraordinary effort. But I don’t want to go beyond that. We’re The only point I’m making is, I don’t have working very hard on that, you know, every any idea if we can make it better; we might day we’re working on it, and there’s more be able to make it better. The parents group, to come. the advocacy groups deserve to be heard and Q. That means not tomorrow? considered, but we are now doing what I Q. You want to wrap up the week with think ought to be done. The industry kind some announcements, don’t you? [Laughter] of put the ball in the parents’ court, and then The President. Like I said before, you it’s going to systematically, rigorously ask know, this is a partnership between us. It’s them what they think. Christmas; it’s down time. I need to give you So really I would say this is a great day something else to do and help you do your for the parents of America, because what job, and it will help me do mine to get it most parents want is more freedom to raise out of the way. So I’m working on it. I want their children according to their own values to do it as quickly as I can, but I don’t want and to balance the demand of work and to tie my hands. You understand how this childrearing. And this is a big step forward appointments process has developed over the in helping them do that. Now they have to last several years and all the things that have seize the opportunity. They have to give the to be done before you can nail down these industry feedback. And if we get strong feed- decisions. But we’re working very hard on back that something more could be done, I it, and I’ll do my best not to disappoint you. think it will be a lot easier to take the next NOTE: The President spoke at 11:53 a.m. in the step, because in the first instance these pro- Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, grams are going to be grouped in this way. he referred to Jack Valenti, president, Motion Pic- So let’s see what happens. ture Association of America; Edward O. Fritts,

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president and chief executive officer, National As- ican people, business and labor, individuals sociation of Broadcasters; and Decker Anstrom, and communities, with their Government. president and chief executive officer, National I said throughout the campaign that we Cable Television Association. A tape was not avail- able for verification of the content of these have to help parents succeed at home and remarks. at work and give working people the training they need to succeed in the new economy. For years now, I have been trying to prevail Remarks Announcing the Second upon the Congress to consolidate training programs and pass the ‘‘GI bill’’ for America’s Term Domestic Policy Team and an workers. All these things we must do in the Exchange With Reporters next 4 years. As Secretary of Labor, Alexis December 20, 1996 Herman will be a true national leader in this mission on behalf of working families. The President. Thank you very much. Let me also say that I considered a number Please be seated. I thought the era of big Government was of superbly qualified people for this position. over, and then I saw all of these people here. I’d like to mention two in particular and [Laughter] thank them for their willingness to be consid- Let me say as we move into my second ered: first, to Congressman Esteban Torres term, we have the obligation to continue the and second, the Director of the Corporation progress we have made and to build on it for National Service, Harris Wofford, who to prepare America for the 21st century with has done a wonderful job in heading a Government that is smaller but works hard AmeriCorps, which has now enabled 70,000 not to abandon people but, instead, to give young people to serve in their communities them the tools they need to make the most all across America and which will play a vital of their own lives and to build strong families role in the next 4 years. and strong communities and a strong Amer- Over the last 4 years, Henry Cisneros led ica. a revolution of ideas at the Department of Today I want to announce the members Housing and Urban Development. He and of my domestic policy team who will make his team have spent every day questioning this happen. Today, the Labor Department old approaches and searching for new an- is more critical than ever, as we work to make swers. He is my friend, my adviser, someone job training available to all who need it and who has poured his heart into making the make sure that employee rights are secure American dream of owning a home a reality and our workplaces are safe. I am very sorry for all people. Today a smaller and smarter to lose the services of my old friend Secretary HUD brings more hope and greater opportu- Reich, who has truly made this a Department nities to American communities than ever of the American work force. But I am proud before, not only in housing but in developing to nominate as Secretary of Labor one of my economic opportunities in ways that had not closest advisers, a talented leader, Alexis before even been imagined. I think it is not Herman, who got her start as a social worker too much to say that he is clearly the finest for Catholic Charities on the Mississippi Delta. I first met her in the 1970’s, when HUD Secretary who has ever held the posi- she was Director of the Women’s Bureau at tion. I will miss him greatly and will continue the Department of Labor, pioneering efforts to rely upon him for his advice and counsel. to give women training and economic oppor- I believe that the best person in this coun- tunity. try who is today suited to lead HUD into She has been a successful businesswoman the 21st century is Andrew Cuomo. He has and a leader in efforts to bring minorities lived and breathed housing and economic de- into the economic mainstream. And for the velopment for more than a decade, first at past 4 years, as Director of the White House the grassroots as a community housing devel- Office of Public Liaison, she has been my oper and then as our Assistant Secretary for eyes and ears, working to connect the Amer- Community Planning and Development.

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[At this point, Housing and Urban Develop- nomic opportunity by using energy in a way ment-designate Andrew Cuomo’s baby that does not hurt our environment. I am daughter Cara cried.] very happy that he has agreed to remain in Relax, this is a pro-family administration. the Cabinet in this new and ever-changing [Laughter] role, and very grateful for the service he ren- He is a passionate believer in doing what’s dered at the Department of Transportation. right, and he is a determined leader who gets To replace him, I am proud to nominate it done. His test is never soft sentiments, but the Federal Highway Administrator, Rodney hard results. Slater. First as the chair of the State highway The empowerment zones effort he has led commission in our home State and then as so well is a perfect example of the new HUD. Federal Highway Administrator, Rodney Instead of big solutions imposed by Washing- Slater has managed large programs with skill ton, it creates a partnership between Govern- and high standards. He has rebuilt and ex- ment, business, and private citizens to help panded our Nation’s highways and linked iso- communities lift themselves up. This is An- lated communities to jobs and opportunities. drew Cuomo’s vision, and it is why I expect He has built bridges both of steel and of good him to be a very strong voice for America’s will to bring people closer together. cities and a great HUD Secretary. When the North ridge earthquake struck The Department of Energy has many mis- California with such deadly force, Rodney sions, ranging from producing nuclear fuels led our effort to rebuild vital highways in and managing nuclear wastes to widening the record time. He is the right person to help frontiers of science at our national labora- us meet the many transportation needs and tories, to promoting energy efficiency and challenges we face as we enter the 21st cen- environmental technology. Hazel O’Leary tury. He has been my friend and adviser for has made huge strides with that Department many years. Along with his own family, I have and has done this while bringing unprece- watched with pride as he has built his own dented openness to the agency. I mention road to success. obviously the reports that the Energy De- I can say that he was recommended by partment has done on radiation experiments more people from more places in more ways and the groundbreaking work that the En- for this job than any person for any position ergy Department did to lead us to the Com- I have ever seen. [Laughter] And in spite prehensive Test Ban Treaty. of that—[laughter]—I am confident that he To manage this diverse and sprawling op- will be a superb and successful Secretary of eration, a Secretary of Energy must be an Transportation. experienced leader and manager who under- Over the past 4 years, first with Erskine stands the demands of a large Government Bowles’ leadership and then Phil Lader’s, we agency, who will demand peak performance have worked hard to revitalize and broaden from Government contractors, who knows the mission and increase the impact of the why we must reinvent Government and how Small Business Administration. SBA has dou- to do it. bled the number of loans to small businesses, As Secretary of Transportation, Federico tripled the loans to women-owned busi- Pen˜ a has proven himself a talented leader nesses, even as its staff has been cut by 25 of a large and complex Government agency. percent. Phil Lader told me several months He found ways to encourage new tech- ago that he wanted to return to private life nologies, promote safety, protect the envi- after the election. However, I have asked him ronment. I am happy to announce today that to serve in another senior role in my adminis- I will nominate him to be our new Secretary tration, and he will be considering this over of Energy. He will continue to streamline the holidays. I hope he and his family agree and reinvent the Energy Department. He to accept my offer. I can only stand so many will build on its unprecedented commitment of these people leaving. [Laughter] to openness. He will oversee the urgent To replace Phil Lader, I will nominate cleanup of our nuclear stockpiles, and he will Aida Alvarez. She has been an award-winning work with the energy industry to create eco- journalist and investment banker. For the

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past 31⁄2 years she has been the Director of the day I announced my candidacy for Presi- the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise dent in 1991. He was an architect of welfare Oversight, responsible for the safety and reform. He has been a driving force behind soundness of $1.4 trillion in housing finance our efforts to shrink Government, expand institutions. She combines business savvy educational opportunity, and fight crime. with a dedication to public service. I have For the past year, as Assistant to the Presi- known her for many years and have been dent for Policy Planning, he has worked to very proud to have her as a part of this ad- hone our goals for the next 4 years, and now ministration. I am also proud that this is the he will have a chance to make that agenda first time a person born in Puerto Rico has happen. He is the intellectual core of the vital been appointed to a President’s Cabinet. center. Under his leadership, the Domestic To complete our economic team, I will Policy Council will be a place where dynamic nominate Janet Yellen to be Chair of the ideas are turned into actions that will make Council of Economic Advisers. Since it was a difference in the lives of our people. He created by President Truman 50 years ago, is a person of the highest integrity, a good the CEA has provided objective and rigorous friend, and I am proud that he will be by economic advice to the President. Under my side as we complete the work of prepar- Laura Tyson and then Joe Stiglitz, the CEA ing our country for the next century. has been unflinchingly honest, and our eco- Finally, I have prevailed upon my friend nomic policy has had hard work—hard-won of long standing, Mack McLarty, to stay on credibility. As we work together to balance for a second term as Counsel to the Presi- the budget in a way that reflects our values dent, remaining as a member of the National and will continue to grow our economy, the Economic Council. In addition, Mack will CEA’s role will be more important than ever. take on new responsibilities as Special Envoy Janet Yellen will provide the leadership and experience to get the job done. She is cur- to the President and the Secretary of State rently a member of the Federal Reserve for Latin America. With this new role, I ex- Board of Directors. She had been a professor pect him to deepen and broaden his portfolio of economics at the University of California as he helps to coordinate and strengthen our Berkeley and at Harvard, where she taught, policies toward Latin America. He is well among others, the Deputy Secretary of the suited to carry out this important role be- Treasury Larry Summers who said that his cause of his business experience and his grade was sufficiently high for her to be rec- broad understanding of the new global econ- ommended for the job. [Laughter] She is an omy. His perspective was clear when he esteemed writer and thinker who will serve served as one of the principal architects of our country well. our economic strategy and played a key role The Domestic Policy Council coordinates in passing our deficit reduction plan in 1993. the work of our domestic policy agendas— Throughout this administration he has agencies. It finds innovative ways to use our been central to our efforts to build our rela- most enduring values to meet our newest tionships with our neighbors in our hemi- challenges. Today I am proud to appoint sphere. His leadership was instrumental in Bruce Reed as Assistant to the President for passing NAFTA and he led our efforts, along Domestic Policy and Director of the Domes- with Vice President Gore, to host the Summit tic Policy Council, replacing Carol Rasco of the Americas in Miami and the 1996 At- about whom I will say more in a moment. lanta Olympics. The 1994 summit was a his- Bruce is an original thinker, someone who toric meeting and will require significant fol- long ago rejected the easy answers from any low up as we move forward to the second part of the political spectrum, and no one Summit of the Americas in Santiago. He will has had a greater impact on the thinking of head the United States delegation to the the administration or the President. He com- signing of the Guatemala peace accords later bines a unique practical knowledge with a this month. And this new assignment for real powerful concern for the welfare of ordi- Mack should underscore the importance that nary Americans. He has been at my side from we in this administration and I personally

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place upon Latin America as we move for- bureaucrat’’ a positive, not a negative appel- ward. lation. The other members of my domestic policy General Barry McCaffrey will stay on as team are here with us today. Attorney Gen- the Director of the Office of National Drug eral Reno has led our crusade to put police Control Policy. We need his vigorous leader- on our streets and take guns off our streets. ship, and he is in the process of doing some- Donna Shalala has worked tirelessly and well thing that Presidents for more than 30 years to give our people quality health care, to have wanted to do but never succeeded in move millions from welfare to work, to care doing, actually developing a coordinated, dis- for our children and their future. Dick Riley ciplined, long-term approach to dealing with has succeeded in reforming the student loan the drug problems and reducing drug abuse program and lowering its costs and making in America, particularly among our youth. it more available to millions of people. He Secretary Babbitt has been a wise steward has challenged our schools to reach even for our precious natural resources and has higher standards. We have expanded edu- helped us to solve some of the thorniest chal- lenges facing America in this regard. He sent cational opportunity, enhanced reform, and me a letter right after the election saying that we will do much, much more of this in the in one way or another we have protected over next 4 years. As I said in the campaign this 20 million acres of America’s precious land year, education must now be our highest pri- in the last 4 years, a legacy of conservation ority, and I am pleased that Secretary Riley equaled only in the two Roosevelts’ adminis- will continue to lead our efforts. trations, and I thank him for that. Earlier this week, I announced that one Secretary Glickman has worked to keep of my oldest and closest advisers, Domestic our food the safest and most plentiful in the Policy Adviser Carol Rasco, will join the Edu- world, as we have overhauled our food safety cation Department as Senior Adviser to the standards for the first time in decades and Secretary and Director of the America Reads decades. And I thank him also for finding Challenge. The importance of this initiative ways to promote agriculture and protect the to me should be underscored by my asking environment. someone this close to me to act on my behalf. As EPA Administrator, Carol Browner has If you will remember in the campaign, I cut redtape and curbed pollution. She has talked a lot about the importance of mobiliz- brought common sense back to the task of ing one million volunteer tutors all across protecting our environment, enlisted more America to work with parents and teachers, allies, and will lead the way in the next 4 to make sure that by the year 2000 every years to making sure we do close those hun- 8-year-old in this country can read independ- dreds of toxic waste dumps that keep our ently. If every third-grader can read inde- children from growing up next to parks, not pendently, when 40 percent of them are not poison. reading at grade level today, it will dramati- All these leaders have done a remarkable cally alter the future of America’s landscape job. I am delighted they have agreed to stay for the better. in their positions. And now I’d like to ask Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown the new appointees to come up and make has been a strong and effective voice for our some statements, beginning with the next veterans. He will continue to ensure that they Secretary of Labor, Alexis Herman. have the health care and the services they [At this point, Secretary of Labor-designate deserve. Alexis Herman, Secretary of Housing and Federal Emergency Management Admin- Urban Development-designate Andrew istrator James Lee Witt has transformed that Cuomo, Secretary of Energy-designate agency into a model for disaster assistance Federico Pe˜na, Secretary of Transportation- and helped communities all across our coun- designate Rodney Slater, Small Business Ad- try to rebuild. In community after commu- ministrator-designate Aida Alvarez, Council nity, from the southeast to the middle west of Economic Advisers Chair Janet Yellen, As- to the west, he has made the term ‘‘Federal sistant to the President for Domestic Policy

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Bruce Reed, and Special Envoy to the Presi- can tell you for sure nothing inappropriate dent and the Secretary of State for Latin came from it in terms of any governmental America Thomas F. (Mack) McLarty each action on my part. made brief remarks.] But we have to do a better job of screening The President. Thank you. Who is first? people who come in and out of here. I’ll take a couple of questions. It’s almost Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press Christmas. [Laughter] International], go ahead. Access to the White House Investigations Q. Mr. President, as you move forward Q. Mr. President, do you have a sense of into your new term, questions continue to deja vu all over again—4 years of be asked about the first 4 years, especially Whitewater, now new investigations—— in the area of campaign fundraising. Last The President. No. February at the request of a friend of yours Q. ——on the Hill, Justice Department? in Little Rock and the Democratic National The President. No. Committee, an arms dealer from China was Q. What does this bode for the next ad- invited to a private event with you inside your ministration and how do you cope? residence at the White House. Four months The President. I show up for work every later, this man’s company was implicated in day. The American people ought to feel good U.S. gun-smuggling. What do you remember about me. They spent $30 million or some- about your contact with this man at this thing, and there has been not a single solitary meeting? Does it concern you that he was shred of evidence of any wrongdoing on my perhaps not adequately screened in order to part. I feel good about it. gain access to the White House? And do you I think it’s unfortunate for democracy, and feel in any respect that in situations like this I think, as I said, this special counsel thing you were taken advantage of? ought to be reviewed in light of what Archi- The President. Well, first of all, I’m dis- bald Cox and others have said, because the appointed that it happened. It was clearly in- costs outweigh the benefits. appropriate. And I think what is obviously But on the other issue, any questions that called for and what I have instructed to be are raised about contributions ought to be done is to establish some sort of better answered and any records that are needed screening provisions that are tighter to mini- ought to be provided. That’s no different mize this. Thousands of people come in and than what happened in Senator Dole’s cam- out of the larger White House office complex paign when one of his officials was charged all the time, but we have to develop some with money laundering and had to plead way of screening them. I am disappointed. guilty and pay the biggest fine in FEC his- It was inappropriate. We must have a better tory. That didn’t reflect on everybody else screening system. We will have. in the campaign. Those things happen. So I remember literally nothing about it. I’m if any—if there’s any question about what not sure that the gentleman ever said any- happened, the evidence, the information thing at this coffee. I asked my staff to let should be provided, and we ought to deter- me see the records of it when this story mine whether anyone did anything wrong. broke, and there were disparate people from Q. Well, how are you coping? different walks of life from all over the coun- The President. That’s not a—how am I try there, and normally what would happen coping? [Laughter] It’s not a problem. If you in one of those conversations is I would talk haven’t done anything wrong and a problem for 5 or 10 minutes and then we would either comes up, you fix it, and you go on. I cope go around the table and let people say what- by thinking about the 11 million jobs we cre- ever they wanted to say. And as I said there ated and the millions more we have to create. were all different kinds of people from all I think about the millions of people that have different walks of life always. I’m not sure a better deal going to college and the millions that—I have no recollection of meeting him. of more that will have. I cope by thinking I’m not sure he ever said anything. And I about what the American people hired me

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to do and the questions they ask me when and that’s what you do. So I feel good about I see them. it. Yes, Gwen [Gwen Ifill, NBC News]. Now, this is——

Second Term Transition and Diversity Campaign Financing and White House Q. Mr. President, your spokesman said Access earlier today that you’ve been very displeased Q. [Inaudible]—feel pressure—— with these events of the last couple days. I The President. Well, my feelings are that, wonder if you could characterize your dis- in the areas where we had more direct con- pleasure? And also, 4 years ago when you trol—our campaign and the legal defense appointed your first Cabinet, you said very fund—as far as I know, the proper decisions much up front that you wanted a Cabinet were made because the proper scrutiny was that looked like America. It took some jug- applied. The Democratic Party officials have gling and you weren’t as public about it this already admitted that they did not apply the time, but it looks like you’ve assembled that. proper review, and I am very displeased Did you feel like you were under any special about it because 99 percent-plus of all the pressure from special interest groups? contributors did not do anything wrong, and The President. No, the pressure was pres- over 98 percent of the money appears to be sure I put on myself. I believe that one of perfectly in order, and the other 1 percent my jobs at this moment in history is to dem- got all the publicity and, thereby, disserving onstrate by the team I put together that no the Democrats around the country, the peo- group of people should be excluded from ple who gave, and everything else. That is service to our country and that all people are wrong. capable of serving. So I have striven to achieve both excellence and diversity. The And all they have to do is to institute a same thing is true about the Federal judges simple review system. Now, from time to I’ve appointed. It’s the most diverse Federal time, mistakes may be made. If you have over bench of appointees in history. It also has a million contributors as both parties do now, the highest rating from the American Bar As- that may happen from time to time, but com- sociation since the bar started rating judges. mon sense and strict review are the order So I’m very proud of the first Cabinet that of the day. I appointed. I am very proud of this Cabinet. I feel the same way about this. I realize I am proud that they are diverse, but I would that Secret Service and others are reluctant not have appointed a single one of them be- to be too burdensome with all the thousands cause of their gender or their racial or ethnic and tens of thousands of people that come background had I not thought that they could in the White House complex every year, but succeed. And if you look at the comparative I’m confident that if they put their minds record in department after department after to it they can come up with a better screening department of the people who served in the procedure so that things like this don’t hap- first 4 years and compare the results they pen. achieved, the work they did, I think that the It’s not a press conference. We’ve been evidence will indicate that. here a long tme. We’ll have another press And it goes back to something you asked conference early next year. Merry Christmas. me. You know, what we do, we all show up I’ll see you early next year. for work every day, and we create a team and work like crazy for the American people, NOTE: The President spoke at 12:32 p.m. in Room we have goals, we have objectives, we hold 450 of the Old Executive Office Building. In his ourselves to timetables, and we keep score remarks, he referred to Chinese businessman about what we’re doing for other people. And Wang Jun, chairman, Poly Technologies. A por- if that is your focus, which is what people tion of these remarks could not be verified be- hire us to do, that’s what you worry about, cause the tape was incomplete.

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Remarks at a White House Digest of Other Children’s Christmas Party White House Announcements December 20, 1996 The following list includes the President’s public The President. Thank you. Give them a schedule and other items of general interest an- hand. Weren’t they great? [Applause] Hello. nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and Children. Hello. Hi, Bill Clinton. not included elsewhere in this issue. The President. Thank you, Antonio. Wel- come to the White House. We’re very glad December 15 to have you here. Every year, the First Lady In the evening, the President and Hillary and I love to meet with some children about Clinton attended the production of ‘‘Christ- this time and read the night before Christmas mas in Washington’’ at the National Building story, because Christmas is really a time for Museum. The show was taped for broadcast children, isn’t it? on NBC television December 18. Children. Yes. December 16 The President. And a time when we give The President named the 60 recipients of gifts to each other and to our children to say the first annual Presidential Early Career how important you are. And it’s a very special Awards for Scientists and Engineers. time for us. You know, Hillary wrote a book about children and families, and just today December 17 she gave a great gift—she gave the money The President announced that Carol H. that came in from the book to children’s hos- Rasco will be Senior Adviser to the Secretary pitals all across the country and to other and Director of the America Reads Chal- things for children. lenge at the Department of Education. And one of the things that we hope will In the evening, the President had a tele- come out of this is that not only all of you conference with newly elected United Na- tions Secretary-General Kofi Annan and out- here but all the children all over our country going U.N. Ambassador Madeleine K. will feel very special; and as Christmas cele- Albright concerning Mr. Annan’s acceptance brates the birth of baby Jesus, that all the speech before the General Assembly and the little children in our country will feel that future of the United Nations. they are very, very special. So I want you to listen carefully to this December 18 story. A lot of you know this story, don’t you? In the afternoon, the President met with Children. Yes. a bipartisan group of mayors in the Roosevelt Room to discuss urban policy and the up- The President. Do you? coming budgetary process. The First Lady. You can chime in? The President. So you can chime in. If December 19 you know—if you know any of the lines when In the morning, the President met with I read it, in this wonderful book—see the Minister Liu Huaquiu of China in the Oval pictures, can you see it—you say the lines, Office. too. Okay? Okay, here we go. ‘‘The Visit of The President announced his intention to St. Nicholas.’’ appoint Kathleen Stevens Dougherty and Ruth E. Roitenberg to the Advisory Commit- tee on the Arts of the John F. Kennedy Cen- [At this point, the President read the story.] ter for the Performing Arts.

December 20 NOTE: The President spoke at 1:47 p.m. in the In the afternoon, the President met with East Room at the White House. former Senator Bob Dole in the Oval Office.

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Nominations Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry Submitted to the Senate on the murder of six Red Cross delegates in Chechnya Released December 18 NOTE: No nominations were submitted to the Senate during the period covered by this issue. Transcript of a press briefing by Chief of Staff-designate Erskine Bowles on the sec- ond term transition Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Checklist retary Mike McCurry of White House Press Releases Released December 19 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- retary Mike McCurry The following list contains releases of the Office of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as Released December 20 items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Other White House Announcements. Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- retary Mike McCurry

Released December 16 Fact sheet on the Mutual Recognition Agree- ments Acts Approved by the President Released December 17

Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- NOTE: No acts approved by the President were retary Mike McCurry and Deputy Press Sec- received by the Office of the Federal Register retary Dave Johnson during the period covered by this issue.

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