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President Bush. Oh, let me comment. I funding to continue to carry out its important appreciate that very much. mission of protecting investors through vig- Q. I thought you might want to. [Laugh- orous enforcement of securities laws. I ap- ter] plaud the Congress for acting in an over- President Bush. Well, Mr. Prime Min- whelming bipartisan manner in sending this ister, we put a significant tax relief package legislation to my desk. in place right at the right time. Our economy was beginning to slow down in March of NOTE: H.R. 1088, approved January 16, was as- 2001. Fortunately, I was able to work with signed Public Law No. 107–123. both Democrats and Republicans in our Letter to Congressional Leaders on Congress to get a good tax relief package out. And when the economy slows down, it makes Review of Title III of the Cuban sense to cut taxes, and that’s exactly what’s Liberty and Democratic Solidarity happened. And those who want to revoke the (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 tax cut, basically raise taxes, are those who January 16, 2002 just don’t share my view. I think raising taxes in the midst of a reces- Dear lllll : sion is wrong economic policy. It would be Pursuant to section 306(c)(2) of the Cuban a huge mistake. It’s bad for American work- Liberty and Democratic Solidarity ers. It hurt when it comes to creating jobs. (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (Public Law 104– And so I strongly disagree with those who 114), (the ‘‘Act’’), I hereby determine and want to raise taxes here in Washington, DC. report to the Congress that suspension for I’m confident that the American people 6 months beyond February 1, 2002, of the agree with me, as well. right to bring an action under title III of the And if Members of the House and the Act is necessary to the national interests of Senate listened to their constituents and lis- the United States and will expedite a transi- tened to those who want to find work, they tion to democracy in Cuba. will understand the wisdom of our ways. Sincerely, Thank you. George W. Bush

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:10 p.m. in the NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Joseph R. Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, Biden, Jr., chairman, and Jesse Helms, ranking he referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; member, Senate Committee on Foreign Rela- Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem of Turkey; tions; Robert C. Byrd, chairman, and Ted Stevens, and Hedayat Amin Arsala, Vice Chair and Min- ranking member, Senate Committee on Appro- ister of Finance, Interim Authority of Afghanistan. priations; Henry J. Hyde, chairman, and Tom The Office of the Press Secretary also released Lantos, ranking member, House Committee on a Spanish language transcript of these remarks. International Relations; and C.W. Bill Young, chairman, and David R. Obey, ranking member, Statement on Signing the Investor House Committee on Appropriations. and Capital Markets Fee Relief Act January 16, 2002 Remarks to the World Affairs Councils of America Conference Today I signed into law H.R. 1088, the January 16, 2002 Investor and Capital Markets Fee Relief Act. This legislation will provide fee relief to the Well, thank you for that very warm wel- growing number of Americans who have in- come. It’s such a pleasure to be here tonight vested in stocks and bonds to save for their for this gathering. I want to thank the World retirements, their children’s education, and Affairs Council for promoting citizen interest other needs. This legislation will relieve the in global issues, especially an interest in our 50 percent of American households that now own hemisphere and its importance to our own stock, either directly or in pension or country. mutual funds, from the burden of these fees, Eldon, thank you very much for your fine while ensuring that the SEC has sufficient introduction. Back stage he was wondering

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whether or not I could understand his accent. We meet, however, at a time when there I said, ‘‘That’s not the problem. The problem are some who question the path to prosperity is, can you understand mine?’’ [Laughter] I and stability. Some wonder whether free want to thank Jerry Leach, as well. I want market reforms are too painful to continue. to thank the leadership here at the OAS. Some question the fairness of free and open Cesar, thank you very much for your contin- trade, while holding out the false promise of ued hospitality and leadership. It’s good to protectionism. And there’s even greater dan- see my friend Luigi again. I want to thank ger—that some may come to doubt democ- Enrique Iglesias, as well. racy, itself. I want to thank members of my Cabinet Our answer to these questions and doubts who are here, in particular, Mel Martinez, must be clear, and it must be consistent: The the Secretary of Housing and Urban Devel- hopes of all our peoples, everybody who lives opment. Thank you, Mel. I’m pleased to see in this hemisphere, no matter where they Roger Noriega, el Embajador de los Estados live, lie in greater freedom. Free markets and Unidos a la OAS, for being here. Thank you, open trade are the best weapons against pov- Roger. A new member of my team is Otto erty, disease, and tyranny. And democracy is Reich, Assistant Secretary for the Western the nonnegotiable demand of human dignity. Hemisphere. I appreciate Otto being here. The future of this hemisphere depends on And of course, I want to thank the members the strength of three commitments: democ- of my National Security Council who are racy, security, and market-based develop- here, Condi Rice and John Maisto, for their ment. These commitments are inseparable, sound and solid advice. Thank you all for and none will be achieved by half-measures. coming. This road is not always easy, but it’s the only In September of last year, I welcomed my road to stability and prosperity for all the good friend the President of Mexico to the people—all the people—who live in this White House. Standing together on the hemisphere. South Lawn, President Fox and I spoke of Our first commitment is to democracy and building a hemisphere of freedom and pros- political freedom. This is affirmed in the perity and progress. That was 5 days before Democratic Charter of the Americas, which the terrorists attacked the peace and security holds this: Only democracies can be a part of the world, murdering thousands of citizens of our inter-American dialog and system. And from over 80 nations, including almost every these governments cannot be democratic in nation in this hemisphere. name only. Citizens and businesses must Since the attacks, the United States has know that the townhall, the alcaldia, is free received incredible sympathy and support from bribery and cronyism and all forms of from our neighbors and friends. I’ve been corruption. These old attitudes and habits are in close contact with democratic leaders such a form of theft, stealing from people their as Prime Minister Chretien and President money and their trust and their hopes for Fox and President Cardoso, President Lagos a better life. For freedom and prosperity to and President Toledo, to name a few. We’ve come, corruption must go. Freedom—the been talking on a regular basis about our freedom to vote, the freedom to speak your common interests. Democratic leaders mind, the freedom to worship an Almighty throughout the Americas have offered help God, the freedom to own your own prop- and wisdom, friendship, and even peace- erty—is the great idea of our time; it is the keepers, and for that this country is very great idea of all time. And by building gov- grateful. ernments that are more open and honest and The nations of the Western Hemisphere fair, we will make freedom more meaningful are resolved: We refuse to live in fear, so for all our citizens. we will fight terror wherever it is exists. And Our second commitment is to security, se- we’re committed to building a prosperous curity against acts of terror. It is the great and free and democratic hemisphere. Noth- calling of the 21st century. And I can assure ing will distract us; nothing will deter us in you this Nation will not tire; we will not fade; completing this great work. we’ll be resolute in our determination to rout

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out terror wherever it exists—in our neigh- sphere need to strengthen our commitment borhood or neighborhoods around the to market-based reform, not weaken it. world—security against the lawless violence Shortcuts to reform only lead to more trou- of drug cartels and their accomplishments— ble. Half-measures will not halve the pain, accomplices. Our citizens must know that only prolong it. they can exercise their freedoms in security The United States is prepared to help Ar- and in peace. gentina weather this storm. Once Argentina And that is why, for example, the United has committed to a sound and sustainable States, Canada, and Mexico are cooperating economic plan, I will support assistance for in unprecedented ways to build smart bor- Argentina through international financial in- ders for the 21st century that ensure safety stitutions. This assistance can soften the im- for ordinary people and trade and filters out pact of the crisis on the lives of the Argentine terror and drugs. people and help that country return to And that is also why the United States re- growth and prosperity. mains committed to helping nations like Co- Success in the global economy comes to lombia defend her democracy. Colombia and countries that maintain fiscal discipline, open the Andean nations are strengthening law en- their borders to trade, privatize inefficient forcement, reducing illegal crops, and ex- state enterprises, deregulate their domestic panding legitimate business opportunities as markets, and invest in the health and edu- viable alternatives to drug farming and drug cation of their people. And those who prom- trafficking. The United States Congress and ise painless protectionism or security through I recently approved $625 million to support statism assure a bleak and stagnant future for these efforts. America will help all nations their people. in the region in cutting off the supply of drugs. And just as importantly, America will Countries that stay on the hard road of help the nations of the regions by reducing reform are rewarded. Just look at Chile. the demand for drugs within our own bor- Chile has cut its poverty rate in half over ders. the last decade. It has cut its child mortality Our third commitment is to growing and rate by almost two-thirds since 1980. Or stable economies where the benefits of Mexico, that’s withstood the setbacks of the growth are widely shared, economies where midnineties, and its economy has grown by small-business owners and farmers and work- more than 4 percent annually since 1996. ers and investors are all able to build and Costa Rica’s emphasis on education and at- earn their own prosperity. We must foster tracting foreign investment has transformed policies that reward, not punish, entrepre- its economy over the past decade. Costa neurship, work, and creativity. We under- Rica’s exports of computer products are now stand that sustained development depends almost 4 times greater in value than its ba- on market-based economies, on sound mone- nana exports and nearly 8 times greater than tary and fiscal policies, and on freer trade its coffee exports. in our neighborhood. My Nation is no stranger to the difficulties Recent events in Argentina do nothing to of reform and restructuring. A generation change this reality. America is deeply con- ago, our Government made a mistaken and cerned about the difficulties facing our ally failed experiment with wage and price con- and our friend; we’re deeply concerned trols. Later, during the 1970s and 1980s, mil- about the effects of the economy on Argen- lions of our workers were displaced as our tina’s great people. We share ties of com- industries adapted to the demands of a new merce and culture and family. America is global economy. We’ve grown through the hopeful that Argentina will get through these pains of recession, inflation, and unemploy- tough times. ment by strengthening our commitments to It was an encouraging sign that the Presi- markets, by enacting sound monetary and fis- dent, on taking office, expressed a desire to cal policies, and by embracing free trade. In pursue a Free Trade Area of the Americas. the end, each of these challenges made us Argentina and nations throughout our hemi- stronger and more prosperous. With all its

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tests and difficulties, a faith in freedom is I have called upon the World Bank and never disappointed. other development banks to increase the This belief in markets is justified within share of their funding devoted to education. our borders and beyond them. Open trade The Inter-American Development Bank has and investment bring healthy, growing significantly increased this share over the economies and can serve the cause of demo- past year. All the development banks should cratic reform. From the success of NAFTA, keep moving in the direction of making sure we know these are facts, not theories. our neighborhood is well educated. I’ve also Acting on this belief, we went to Doha, urged the World Bank to provide up to 50 and strongly support a new global trade ne- percent of its assistance to the world’s poor- gotiations. In this region, we are acting on est nations in the form of grants rather than a number of fronts. We’re working to build loans, grants for education, for health, for nu- a Free Trade Area of the Americas, and we’re trition, for water supplies, and for sanitation. To this end, my next budget will include determined to complete those negotiations nearly $50 million increase in aid to the by January of 2005. We plan to complete a World Bank programs that assist the poorest free trade agreement with Chile early this countries. If the Bank demonstrates it can year. And once we conclude the agreement, use the funds to achieve measurable results I urge Congress to take it up quickly. And and helps move forward reform, I’m pre- I ask the Senate to schedule a vote, as soon pared to consider requesting increases over as it returns, on renewing and expanding the $100 million in each of my subsequent budg- Andean Trade Preference Act. ets. This would mean that the amount—the Today I announce the United States will annual U.S. contribution to these World explore a free trade agreement with the Bank programs would be 30 percent higher countries of Central America. My administra- than 3 years ago. tion will work closely with Congress toward This hemisphere is on the path of reform, this goal. Our purpose is to strengthen the and our nations travel it together. We share economic ties we already have with these na- a vision, a partnership of strong and equal tions, to reinforce their progress toward eco- and prosperous nations, living and trading in nomic and political and social reform, and freedom. Together, we will defend that vi- to take another step toward completing the sion against lawlessness and violence. We will Free Trade Area of the Americas. assert it against terrorism and protectionism. All of these efforts depend on one thing: Especially in times of adversity, we’ll main- Congress must pass trade promotion author- tain our vision, because it unleashes the pos- ity. The House of Representatives acted. In sibilities of every society and recognizes the the Senate, the Finance Committee has dignity of every person. Together—and I given its strong bipartisan approval. Now it’s mean together—we will build and defend time for the full Senate to approve trade pro- this hemisphere of liberty. motion authority, so I can put it to work for Thank you for coming. the good of America—and all of the Amer- NOTE: The President spoke at 6:30 p.m. in the icas. Hall of the Americas at the Organization of Amer- Markets and trade, development and de- ican States. In his remarks, he referred to Sir mocracy, rely on healthy and educated peo- Eldon Griffiths, chairman, World Affairs Councils ple. Therefore, we are also working to bring of America, who introduced the President; Jerry better health care and greater literacy to the Leach, president, World Affairs Councils of Amer- nations of our hemisphere. The United ica; Cesar Gaviria, Secretary General, and Luigi States’ funding for international basic edu- Einaudi, Assistant Secretary General, Organiza- cation assistance programs this year will be tion of American States; entertainer Enrique Iglesias; Roger Noriega, U.S. Ambassador to the over 45 percent higher than last year. And Organization of American States; President this spring, the first of our regional teacher Vicente Fox of Mexico; Prime Minister Jean training centers will open in Jamaica. Addi- Chretien of Canada; President Fernando tional centers will be operating in South and Henrique Cardoso of Brazil; President Ricardo Central America by year’s end. Lagos of Chile; President Alejandro Toledo of

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Peru; and President Eduardo Alberto Duhalde of tional emergency to include actions of the Argentina. The Office of the Press Secretary also Government of Liberia in support of the released a Spanish language transcript of these re- RUF and prohibited the importation of all marks. rough diamonds from Liberia. Letter to Congressional Leaders on Because the actions and policies of the RUF continue to pose an unusual and ex- Export of Bomb Containment and traordinary threat to the foreign policy of the Disposal Units United States, the national emergency de- January 9, 2002 clared on January 18, 2001, as expanded on May 22, 2001, and the measures adopted on Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) those dates to deal with that emergency must Pursuant to the authority vested in me by continue in effect beyond January 18, 2002. section 902 of the Foreign Relations Author- Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) ization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 (Pub- of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. lic Law 101–246) (the ‘‘Act’’), and as Presi- 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the na- dent of the United States, I hereby report tional emergency with respect to Sierra to the Congress that it is in the national inter- Leone and Liberia. est of the United States to terminate the sus- This notice shall be published in the Fed- pensions under section 902 of the Act insofar eral Register and transmitted to the Con- as such suspensions pertain to the export of gress. bomb containment and disposal units for use in the prevention of terrorist bombings. George W. Bush Sincerely, The White House, George W. Bush January 15, 2002. NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 10:50 a.m., January 16, 2002] and Richard B. Cheney, President of the Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press NOTE: This notice was released by the Office of Secretary on January 17. the Press Secretary on January 17, and it was pub- lished in the Federal Register on January 17. Notice—Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Letter to Congressional Leaders on Sierra Leone and Liberia Continuation of the National January 15, 2002 Emergency With Respect to Sierra Leone and Liberia On January 18, 2001, by Executive Order January 15, 2002 13194, the President declared a national emergency with respect to Sierra Leone pur- Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) suant to the International Emergency Eco- Section 202(d) of the National Emer- nomic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701–1706) to gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for deal with the unusual and extraordinary the automatic termination of a national emer- threat to the foreign policy of the United gency unless, prior to the anniversary date States constituted by the actions and policies of its declaration, the President publishes in of the insurgent Revolutionary United Front the Federal Register and transmits to the (RUF) in Sierra Leone and pursuant to Congress a notice stating that the emergency which the United States imposed a general is to continue in effect beyond the anniver- ban on the direct and indirect importation sary date. In accordance with this provision, of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone to I have sent the enclosed notice, stating that the United States, except those imports con- the Sierra Leone and Liberia emergency is trolled through the Certificate of Origin re- to continue in effect beyond January 18, gime of the Government of Sierra Leone. On 2002, to the Federal Register for publication. May 22, 2001, I issued Executive Order This is the first renewal of the Sierra Leone 13213, which expanded the scope of the na- and Liberia emergency.

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