Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, January 26, 1998 Volume 34—Number 4 Pages 85–126

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Addresses and Remarks Joint Statements See also Meetings With Foreign Leaders Charter of Partnership Among the United Baltic-U.S. charter, signing ceremony—85 States of America and the Republic of Cardozo High School volunteers—94 Estonia, Republic of Latvia, and Republic Congressional Medal of Honor, of Lithuania—87 presentation—96 Democratic National Committee dinner—98 Letters and Messages Middle East peace process—123 Lunar New Year, message—95 Radio address—91 Roe v. Wade, 25th anniversary—124 Meetings With Foreign Leaders White House Endowment dinner—122 Estonia, President Meri—85, 87 Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu—95 Appointments and Nominations Latvia, President Ulmanis—85, 87 Lithuania, President Brazauskas—85, 87 National Bipartisan Commission on the Palestinian Authority, Chairman Arafat—123 Future of Medicare, Chairman, statement— 91 Notices Continuation of Emergency Regarding Communications to Congress Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Albania, letter transmitting report—122 Middle East Process—121 Middle East peace process, continuation of Statements by the President emergency regarding terrorists, letter transmitting notice—122 See also Appointments and Nominations Mongolia, letter transmitting report—104 Apprehension of Goran Jelisic—125 Representative Louis Stokes’ decision not to seek reelection—92 Interviews With the News Media Special Advisory Committee to the Secretary Exchanges with reporters of State on Religious Freedom Abroad, Cardozo High School—93 interim report—125 Oval Office—95, 123 Interviews Supplementary Materials Jim Lehrer of the PBS ‘‘News Hour’’—104 Acts approved by the President—126 Mara Liasson and Robert Siegel of National Checklist of White House press releases—126 Public Radio—116 Digest of other White House Morton Kondrake and Ed Henry of Roll announcements—125 Call, excerpt—115 Nominations submitted to the Senate—126

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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Remarks at the Signing Ceremony moting harmony and human dignity within for the Baltic Nations-United States our societies; it stresses our interest in close Charter of Partnership cooperation among the Baltic States and with January 16, 1998 all their neighbors; it launches new working groups on economic development to spur The President. President Meri; President greater trade, investment, and growth, com- Brazauskas; President Ulmanis; members of plementing the efforts of our European the Estonian, Lithuanian, and Latvian dele- friends; and it furthers America’s commit- gations; Secretary Albright; Mr. Berger; ment to help Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia Members of Congress; Senator Dole; Mr. to deepen their integration and prepare for Brzezinski; and all friends of the Baltic na- membership in the European Union and tions who are here. NATO. The Vice President and I and our adminis- Of course, there can be no guarantees of tration were honored to welcome President admission to the alliance. Only NATO’s lead- Meri, President Brazauskas, and President ers, operating by consensus, can offer mem- Ulmanis to Washington to reaffirm our com- bership to an aspiring state. But America’s mon vision of a Europe whole and free, security is tied to Europe, and Europe will where Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia play never be fully secure if Baltic security is in their full and rightful roles, and to sign a doubt. NATO’s door is and will remain open charter of partnership to build that Europe to every partner nation, and America is deter- together. mined to create the conditions under which To the three Presidents, let me say thank Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia can one day you. Thank you for the key role you have walk through that door. played in making this moment possible; hold- The hopes that fuel the goals of this char- ing to the difficult path of political and eco- ter must be matched by our will to achieve nomic reform; leading Estonia, Latvia, and them. That’s why we’re forming a new part- Lithuania back to the community of free na- nership commission which Deputy Secretary tions where they belong. This charter of part- of State Strobe Talbott will chair. I’m pleased nership underscores how far your nations to report that the charter is making a dif- have come. Almost exactly 7 years ago today, ference already. Yesterday our nations signed Baltic citizens were facing down tanks in the treaties to eliminate double taxation, which struggle to reclaim their independence. will encourage American business to play an Today, your democracies have taken root. even greater role in Baltic prosperity. We’re You stand among Europe’s fastest growing also expanding our common efforts to com- economies. Your nations are a source of sta- bat organized crime with better information- bility within your region and beyond, through sharing and more joint operations. the Partnership For Peace, the Baltic Peace- And this year the United States, in a keeping Battalion, and your contributions in unique public-private partnership with the Bosnia. Soros Open Society Institute, will be creating America has been proud to support this a Baltic-American partnership fund to pro- progress through our SEED assistance pro- mote the development of civic organizations. gram, more than 500 Peace Corps volun- Nothing is more crucial to democracy’s suc- teers, and in many other ways. We share a cess than a vibrant network of local groups stake in your success. And with this charter, committed to their communities and their we set out a framework to achieve our com- nation. I want to thank George Soros for his mon goals. It affirms our commitment to pro- visionary generosity.

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I also want to say a special thanks to the framework that promotes the furtherance of Baltic-American communities. For 50 years, bilateral and multilateral cooperation, recip- Lithuanian-, Latvian-, and Estonian-Ameri- rocal support to the Euro-Atlantic integra- cans kept alive the dream of Baltic freedom. tion, and common efforts designed for the Now, on the verge of a new century, they consolidation of security, prosperity, and sta- are working here at home and with their Bal- bility within the region and Euro-Atlantic tic brothers and sisters to make sure the area as the whole. hard-won blessings of liberty will never be The U.S.-Baltic charter confirms repeat- lost again. edly that Lithuania is a serious candidate for President Meri, President Brazauskas, accession to NATO, as well as that the Unit- President Ulmanis, we recall the August day ed States support the Baltic States’ aspira- in 1989 when hundreds of thousands of peo- tions and their efforts to become members ple linked hands from Tallinn to Riga to of the alliance. Vilnius, forming a human chain as strong as Lithuania values the charter first and fore- the values for which it stood. Today, that Bal- most as the commitment to its further role tic chain extends across the Atlantic Ocean. as the promoter of stability within our region America’s hands and hearts and hopes are and Europe as a whole, its commitment to joined as one with yours. Working together, progress, economic reforms, and further en- we can build a new Europe of democracy, hancement of defense system effectiveness prosperity, and peace, where security is the and interoperability with the North Atlantic province of every nation and the future be- alliance. We appreciate and are supportive longs to the free. of President Clinton’s and the U.S. role of Thank you very much. leadership in opening up to Central Euro- President Guntis Ulmanis of Latvia. pean democracies the doors to history’s most Dear President, ladies and gentlemen, today successful alliance. It is our hope that this is a happy day as we are signing the U.S.A.- openness to new members will enhance the Baltic charter. This charter will serve as a security and stability for all the present and key for the next century. It makes us allies. aspiring members, as well as other European Our signatures write the strategic philosophy nations. for the next century. They mark strong Thank you. Atlanticism and also the formation of a new President Lennart Meri of Estonia. Mr. Europe. The Baltic region is a success story President, Excellencies, ladies and gentle- for all who shape it by their everyday work. men, today is an historic day in the history I call on President Clinton and his admin- of our four nations. With the signing of the istration to get actively involved in the forma- charter of partnership among the United tion of its future. The symbolic meaning of States of America and the Republic of Esto- the charter has been expressed in its first nia, the Republic of Latvia, and the Republic words, which speak about our common vision of Lithuania, we enter a new phase of even of the future. It has been created by people closer United States-Baltic relations. of our countries in continuous work by mu- Seventy-five years ago last summer, the tual enrichment. I am proud of my people United States and Estonia—[inaudible]— and its strengths. I am proud of my friends diplomatic relations, thus launching a special who I am happy to welcome here. relationship based in mutual respect and Thank you. trust. There is an old saying that one recog- President Algirdas Brazauskas of Lith- nizes a true friend in times of need. With uania. Dear Presidents, ladies and gentle- its bipartisan support for nonrecognition pol- men, today we are signing the particularly icy, America was a true friend of the Baltics important document with the United States in a time of need, acting as a beacon of hope of America, with which we not only share throughout the long, dark, and cold years of common values but are also linked by a num- the Soviet occupation. ber of American Lithuanians who have found You, Mr. President, were a true friend home in the United States. The charter of when, 4 years ago, you personally contrib- partnership establishes the institutional uted to making sure that occupation would

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end and the foreign troops were withdrawn. NOTE: The President spoke at 2:45 p.m. in the This principled behavior is one quality of East Room at the White House. In his remarks, United States foreign policy that we greatly he referred to former Senator Bob Dole; former admire. The fact that morals play a major National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski; and philanthropist George Soros, chairman, Soros role in Americans’ foreign policy is what de- Fund Management, LCC. He also referred to the fines the United States as the world’s remain- Support for East European Democracy (SEED) ing superpower. Program. This item was not received in time for Estonia sees the United States-Baltic char- publication in the appropriate issue. ter as the latest expression of that principled approach. The charter recognizes the Baltic States’ role in the American strategy to guar- A Charter of Partnership Among the antee security and stability on the European United States of America and the Continent, and spells out that the United Republic of Estonia, Republic of States has a real, profound, and enduring in- Latvia, and Republic of Lithuania terest in the security and sovereignty of the January 16, 1998 Baltic States. Preamble An important element in our security strat- egy is eventual full membership in NATO. The United States of America, the Repub- We believe that NATO continues to be the lic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, and sole guarantor of security and stability in Eu- the Republic of Lithuania, hereafter referred rope. Estonia applauds President Clinton for to as Partners. his leadership in starting the process of Sharing a common vision of a peaceful and NATO enlargement which has already rede- increasingly integrated Europe, free of divi- fined the terms of security policy in Europe. sions, dedicated to democracy, the rule of law, free markets, and respect for the human Estonia also understands that NATO en- rights and fundamental freedoms of all peo- largement through the Baltics will be the ple; next big project of the alliance. We believe Recognizing the historic opportunity to that the question of Baltic membership in build a new Europe, in which each state is NATO will become the real test of post-Ma- secure in its internationally-recognized bor- drid security thinking—that is, that countries ders and respects the independence and ter- shall be able to choose their security arrange- ritorial integrity of all members of the trans- ments regardless of geography. We are con- atlantic community; fident that, with American leadership, this Determined to strengthen their bilateral test will be met with success. relations as a contribution to building this Thank you. new Europe, and to enhance the security of The President. I thank you all. We are all states through the adaptation and enlarge- now going to sign our charter. Before we do, ment of European and transatlantic institu- I just want to say again how much I appre- tions; ciate all of our guests coming here, all from Committed to the full development of the three nations, their American counter- human potential within just and inclusive so- parts. And thank you, Senator Durbin, Con- cieties attentive to the promotion of harmo- gresswoman Pelosi, Congressman Shimkus, nious and equitable relations among individ- Congressman Kucinich. Thank you, Senator uals belonging to diverse ethnic and religious Dole and Mr. Brzezinski. groups; And I’d also like to point out—I didn’t ear- Avowing a common interest in developing lier—we have a very large, unusually large, cooperative, mutually respectful relations representation from the diplomatic corps with all other states in the region; here, which is a tribute to the importance Recalling the friendly relations that have of this moment that the rest of the world been continuously maintained between the community attaches to it. And I thank all the United States of America and the Republic ambassadors who are here. Thank you all of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, and the very much for your presence. Republic of Lithuania since 1922;

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Further recalling that the United States of The Partners underscore their shared America never recognized the forcible incor- commitment to the principles and obligations poration of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania contained in the United Nations Charter. into the USSR in 1940 but rather regards The Partners reaffirm their shared com- their statehood as uninterrupted since the es- mitment to the purposes, principles, and pro- tablishment of their independence, a policy visions of the Helsinki Final Act and subse- which the United States has restated continu- quent OSCE documents, including the Char- ously for five decades; ter of Paris and the documents adopted at Celebrating the rich contributions that im- the Lisbon OSCE Summit. migrants from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania The Partners will observe in good faith have made to the multi-ethnic culture of the their commitments to promote and respect United States of America, as well as the Eu- the standards for human rights embodied in ropean heritage enjoyed by the United States the above-mentioned Organization for Secu- as a beneficiary of the contributions of intel- rity and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) doc- lectuals, artists, and Hanseatic traders from uments and in the Universal Declaration on the Baltic states to the development of Eu- Human Rights. They will implement their rope; praising the contributions of U.S. citi- legislation protecting such human rights fully zens to the liberation and rebuilding of Esto- and equitably. nia, Latvia and Lithuania. The United States of America commends Affirm as a political commitment declared the measures taken by Estonia, Latvia, and at the highest level, the following principles Lithuania to advance the integration of Eu- and procedures to guide their individual and rope by establishing close cooperative rela- tions among themselves and with their neigh- joint efforts to achieve the goals of this Char- bors, as well as their promotion of regional ter. cooperation through their participation in fora such as the Baltic Assembly, Baltic Principles of Partnership Council of Ministers, and the Council of Bal- The United States of America has a real, tic Sea States. profound and enduring interest in the inde- Viewing good neighborly relations as fun- pendence, sovereignty, and territorial integ- damental to overall security and stability in rity, and security of Estonia, Latvia, and Lith- the transatlantic community, Estonia, Latvia, uania. and Lithuania reaffirm their determination The United States of America warmly wel- to further enhance bilateral relations be- comes the success of Estonia, Latvia, and tween themselves and with other neighbor- Lithuania in regaining their freedom and re- ing states. suming their rightful places in the commu- The Partners will intensify their efforts to nity of nations. promote the security, prosperity, and stability The United States of America respects the of the region. The Partners will draw on the sacrifices and hardships undertaken by the points noted below in focusing their efforts people of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to to deepen the integration of the Baltic states re-establish their independence. It encour- into transatlantic and European institutions, ages efforts by these states to continue to ex- promote cooperation in security and defense, pand their political, economic, security, and and develop the economies of Estonia, Lat- social ties with other nations as full members via, and Lithuania. of the transatlantic community. The Partners affirm their commitment to A Commitment to Integration the rule of law as a foundation for a trans- As part of a common vision of a Europe atlantic community of free and democratic whole and free, the Partners declare that nations, and to the responsibility of all just their shared goal is the full integration of Es- societies to protect and respect the human tonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into European rights and civil liberties of all individuals re- and transatlantic political, economic, security siding within their territories. and defense institutions. Europe will not be

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fully secure unless Estonia, Latvia, and Lith- The Partners believe that the enlargement uania each are secure. of NATO will enhance the security of the The Partners reaffirm their commitment United States, Canada, and all the countries to the principle, established in the Helsinki in Europe, including those states not imme- Final Act, repeated in the Budapest and Lis- diately invited to membership or not cur- bon OSCE summit declarations, and also rently interested in membership. contained in the OSCE Code of Conduct on The United States of America welcomes Politico-Military Aspects of Security, that the the aspirations and supports the efforts of Es- security of all states in the Euro-Atlantic tonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to join NATO. community is indivisible. It affirms its view that NATO’s partners can The Partners further share a commitment become members as each aspirant proves it- to the core principle, also articulated in the self able and willing to assume the respon- OSCE Code of Conduct and reiterated in sibilities and obligations of membership, and subsequent OSCE summit declarations, that as NATO determines that the inclusion of each state has the inherent right to individual these nations would serve European stability and collective self-defense as well as the right and the strategic interests of the Alliance. freely to choose its own security arrange- The United States of America reiterates ments, including treaties of alliance. its view that the enlargement of NATO is The Partners support the vital role being an on-going process. It looks forward to fu- played by a number of complementary insti- ture enlargements, and remains convinced that not only will NATO’s door remain open tutions and bodies—including the OSCE, to new members, but that the first countries the European Union (EU), the West Euro- invited to membership will not be the last. pean Union (WEU) the North Atlantic Trea- No non-NATO country has a veto over Alli- ty Organization (NATO), the Euro-Atlantic ance decisions. The United States notes the Partnership Council (EAPC), the Council of Alliance is prepared to strengthen its con- Europe (COE), and the Council of Baltic Sea sultations with aspirant countries on the full States (CBSS)—in achieving the partners’ range of issues related to possible NATO shared goal of an integrated, secure, and un- membership. divided Europe. The Partners welcome the results of the They believe that, irrespective of factors Madrid Summit. They support the Alliance’s related to history or geography, such institu- commitment to an open door policy and wel- tions should be open to all European democ- come the Alliance’s recognition of the Baltic racies willing and able to shoulder the re- states as aspiring members of NATO. Esto- sponsibilities and obligations of membership, nia, Latvia, and Lithuania pledge to deepen as determined by those institutions. their close relations with the Alliance The Partners welcome a strong and vibrant through the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Coun- OSCE dedicated to promoting democratic cil, the Partnership for Peace, and the inten- institutions, human rights, and fundamental sified dialogue process. freedoms. They strongly support the OSCE’s The Partners underscore their interest in role as a mechanism to prevent, manage, and Russia’s democratic and stable development resolve conflicts and crises. and support a strengthened NATO-Russia Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania each reaf- relationship as a core element of their shared firm their goal to become full members of vision of a new and peaceful Europe. They all European and transatlantic institutions, welcome the signing of the NATO-Russia including the European Union and NATO. Founding Act and the NATO-Ukraine Char- The United States of America recalls its ter, both of which further improve European longstanding support for the enlargement of security. the EU, affirming it as a core institution in the new Europe and declaring that a strong- Security Cooperation er, larger, and outward-looking European The Partners will consult together, as well Union will further security and prosperity for as with other countries, in the event that a all of Europe. Partner perceives that its territorial integrity,

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independence, or security is threatened or omy, based on the principles of free move- at risk. The Partners will use bilateral and ment of people, goods, capital and services. multilateral mechanisms for such consulta- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania underscore tions. their commitment to continue market-ori- The United States welcomes and appre- ented economic reforms and to express their ciates the contributions that Estonia, Latvia, resolve to achieve full integration into global and Lithuania have already made to Euro- economic bodies, such as the World Trade pean security through the peaceful restora- Organization (WTO) while creating condi- tion of independence and their active partici- tions for smoothly acceding to the European pation in the Partnership for Peace. The Union. United States also welcomes their contribu- Noting this objective, the United States of tions to IFOR, SFOR, and other inter- America will work to facilitate the integration national peacekeeping missions. of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with the Building on the existing cooperation world economy and appropriate international among their respective ministries of defense economic organizations, in particular the and armed forces, the United States of Amer- WTO and the Organization for Economic ica supports the efforts of Estonia, Latvia, Cooperation and Development (OECD), on and Lithuania to provide for their legitimate defense needs, including development of ap- appropriate commercial terms. propriate and interoperable military forces. The Partners will work individually and to- The Partners welcome the establishment gether to develop legal and financial condi- of the Baltic Security Assistance Group tions in their countries conducive to inter- (BALTSEA) as an effective body for inter- national investment. Estonia, Latvia, and national coordination of security assistance to Lithuania welcome U.S. investment in their Estonia’s, Latvia’s and Lithuania’s defense economies. forces. The Partners will continue to strive for The Partners will cooperate further in the mutually advantageous economic relations development and expansion of defense initia- building on the principles of equality and tives such as the Baltic Peacekeeping Battal- non-discrimination to create the conditions ion (BaltBat), the Baltic Squadron (Baltron), necessary for such cooperation. and the Baltic airspace management regime The Partners will commence regular con- (BaltNet), which provide a tangible dem- sultations to further cooperation and provide onstration of practical cooperation enhancing for regular assessment of progress in the the common security of Estonia, Latvia, and areas of economic development, trade, in- Lithuania, and the transatlantic community. vestment, and related fields. These consulta- The Partners intend to continue mutually tions will be chaired at the appropriately high beneficial military cooperation and will main- level. tain regular consultations, using the estab- Recognizing that combating international lished Bilateral Working Group on Defense organized crime requires a multilateral ef- and Military Relations. fort, the partners agree to cooperate fully in the fight against this threat to the world econ- Economic Cooperation omy and political stability. Estonia, Latvia, The Partners affirm their commitment to and Lithuania remain committed to develop- free market mechanisms as the best means ing sound legislation in this field and to en- to meet the material needs of their people. hance the implementation of this legislation The United States of America commends through the strengthening of a fair and well- the substantial progress its Baltic Partners functioning judicial system. have made to implement economic reform and development and their transition to free market economies. The U.S.-Baltic Relationship Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania emphasize In all of these spheres of common endeav- their intention to deepen their economic in- or, the Partners, building on their shared his- tegration with Europe and the global econ- tory of friendship and cooperation, solemnly

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reaffirm their commitment to a rich and dy- Senator John Breaux (D–LA) as Chairman namic Baltic-American partnership for the of the National Bipartisan Commission on 21st century. the Future of Medicare. The Partners view their partnership in the In addition, I am grateful that Representa- areas of political, economic, security, de- tive Bill Thomas (R–CA) has agreed to be- fense, cultural, and environmental affairs as come Administrative Chair, working with the contributing to closer ties between their peo- Chairman on this important Commission. ple and facilitating the full integration of Es- Over the past 5 years, we have strength- tonia, Latvia and Lithuania into European ened and modernized the Medicare system and transatlantic structures. by providing Americans with more choice In order to further strengthen these ties, and preventative care, reducing fraud and the Partners will establish a Partnership waste within the system, and extending the Commission chaired at the appropriately life of the Trust Fund for more than a dec- high level to evaluate common efforts. This ade. Commission will meet once a year or as Despite these advances, there is more needed to take stock of the Partnership, as- work to do to ensure that Medicare stays sess results of bilateral consultations on eco- strong and solvent for the generations to nomic, military and other areas, and review come. progress achieved towards meeting the goals I look forward to working with the Com- of this Charter. mission and to receiving their analysis of and In order to better reflect changes in the recommendations for the future challenges European and transatlantic political and se- facing the Medicare program. curity environment, signing Partners are NOTE: This item was not received in time for pub- committed regularly at the highest level to lication in the appropriate issue. review this agreement. The President’s Radio Address William J. Clinton Lennart Meri President President January 17, 1998 United States of America Republic of Estonia Good morning. Today I want to talk about the steps we must take to protect our chil- Guntis Ulmanis Algirdas Brazauskas President President dren and the public health from one of the Republic of Latvia Republic of Lithuania greatest threats they face—tobacco. For years, tobacco companies have sworn they do not market their deadly products to children, Washington D.C., but this week disturbing documents came to January 16, 1998 light that confirm our worst suspicions. NOTE: An original was not available for verifica- For years one of our Nation’s biggest to- tion of the content of this agreement. This item bacco companies appears to have singled out was not received in time for publication in the our children, carefully studying their habits appropriate issue. and pursuing a marketing strategy designed to prey on their insecurities in order to get them to smoke. Statement on the Appointment of Let me read you two of the most startling Senator John Breaux as Chairman of lines from an internal tobacco company pres- the National Bipartisan Commission entation proposing a marketing campaign on the Future of Medicare targeted at children as young as 14. Quote, January 16, 1998 ‘‘Our strategy becomes clear: direct advertis- ing appeal to younger smokers.’’ Younger smokers, this document says also, and I I am pleased to join with Senate Majority quote, ‘‘represent tomorrow’s cigarette busi- Leader Trent Lott and House Speaker Newt ness.’’ The message of these documents is Gingrich in announcing the appointment of all too clear: Marketing to children sells cigarettes.

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Today I want to send a very different mes- all across our country to focus public atten- sage to those who would endanger our chil- tion on the issue. dren: Young people are not the future of the In a few weeks, my balanced budget pro- tobacco industry; they are the future of posal will make specific recommendations on America. And we must take immediate, deci- how much the tobacco industry should pay sive action to protect them. and how we can best use those funds to pro- We know that every day 3,000 young peo- tect the public health and our children. ple will start smoking and 1,000 of them will Today I want to let Members of Congress die prematurely due to tobacco-related dis- know that our administration will sit down ease. We know that 90 percent of adults who with them anytime, anywhere to work out smoke—90 percent—began using tobacco bipartisan legislation. before the age of 18. That is why, starting Reducing teen smoking has always been in 1995, we launched a historic nationwide American’s bottom line and always our ad- effort with the FDA to stop our children ministration’s bottom line. But to make it the from smoking before they start, reducing tobacco industry’s bottom line, we have to their access to tobacco products and severely have legislation. This is not about politics. restricting tobacco companies from advertis- This is not about money. It is about our chil- ing to young people. The balanced budget dren. agreement I signed into law last summer in- The 1998 Congress should be remem- cludes a $24 billion children’s health initia- bered as the Congress that passed com- tive, providing health coverage to up to 5 mil- prehensive tobacco legislation, not the Con- lion uninsured children, paid for by tobacco gress that passed up this historic opportunity taxes. to protect our children and our future. But even these efforts are not enough to Thanks for listening. fully protect our children from the dangers of smoking. To do that we need comprehen- NOTE: The address was recorded at 10:50 a.m. sive, bipartisan legislation. Last September I on January 16 in the Oval Office at the White proposed five key elements that must be at House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 17. the heart of that legislation. First, and most important, it must mandate the development of a comprehensive plan to reduce teen smoking with tough penalties for companies Statement on Representative Louis that don’t comply. Second, it must affirm the Stokes’ Decision Not To Seek FDA’s full authority to regulate tobacco Reelection products. Third, it must include measures to January 18, 1998 hold the tobacco industry accountable, espe- cially for marketing tobacco to children. Throughout his illustrious career in the Fourth, it must include concrete measures United States Congress, Representative to improve the public health, from reducing Louis Stokes has been a champion of Ameri- secondhand smoke to expanding smoking ca’s finest values. He has worked tirelessly cessation programs to funding medical re- to better the lives of our children and our search on the effects of tobacco. And finally, veterans and has stood steadfast in an effort it must protect tobacco farmers and their to bring our country together amid all of our communities from the loss of income caused diversity to build a stronger community. by our efforts to reduce smoking by young Representative Stokes has been a true ad- people. vocate for the people of Cleveland and for If Congress sends me a bill that mandates all Americans who support giving people the those steps, I will sign it. My administration tools they need to make the most of their will do all it can to ensure that Congress own lives. He has served our country from passes this legislation. In September I asked the bottom of his heart, and his retirement the Vice President to build bipartisan support after three decades of dedicated service will for the legislation, and he has held forums be a loss felt by all.

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Exchange With Reporters at Cardozo been working on it all morning; that’s why High School I’m a little late here today. I’m going to be January 19, 1998 prepared to reach out a hand in cooperation to both the Prime Minister and to Mr. Arafat Paula Jones Lawsuit and we’ll see what happens. But I’ve got high Q. Mr. President, according to Ambas- hopes. I’ve worked hard on it. The United sador Seitz, the British believe that Jean Ken- States, I think, is viewed rightly as a country nedy Smith passed along intelligence infor- that just wants a just, stable, and lasting mation to the IRA. Does that concern you, peace. And we’re all going to have to make sir? some moves if we’re going to get there. But On another subject—[laughter]—sir, I I’m looking forward to this meeting. didn’t hear, I’m sorry, I’m getting hard of hearing. Well, on another subject, after Sat- Participation in Community Service urday are you persuaded you may prevail if Q. When was the last time you painted the Jones case actually does go to trial? a wall, sir? The President. You know, the judge asked The President. Not very long ago. This us not to talk about it, and I think at least is the third painting project I’ve done with somebody involved in it ought to follow her the national service—with the AmeriCorps instructions. people. But we really wanted to emphasize Q. You mean the judge’s gag order, sir? Martin Luther King’s birthday as a day of The President. Mr. Bennett will say any- service, a day on, not a day off. And I want thing that I have to say about that. to thank the people from the DC school sys- tem and the city government and General Attack on U.S. Citizens in Guatemala Becton and the others. This is encouraging, Q. Did you see that Seitz story, sir, the to have all these young people out here. And Ambassador Seitz book? all over America there are young people You’ve seen the news from Guatemala. Is working today, tens of thousands of them. there anything the United States can do to That’s the image of our young people I’d like safeguard U.S. citizens down there? for the rest of America to see, and I hope The President. Well, first of all, it’s a ter- that they will inspire more people of all ages rible thing what happened with that. I have to get involved in community service. a lot of concerns, obviously, for the victims Q. Thank you. and their families. But we’re persuaded that The President. You guys need to give Sam the Government is taking appropriate action. his cuts; he didn’t have to work hard today. And it is—where they were, you know, there [Laughter] had been some difficulties. But I think that the Government is doing what it can, and Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith we’ve been in touch with them. The main Q. Sir, could you look into that Smith thing we need to do now is be concerned thing? with the victims and their families and do The President. Yes, I will. I will. whatever we can to minimize such things happening in the future. Participation in Community Service Middle East Peace Process Q. Mr. President, how much painting ex- Q. Are you discouraged about the advance perience do you have? word that Prime Minister Netanyahu may The President. When I was a younger not have anything to say that would advance man, I did quite a bit of it. the peace process? Q. For who? The President. Well, I’m looking forward The President. For myself. That’s the ad- to the meeting. I’m committed to making it vantage when you elect a real middle class a success. I’m going to do my part, and I President—you get people who’ve had to do just want us to have constructive relations things like this in life. where we can move this forward. And I’ve Q. What’s the shirt mean, Mr. President?

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The President. It’s just a shirt my daugh- Clinton and Gore in America—just the peo- ter gave me. ple whose last name is Clinton and Gore in Q. And the numbers on the back? America—would put in two hours a week, The President. I’m not sure. I have no they could paint every classroom and every idea. I hope it’s not something embarrassing; public high school in America by Martin Lu- I don’t have a clue. [Laughter] ther King’s next birthday. Now, that gives you an idea of what we NOTE: The President spoke at 11:55 a.m. in room 306 at the school. In his remarks, he referred to can do if we serve and work together. That’s U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright; Robert why I have invested so much in AmeriCorps, S. Bennett, the President’s attorney in the Paula our national service program that I’m so Jones case; Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu proud of. And all of you who are involved of Israel; Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestin- in the program, let me thank you from the ian Authority; Gen. Julius Becton, USA (Ret.), su- bottom of my heart. I hope that you’re get- perintendent, District of Columbia public schools; ting a lot out of it. I know the AmeriCorps and Sam Donaldson, ABC News White House volunteers I painted with today made me feel correspondent. A reporter referred to Raymond G.H. Seitz, former U.S. Ambassador to the United proud that we started this. Kingdom. A tape was not available for verification That’s why I have strongly supported, of the content of this exchange. along with all the former Presidents, General Colin Powell and the Presidents’ Summit on Service and the work that he is doing and Remarks to Volunteers at Cardozo that tens of thousands of people across Amer- High School ica are doing to give all of our children a January 19, 1998 good chance in life. But finally let me say that this country will The President. Thank you. Are you having never be all that it can be and your future a good day? Audience members. Yes! will never be all that it can be unless we de- The President. Me, too. I want to thank cide we’re going to build that future together. Mr. Ballard, the principal, and I want to say We will never be able to bridge the racial a special word of appreciation to the officials and other divides in this country unless we who are here with me today: first, the head decide we’re not only going to work together of the Corporation for National Service, Har- and learn together but we’re going to serve ris Wofford; DC City Council Chairperson together. Charlene Drew Jarvis; General Becton; We actually have to believe that we’re all School Board President Harvey; Terri Green, better off when our neighbors are better off. the PTA president; the other school board We actually have to believe that we’ll do bet- members; and representatives of council ter if we go forward together. We actually members. And especially I want to thank all have to believe that this diversity we have the volunteers in the AmeriCorps NCC pro- is a blessing; and that the fact that some of gram. And thanks for this; I like my little us start out life poorer than others is a condi- jacket here. tion that can be overcome if we work hard Thirty-one years ago Martin Luther King to give people who deserve it a hand up; and came to this very neighborhood and urged that as we do that, we are all happier, more the people here to engage in citizen service fulfilled, and living in a stronger America. to rebuild their lives and their community That’s what this is about. and their future. That’s what you’re doing This is not just about painting the walls here today. You are honoring the legacy of of a school, although I passionately believe Martin Luther King and answering the high- it’s important. I, personally, as a student, pre- est calling of citizenship in this country. ferred old buildings to new ones, but every My staff did a little research to illustrate student deserves to go into a clean building what we could all do if we just gave back with bright walls and clear windows, sending a little to our community. And they swear a signal that the student and his or her future that if just everybody with the last name of is important.

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But you’re not just painting a school today, Q. Mr. President, Cuba is about to be in you’re painting a very different picture for the news. What does the United States gain America’s future, and it’s a beautiful one be- from pressing the embargo? cause of you. The President. Well, let me say, our posi- Thank you, and God bless you. tion on that is that we want Cuba to move toward freedom and openness, and if they NOTE: The President spoke at 12:49 p.m. in the do, we’ll respond. That’s always been our po- cafeteria. In his remarks, he referred to Reginald sition, and I believe in the end it will prevail. C. Ballard, principal, and Terri Green, Parent- Teacher Association (PTA) president, Cardozo High School; Wilma Harvey, president, District Middle East Peace Process of Columbia school board; former Presidents Ger- Q. Mr. President, on the Middle East, Mr. ald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George Bush; and Arafat is talking with some threatening Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.), chairman, Ameri- phrases, speaking of maybe the intifada will ca’s Promise—The Alliance For Youth. The Presi- be resumed. And of course, the Prime Min- dent also referred to the AmeriCorps National Ci- vilian Community Corps (NCCC) program of the ister said last night that’s no way to negotiate. Corporation for National and Community Service. How do you feel about—— The President. I agree with that. I think if he makes an observation that if this whole Message on the Observance of the thing fails, that it won’t be good, then that’s Lunar New Year understandable. But I don’t think it should January 14, 1998 be encouraged. I’ve really looked forward to this week. I’ve worked hard to get ready for Warm greetings to all those celebrating the the meeting. I’m anxious to begin my sixth Lunar New Year. meeting with the Prime Minister and then This joyous occasion celebrates the bless- to see Mr. Arafat in a couple of days. And ings of family, community, and a rich and I think we have to have a positive attitude. ancient heritage. It is a special time to reflect We need to be reassuring to people. We on the events of the previous year and to don’t want to undermine any confidence. We embrace the challenges of the year ahead. need to keep working. Vibrant with color, lights, dancing, parades, Q. Mr. President, you said yesterday that folk music, and delicious food, the Lunar you had high hopes, and that seems out of New Year reminds all of us of the beauty step with some of the views of your top offi- and variety of Asian culture and of the cials here. What makes you have high hopes strength, character, and achievement that for these talks? Asian Americans bring to our national life. The President. Well, I’ve often been out As we join you in welcoming the Year of of step, in having high hopes, with a lot of the Tiger, Hillary and I extend best wishes people. It may be a defect in my nature, but to all for a new year full of health, happiness, I think—for one thing I think that Israel prosperity, and peace. wants peace and a resolution of this. And I Bill Clinton believe that it’s very much in the interests of the Palestinians and Mr. Arafat to seek NOTE: This message was released by the Office to resolve it, and we’re working very hard. of the Press Secretary on January 20. I’ve just found that, more often than not, you ultimately have success if you stay at some- thing and keep working at it in good faith. Exchange With Reporters Prior to Q. Mr. President, could you just tell us Discussions With Prime Minister what you believe a credible withdrawal would Binyamin Netanyahu of Israel be? And does Chairman Arafat need to do January 20, 1998 anything before such a withdrawal should take place? Cuba-U.S. Relations The President. I think that’s a conversa- Q. Good morning, Mr. President. tion I need to have with the Prime Minister The President. Good morning. first. I don’t—and I will do that.

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Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Cabinet do our best to make some progress. And I Q. Mr. Netanyahu, may I ask you one think we’ve got a chance to do that. question, please? Are you in a more difficult Middle East Peace Process situation because of the new makeup of your Cabinet, because it’s a smaller coalition? Is Q. Are you going to pressure Mr. it more difficult for you to make concessions Netanyahu to give concessions to the Pal- and to negotiate? estinians? Prime Minister Netanyahu. This is a dif- The President. I’m going to have a discus- ficult day for me because I’ve lost a good sion with him about where we think the friend, the Deputy Premier and Minister of peace process is. I wouldn’t use that word. Education. But the composition of the gov- Israel has to make its own decisions about ernment is irrelevant. The people who could its own security and its own future. topple the government before Mr. Levi de- Q. Who do you think is breaching the parted could topple it after he departed. And agreement more severely, more seriously, the I say to them what I say to everyone here Israelis or the Palestinians? and to President Clinton: We made a deci- The President. I don’t think it’s fruitful sion to go to peace. This is what this govern- to discuss that. I think what we ought to talk ment is about, peace with security. And I am about is what both sides can do now to get sure that I can muster the necessary support the peace process moving again. That’s the across the government and across the coali- most important thing. tion for something that will move the peace NOTE: The exchange began at 10:19 a.m. in the process forward and maintain secure and de- Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, fensible boundaries for Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu referred to the late Q. And you believe you have enough sup- Zevulun Hammer, Deputy Prime Minister and port within your now more limited govern- Minister of Education and Culture of Israel, and ment to pass any sort of vote for withdrawal, David Levi, former Deputy Prime Minister and for further Israeli withdrawal? Minister of Foreign Affairs. A tape was not avail- Prime Minister Netanyahu. For a with- able for verification of the content of this ex- drawal that will ensure our defenses, that is change. what we’re prepared to do. We’re prepared to move forward, but not to jeopardize the Remarks on Presenting the security of the State of Israel. Congressional Medal of Honor to [At this point, one group of reporters left the Major General James L. Day, room, and another group entered.] USMC (Retired) Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Visit January 20, 1998 The President. Welcome. Let me just The President. Hillary and I are delighted briefly say that I am delighted to see the to welcome all of you here today, including Prime Minister again. This is our sixth meet- our Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs, ing. I’m looking forward to it. We’re working Togo West; the National Security Adviser, hard to make progress, and I want to reaffirm Sandy Berger; Senator Robb and Congress- to the people of Israel the strong support of man Evans; Deputy Secretary of Defense the United States for Israel and the strong Hamre; Secretary Dalton; General Shelton support of the United States for the security and other members of the Joint Chiefs; Gen- of Israel and a peace process that proceeds eral McCaffrey; Deputy Secretary Gober; within that commitment. And I think we can Mr. Bucha, the president of the Medal of succeed. Honor Society; and General Foley and other Q. Mr. President, what are your expecta- recipients of the Medal of Honor who are tions from the meeting with the Prime Min- here; to all the commanders of our veterans ister? service organizations and proud members of The President. That we’re going to have the United States Marine Corps and former a good-faith, detailed, frank discussion and marines; to the friends and the large and

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wonderful family of General Day and Mrs. and fought and fought, one assault after an- Day, we welcome you. other, one day, then the next. I thank Captain Pucciarelli for the fine in- The battle on Sugar Loaf decimated two vocation. He is not devoid of a sense of Marine regiments. But when Corporal Jim humor; before we came out here, he said he Day was finally relieved after 3 days of con- was going out to offer the exorcism. [Laugh- tinuous fighting, virtually alone, he had stood ter] his ground. And the enemy dead around his To those who lived through World War foxhole numbered more than 100. II and those who grew up in the years that His heroism played a crucial part in Ameri- followed, few memories inspire more awe ca’s victory at Sugar Loaf. And that success and horror than the battle for Okinawa. In opened the way to the capture of Okinawa the greatest conflict the world has ever and the ultimate triumph of the forces of known, our forces fought no engagement freedom in the Pacific. more bitter or more bloody. In 82 days of Now, for this extraordinary valor, we rec- fighting, America suffered more than 12,000 ognize James L. Day as one of the bravest dead in this final epic battle, the most costly of the brave. In words that echo from the one during the entire Pacific war. peaks of American military history, he has At the very heart of this crucible was the distinguished himself, at the risk of his life, fight for a hill called Sugar Loaf, the key to above and beyond the call of duty. As Com- breaking the enemy’s line across the south mander in Chief, I am proud to award Gen- of the island, some of the grimmest combat eral Day our Nation’s highest military honor, our forces had ever seen. The marines on the Medal of Honor. This medal confirms Sugar Loaf faced a hail of artillery, mortars, what every marine in this room already and grenades. They were raked by constant knows: the name Jim Day belongs in the rolls machinegun fire. Time and again, our men of the Corps’ greatest heroes, alongside Dan would claw their way uphill only to be re- Daly, Smedley Butler, Joe Foss, and John pulsed by the enemy. Progress was measured Basilone. by the yard. General, your achievements leave us all in On May 14th, 1945, a 19-year-old corporal awe. In particular, it is hard to know whether named Jim Day led several other marines to we should be conferring on you a Medal of a shell crater on the slope of Sugar Loaf. Honor for bravery or for modesty. What happened then surpasses our powers Let me tell you the story of how we hap- of imagination. On the first day in that iso- pen to be here today, over 50 years later. lated hole, Corporal Day and those with him Although the battle for Okinawa was still rag- fought off an advance by scores of enemy ing when his battlefield commanders nomi- soldiers. That night he helped to repel three nated young Corporal Day 1 for this decora- more assaults, as those with him fell dead tion, so many died in the fighting and so or injured. Braving heavy fire, he escorted many reports were lost in the battle, the pa- four wounded comrades, one by one, to safe- perwork simply never went forward in 1945. ty. But he would not stay in safety. Instead, General Day later said that awards weren’t he returned to his position to continue the on their minds in those days. As he put it, fight. As one of his fellow marines later re- we just had a job to do, and we wanted to ported, the corporal was everywhere. He get the job done. Years later when veterans would run from one spot to another trying of Sugar Loaf wanted to restart the process, to get more fire on the enemy. Jim Day forbade them from doing so. Then When the next day broke, Corporal Day a general, he felt that seeking such an honor kept on fighting, alone but for one wounded would set a bad example for those he com- fellow marine. Through assault after assault manded. and into his second night, he fought on. General Day, everyone in our Nation, in Burned by white phosphorus and wounded the military and outside it, can learn a lot by shrapnel, he continued to fire his weapon from your selfless conduct both under fire and hold his ground. He hauled ammunition from a disabled vehicle back to his shellhole 1 White House correction.

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and throughout your life. In your modest Congressional Medal of Honor Society; Maj. Gen. service, as well as your heroism, you are a Robert F. Foley, USA, Commander, U.S. Army shining example to all Americans. Military District of Washington; Capt. George W. Today, as we applaud one extraordinary Pucciarelli, USN, Chaplain, U.S. Marine Corps; performance on Sugar Loaf, we also cele- and Lt. Comdr. Wes Huey, USN, Navy aide to the President. brate one of the most remarkable military careers in our Nation’s history. Just days after the action we recall now, Jim Day distin- Remarks at a Democratic National guished himself again on Okinawa and re- Committee Dinner ceived the Bronze Star for his heroism. Dur- January 20, 1998 ing a career that spanned more than four decades, he rose from enlisted man through Thank you very much. I want to begin by the ranks to major general, becoming one of expressing my profound gratitude to Roy the greatest mustangs the Marine Corps ever Romer and Steve Grossman, to Carol Pensky produced. In Korea, his valor in combat was and Cynthia Friedman, to Alan Solomont and recognized with two Silver Stars. In Vietnam, Dan Dutko, and to all the other people who his leadership and bravery under fire earned have labored in this past year, sometimes him a third Silver Star. Just as astonishing, under enormously difficult circumstances, to for his service in three wars, Jim Day re- make sure that our party could celebrate this ceived six Purple Hearts. 150th anniversary year strong, in good shape, General, I’m told that your ability to ab- poised for the future, and proud of the last sorb enemy fire led to a lively debate among 5 years. They have done a terrific job, and those who served with you as to whether it I am very grateful to them. was safer to stand near you or far away. I want to thank Melissa Manchester for [Laughter] being here tonight. I was thinking, when I Amid all this heroism, General Day and told her that Hillary and I used to listen to his wife have also raised a fine family. He her tapes—over 20 years ago when I became has given not only a lifetime of devotion to attorney general of my State, I had a little the Corps, he and Sally have brought up two tape deck in my car, and one of the tapes more generations of marines: his son, Lieu- I used to play over and over again was ‘‘Me- tenant Colonel Jim Day, and grandson, lissa Manchester’s Greatest Hits,’’ until it ac- Lance Corporal Joshua Eustice, both of tually broke, the tape did, I listened to it so whom are here today, and we welcome you. many times. And I looked at her and I lis- General, we thank you for a lifetime lived tened to her, and I thought, I’m older and to the highest standards of patriotism, dedi- grayer, and she looks just like she did 20 cation, and bravery. For all marines and, in- years ago. But I thank her for that. deed, for all your fellow Americans, you are I want to thank all of you for your loyalty, the embodiment of the motto Semper your support, your belief in what we’re doing Fidelis. You have been unerringly faithful to and where we’re going. You know, I was very those who fought alongside you, to the moved by what Steve Grossman said a few Corps, and to the United States. We are pro- moments ago, because to me politics is about foundly fortunate to count you among our more than winning elections. Power has no heroes. On behalf of all Americans, I thank value in and of itself. What we’re here to you for a lifetime of service without parallel do is to use what the American people give and for all you have done to preserve the us momentarily to broaden their horizons freedom that is our most sacred gift. Thank and deepen their possibilities and bring us you, sir. together. Lieutenant Commander Huey, read the ci- Yesterday, on Martin Luther King Day, I tation. had the privilege of going to Cardozo High NOTE: The President spoke at 1:29 p.m. in the School here in the District of Columbia to East Room at the White House. In his remarks, be part of what was called this year a day he referred to Gen. Henry H. Shelton, Chairman on, not a day off, a day of service. And there of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Paul Bucha, president, were all these young people there, students

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at the high school, teachers, and AmeriCorps apart and to get over slavery. That’s what volunteers. I met a young woman from Penn- happened when Theodore Roosevelt and sylvania who came right out of high school Woodrow Wilson helped us to reap the bene- and joined AmeriCorps because she wanted fits of the Industrial Revolution when people to do community service before going to came to the cities from off the farms but also Colgate next year. I met two other young vol- stood against its excesses, exploiting people, unteers who just finished college. I met two and exploiting our natural resources. It’s of the students at this high school—picture what happened when Franklin Roosevelt re- of America—one born in Panama, the other minded us that all we have to fear is fear came here 3 years ago from Ethiopia. I met and helped us to preserve freedom and come the teacher in the classroom I was helping out of a Great Depression. For 50 years it to paint, who had been a dedicated school- has happened as we have built in our efforts teacher in the District of Columbia since to lift up this country in freedom, to fight 1968, and a young man who was her student racism, to fight the despoliation of our envi- who now teaches chemistry at his old high ronment, to make our workplace safer, to do school. all the things that have happened. It’s so easy to forget in Washington, when The reason I ran for President is that I you read the papers and you listen to all the felt that we were losing our way back in 1991 political back and forth, that out there in this and 1992, not just because unemployment country there are all these people out there was high and social problems were worsening who get up every day and try to do something and we seemed to be kind of uncertain in to be worthy of the citizenship that they have a lot of the things we were doing around the been given, to work hard to take care of their world, but because I had a sense of drift and families, to serve their communities, to edu- division in this country and a sense that we cate our children. And when I left there, I weren’t being animated by a unifying vision just felt so good about America and about that would take us into this new century, the prospects for our future. which I believe will be the best time in hu- I can’t believe I’ve been here 5 years. It manity’s existence. seems like yesterday when we flew out of Just think about it. We’ve had this explo- Arkansas, Hillary and Chelsea and I, and sion in science and technology and informa- then we went down to Monticello, to Thomas tion, and it’s changing everything—the way Jefferson’s home, and took the bus up here. we work, the way we live, the way we relate We walked across the bridge and rang the to each other. Everybody E-mails now. The bells at my first Inauguration. And now about Internet is the fastest growing means of com- 60 percent of it is over, but 40 percent of munication in human history. I forget— it isn’t. [Laughter] And what I’d like to do somebody told me the other day how many tonight is just—you can read in the little bro- home pages were added to the Internet every chure all the details. I want to talk a little week; it took my breath away. And I can’t about the big picture. remember—there were a bunch of zeros This country, in my opinion, has been the after the one; I can’t remember how many. greatest democracy and now the longest last- In the scientific revolution, we confront all ing large democracy in human history be- these incredible prospects that we may be cause we found a way to merge our incred- able, for example, to heal people with spinal ible practical sense with our principles in a cord injuries. We may be able to uncover Government that has permitted us to meet the secret of what causes Alzheimer’s and re- each new challenge and rise above it by verse it. We’ve detected the gene that causes growing more strong together and by widen- or at least makes women strongly pre- ing the circle of freedom. disposed to breast cancer. We may be able That’s what happened when George not only to cure it but prevent it. When the Washington and the rest of them decided human genome project is finished, we’ll be we’d be one country instead of 13 States. able to send babies home with a genetic That’s what happened when Abraham Lin- code. It may be troubling in a few odd cases coln gave his life to keep us from splitting when the children are overwhelmingly likely

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to have something tragic happen to them, but we also see an almost primitive resurgence for most people it will enable them to raise of racial and ethnic hatreds and religious their children in ways that will lengthen their hatreds around the world, which, interest- lives and increase the quality of it. ingly enough, the very technologies that We’re exploring the heavens in partner- should be bringing us together can also facili- ship with other countries. We’re working in- tate. creasingly in partnership with other countries So what I tried to do was to say, ‘‘Let’s in a globalized world that goes far beyond back up, and let’s see if we can’t make some commerce. It’s a very exciting time. But it’s sense of what’s going on and figure out how like every other new time; you can’t just sort to do what Americans always do when every- of wade into it and expect to have it come thing changes. How can we get the benefits out all right. And if we’re going to widen the of change and deal with its challenges in a circle of freedom and success in America and way that strengthens our unity and broadens strengthen the bonds between us, we have the circle of freedom and opportunity?’’ And to recognize that there is also an explosion that’s what we’ve been trying to do. of diversity in the world that can be positive So the words that I have used so many but can lead to conflict. times, they may seem trite to the people who We have to recognize that just like when cover my speeches or those of you who have we changed from an agricultural to an indus- to listen to them all the time: opportunity trial society, now that we’re going to an infor- for all, responsibility from all, a community mation age, we’re going to have to work real of all Americans. That means something to hard to see that everybody has a chance to me. I think about it every single day. And win, because people, for example, without a every day I say, ‘‘Have we expanded oppor- good education are having a very tough time tunity? Have we reinforced responsibility? in this economy ever getting a raise, if they can get a job. Have we done something to strengthen our We have to recognize that there are new American community and our community of common strains on the environment of this partnership with like-minded people old Earth that we must meet together, chief throughout the world?’’ of which is climate change. We have to rec- All of the specific things we’ve done have ognize that the most important job in every been things that flowed out of that. And society is not getting rich, or even working there were two specific changes that I sought hard to make somebody else rich, but raising to make, which the future will have to judge children. And now that we have the highest better than the rest of us here. One is, it percentage of Americans ever in the work seemed to me that the argument that was force, the number one family problem many going on between the Republicans and the families face is how to balance their respon- Democrats in Washington over the role of sibilities as parents and as workers—not con- Government was pointless and ultimately de- fined, I might add, to people who can’t afford structive. I mean, since 1981, we’ve been— child care. Nearly every parent I’ve ever the Republicans essentially had argued that talked to, even people with quite comfortable the American people should distrust and dis- incomes, has felt instances of genuine gnaw- like their Government; that Government was ing conflict. the problem, holding Americans back, and We look at a world in which we hope to if we just didn’t have any of it, everything build a great community of peace, in specific would be hunky-dory. Well, for us Demo- places like Bosnia and Ireland and the Mid- crats, that was an easy target, but it was too dle East, and generally through efforts like easy a target because we spent too much time the Chemical Weapons Convention and arguing that they were wrong, and we could strengthening our efforts against biological just do more of the same. But when things warfare and continuing to reduce the nuclear change, you can’t do more of the same. And threat and expanding NATO and unifying what we tried to say is, okay, we need a new Europe and working out new partnerships Government. It ought to be smaller; it ought with China and Russia—all these things. But to be less bureaucratic; it ought to work in

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partnership with the private sector more. But the balanced budget, and I believe they’ll it has certain essential functions. pass it. And it will be a big thing. First, it has to create the conditions and The second thing I tried to change peo- give people the tools to make the most of ple’s minds about, I must say with a mixed their own lives, in a world where, increas- record of success, is to make us understand ingly, people have independent access to in- how interdependent we are with the rest of formation and have to make their own deci- the world and how it just really doesn’t make sions about are they going to get an edu- sense anymore almost to talk about foreign cation, for example. That is why I predict and domestic policy. Take the crisis in the to you 30 years from now when they look Asian financial market. Some people say, back on this time and see that we finally ‘‘Why is the President messing with that?’’ opened the doors of college to every Amer- Well, an enormous amount of our exports in ican who would work for it and say, this may the last 5 years have gone to Asia—enormous well be the most profound thing that hap- amount. A third of our economic growth in pened in terms of giving all Americans the the last 5 years has come from exports. If opportunity they need to succeed. their currencies collapse, what does that Next, we have to be a catalyst for new ideas mean? It means they don’t have as much and experiment, because at a time of change money to buy our exports because everything nobody has all the answers. But if you work we sell over there all of a sudden becomes at it, even things that look little may have more expensive. Parenthetically, everything a big impact. There was an unbelievable arti- they compete with us in other markets for cle in a newspaper someone sent me the gives them an advantage because all their ex- other day about how hardly any schools had ports to other markets become cheaper. So school uniform policies until I went to Long it’s not just something there, it’s something Beach, California. And now 20 percent of the here. school districts with over 30 percent of the students in all of our public schools in Amer- Well, you say, what about Bosnia? Well, ica have schools with school uniform policies, what if it spread beyond the borders of and attendance is up, achievement is up, Bosnia and ethnic hatreds engulfed a lot of dropouts down, violence is down, disruptions the Balkans and other places, compelling us down. It’s moving the country forward. to send huge numbers of American soldiers That’s a little example. later to die. That’s a big problem for America. For 20 years we’ve had something called And if we don’t stand up against ethnic ha- the Community Reinvestment Act, which re- tred around the world, can we preserve har- quires banks to invest money in communities mony at home when we have our Christians that are traditionally overlooked—for 20 and Jews and Orthodox Christians and Mus- years. Eighty-six percent of the total invest- lims here, just like they do there? That, to ment made in our inner-city communities me, is the essence at the heart of the trade under that act has been made in the last 5 argument. years. It works. It works. The unemployment Interestingly enough, the differences we rate in our cities—our 50 biggest cities—it’s have there have, in my view, rarely been ac- higher than the national average, but not as curately interpreted. I believe the Demo- much as you would think. It’s 6 percent now. cratic Party—all of our members—believe It was about 12 percent when I took office. that economics cannot, in effect, take prece- So we’re moving forward. dence over everything else in life and that And the last thing that we believe is that we should try to lift the labor standards of Government has a responsibility to help the the countries with which we trade, because helpless and to empower the disadvantaged. if other folks get richer and they get their Now, we’ve been able to do that and cut 90- fair share of a nation’s wealth, then they will some percent of the deficit, give you the buy more American products and they’ll have smallest Federal Government since Presi- more stable societies, they’ll be better de- dent Kennedy, and in 1998, 3 years ahead mocracies. And besides that, it’s just the right of schedule, I’m going to give the Congress thing to do.

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I believe that we should seek to have com- do is balance the budget. Everybody is talk- mon efforts in the environment, because we ing about what to do with the surplus. You know that an environmental problem in an- know, nobody else would talk like this; only other part of the world can now affect us. Government people could talk about what to And if we are irresponsible, we can adversely do with a surplus when we’ve had a deficit affect others. every year since 1969, we quadrupled the I believe when we expand trade, most peo- debt since 1980, and we don’t have a bal- ple are big winners, but there are some los- anced budget yet. So it may be sort of old- ers, and we have to do a better job of getting fashioned, but if I might modestly suggest, those people back on the winning track. We let us balance the budget first, and then we should give them more and better training can talk about the rest. more quickly. We should give them more The second thing I’d like to say is, we have support. We should do a better job. But the some new proposals that we think will help answer is not to try to pretend that the world people deal with the challenges of the next is not integrating economically and to run generation. One is, since we’ve got more peo- away from the opportunities that Americans ple than ever before in the workplace, but manifestly have to trade and, in trading, to since raising a child is the most important build support for democracy and build part- thing, we need to do more to make quality nerships and build people who will want to child care, safe child care, affordable for work with us in other ways. And I hope you more Americans. That’s what is at the heart will help me continue to do that over the of our child care initiative. It’s so people can next 3 years. The United States must con- know their kids are okay when they’re at tinue to lead, but lead in partnership with work. And it is very important. other countries. And the Democrats ought The second thing we’re going to do, and to be on the forefront of that. this is completely paid for in the budget, and Now, all this has worked pretty well, I’d I hope Congress will adopt it, is to say to say, for the last 5 years. We’ve got the lowest the people who are in their later work years unemployment rate in 24 years, the lowest but not yet eligible for Medicare, they ought inflation rate in 30 years, the lowest crime to be able to buy into Medicare if they’re rate in 25 years, the highest rate of home- 55 or over and they get laid off and they ownership in history, the highest percentage can’t get another job; or if they take early of people in the work force in history, declin- retirement from a company that promised ing rates of teen pregnancy and divorce, de- them health insurance and then won’t give clining rates of drug use. Finally, even juve- it to them; or if they’re married to an older nile crime is coming down. But this is not spouse who quits work, goes on Medicare, a time to sort of sit back and say, ‘‘Gee, that’s and they’re not eligible for it and they can’t great.’’ I didn’t come here tonight for a pat get health insurance anywhere. Now, a lot on the back. I came here to ask you to renew of these people will get help from their chil- your dedication to keep this country moving dren in buying these policies, but they can’t forward. If this direction is working now, you get policies now. I say do that. know as well as I do we still have unmet What is the moral argument behind deny- challenges before we really can say we have ing people access to a policy that is paid for built our children a bridge to the 21st century that will not increase the deficit or wreck the they can all walk across. And until we can Medicare Trust Fund? It is the right thing say that, we have no business giving ourselves to do. It’s a Democratic program within the a pat on the back. We’ve got lots of time constraints of fiscal discipline. And I hope left, lots of work to do, and I want you to you will support that. [Applause] Thank you. leave here with your energy renewed for the There are a lot of other great things that fights, the struggles, and the issues of 1998 are going to happen. And I ask for your sup- and beyond. port. But the main thing I want you to— The evidence of the last 5 years is all the if you leave here tonight and you think, ‘‘I’m evidence you need to know that we need to proud to be a Democrat; these past 5 years keep on going. The first thing we need to were right; we’ve got the right philosophy for

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America; we’re pulling America together,’’ by the story. Not everyone could have been then I want you to leave committed to keep on Okinawa; not everyone could have done on doing it, because we need you badly. that. But everyone can be what he was: a Let me just leave you with this story. loyal, good-serving citizen. Everyone could Today I had one of those wonderful experi- be in a school like the school I was in yester- ences that comes to you when you’re Presi- day. My staff did some research and con- dent. I bestowed the Congressional Medal cluded that if everybody in the American of Honor on someone. And you say, well, phone books with the last name of Clinton we’re not in a war now. Well, let me tell or Gore would volunteer 2 hours a week, we you this story. I bestowed the Congressional could paint every classroom in every high Medal of Honor on a retired marine major school in America by Martin Luther King’s general who was 54 years ago a corporal on next birthday. Now, that’s a funny thing to the island of Okinawa in the bloodiest battle say, but you think about it. You think about of the war in the Pacific. And his job was it. to take a mountain called Sugar Loaf. And This is a great country, and we have met they got into a crater—a big kind of shell every challenge. I am so grateful for these crater—he and his squad. His whole squad last 5 years. I am so pleased that America was wiped out. For 3 days—2 nights and 3 is doing so well. But remember, no one— full days—he stayed awake, often alone. He lost all his men; they were either all killed no one—could have anticipated the scope or or wounded. He left two or three times to the pace of the changes through which we take other wounded people to safety, always are going. And believe me, no one can see returning when he could have just stayed the end of it. There is no visionary that has away, always going back to his post. He re- imagined the future completely. We are not pelled assault after assault after assault after finished. We have a lot of work to do. assault after assault. In the end, only one We have work to do to reform the entitle- wounded marine was there helping him. For ments so they’ll be there for our children 3 solid days he stayed awake, and when fi- without bankrupting our grandchildren. We nally they rescued him, there were 100— have work to do to preserve the environment. 100—enemy casualties all around him. We have work to do to spread economic op- The paperwork for his Medal of Honor portunity to all of our people. We have work was lost. Somehow, you know, a lot of records to do to lift the academic standards and the got lost at the end of World War II. Later, educational opportunities of all of our chil- he went to Korea, where he won two Silver dren. We have work to do in this world to Stars for valor in combat. Later, he went to make it a safe world, not a dangerous world, Vietnam, where he won another Silver Star for our kids in the 21st century. We have for valor in combat. After three wars, he had work to do. So celebrate the last 5 years by six Purple Hearts. And so everybody in the making the next 3 even better. Marine Corps wanted to put him up for the Thank you, and God bless you. Medal of Honor because they had misplaced his records, and he ordered them not do it. He said it was not the right thing for a man NOTE: The President spoke at 9:02 p.m. in the who is a general in the Marine Corps to per- Main Atrium at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. In mit his name to be elevated in that way. So his remarks, he referred to Gov. Roy Romer of Colorado, general chair, Steve Grossman, national it took him until he had spent nearly 40 years chair, Carol Pensky, treasurer, and Alan D. in the Marine Corps and retired as a major Solomont, national finance chair, Democratic Na- general and moved to California, until this tional Committee; Cynthia Friedman, national could be done. It was an awesome event. cochair, Women’s Leadership Forum; Dan Why am I telling you this? Because every Dutko, chair, DNC Victory Fund; and entertainer one of you must be just as moved as I was Melissa Manchester.

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Letter to Congressional Leaders sexual relationship, an improper sexual rela- Transmitting a Report on Emigration tionship, or any other kind of improper rela- Policies of Mongolia tionship. Mr. Lehrer. You had no sexual relation- January 20, 1998 ship with this young woman? Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) The President. There is not a sexual rela- On September 4, 1996, I determined and tionship—that is accurate. reported to the Congress that Mongolia was We are doing our best to cooperate here, not in violation of the freedom of emigration but we don’t know much yet. And that’s all criteria of sections 402 and 409 of the Trade I can say now. What I’m trying to do is to Act of 1974. This action allowed for the con- contain my natural impulses and get back to tinuation of most-favored-nation status for work. I think it’s important that we cooper- Mongolia and certain other activities without ate. I will cooperate. But I want to focus on the requirement of an annual waiver. the work at hand. As required by law, I am submitting an Mr. Lehrer. Just for the record, to make updated report to the Congress concerning sure I understand what your answer means, the emigration laws and policies of Mongolia. so there’s no ambiguity about it—— The report indicates continued Mongolian The President. There is no—— compliance with U.S. and international Mr. Lehrer. All right. You had no con- standards in the area of emigration. versations with this young woman, Monica Sincerely, Lewinsky, about her testimony, possible tes- timony before in giving a deposition? William J. Clinton The President. I did not urge anyone to say anything that was untrue. I did not urge NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Newt Ging- rich, Speaker of the House of Representatives, anyone to say anything that was untrue. and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. This That’s my statement to you. letter was released by the Office of the Press Sec- Mr. Lehrer. Did you talk to—excuse me, retary on January 21. I’m sorry. The President. Beyond that, I think it’s very important that we let the investigation Interview With Jim Lehrer of the take its course. But I want you to know that PBS ‘‘News Hour’’ that is my clear position. I didn’t ask anyone January 21, 1998 to go in there and say something that’s not true. Independent Counsel’s Investigation Mr. Lehrer. What about your having—an- Mr. Lehrer. Mr. President, welcome. other one of the allegations is that you may The President. Thank you, Jim. have asked—or the allegation that’s being in- Mr. Lehrer. The news of this day is that vestigated is that you asked your friend Ver- Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel, is non Jordan—— investigating allegations that you suborned The President. To do that. perjury by encouraging a 24-year-old woman, Mr. Lehrer. ——to do that. former White House intern, to lie under oath The President. I absolutely did not do in a civil deposition about her having had an that. I can tell you I did not do that. I did affair with you. Mr. President, is that true? not do that. He is in no way involved in trying The President. That is not true. That is to get anybody to say anything that’s not true not true. I did not ask anyone to tell anything at my request. I didn’t do that. other than the truth. There is no improper Now, I don’t know what else to tell you. relationship. And I intend to cooperate with I don’t even know—all I know is what I have this inquiry. But that is not true. read here. But I’m going to cooperate. I Mr. Lehrer. ‘‘No improper relation- didn’t ask anybody not to tell the truth. There ship’’—define what you mean by that. is no improper relationship. The allegations The President. Well, I think you know I have read are not true. I do not know what what it means. It means that there is not a the basis of them is, other than just what you

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know. We’ll just have to wait and see. And Mr. Lehrer. Have you thought about I will be vigorous about it. But I have got doing something dramatic? I mean, this is to get back to the work of the country. your second term—getting on an airplane I was up past midnight with Prime Min- and going down, or inviting him to come up ister Netanyahu last night; I’ve got Mr. Arafat here, something like that—just like what the coming in; we’ve got action all over the world Pope is doing? and a State of the Union to do. I’ll do my The President. I’m glad the Pope is going best to cooperate with this, just as I have there. I hope that we will have some real through every other issue that’s come up over progress toward freedom and opening there, the last several years. But I have got to get and I’ll work on it. But that’s still mostly up back to work. to Mr. Castro. Mr. Lehrer. Would you acknowledge, Mr. Lehrer. Why is it up to him? though, Mr. President, this is very serious The President. Well, because—look what business, this charge against you that’s been made? the Pope is saying. The Pope is saying, ‘‘I The President. And I will cooperate in hope you will release these political pris- the inquiry of it. oners.’’ You know, no American President Mr. Lehrer. What’s going on? If it’s not getting on an airplane and going down there true, that means somebody made this up. Is or having him come up here is going to deal that— with that. I mean, the Cuban-American com- The President. Look, you know as much munity—I know a lot of people think they’ve about this as I do right now. We’ll just have been too hard on this, but they do have the to look into it and cooperate. And we’ll see. point that there has been no discernible But meanwhile, I’ve got to go on with the change in the climate of freedom there. And work of the country. I got hired to help the I hope that the Pope’s visit will help to ex- rest of the American people. pand freedom, and I hope that after that we’ll be able to talk about it a little bit. Pope’s Impact on Cuba-U.S. Relations Mr. Lehrer. The Pope, in fact, was inter- Mr. Lehrer. All right. Speaking of the viewed on his plane a while ago by some re- work of the country, other news today, the porters, and they asked him, ‘‘What message Pope is arriving in Cuba almost as we speak. would you give to the American people,’’ and The President. Good thing. he—‘‘about the embargo?’’ And he said, ‘‘To Mr. Lehrer. All right. Has the time come change, to change, to change.’’ That would maybe for the United States to also bury be his message to the American people. some economic and political hatchets with The President. His Holiness is a very Cuba? great man, and his position on this is identical The President. Well, I think that our pre- to that, as far as I know, of every other Euro- vious policy, the one that we’ve had now and pean leader. And only time will tell whether the one we’ve had through Republican and they were right or we were. Democratic administrations, of keeping eco- nomic pressure on and denying the legit- Mr. Lehrer. Explain to Americans who imacy of the Cuban Government, has been don’t follow the Cuban issue very carefully a good policy. I have made it clear from the why Cuba is different, say, than China, a day I got here that we would be prepared Communist country, North Korea, a Com- to respond to a substantial effort at political munist country, Vietnam—we had a war with or economic opening by Cuba. And we have, Vietnam, as we did with Korea, and in some as you know, a system for communicating ways China as well. We have relations with with each other. Nothing would please me them. Why is Cuba different? greater than to see a new openness there that The President. I think Cuba is different, would justify a response on our part, and I in no small measure, because of the historic would like to work on it, and I think Mr. legacy we have with them going back to the Castro knows that. I’ve tried to proceed in early sixties. I think it’s different because it’s good faith here. the only Communist dictatorship in our

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hemisphere, a sort of blot on our neighbor- the Palestinians want is an agreement that hood’s commitment to freedom and open- moves them toward self-determination under ness. And a lot of Americans have suffered circumstances that maximize their ability to personal losses there of significant mag- improve the lives of their people and the nitude. And I think, as a practical matter, reach of their popular government. we probably think we can have a greater in- And we’ve been out there now for a year— fluence through economic sanctions in Cuba I mean another year, of course, 5 years since than we can in other places. I’ve been President—but since the Hebron Now, I have worked over the last 5 years withdrawal, we’ve been out there for a year in a number of different ways to explore in the Middle East looking around, listening, other alternatives in dealing with this issue, talking, watching the frustration, seeing the and I wouldn’t shut the door on any other growing difficulties in the Middle East peace alternative. But I believe that our denial of process. And we came up with an approach legitimacy to the government and our eco- that we thought, in the ballpark, would satisfy nomic pressure has at least made sure that both sides’ objectives. others didn’t go down that path, and that We worked with Mr. Netanyahu yesterday now, I think, it’s one of the reasons that every exhaustively to try to narrow the differences. country in this hemisphere is a democracy And we didn’t get them all eliminated, but and a market economy except for Cuba. I we made some headway. And we’re going think a lot of people forget what the impact to work with Mr. Arafat tomorrow to try to of our policy toward Cuba and what the high- do that. And then we’re going to try to see lighting of the Cubans’ policies have done if there’s some way we can put them to- to change the governmental structures in gether. And I’m very hopeful, because I think other countries in our neighborhood. it’s not good for them to keep on fooling with So I’m hoping—nobody in the world this and not making progress. would be happier than me to see a change Mr. Lehrer. Why does it matter that much in Cuba and a change in our policy before to an American President that these two men I leave office. But we have to have both; we get together and make an agreement? just can’t have one without the other. The President. Well, first of all, I think Mr. Lehrer. You don’t see anything hap- it matters in the Middle East because of our pening anytime soon as a result of the Pope’s historic ties to Israel and the difficulty that visit? it would cause us if there were another war The President. Oh, no, I’m very hopeful. in the region. Secondly, of course, we have I was very pleased when I heard he was major energy interests in the region; a big going. I wanted him to go, and I hope it will part of our economic recovery is having ac- be a good thing. cess to it. The third thing is we have a lot of friends in the region, beyond Israel, and Middle East Peace Process if they all fall out with one another that’s bad Mr. Lehrer. The Middle East: As you said for America. a moment ago, you met with Mr. Netanyahu And of course, then if deprivation among twice yesterday; you meet with Mr. Arafat the Palestinians leads to a rise of violence tomorrow. First, on Netanyahu, what is it ex- and leads to a rise of more militant Islamic actly you want him to do? fundamentalism in other countries through- The President. Well, let’s talk about what out the region, then that could be a desta- he wants. What we want is not nearly as im- bilizing fact that could really make things portant as what he wants, what the Palestin- tough—if not for me, then for my successors ians want, what the other people in the Mid- down the road and for the American people dle East want. What we want is a just and down the road in the 21st century. lasting peace in the Middle East. What I be- Mr. Lehrer. So you believe with those lieve that he and his government want is an who say only America can make peace in the agreement to go to final status talks in the Middle East? peace process under circumstances that they The President. I believe America is believe maximize their security. I think what uniquely situated to help to broker a peace

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in the Middle East. I actually believe only the details and trying to help them ram it the parties can make peace in the Middle home. Because the one thing that I worry East. I think only Israel and the Palestinians about is, you just sit there and have the same and Syria and Lebanon can join Jordan at old conversation over and over again until that table; that’s what I think. I think in the the cows come home, and it’s easy to do. end we need to be very aggressive in stating So that’s what I’m trying to—I’m trying to what our views are; we need to fight hard broker this thing, be a catalyst, get the people to at least have our position taken seriously; together, and give an honest view of what but in the end, you know, they have to live the picture looks like from back here about with the consequences of what they do or what the two artists can live with. don’t do, all of them do. And they’re going Mr. Lehrer. Well, some people say that to have to make their own peace. it doesn’t look like, to the innocent observer, Mr. Lehrer. The word around, as I’m sure that either one of these guys want to make you know, is that you and Netanyahu really peace; that you may be forcing them to do just don’t like each other very much. Is that something that deep down in their either po- right? litical hearts or otherwise—— The President. I don’t think so. It’s cer- The President. That could be. tainly not true on my part. But we have had Mr. Lehrer. ——they just don’t want to differences of opinion on occasion in ap- do it. proach to the peace process, and then there The President. That could be. And I don’t has been a little smattering in the press here, know what to say about that. there, and yonder about those differences Mr. Lehrer. But you’re not going to give and whether they were personal in nature. up on it? But for me, they’re not personal in nature. The President. No. No. You know, if I I enjoy him very much. I like being with him. don’t make any progress, I’ll level with the I like working with him. American people and the rest of the world We had a difficult, hard day yesterday. We and tell them I’m doing my best but I’m not had a long session in the morning, and then making any progress. But we were hitting it he worked with our team, including the Vice last night until late, and then we’re getting President, the Secretary of State, through ready now for Mr. Arafat to come, and we’ll much of the afternoon. Then after my dinner hit it hard tomorrow. And that’s all I know last night, I came back, and we worked again to tell you; we’re just going to keep hitting for a couple hours. So it’s hard to do that it. if you don’t like somebody. I really believe that he is an energetic man, and I think that Asian Economies within the limits of his political situation, I Mr. Lehrer. On Asia, the Asia financial believe he’s hoping to be able to make a crisis, what business is it of the United States peace and to get to the point where he and to save these failing Asian economies? Mr. Arafat can negotiate that. The President. Well, first of all, we can’t But our job is to see, if you will, from a save the Asian economies if they won’t take different perspective, the positions of both primary steps to help themselves, the way the Palestinians and the Israelis. It’s sort of Mexico did. You remember, we loaned Mex- like standing too close to an impressionist ico some money, and they paid back early painting sometime—there’s lots of dots on with interest, and we made about $500 mil- the canvas and the people who are standing lion because they took tough steps to restore too close to it, even though they’re painting economic growth and create jobs, raise in- the canvas, may get lost in the weeds, and comes, and get their financial house in order. then the people that are standing back can That’s the first and most important thing see the picture. And it’s a beautiful picture the Asians have to do. But in order to make if it all gets painted. it, they also need the backup of the Inter- So that’s what I’m trying to do. I have to national Monetary Fund and a plan designed keep backing the painters back, so they can to deal with the particular problems of each see the whole picture, and then getting to country, and then the U.S. and Japan and

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Germany and the rest of the Europeans to The President. It bothers me a lot. First stand behind that to say, if necessary, we will of all, there’s some truth to it. That is, if a put together a package to really restore con- country like Indonesia gets money from the fidence. In most of these Asian economies, International Monetary Fund to deal with its the problem is the financial system and peo- financial problems, what are its financial ple can’t pay back their loans or investors problems? You’ve got to pay notes when take their loans—when their loans are repaid, they’re coming due. And if somebody made investors take the money and go somewhere a foolish loan that they should not have made else. in the first place, that’s an only 90-day loan What’s that got to do with America? Well, on a building that’s going to last for 20 years, every day now in some of our newspapers for example, you hate to see them get their you can see what’s happening in the Asian money back plus a profit at someone else’s stock markets and the Asian currency mar- expense. kets. What happens when a country’s cur- On the other hand—and let me say, we’re rency drops? When a country’s currency sensitive to that. Secretary Rubin has done drops, it doesn’t have as much money in dol- a very good job of trying to get these big lars, and therefore it can’t buy as many Amer- banks to roll over their debt. ican exports. A big part of America’s eco- Mr. Lehrer. Take some hits themselves? nomic growth since 1993 has occurred from The President. Take some hits—at least exports, a big part of that from exports to ride the roller coaster. They’ll actually get Asia. If the value of all their money goes their interest back—— down, they can’t keep buying our exports. Mr. Lehrer. If they’ll hang in there. And that hurts us. Also, if the value of their The President. money goes down, everything they sell in ——and the principal if other places in the world is all of a sudden they hang in there. But they need to hang much cheaper, so they can push us out of in there. They don’t need to just take the those markets. money and run. Mr. Lehrer. Cheaper than our stuff? On the other hand, if you start saying, well, The President. Correct. So if you want everybody is going to get half back of what to just look at the plain, brutal, short-term they put in, that will actually speed the rate economic interest, that’s the short-term eco- at which people take money out and reduce nomic interest. If you want to look at the the rate at which people put money in; you long run, we’ve got an interest in Asia in hav- don’t rebuild confidence, and therefore the ing stable democracies that are our partners, collapse is more costly. That’s what bothers that work with us to help grow the region me. and grow with us over the long run to help I mean, nobody likes the idea—I don’t shoulder burdens like climate change, clean- think any American likes the idea that every ing up the environment, dealing with global single banker in one of these countries that disease, dealing with weapons of mass de- made every bad loan will get paid back. And struction, contributing to the efforts in that, in fact, won’t happen. But when you Bosnia, ending the nuclear program in North try to pay back most things to stabilize the Korea. All those things we depend on the situation, the reason you’re doing it is not Asian countries to be a part of. They can only to give the people who made the loans their do that if they’re strong. So, we live in a world money back; the reason you’re doing it is to that’s so interdependent that we need them send a signal to the world that business is to be strong if we’re going to be strong. back up and going, that you have to be more Mr. Lehrer. As you know, there’s some careful now, but you can trust this country Members of Congress who are saying what now and you can invest. this really boils down to is welfare for inter- So I think—I’m convinced we’re doing the national bankers—that’s what we’re up to. right thing for our own economy. I’m con- How do you respond to that? That’s going vinced we’re doing the right thing for our to get—that seems to be growing particularly values and our principles. And I hope I can in the last few days. persuade the Congress that we are.

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Situation in Iraq the palace where Saddam Hussein lives, et Mr. Lehrer. All right. Another subject, cetera, et cetera. Iraq—bad news today. Apparently, Mr. But- The President. The United States does ler left. What can you tell us about where not relish moving alone, because we live in that thing stands, in terms of whether the a world that is increasingly interdependent. inspectors are going to be allowed to do what We’d like to be partners with other people. they want to do, et cetera? But sometimes we have to be prepared to move alone. You used the anthrax example. The President. They seem to want to wait Think how many people can be killed by just until early March to open the—— a tiny bit of anthrax. And think about how Mr. Lehrer. Iraq does? it’s not just a question of whether Saddam The President. Iraq—open the sites that Hussein might put them on a Scud missile— Mr. Butler believes that ought to be open. an anthrax head—and send it to some city That’s a problem for us because we believe of people he wanted to destroy. Think about that we have to do everything we can, as all the terrorists and drug runners and other quickly as we can, to check for chemical and bad actors that could just parade through biological weapons stocks. And as I told the Baghdad to pick up their stores if we don’t American people the last time we had the take the strongest possible action. standoff with Saddam, before he relented I far prefer the United Nations; I far prefer and let the inspectors go back, my concern the inspectors. I have been far from trigger- is not to re-fight the Gulf war; my concern happy on this thing. But if they really believe is to prepare our people for a new century, that there are no circumstances under which not only in positive ways like creating a big we would act alone, they are sadly mistaken. international financial framework that works And that is not a threat. I have shown that for them, as that we just talked about, but I do not relish this sort of thing. Every time also to make sure we have the tools to protect it’s discussed around here—I said, you know, ourselves against chemical and biological one of the great luxuries of being the world’s weapons. only superpower for a while—and it won’t So tonight I can’t rule out, or in, any op- last forever, probably, but for a while—is that tions. But I can tell you I’m very concerned there is always time enough to kill. And about this, and I don’t think the American therefore, we have a moral responsibility to people should lose sight of the issue. What’s show restraint and to seek partnerships and the issue? Weapons of mass destruction. alliances. And I’ve done that. What’s the answer? The U.N. inspectors. But I don’t want to have to explain to my What’s the problem? Saddam Hussein can’t grandchildren why we took a powder on what say who, where, or when about these inspec- we think is a very serious biological and tion teams. That has to be done by the pro- chemical weapons program, potentially, by a fessionals. And sooner or later, something is country that has already used chemical weap- going to give here, and I’m just very much ons on the Iranians and on the Kurds—their hoping that we can reason with him before own people. that happens. But we’ve got to have those Mr. Lehrer. So you would order an air sites open. strike or whatever it would take to take out Mr. Lehrer. Now, Ambassador Richard- some facility if you couldn’t get rid of it any son with the U.N. and others in the adminis- other way? tration have said the military option—just to The President. Well, I’m going to stay pick up, just to continue your sentence—the with my tried and true formulation: I’m not military option remains on the table. The ruling out, or in, any option. I was responding Ambassador from Iraq to the U.N. was on to what you said, that the Iraqi official our program recently, and he pretty much thought we were just talking because we acknowledged that Iraq is banking on that wouldn’t want to discomfit anyone or make not being real, that the U.S. alone is not them mad. That’s not true. This is a serious going to go in there and take out some sus- thing with me. This is a very serious thing. pected anthrax facility, particularly if it’s in And you imagine the capacity of these tiny

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amounts of biological agents to cause great bad weapons and destroyed them. We’re harm; it’s something we need to get after. making some progress on the joint institu- And I don’t understand why they’re not tions and other things, and we’re trying to for getting after it. What can they possibly get that country together. get out of this? If he really cared about his And I must say, I was very impressed on people—he’s always talking about how bad my recent trip there by the level of support his people have been hurt by these sanc- for the United States and the international tions—if he really cared about his people community in our presence there, the level he’d open all these sites, let everybody go of support for our staying there, and the level in and look at them—— of commitment of so many people to genuine Mr. Lehrer. And get it behind him. pursuit of peace. And I think we can make The President. If he’s telling the truth, it in Bosnia. there’s nothing there; and if he’s not, he’d Did I think we could all withdraw by now? get it behind it one way or the other. And Yes, I did. But if you had told me, on the we could then—he could say, ‘‘Okay, what other hand—that’s the down side. If you had grounds does the United States have now for told me, on the other hand, you can go there stopping the U.N. from lifting the sanctions? and stay a couple of years and there won’t I have done everything I’ve been asked to be any gunshots fired, and the only people do.’’ And that would be a hard question for you’ll lose will be in accidents of one kind us, even though we’ve got reservations. or another, and you’ll have an increasing We’ve had a hard time answering that ques- amount of harmony in the urbanized areas tion. that you hadn’t imagined you would get, and Mr. Lehrer. But would you go along with some of the other positive things that have lifting the sanctions? happened, I think we’d all been very happy The President. Right now—our position about that. is, if he complies with all the United Nations So I’m going to stay after this. Again, this sanctions—the conditions of all U.N. resolu- may be my congenital optimism, but I be- tions leading to sanctions, that that’s what we lieve we’re going to make the Bosnian peace want Iraq to do. But what he wants is, he process work. wants to have it both ways. He wants to get Mr. Lehrer. U.S. troops are going to have the sanctions lifted because he thinks people to be there a long time, aren’t they, Mr. want to do business with him, and he wants President? to be able to continue to pursue a weapons The President. That depends on how long program that we think presents a danger to it takes to achieve the mission. What I do the region and maybe to the world and cer- think we should do, since it just invites recal- tainly to our own interests and values. citrance on the part of any parties in Bosnia So I just want him to think about it again that don’t want to do something that’s in the before they weigh all this too much. I think Dayton peace agreement, if the Americans that’s a mistake. I want him to think about say, ‘‘Well, we’re leaving in a year,’’ and then it and let these inspectors go back. the Europeans say, ‘‘We’re going to leave as soon as they do,’’ then the people who have Bosnia-Herzegovina to make changes say, ‘‘Well, all I’ve got to Mr. Lehrer. One more foreign policy area, do is hang around a year, and I won’t have and that’s Bosnia. That just hasn’t worked out to make any changes at all.’’ So I think we the way you had hoped, has it? should lift the sort of time certain—— The President. Well, it hasn’t worked out Mr. Lehrer. No more deadlines. as fast as I’d hoped, but it actually is kind The President. ——for withdrawal. Yes. of working out the way I had hoped in the Because it—the world community really sense that the Dayton peace agreement is hasn’t done anything like this in a while— very much alive and well. And we’ve sepa- not like this—and it’s very complicated. But rated the troops—I mean the forces—and on the other hand, at bottom, it’s about peo- the people, and we’ve got some relocation ple getting along together and working to- going on, and we’ve collected a lot of the gether and serving together as citizens. And

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I have been quite impressed by how much interdependence is occurring—and plus has been done. you’ve got all this interdependence at a citi- zen level with the Internet exploding and the U.S. Role in an Interdependent World information explosion. We’re going to have Mr. Lehrer. We’ve been talking now all kinds of implications with the scientific about all these foreign policy things and I explosions going on now. And we just happen was just—if you were to go back through to be, at this moment in history, the strongest here, only the U.S. can keep peace in Bosnia; and the wealthiest country around. It is a only the U.S. can make peace—and make unique gift for our people. They’ve worked peace in the Middle East; only the U.S. can hard for it, but it’s still a blessing. But it’s stabilize—— also a unique responsibility. The President. Facilitate peace. And, you know, looking back over the last Mr. Lehrer. Yes, facilitate peace. 5 years—I just celebrated my 5th anniversary The President. Whatever that word is. here—I think that our administration has had Mr. Lehrer. Okay, facilitate peace. good success in changing the role of Govern- The President. They’ve got to make the ment, in changing the debate about Govern- peace. ment from—you know, the debate I heard Mr. Lehrer. Okay. Only the U.S. can help for the 12 years before I got here was the stabilize the economies of Asia; only the U.S. Government is the problem versus Govern- can stare down Saddam Hussein in Iraq. If ment is the solution. And we’ve sort of come there are going to be any coalitions, the U.S. up with, no, no, Government is neither. Gov- has to organize them and make them work. ernment is a catalyst; it’s got to give people Is this the role of the United States of Amer- the tools to solve their own problems; it’s got ica for the immediate future? to be a good partner; it’s got to empower The President. Well, it’s a big part of it. neighborhoods and people. So we’ve got a But it also is a part of our role to put together smaller, more active Government, and yet a broad coalition on the climate change treaty we’ve invested more in education, more in to deal with global warming. It’s also our role science and technology, more in the environ- to put together global efforts to stiffen our ment. And it’s working, and we’ve got good efforts against biological warfare, or to put results. together a global effort to support the Inter- We’ve not been as successful in convincing national Monetary Fund and nations them- people in very practical terms about the selves in dealing with the Asian financial cri- interdependence of foreign and domestic sis. policy, of economic and security policy. We We live in a world that is interdependent just haven’t been. But I’m hoping we can be in two or three ways. Number one, what hap- more successful. pens in one country affects what happens in Mr. Lehrer. The way it would come back another one. We can see that. Number two, to you would be this way, Mr. President. If what happens on economic issues increas- there’s a problem, like Asia has an economic ingly has a security impact, and vice versa. problem, we’re the folks that send the most I’ll just give you—the most blatant example money. You had a problem in Bosnia, Soma- is there’s all these articles in the paper about lia, a military problem—we’re the ones that all these countries, that their currency send the most troops. That’s how it translates dropped and therefore they can’t buy jet air- in practice. planes for their air forces. That’s the most The President. Yes, but if you look at it— obvious case. if you look at—there are some areas in the Mr. Lehrer. Thailand, for example. Bosnian peacekeeping operation, like civilian The President. Yes. So there’s the eco- police, for example, where the Europeans nomics and the security; there’s the national have 9 times as many as we do. We put up and the international. There’s all this inter- more money. You look at the different alloca- dependence. And I just think that in this tions. world, if you happen to be at the moment If you look at what’s going on in the United it’s occurring, that this huge new world of Nations, if the congressional position—which

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is that we ought to have our U.N. dues low- The President. Well, I think the average ered to 20 percent—prevails, since a lot of American should be concerned about it par- really poor countries pay even less than their ticularly as it relates to the racial disparities fair share of the world’s GNP, we’d actually in the results we get in living and working be getting off light compared to many, many and educating in America. I mean, if you look other countries—really light. So it’s just not at the number of minorities who are in poor true that we always pay an unfair share, but inner-city schools, where the performance is it is true that we are called upon to bear lower than it should be; if you look at the the largest burden. number of people who either don’t have jobs If it helps us, I think we ought to do it. or are still underemployed, no matter how And if it’s right and we can do it at an accept- strong the economy is; if you look at the pat- able price, we ought to do it, whether or not terns of opportunity wherever there are dif- we’re sure it helps us. But it’s hard to quarrel ferences, I think we should be concerned with the argument that we’ve been hurt by about that. having 220-odd trade agreements in the last And we don’t have to have a fight over 5 years, when you look at what’s happened affirmative action every time. We can actu- and a third of our growth coming out of ally say, how are we going to make it possible trade. It’s hard to quarrel with the argument for more people to live together, learn to- that we’ve been hurt by our leadership in gether, and serve together and work together Bosnia or the Middle East, in Northern Ire- at the same level of excellence? I think every- land or any of these other places. body should be concerned about it. I think It’s hard to quarrel with the fact that our everybody ought to be concerned about dis- efforts to work with other countries to deal crimination, where it still exists—and it still with chemical and biological and nuclear does. weapons, to deal with climate change, to deal And finally, you know, the Vice President with global disease spread, those things are gave a brilliant speech on Martin Luther good for Americans right where they live. King’s Day, Monday, down in Atlanta, talking And we just simply don’t have an option to about how profoundly embedded in the say, ‘‘Well, I’m sorry, it looks bad in the news- human heart and culture and history the feel- paper today so I think I’ll check out of this ings of racial prejudice are. And I think it’s old world.’’ But it looked pretty good there really worth—if we’re going to be an inter- for a couple of years, and we were getting dependent country leading an interdepend- a whole lot more than we were giving, so ent world, then all this interdependence has we liked that. got to work. And with all of our diversity, We’ve got to be consistent, and we’ve got we’ve got to keep working on it hard. It’s to realize that there is an interdependence not just a question of education. You’ve got within our country, on each other, and be- to really work at it all the time. yond our country. And I’ve been working on Mr. Lehrer. Why are you having trouble that. And I’m supposed to be a pretty good getting some blunt talk started on this? communicator, but I don’t think I’ve done The President. I don’t know—we finally as well as I need to. I’ve got to do more to got some blunt talk going on affirmative ac- persuade people. tion. And there were some pretty compelling stories told in Phoenix the other day. But I Racial Divisions in America would like to see some blunt talk. Mr. Lehrer. On a domestic issue, one that Mr. Lehrer. On affirmative action? you’ve also been talking about a lot—re- The President. Well, we had some blunt cently, in particular, but you’ve always talked talk on affirmative action. I don’t think the about it—and that’s the racial divisions in this whole debate ought to be about affirmative country. Where would you put that in terms action. of your own concerns and the concerns that I mean, you know, look at what we’ve you think the average American should have done, for example, with something that’s sup- about their country right now as we sit here? posed to have a civil rights impact that’s

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largely economic, the Community Reinvest- kinds of foreign policy. We had all these ment Act. It passed in 1977, over 20 years plans, and I think you’d have to say, on bal- ago. Now, the Community Reinvestment Act ance, it’s working pretty good. was set up to say to the bank regulators, So the first thing I would hope they say ‘‘Look, you guys go in and look at these banks is, the President might be right about his phi- and tell them, you’ve got to take some of losophy of Government and the values and your money and invest it in inner cities and the principles that we ought to be looking neighborhoods and with people who other- to, and about this whole interdependence wise would not get it so they have a chance business—because we do have the lowest un- to build homes, to build businesses, to create employment rate, the lowest inflation rate in jobs, to build neighborhoods.’’ In the 20-year a generation, the lowest crime rate in a gen- history of the Community Reinvestment Act, eration, the biggest drop in welfare ever, 85 percent-plus of the money loaned out dropping rates of juvenile crime, teen preg- under it to poor inner-city neighborhoods has nancy, drug use, and we’re moving ahead in been loaned in the 5 years since I’ve been the world. President. The second thing I’d like for them to say So I think there are things we can do to is, we’ve still got some significant challenges improve education, to improve job growth, out there before we are completely prepared to improve not just having jobs but also in- for this new era. We’ve got the entitlement come and ownership among minorities, to challenge: How are our parents going to be create opportunities for service that will on Social Security and how are the baby bring people together, that will also mean boomers going to be on Social Security with- fewer racial discrimination claims that have out bankrupting their kids? We’ve got the to be dealt with by Government, and also work and family challenge still there: How I think will help to tame the savage heart can you do the most important work of soci- that still lurks within so many of us. ety, raising children, and still be good at work? We’ve got the environment and econ- President’s Goals and Accomplishments omy challenge out there: How do you deal Mr. Lehrer. What should the American with climate change and clean air, clean people think about their President right water, safe food, diseases spreading—all this now? You’re going into your—the last 3 years sort of stuff—preserving the environment, of your administration; you got all this con- growing the economy? Those are just three troversy today; you’ve got all kinds of things of the big changes out there. in the air. Look at the world. You know, in America The President. I think they ought to, first we talk about diversity, and it’s a real positive of all, think that—I came to office after the thing. We say we’re going to get all these ’92 election with a real theory of what I want- people together. In a world where the ed to do to build America’s bridge to the Internet can also give you information about 21st century; that I wanted to strengthen our how to make a terrorist bomb, and there’s Union, and I wanted to broaden our set of more and more diversity among religious and opportunities, and I wanted to deepen our racial and ethnic hatreds, how can you make freedom, and I wanted to prepare for this sure the world is about community, not con- modern world. flict? I had an idea about changing the philoso- These are huge questions. And I don’t phy of Government, which I talked about think any serious person believes we’ve re- earlier. I had an idea that all of our policies solved all these questions. So when I look ought to be rooted in my three little words: at ’98, yes, I want to balance the budget; yes, opportunity, responsibility, and community. I’ve got this great child care initiative which We had a plan for changing the economic deals with work and family; I’ve got a Medi- policy of the country, the welfare policy of care initiative and the Medicare commission, the country, the crime policy of the country, which deals with honoring our obligations to the policy helping people balance work and our parents. But we’ve still got a bunch of family, of integrating economic and other work to do.

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So the second thing I want them to say have to do what I came here to do. And I is, yes, he was right the first 5 years, and think the results that America has enjoyed we’re way ahead of where we were 5 years indicates that’s a pretty good argument for ago, but we’ve got a huge amount to do yet, doing what I came here to do. a huge amount before we’re really ready for the year 2000 and the 21st century. Public Approval of the President Mr. Lehrer. Whatever the personal things Independent Counsel’s Investigation may be, the polls show that people approve Mr. Lehrer. But on a more personal level, of your job as President, even though they Mr. President, you’re a week from your State may not have that high regard of you as a of the Union Address, and here you’re under person. investigation for a very, very serious crime— The President. Hardly anyone has ever allegation of a serious crime. I mean, what been subject to the level of attack I have. does that do to your ability to do all of these You know, it made a lot of people mad when things that we’ve been talking about, whether I got elected President. And the better the it’s the Middle East or whether it’s child care country does, it seems like the madder some reform or what? of them get. But that’s not important. What’s The President. Well, I’ve got to do my important here is what happens to the Amer- best. I’d be less than candid if I said it was ican people. I mean, there are sacrifices to just hunky-dory. But I’ve been living with this being President, and in some periods of his- sort of thing for a long time. And my experi- tory the price is higher than others. I’m just ence has been, unfortunately, sometimes doing the best I can for my country. when one charge dies, another one just lifts up to take its place. But I can tell you, what- Paula Jones Lawsuit ever I feel about it, I owe it to the American Mr. Lehrer. We’re sitting here in the Roo- people to put it in a little box and keep work- sevelt Room in the White House, it’s 4:15 ing for them. This job is not like other jobs p.m., Eastern Time. All of the cable news in that sense. You don’t get to take a vacation organizations have been full of this story all from your obligations to the whole country. day. The newspapers are probably going to You must have to remember why you ran, be full of it tomorrow and the news—this understand what’s happening and why, and story is going to be there and be there and go back and hit it tomorrow. That’s all you be there. The Paula Jones trial coming up can do. in May, and you’re going—— Mr. Lehrer. But going back to what we The President. I’m looking forward to said at the beginning, what we were talking that. about, isn’t this one different than all the oth- Mr. Lehrer. Why? ers? This one isn’t about a land deal in Arkan- The President. Because I believe that the sas, or it’s not even about sex. It’s about other evidence will show what I have been saying, things, about a serious matter. that I did not do what I was accused of doing. The President. But all the others, a lot It’s very difficult, you know—one of the of them were about serious matters. They things that people learn is you can charge just faded away. people with all kinds of things; it’s almost Mr. Lehrer. I’m not suggesting that they impossible to prove your innocence. That’s weren’t serious—— almost impossible to do. I think I’ll be able The President. All I can tell you is I’ll to do that. We’re working hard at it. do my best to help them get to the bottom Mr. Lehrer. What about the additional of it. I did not ask anybody to lie under oath. element here? You’re the President of the I did not do that. That’s the allegation. I United States. You’ve got—certainly you’ve didn’t do it. And we’ll just get to the bottom got personal things that you want to prove of it. We’ll go on. or disprove, et cetera. But when does just And meanwhile, I’ve got to keep working the process become demeaning to the Presi- at this. I can’t just ignore the fact that every dency? I mean, somebody said—in fact they day that passes is one more day that I don’t said it on our program—that this trial in May

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will be tabloid nirvana. And look—just what Excerpt of a Telephone Interview happened—— With Morton Kondrake and Ed The President. I tried to spare the coun- Henry of Roll Call try that. That’s the only reason that we asked January 21, 1998 the Supreme Court to affirm that, absent some terrible emergency, the President Independent Counsel’s Investigation shouldn’t be subject to suits, so that he wouldn’t become a political target. They Mr. Henry. Hello, Mr. President, this is made a different decision. And they have Ed Henry. How are you? made the decision that this was good for the The President. Hi, Ed. country. So I’m taking it and dealing with Mr. Kondrake. A few questions about the it the best I can. breaking news. Do you think that this Monica Lewinsky story is going to overshadow your State of the Union Address? Independent Counsel’s Investigation The President. Well, I hope not. But you Mr. Lehrer. And the new thing, you’re guys will have to make that decision. The going to be, you know, pour it on, nothing press will make that decision. is going to change? Mr. Henry. Some Republicans have been The President. I have got to go to work talking about impeachment for months now. every day. You know, whatever people say And even your former adviser George about me, whatever happens to me, I can’t Stephanopoulos mentioned it this morning, say that people didn’t tell me they were going that it could lead to that. What is your reac- to go after me because they thought I rep- tion to the suggestion that this may lead to resented a new direction in American politics impeachment? The President. and they thought we could make things bet- Well, I don’t believe it will. I’m going to cooperate with this inves- ter. And I can’t say that they haven’t been tigation. And I made it very clear that the as good as their word—every day, you know, allegations are not true. I didn’t ask anybody just a whole bunch of them trying to make not to tell the truth. And I’ll cooperate. So sure that gets done. But I just have to keep I think that there will be a lot of stirring and working at it. there will be a lot of speculation about how I didn’t come here for money or power this all was done and what it means and what or anything else. I came here to spend my it portends, and you all will handle it however time, do my job, and go back to my life. you will. I’m just going to go back to work That’s all I want to do. And that’s what I’m and do the best I can. trying to do for the best interests of America. Mr. Kondrake. Do you think you have to And so far, the results have been good, and refer to it in some way in the speech on Tues- I just hope the people will keep that in mind. day? Mr. Lehrer. Mr. President, thank you very The President. I’ve given no thought to much. that, no. The President. Thank you. Mr. Henry. Will this cloud your ability to get anything done with this Congress as you head into the new session? NOTE: The interview began at 3:30 p.m. in the The President. Well, that will be up to Roosevelt Room at the White House. It was videotaped for evening broadcast on Public them. I don’t think so. It’s election year; Broadcasting Service television stations nation- they’ll want to get some things done, too. And wide. In his remarks, the President referred to we’ve got a lot to do. I’m going to give them Monica Lewinsky, former White House intern the first balanced budget, 3 years ahead of and subject of Independent Counsel Kenneth time, and a great child care initiative and an Starr’s newly expanded investigation; President important Medicare initiative. We’ve got a Fidel Castro of Cuba; Richard Butler, chairman, Medicare commission meeting. We’re going United Nations Special Commission; and Presi- to be able to actually see this budget bal- dent Saddam Hussein of Iraq. anced and start to run a little surplus. We’ve

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got a lot of things to do around the world, really than you do, but I will cooperate. The so I think this is quite important. charges are not true, and I haven’t asked any- Mr. Kondrake. Okay. Let me just ask you body to lie. one more question about this. You said in Ms. Liasson. Mr. President, where do you a statement today that you had no improper think this comes from? Did you have any relationship with this intern. What exactly kind of relationship with her that could have was the nature of your relationship with her? been misconstrued? The President. Well, let me say, the rela- The President. Mara, I’m going to do my tionship’s not improper, and I think that’s im- best to cooperate with the investigation. I portant enough to say. But because the inves- want to know what they want to know from tigation is going on and because I don’t know me. I think it’s more important for me to what is out—what’s going to be asked of me, tell the American people that there wasn’t I think I need to cooperate, answer the ques- improper relations; I didn’t ask anybody to tions, but I think it’s important for me to lie; and I intend to cooperate. And I think make it clear what is not. And then, at the that’s all I should say right now, so I can appropriate time, I’ll try to answer what is. get back to the work of the country. But let me answer, it is not an improper rela- Ms. Liasson. But you’re not able to say tionship, and I know what the word means. whether you had any conversations with her So let’s just—— about her testimony, any conversations at all? Mr. Kondrake. Was it in any way sexual? The President. I think, given the state of The President. The relationship was not this investigation, it would be inappropriate sexual. And I know what you mean, and the for me to say more. I’ve said everything I answer is no. think that I need to say now. I’m going to NOTE: The interview began at 4:26 p.m. The be cooperative, and we’ll work through it. President spoke from the Oval Office at the White Mr. Siegel. But is the fact that in this case, House. as we understand it, a close friend of this young woman was outfitted with a wire, with a microphone to record conversations with Interview With Mara Liasson and her at the instruction of the Whitewater Robert Siegel of National Public counsel, does that disturb you? Do you re- Radio gard that Mr. Starr is playing the inquisitor January 21, 1998 here in this case? The President. Well, that’s a question the Independent Counsel’s Investigation American people will have to ask and answer, Mr. Siegel. Mr. President, welcome to the and the press will have to ask and answer, program. the bar will have to ask and answer. But it’s Many Americans woke up to the news inappropriate for me to comment on it at today that the Whitewater independent this time. I just have to cooperate, and I’ll counsel is investigating an allegation that you, do that. or you and Vernon Jordan, encouraged a young woman to lie to lawyers in the Paula Jones civil suit. Is there any truth to that alle- Scrutiny of the Presidency gation? Mr. Siegel. And a broader question. I un- The President. No, sir, there’s not. It’s derstand that you don’t want to comment on just not true. this. There are some commentators—on our Mr. Siegel. Is there any truth to the alle- network, it would be Kevin Phillips, who said gation of an affair between you and the young that the moral leadership of the Presidency woman? justifies the kind of scrutiny that you’re re- The President. No, that’s not true, either. ceiving. Do you agree with that? And I have told people that I would cooper- The President. Well, I think there is a ate in the investigation, and I expect to co- lot of scrutiny, and there should be, and I operate with it. I don’t know any more about think that’s important. I’ll leave it to others it than I’ve told you and any more about it to define whether the kind we have received

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in volume, nature, and accuracy, and some- what the Palestinians want is a peace process times downright honesty, is appropriate. that gives them a stronger sense of self-deter- That’s for others to determine. mination and possibility and dignity. I just have a certain number of days here. So what we’ve tried to do—for 12 months I came here as not a Washington person. I now, ever since the Hebron redeployment, came here to try to change the country and we have been out involved in the region, talk- to work to build the future of America in ing to all the players—that’s not the royal a new century. And I just have to try to put ‘‘we,’’ I mean me, the Secretary of State, Mr. this in a little box like I have every other Ross, Mr. Berger, others involved—trying to thing that has been said and done, and go analyze what it would take to get the peace on and do my job. That’s what I’m going to process back on track. And we’ve formulated work at. some ideas and we talked to the Israeli Prime Ms. Liasson. Mr. President, earlier today Minister about them yesterday; we’re going you said you tried your best to contain your to talk to Mr. Arafat about them tomorrow. natural impulses and get back to work. Were We hope that by the time we finish the talk you furious? Is that what you were referring that both sides will be closer together than to? they were before we started. And if they are, The President. I was. I was. then we’ll try to close. But I think there may Ms. Liasson. And what were you furious be circumstances under which we could take about? a real leap forward in the Middle East peace The President. Well, I worked with Prime process if we get a break or two. Minister Netanyahu until 12:30 last night; Mr. Siegel. This week? I’m getting ready for Mr. Arafat; I’m working on the State of the Union; and we’ve got a The President. No, I wouldn’t go that far. lot of big issues out there within and beyond It’s going to take a while. We have to work our borders. And I don’t think any American with the Palestinians tomorrow, then we have questions the fact that I’ve worked very hard to analyze where we are with both and at this job. And anything that’s a distraction whether we can go forward. And we may not I dislike. make any progress at all. And if we don’t, Ms. Liasson. Do you see this as a partisan I’ll tell you that. attack? Is that what—— Mr. Siegel. I’d like to ask you, though, The President. I didn’t say that. I don’t after spending so much time with Mr. know what the facts are. I don’t know enough Netanyahu on this visit and on other visits, to say any more about this. I don’t want to some people regard him as a man who always get into that. You know at least as much opposed a land for peace settlement to the about it as I do. I worked until 12:30 last conflict with the Palestinians, certainly night on something else. That’s why I have wouldn’t have negotiated the Oslo accords given the answer that I have given to your had he been in office then, has never liked questions today. them particularly. Some would say he’s really trying to thwart that process and contain the Middle East Peace Process damage from his standpoint. Do you think Mr. Siegel. Moving on to the matter you so? were working on late at night last night. First, The President. No, I can’t say that based it seems the message to Mr. Netanyahu from on what I’ve seen. I do believe—he’s made the U.S. was, we want to see you withdraw no secret of the fact that he has principle from some part of the West Bank. First, differences with the Oslo process, which he what’s the message to Yasser Arafat, if you has pledged to support. And we all know he could sum it up? has a different political coalition, and that in- The President. Well, first of all, let’s talk deed, the political forces in Israel itself are about what they want. I think what Israel different than they were even a few years wants is a peace process that moves imme- ago in terms of the composition of the popu- diately to final status negotiations and gives lation, the rise of these small parties and im- them a stronger sense of security. I think migrant-related intense groups and all that.

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So I think that’s all there. I think that, histori- friends in the region? Is there some linkage cally, there’s been a little bit of difference between progress—— in the kind of the texture of the relationship The President. I don’t think there is a between the Likud Party and the Palestinians linkage, a direct linkage. It may affect the and the Labor Party and the Palestinians. So atmospherics, just, you know, the attitude there are a lot of layers here. about America. But I think it would be wrong But the bottom line is, I think, Mr. to say there’s a direct linkage. Netanyahu is an intelligent man who wants The main thing is every country in the re- to make peace and understands that there gion and throughout the world has a vested has to be some formula where some marginal interest in seeing that no one who would ei- increase in territorial insecurity by giving up ther use or sell weapons of mass destruc- land is more than offset by a dramatic in- tion—especially chemical and biological crease in security by changing the feelings weapons which could be carried around in of the people, the climate, the capacity for small amounts, in little valises—that no one growth and opportunity. who would use or sell them has a big program So we’re just trying to hammer out what of them, which is why the whole United Na- each side will have to do to take another step. tions is against the Iraqi program. They need I’m hopeful. to think long and hard, these countries that Situation in Iraq have been a little squeamish about being Ms. Liasson. Mr. President, in Iraq, diplo- firm, whether or not it’s possible that they macy hasn’t worked yet. UNSCOM is still could be the victims of this, if not directly barred from doing its job the way it sees fit, from Iraq, from some group or another that getting into the sites that it wants to inspect. Iraq sells to in the future. Yet on the other hand, military action also So I think we need to be firm, and I’m has downsides. It might upset any progress going to do my best to keep rallying support you’re making with allies on other issues. Do and keep working ahead. I prefer the inspec- you think the U.S. has any good choices on tions. I prefer the diplomatic pressure. I have Iraq? not been trigger-happy on this; some here The President. Well, there are no easy in our country think that we should have choices. If we define good as easy, the answer acted before. But I don’t think we can rule is no. What is the problem? The problem out any option. is the weapons of mass destruction program, chemical and biological weapons, primarily. Federal Budget What is the solution? Letting the UNSCOM inspectors go wherever they want. And that Ms. Liasson. Mr. President, moving to do- means that Saddam Hussein cannot deter- mestic policy and the budget surplus, Repub- mine when, where, and who, when it comes licans and Democrats on the Hill have al- to the UNSCOM teams. So now he says that ready said what they want to do with it, either he’s going to determine that, and there is cut taxes or pay down the debt or spend more not going to be any ‘‘when’’ for a couple of money on social problems. But so far, you’ve months, during which time he’ll be free to been silent on this. And I’m wondering if you move whatever he wants wherever he wants. are ready to make a commitment to using I think that this is a big mistake, and I whatever surplus there might be to shoring believe that the United Nations will see it up the Social Security trust funds, making as such, and a real thwarting of its position. sure that safety net is there for the baby And we just have to see where we go from boom generation when it retires. here. The President. Well, I’ll make a commit- Mr. Siegel. Do you feel that to even wield ment that—in my State of the Union Ad- the threat of military action, possible military dress, I’ll announce what I think should be action, that you have to be able to point to done. some progress in the Arab-Israeli negotia- Q. Well, what do you think should be tions in order to maintain the support of U.S. done?

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The President. I’ve decided, but I don’t would be beyond the reach of teenagers, want to announce yet. I need to have some- achieve your major aim, and not take compa- thing to say in the State of the Union that’s nies off the hook for future liability. Are you new. in favor of such a bill? But let me say before I say that, I would The President. You’d have a ‘‘children’s like to just caution—we’ve had 5 great years, only’’ bill that did what? I’m sorry, you had and we’ve always done better than we were a lot of points there. predicted to do on the deficit. But I think Mr. Siegel. Yes, well, first, it would raise I would still caution the Democratic and Re- the price of a pack of cigarettes simply to publican leaders of Congress from passing deter teenage purchasers of cigarettes. some big 5-year program to spend money Ms. Liasson. And strengthen the hand of through spending programs or tax cuts that the FDA, do some marketing restrictions, hasn’t yet materialized. We do not yet have but not be a complete global settlement. a balanced budget. We’ve worked so hard The President. Well, I would favor doing for so long to get this done; I sure hate to something like that without committing to start counting our chickens before they the specifics if we fail to get a global settle- hatch. So I would like to start with that. And ment. But I think we owe it to the attorneys then when I speak at the State of the Union, general and the others who worked with us I’ll say what I think ought to be done. on this in good faith to try to achieve one, Social Security because I think, long term, we need to deter teen smoking with more than just a higher Mr. Siegel. Would you like to caution price tag for cigarettes. I think there are lots equally against shoring up the Social Security of other things that can be done. And I think fund in that case? that we ought to have certain benchmarks The President. Well, in general, I be- of performance for the tobacco companies, lieve—my position on Social Security is that too, which in my view will help because then we need a bipartisan and fairly rapid process they’ll be free to do more—that they even to work through the options and prepare for have to spend a little more money than the long term health and viability of the So- they’re obligated to under the agreement— cial Security system, along with the efforts that are going to be made by the Medicare if they’re not meeting the targets, they may commission, which I’m very hopeful about. decide they ought to do that to save even One of the big things I hope to achieve be- more money down the road. fore I leave office is entitlement reform in So I’m going to look for a global settlement both major systems. So I tell you, I think in the tobacco case for the benefit of our that that needs to be done, and we’re explor- children. If we fail, then I’ll look at some- ing how best to do that. thing else. Ms. Liasson. Well, we don’t want to let Ms. Liasson. Mr. Clinton, following up on you off the hook too easily. You’re not saying that, you’ve cautioned Congress not to spend you’re against using the surplus to shore up the surplus until they have it. Yet you have the Social Security trust funds? committed $60 billion of some projected to- The President. I’m not saying one way bacco settlement bill before it’s even passed or the other. I’m saying I’d like to have some- to new spending. Do you think that’s wise? thing to announce on State of the Union And if you don’t get a tobacco settlement, night. are you committed to those programs? Will you cut elsewhere in order to keep that new Proposed Tobacco Agreement spending? Mr. Siegel. Mr. President, on tobacco, The President. Well let me just say this: there is talk on Capitol Hill of writing and I will not, under any circumstances, favor passing a ‘‘kids only’’ bill, as opposed to seek- funding anything I have recommended with ing a huge global settlement. That would the surplus—with the projected surplus. achieve the aims in theory of raising the cost Ms. Liasson. So, if you don’t get the to- of a pack of cigarettes by so much that it bacco settlement, you’ll cut elsewhere?

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The President. If I don’t get—in other rible thing. That is, in a prison system, where words, if we don’t get the tobacco settlement, you don’t want prison riots, you have to re- we’ll either have to cut the size of the child ward people who do an extraordinarily good care initiative or cut elsewhere, or do some- job of being good inmates within the prison thing else, because I will not just, on my own, system, perhaps the practice of allowing peo- get up and propose that we spend the pro- ple who have life sentences to be paroled posed settlement, or part of it, on these pro- after quite a long period of time is a good grams. I think they are terribly important, one, or, at least, defensible. But juries know but right now we’ve got other fish to fry. And that, too. we’ve got to make sure—the most important So I think the—it’s hard to generalize. But thing is to keep this economy growing, to this was a case where, based on what I know, keep disciplined, to keep strong, to do what I would consider it appropriate to present makes sense. And that’s what has gotten us that to the jury. here, 5 hard years of that, and we don’t want to forget that. Asian Economies So we do have new spending in our pro- Ms. Liasson. Mr. President, on the Asian grams, but it’s new spending within a context financial crisis, a lot of Americans don’t un- of fiscal discipline. It’s new discipline with derstand why taxpayers should help bail out the smallest Federal Government since Ken- banks and investors in the U.S. or Japan or nedy was President and the size of it continu- in Europe who took a risk and made some ing to go down. mistakes. Don’t they bear some responsibil- ity? Don’t they have to take some of the hit? Accused Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski The President. Absolutely. They do bear Mr. Siegel. Federal prosecutors report- some of the responsibility, and they shouldn’t edly rejected a plea bargain agreement not all be bailed out. And that’s one of the most long ago with Theodore Kaczynski, with his frustrating things about this. On the other lawyers at least, that might have guaranteed hand, what this is about is about rebuilding his imprisonment for life. Evidently they confidence in the investment climate of these want the death penalty. Is it important to countries. I don’t think they ought to get one you, say, if he’s convicted, that there be an red cent unless the governments commit to exercise of the Federal death penalty? do things for the future that will mean these The President. If he’s guilty, he killed a banks will have to take a bigger risk, and get lot of people deliberately, and, therefore, I their act cleaned up, unless the International think it’s something that the jury should be Monetary Fund plan is implemented, and able to consider. From my point of view, I then the U.S. and Japan and these other approve of the laws that we have in America countries come in as a backup. now, the sort of two-tiered trial where you But if we refuse on the front end to do determine guilt and then you determine pen- anything, the problem is it could hurt us a alty, and I would want to hear all the testi- lot worse than it could hurt the odd banker mony before I decided how I’d vote in that that doesn’t get his money back, because if case. But I do think it should be presented a lot of people start not getting any of their to the penalty phase. money back, then other people say, ‘‘Well, Mr. Siegel. Even if you had a guilty plea I’m going to get my money out,’’ and then that—as there is no parole in the Federal others say, ‘‘Well, I’m not going to put my system—guaranteed none and spared any money in’’; and then all of a sudden the value possibility of an acquittal, you would still pre- of the currency goes way down. Then what fer to reject that plea, to offer the jury the happens? They don’t have any money to buy option of the death penalty? American products and all their products are The President. I think the jury should cheaper, competing against ours and other have the option. Now, also, as a practical countries. matter, there aren’t many inmates—perhaps So we have a big economic interest as well he would be one—that actually do get life as a huge interest in a stable, democratic without parole. And that’s probably not a ter- Asia. And that’s why I think we’re doing the

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right thing. I hope in the State of the Union Notice—Continuation of Emergency I can persuade the American people that it’s Regarding Terrorists Who Threaten the right thing. To Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process President’s Political Philosophy January 21, 1998 Ms. Liasson. I want to ask you about ‘‘Clintonism.’’ We’ve been hearing a lot about On January 23, 1995, by Executive Order ‘‘Clintonism’’ lately, a coherent political phi- 12947, I declared a national emergency to losophy that may or may not be identified deal with the unusual and extraordinary with you. Do you think there is such a thing, threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States con- and what is it? stituted by grave acts of violence committed The President. Well, I do. I think, first by foreign terrorists that disrupt the Middle of all, it’s a very—it’s a future-oriented politi- East peace process. By Executive Order cal philosophy that attempts to break the log- 12947 of January 23, 1995, I blocked the as- jam between the 1980’s and early nineties sets in the United States, or in the control debate of the Republican position that Gov- of United States persons, of foreign terrorists ernment is the enemy and the Democratic who threaten to disrupt the Middle East position is, sort of, Government is the solu- peace process. I also prohibited transactions tion if we do more of the same; we just need or dealings by United States persons in such to do more. property. In 1996 and 1997, I transmitted My position is we need a different kind notices of the continuation of this national of Government for a different kind of society emergency to the Congress and the Federal and a different kind of world. And we need Register. Last year’s notice of continuation to focus more on giving people the tools they was published in the Federal Register on Jan- need to make the most of their own lives, uary 22, 1997. Because terrorist activities more on being a catalyst for good ideas, more continue to threaten the Middle East peace on empowering the disadvantaged, and creat- process and vital interests of the United ing opportunity, enforcing responsibility, States in the Middle East, the national emer- building community. I think that’s what gency declared on January 23, 1995, and the ‘‘Clintonism’’ is about. And I think it will get measures that took effect on January 24, us to the 21st century. 1995, to deal with that emergency must con- Mr. Siegel. Mr. President, thank you very tinue in effect beyond January 23, 1998. much for talking with us. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. The President. Thank you. 1622(d)), I am continuing the national emer- Mr. Siegel. I’d like to tell our listeners gency with respect to foreign terrorists who that the entire transcript as well as audio of threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace this interview will be available later this process. evening on our Web site, which is This notice shall be published in the Fed- www.npr.org. And once again, thank you very eral Register and transmitted to the Con- much. gress. The President. Thank you. William J. Clinton NOTE: The interview began at 5:08 p.m. in the The White House, Oval Office at the White House and was broadcast January 21, 1998. live on National Public Radio stations nationwide. During the interview, the President referred to the United Nations Special Commission [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, (UNSCOM). 11:51 a.m., January 21, 1997]

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NOTE: This notice was published in the Federal Remarks at the White House Register on January 22. Endowment Dinner January 21, 1998 Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting the Notice on Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt attention please? This will be a brief pro- the Middle East Peace Process gram, because we want you to have a won- derful time tonight at the White House. We January 21, 1998 thank you for doing so much to support the Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) White House Endowment Fund and for your Section 202(d) of the National Emer- commitment to ensuring that this house, the gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for people’s house, remains the pride of our peo- the automatic termination of a national emer- ple well into the next millennium. gency unless, prior to the anniversary date No one has been more committed to mak- of its declaration, the President publishes in ing sure that this house is for all of our people the Federal Register and transmits to the than the First Lady. Over the past 5 years, Congress a notice stating that the emergency Hillary has worked so hard to showcase the is to continue in effect beyond the anniver- talent and creativity of all Americans in each sary date. In accordance with this provision, of these grand and historic rooms, from re- I have sent the enclosed notice, stating that furbishing the Blue Room to securing the the emergency declared with respect to grave first painting by an African-American, or the acts of violence committed by foreign terror- first painting by Georgia O’Keefe for the ists that disrupt the Middle East peace proc- White House’s permanent collection. Her ess is to continue in effect beyond January contributions to this house will remain a long 23, 1998, to the Federal Register for publica- time after we’re gone from Washington. tion. The first notice continuing this emer- Let me say it was in no small part because gency was published in the Federal Register of her dedication that the 1.5 million visitors on January 22, 1996. who walk through the White House every The crisis with respect to the grave acts single year have been able to enjoy the rich- of violence committed by foreign terrorists ness and diversity of America’s cultural herit- that threaten to disrupt the Middle East age. I thank her for her leadership and for peace process that led to the declaration of making this house on all floors a more won- a national emergency, on January 23, 1995, derful and truly historic place to live. has not been resolved. Terrorist groups con- And now, in reverse of the usual order, tinue to engage in activities with the purpose it is my pleasure and honor to introduce the or effect of threatening the Middle East First Lady of the United States. peace process, and which are hostile to U.S. interests in the region. Such actions threaten NOTE: The President spoke at 8:05 p.m. in the vital interests of the national security, foreign State Dining Room at the White House. policy, and economy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to maintain in force the broad Letter to Congressional Leaders authorities necessary to deny any financial Transmitting a Report on Emigration support from the United States for foreign terrorists that threaten to disrupt the Middle Policies of Albania East peace process. January 21, 1998 Sincerely, William J. Clinton Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) I am submitting an updated report to the NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Newt Ging- Congress concerning the emigration laws and rich, Speaker of the House of Representatives, policies of Albania. The report indicates con- and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. tinued Albanian compliance with U.S. and

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international standards in the area of emigra- Q. Mr. President, when do you think the tion. In fact, Albania has imposed no emigra- Israelis will finally meet their U.N. obliga- tion restrictions, including exit visa require- tions, or treaty obligations, to give back con- ments, on its population since 1991. quered land? On December 5, 1997, I determined and The President. Well, we’re going to dis- reported to the Congress that Albania was cuss that. We’re working on it. We believe in full compliance with the freedom of emi- the Oslo process sets out a schedule for rede- gration criteria of sections 402 and 409 of ployment, and that’s obviously one of the the Trade Act of 1974. That action allowed major issues to be discussed. for the continuation of most-favored-nation Q. But they’re not going to meet it, are (MFN) status for Albania and certain other they? activities without the requirement of an an- The President. Well, give us a chance. nual waiver. This semiannual report is sub- We’re working on it. mitted as required by law pursuant to the determination of December 5, 1997. [At this point, a reporter asked Chairman Sincerely, Arafat a question in Arabic, and a translation Bill Clinton was not provided.] Q. Mr. President, what’s the next step NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Newt Ging- now, and is there a timeframe where you rich, Speaker of the House of Representatives, want things to move? and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Sec- The President. Well, after this meeting, retary on January 22. then what we’ll do is to see whether we have moved the parties closer together. And if we have, then we’ll try to figure out how to close Remarks Prior to Discussions With the loop and get an understanding on what Chairman Yasser Arafat of the the next steps are. And if we can do that— Palestinian Authority and an we want to do it, obviously, fairly quickly; Exchange With Reporters we don’t want to just keep dragging this out. January 22, 1998 I think we have a sense of urgency here. [At this point, a reporter asked Chairman Middle East Peace Process Arafat a question in Arabic, and a translation The President. Let me say before we was not provided.] begin that I am very pleased to welcome Chairman Arafat back to the United States Q. Mr. Arafat, do you believe progress was as our partner in the peace process. As I did made with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and with Prime Minister Netanyahu, I want to do you believe progress will be made this emphasize what a critical time this is in the week? And would you agree to a few-stage process and the importance of both parties withdrawal? meeting their obligations. Chairman Arafat. As long as there is I also would like to take just a second to pressure and efforts by President Clinton, underline the principles of the peace process: I’m fully confident that the peace process will mutual obligations and the concept of land be protected and will be succeeded. And we for peace, so that Israelis can live in security, should not forget that the President also has recognized by all their neighbors, and the sent Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State, Palestinians can realize their aspirations to and Mr. Ross to the region many times to live as a free people. If we can focus on these push the peace process forward. principles, I’m convinced we can make some Q. So you believe Mr. Netanyahu will progress. I’m going to give Chairman Arafat stand by his commitments? a little report on my meeting with Mr. Chairman Arafat. We hope so, he would Netanyahu, and then we’re going to go to do so. work.

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Independent Counsel’s Investigation he referred to Ambassador Dennis B. Ross, Spe- Q. Forgive us for raising this while you’re cial Middle East Coordinator. Chairman Arafat dealing with important issues in the Middle spoke in Arabic, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter. A tape was not available for East, but could you clarify for us, sir, exactly verification of the content of these remarks. what your relationship was with Ms. Lewinsky, and whether the two of you talked by phone, including any messages you may have left? Videotaped Remarks on the 25th The President. Let me say, first of all, I Anniversary of the Supreme Court’s want to reiterate what I said yesterday. The Roe v. Wade Decision allegations are false, and I would never ask anybody to do anything other than tell the January 22, 1998 truth. Let’s get to the big issues there, about On January 22d, we marked the 25th anni- the nature of the relationship and whether versary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Su- I suggested anybody not tell the truth. That preme Court decision that affirmed every is false. woman’s right to choose whether and when Now, there are a lot of other questions that to have a child, and in doing so, affirmed are, I think, very legitimate. You have a right two of our Nation’s most deeply-held values, to ask them; you and the American people have a right to get answers. We are working personal privacy and family responsibility. very hard to comply and get all the requests Over the past 25 years, Roe v. Wade has for information up here, and we will give you had a major positive impact on the health as many answers as we can, as soon as we and well-being of American women and their can, at the appropriate time, consistent with families. Safe, legal abortion has all but elimi- our obligation to also cooperate with the in- nated the dangerous, clandestine conditions vestigations. that claimed too many women’s lives when And that’s not a dodge, that’s really why the procedure was illegal. I’ve—I’ve talked with our people. I want to I’m committed to keeping abortion safe, do that. I’d like for you to have more rather legal, and accessible—and to making it more than less, sooner rather than later. So we’ll rare. Over the last 5 years, we’ve led the way work through it as quickly as we can and get on policies to prevent unintended pregnancy all those questions out there to you. by making comprehensive family planning and sex education programs more widely Pope’s Visit to Cuba available. We’ve increased support for Title Q. Mr. President, about the Pope and X family planning services every year in our Cuba, what are your impressions of the re- budget. And I’ll do so again this year. markable scenes of the Pope in Cuba, and I fought to continue funding for inter- what about his call for an end to the embar- national family planning, bringing much go? needed health care to women all around the The President. Well, first of all, I’m glad world. Here at home, by working together he went to Cuba. I think it’s a wonderful with health care professionals, community thing and I’m glad that Mr. Castro invited groups, schools, and family planning agen- him to come. I’m glad the Cuban Govern- cies, we’ve made real progress in reducing ment let the Christian people in Cuba cele- teen pregnancy. And I was proud to sign leg- brate Christmas last Christmas, acknowledge islation to protect the rights Roe established it in an explicit and open way. And I hope by protecting women’s clinics from violence. that this trip will lead to some reassessment We have enforced that law to its full extent. on the part of the Cuban Government that would enable us to move closer together in I will continue to do everything I can to many ways. make sure that every child in America is a wanted child, raised in a loving, strong fam- NOTE: The President spoke at 10:11 a.m. in the ily. Ultimately, that idea is what the anniver- Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, sary of Roe v. Wade celebrates.

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Hillary and I join with all of you in com- Statement on Receiving the Interim memorating this milestone and pledge our- Report of the Secretary of State’s selves anew to protecting the right to choose. Special Advisory Committee on Thank you, and God bless you. Religious Freedom Abroad January 23, 1998 NOTE: The President recorded these remarks on January 6 in the Cabinet Room at the White I welcome the report of the Committee, House. which my administration established in No- vember 1996 to advise us on means to com- bat religious persecution and intolerance Statement on the Apprehension of abroad. Goran Jelisic I am pleased that the Committee has rec- ognized the considerable efforts we have al- January 22, 1998 ready made to raise the profile of these issues and invigorate our advocacy, and we will I welcome the news that Goran Jelisic has carefully study the Committee’s rec- been detained by SFOR forces, led by Amer- ommendations on how we can do more. ican units, in the Republika Srpska city of This distinguished group of Americans is Bijelina. He is now being transported to The playing a critical role in our effort to promote Hague for trial before the International religious freedom abroad, and we look for- Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. ward to a continued and close collaboration Jelisic was indicted by the Tribunal in 1995 as the Committee prepares its final report for 56 counts of genocide, war crimes, and in the months to come. crimes against humanity. The SFOR forces acted according to their rules of engagement, which authorize the apprehension of indicted war criminals when encountered in the Digest of Other course of their duties. This was the third such White House Announcements apprehension by SFOR forces, following ac- tions last July and December that resulted in the capture of four indictees and the death The following list includes the President’s public of a fifth. schedule and other items of general interest an- I congratulate the SFOR troops who par- nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and ticipated in this effort. The United States not included elsewhere in this issue. continues to support fully the work of the Tribunal to bring indicted war criminals to January 17 justice. Jelisic will be the 23rd of 78 indictees In the afternoon, the President gave testi- brought to The Hague for trial. It is impor- mony by deposition in the law offices of at- tant to recall that most of these were deliv- torney Robert S. Bennett. ered in the last 7 months by the parties them- selves. We intend to sustain political and eco- January 20 In the evening, the President met with nomic pressure to assure continued compli- Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of Is- ance with the Dayton accords. rael in the Oval Office. We must continue this progress. Today, I call again on all parties to the Dayton accords January 21 to fulfill their obligations to bring all indicted The President announced his intention to war criminals to justice. Carrying out these appoint Stephen B. Hand as member and commitments is essential for advancing the Vice Chair of the Advisory Council on His- work of reconciliation in Bosnia. toric Preservation.

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The White House announced that the Released January 21 President will travel to Africa in March, in- Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- cluding a state visit to South Africa at the retary Mike McCurry invitation of President Nelson Mandela. Statement by the Press Secretary: President January 23 Clinton To Make Historic Visit to Africa In the morning, the President met with his Cabinet in the Cabinet Room. Later, he Released January 22 met with Minister of Finance Tharin Nimmanhemin of Thailand to discuss the Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Asian-Pacific economic situation. retary Mike McCurry In the afternoon, the President met with Statement by the Press Secretary: President former President Jimmy Carter in the Oval Clinton Welcomes Signing of Ecuador-Peru Office to discuss President Carter’s recent Accord travel to Africa and China. Transcript of a press briefing by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on the visit of Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority Nominations Submitted to the Senate Released January 23 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- NOTE: No nominations were submitted to the retary Mike McCurry Senate during the period covered by this issue. Transcript of a press briefing by Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala and Justice Department Special Counsel for Health Care Fraud John Bentivoglio on the Checklist President’s program on fighting Medicare of White House Press Releases fraud and abuse 1

The following list contains releases of the Office of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Other White House Announcements. Acts Approved by the President Released January 20 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- NOTE: No acts approved by the President were retary Mike McCurry received by the Office of the Federal Register during the period covered by this issue. Transcript of a press briefing by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on the visit of 1 This item was embargoed for release until Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of Is- after broadcast of the President’s radio address rael on January 24.

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