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8 years ago when you and others exposed your- Line, linked forever with all of those who went selves to considerable risks to stand up for free- before and all of those who will come after. dom here in your own country, following Well, Mr. President, you symbolize the link through with the remarkable people power between our two nations, which is equally as movement of President Aquino, where people strong and will always exist. We are linked by held flowers in the face of tanks and captured our history; we are linked by the populations the imagination of the entire world. that we share, the Americans here, the Filipinos And now, sir, under your leadership we see there. But most of all, we are linked by our the Philippines moving forward, respecting the shared values, our devotion to freedom, to de- dignity, the rights of all people and aggressively mocracy, to prosperity, and to peace. pursuing a modern economic program designed And for that common devotion, I ask all of to bring prosperity to all the tens of millions you to stand and join me in a toast to President of people who call these wonderful islands their and Mrs. Ramos, to all the people of the Phil- home. ippines, to their health, to their prosperity, and You know, President Ramos is a fitting leader to their eternal partnership with the United for this time. We know in America that in States. 1946—he doesn’t look that old—[laughter]—but in 1946, he won the only Filipino scholarship NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 3:40 to the United States Military Academy. I met p.m. in the Ceremonial Room at the Malacanang several others of you who graduated from West Palace. In his remarks, he referred to President Point here today, and all of you know that when Fidel Ramos of the Philippines and his wife, one graduates from West Point, he—and now Amelita; and former Philippine Presidents she—becomes a member of the Long Gray Diosdado Macapagal and Corazon Aquino.

The President’s News Conference With President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines in Manila November 13, 1994

President Ramos. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. and I recognize the value of enhancing the secu- Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today rity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region and President Clinton and I took concrete steps to- reiterated our commitment to the peaceful reso- wards enhancing Philippine-American relations. lution of conflicts. We agreed that only under During our bilateral meeting, I expressed my such conditions can the full economic growth sincere appreciation to President Clinton for the and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region be real- substantial participation of the United States ized. Armed Forces in the commemoration of the I assured President Clinton that the Phil- 50th anniversary of the Leyte landing, 3 weeks ippines will continue to support the peace- ago. keeping initiatives of the United States and the Our meeting this afternoon enabled us to dis- United Nations, as we have recently manifested cuss a wide range of issues with direct import in a dispatch to Haiti of an initial contingent on our bilateral relations and the peace and of 50 international police monitors, or IPM, stability of the Pacific. I acknowledged our debt from this country. And I also congratulated him of gratitude to America’s commitment, to Amer- for the United States role in the series of break- ica’s strength, and to America’s keeping faith through agreements for peace and development with her ideals and values in such areas as Haiti, in the Middle East and in the Korean Peninsula, the Persian Gulf, and the Korean Peninsula. which has lifted our hopes for its eventual We both agreed to build our partnership on denuclearization. the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, I have been assured, in turn, by President reinforced by our common commitment to de- Clinton that they will encourage a higher level mocracy and the rule of law. President Clinton of investments by Americans. I also acknowl-

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edged his government’s support for our bid to We had a very good bilateral discussion in attain newly industrializing country, or NIC, sta- which the President expressed the Philippine tus by the turn of the century. We further position and the interest of the Filipino people agreed to find ways and means to improve our very articulately to me on a very large number two-way trade. The United States continues to of issues. be our number one trading partner, and we I would like to point out in general that over believe that we can greatly expand our trade the last 50 years, the relationship between the by the further lowering of trade barriers. United States and the Philippines has changed, To accelerate trade liberalization, President has grown, has matured, but we are still very Clinton and I agreed on the urgency of the much bound together in ways that I think are ratification of the Uruguay round of the General positive. There are, after all, 100,000 Americans Agreement on Tariffs and Trade by member and more who make their home here perma- countries. I assured him of the Philippines’ com- nently, and in the United States there are about mitment to trade liberalization and investment 11⁄2 million Americans of Philippine ancestry. facilitation, which must be accompanied by con- We admire your democracy, and we have es- ditions of national stability and political will. pecially admired all the things which have been We also agreed that the Asia-Pacific Eco- done in the last 8 years. We have an important nomic Cooperation, or APEC, leaders summit security relationship. You heard the President in Indonesia will be a landmark forum that will talk about the joint exercises. I also was able shape the future course of the economy of the to inform President Ramos that the United entire Asia-Pacific area and, indeed, of the States will be able to supply the Philippine world. Armed Forces with two C–130’s soon and that And we both affirmed the value of the Phil- ippines-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty, or the we will continue to discuss the possibility of MDT, and its contribution to regional security shared equipment to build up the strength and and stability. We agreed that our joint exercises, the security of the Philippine Armed Forces. which are planned by the Mutual Defense We talked about regional security in general, Board, should be continued to ensure the inter- and I want to again thank publicly President operability of military units. Ramos for the support that he has given to I appreciate President Clinton’s effort to help the agreement we have reached in cooperation resolve the longstanding issue of the claims of with the South Koreans and the Japanese with Filipino veterans of World War II with the North Korea, in which North Korea has agreed United States Government. Even as I acknowl- to become a nonnuclear state and to remove edged the concern of leading members of the that threat of the proliferation of weapons of U.S. Congress for the restoration of Filipino vet- mass destruction. I also thanked President erans’ rights. I welcome these assurances that Ramos for the participation of the Philippines the United States will work hand-in-hand with in our remarkable international coalition in the Philippine Government in helping to pro- Haiti. mote the welfare of Amerasians in the Phil- Finally, we discussed our economic relation- ippines. ships. Most of what should be said has already President Clinton and I renewed our commit- been said by President Ramos, but let me say ment to the protection of the environment and that I was deeply impressed when the President the preservation of the world ecological balance. came to the United States and told me that And lastly, I reiterated my appreciation for his new policy was trade, not aid. That’s a wel- the warm welcome, hospitality extended by come message. President Clinton and the American people dur- The United States purchased $5 billion in ing my visit to the United States last year. We products from the Philippines last year. We are look forward to moving Philippines-United the largest investor here. We like being the larg- States partnership to a higher and more mutu- est purchaser and the largest investor. This ally beneficial level in the years to come. morning, the Secretary of State hosted a break- Thank you very much. Salamat. fast which I attended for leading American busi- President Clinton. Thank you very much. ness interests here, and I pledged to the Presi- First, let me thank President Ramos for the dent I would do what I could to increase the warm welcome that the United States delegation interest of the American business community has received here in the Philippines. in investment in the Philippines.

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We both support GATT and hope that both them. And the most recent example is the visit of our legislative bodies will ratify it shortly. here in Manila and later on in the Subic area I am going home when I leave the APEC con- of the ships that went on to participate in the ference to achieve that objective, and I hope Leyte landings. we do. I believe we will. And we are going In regard to the so-called floating depots, we to APEC with a view toward continuing to break really have not seen any official proposal in re- down the barriers to trade and investment. gard to that kind of an arrangement. And we The United States will and must remain en- will, however, be happy to consider this at the gaged in the Pacific region for security reasons level of the working officials, meaning at the and for economic reasons. One-third of our ex- level of the mutual defense board. But by no ports, supporting some 2 million American jobs, means is that a policy right now of the Phil- already go to the Asian-Pacific region. This is ippine Government. a very important thing for us. And the fact that Now, as far as directions that I would like we have the sort of relationship we do and that to see the security relationship between the both of us are now going to Indonesia to try Philippines and the U.S. is concerned, I think to deepen the idea that we should be working I said that on many occasions during the course together across the vast Pacific to support the of this day—I said we would like to be closely prosperity and future of our respective peoples related with the U.S. under our U.S.-Philippine is a very important one indeed. Mutual Defense Treaty which has been in force So for all those reasons, I consider this to since 1951. And under this arrangement, we’re be a successful trip. And again, I thank the able to have combined and joint exercises to President for his kind hospitality and for his test the interoperability of our military units. frank and open and straightforward way of stat- The Philippines derives a great deal of benefit ing the position of the Philippine Government from this kind of an exchange because we get and the Philippine people. to know what are the new technologies in mili- Thank you. tary science. And also, under the treaty, there is a regular mechanism for consultation among Philippine-U.S. Military Cooperation our highest military officials, represented on the Q. Good evening, sirs. My question is for part of the U.S. by the commander in chief President Ramos. Earlier today you applauded of the Pacific, no less, and our chief of staff America’s intention to remain engaged in the of the armed forces. Asia-Pacific region. There has been much talk So we feel that this is a very important rela- lately of U.S. plans for pre-positioning war mate- tionship, and the approach must be based on rial within the territories of strategically located our commitments under the Philippine-U.S. countries such as the Philippines. Even now, Mutual Defense Treaty. reports indicate Manila and Washington are Thank you. looking at a proposed agreement allowing U.S. warships to resupply and to refuel in the Phil- Cooperation With Republican Leaders ippines. Given these developments, in what di- Q. I’d like to ask President Clinton—sir, a rection do you want Philippine-American mili- lot of world leaders are wondering about the tary cooperation to change or to evolve into meaning of Tuesday’s elections. As you go into during your term, or just how active a military APEC and talk with these other world leaders, presence do you want America to have both what will you tell them about the Republican in the Philippines and within ASEAN’s territory takeover of Congress and what that means about in the future? the strength of your administration and the di- President Ramos. Thank you. rection of U.S. foreign policy? First of all, we should distinguish between President Clinton. First, I would say that I the floating depot issue and the lesser issue of don’t expect it to have any impact on our foreign servicing, which includes rewatering, refueling, policy. The Republican House and Senate lead- and minor repairs and also rest and recreation. ers—and I spoke, as you know, before I came— The servicing aspect is already being done, and they expressed their support for this trip and example of this would be the visits last year for our policy generally. The foreign policies of a British—of an American ship, plus other that I have pursued, particularly the mission that ships from other countries. We’re doing this for I’m on now with regard to APEC, have enjoyed

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broad bipartisan support among centrists in both nessed by the Secretary of State, between Fed- parties. And insofar as they have drawn opposi- eral Express and the authorities there to develop tion, they have drawn some opposition again the area in a responsible way. from both parties, particularly in the trade area. So we’re excited by this; we want it to be But I believe that the position of the United a very good thing for you. We have spent some States is certainly just as strong as it ever has money there, we have given some important been. Beyond that, we do not have a parliamen- environmental resources, and we are continuing tary system. The power vested by the Constitu- to work on it. But in the absence of the evi- tion in the President to represent the United dence of some serious problem that we left States in foreign affairs, particularly in areas of untended. I don’t think I can commit at this this kind, is quite clear. moment to further expenditures. But I can tell But the most important thing is, I’m con- you we are continuing to work with the Phil- vinced that what I’m doing is in the interest ippine Government on this, and we will continue of all the American people without regard to to do so. party and is supported by leaders of both parties President Ramos. May I just add by way of in the United States Congress. confirmation, ladies and gentlemen, that I I hope you wear that tie at home sometime brought up the issue during our one-on-one talk when we are having a dark day. [Laughter] with President Clinton, and he readily agreed that at the level of the technical people and Toxic Waste Cleanup the working people, principally in the depart- Q. Good evening. President Clinton, in a ments of foreign affairs, environment, and nat- hearing at the Philippine Senate a few days ago, ural resources, as well as the base authorities, a group of scientists, citing Pentagon reports, that we put all our expertise together about the identified more than 40 sites in Clark and Subic subject, because we have studies on our side, believed to be contaminated with hazardous there are records on the part of the U.S. Gov- wastes. Your Government has offered financial ernment which have not yet been thoroughly assistance and technical support for surveys to collated, so that we will get to the truth of check if there are environmental damages in the matter. And while it may not be just toxic both former U.S. military bases. Is your Govern- waste, we may really be talking here about pol- ment willing to accept moral as well as financial lutants which could have been sourced from responsibility for cleaning up the bases in case many other places in addition to the naval forces these surveys prove that there are toxic wastes in Subic. But anyway, we will get a good effort in Clark and Subic? going together. Thank you. President Clinton. First of all, I’d like to point President Clinton. If I could add just one out that when the United States left Subic Bay, more sentence. President Ramos did bring this we spent about $6 million on cleanup, and we up, and we talked about it in some detail. What left 5,000 acres of virgin tropical forest, which I would like to say is, on a matter like this, was an enormous environmental resource for the I think it is very important not to let the general Philippines. We have, since that time, worked policy pronouncements or the rhetoric outrun very hard to cooperate with the authorities here the facts we have on the case. So we decided about what the condition of Subic Bay is and we should focus on finding the facts now, and each area of the bay. It’s a vast area, as you when we find them, deal then with the facts know. We will continue to do that and to ex- as they are. change information and to work on it. We have no reason to believe at this time Cooperation With Republican Leaders that there is a big problem that we left Q. Mr. President, Newt Gingrich, who is like- untended, first of all. We clearly are not man- ly to be the next Speaker of the House, said dated under any treaty obligations to do more, the other day that he thought on the many but we are concerned. We want Subic Bay to things where he believes he represents the vast be a vast economic resource for the Philippines majority of America there will be no com- in a way that preserves the environmental herit- promise. Cooperation, he said, yes; but com- age of the area. promise, no. Given this, do you expect to be We were very pleased and supportive of the able to work with Republicans, and can you agreement signed, I believe just today, and wit- move far enough toward the center to work

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with them and still not alienate the core con- ticular, American interest is served by a demo- stituency of your own party and perhaps invite cratic government in Asia? a challenger for renomination? And for President Ramos, are you satisfied President Clinton. Well, first of all, I think with the support you are getting from friends that any rational analysis of our position would like the United States on the path of democracy say that’s where we have been. It was not the that you have taken? opposition party, it was the Democrats that re- President Clinton. I want to make sure—my duced the size of the Federal Government and hearing is not the best; I want to make sure reduced the Federal deficit for the first time that I heard the question right. You asked me in a very long time, the Democrats that passed what American interests were served by the ad- a crime bill that had the toughest punishments vance of democracy in Asia. Is that right? of any crime bill in American history. So I think Q. Why you chose the Philippines, chose to we will be in the center. visit the Philippines of all the other countries. There are several specific things that they President Clinton. I chose to come to the have advocated that I have long agreed with. Philippines partly because of the stunning suc- To mention just two, I ran on the line-item cess and resurgence of democracy here in the veto, and I ran on welfare reform. And I pre- last 8 years. I chose to come here because I sented a welfare reform bill to the Congress thought I ought to be here during this period last spring, so I think there will be other areas when we are celebrating the 50th anniversary in which we can work together. I am still look- of the return to freedom of the Philippines. ing for ways—the Vice President and I have And I came here, frankly, because of the rela- had at least three different discussions, two be- tionship I enjoy with your President and my fore and once since the election, about how immense admiration for him and for what he we can carry forward our downsizing the Fed- is trying to do not only in preserving democracy eral Government with the reinventing Govern- and enhancing individual rights but in modern- ment initiative. So I think there will be many izing the Philippine economy and trying to give areas in which we can work together. the people here the kind of prosperity that they Will there be some areas of disagreement? deserve for their hard work, which is legendary Of course there will. What is my standard? My the world over. So those are the three reasons standard is, does it make America stronger or that I came here. weaker to do this? As I said, does it weaken Do I believe that democracy in general ad- our posture abroad in terms of national defense vances the cause and the interest of the United and economic strength? Does it weaken our pos- States? Yes, I do. Democracies are highly un- ture at home in terms of building stronger fami- likely to go to war with each other. They are lies, better schools, more high-wage jobs, and more likely to keep their word to each other. safer streets? That is my standard. Insofar as They are more likely to see their future great- I can work with them, I will do my best to ness in terms of developing the human potential do it. of their people rather than building walls around But my job as President is to make America their country, either economic walls or military strong and make the working people of the walls. country who voice their frustrations, their anxi- No democracies are perfect. All democracies eties, their uncertainties, more secure and make have their ups and downs. But on balance, the sure their children’s future is better. That will world has been much better served by the be what guides me, not the politics of the mat- march of democracy. And the United States is ter but what makes America strong. more secure when there are more democracies. Our national defense interests are threatened Democratic Governments in Asia less; our economic interests are enhanced more. Q. My first question is for President Clinton. So that is why I intend to continue to push The second question will be for President this throughout the world. Ramos. President Clinton, some political analysts President Ramos. I may just make two points read your Manila visit as a statement of support very clear. First of all, we are trying to achieve to democracy in view of the authoritarian gov- economic and social reform in this country ernments of other Eastern countries. Do they under a democratic framework. While this may read you right? If so, what global and, in par- be a little more time consuming and may re-

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quire a little more patience than other systems, the cases that you mentioned, human rights has we feel we are on the right track. And we are been discussed in every meeting I’ve had and now seeing the initial fruits of that devotion will be discussed in these meetings. It’s an im- to the rule of laws, to people power, and to portant interest of the United States. We are the overall democratic system. engaging these countries in many, many areas, Secondly, I think no one can ignore the fact across a broad range of areas. And human rights that over the last 20 years, there are now more is too important, particularly now, to pass by democracies functioning in Asia-Pacific, our re- us. So it will be a point of discussion in those gion, than there were two decades ago. And bilateral meetings. so, to me, this is the right track. And the Phil- Press Secretary Myers. That concludes the ippines is following precisely that way to its po- press conference. Thank you very much. litical, social, economic, and cultural develop- President Clinton. Thank you. ment. President Ramos. Thank you. Ladies and gen- Human Rights tlemen, permit me to make a small presentation to President Clinton, since he stayed for such Q. Mr. President, it’s clear that security and a short while and could not play golf in our trade will be among the issues discussed at the Malacanang Golf Club. APEC conference, but there is some speculation at this point that perhaps human rights will not [At this point, President Clinton was presented come up. Specifically, do you intend on dis- with a hat.] cussing human rights with China and Indonesia? President Clinton. Absolutely. Let me make President Clinton. You owe me a golf game. a distinction here between the APEC con- Thank you. ference itself, the purpose of which by the very name of the group is economic cooperation, and NOTE: The President’s 79th news conference the bilateral meetings that I will have with the began at 6:20 p.m. in Kalayaan Hall at Malacanang leaders of the individual countries. And in both Palace.

The President’s News Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia November 14, 1994

The President. Good afternoon. I’m very glad toric step to freeze and, ultimately, to end the to be here in Indonesia for this APEC meeting. greatest security threat in this region. As I said before I left the United States, I Prime Minister Murayama of Japan and South am here because this opportunity for me to Korean President Kim agreed that we must meet with leaders throughout this region can maintain our close cooperation as we begin to lead to more economic opportunities for Ameri- implement the agreement. And the three of us cans and a reduced threat of nuclear prolifera- plan to meet briefly again later this evening tion. to follow up on our earlier conversations. Today I had the opportunity to meet with In all my meetings today I made it clear that President Jiang Zemin of China, Prime Minister the fundamental interests of the United States Murayama of Japan, Prime Minister Keating of in the Pacific remain unchanged. And each of Australia, and President Kim of South Korea. the leaders welcomed the assurance that the The most important topic of our conversations United States will continue to exercise active was the situation on the Korean Peninsula. All leadership in the region. the leaders indicated their strong support for In each of the meetings today there was also the agreement we reached with North Korea strong agreement that the early ratification of to freeze and then to dismantle its ability to GATT would be absolutely essential to maintain- build nuclear weapons. All agreed on the impor- ing a climate that promotes global economic tance of resuming the dialog between North growth and expanding trade. I told each of the and South Korea. This agreement marks an his- leaders that I would do everything I could to

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