Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, December 18, 2000 Volume 36—Number 50 Pages 3041–3100 Contents

Addresses and Remarks Communications to Federal Agencies Chernobyl nuclear powerplant shutdown, Emergency military assistance to the United videotape remarks—3096 Nations mission in Sierra Leone, Childhood immunization initiative—3059 memorandum—3065 ‘‘Christmas in Washington’’—3050 Funding for emergency refugee and migration Ireland assistance, memorandum—3098 Improving immunization rates for children at Community in Dundalk—3068 risk, memorandum—3061 Reception hosted by Prime Minister Ahern in Dublin—3067 Interviews With the News Media National Christmas Tree lighting—3062 Exchanges with reporters Nebraska Air Force One—3085 Arrival at Offutt Air Force Base in Belfast, Northern Ireland—3071 Bellevue—3041 Dublin, Ireland—3065 Nebraska 2000 victory reception in North Aylesbury, United Kingdom—3077 Omaha—3042 Roosevelt Room—3048, 3059 Radio address—3044 Interview with Forrest Sawyer for the Special Olympics dinner—3095 Discovery Channel—3051 United Kingdom Meetings With Foreign Leaders People of Northern Ireland in Belfast— Ireland, Prime Minister Ahern—3065, 3067, 3072 3068 Resolution of the 2000 Presidential election, United Kingdom remarks in North Aylesbury—3077 Northern Ireland University of Warwick in Coventry—3078 Deputy First Minister Mallon—3071, William J. Clinton Presidential Library, design 3072 unveiling—3045 First Minister Trimble—3071, 3072 Prime Minister Blair—3071, 3072 Bill Signings Proclamations Water Resources Development Act of 2000, Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and statement—3063 Human Rights Week—3049 Wright Brothers Day—3095

(Continued on the inside of the back cover.)

Editor’s Note: The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is also available on the Inter- net on the GPO Access service at http://www.gpo.gov/nara/nara003.html.

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. Contents—Continued

Statements by the President Statements by the President—Continued See also Bill Signings Monitoring the Future Survey—3094 Death of Representative Julian C. Dixon— Trade agreements, guidelines for 3044 environmental review—3077 Edmond Pope U.S. International Trade Commission action Release—3094 against gray market cigarettes—3097 Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to pardon—3049 Supplementary Materials Ethiopia-Eritrea final peace agreement, signing—3068 Acts approved by the President—3100 Faith Leaders Initiative of the National Checklist of White House press releases— Conference for Community and Justice— 3099 3076 Digest of other White House International crime, action against—3097 announcements—3098 Irish deportation proceedings, termination— Nominations submitted to the Senate—3099 3063 Week Ending Friday, December 15, 2000

Remarks on Arrival at Offutt Air safer and more prosperous and a better part- Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska ner in an interdependent world. Now, one of the things that I wanted to December 8, 2000 do in coming here is to say that none of that Thank you very much. Thank you. One of would be possible if our foreign policy was my critics once said it would be a cold day not backed by the finest military in the entire when I came to Nebraska. [Laughter] But world. I think I got a pretty warm welcome here I was told a couple of weeks ago, you know, today, and I thank you very, very much. since I’m a short-termer, as you might say— I want to thank all of those who welcomed [laughter]—all the statisticians are coming me, but especially, thank you, Brigadier Gen- up to me and saying, ‘‘Well, did you know eral Power; thank you, Admiral Mies. I thank this; did you know that; did you know the the officers and enlisted personnel here. other thing?’’ And I was told a couple of I want to thank Senator Bob Kerrey for weeks ago by one of the people who is sup- being, first, my colleague. We were Gov- posed to look at all the White House records ernors together, and we have been friends that I have now visited more military units for a long time, and he has superbly served than any President in the history of the coun- the people of Nebraska and the United States try. in the Senate. I know you’ll miss him, and Having said that, I do not believe my serv- I thank him. ice in that regard would have been complete I also want to congratulate his successor, if I hadn’t come to Offutt Air Force Base with whom I also served as Governor. Thank to see the people of the Fighting 55th and you very much for running and serving, Sen- the Strategic Command. Many of those serv- ator-elect Ben Nelson and Mrs. Nelson; ing in the 55th couldn’t be with us today. thank you very much. You heard the General say the Sun never I brought with me today former Nebraska sets on the 55th. They are now serving on Congressman Peter Hoagland, and I thank this day from Okinawa to Mildenhall to Saudi him; Secretary of State Moore; Mayor Daub; Arabia, keeping a watchful eye so the rest Acting Mayor Sorensen of Bellevue; and the of us can be secure. other elected officials who are here. For decades now—for a full decade in the You know, earlier today I went to Kearney Persian Gulf, the 55th has helped check the to speak at the University of Nebraska there ambitions of Saddam Hussein and guard to the young people about an American for- peace in the region. In Bosnia, in Kosovo, eign policy for the 21st century. And I made you risk your lives to help stop genocide. The a pretty simple argument: that the world is days of winter may be short here, but it is getting smaller and smaller; that people and really true that the Sun never sets on you goods and ideas and information are crossing and your work. national borders more freely and faster than I also want to honor the men and women ever before; and that, therefore, it was quite of the Strategic Command. For every minute necessary, even here in the heartland of of every day during the past 50 years, you America, that every citizen of our country and your predecessors at the Strategic Air care about what goes on beyond our borders Command have never let down our guard. and support the next President and the next The cold war may be over, but we still need Congress across party lines in making the you. You are the cornerstone of our deter- kinds of decisions that will make America rence and our security. 3041 3042 Dec. 8 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

I also want to recognize the other units NOTE: The President spoke at 2:10 p.m. on the who serve here: the Defense Finance and tarmac. In his remarks, he referred to Brig. Gen. Accounting Service, out of Omaha; the U.S. Gregory H. Power, USAF, Commander, 55th Air Force Heartland of America Band; the Wing, and Adm. Richard W. Mies, USN, Com- mander in Chief, United States Strategic Com- 311th Airlift Flight; the 343d Air Force Re- mand, Offutt Air Force Base; Senator-Elect Ben cruiting Squadron; and the U.S. Air Force Nelson of Nebraska and his wife, Diane; Secretary Weather Agency. Would someone please ask of State Scott Moore of Nebraska; Mayor Hal J. them to turn up the heat a little bit? [Laugh- Daub of Omaha, NE; and Acting Mayor Bruce ter] Sorenson of Bellevue. This item was not received Let me just say one other thing. These last in time for publication in the appropriate issue. 8 years have been a great honor for me, and it has been a joy to serve. But the one thing Remarks at a Nebraska 2000 Victory that I will leave office feeling more strongly Reception in Omaha, Nebraska than I did even on the day I took the oath of office, almost 8 years ago, is that the true December 8, 2000 greatness of America resides not in its leaders Thank you very much. First, let me say but in its citizens. And yes, it’s important who to my great friend Vin, to Laurel, thank you wins; and yes, it’s important that we all be- for having me here. It took me a little while lieve that the system is truly democratic and to get to Nebraska. [Laughter] fair. But our system is premised on the hard I was at Offutt, and I told the crowd, I work, the innovation, the values, and the de- said, one of my, sort of, critics said, ‘‘It’ll be votion to freedom of our citizens and espe- a cold day when the President comes to Ne- cially, of course, those who serve us in uni- braska.’’ [Laughter] So I just picked a cold form. day and showed up. [Laughter] And I’m very America is a different and better place glad all of you came. And I’m glad that this than it was 8 years ago. We’ve had all kinds wonderful home has been opened to us and of economic progress, but a lot of social previously, a few months ago, to Hillary, progress, as well. And I would just like to something for which I’m very grateful. I ex- say to you that as you look ahead in this new pect some of you were here that night, and century, we will become more and more I’m very grateful for that. interdependent on each other and on people I want to say congratulations to Ben and beyond our borders. It will become more and to Diane. It’s great news for me. You know, more important, therefore, that every person I served with both Ben Nelson and Bob has a chance, that every person carries his Kerrey when I was a Governor. I had a hard or her own load, and that we always remem- time getting a promotion. I was a Governor ber we do better when we work together. for 12 years—[laughter]—and I never got We have a great future out there, but bored with it. I’d be happy if I were doing we’ve got some challenges. If you look at it, still. But we served together, and I was thrilled when Ben genuinely mustered the where we are now compared to where we courage—both of them, together—to run were 8 years ago, we’re here because, as a again. people, we worked hard; we worked more I’ve been through that deal, where you run closely together; we thought about the fu- for something and it doesn’t work out. And ture; and we decided to pay the price for then it’s all very well—everybody else is tell- that future. That’s why we’re still around ing you run to again, but they don’t know here after over 224 years. how bad it hurts when it doesn’t work— So, you stay with it. Stay with it here at [laughter]—and the sort of pain threshold Offutt; stay with it here in Nebraska. Keep you have to cross to gather yourself together looking toward tomorrow. And remember again. And they did it, and I really believe that I may have been late, but I sure was he’ll be an excellent Senator. And we need glad when I got here. people representing our party in Congress Thank you, and God bless you all. who have a sense of compassion and who are Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 8 3043 progressive, but who can be trusted to man- work in the Senate. But the Senate was a age the economy, as well. place where there were 8 or 10 or 15 people Because the thing that we have proved, that everybody, without regard to their party, I think, in the last 8 years—and I’m coming respected and thought, you know, these peo- to Bob Kerrey on this—is that the most pro- ple talk—they weren’t carrying the party line. gressive social policy begins with a good eco- They weren’t just trying to hurt somebody. nomic policy that keeps interest rates down, They were standing up there, saying some- lets the private sector grow, creates jobs with thing that they really believed would make low unemployment, makes it possible for America a better place. Even if they didn’t people to borrow money to start or expand agree, no one really believed that they were businesses, to pay for college loans or car just motivated by kind of blind partisanship loans or credit cards or home mortgages. or power grabbing or manipulation. They be- That’s why we’ve got over two-thirds of the lieved it was right. American people in their own homes—over And I think Bob Kerrey has been that kind 70 percent in Nebraska—for the first time of Senator. He’s been willing to disagree with in the history of the country, because we’ve everybody, including me—[laughter]—if he had a combination of—we had a good pro- thought it was right. But the main thing is, gressive policy on health care, on education. he’s kept us debating issues that we ought We had a balanced policy on crime. But it to be talking about. And the real problem started with an economic policy that would with all this intense partisanship—and by the work. And when you put it all together, we way, with the exponential cost of cam- wound up with more economic progress and paigns—and what it does to both sides is that social progress than the country has had, cer- it tends to freeze people into yesterday’s po- tainly, in our lifetime. sition, at the very time they should be debat- So I’m very grateful for that. But in order ing what tomorrow’s position ought to be. to do it, you have to have the right balance Well, Bob was always thinking about what of people in the Congress and, certainly, rep- tomorrow’s position ought to be. And Amer- resenting our party. So I’m glad he’s going ica is always about tomorrow. And that’s the to Congress—to the Senate, and he’s going to have a partner in the new Senator from last point I want to make. New York, which I’m also very proud of. You know, it’s gratifying for me for people [Laughter] to come up and say, oh, I feel like I got a Bob Kerrey and I served together a long leg in the grave, and people say, ‘‘Oh, I’m time ago. We’ve been together in a lot of going to miss you and all this, and thank you places. We were even at the Indianapolis 500 for it.’’ [Laughter] But it’s been an honor to once. You remember that? Nineteen eighty- serve. I’ve loved it. Even the bad days were six or ’87, a long time ago. And we’ve been good. I would do it all again tomorrow in friends a long time. I had very mixed feelings a heartbeat. But what I want to say to you when he announced that he wanted to retire is, the most important thing is that we do from the Senate. I was happy for him, be- the right things, that we have good ideas, cause I think he’s got a truly exciting oppor- good values, work together, do the right tunity, which I believe will still keep him in thing. the spotlight in national political life, at least If we hadn’t been doing the right things I hope it does. I was sorry for the people in the last 8 years, I could have given the of Nebraska and sorry for the United States same speeches, and the results would not be Senate, because the Senate will be a poorer the same. It’s not about talking; it’s about place. doing the right thing. So that’s another rea- When I was a young man in college, I son I’m glad you’re here today. And I want worked in the United States Senate. And it to ask you to keep supporting the direction was a time that was very contentious and that our party has taken, generally rep- quite partisan in some ways. We were having resented by those of us who are standing up all the civil rights and the Vietnam war battles here, because the country desperately of the late Johnson years, when I went to needs—and basically even people who don’t 3044 Dec. 8 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 know they do, agree with the direction that office. As long as we’re open to the propo- we’ve taken in the last 8 years. sition we have to keep working; and we have About two-thirds of the people support to keep working together; everybody counts; what we’re trying to do. They just can’t bring everybody deserves a chance; we all do better themselves to vote for us in an election. when we work together. That’s what the [Laughter] That’s the truth. That’s the truth. Democrats believe, and if we keep doing it, And so this is very important, because I’ve we’re going to be just fine. worked as hard as I could to get the country Thank you, and God bless you. turned around. It’s been 50 years since we’ve paid down the debt 3 years in a row. If we NOTE: The President spoke at 3:38 p.m. at a pri- vate residence. In his remarks, he referred to keep going—if we keep going, in somewhere Vinod Gupta and Laurel Gottesman, reception between 9 and 12 years, depending on what hosts; and Senator-elect Ben Nelson of Nebraska, judgments are made by my successors in the and his wife, Diane. This item was not received Congress and the White House, America in time for publication in the appropriate issue. could be out of debt for the first time since 1835. And I can’t tell you what that means. In a global economy where we compete Statement on the Death of for every dollar with people all over the world Representative Julian C. Dixon and where, so far, we’ve been doing so much December 8, 2000 better than everybody else—we keep buying more than we’re selling—to pay that debt off Hillary and I were deeply saddened to guarantees a whole—all these young people learn of the death of Congressman Julian here, we’ll give them 20 years of lower inter- Dixon. Julian was a champion for the people est rates, a stronger economy, higher produc- of his district, his State, and our Nation. In tivity, a whole different future. That’s just his 22 years in the United States Congress, one example. Julian worked tirelessly for his district, served So I’m going to try to be a good citizen, with distinction on the appropriations and in- and I’m going to try to help work on the telligence committees, was a powerful advo- things that I worked on as President as a pri- cate for the people of the District of Colum- vate citizen but to do it in a way that doesn’t bia, and worked hard to make sure that the get under foot of the next President. And voices of the less fortunate could always be I have loved doing this. But the most impor- heard. He was a kind, gentle man who tant thing is that people like you stay active earned the admiration and respect of all who in our party and keep pushing us to be think- knew him. I saw that recently when we vis- ing about tomorrow. Just keep pushing us ited a wonderful diner in his district together. toward the future, keep moving, and keep I will miss him, and I join all Americans in reaching out like a magnet. honoring Julian Dixon for this lifetime of And again, I would like to thank Ben. I service to his country. Our thoughts and would like to thank Bob Kerrey for the 8 prayers are with his wife, Bettye, his son, years that we have worked together, Presi- Cary, his family and many friends. dent and Senator, and the many years of NOTE: This item was not received in time for pub- friendship before that. I want to thank Peter lication in the appropriate issue. Hoagland, who came down from Washington with us today, for the years that we worked together when he was a Congressman from The President’s Radio Address Nebraska. December 9, 2000 I want to say to you that the best days of this country are still out here. We’ve had Good morning. Eight years ago this week, 8 good years, but if we build on it instead I brought together leading minds from all of reverse it, it’s just going to get better. around our country for my first economic But keep in mind, I will say again: It’s summit. The challenge then was immediate more important that the people be pushing and clear: The deficit was $290 billion and toward tomorrow than who has a particular rising; 10 million Americans were out of Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 9 3045 work; interest rates were high; and con- tury, we must ensure that all of them have fidence was low. the skills they need to succeed. Al Gore and I were determined to change With this in mind, I have met twice this that by putting into action a new economic week with congressional leaders of both par- strategy, one of fiscal discipline, investment ties to make sure we pass an education budg- in our people, and expanded trade. Since et that prepares our children for the future. then, we’ve turned record budget deficits When Congress left town last month, we al- into record surpluses and produced the long- ready had reached an historic bipartisan est economic expansion in American history, agreement on education. It would provide with more than 22 million new jobs, the low- much-needed funding to reduce class size, est Hispanic and African-American unem- repair crumbling schools, improve teacher ployment ever, and the highest homeowner- quality. It would also expand Head Start, ship on record. after-school programs, Pell grants, and sup- Over the last 2 years, our economy has port students with disabilities. grown at an exceptional pace, often achieving We know these are the basic building growth rates as high as 5 percent. Obviously, blocks of a 21st century work force. I hope economic growth at such a brisk level cannot Congress will keep its commitment to Amer- be sustained forever, but the bulk of evi- ica’s children and pass a balanced budget that dence suggests that our recordbreaking ex- makes education the number one priority. Once President Lyndon Johnson said, ‘‘We pansion is continuing. In fact, just this week must raise our sights to develop more com- we received a report showing continued pletely our people’s talents and to employ growth in private sector jobs. We also learned these talents fully.’’ If we want to invest in that unemployment in November was 4.0 the prosperity of our Nation, we must invest percent, among the lowest rates in 30 years. in the education of our children so that their I’m also pleased to report that the over- talents may be fully employed. Working to- whelming majority of private sector experts gether, we can complete this year’s unfin- are predicting solid but measured growth in ished business, keep paying down the debt, the coming year, with low unemployment, keep the prosperity going, and by investing low inflation, and strong productivity. This in our children’s education, prepare our Na- is good news for the American economy and tion to meet the challenges of the years to for the American people, and this is no time come. to abandon the path of fiscal discipline that Thanks for listening. helped get us here. Our economic success was not a matter NOTE: The President spoke at 10:10 a.m. from of chance; it was a matter of choice—a com- the Oval Office at the White House. mitment to commonsense American values, to responsibility and fairness, to putting peo- ple first, to not spending what we don’t have. Remarks on the Unveiling of the We must not take our economic strengths Design for the William J. Clinton for granted. That’s why it is critical that we Presidential Library continue to pay down the debt, to keep infla- December 9, 2000 tion and interest rates low. That’s why we should keep expanding trade, opening mar- Thank you very much. I want to begin by kets abroad, and keep investing in our peo- saying how glad I am to see all of you here. ple—that’s the most important thing—clos- I want to thank my two Arkansas Cabinet ing the skills gap with more training and bet- members, Rodney Slater and James Lee ter education. Witt, for being here. And thank you, Skip Education is an important part of any strat- Rutherford, for all the work you’ve done. egy for economic growth. And in this infor- And I want to thank the other Arkansans here mation age, it is essential. If we want our who have tried to help us get this off the children to be able to compete in the high- ground, including Mack McLarty and Joe tech, high-wage job market of the 21st cen- Ford and all the local officials. And I want 3046 Dec. 9 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 to say a special word of appreciation, obvi- more enjoyable for all the people, plus the ously, to Jim Polshek and all the people in fact that we—thanks to the good people of the architectural firm who worked on this; Little Rock, we’ve got enough land here to and to Ralph Applebaum, who is not here have a park, which will always be accessible today, but I will say a few more words about to the local citizens as well as to all the visi- why that’s important. tors. And I’m very, very pleased about that. I want to thank Hillary and Chelsea, who I also want to say that it was very important have spent a lot of time on this, working with to me to try to faithfully present the history me, trying to imagine what we wanted to do of this time. And I want to say a special word and how we wanted to do it. And I want of appreciation to Ralph Applebaum. Some to thank Terry McAuliffe, who is sitting here of you know he did the Holocaust Museum trying to make sure we can pay for it, as Jim here in Washington, which I think is the fin- reels off all these things we’re going to do. est museum of its kind anywhere in the [Laughter] world. And I was elated when he agreed to Since President Roosevelt started a Presi- do this. dential library—and he had the only Presi- I also want to say, since we’ll be living in dential library, actually, where the President New York, I think that the planetarium that’s worked in the library while he was President, been done in Manhattan by the Polshek firm, because he built it in 1939 and he actually which some of you have seen pictures of, is used it whenever he went home to Hyde basically this great square building in steel Park, until his death in 1945—there have and glass with a globe inside—it’s just breath- been 10 Presidential libraries. I have actually taking. And I knew that when I saw that, visited seven of them, myself, and I’ve looked that they could do what I wanted to do down at the plans and the scheme of the other here. And so I’m very, very pleased. three. And I’ve tried to lift some of their best Skip has already talked about this, but I ideas in this building. wanted this library to also benefit the city But basically what I wanted to do was to, and the State. And I think recovering this first of all, have a building that was beautiful portion of the river, recovering this part of and architecturally significant, that people the neighborhood—you can’t tell here, but would want to walk in 100 years from now, those of you who aren’t from Arkansas don’t but one that would also work—would work know, but once you get down here, over for average citizens. Ninety percent of the here, you’re immediately into perhaps the people who come to Presidential libraries are most historic part of our State, the Old State people who come as visitors. They want to Capital, which is mentioned, where I an- see the museum; they want to know what nounced for President and where I had my happened in this point in our history related very first reception as a public official in Jan- to everything else and how it relates to the uary of 1977 in an ice storm—was built dur- present and the future. ing the period in which we became a State, And the challenge for any architect is that from 1833 to 1836. And it’s a wonderful, you’ve got to protect all these documents, wonderful old building. and they have to be in buildings that don’t So it was very close to this present State get overly exposed to the light. So if you put capital and a lot of other very historically sig- all that stuff in one building, you have to have nificant buildings, including the magnificent a lot of solid walls. And so the thing that new library we have there. So I’m very we were able to work out that I’m really pleased about it. pleased about is, we’re protecting all the doc- I’m very pleased that the library will be uments in the back there, and we don’t have accessible and interactive. You know, be- to worry about that interfering with the en- cause of technology, you don’t really have to joyment of the people who actually come to go anyplace anymore to get whatever is see the museum and the building and partici- there. And we were laughing about all these pate in all of that. tens of millions of documents. The people So I think that’s really the thing that will who work here at the White House who are make it fundamentally more interesting and part of the permanent staff, who work from Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 9 3047 administration to administration and pre- the Federal, State, or local level, that, num- serve these documents, one of the things— ber one, the Government would always work I went over to visit them not very long ago, better, would always have a sense of how and they showed me what they are doing, whatever is being done affects people who and it’s amazing. are not in Government, but secondly, we This may be somewhat embarrassing for would not ever return to a period where the me, but people will actually be able to pull American people felt as alienated from their up on the Internet copies of actual memos Government as we did for, in my judgment, that I wrote on. And the woman said, ‘‘The too many years in the latter part of the 20th reason we’ve got to have so many documents century. here is that you wrote more letters, more And I really think it could—if we can get notes to your staff on more pieces of paper enough people to do this, it could pretty than any President in history.’’ [Laughter] much permanently change the relationship And unfortunately, most of them are of the American people to the way the Gov- unreadable, but—[laughter]—at least the ernment works and the way that would have people will be able to get a picture of that. the Government making better decisions, You will be able to see drafts of the Inaugural and also, having more people in the private addresses and what I wrote and what they sector who had actually had the experience wrote, and that’s good, because it will let a of being there. So I’m very, very hopeful lot of my speechwriters off in history. People will think, ‘‘Gosh, what he marked out was about it. better than what he said.’’ But anyway, all In 1941 President Roosevelt’s library was that will be available, and I think that’s very dedicated. And he said, and I quote, ‘‘Build- important. ing a library is really an act of faith, a belief The third thing I would like to say is that in the capacity of a Nation’s people, so it will I really wanted the relationship that this li- learn from the past, that they can gain in brary would have to the University of Arkan- judgment in creating their own future.’’ sas to be focused on public service. I want Well, this is a similar act of faith. And I more and more people to want to go into hope that it will not only allow people to see public service. And we are going to offer a these remarkable 8 years but will help to em- master’s degree in public service, but in addi- power people and give them the confidence tion to that, I’m going to attempt to set up to believe that they can build America’s partnerships with employers all across Amer- greatest days in the new century. ica to get them to come and send their young So again, I want to thank you all. And espe- executives to our place for a couple of cially, I want to thank those who have helped months as a kind of an orientation in prepara- me to develop these plans. And I want to tion for doing a year of public service in the thank Terry and all the others here who have National, State, or local governments all agreed to help me figure out how to build across the country. it, which is now the next big challenge. But I got this idea just basically from the Presi- I’m looking forward to it. dential Fellowship program we have here. Thank you very much. But I can tell you that all the people who come here as White House Fellows make an incredibly unique contribution, as do all the NOTE: The President spoke at 12:40 p.m. in the volunteers, all the interns, everybody who Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his re- works here, and it changes them forever, but marks, he referred to J.L. (Skip) Rutherford, president, and Terence McAuliffe, fundraiser, they also help us do what we’re doing here. William Jefferson Clinton Foundation; former And it occurred to me that if we had a White House Chief of Staff Thomas F. (Mack) critical mass of people all across the United McLarty; Joe Ford, chairman and chief executive States who are out there working in busi- officer, ALLTEL Corp.; and James S. Polshek, nesses of all kinds and nonprofits and what- lead architect, and Ralph Applebaum, interpretive ever, but they had spent at least one year designer, William Jefferson Clinton Presidential of their lives working in the public sector at Library. 3048 Dec. 9 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Exchange With Reporters Following of the votes went to one candidate and the the Unveiling of the Design for the majority of the electoral votes went to an- William J. Clinton Presidential other. One was quite controversial, in 1876; Library the other just happened in the course of things. So I don’t think you can draw any December 9, 2000 conclusions. I think that the American people Florida Supreme Court Decision will be inclined to give a spirit of good will Q. Mr. President, can you comment on in supporting it and a grace period to the the Florida Supreme Court decision? incoming President. The country could hard- The President. Well, it appears to me that ly be in better shape, if we have to go through they basically said we ought to get an accu- this level of uncertainty. And if the Members rate count, and we have time to get one. I of the Congress will work in good spirit, I think that’s what all the American people think we can have 4 very good years. want, and I think that the more people feel So I wouldn’t be very worried about it. I there was an accurate count, the more legit- think that, truthfully, if this whole process imacy will be conferred on whoever the leads people to believe that every reasonable eventual winner is. So I think this is a positive effort was made to get an accurate count, development. then I think that will help the incoming Presi- Q. Do you think it gives Gore the advan- dent. Then I think the country will rally be- tage for the first time? hind the new President, and we’ll go on with The President. Well, I think—I honestly our business, the way we always do. don’t know. I don’t know the answer to that. Edmond Pope Pardon I think it shows that what the Supreme Court, in their first decision, is what they Q. [Inaudible]—Mr. Putin—— meant. People voted and their vote—and it The President. Well, I talked to him yes- can be determined for whom they voted; terday, and he told me he was going to do their votes ought to be counted so that the it, and we’ve had several conversations about count will be accurate. And I think that’s a this. I’m very appreciative of his action. Mr. positive thing. Pope is not in good health, and we need to But it’s not clear to me—I’ve got to go get him—— back; I’ve got to look at the decision. I don’t Q. Does the U.S. have to give back any- know—are they going to go back through thing? Palm Beach again, because there are still a The President. There was no deal. We lot of undervotes there? I don’t know a lot just had a discussion about it. of the questions. I just know that the thrust Press Secretary Jake Siewert. Thank was to get the most accurate possible count, you. and I think that is something the American people feel good about. And when it’s done, William J. Clinton Presidential Library I think it will help the eventual winner, Q. [Inaudible]—favorite building is? whether it’s Governor Bush or Vice President The President. [Inaudible]—coming here Gore, to settle things down and get on with by the tens of thousands all the time, and the business of America. look at all these exhibits and everything and So I think it will be positive. kind of being caught up in it—unless there Q. Do you think all of this is going to de- was a lot of light in the building. But I didn’t liver the people a weakened Presidency? want it to be a total energy guzzler and one The President. Not necessarily. I said be- that would be an environmental nightmare. fore, I think that we have had—we had two So we really worked hard on this, and I think Presidencies that went into the House of we’ve got a good balance here. I think it’s Representatives: One produced John Quincy going to be a very good building. Adams, who only served one term; one pro- duced Thomas Jefferson, who started a dy- Florida Supreme Court Decision nasty that lasted 24 years. We had two Presi- Q. Do you think the Vice President was dencies that were decided where a majority thrown a lifeline yesterday? Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 9 3049

The President. I think the Supreme Court General Assembly adopted the Universal decision, as I understand it, just said we Declaration of Human Rights. Though sepa- ought to have an accurate count. And I think rated by more than 150 years, these two doc- that’s how the American people feel. And I uments are not dusty relics of a distant past— know that’s how the people in Florida must the ideas they so powerfully express continue feel. I mean, if you went to vote, you would to shape the destiny of individuals and na- want your vote counted. tions across the globe. So I think that’s all. I don’t know how it’s Because the rights guaranteed by these going to come out; I don’t think anybody documents, such as freedom of conscience, does. But I think when it’s over, if we believe freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and we’ve done everything we could do to get freedom from arbitrary arrest, are such an an accurate count, that will confer greater inherent part of America’s history and na- legitimacy on the result, whichever one of tional character, we at times may take them them wins. And when there is a final winner, for granted. We sometimes forget that peo- then the rest of us ought to say, ‘‘Okay, let’s ple elsewhere in the world are suffering, give this new President a chance to do the struggling, and even dying because these job.’’ That’s what I’ll do, and I’ll do whatever rights are denied them by oppressive govern- I can to facilitate it. ments. In countries such as Afghanistan, Thank you. Burma, and the Sudan, men and women are harassed, arrested, and executed for worship- NOTE: The exchange began at 12:50 p.m. in the ping according to their conscience. In many Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his re- corners of the world, modern-day slavery still marks, the President referred to President Vladi- exists, with criminals trafficking in women mir Putin of Russia and American businessman Edmond Pope, who had been found guilty of espi- and children and profiting from their ser- onage in Russia. A tape was not available for vitude. verification of the content of this exchange. But there is hope for the future. Globalization and the revolution in informa- tion technology are helping to break down Statement on Russian President the former barriers of geography and official Vladimir Putin’s Decision To Pardon censorship. People fighting for human rights Edmond Pope in disparate places around the world can talk December 9, 2000 to one another, learn from one another, and shine the light of public scrutiny on the dark I welcome President Putin’s statement of corners of the world. Free nations can work his intent to pardon and release Edmond in concert to combat human rights abuses, Pope. It will be a great relief to all Americans as the United States did last spring when we when Mr. Pope is finally freed and reunited joined with the Philippines and more than with his family. We want to see him home 20 other Asian and Pacific nations to develop and safe as soon as possible. a regional action plan to combat trafficking in persons and protect trafficking victims. The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., Proclamation 7386—Human Rights once said that the arc of the moral universe Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human is long, but it bends toward justice. We have Rights Week, 2000 seen the truth of that statement in the history December 9, 2000 of America, where each generation has strived to live up to our founders’ vision of By the President of the United States human dignity: that we are all created equal of America and that we all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But that state- A Proclamation ment holds true for the world’s history as On December 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights well; in our own lifetime, we have seen the was ratified. A century and a half later, on fall of the Berlin Wall and the triumph of December 10, 1948, the United Nations democracy in the Cold War. More people 3050 Dec. 9 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 live in freedom today than at any other time Remarks at ‘‘Christmas in in history. Washington’’ But that march toward freedom is not in- evitable; it is advanced by individual acts of December 10, 2000 courage and will; by the strong voices of peo- Thank you very much. First, I would like ple refusing to be silenced by their oppres- to thank my good friend Gerry Levin, George sors; by the willingness of free people and and Michael Stevens. Thank you, Sarah free nations to defend the rights of men, Michelle Gellar. I thank The Corrs for what women, and children. Heroes like Lech they said about the work we’ve tried to do Walesa in Poland, Vaclav Havel in the Czech for peace in Ireland. Republic, Nelson Mandela in South Africa, Thank you, Billy Gilman. I think you’ve and Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma are power- got a future. [Laughter] Thank you, Brian ful reminders of how precious our human McKnight, Jessica Simpson, Marc Anthony, rights are and how high the cost is to sustain and my old friend Chuck Berry. them. The Bill of Rights and the Universal Our family looks forward to this ‘‘Christ- Declaration of Human Rights that we cele- mas in Washington’’ every year. But tonight, brate this week are not merely proud words as many have noted, it’s more special than preserved on paper; they are a pledge written ever to us, because it’s our last one here. It on our consciences and to oppressed people also is the first Christmas of the new millen- everywhere, so that they too will some day nium. know the meaning of dignity and the blessing Tonight I am grateful that we can cele- of human rights. brate in an America blessed with unprece- Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, dented peace and prosperity, a nation that, President of the United States of America, as we see when we look at all of these young by virtue of the authority vested in me by people who sang for us tonight, is growing the Constitution and laws of the United increasingly more diverse, and yet, at least States, do hereby proclaim December 10, if the young are our guide, increasingly more 2000, as Human Rights Day; December 15, united as one community. 2000, as Bill of Rights Day; and the week So this is a time for us to be grateful for beginning December 10, 2000, as Human our good fortune and to rededicate ourselves Rights Week. I call upon the people of the to the lessons of love and reconciliation United States to celebrate these observances taught by a child born in Bethlehem 2,000 with appropriate activities, ceremonies, and years ago. As people all around the world programs that demonstrate our national com- gather this season to decorate trees and to mitment to the Bill of Rights, the Universal light menorahs, we should remember the Declaration of Human Rights, and pro- true meaning of the holidays, the spirit of motion and protection of human rights for giving. A gift was given to us, and we should all people. in turn give—to bring a little light into every child’s life, to give a little love and laughter In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set and hope to those who don’t have it. my hand this Ninth day of December, in the That’s really what Christmas is all about year of our Lord two thousand, and of the and what this celebration, and the work of Independence of the United States of Amer- the Children’s National Medical Center, has ica the two hundred and twenty-fifth. been about. They’ve been at it for 130 years. In healing children, they remind us that William J. Clinton every one of our children is a miracle. As we rejoice in their lives, let’s also take [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, time tonight, when we look at the Navy Glee 8:45 a.m., December 13, 2000] Club, to remember our men and women in uniform and all those around the world work- NOTE: This proclamation was published in the ing for peace who will not be home this Federal Register on December 14. Christmas. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 11 3051

Finally, let me just thank all of you and We had a couple of difficult missions the American people for giving Hillary, Chel- there, but we learned some things from sea, and me this incredible opportunity to them. NASA was very forthright, and they share this joyous season and seven previous came up with a new plan, and I think we ones with you in the White House. should keep going at it. Thank you. God bless you. Merry Christ- Mr. Sawyer. The question is how you mas. should keep going at it. As you mentioned, there had been a couple of losses, and that’s NOTE: The President spoke at 7:27 p.m. at the been a hard public relations blow to get by. National Building Museum. In his remarks, he re- This new information at least raises what’s ferred to Gerald M. Levin, chairman and chief going on in Mars, to the public’s attention, executive officer, Time Warner, Inc.; George Ste- a little higher. Do you continue more aggres- vens, Jr., executive producer, and Michael Ste- sively than you had before? vens, producer, ‘‘Christmas in Washington;’’ ac- tress Sarah Michelle Gellar, master of ceremonies; The President. Well, I think the NASA musicians Billy Gilman, Brian McKnight, Jessica people will be the best judge of that, but Simpson, Marc Anthony, and Chuck Berry. they are and they should be committed to ‘‘Christmas in Washington’’ was videotaped for Mars exploration. They should continue to broadcast at 8 p.m. on December 17. do more, I think, with the photographs. We should get as much information as we can from observation, in the greatest detail we Interview With Forrest Sawyer for can. And I think they should keep working the Discovery Channel on trying to get a vehicle to land on Mars December 6, 2000 that will be able to not only give us more immediate photographs but actually, phys- Mr. Sawyer. Good evening, Mr. Presi- ically get materials off the surface of Mars dent. that we could then return to Earth. I think The President. Good evening. they should keep working on it. Mr. Sawyer. Thank you for talking to us. The President. Glad to do it. Priorities for the Space Program Mr. Sawyer. Look out a little further with Mars me. You recall President Kennedy saying Mr. Sawyer. Let us talk about Mars. It there should be a concerted effort to put a is much in the news right now, some new man on the Moon. Should there be a con- discoveries on Mars that suggest there is at certed effort to go that much greater distance least a real possibility that this was once, and put humans—men and/or women—on some good long time ago, a land of lakes. Mars? That puts it on the radar screen. The President. I think it’s just a question The President. Yes. All along, our people of when, not if. I think that now that we are have thought there was some chance, based committed to space exploration in a con- on other research that had been done, that tinuing way, now that we’ve got the space there might have been some kind of life on station up and the people there are working, Mars, at least for the last couple of years and they’re there 3 years ahead of the origi- we’ve had some evidence of it. nal schedule—I’m very proud of them—I Now, these new pictures that we’ve seen think that what we should do from now on indicate that there might have been water is to figure out how much money we can there, quite near the surface, and much more devote to this and what our most immediate recently than had previously been thought. priorities are. So I think it’s important that we continue The space station, I think, is going to prove our exploration, that we continue to take to be an immense benefit to the American photographs, and that we keep working until people and, indeed, to all the people of the we can set a vehicle down and get some world, because of the research that will go things off the surface of Mars and bring it on there and what we’ll find out. And so I back home so we can take a look at it. think it’s just a question of kind of sorting 3052 Dec. 11 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 out the priorities, and the people who will be able to find out there that will help us come here after me in the White House and in the biological sciences. the space people and, of course, the inter- Secondly, I think we’ll learn a lot about ested Members of Congress will have to material science without gravity, how can you make those judgments. put different kinds of metals together and things like that. And the revolution in mate- Possibility of Life in Space rial science here on Earth is a very important part of America’s productivity growth. It’s Mr. Sawyer. Do you think there is life just like our revolutions in energy that are out there? going on now, our revolution in information The President. I don’t know. But I think technology. Advances we’ve made in material the—what we know from Mars is that the sciences are very important to our long-term conditions of life may well have, for some productivity and our ability to live in har- sort of biological life, may well have obtained mony with the environment here. on Mars at some point in the past. Then there are a lot of basic physics things Now, we know also that our solar system we’re going to find out there. So I think the is just a very tiny part of this universe, and whole range of scientific experiments that that there are literally billions of other bodies we’ll discover will be enormous. out there. And we’re only now really learning Now, there are a lot of corollary benefits, about how many they are, where they are, too. When countries are working together, how far away they are. And we can’t know they’re less likely to be fighting. And we’ve for sure what the conditions are on those been able to keep literally hundreds of Rus- bodies. We just can’t know yet, but I think sian scientists and engineers occupied who that we will continue to learn. And I hope otherwise would have been targets of rogue we will continue to learn. states to help them produce nuclear or bio- logical or chemical weapons or missiles or International Space Station do some other mischief-making thing. So I Mr. Sawyer. The International Space Sta- think that’s been a positive side effect. tion is not without controversy, and you have But I believe in the potential of the space pushed hard for it. It is expensive. It is chal- station, and I think that over the years we lenging. It is, in good measure, risky. Why will come almost to take for granted a breath- do this project in this way? taking array of discoveries, what they’ll be The President. Well, first of all, it is ex- beaming back to us. pensive. It will cost us about $40 billion over Mr. Sawyer. The critics are saying, Mr. about 10 years. That includes the cost to put President, we’ve been doing work in weight- it up, our part of the cost, and then to main- less conditions for 20 years. This is not new. tain our part of it over 10 or 15 years. But And when you take 16 nations, each one of I think it’s important for several reasons. them contributing a piece, this is enormously First of all, it is a global consortium. There complicated; it makes it much more expen- are 16 nations involved in it, each of them sive; and frankly, for the astronauts, it can making some special contributions. The Rus- make it more risky. sians, for example have—because they had The President. First of all, we’re ahead the Mir station and we conducted some joint of schedule. We’re doing well up there, and missions to Mir, I think nine of them over we have never been able to keep people up, the last 2 years and 3 months—have made essentially, continuously. There were limits it possible for us to expand the size of the to our previous manned missions in outer station and the number of people we can space and the period of time in which have there. weightlessness was available to them. I think that it’s important because we can You’re going to have now, 7 days a week, do a lot of basic research there in biology. 24 hours a day, 52 weeks a year, for more We can see without the pull of gravity what than a decade, to see this work done and happens with tissues, with protein growth. develop. And I believe in its potential. The We’ve got a whole lot of things that we might scientists who believe in it sold me a long Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 11 3053 time ago, and I’ve never wavered in my belief themselves before us right here on Earth, that it’s a good investment, and it’ll pay back those billions of dollars are so precious to many times over what we’re doing. those problems—you say? Mr. Sawyer. I think you said $40 billion The President. I say, first, we should ad- for the United States part. dress those things. But the United States has The President. But over 15 years, total. tripled the money we’re putting into inter- Mr. Sawyer. Correct. And what the critics national AIDS program; we pioneered for say, not the right calculations. In fact, all you the last 2 years the largest international debt have to do is look at the Russians right now, relief initiative in history. It’s one of the finest and they’re not contributing what they were achievements of this Congress that they em- expected to contribute at all. And that could braced in a bipartisan fashion the legislation happen with the other nations, as well. that I presented them on debt relief. We The President. It could, but I don’t expect should continue to move ahead with those it will. What I think about the Russians is things. that as their economy comes back—and it’s But you almost take some of your wealth important to realize they went through a ter- to invest toward tomorrow, the long-term to- rible, terrible economic crisis at the same morrow. And that’s what our investment in time oil was less than half, almost a third of the price it is now—so I think as their space is. It’s the investment in the long term. economy comes back and they become more We have to know more about the universe, financially stable, I don’t have any doubt that and we have to know more about what space they’ll pay their part. conditions, particularly, the space station, can Mr. Sawyer. Do you have any question do to help us with our environment here at in your mind about sharing technology with home, to help us deal with diseases here at a nation that is certainly more politically un- home, to help us grow our economy here stable than we would like—and that includes at home. sharing missile technology? I believe this is an investment that has a The President. Well, we try to have some return. And I feel the same way about other restraints on that. But I think, on balance, scientific investments. We’ve increased in- the technology we’re sharing up there, the vestment in basic science. You can argue benefits of it, the benefits of cooperation, the that, well, it has a long-term payout; maybe sense of the—what we get by working to- we should spend something else on that. I gether and how much greater it is than what just don’t agree with that. I think you have we get from being in competition with one to—societies have to take some of their treas- another, I think makes it a good gamble. It’s ure and invest it toward the long run. And a good risk. that’s how I view this. Future of the Space Program Wilderness and Wildlife Preservation Mr. Sawyer. Look down the road. What do you see the space program transforming Mr. Sawyer. Let’s come back down to to? home, then. Earlier this week you set aside The President. Well, I think we will thousands of square miles of coral reefs off focus—I think we’ve already talked about it. Hawaii, to be protected in perpetuity. And I think there will be more and more focus your administration is not yet over. Now, if on how we can do specific things with enor- my calculations are right, since 1996, you mous potential in the space station. And I have 13 times established national wildlife think there will be a lot of interest in Mars, protection areas. And you’re considering in terms of exploration. And then with our some more? powerful telescopes, I think there will be The President. Yes, we have set aside more and more emphasis on what’s out there more land, through legislation—we’ve estab- beyond the solar system. lished three national parks in California, the Mr. Sawyer. And to those who say, AIDS, Mojave Desert Park. We saved Yellowstone famine, the countless problems that array from gold mining and saved a lot of the old- 3054 Dec. 11 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 growth forests, the redwood forest in Cali- that make up Arizona. And we’re trying to fornia, and we’re recovering the Florida Ev- work through that, and there are some very erglades over a multi-year period. We’ve ba- compelling environmental arguments there. sically protected more land in this adminis- And when he gives me his recommendation, tration in the United States than any adminis- I’ll make a decision. But we’re both very in- tration since Theodore Roosevelt, about a terested in that, and of course, he’s from Ari- hundred years ago. zona, so he knows a lot about it. So I think that’s important. And the coral Mr. Sawyer. The military wants its flying reefs are important because what’s hap- rights to continue, and you would approve pening to the oceans as a result of global that? warming and local environmental degrada- The President. We’re working on that. I tion is deeply troubling, long-term, for every- haven’t made a decision yet. We’ve got to body in the United States and everybody on work through all that. the planet. Twenty-five percent of the coral reefs have been lost—are now dead. Over Mr. Sawyer. You know that a lot of folks the next several decades, we’ll lose another are talking about the Alaskan National Wild- 25 percent of them within 20 to 25 years un- life Refuge. less we do something about it. So that’s why The President. Yes. we moved there. Mr. Sawyer. Some suggest that you could, We did not end all fishing. We did not by executive fiat, establish it as a protected end all recreation. Indeed, we’re preserving site from oil drilling. Can that be done? for the natives, the Hawaiian natives who live The President. It is. As a national wildlife in that area and for those who come as tour- refuge right now, oil drilling is not legal ists—leave live, vibrant coral reefs. But we there. There are some people who believe had to protect them. And others will have if I were to make it a national monument, to do the same thing. as I have created national monuments, for We’ve got big challenges to the Great Bar- example, and a million acres around the rier Reefs in Australia, big challenges to the Grand Canyon to protect the watershed area magnificent reefs off the coast of Belize, and there, that it would have extra protection. these are very important sources of biodiver- Now, as a legal matter, I don’t believe sity. So I’m glad we did it. that’s right. That is, there is nothing to pre- I’m looking at—I’ve asked the Secretary vent Congress from specifically authorizing of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt, to follow the drilling either in a national wildlife refuge same process we followed the whole time or in an arctic national monument. That is, we’ve been here, to look at other potential I don’t think—sometimes I don’t think peo- areas for protection, make some rec- ple understand that in order to have drilling ommendations to me, and we’ll take one there, I believe legislation is required, re- more look before I go to see if there’s any- gardless. thing else I should do. Mr. Sawyer. One of those areas he has So there may be some other reason to es- just visited is a wide swath of the Sonoran tablish some part of the National Wildlife Desert in Arizona—— Refuge as a national monument, because it The President. Yes. would have other beneficial impacts during Mr. Sawyer. ——which happens to be the time a monument existed. And of course, near a military bombing range. it depends in part on what happens in the The President. Yes. ultimate resolution of this election, because Mr. Sawyer. Will you set that aside for one of the candidates, Vice President Gore, protection? is against drilling; the other, Governor Bush, The President. Well, I’m looking for a is for drilling. recommendation from Bruce on that, but I But he would still have to get some legisla- think there is a lot of support out there for tive acquiescence or approval of drilling even that, across the board, members of both po- if it’s a national wildlife refuge, just like it litical parties and all the different cultures is now. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 11 3055

Mr. Sawyer. Will you consider making technology is inevitable. I do believe that the the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge a na- vagaries in the market should strengthen the tional monument? resolve of Members in Congress of both par- The President. I have not made a decision ties who care about science and technology on that, but I will just say I do not believe to keep up the basic research budget. that the drilling issue should be the deter- For example, one of the things I have minative factor, based on the research I’ve fought very hard for is a lot of investment seen so far. I don’t think it has—in other into nanotechnology, or super, super micro- words, I don’t think that it would make it technology, because, among other things, it any harder to pass an act of Congress. And will enable us to have computer capacity the I think that as the land is now, it would still size of a supercomputer some day on some- require an act of Congress. thing the size of a teardrop. So I’m not sure that that should be the I have a piece of nanotechnology in my determinative factor. There may be other office. It’s a little outline of me playing the reasons to do it, and as I said, I’m going to saxophone that has almost 300,000 elements talk to Secretary Babbitt, and we’ll look at in it, and it’s very tiny. So I think that—what what the arguments are. does this mean to real people? It means that Mr. Sawyer. May I ask how many other if you take nanotechnology and you merge areas you are considering? within it the sequencing of the human ge- The President. I think there are three or nome and the ability to identify defective or four or five that we’ve been asked to consider troubled genes, what you’re going to have by people around America or things that before long, I think, is the ability to identify we’ve been interested in. We always like to cancers when they’re just several cells in the get out and talk to the local people in the making, which—and if you could do that and communities and see what the arguments you develop the right kind of preventive are, pro and con. screening, you can make virtually 100 per- Mr. Sawyer. Which one stands highest on cent of cancers 100 percent curable. your radar screen? Mr. Sawyer. For any of these things to The President. I don’t want to talk about be accomplished, Government has to func- it until I can give the recommendation. No tion and function well. point in stirring everybody up unless we’re The President. Yes. going to do it. Resolution of the 2000 Presidential Technology in the Future Election Mr. Sawyer. High tech underpins all of Mr. Sawyer. And we are living in an ex- this. And we’ve been going through a bit of traordinary time. As you look forward, who- a resettling period here. It’s been a tough, ever becomes President, is that President tough time. running the risk of not being considered le- The President. Yes. gitimately the President of the United Mr. Sawyer. Look out. How do you see States? that happening? The President. Well, I think—first of all, The President. Well, I think the future it’s a difficult question to answer, because it is still quite bright. I know that a lot of the depends on how this plays out. If the Vice dot-com companies have been up and down, President is elected, there will always be just like biotech companies go up and down. some Republicans who don’t believe he But that shouldn’t be surprising, because a should have been. If Governor Bush is elect- lot of these companies don’t make money in ed, there will always be some Democrats who themselves, that they really have value, inher- believe that Al Gore not only won the pop- ent value for what they can do and how they ular vote in the country but also had more might someday add to some other enterprise. people in Florida who wanted to vote for So that shouldn’t surprise people. him, and perhaps more who did, which is— But I think that the continued explosion one good argument for counting all the so- in information technology and in bio- called undercounted ballots and all the 3056 Dec. 11 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 punchcard counties is trying to help resolve conservative on economic forecasts and try- that. ing to make sure we had the numbers right. But once we actually get a determinative And I personally believe that America is best decision, that if it is in accord with our Con- served by continuing to pay the debt down. stitution—and the Constitution, you know, I know it’s not as appealing as having a bigger our Founders foresaw close elections and tax cut now or having the money go to— tough fights, and they have prescribed all all to some spending program or whatever. kinds of ways to deal with it. Back in 1800, But I think that if you keep paying that debt we had 36 ballots in the House of Represent- down, you’re going to keep interest rates atives before we resolved it. And it produced lower than they otherwise would be, and Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Jefferson that’s money in everybody’s pocket—busi- turned out to be successful because he was ness loans, car loans, home mortgages, col- mindful of how divided the country was. He lege loans, credit card payments—and it served two terms. He retired in honor. A keeps the economy stronger. member of his party succeeded him, served But still, even if they do that, they’ll still two terms; a member of his party succeeded have money for a tax cut; they’ll have money him and served two more terms. to invest in education; they’ll have cir- So then, in 1876—nobody ever really quite cumstances that will argue for cooperation felt good about it—the President who won rather than conflict after the election. didn’t run for reelection, and then everything Mr. Sawyer. Your worst critics admire was sort of up in the air for a while. So I your political acumen. When you look at think that you cannot predict how this is what’s happening in Congress right now and going to come out. I think it depends a lot the pushing and shoving that’s going on, on whether the constitutional system is fol- where is the resolution? How do you resolve lowed, the will of the people is determined, the Democrats saying, ‘‘I want cochairmen’’ and then it depends on how people behave and the Republicans saying, ‘‘It’s not going once they get in office. to happen’’? The President. Well, of course, if all the Prospects for the 107th Congress Republicans vote together, they can stop it, Mr. Sawyer. I think what a lot of people because they’ll have—if the Vice President are worrying is that it’s very difficult to deter- is elected President, then Senator Lieberman mine what the will of the people is when leaves the Senate and his Republican Gov- the country appears to be divided right down ernor appoints a Republican Senator, and the middle and, in fact, Congress is divided they have a 51–49 lead. And then it will be right down the middle. a more normal circumstance. If Governor The President. That’s right. Bush is elected, and then all the Republicans Mr. Sawyer. And we have the Democrats vote with him, with Vice President Cheney, on one side saying, ‘‘What we really want they could vote 51–50 for whatever system when we have a 50-50 split in a Senate is they wanted. cochairmen, and we want an equal split of But since in the Senate it only takes 41 everything.’’ And the Republicans are saying, votes to stop anything except the budget, ‘‘Not on your life.’’ Now, that looks to me that’s a difficult sell. Now, Senator McCain to be a recipe for gridlock. said today that he thought there ought to be The President. Well, it depends. You sharing. And I think—all I can tell you is, know, I’m leaving the budget in pretty good I think the country would like it. The country shape, and they’re going to ride up the sur- would like to see that one House of the Con- plus a little bit, although they should be cau- gress shared the resources, even-Steven, and tious about that, because, again, these sur- shared the responsibilities. Somebody could plus numbers are 10-year numbers, and I al- chair a hearing today; somebody else could ways believe in taking them with a grain of chair it tomorrow, because as a practical mat- salt. ter, to pass any of these bills, they’re going Our success here these last 8 years has to have to have broad bipartisan cooperation been based in no small measure on being anyway. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 11 3057

And I think that it—we know that there And I think—the question I think is, can is kind of a dynamic center in America that we find a way to both simplify the ballot but has the support of two-thirds of the American also feel good about the return? For example, people, and if they could reach out for that in northern California this year, in a county in the Senate, it might be quite exciting. there was an experimental computerized vot- Now, it’s also going to be interesting in ing system, where you punched on a screen the House. The House is more closely di- the person you were for, and it would say, vided. Now, there will only be, depending ‘‘You have voted for Ralph Nader. If that’s on—I think there are one or two recounts correct and that’s what you meant to do, still going on in the House, so there will be, punch 1,’’ and you punched 1, so it had a in effect, a three- or four-vote difference in guarantee. None of these 3,400 predomi- the House—margin. And they need to decide nantly Jewish voters that now think they whether that’s going to change their rules voted for Buchanan—or did vote for Bu- any, because individual House Members or chanan, who apparently meant to vote for even our whole caucus in the minority, no Vice President Gore—you couldn’t have that matter how narrow the minority, very often happen there. cannot affect a rule. So in the House, debate The only question I would have with that tends to be cut off much more. So they’re is, every computer from time to time goes going to have to think, should they change down, so you wouldn’t have any error in the the procedures in the House as well, at voting there like you did with the 19,500 dou- least—not necessarily to have cochairmen, ble-punched ballots in Palm Beach County because they do have a narrow majority in or the 10,000 African-Americans who appar- the Republican Party, but at least to have ently were told they had to vote on two pages, the opportunity for more options to be con- and then they wind up voting for some of sidered. these minor Presidential party candidates It’s going to be quite challenging. But I they never even heard of and didn’t know wouldn’t assume it’s going to be bad because what they were doing, so that’s 10,000 more they do have more money. They have a votes out the window that were lost. You strong economy, and if they keep paying the could probably fix that with electronic voting. debt down, it will keep going for some time Then the question would be, what are your to come, I think. assurances that the count won’t be lost if the computer goes down? In other words, there may not be any perfect system, but it seems Election Reform to me that—I think particularly troubling to Mr. Sawyer. Let’s look at what we’ve people is the evidence that’s come out that learned from this extraordinary period. these punchcard systems where there was Should we now consider voting reform, look- most of the trouble had a plastic coating un- ing at these machines, looking at the vote derneath, rather than the original sort of count? spongelike design which would have made The President. Oh, absolutely. Abso- it much easier to pierce all the way through— lutely. For one thing, even—I was im- that they tended to be in the counties that pressed—I didn’t know very much—I’m had lower per capita income voters, and probably like most Americans; I didn’t know therefore, the people that maybe needed to very much about some of this beforehand. vote the most, that we’ve always tried to When I voted absentee most of the time I bring into the political system, lost their votes was here in the White House, from Arkansas, because of a flaw in the system. That’s tragic, instead of a punchcard system, we had a sys- and we can’t let it happen again. tem with an arrow by every choice, and you It’s interesting. But the only thing that had to take a pencil and fill in the arrow. bothers me about the northern California There was a gap in the arrow, and you had system is—I think you can probably design to fill it in. So it was much less subject to it, but to have the confidence in the voters— misinterpretation. I didn’t know what a but- because every system has to be subject to terfly ballot was until this happened. a recount at some point if it’s a close enough 3058 Dec. 11 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 election. Even a computerized system has got ever goes into the polling place in a national to be very hard—like in Canada—of course, election with ballots as confusing and as sub- they only have 30 million people in Canada, ject to error as we’ve seen here. I think that but in Canada, interestingly enough, they all the system has got to be cleaned up. still vote with paper ballots, and they have You just think how you’d feel if you were like 100,000 counters, so they count all the one of the people who had lost his or her ballots within an hour of the polling close, vote. We have a lot of friends with kinfolks even though they’re all paper ballots. down in Florida who think they may be some Chretien was just here. He played golf of the people whose votes were wrongly cast. with me over the weekend. And I said, And they are sick—sick, sick. So you don’t ‘‘Don’t you all vote with paper ballots?’’ He want that to ever happen again. said, ‘‘Yes.’’ And I said, ‘‘How did you count them all?’’ He said, ‘‘We have 100,000 Science and Technology counters.’’ He says, ‘‘Every community has Accomplishments equal—all the parties are represented, and Mr. Sawyer. Mr. President, we’re talking then there’s sort of a judicial overseer type. about science and technology. And your ad- And we all sit there and look; everybody can ministration is coming to a close. In years watch everybody else; and you just count the to come, looking back, how would you like ballots right away.’’ It’s interesting. the administration to be remembered in this Mr. Sawyer. You are an advocate of high- area? tech. You are an advocate of applying science The President. First, I would like to be to technology and applying that to our lives. remembered for a serious commitment to Should that not also be applied to the way pushing America forward and keeping us on that we choose our representatives? the forefront of science and technology in The President. Yes, I think anything that two or three areas. We reorganized and revi- increases the likelihood that a legal voter will talized the space program, kept it alive, and have his or her vote counted in the appro- kept it moving. We had a very serious at- priate way should be done. Anything that in- tempt to deal with the climate change in the creases the likelihood that every legal voter development of alternative energy sources will actually fully understand the ballot and and conservation. We finished the sequenc- not make the wrong choice by accident ing of the human genome and began to work should be done. And as I said, this new sys- on its practical implications. We worked on— tem that we see, that was used in northern that’s what the whole nanotechnology issue California, which is rather like the systems and all that. And fourthly, that we worked that some companies have—if you order on information technology and tried to make things over the Internet now, some of them sure it was democratic—small ‘‘d’’—with the have not one but two different checks, where Telecommunications Act, the E-rate, hook- you have to say not once, but twice: Yes, this ing the schools up to the Internet, so that— is what I ordered; this is what it cost; this and finally, that we dealt with the scientific is what I know. If you can simplify the voting and technological implications of national se- that way, that would be good. curity—biological warfare, chemical warfare, The only question I have is, what do you cyberterrorism—that we prepared America do if the computer goes down, and how do for those things. you know for sure that no votes are lost, so I think that will be our legacy in this area. that there has to be a recount, you know that Mr. Sawyer. Mr. President, thank you for the tabulation is accurate, because that’s also talking to us. very important? You’re never going to have The President. Thank you. a time in America where we’re never evenly divided over something. So anyone who runs NOTE: The interview was taped at 3:30 p.m. in for office ought to have access to some sort the Cabinet Room at the White House for later of legitimate recount if it’s very tight or if broadcast, and the transcript was released by the it’s a dead-even vote. But I think that, surely, Office of the Press Secretary on December 11. a lot can be done to make sure that no one In his remarks, the President referred to Prime Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 11 3059

Minister Jean Chretien of Canada; and Repub- cines, to think that that’s one thing we didn’t lican Presidential candidate Gov. George W. Bush have to worry about anymore. It’s hard for and Vice Presidential candidate Dick Cheney. A people now who weren’t alive then and tape was not available for verification of the con- weren’t part of it to even imagine what that tent of this interview. meant to a whole generation of children. But it was profoundly important. Remarks on the Childhood We now know that vaccines save lives and Immunization Initiative and an agony. They also save money. They’re a good Exchange With Reporters investment. And we have done what we could, over the last 8 years, to make sure December 11, 2000 that our children get the best shot in life by The President. Thank you very much. getting their shots. And we have, as Rosalynn And let me say, I took a lot of pride, just said, made progress. listening to Mrs. Carter speak here. She In 1993 almost two out of five children seemed right at home. under the age of three had not been fully When Hillary and I moved into the Arkan- vaccinated. And Secretary Shalala and Hillary sas Governor’s mansion in 1979, Betty and the rest of our team went to work with Bumpers began her lifelong campaign to the Childhood Immunization Initiative to im- wear me out about immunizations. [Laugh- prove immunization services, make the vac- ter] And I reminded Rosalynn that it was in cines safer and more affordable, and increase 1979 or 1980 that we actually did an immuni- the immunization rates. We enacted the Vac- zation event in the backyard of the Arkansas cines for Children program to provide free Governor’s mansion. I can’t remember vaccines to uninsured and underinsured chil- whether it was ’79 or ’80 now, but it was, dren. And thanks to the work of people in anyway, a year or 2 ago. this room and people like you all across So I can’t thank these two women enough America, these rates, as Mrs. Carter said, are for what they have done. And I was mar- at an all-time high. And the incidence of dis- veling, when Mrs. Carter was going through eases such as measles, mumps, and rubella all those issues, at just how well she knows are at an all-time low. and understands this issue. So I’m very grate- In recent years, we’ve been able to say that ful to both of them, because we wouldn’t be for the first time in our Nation’s history, 90 here today if it weren’t for them. percent of our children have been immu- I also want to thank Secretary Shalala and nized against serious childhood diseases. And Secretary Glickman and, in her absence, Hil- just as important, vaccine levels are almost lary. They have worked very hard on this for the same for preschool kids across racial and the last 8 years, and we have made some re- ethnic lines. So our children are safer and markable progress. healthier. I want to recognize also Dr. Walter But as has already been said today, there Ornstein of the CDC and Shirley Watkins is still a lot to do. At least a million infants of the Department of Agriculture, who will and toddlers are not fully immunized. Too be very active in the steps that I’m going to many children continue to fall victim to dis- announce today. eases that a simple immunization could have I think it’s worth noting that we’re meeting prevented. Low-income children are far less in the Roosevelt Room, which was named likely to be immunized. In some urban areas, for our two Presidents and Eleanor Roo- for example, immunization rates are 20 per- sevelt. And Franklin Roosevelt spent almost cent below the national average. half his life in a wheelchair as a result of In Houston, just 63 percent of low-income polio. And I was part of the first generation kids are vaccinated. In Detroit and Newark, of Americans to be immunized against polio. it’s 66 percent. And we know areas with And I remember, as a child, seeing other below-average immunization rates are at children in iron lungs. And I remember what greater risk of potentially deadly outbreaks, an enormous elation it was for me and my such as what we saw with the measles epi- classmates when we first got our polio vac- demic in the early eighties—the late eighties. 3060 Dec. 11 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

So today we are here to announce three new Dr. Jonas Salk, the father of the polio vac- steps that we hope will build on the record cine, once said, ‘‘The greatest reward for and meet the outstanding challenges. doing is the opportunity to do more.’’ We’ve First, we have to go where the children done a lot together, and we have more to are, as Mrs. Carter said. Over 45 percent of do. Thank you very much. infants and toddlers nationwide are being served by the Women, Infants, and Children Supreme Court program. It’s the single largest point of access Q. President Clinton, any comment on the to health care for low-income preschool chil- Supreme Court today and what they might dren, who are at highest risk of low vaccina- do? tion coverage. The immunization rates for The President. No, I think we ought to children in WIC in some cases is 20 percent just wait and see what they do. One way or lower than the rates for other children. So the other, it will be an historic decision that WIC is clearly the place to start on the out- we’ll live with forever. standing challenge. Today I am directing WIC to conduct an immunization assessment of every child par- Peace Process in Northern Ireland ticipating in the program, all 5 million of Q. Mr. President, on Northern Ireland, them. Each time a child comes in, their im- you’re going to be traveling to Britain and munization status will be evaluated. Children Ireland later this evening. Do you have any who are behind schedule or who don’t have particular message for Sinn Fein on the issue records will be referred to a local health care of IRA disarmament? provider. I am asking the CDC to provide The President. Well, I think I’ll save my WIC’s staff with the information they need words for when I get to Ireland. But let me to conduct immunization assessments accu- just observe what the state of play is here. rately and efficiently. We know this will work. We’ve had a peace now for a couple of years, WIC centers that have experimented with overwhelmingly endorsed by the people of this type of approach have seen vaccination Northern Ireland, the people of the Irish Re- coverage increase by up to 40 percent in just public, the majority of both communities in one year. Ireland. We’ve had a functioning government Second, I am directing Secretary Shalala where people worked together across lines and Secretary Glickman to develop a national and did things that amazed one another in strategic plan to further improve immuniza- education and other areas. tion for children at risk—so they’ll have No one wants to go back to the way it was. something to do in this last 40 days. [Laugh- But there are differences about the imple- ter] This would include steps to utilize new mentation of the new police force and how technology, share best practices, and exam- that—and also about the schedule and meth- ine how we can enlist other Federal pro- od of putting the arms beyond use. And those grams serving children in the effort to im- are the two things that could still threaten prove immunization rates. the progress that we’re making. And if there’s But it isn’t a job just for Government something I can do before I leave to make alone. We need to work with other caring one more shot to resolve this, I will do it. organizations to succeed. So third and finally, The main thing is, the people there are I’m announcing that the American Academy doing well. The Irish Republic has the high- of Pediatrics is launching a new campaign est growth rate, economic growth rate, in Eu- to urge all 55,000 of its members to remind rope now, and things are happening that WIC-eligible parents to bring their immuni- were unimaginable just a few years ago. So zation records with them when they visit I don’t believe the people will let it slip back. WIC sites. I want to thank the members of We have just got to get over—ironically, the AAP for their initiative as well. We need both issues, though they are related to one to keep working until every child in every another, independently reflect kind of the community is safe from vaccine-preventable lingering demons of the past, and we just disease. have to get over there and try to purge a Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 11 3061 few more. And I hope I can make a contribu- ciated with birth defects, paralysis, brain tion. damage, hearing loss, and liver cancer. In ad- Thank you very much. dition, children who are not fully immunized are proven to be at increased risk for other NOTE: The President spoke at 12:54 p.m. in the preventable conditions, such as anemia and Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his re- lead toxicity. Clearly, more needs to be done. marks, he referred to former First Lady Rosalynn Today, I am directing you to focus your Carter; Betty Bumpers, wife of former Senator efforts to increase immunization levels Dale Bumpers; and Dr. Walter A. Ornstein, Di- among children at risk in a place where we rector, National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. clearly can find them: the Special Supple- mental Nutrition Program for Women, In- fants, and Children (WIC). This program, Memorandum on Improving which serves 45 percent of infants nation- Immunization Rates for wide and more than 5 million children under Children at Risk the age of 5, is the single largest point of access to health services for low-income pre- December 11, 2000 school children who are at the highest risk Memorandum for the Secretary of for low vaccination coverage. State data indi- Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and cates that in 41 States, the immunization Human Services rates for children enrolled in WIC are lower than the rates for other children in their age Subject: Improving Immunization Rates for group—in some cases, by as much as 20 per- Children at Risk cent. In 1992, less than 55 percent of children Therefore, I hereby direct you to take the under the age of 3 nationwide had received following actions, in a manner consistent with the full course of vaccinations. This dan- the mission of your agencies: gerously low level of childhood immuniza- (a) Include a standardized procedure as tions led me to launch, on April 12, 1993, part of the WIC certification process the Childhood Immunization Initiative, to evaluate the immunization status of which helped make vaccines affordable for every child applying for WIC services families, eliminated barriers preventing chil- using a documented immunization dren from being immunized by their primary history. Children who are determined care provider, and improved immunization to be behind schedule on their immu- outreach. As a result, childhood immuniza- nizations or who do not have their im- tion rates have reached all-time highs, with munization records should be re- 90 percent or more of America’s toddlers re- ferred to a local health care provider ceiving the most critical vaccines by age 2. as appropriate; Vaccination levels are nearly the same for (b) Develop user-friendly immunization preschool children of all racial and ethnic materials designed to ensure that in- groups, narrowing a gap estimated to be as formation on appropriate immuniza- wide as 26 percentage points a generation tion schedules is easily accessible and ago. understandable for WIC staff con- Despite these impressive gains, immuniza- ducting nutritional risk assessments. tion levels in many parts of the country are WIC staff should be trained to use still too low. According to the Centers for these materials by State and local Disease Control and Prevention, low-income public health authorities; children are less likely to be immunized than (c) Develop a national strategic plan, their counterparts. In fact, immunization within 60 days, to improve the immu- rates in certain inner-city areas are as low nization rates of children at risk. In as 65 percent, placing them at high risk for developing the plan, the Departments potentially deadly diseases such as diph- of Agriculture and Health and theria, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, Human Services should: consult with mumps, and rubella. These diseases are asso- representatives from the Office of 3062 Dec. 11 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Management and Budget to ensure barriers to WIC participation. Immunization consideration for the FY 2002 budget; outreach and assessment procedures should include input from provider, health never be used as a condition of eligibility for care consumer, and nutrition commu- WIC services or nutritional assistance. Rath- nities, and develop a blueprint for ac- er, activities to improve immunization rates tion to: for children participating in WIC should be 1. expand the availability of automated complementary, aggressive, and consistent systems or computer software to pro- with my Administration’s overall initiative to vide WIC clinics with information on increase immunization rates for children na- childhood immunization schedules, tionwide. with the eventual goal of providing William J. Clinton this service in every WIC clinic na- tionwide, to provide more accurate and cost-effective immunization as- Remarks on Lighting the National sessment, referral, and follow-up, in Christmas Tree a manner that addresses cost-sharing December 11, 2000 concerns by both agencies; 2. disseminate a range of best practices Thank you very much, ladies and gentle- for increasing immunization rates for men. First, I’d like to thank Peter Nostrand low-income children to WIC State and all the people who work on the Pageant and local agencies, as well as immuni- of Peace every year. They give us a wonderful zation programs nationwide, includ- night, and I think we ought to give them all ing developing efficient and effective a big hand. Thank you very much. [Applause] ways to educate WIC staff about the I’d love to thank these people who have importance of immunization, appro- come out in the cold to perform for us: our priate immunization schedules, and friend Kathy Mattea; Charlotte Church; Billy the information necessary to make a Gilman; the cast of ‘‘Fosse;’’ the West Ten- meaningful referral; nessee Youth Chorus; Al ‘‘Santa Claus’’ 3. foster partnerships (through written Roker. [Laughter] guides and/or technical assistance) I also want to thank Anastasia Wroblewski between WIC offices and health care and Kwami Dennis, our Camp Fire Boy and providers/advocates who can assist Camp Fire Girl. They did a great job up here. with immunization referrals and con- It’s not so easy to remember those speeches. duct appropriate follow-up with fami- [Laughter] I thought they were terrific. lies; And I’d like to thank Thomas Kinkade for 4. include information on the impor- his beautiful portrait that’s on the cover of tance of immunizations and appro- our program, and the United States Navy priate immunization schedules in Band. Thank you very much. standard WIC efforts to educate fami- On Christmas Eve more than 75 years ago, lies about breastfeeding, anemia, lead President Calvin Coolidge lit the first Na- poisoning, and other health-related tional Christmas Tree. He later said, ‘‘Christ- topics; and mas is not a time or a season but a state 5. evaluate whether other Federal pro- of mind, to cherish peace and goodwill, to grams serving children should require be plenteous in mercy.’’ a standard question on immunizations Every President since President Coolidge as part of their enrollment process, has been part of that tradition, gathering and if deemed appropriate, develop around the Colorado spruce to rejoice in the a plan for implementing that require- spirit of Christmas and to celebrate a new ment. season of peace and good will. The actions I am directing you to take Hillary, Chelsea and I always look forward today, and any further actions developed as to celebrating the Pageant of Peace with you, a result of interagency collaboration or pub- and the many traditions of the holiday sea- lic-private partnerships, should not create son. Tonight, as we enjoy our last Christmas Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 11 3063 season in the White House and the last time Christmas Pageant of Peace; and artist Thomas I’ll have a chance to be here at the lighting Kinkade. of the Christmas tree, we are profoundly grateful for the gift you and all the American people have given us, the privilege to serve Statement on the Termination of these last 8 years, to live in this marvelous Irish Deportation Proceedings old house, and to participate in wonderful December 11, 2000 ceremonies like this. I strongly support the Attorney General’s For Americans of many faiths, this is a sea- decision, at the request of the Secretary of son of renewal, of light returned from dark- State, to take action to terminate deportation ness, despair transformed to hope, a time to proceedings against six individuals and to re- reflect on our lives, rejoice in our blessings, frain from initiating proceedings against and give thanks. Tonight, on this first Christ- three others. All nine individuals had served mas of the new millennium, we celebrate an sentences in the United Kingdom for activity America blessed with unprecedented peace connected with the IRA but are physically and prosperity and a nation that through present in the United States. While in no way more than 220 years and even the toughest approving or condoning their past criminal times has held together by the enduring val- acts, I believe that removing the threat of ues enshrined in our Constitution. deportation for these individuals will con- This is a time for us to reflect, too, on tribute to the peace process in Northern Ire- that good fortune and a time to rededicate land. The Attorney General’s decision is con- ourselves to the lessons of love and reconcili- sistent with steps taken by the British Gov- ation taught by a child born in Bethlehem ernment under the Good Friday accord to 2000 years ago. As we gather to decorate our release prisoners in Northern Ireland and re- trees and light our menorahs, let us remem- integrate them into normal society as part ber the true meaning of the holidays by tak- of a process of reconciliation. Her decision ing some time to give to those who need it will also reinforce efforts by the Govern- most. And let us be thankful for the sacrifices ments and the parties in Northern Ireland of all those who serve us, especially those to implement in full all aspects of the Good who serve us in the military who won’t be Friday accord. home this year for Christmas. Let me say that when I leave you tonight, I’m going to Northern Ireland, to a small is- Statement on Signing the Water land where people were born that eventually Resources Development Act of 2000 came to America and gave us over 40 million December 11, 2000 of our citizens; a place where Saint Patrick brought the spirit of Christmas almost 1,500 Today I have signed into law S. 2796, the years ago. I hope that we can finish the busi- ‘‘Water Resources Development Act of ness of peace there and help, again, America 2000,’’ a multibillion dollar omnibus bill to to give a gift to the rest of the world. authorize water projects and programs of the To all of you, again I say, this has been United States Army Corps of Engineers. a humbling and wondrous gift. We thank you, I am very pleased that this bill authorizes all of us in our family, for the chance to serve the Administration’s plan to restore an un- yours. God bless you; merry Christmas, and precedented natural resource—America’s let’s light the tree. Everglades. Thanks to an historic partnership Thank you very much. Ready, set, go! among Federal, State, tribal, and local lead- ers, we can begin in earnest an over 30-year journey to complete the largest and most am- NOTE: The President spoke at 5:55 p.m. on the Ellipse during the annual Christmas Pageant of bitious ecosystem restoration project in the Peace. In his remarks, he referred to musicians world. Kathy Mattea, Charlotte Church, and Billy Gil- Since the beginning of our first term, the man; television weatherman Al Roker, master of Vice President and I have made Everglades ceremonies, and Peter Nostrand, chairman, restoration a priority. We have provided the 3064 Dec. 11 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 necessary resources to Federal agencies and tives addressing important needs currently made timely completion of the Comprehen- facing the Nation. Second, the bill proposed sive Everglades Restoration Plan an essential a number of much needed water project re- part of our environmental agenda. Through forms. Finally, my Administration developed the leadership of the Army Corps of Engi- this bill with a Federal cost of about $1 bil- neers and the support of the Environmental lion within a framework of overall fiscal dis- Protection Agency, the Department of the cipline that helps ensure that only the most Interior, and other Federal agencies, the worthwhile projects are funded. State of Florida, and a diverse group of stake- The version of this legislation as passed au- holders, the authorized plan provides a sci- thorizes roughly $5 billion in new Federal entifically sound blueprint to guide Ever- spending according to Corps of Engineers es- glades restoration. The legislation provides timates, an amount that far exceeds a reason- assurances that water developed under the able assessment of the available future Fed- Plan will be available for the restoration of eral budgetary resources for this program. the natural systems. We must all now make The vast majority of the new projects and implementation of this Plan a priority if we modifications to existing projects in this bill are to save this threatened resource and leave have not completed the study phase or are an Everglades legacy that will make future under review and simply are not ready for generations proud of their Government. By authorization at this time. Until these pro- acting now, we can reverse the damage of posals have completed the appropriate prior the past and rescue this unique and remark- planning and review, including the review re- able landscape. quired for water resources project proposals I am pleased that S. 2796 also authorizes under Executive Order 12322, neither the a major project to deepen channels into New executive branch nor the Congress knows York/New Jersey harbor, our Nation’s third which of them will raise significant concerns largest container port, that will benefit con- regarding scope, feasibility, environmental sumers and producers, create jobs, and make acceptability, cost-sharing, or other issues. I the United States more competitive in world strongly recommend that the Congress await markets. The Act also authorizes my proposal completion of this process before reaching for projects to improve the Puget Sound eco- a decision on authorizing future projects and system and authorizes efforts to restore the project modifications. Particularly in view of estuary of the lower Columbia River, boost- the Congress’ directive to study benefits of ing the recovery of threatened and endan- an independent review of Corps of Engineers gered salmon species in the Pacific North- water projects, we need to find ways to west. strengthen the project planning and review In addition, I am pleased that the Con- process. I am pleased, however, that the gress has adopted my proposals to strengthen Congress decided to drop proposed author- the authority of the Army Corps of Engineers izations totaling more than $550 million for to evaluate comprehensively the water re- local infrastructure projects that should not sources needs of watersheds throughout the become a responsibility of the Army Corps Nation and to enhance its ability to work with of Engineers. Native American tribes and Alaska native Furthermore, my Administration proposed communities to study proposed water re- improvements to the procedures used for sources projects. I also endorse the author- deauthorizing dormant projects, changes to ization for a National Academy of Sciences close a loophole in the existing ability-to-pay study on suggestions for an independent re- law, an increase in the local cost-share for view of Army Corps of Engineers projects. structural flood damage reduction projects, I am very concerned and disappointed, and a program to clean up brownfields. I am however, with many of the provisions in S. disappointed that the Congress did not au- 2796. Earlier this year, I submitted water re- thorize any of these important reforms. source legislation to the Congress directed Finally, section 601(b)(2)(D)(iii) provides at certain fundamental issues. First, the bill that appropriations for certain water re- included several high-priority Corps initia- sources projects within the Everglades shall Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 12 3065 not be made unless technical reports on affiliated coalition operations with respect to those projects have been approved by the Sierra Leone, including the Government of House Committee on Transportation and In- Sierra Leone, and frastructure and the Senate Committee on (2) the emergency requirement cannot be Environment and Public Works. This provi- met under the authority of the Arms Export sion is a direction to the Congress regarding Control Act or any other law except section how the Congress will exercise its authority 506(a) (1) of the Act. to appropriate funds. The provision does not I therefore direct the drawdown of de- limit the authority of agencies to spend funds fense articles from the stocks of the Depart- that the Congress has appropriated. ment of Defense, defense services from the Notwithstanding our concerns, the Water Department of Defense, and military edu- Resources Development Act of 2000 author- cation and training of an aggregate value not izes the Army to undertake much needed and to exceed $36 million to UNAMSIL and such important projects for improvements to the countries to support peacekeeping efforts Nation’s ports and harbors, and the restora- with respect to Sierra Leone. tion of our aquatic resources, including The Secretary of State is authorized and America’s Everglades, and deserves enact- directed to report this Determination to the ment into law. Congress and to arrange for its publication William J. Clinton in the Federal Register. The White House, William J. Clinton December 11, 2000. NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- NOTE: S. 2796, approved December 11, was as- fice of the Press Secretary on December 12 and signed Public Law No. 106–541. was published in the Federal Register on Decem- ber 18. Memorandum on Emergency Military Assistance to the United Exchange With Reporters Prior to Nations Mission in Sierra Leone Discussions With Prime Minister December 11, 2000 Bertie Ahern of Ireland in Dublin December 12, 2000 Presidential Determination No. 2001-04 President’s Visit to Ireland Memorandum for the Secretary of State, the Q. Mr. President, why do you keep coming Secretary of Defense back to Ireland? Subject: Determination to Authorize the The President. Well, I got invited. And Furnishing of Emergency Military Assistance you know, I’ve had a special interest in my to the United Nations Mission in Sierra tenure here and the peace process, and the Leone (UNAMSIL), Countries Participating Taoiseach and Prime Minister Blair have in UNAMSIL, and Other Countries Involved worked hard, as the parties in Northern Ire- in Peacekeeping Efforts or Affiliated land have, and there’s still a little work to Coalition Operations With Respect to Sierra be done. So I thought maybe if I came back, Leone I could help a little, and I hope I can. Pursuant to the authority vested in me by section 506(a) (1) of the Foreign Assistance Peace Process in Northern Ireland Act of 1961, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2318 (a) Q. What’s your message to the politicians, (1) (A) (the ‘‘Act’’), I hereby determine that: to the people of Northern Ireland and, in- (1) an unforeseen emergency exists that deed, to the paramilitaries? requires immediate military assistance to The President. Well, first, I think the peo- UNAMSIL, countries currently or in the fu- ple, by and large, have embraced the peace ture participating in UNAMSIL, and other and are in some ways leading the process. countries involved in peacekeeping efforts or And I don’t think they want to go back. I 3066 Dec. 12 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 think the leadership of the Irish Govern- sibilities—and they are only possibilities—of ment, the Taoiseach particularly, and the what we can do. support of the British Government have I know that the talks we’ll have now, the helped. I think the incredible success of the talks during the course of the day and tomor- Irish economy has helped. row and the visit to Dundalk tonight, will I think people can see the benefits of allow people to see all that we have achieved. peace. So my message is, to those parties And I think now, what we’re doing is, we’re which aren’t involved in the process, they dealing with some of the side issues that are ought to join and not wreck it. There’s too still residual issues out of the Good Friday much to be gained, and too much has already agreement, and we still have to deal with been gained. And to those who are part of those. And we are dealing with them, and the process and have disagreements, I hope this visit will help that. they’ll try to work them out. Q. Taoiseach, will you miss Bill Clinton Q. Mr. President, do you care to comment when he steps down? on the suggestion that after you leave the Prime Minister Ahern. I will, yes. No White House, you might be prepared to be- doubt about that. come a special peace envoy to Ireland? Q. Mr. President, when you were here, The President. [Laughter] Well, I think you called on the parties to take a risk for the new President, whoever it may be, will peace. Are we now at a situation where you will call on the parties again to take a further want to have a new team in place, and I will risk? support that. I want to support whatever de- The President. Well, I think we have to cisions the new administration makes on for- keep going. I don’t think there’s—I don’t eign policy. And if I can be a resource, I think reversal is an option. And as I said, the will. If I can ever help the Irish, of course people are not there. It’s obvious to me, from I will. all the human contact, just the increasing But I think in terms of my Government’s cross-border contacts, that the people want representation, that will be entirely up to the this thing to go on. And I think the leaders new President, and I will support whatever just have to find a way through the last three decisions are made on that. or four difficult issues, and I think it can be Q. Taoiseach, do you expect the Presi- done. dent’s visit, and especially the visit to Belfast I’ll do what I can to be helpful. tomorrow, to move the process forward? At Q. You really care about this, don’t you? the moment, it’s caught up in the old difficul- The President. Yes, I do. I always have. ties over demilitarization—and all the rest of You know—let me just say, the Americans— it. Do you expect the President—— you know, the American people, about 40 Prime Minister Ahern. Well, first, I say million of us have some Irish blood. And we it’s a great honor for us in the Irish Govern- also have had a unique relationship with ment and, I think, everybody in Ireland that Great Britain. It’s been—I mean, they the President is here. He is more and more burned the White House in 1814, but since welcome than I think even his other two vis- then it’s been pretty good. [Laughter] You its. We’re so pleased, and I think everybody know, we fought two World Wars together; in this country is pleased, and all of you in we stayed through the cold war together; and the media know that from the reaction over the way it used to be was a source of im- the last number of weeks since it was con- mense pain to a lot of Americans. firmed. Many of the American people who have Of course I think the President can help. wanted to be involved had no constructive To expect all of the problems to be resolved way to do that. And I hope and believe we’ve in one go, of course, is impractical. But the changed that over the last 8 years. So to me, very fact the President’s coming has helped it’s just a question of you’ve just got to keep in the last few weeks for people to focus on going and keep bringing more and more and still what are difficulties and to try to narrow more people in, because the Irish have down those difficulties and to look at the pos- proved that you can do this. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 12 3067

I said something before when I was here, enduring sign of the affection between our I’ll say again: I don’t think you can possibly two people. Maybe I got the political equiva- imagine the impact of a success in the Irish lent of poison ivy. [Laughter] peace process on trouble spots throughout When I started coming here, you know, the world. That’s another thing that’s been I got a lot of help in rooting out my Irish very important to me as the President of the ancestry. And the oldest known homestead United States, because I have to be involved of my mother’s family, the Cassidys, that in Latin America and Asia and Africa, the we’ve been able to find is a sort of mid 18th Balkans. century farmhouse that’s in Rosleigh and And so I care a lot about this. But I also— Fermanagh. But it’s right on the—literally I want you to know how much people around right on the border. And in my family, all the world look to your—and draw courage the Catholics and Protestants intermarried, from what you do here. so maybe I was somehow genetically pre- pared for the work I had to do. [Laughter] NOTE: The exchange began at 12:15 p.m. in the Maybe it’s because there are 45 million Irish Office of the Taoiseach. In his remarks, the Presi- Americans, and I was trying to make a few dent referred to Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom. A tape was not available for votes at home. [Laughter] The truth is, it just verification of the content of this exchange. seemed to be the right thing to do. America has suffered with Ireland through the Troubles, and even before. And we Remarks at a Reception Hosted by seemed paralyzed and prevented from play- Prime Minister Ahern in Dublin ing a constructive role when I became Presi- December 12, 2000 dent. I decided to change America’s policy in the hope that, in the end, not only the Thank you very, very much. First, let me Irish but the British, too, would be better say to the Taoiseach, I am delighted to be off. I think it is unquestionable, after 8 years back in Ireland, glad to be with him and of effort, thanks to the people and the leaders Celia, glad that Hillary and Chelsea and I of Northern Ireland, of the Republic, and of could all come together at once. We’ve all Great Britain, that the people of Ireland and been here, sometimes together, sometimes the people of Britain are better off for the at different times. I thank you for your progress that has been made toward peace. friendship and the work we have done. I So when the Taoiseach and our friends in thank your predecessors who are here and Northern Ireland, the leaders of the parties, ´ all the members of the Dail. I thank the min- and the British Prime Minister asked me to isters of the Government and Members of come back to Ireland one more time, Hillary our Congress who are here, and the citizens and Chelsea said, yes—[laughter]—and I of Ireland. said a grateful yes. I have often wondered how I got involved I also want to say to all of you, with ref- in all this. [Laughter] I have pondered all erence to the comments Bertie made about these deep explanations. For example, less the Irish economy, I think every one of you than a month ago we celebrated the 200th that has played any role in the remarkable anniversary of the White House. And you explosion of economic opportunity in Ireland may know that America’s most famous home and the outreach and impact you’re having was designed by an Irish architect named beyond the borders of your nation, is also James Hoban, who defeated an anonymous a part of the peace process, because you have design presented by Thomas Jefferson. shown the benefits of an open, competitive, [Laughter] Maybe there’s something in peaceful society. Hoban’s spirit in the house that infected me. And nobody wants to go back to the Trou- In the Oval Office of the President on the bles. There are a few hills we still have to mantle, there is a beautiful ivy plant which climb, and we’ll figure out how to do that, has been there for almost 40 years now. It and I hope that our trip here is of some help was given to President Kennedy by the then- toward that end. But as long as the people Irish Ambassador to the United States as an here, as free citizens of this great democracy, 3068 Dec. 12 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 and as long as their allies and friends in the Statement on the Signing of the North increasingly follow the same path of Ethiopia-Eritrea Final Peace creating opportunities that bring people to- Agreement gether instead of arguments that drive people December 12, 2000 apart, then the political systems will follow the people. I congratulate the leaders of Ethiopia and So it is very important that all of you recog- Eritrea for the final peace agreement signed nize that whatever you do, whether you’re today in Algiers. My relief and happiness on in politics or not, if you are contributing to this occasion mirrors the sadness I felt when the present vitality of this great nation, you I witnessed two allies and friends embroiled are helping to make the peace hold. And for in a tragic conflict. I look forward to resum- that, I am very grateful. ing our strong cooperation with Ethiopia and Let me just say in closing, when I started Eritrea across the spectrum of bilateral my involvement with the Irish peace process, issues. to put it charitably, half the political experts in my country thought I had lost my mind. Remarks to the Community in [Laughter] In some of the all-night sessions Dundalk, Ireland I had making phone calls back and forth over December 12, 2000 here through the whole night, after about the third time I did that, to put it charitably, I Thank you very much. First let me thank thought I had lost my mind. [Laughter] But the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, for his leader- I can tell you that every effort has been an ship and his friendship and his kind and gen- honor. I believe America has in some tiny erous words tonight. way repaid this nation and its people for the Mr. O’Hanrahan, thank you so much for massive gifts of your people you have given the gift and your words. Joan McGuinness— to us over so many years, going back to our it’s not easy for someone who makes a living beginnings. I hope that is true. in private business to stand up and give a For me, one of the things I will most cher- speech before a crowd this large. If you look ish about the 8 years the American people all the way back there, there’s a vast crowd. were good enough to let me serve as Presi- You can’t see it in the dark, but all the way back here there are just as many people. So dent is that I had a chance to put America I think we ought to give Joan McGuinness on the side of peace and dignity and equality another hand for the speech she gave here. and opportunity for all the people in both [Applause] communities in Northern Ireland, and for a I thank the Government ministers, the reconciliation between the North and the Members of the Congress, and other Ameri- Republic. I don’t know how I happen to have cans who are here. I’d like to thank the musi- such good fortune, and even though it gave cians who came out to play for us tonight me a few more gray hairs, I’m still grateful and those who still will. You know, I like that I did. music, and so I have to say it may be cold Good luck. Stay with it, and God bless you. and dark, but I’m back in Ireland, so, in the words of U2, it’s a beautiful day. NOTE: The President spoke at 2 p.m. in the Arrol And I am particularly glad to be here in Suite at the Guinness Storehouse. In his remarks, Dundalk, the ancient home of Cuchulain. I he referred to Celia Larkin, who accompanied want to acknowledge some natives of Dun- Prime Minister Ahern; and Prime Minister Tony dalk who are among our group here—the Blair of the United Kingdom. The transcript re- Taoiseach’s spokesman, Joe Lennon; the leased by the Office of the Press Secretary also White House correspondent for the Irish included the remarks of Prime Minister Bertie Times, Joe Carroll; a member of our Amer- Ahern. ican Embassy team in Dublin, Eva Burkury, Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 12 3069 who has been taking late-night calls from us Well, over the last 6 years, Ireland has out- all week to make sure we do the right things paced the rest of Europe. Indeed, you have in her hometown. turned deficit to surplus, slashed debt, seen Let me also say that for Hillary, Chelsea, employment grow 4 times the rate of Eu- and me, it’s great to be in the home town rope, and seen your economy grow faster of the Corrs. Now, we had the privilege of than any other nation in the entire industri- being with them and hearing them sing in alized world. Washington just Sunday night. They did you Earlier this year, as the Taoiseach said proud. I understand their success has been today, Ireland was selected by our distin- great for your community, except that in this guished Massachusetts Institute of Tech- tight labor market, you haven’t been able to nology as the European location for its replace them down at McManus’ Pub. media-lab research center. The director said In a few weeks, I’ll have a little free time. he did this because—I love this—because of [Laughter] You know, I feel at home here. Ireland’s antiestablishment attitude to inno- And so, even though I can’t claim to have vation. [Laughter] The Wall Street Journal a granny buried in Castletown, I hope you won’t call me a blow-in. In America, over says, Ireland enjoys one of the freest econo- 40 million of us claim Irish roots, and the mies in the world and one of the most re- number keeps going up every year. I’m not sponsive governments. sure whether that’s because so many millions With the strong leadership of Prime Min- are green with Irish ancestry or just green ister Ahern and the Government, computer with envy of Ireland. science graduates in Ireland have jumped There are so many reasons to admire Ire- fourfold in just the last 4 years. Now Micro- land: the beauty of the land, the people, the soft, Intel, Nortel, IBM, Oracle, Lotus, music, the dance, the movies, the golf— Xerox, and Heinz and so many others are [laughter]—the literature. You know, accord- in Ireland. And Ireland has now displaced ing—Americans in the audience will under- the United States as the number one soft- stand this—according to the latest manual ware exporting country in the entire world. count—[laughter]—you have won approxi- But you enjoyed respect in the world long mately 66 times the number of Nobel Prizes before this boom because Ireland has been in literature you would be entitled to, based exporting compassion a lot longer than soft- on your percentage of the world population. ware. In so many ways, you have had an impact Probably the saints in heaven don’t spend far beyond your numbers, especially in your too much time boasting of their achieve- worldwide reputation for compassion and ments. But if they do, I suspect the saints taking on humanitarian causes. can bear no more bragging from Saint Pat- And then there is your amazing Irish econ- rick, for no nation has ever lived up more omy. Today, we’re seeing your economy fully to the virtues of its patron saint than reaching out across the ocean to us in the Ireland. United States, with Irish technology firms in Some years ago, when your then President, Boston, New York, and Atlanta. And I want to note, because we’re here Mary Robinson, paid a visit to America, she in County Louth, that the man famous for told of a kindness Ireland received and never the ideas behind this prosperity grew up just forgot. During the Potato Famine, the Choc- a short distance from here, in Drogheda— taw Indians in the United States, who, them- or Drogheda. [Laughter] Anybody here from selves, were very poor and displaced from Drogheda? [Applause] I told them to put you their own land, collected from among them- in the front row. [Laughter] selves $147 and sent it to Ireland to help Listen to this: In a major report in the late ease the suffering. One hundred and fifty 1950’s, T.K. Whittaker wrote, ‘‘Sooner or years later, the President of Ireland remem- later, protectionism will have to go and the bered that kindness on the South Lawn of challenge of free trade accepted, if Ireland the White House, because it so closely mir- wishes to keep pace with the rest of Europe.’’ rors your own compassion. 3070 Dec. 12 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

To know suffering and reach out to others Irish had the courage to grasp the chance in suffering is woven into the heart of Ire- for peace and the new beginning. land. And in your rising prosperity, you have Those who argued for peace promised a not forgotten what it is to be poor. So you better life. But then, there was no proof. continue to reach out to the dispossessed Today, you are the proof of the fruits and around the world. In your newfound peace, wisdom of peace. The border between Ire- you have not forgotten what it is to be at land and Northern Ireland is now more a war, so you continue to stand guard for peace bridge than a barrier. Newry, just across that around the world. That is a powerful reason border, is your sister city and economic part- that I am very glad Ireland is now on the ner. United Nations Security Council. Some fear the change won’t last, but some You might be interested to know—and you of the smartest business people in the world may not—that Ireland is so well thought of are already betting that it will last. You have around that world that when the campaign a cluster of information technology compa- was on for the Security Council members, nies and broadband networks. Here in this you found help in surprising places. Your community, Xerox is making the second- Ambassador to Australia, Dick O’Brien, vis- largest American investment in all of Ireland, ited 14 countries in the South Pacific, seeking and your Institute of Technology is building their votes. In the tiny island nation of classes to meet the growing needs of Tuvalu, he was met by a local journalist by technology-based employers. the name of O’Brien. [Laughter] He learned I appreciated Prime Minster Ahern men- then that the Prime Minister of Tuvalu’s tioning the late Secretary Ron Brown and his trip here in 1994. When he came back, he mother’s name was O’Brien. [Laughter] encouraged us to continue investing in Dun- Turns out, there was an Irish sailor in the dalk through the International Fund for Ire- 19th century shipwrecked on Tuvalu, named land. I’m very glad we did. I know you O’Brien. [Laughter] He liked it there, stayed haven’t solved every problem, but this is now on, and now, a full quarter of the population a boomtown. It’s a new day in Dundalk and are O’Briens. If the math is right, maybe a new day in Ireland. there are more than 45 million Irish-Ameri- My friends, I come here near the end of cans. my 8 years of service as President of the We are delighted to have you as our part- United States to ask you to protect this ner on the Security Council. But as we look progress, to cherish it, and to build on it. to Ireland and to America, we remember that As Pope John Paul said in Drogheda more for all our efforts to heal the world, some- than 20 years ago, ‘‘Violence only delays the times the toughest healing problems are right day of justice.’’ The Bible says, ‘‘There are at home. many parts, but one body. If one part suffers, The story of the United States, I believe, every part suffers with it.’’ It takes some peo- is largely about three things: love of liberty; ple a long, long time to fully grasp that. But belief in progress; struggle for community. life teaches us over and over and over again The last has given us the most trouble and that in the end, you cannot win by making troubles us still. Matters aren’t so different your neighbor lose. for Ireland. For hundreds of years and in- Unionists and nationalists, native-born tensely for the last 30, you confronted the Irish and immigrants, to all of you, I say challenge of religious difference. You in again, you cannot win by making your neigh- Dundalk know what it’s like to face fear and bor lose. Two years ago, after the horrid isolation with unemployment rising, the bombing in Omagh, you good people filled economy stalling, and hope failing. these streets. Young people came, not want- A young businessman once said, ‘‘Now, ing to lose their dreams. Older people came money isn’t everything, but it’s up there with because they wanted a chance to live in peace oxygen.’’ We know violence suffocates oppor- before they rest in peace. You stared violence tunity. We know in the end, there can be in the face and said, ‘‘No more.’’ You stood no full justice without jobs. Fortunately, the up for peace then, and I ask you, stand up Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 13 3071 for peace today, tomorrow, and the rest of McGuinness, company secretary, Facility Man- your lives. agement Workshop, Ltd. The transcript released Oh yes, there are still a few hills to climb by the Office of the Press Secretary also included on the road ahead. The Taoiseach mentioned the remarks of Prime Minister Bertie Ahern. them. But the people of Ireland have two advantages now. You now know the value of Exchange With Reporters Prior to peace, and in the hard moments, you can also still draw strength from the inspiration Discussions With Prime Minister of your poets. Seamus Heaney once said of Tony Blair of the United Kingdom, William Butler Yeats, ‘‘His intent was to clear First Minister David Trimble, and a space in the mind and in the world for Deputy First Minister Seamus the miraculous.’’ Seamus was born the year Mallon of Northern Ireland in Yeats died, and has spent his own life clearing Belfast that space, following this instruction to him- December 13, 2000 self: ‘‘Walk on air against your better judg- ment.’’ Supreme Court Decision As extraordinary as Ireland’s efforts are in Q. Mr. President, do you have any reaction exporting peace and peacekeepers to trou- to the Supreme Court’s decision? bled areas all around the world, I can tell The President. Actually, I haven’t had a you nothing—nothing—will compare to the chance to read all the opinions yet. I think gift Ireland gives the world if you make peace that what I’d like to focus on now is what here permanent. You can give people all over I can do, what the United States can do to the world desperately needed hope and proof be helpful to this ongoing peace process. I that peace can prevail, that the past is history, may want to make a statement later, but I’d not destiny. That is what I came to ask you really like to have a chance to read all the to redouble your efforts to do. opinions first and then I’ll probably—— Every Saint Patrick’s Day, the Taoiseach Q. Have you spoken to the Vice President comes to the United States, and we have a today? ceremony in the White House. We sing Irish songs, tell Irish stories—everything we say Northern Ireland Peace Process is strictly true, of course. [Laughter] In my Q. Mr. President, what would you say to very first Saint Patrick’s Day occasion as your successor, whoever he may be, about President, I said I would be a friend of Ire- continued involvement in the peace process land not just on Saint Patrick’s Day but every here? day. I have tried to be as good as my word. The President. I think it’s important for And every effort has been an honor and a the United States to continue. I think it also gift. has the side benefit of increasing confidence Your kindness to me has brought life to among American investors in Northern Ire- Yeats’ wonderful lines, ‘‘Think where a man’s land. I saw a story yesterday in the local glory most begins and ends, and say my glory press, indicating that some 600 million was, I had such friends.’’ And so, my friends, pounds in American investment had come as I prepare to leave my office, a large part here over the last 5 years. That’s the sort of of my heart will always be in Ireland, for all thing we need more of. So I hope the next the days of my life. And let me say, I will President will be intimately involved and pray: May the road of peace rise up to meet highly supportive of the efforts that the par- you. May the wind of prosperity be always ties are making to carry out the Good Friday at your back. And may the God of Saint accords and get on with it. Patrick hold you in the hollow of his hand. Q. Mr. President, what progress do you Thank you, and God bless you. think can be made today? Do you think the NOTE: The President spoke at 8:52 p.m. in the peace process can be improved upon? Courthouse Square. In his remarks, he referred The President. I hope so. But I think it’s to Pearce O’Hanrahan, councillor, Dundalk important for me to listen to the leaders here Urban District Council No. 1; and Joan and see what we can do first. 3072 Dec. 13 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Q. Would you like to return and have a I also can’t help noting that this magnifi- role in the peace process? cent new arena is new since I was last here The President. Oh, I’d like to return, but in ’98—a new team, a new sport, a new facil- I won’t be President. And that’s—the next ity, a new Northern Ireland. I want to thank American administration that will have to the Belfast Giants for letting us use the arena take up that mantle. tonight. I understand they don’t treat their Q. Mr. President, will your last act—will opponents as kindly as me, and I thank them one of your last acts be to do something in for that. [Applause] Thank you. relation to dissident republican groups, like Believe it or not, I actually read in the the Real IRA, and do something in terms press this reference that said that since I’ll of stopping them from fundraising and orga- be out of work soon—[laughter]—that if I nizing in the United States? can skate and shoot and I’m not very expen- The President. Well, we’ve got this whole sive, the Giants would consider offering me subject under review as part of our ongoing a position. Well, I’m used to absorbing blows, look at people who use violence for political but that’s about the only qualification I have. or other means, not just here but throughout [Laughter] Senator Mitchell, however, the world. And I may have something more comes from Maine, where they play hockey to say about that later but not now. all the time, and I think you should consider Q. Mr. President, the two men to your left offering him a position. He is very well suited and right, in many ways, hold the key to our for it. future. What can be done—what can the Let me say to all of you, I have been hon- Prime Minister do to bring the two men to- ored to be involved in the quest for peace gether, to secure this? here for almost 8 years now. It has been not The President. I don’t—I think that we’d a passing interest but a passion for me and better get on with our talks. [Laughter] I my administration and, as many of you know, want to give a speech later, but I’d like to for my family as well. And I want to say a get on with the business here. special word of thanks to my wife and to the women here in Northern Ireland who have NOTE: The exchange began at 11:26 a.m. at the worked with her through the Vital Voices Stormont Parliament Buildings. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this ex- program and other things to try to make a change. contribution to the peace. I came here 5 years ago for the first time. Now I am back on my third visit. No other Remarks to the People of Northern American President can say that. I want you Ireland in Belfast to know that I’m here not just because I have December 13, 2000 Irish roots, like millions of Americans, and not simply because I love the land and the The President. Thank you very much. Let people. I believe in the peace you are build- me, first of all, thank Prime Minister Blair, ing. I believe there can be no turning back. First Minister Trimble, Deputy First Min- I believe you are committed to that. And I ister Mallon, for their strong leadership and think it’s very important that people the their kind and generous remarks today. world over see what you are doing and sup- I am delighted to be with them, Cherie, port you along the way. Mrs. Trimble, my longtime friend John Some of you may know, I left Dublin yes- Hume; Senator George Mitchell, who is terday, and I had to drive to Dundalk for here; the Members of the Parliament in this rally we had last night—and there were Northern Ireland; the Members of the one or two people there. We had this vast United States Congress and the American crowd of enthusiastic supporters of the delegation over here to my right. I thank peace. And because the weather was too bad Chris Gibson of the Civic Forum and many for me to helicopter there and I drove, appar- others who helped to make this day possible. ently, some people thought I was going to Hillary, Chelsea, and I are delighted to be drive from there to Belfast. So I want to give back in Northern Ireland, and here. a special word of thanks to the thousands of Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 13 3073 people in Armagh who waited along the road. How many children are alive today in I’m sorry I wasn’t there. If I’d known you Northern Ireland because deaths from sec- were there, I would have been there. But tarian violence are now a small fraction of thank you for supporting the peace process. what they were before the Good Friday ac- Let me say to the leaders who are here cords? How many precious days of normality and the others who were involved with the have been—— development of the Good Friday accord back [At this point, there was a disruption in the in 1998, I remember it very well. I remember audience.] how hard Prime Ministers Blair and Ahern, and George Mitchell, and all the leaders here The President. Tell you what, I’ll make worked on the Good Friday accord. I re- you a deal: I’ll listen to you if you let me member time and time again being called, finish. [Applause] Thank you. Thank you. saying that this or that problem had arisen [The audience interruption continued.] and maybe the agreement couldn’t be reached. The President. I think he rejected the And just before dawn on Good Friday, deal. [Laughter] I’ll tell you what. I’ll make when the final momentum was building, one you a deal. I’ll ignore him if you will. [Ap- of your leaders said to me in a very tired plause] Thank you. voice—I’ll never forget it—‘‘This is a life- How many days of normality have you gained because the checkpoints on the bor- and-death meeting.’’ And then he added, der aren’t there anymore, because honest ‘‘But we’ll make it happen.’’ When they did, people can go to a pub or a school or a church I remember saying to that person, ‘‘Go and without the burden of a search or the threat claim your moment.’’ of a bomb? You have spent so many years That is what I have to say today. After the mourning your losses. I hope you will now Good Friday accord was reached, the people celebrate with pride and defend with passion of Northern Ireland sealed it in an over- the progress you have made. whelming vote for peace. And so I say, it Just look at this arena here. Ten years ago is still for you to claim your moment. I’m not sure you could have gotten the in- Look what has happened: a local govern- vestment necessary to build this arena or to ment representing all the people; everyday revitalize the entire Laganside area. But over problems addressed by local ministers who the 5 years just passed, as hopes for peace answer to local citizens—across party lines, have grown, the economy has grown, manu- I might add, as I have personally witnessed; facturing up 27 percent, foreign investment an Executive that has adopted a budget and almost 70 percent, the number of American a program of government; and along the way, firms growing from 40 to 100, 22,000 new all the sort of messy squabbles and fights that jobs there alone, more people coming in than you expect in a democracy. moving out. I mean, look at us; we’ve been doing it Once, President Kennedy said that happi- in America for 224 years, and as you might ness is, I quote, ‘‘the full use of your powers have noticed, we still have these minor dis- along lines of excellence.’’ Today, more and agreements from time to time. [Laughter] more young people have a chance to fully I ask you to remember this. The difficulties use their powers along lines of excellence of sharing power in a free, peaceful demo- here at home. Of course, there are still chal- cratic system are nothing compared to the lenges, to spread opportunity to the most dis- difficulties of not having any power at all or advantaged, to integrate into the mainstream of living with constant insecurity and vio- those who have turned their backs on vio- lence. It’s easy to overlook that. When people lence. But bitter, old divisions are falling are in war, they measure the progress by away. counting victims. When people are involved A few months ago, students from St. Jo- in peaceful endeavors, it’s easy to forget to seph’s College and Knockbreda High School, measure because the measurement is in pain who study a half-mile apart, met for the very avoided. first time and toured the sights of Belfast. 3074 Dec. 13 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

One of them said, ‘‘I always just saw their they were acting on the yearning of the peo- school badge but never talked to them. But ple for peace. when we met, we got on brilliant.’’ For years you have made your view clear: Students from both schools are working Violence is not the answer; peace is the path with their counterparts from Mullingar Com- to justice. The Good Friday accords define munity College in the Republic to promote that path. Last week’s tragic killings are a local recycling efforts. They’re all taking part brutal reminder of a past we all wish to leave in Civic Link, an initiative supported by the behind that is not completely gone and a Department of Education in the United sober reminder that failing to move forward States. Give them a hand there. [Applause] risks slipping backward. This initiative we have supported through As the promises of the Good Friday ac- the Department of Education, and under cords are fulfilled or deferred, trust between your good friend Secretary Dick Riley, it has the parties will rise or fall. We have seen that already brought together some 2,000 stu- when trust rises and people work together, dents and over 70 schools to break down bar- peace grows stronger, and when trust riers, build good will, and live lives based on unravels, peace is made more vulnerable. tolerance and mutual respect. So I thank the The people of Northern Ireland must be ones, the students who are here, and I hope clear and unequivocal about your support for more will participate. peace. Remember, the enemies of peace don’t really need your approval. All they need Now, amidst all this momentum, why are is your apathy. we having this meeting and why are all you I do not believe you want Northern Ire- showing up here? Because we’ve still got land ever again to be a place where tomor- problems and headaches. And I just went row’s dreams are clouded by yesterday’s through a whole lot of meetings about it. nightmares. The genius of the Good Friday Two years ago George Mitchell said that agreement still remains its core principles of implementing the Good Friday agreement consent, equality, justice, respect for each would be harder than negotiating it. Why? other and for law and order. These ideas are Well, first, because the devil is always in the big enough to embody the aspirations, hopes, details, and second, because human nature and needs of all the people of Northern Ire- being what it is, it’s always easier to talk about land. high-minded change than it is to pull it off, As I said before, your progress in putting or even to feel it inside. these principles into practice has truly been In spite of the overwhelming support for remarkable. But again, we all know there is the Good Friday agreement and the evident still much to do before the agreement’s vision progress already brought, opponents of peace is fully and finally realized. We know, for ex- still try to exploit the implementation con- ample, there must be a full and irrevocable troversies, to rub salt in old wounds, and commitment to effecting change only serve their own ends. And others, for their through peaceful means, through ballots, not own purposes, still stand on the sidelines bullets. That means putting all arms fully, fi- watching and just waiting for something to nally, and forever beyond use. Last week’s go wrong. Well, I wanted you all to come IRA statement on this topic was a welcome together, first to show the world that the development; the followthrough will be even great majority of the people of Northern Ire- more so. land are still on the side of peace and want We welcome the contribution of those it to prevail; second, to say again to the pro- paramilitaries observing a cease-fire. Those ponents of violence that their way is finished; who reject peace should know there is no and third, to reaffirm, even in this great place for them to hide. Based on my con- arena, that peace, unlike hockey, is not a versations with Prime Minister Ahern in spectator sport. No one can afford to sit on Dublin yesterday and with Prime Minister the sidelines. The progress that the leaders Blair today, I want to say that the United have made has only been possible because States will intensify its cooperation with Brit- they knew when they took risks for peace ish and Irish authorities on counterterrorism, Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 13 3075 to combat groups seeking to undermine the the ground to the rhetorical promise of Good Friday accords through violence. peace. We are going to get experts from the three I think we can do this. Of course, it will nations together in the near future, and the be difficult. But I urge the parties, the polit- United States will continue to work in a sys- ical parties here, the British and Irish Gov- tematic way to do whatever we can to help ernments, the communities themselves, to to root out terrorism and to make this peace work out the way forward in the coming days agreement take hold. and weeks. And we will do all we can to help. Now, we also know that real respect for I have said before to all of you—I did 2 human rights must be woven into the fabric years ago when I was here—how profoundly of all your institutions. The light this will cast important peace in Northern Ireland is to the is the best guarantee that political violence rest of the world. will disappear. That’s why it is so important This morning, when I got up, I saw the to have a police force that inspires pride and Prime Minister of Ethiopia on television, dis- confidence in all the people. cussing the agreement the United States Just before our gathering here, I met with helped to broker there, between Ethiopia and Eritrea. I have been heavily involved in victims of the violence, quite a large number the Middle East for 8 years now and in many of them who lost their children, their hus- of the tribal conflicts in Africa, in a little un- bands, their wives, their limbs, their liveli- derstood border conflict in the Andes, and hood. Among them was the widow of an many other places. And let me tell you, you RUC officer and the sister of a slain defense cannot imagine the impact of the Good Fri- attorney. Together, they offer the best testi- day agreement in Northern Ireland on trou- mony to the need to honor those who bled regions of the world—in Africa and the unjustifiably sacrificed their lives, their Middle East, in Latin America and, of health, or their loved ones. We should honor course, in the Balkans, where the United those who have done their duty in the past States has been heavily involved in my time. while making a fresh start toward a police Peace continues to be challenged all around service that will protect, serve, and involve the world. It is more important than ever to everyone equally in the years to come. say, but look what they did in Northern Ire- Finally, and maybe most important of all, land, and look what they are doing in North- for the vision of the Good Friday agreement ern Ireland. to be fully realized, all sides must be fully In the end, there has to be a belief that engaged with each other, understanding that you can only go forward together, that you they must move forward together or not at cannot be lifted up by putting your neighbor all, that for one community to succeed, the down. You know, I think—and I talk in the whole community must succeed. United States about this a lot—our children Over the last several hours today, I have will live in a completely different world than talked to the parties. I’m convinced they do the one we have known. Just for example, all genuinely want this peace process to work. because of the human genome project, which They know how far it has come. They know is going to give us cures for many kinds of how irresponsible it would be to permit it cancers—Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and more to fail. On the basis of our discussion, it is important, will give mothers bringing little clear to me that’s what must happen to move babies home from the hospital, roadmaps of the process forward. First, the Patton Report their children’s genetic makeup and future— must be implemented, and on that basis lead- very soon, life expectancy in places with de- ers from every part of the community must cent health systems will be over 90 years. commit to make the new police service work. And the lives of the young people in this au- There must be security normalization, and dience, I am convinced, average life expect- arms must be put beyond use. This will lead ancy will rise to 100 years. to a reduction of fear and mistrust on all You will see new sources of energy tapped sides. And somehow these processes must and new conservation technologies devel- take place together, giving practical effect on oped that will enable human beings for the 3076 Dec. 13 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 first time both to increase wealth and to re- land; and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethi- duce energy use and global warming, ensur- opia. The transcript released by the Office of the ing a longer future on this planet for the Press Secretary also included the remarks of great-grandchildren of the youngest people Prime Minister Blair, First Minister Trimble, and Deputy First Minister Mallon. A tape was not in this audience today. You will be able to, available for verification of the content of these you young people, travel farther and faster remarks. through outer space and cyberspace even than people can today. The world will be so different for you. Statement on the Faith Leaders Now, I think the children of Northern Ire- Initiative of the National Conference land deserve their fair chance to be a full for Community and Justice part of that future. I believe the people of December 13, 2000 Northern Ireland want that for their chil- dren, and that means the leaders of Northern Today I want to commend the National Ireland must find a way to do what is nec- Conference for Community and Justice essary to give that future to your children. (NCCJ) on its innovative efforts to further You know, this is the last chance I will have engage the faith community in racial rec- as President to speak to the people of North- onciliation. NCCJ’s Faith Leaders Initiative ern Ireland. Let me say to all of you that builds on my Initiative on Race and the I have tried to be pretty straightforward March 9 White House meeting where lead- today in my remarks and not nearly as emo- ers of institutions of faith announced impor- tional as I feel. I think you know that I have tant new steps as they rededicated them- loved this land and love the work I have tried selves to fight racism. to do for peace. But the issue is not how Today’s Joint Statement on Racism, draft- I feel; it’s how your kids are going to live. ed and endorsed by a broad group of faith I say to all of you, it has been a great honor leaders, recognizes the important role of peo- for me; it has been an honor for the United ple of faith in fighting racism. It states: ‘‘Rac- States to be involved in the cause of peace ism is a problem of the heart and an evil in a land that produced the forbearers of so that must be eradicated from the institutional many of present-day America’s citizens. I be- structures that shape our daily lives, includ- lieve that the United States will be with you ing our houses of worship.’’ Those who affirm in the future. I know I will be with you in this statement and make its seven pledges the future in whatever way I can. will indeed be part of transforming our soci- But in the end, I will say again, what really ety to eradicate racism. matters is not what America does, and what In addition, the directory of promising really matters is not even all the encourage- practices, guidelines for interreligious fo- ment you give to people around the world. rums, and list of 10 actions every individual What really matters is what you do and can take to fight racism are significant con- whether you decide to give your children not tributions toward fulfilling our vision of one your own yesterdays but their own tomor- America. rows. Many groups and individuals have worked Thank you, and God bless you. long and hard to develop the initiatives an- nounced today. It will take many more NOTE: The President spoke at 4:06 p.m. at the groups and many more individuals to put Odyssey Arena. In his remarks, he referred to these initiatives into action. When the Na- Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United King- tional Conference for Community and Jus- dom, and his wife, Cherie; First Minister David tice chose to continue the work of the race Trimble of Northern Ireland and his wife, Daph- initiative within the faith community, I trust- ne; John Hume, member, Social Democratic and Labor Party; former Senator George J. Mitchell, ed this unique organization to bring new vi- who chaired the multiparty talks in Northern Ire- sion and extra vigor to that call. Today’s an- land; Chris Gibson, chairperson, Civic Forum; nouncement again attests to both its cre- Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland; Deputy ativity and your commitment. It is only First Minister Seamus Mallon of Northern Ire- through work such as this that our Nation Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 14 3077 will truly come to know both racial justice I want to say I am profoundly grateful to and racial reconciliation—truly be one Amer- Vice President Gore for 8 extraordinary years ica. of partnership. Without his leadership, we could not have made the progress or reached the prosperity we now enjoy and pass on to Statement on Guidelines for the next administration. Environmental Review of Trade I am also profoundly grateful to him for Agreements putting into words last night the feelings of December 13, 2000 all of us who disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision, but accepted it. And as he I am pleased to announce the completion said, all of us have a responsibility to support of a strong set of guidelines for environ- President-elect Bush and to unite our coun- mental review of major new trade agree- try in the search for common ground. ments. These detailed guidelines, required I wish President-elect Bush well. Like him, by an Executive order I issued last year, will I came to Washington as a Governor, eager ensure that we fully integrate environmental to work with both Republicans and Demo- considerations into our negotiation of new crats. And when we reached across party trade agreements and will provide unparal- lines to forge a vital center, America was leled opportunities for public involvement in stronger at home and abroad. trade policy. America’s experience has prov- The American people, however divided en that a strong economy and a healthy envi- they were in this election, overwhelmingly ronment go hand in hand, and these new want us to build on that vital center without guidelines will help protect the global envi- rancor or personal attack. ronment as we work with other nations to I thank the Members of Congress from build prosperity worldwide. Bringing envi- both parties who have pledged to work with ronmental issues into the mainstream of our the President-elect. They have also pledged trade policy has been a top priority for my to elect commonsense bipartisan election re- administration. The guidelines issued by the forms so that the votes of all citizens can be United States Trade Representative and the easily cast and easily counted in future elec- Council on Environmental Quality are an- tions. other major milestone in this effort. Finally, I want to thank the American peo- ple for their patience, passion, and patriotism throughout this extended election season. In Remarks on the Resolution of the the days of service left to me, I will do all 2000 Presidential Election and an I can to finish our remaining work with Con- Exchange With Reporters in North gress and to help President-elect Bush get Aylesbury, United Kingdom off to a good start. December 14, 2000 As I’ve said so many times over the last year, our country has never before enjoyed The President. Good morning. Last night so much peace and prosperity with so few President-elect Bush and Vice President internal crises and so little external threat. Gore showed what is best about America. In We have the opportunity to build the future this election, the American people were of our dreams for our children, and every closely divided. The outcome was decided by one of us has an obligation to work together a Supreme Court that was closely divided. to achieve it. But the essential unity of our Nation was re- Thank you very much. flected in the words and values of those who Q. Mr. President, what do say to Demo- fought this great contest. I was proud of both crats who want to run on the election issue men. in 2 years? Do you think that’s a way to take I pledged to President-elect Bush my ef- back the House? forts and the best efforts of every member The President. Well, I think, first of all, of our administration for a smooth and suc- the election 2 years from now is difficult to cessful transition. predict, and it will take whatever shape it 3078 Dec. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 does. But for right now, we’re in a period I would like to thank the president of the where we’ve had an election, but we haven’t student union, Caitlin McKenzie, for wel- had the inauguration. We have to ensure a coming me. And I am delighted to be here smooth and constructive transition, and all with all of you. But I’d like to specifically, of us should ensure that we do our part to if I might, acknowledge one more person in give the President-elect his chance to do this the audience, a good friend to Hillary and job. And I would hope—and I believe that me, the renowned physicist Stephen my fellow Democrats would be willing to do Hawking. Thank you, Stephen, for being that, and I hope they will. I hope they will here. We’re delighted to—[inaudible]. set a good example by getting off to a good Tony and Cherie Blair and Hillary and start and trying to unite the country. Chelsea and I are pleased to be here. I thank Two years from now, what I hope will hap- the Prime Minister for his kind remarks. It pen is that the honest differences that remain is true that we have all enjoyed an unusual between the two parties will be the subject friendship between the two of us and our of a wholesome, vigorous, constructive de- families. But it is also true that we have hon- bate but that we will be moving further and ored the deeper and more important friend- further away from rancor. That, I think, is ship between the United States and Great actually good for our party, because I think Britain, one that I believe will endure people do agree with us on the issues—on through the ages and be strengthened so many of the vital issues of the day. through changes of party and from election But I don’t think that now is the time to to election. do anything other than follow Vice President I wanted to have a moment before I left Gore’s lead. He spoke for all of us last night, this country for the last time as President and he did it eloquently and well. And Presi- just to say a few words about a subject which, dent-elect Bush responded with generosity as the Prime Minister said, we have discussed in kind, I thought, in his remarks. And I think a lot, that I believe will shape the lives of we ought to use this opportunity to let the the young people in this audience perhaps country come together and try to get the new more than any other, and that is the phe- administration off to a good start. nomenon of globalization. Thank you. We have worked hard in our respective Q. Mr. President, will your successor con- nations and in our multinational member- tinue the special relationship you’ve enjoyed ships to try to develop a response to with Britain, do you hope? globalization that we all call by the shorthand The President. I can’t imagine anybody term, Third Way. Sometimes I think that who wouldn’t do that. I think he will, yes. term tends to be viewed as more of a political Thank you. term than one that has actual policy sub- stance, but for us it’s a very serious attempt NOTE: The President spoke at 9:49 a.m. outside to put a human face on the global economy Chequers, the country estate of Prime Minister and to direct the process of globalization in Tony Blair. a way that benefits all people. The intensifying process of economic inte- gration and political interdependence that we Remarks at the University of know as globalization is clearly tearing down Warwick in Coventry, United barriers and building new networks among Kingdom nations, peoples, and cultures at an aston- December 14, 2000 ishing and historically unprecedented rate. It has been fueled by an explosion of tech- Thank you very much, Vice Chancellor nology that enables information, ideas, and Follett and Lady Follett, Chancellor money, people, products, and services to Ramphal. Lord Skidelsky, thank you for your move within and across national borders at biography of Keynes. I wonder what Mr. increasingly greater speeds and volumes. Keynes would think of us paying down the A particularly significant element of this national debt in America today. [Laughter] process is the emergence of a global media Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 14 3079 village in which what happens anywhere is Almost a billion of the world’s adults cannot felt in a flash everywhere—from Coventry to read. Half the children in the poorest coun- Kansas to Cambodia. This process, I believe, tries still are not in school. So, while some is irreversible. In a single hour today, more of us walk on the cutting edge of the new people and goods move from continent to global economy, still, amazing numbers of continent than moved in the entire 19th cen- people live on the bare razor’s edge of sur- tury. vival. For most people in countries like ours, the And these trends and other troubling ones United States and Britain, this is helping to are likely to be exacerbated by a rapidly create an almost unprecedented prosperity, growing population, expected to increase by and along with it, the change to meet some 50 percent by the middle of this century, with of the long-term challenges we face within the increase concentrated almost entirely in our nations. nations that today, at least, are the least capa- I am profoundly grateful that when I leave ble of coping with it. So the great question office, we will still be in the longest economic before us is not whether globalization will expansion in our history, that all income lev- proceed, but how. And what is our responsi- els have benefited, and that we are able to bility in the developed world to try to shape deal with some of our long-term challenges. this process so that it lifts people in all na- And I have enjoyed immensely the progress tions? of the United Kingdom, the economic First, let me say, I think we have both the progress—the low unemployment rate, the ability and the responsibility to make a great high growth rate, the increasing numbers of deal of difference by promoting development people moving off public assistance, and and economic empowerment among the young people moving into universities. world’s poor; by bringing solid public health But I think it’s important to point out that systems, the latest medical advances, and globalization need not benefit only the ad- good educational opportunities to them; by vanced nations. Indeed, in developing coun- achieving sustainable development and tries, too, it brings the promise but not the breaking the iron link between economic guarantee of a better future. More people growth, resource destruction, and greater have been lifted out of poverty the last few pollution, which is driving global warming decades than at any time in history. Life ex- today; and by closing the digital divide. pectancy in developing countries is up. Infant I might say, parenthetically, I believe there mortality is down. And according to the are national security and common security United Nations Human Development Index, aspects to the whole globalization challenge which measures a decent standard of living, that I really don’t have time to go into today, a good education, and a long and healthy life, so I’ll just steer off the text and say what the gap between rich and poor countries ac- I think briefly, which is that as we open bor- tually has declined since 1970. And yet, that ders and we increase the freedom of move- is, by far, not the whole story. For, if you ment of people, information, and ideas, this took another starting point or just one region open society becomes more vulnerable to of the world, or a set of governments that cross-national, multinational, organized have had particular vulnerability to develop- forces of destruction: terrorists; weapons of ments like the Asian financial crisis, for ex- mass destruction; the marriage of technology ample, you could make a compelling case in these weapons, small-scale chemical and that from time to time, people in developing biological and maybe even nuclear weapons; countries and whole countries themselves, if narcotraffickers and organized criminals; and they get caught on the wrong side of a devel- increasingly, all these people sort of working opment like the Asian financial crisis, are ac- together in lines that are quite blurred. tually worse off for quite a good while. And so that’s a whole separate set of ques- And we begin the new century and a new tions. But today I prefer to focus on what millennium with half the world’s people we have to do to see that this process benefits struggling to survive on less than $2 a day, people in all countries and at all levels of nearly one billion living in chronic hunger. society. 3080 Dec. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

At the core of the national character of First, let me say, I think it’s quite impor- the British and the American people is the tant that we unapologetically reaffirm a con- belief in the inherent dignity and equality of viction that open markets and rule-based all humans. We know perfectly well today trade are necessary proven engines of eco- how children live and die in the poorest nomic growth. I have just come from Ireland, countries and how little it would take to make where the openness of the economy has a difference in their lives. In a global infor- made that small country the fastest growing mation age, we can no longer have the excuse economy in Europe, indeed, for the last few of ignorance. We can choose not to act, of years, in the entire industrialized world. course, but we can no longer choose not to From the early 1970’s to the early 1990’s, know. developing countries that chose growth With the cold war over, no overriding through trade grew at least twice as fast as struggle for survival diverts us from aiding those who kept their doors closed and their the survival of the hundreds of millions of tariffs high. people in the developing world struggling Now what? If the wealthiest countries just to get by from day to day. Moreover, ended our agricultural subsidies, leveling the it is not only the right thing to do; it is plainly playing field for the world’s farmers, that in our interest to do so. alone could increase the income of devel- We have seen how abject poverty acceler- oping countries by $20 billion a year. ates turmoil and conflict, how it creates re- Not as simple as it sounds. I come from cruits for terrorists and those who incite eth- a farming State, and I live in a country that nic and religious hatred, how it fuels a violent basically has very low tariffs and protections rejection of the open economic and social on agriculture. But I see these beautiful order upon which our future depends. Global fields in Great Britain; I have driven down poverty is a powder keg, ignitable by our in- the highways of France; I know there is a difference. cultural, social value to the fabric that has Prime Minister Blair made the same point developed here over the centuries. But we in introducing his government’s White Paper cannot avoid the fact that if we say we want on international development. Thankfully, he these people to have a decent life, and we remains among the world’s leaders in press- know this is something they could do for the ing the commonsense notion that the more global economy more cheaply than we, we we help the rest of the world, the better it have to ask ourselves what our relative re- will be for us. Every penny we spend on re- sponsibilities are and if there is some other ducing worldwide poverty, improving lit- way we can preserve the fabric of rural life eracy, wiping out disease will come back to here, the beauty of the fields, and the sustain- us and our children a hundredfold. ability of the balanced society that is impor- With the global Third Way approach that tant for Great Britain, the United States, he and I and others have worked on, of more France, and every other country. open markets, public investments by wealthy The point I wanted to make is a larger nations in education, health care, and the en- one. This is just one thing we could do that vironment in developing countries, and im- would put $20 billion a year in income into proved governance in those countries them- developing countries. That’s why I disagree selves, we can develop a future in which with the antiglobalization protestors who sug- prosperity is shared more widely and poten- gest that poor countries should somehow be tial realized more fully in every corner of the saved from development by keeping their globe. doors closed to trade. I think that is a recipe Today I want to briefly discuss our shared for continuing their poverty, not erasing it. responsibility to meet these challenges, and More open markets would give the world’s the role of all of us, from the richest to the poorest nations more chances to grow and poorest nations to the multilateral institu- prosper. tions to the business and NGO and religious Now, I know that many people don’t be- and civil society communities within and lieve that. And I know that inequality, as I across our borders. said, in the last few years has increased in Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 14 3081 many nations. But the answer is not to aban- our openness in buying products from the don the path of expanded trade but, instead, developing nations, think how much growth to do whatever is necessary to build a new and opportunity we could spur. consensus on trade. That’s easy for me to At the same time, I think it’s important say—you can see how successful I was in Se- that we acknowledge that trade alone cannot attle in doing that. [Laughter] lift nations from poverty. Many of the poorest But let me say to all of you, in the last developing countries are crippled by the bur- 2 years we not only had this WTO ministerial den of crushing debt, draining resources that in Seattle—I went to Switzerland three times could be used to meet the most basic human to speak to the WTO, the International needs, from clean water to schools to shelter. Labor Organization, and the World Eco- For too long, the developed world was di- nomic Forum at Davos, all in an attempt to vided between those who felt any debt for- hammer out what the basic elements of a giveness would hurt the creditworthiness of new consensus on trade, and in a larger developing nations and those who demanded sense, on putting a human face on the global outright cancellation of the debt with no con- economy would be. ditions. We do have to answer those who fear that Last year, at the G–7 Summit in Cologne, the burden of open markets will fall mainly we—Prime Minister Blair and I and our col- on them. Whether they’re farmers in Europe leagues—began to build a new consensus re- or textile workers in America, these concerns sponding to a remarkable coalition, asking for fuel powerful political resistance to the idea debt relief for the poorest nations in this mil- of open trade in the developed countries. lennial year. We have to do better in making the case We have embraced the global social con- not just on how exports create jobs but on tract: debt relief for reform. We pledged en- how imports are good, because of the com- hanced debt relief to poor countries that put petition they provide; because they increase forward plans to spend their savings where innovation and they provide savings for hard- they ought to be spent, on reducing poverty, pressed working families throughout the developing health systems, improving edu- world. And we must do more to improve edu- cational access and quality. This can make cation and job training so that more people a dramatic difference. have the skills to compete in a world that For example, Uganda has used its savings, is changing very rapidly. already, to double primary school enroll- We must also ask developing countries to ment, a direct consequence of debt relief. be less resistant to concerns for human Bolivia will now use $77 million on health rights, labor, and the environment so that and education. Honduras will offer its chil- spirited economic competition does not be- dren 9 years of schooling instead of 6, a 50 come a race to the bottom. At the same time, percent increase. we must make sure that when we say we’re The developed world must build on these concerned about labor and the environment efforts, as we did in the United States when and human rights in the context of trade, it we asked for 100 percent bilateral debt relief is not a pretext for protectionism. for the least developed nations. And we must Both the United States and Europe must include more and more nations in this initia- do more to build a consensus for trade. In tive. But we should not do it by lowering America, for example, we devote far, far too our standards. Instead, we should help more little of our wealth to development assist- nations to qualify for the list—that is, to come ance. But on a per capita basis, we also spend forward with plans to spend the savings on nearly 40 percent more than Europeans on their people and their future. This starts with imports from developing countries. Recently, good governance—something that I think we passed landmark trade agreements with has been overlooked. Africa and the Caribbean Basin that will No matter how much we wish to do for make a real difference to those regions. If the developing world, they need to have the America matched Europe’s generosity in de- capacity to absorb aid, to absorb assistance, velopment assistance and Europe matched and to do more for themselves. Democracy 3082 Dec. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 is not just about elections, even when they of the former Soviet Union. Why? Makes the seem to go on forever. [Laughter] Democ- point of what we should do. In no small racy is also about what happens after the measure because those nations, in the after- election. It’s about the capacity to run clean math of the end of communism, and actually government and root out corruption, to open beginning a few years before, have seen a the budget process, to show people an honest steady erosion in the capacity of their public accounting of where their resources are health systems to do the basic work that must being spent, and to give potential investors be done. an honest accounting of what the risks and We must attack AIDS, of course, within rewards might be. We have a moral obliga- our countries—in the United States and Brit- tion both to provide debt relief and to make ain. But we must also do all we can to stop sure these resources reach people who need the disease from spreading in places like Rus- them most. sia and India, where the rates of growth are The poorer these people are, of course, large, but the overall numbers of infected the less healthy they’re likely to be. That people are still relatively small. But we must brings me to the next point. The obstacles not also forget that the number one health to good health in the developing world are crisis in the world today remains AIDS in many and of great magnitude. There is the Africa. We must do more in prevention, care, obvious fact of malnutrition, the fact that so medications, and the earliest possible devel- many women still lack access to family plan- opment of an affordable vaccine. ning and basic health services. Around the The developing countries themselves hold world today, one woman dies every minute a critical part of the answer. However limited from complications due to childbirth. their resources, they must make treatment There is the fact that 11⁄2 billion people and prevention a priority. Whatever their cul- lack access to safe, clean drinking water; and tural beliefs, they must be honest about the the growing danger of a changing climate, about which I will say more in a moment. ways AIDS spreads and how it can be pre- But let me just mention the health aspects. vented. Talking about AIDS may be difficult If temperatures keep rising, developing in some cultures, but its far easier to tell chil- countries in tropical regions will be hurt the dren the facts of life in any culture than to most, as disease spreads and crops are dev- watch them learn the fact of death. astated. Already, we see in some African In China, a country with enough resources countries malaria occurring at higher alti- to teach all its children to read, only 4 per- tudes than ever before because of climate cent of the adults know how AIDS is trans- change. mitted. Uganda, on the other hand, has cut Today, infectious diseases are responsible the rate of infection by half. So there are for one in four deaths around the world— a lot of things that the developing world will diseases like malaria, TB, and AIDS, diar- have to do for itself. This, too, is in no small rheal diseases. Just malaria, tuberculosis, and measure an issue of governance and leader- diarrhea kill 8 million people a year under ship. But the bulk of the new investment will the age of 15. Already, in South Africa, Bot- have to come from the developed world. swana, and Zimbabwe, half of all the 15-year- In the last few years, our two nations have olds are expected to die of AIDS. In just a gotten off to a very good start. And yet the few years, there will be three to six African difference between what the world provides countries where there will be more people and what the world needs for treatment and in their sixties than in their thirties. This is prevention of AIDS, malaria, and TB is $6 a staggering human cost. Parenthetically, the billion a year. Now that may seem like a great economic toll is also breathtaking. deal of money, but think about this: Take AIDS is predicted to cut the GDP of some America’s fair share of closing that gap, $1.5 African countries by 20 percent within 10 billion. That is about the same as our Govern- years. It is an epidemic with no natural ment spends every year on office supplies, boundary. Indeed, the fastest growing rate or about what the people of Britain spend of infection today is in Russia and the nations every year on blue jeans. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 14 3083

So I hope that some way will be found them in school, keep them in school. And for the United States and its allies to close I hope that we will do more on that. That that $6 billion gap. It will be a very good can make a huge difference. And there are investment, indeed. And the economic and still cultures where there is dramatically dis- social consequences to our friends in Africa parate treatment between girls and boys and and to other places where the rates of growth whether they go to school and whether they is even greater will be quite profound unless can stay. If all children on every continent we do. had the tools to fulfill their God-given poten- The government alone cannot meet the tial, the prospect for peace, prosperity, and health needs, but thus far, neither has the freedom in the developing world would be market. What is the problem? There is a far greater. huge demand for an AIDS vaccine, but the We are making progress. In the past dec- problem is, as all the economists here will ade, primary enrollments have increased at readily understand, the demand is among twice the rate—twice the rate—of the 1980’s. people who have no money to pay for it. Still, more than 100 million kids get no Therefore, the companies that could be de- schooling at all; 60 percent of them are girls. veloping the vaccines have virtually no incen- Almost half of all African children and a tive to put in the massive amounts of research quarter of those in south and west Asia are money necessary to do the job. Only 10 per- being denied this fundamental right. cent—listen to this—10 percent of all bio- Just this year 181 nations joined to set a medical research is devoted to diseases that goal of providing basic education to every overwhelmingly affect the poorest countries. child, girls and boys alike, in every country Now, we have sharply increased our in- by 2015. Few of our other efforts will be suc- vestment in vaccine research, boosted fund- cessful if we fail to reach this goal. What it ing for buying vaccines so that companies will take is now known to us all. It’s going know there will be a guaranteed market not just for AIDS but for other infectious dis- to take a commitment by the developing eases, proposed a tax credit to help provide countries to propose specific strategies and for future vaccines to encourage more com- realistic budgets, to get their kids out of the panies to invest in trying to find vaccines fields and factories, to remove the fees and where there are none presently. other obstacles that keep them out of the I think we should expand that approach classroom. And it’s going to take an effort to the development of drugs and keep press- by the wealthier countries to invest in things ing pharmaceutical companies to make life- that are working. saving treatments affordable to all. But we I hope a promising example is something can’t ask them to go broke; we’re going to that we in the United States started in the have to pay them to do it—directly or indi- last year, a $300 million global school lunch rectly through tax credits. initiative, using a nutritious meal as an incen- One of the best health programs, the best tive for parents to send their children to economic development programs and the school. I am very hopeful that this will in- best antipoverty strategies, as the vice chan- crease enrollment, and I believe it will. And cellor said very early on today, is a good edu- I want to thank the U.K. and other countries cation. Each additional year spent in school that are willing to contribute to and support increases wages by 10 to 20 percent in the this. developing world. A primary education But the main point I want to make is, we boosts the farmers’ output by about 8 per- can’t expect to get all these children in the cent. And the education of girls is especially developing world into schools unless we’re critical. Studies show that literate girls have willing to help pay. I’ve been to schools in significantly smaller and healthier families. I Africa that have maps that don’t have 70 want to say just parenthetically here, I’m very countries that exist today on them. And yet, grateful for the work that my wife has done we know that if they just had one good com- over the last 8 years around the world to try puter with one good printer, and someone to help protect young women and girls, get paid for the proper connections, they could 3084 Dec. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 get all the information they need in the poor- So from my point of view, we have to begin est places in the world to provide good pri- to have more places like those poor villages mary education. Should we pay for it? I think in India, like the cell phone businesses in it would be a good investment. Bangladesh, like the city of Hyderabad in Let me say just a few words about the dig- India, now being called ‘‘Cyberabad.’’ Devel- ital divide. Today, south Asia is 700 times oping countries have to do their part here, less likely to have access to the Internet than too. They have to have laws and regulations America. It’s estimated that in 2010, in the that permit the greatest possible access at the Asia-Pacific region, the top 8 economies will lowest possible cost. And in the developed have 72 percent of their people on line, but world, governments have to work with cor- the bottom 11 will have less than 4 percent. porations and NGO’s to provide equipment If that happens, the global economy really and expertise. That’s the goal of the digital will resemble a worldwide web, a bunch of opportunity task force, which the G–8 has interlocking strands with huge holes in be- embraced, and I hope we will continue to tween. do that. It’s fair to ask, I suppose, are computers Let me just say one word about climate really an answer for people who are starving change. If you follow this issue, you know or can’t yet read? Is E-commerce an answer we had a fairly contentious meeting recently for villages that don’t even have electricity? about climate change, with no resolution about how to implement the Kyoto agree- Of course, I wouldn’t say that. We have to ment, which calls for the advanced nations begin with the basics. But there should not to set targets and for some mechanisms to be a choice between Pentium and penicillin. be devised for the developing nations to par- That’s another one of those false choices ticipate. There are lots of controversies about Prime Minister Blair and I have been trying to what extent countries should be able to to throw into the waste bin of history. get credit for sinks. Trees—do the trees have We should not patronize poor people by to be planted? Can they already be up? To saying they don’t need 21st century tools and what extent the developing countries should skills. Microcredit loans in Bangladesh by the agree to follow a path of development that Grameen Bank to poor village women to buy is different from the one that we followed cell phones has proved out to be one of the in the United States and the United King- most important economic initiatives in one dom. I don’t want to get into all that now, of the poorest countries in the world. except to say there will be domestic and re- I went to a village co-op in Nayla, Rajastan, gional politics everywhere. But let’s look at India, last year, last March, and I was aston- the facts. ished to see the women’s milk co-op doing The facts are that the last decade was the all of its billing on computers and marketing hottest decade in 1,000 years. If the tempera- on computers. And I saw another computer ture of the Earth continues to warm at this there that had all the information from the rate, it is unsustainable. Within something federal and state government with a wonder- like 50 years, in the United States, the Flor- ful printer, so that all the village women, no ida Everglades and the sugarcane fields in matter how poor, could come in. And one Louisiana will be under water. Agricultural woman came in with a 2-week-old baby and production will have to be moved north in printed out all the information about what many places. And the world will be a very she ought to do with the baby for the next different place. There will be more extreme 6 months. weather events. There will be more people So I think it’s a copout to say that tech- displaced. It will become virtually impossible nology cannot be of immense help to very in some places to have a sustainable econ- poor people in remote places. If it’s done omy. This is a big deal. right, it may be of more help to them than And the only thing I would like to say is to people who are nearer centers of more that I do not believe that we will ever suc- traditional, economic and educational and ceed unless we convince people—the inter- health opportunity. est groups in places like the United States Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 14 3085 which have been resistant and the driving po- Thank you very much. litical forces in countries like India and China who don’t want to think that we’re using tar- NOTE: The President spoke at 3:08 p.m. in gets in climate change to keep them poor— Butterworth Hall at the University of Warwick we have to convince them that you can break Arts Center. In his remarks, he referred to Sir the link between growing wealth and putting Brian Follett, vice chancellor, Sir Shridath more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Ramphal, chancellor, and Lord Robert Skidelsky, There is ample evidence that this is true professor of economics, University of Warwick; Sir and new discoveries just on the horizon Follett’s wife, Lady Deb Follett; and Prime Min- which will make it more true. But it is shock- ister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom and his ing to me how few people in responsible po- wife, Cherie. sitions in the public and private sector even know what the present realities are in terms Exchange With Reporters Aboard of the relationship in energy use and eco- Air Force One nomic growth. So I think one of the most important things that the developed world December 14, 2000 ought to be doing is not only making sure [The President’s remarks are joined in we’re doing a better job on our own business, progress] which is something the United States has to do—not only doing more in the missions’ trading so that we can get more technology European Union out of the developed world but making sure The President. Seriously, what we were people know that this actually works. just talking about—maybe I should make the An enormous majority of the decision- general point I was going to just make. She makers in the developed and the developing said it was so interesting to her when she world still don’t believe that a country can goes to Europe, people are so interested in grow rich and stay rich unless it puts more these decisions, and Americans don’t seem greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every to be. But the truth is, this is their lives, you year—it is not true. And so this is one area know. I mean, for people in the Republic, where we can make a big contribution to sus- they live with sort of an open wound with tainable development and to creating eco- all this trouble in Northern Ireland. nomic opportunities in developing countries, But for people in Northern Ireland, it’s if we can just get people in positions of influ- just being able to get in your car and not ence to get rid of a big idea that is no longer worrying about going down the street and true. having a bomb go off. It’s worth a lot. Was Victor Hugo who said, ‘‘There’s noth- So, it matters to them that—some people, ing more powerful than an idea whose time you know, questioned over the last 8 years has come’’? The reverse is also true: There’s whether—first of all, whether I should have no bigger curse than a big idea that hangs done that, because it made the British mad on after its time has gone. And so, I hope eventually. But in the end, they were very all of you will think about that. glad we did. But when the United States is Finally, let me just say that no generation involved, even in a small place, it has big has ever had the opportunity that all of us psychological significance to the entire Con- now have to build a global economy that tinent. It makes a big difference. leaves no one behind and, in the process, to I mean, it’s obvious what was at stake in create a new century of peace and prosperity Bosnia and Kosovo, but in Northern Ireland in a world that is more constructively and it said to the rest of Europe that the U.S. truly interdependent. It is a wonderful op- still cares about Europe; we’re still involved portunity. It is also a profound responsibility. with them. So it has an effect in helping us, For 8 years, I have done what I could to because we have all kinds of problems with lead my country down that path. I think for Europe. You know, we have all these tough the rest of our lives, we had all better stay environmental issues related to the trade on it. issues and then the trade issues themselves 3086 Dec. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 and all that, and we will have. And they’re to the U.K. and working at it, that we could going through all their growing pains. work through it. And it turned out to be a You saw they just had this real tough meet- good gamble. ing in, I think, Nice, where they were arguing And I had actually quite a good relation- over how to aggregate the votes and whether ship with John Major. I mean, the British Germany should have more because they press just killed us for a while, and they said, have more people. And they argue they ‘‘Clinton did this because Major and the should have more because they have more Torries supported President Bush, helped— people and they have to pay more money. look at Clinton’s passport file.’’ It was all ri- So, if they have to pay more money and have diculous. I didn’t give a rip about that. more people, they ought to have money. Q. But what finally made you—— And then you’ve got France, Italy, and The President. So my advice to the Presi- Britain all at the same population. They’re dent-elect, I think—and I really haven’t had all at 60 million, and then it’s a pretty good a chance to talk about it—is just sort of stick drop down to Spain. I think Spain has got with the policy and work with the leaders, like 40 million. because now, you know, you have a con- Q. But no recounts from what I under- sensus in Great Britain and in Ireland for stand. continuing to work with the parties in North- The President. No. They all use hand bal- ern Ireland. And they will have to make— lots, pencil ballots. So go ahead, what were there will be specific calls along the way they you going to say about Ireland? will have to make. Maybe they will make them the same way I would; maybe they Northern Ireland Peace Process wouldn’t. But that’s not as important as the Q. If you wanted to give some advice about general trend there, because, you know, Northern Ireland—— there are some problems that are unresolved The President. To President-elect Bush? where time is running against you, so you Q. Yes, on Ireland. The people there are might as well go ahead and bite the bullet faced with a significant amount—[inaudi- and do it. ble]—on Gerry Adams. What was the make- I feel very strongly about that in the Mid- up? How did you come to that? dle East. They need to reach some sort of The President. Well, I reached the con- new accommodation; that is, we have come clusion that it was worth the risk for two rea- to the end of the road of the September ’93 sons. And the risks were two. One is, would agreement, plus the Wye accord, plus incre- it do irreparable damage to our relationship mental measures. They need a new under- with Great Britain? And two, would the IRA standing. They need to—they’ve got to either really declare a cease-fire and honor it, or resolve it all or at least decide what the next would it look like I gave a visa to him, and step up is, so they can get back to living in they were still getting money out of Boston peace and the Palestinian economy can start and New York for bad purposes that were to grow. still going on? With Ireland, the Irish Republic is the fast- On the second, I felt based on people we est growing economy in Europe. Northern knew in Ireland, starting with the then- Ireland is now the fastest growing part of the Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, that they would U.K. They come in from a low base, but honor their word, because it was in their in- they’re catching up in a hurry. terest to do so, and they had made a decision There was a big headline, I don’t know to try to work out a peace. if you saw it, in one of the papers during And on the first, I felt that the relationship our trip that said that there had been 600 between the U.S. and Britain was so strong, million pounds in American investment alone and we agreed on so many foreign policy in Northern Ireland, where it only has a mil- issues related to Europe—like the expansion lion-and-a-half people, in the 5 years since of NATO, the importance of trying to solve I went there the first time. the Balkans crisis, just to mention two—that So, in Ireland, all you got to do is just keep if I put a lot of my time and effort into going it going because the people will stay a little Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 14 3087 ahead of the politicians. The people will not that an apprehension on their part just about let the politicians crater this deal as long as the change? I mean, you also have a unique their lives are getting better. relationship with the people. Q. Have you heard back from Belfast, sir, The President. I think that always hap- and has your trip had its desired effect? pens. And we’re going to have a good transi- The President. Well, they all were happy tion. Al Gore made a fabulous speech last with it. You know, that is, all the parties that night. The country will get into it. We’ll ad- are actually involved in the Government and just very quickly, and so will all of them. the peace process support the Good Friday They’ll all adjust quickly. So it will be fine. accords, are all happy, and we’re inching I think, you know, it will just be fine. along. And they may get another break- The essential thing about democracy is through. The point is that the atmosphere that no one is indispensable. That’s why you was much better. have a system like this. And you know, when- I saw Sky TV. That’s the European—the ever you’re the first person to do something, way they played the Northern Ireland people have a feeling about you. That’s a nice event—they had a little clip from me; they thing for me personally. And if I can ever had little deal about my swansong in Ireland be helpful in some—you know, if your Presi- and blah, blah, blah; and then they have a dent asks you to do something, you do it. little clip from me, a little clip from Tony Bob Dole was on television last night talking Blair; and then they had a great line from about how I had asked him to go to Bosnia David Trimble’s speech about how he and Kosovo and things we had done together. wouldn’t let us go back to the—he had that But it’s not important. The most important one poetic line about the dark and the ha- thing is that we have a good transition and tred. that he get off to a good start. The rest of Q. Grudges. it will take care of itself. The President. All that, that line. They played that on television. Well, that’s a huge Conversation With President-elect Bush deal because it reassures the Protestants that Q. Can we ask what you said to the Presi- they’re supported, and it’s immensely reas- dent-elect? suring to the Catholic community that, you The President. I congratulated him, and know, he’s still—even if they disagree with I told him that I thought he made a fine some particular position that he’s taking, that statement last night, and I thought that Al he’s still on the track. had made a fine statement, and that I look And so my belief is that they will eventu- forward to seeing him. He said he was com- ally work this out if they just give it enough ing early next week, and we would get to- time, because they’re doing better every day. gether. That’s all. That’s the right strategy. So, I don’t think this is going to be a difficult challenge for President Bush. Conversation With Vice President Gore Q. [Inaudible]. Q. What about Vice President Gore? Did The President. That’s entirely up to all you have to console him at all? of them, starting with him. I don’t think it’s— The President. I just called him—he was I think the Irish—a lot of them asked me having his Christmas party—I called him and about it, but it’s only because they know me told him how proud I was of the statement. and they’re comfortable. And once he gets I told him that it was—I thought it was fabu- in there and has a good policy, they’ll be fine. lous. I told him I wasn’t sure I could have So, if they ever needed me, I would do done it as well as he did. It was just fabulous, it. But I think, on balance, it’s not going to and he laughed. Al’s got a friend that he went be essential. They’ll do just fine with this. to college with who is a standup comic, and Q. What do you see when people—when he says his best line now is something like, the Irish, for instance, asked you to stay in- ‘‘Gore got the best of all worlds: He won volved, or in the Middle East, a lot of people the popular vote and doesn’t have to do the have suggested you should stay involved? Is job.’’ It’s a great line. 3088 Dec. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Northern Ireland Peace Process world, partly because they had to come to Q. [Inaudible]—where they have to go America to live, the Potato Famine and later, now—a lot of it in our country seems to be and significant numbers of them were still reconciliation, reconciliation for the U.S., as coming when I became President. You know, is typical Presidential race, reconciliation for there were an enormous number of nurses the issues that you had to face in the last in Arkansas from Northern Ireland when I couple of years, reconciliation for Catholics was Governor. and Protestants, what would you take away Q. Which they’d like back now. from that? What advice would you give to The President. Yes, which they would like somebody—— back now, and they may want to go home The President. To the Irish? Well, they because they can make decent money now, have to keep working together. For example, but they never had the reverse happen. Saint it’s hard for us as outsiders to appreciate the Patrick was an Englishman. He was prac- significance of that event yesterday. But in tically the last significant immigrant into Ire- that event yesterday, you had huge numbers land, if you think about it. I mean, he was of Catholics and huge numbers of Protestants an Englishman. There had never been a huge sitting in a room together, a big room, clap- in-migration. So, you know, it’s tragic that ping at the same lines. Now, that seems like those people were killed, but they’re deal- self-evident, say, ‘‘Well, it’s almost like the ing—this is going to be a whole new experi- rhetoric of peace, and so what’s the deal ence for them. here?’’ It’s not like London. England has had— But I’m not sure even 2 years ago we could I saw some of this when I was a student in have gotten that big a crowd from both com- England in the late sixties and 1970. They munities, from the young to the old—the had—what was that guy’s name—I never kids would have done it that were there yes- thought I would forget that rightwing politi- terday, but all the adults, I don’t know that cian’s name that was leading all the anti-im- we could have done it, even 2 years ago. So, migrant stuff? I really believe this is largely a question of Q. In America? sustained personal contact. The President. In Great Britain. I can’t Their interests are clearly far more served believe I’ve forgotten his name. But the point by what they have in common than their dif- is, there was all this early tension. Now you ferences. They just have to continue to build walk the streets of London, and the immi- trust. All these issues that they’re debating grants are there. They’re all intermarried, but now are basically trust issues. they still have their communities and their traditions. There are movies being made now Immigration in Ireland about kind of like—I saw a great movie on Q. In regard to that, the Celtic Tiger, the the plane about a—a British movie about a economy that’s going so strong—but a new Pakistani family, about the Pakistani family component in Ireland is the idea of immigra- trying to preserve its traditions and cultures, tion to their country, and the eight people a Pakistani husband and English wife, but killed in Ireland, immigrants, last year—— he wants his kids all to have proper Muslim The President. It’s going to be a whole marriages with other Pakistani families. All new challenge for them because they’re—it’s those things that are—they’re still playing funny, the Irish have emigrated all over the themselves out. But they’re operating at a world, and I don’t believe there has been day highly, I think, functional level now com- since the United Nations sent its first peace- pared to 30 years ago. keeping force out that there hasn’t been an The Irish will work through this. They’re Irish peacekeeper somewhere around the basically incredibly generous, spirited peo- world involved in peacekeeping efforts. It’s ple, but they have had a very distinct Irish stunning. culture and mentality for hundreds of years. So, there is no nation on Earth as small And with the economic success of the Irish as Ireland that has had the impact and the Republic now and the romantic appeal of outreach Ireland has had to the rest of the Ireland and the great lifestyle—and Dublin Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 14 3089 is a fabulous city, you know; it’s big enough Q. I do have an example of Irish gen- to be fascinating and not too big to be over- erosity, if you will hold on for just a second. whelming—they’re going to have a lot of The President. Do it. people who want to live there. Q. Did Chelsea like it? President-elect Bush The President. Oh, Chelsea loves Dublin. Q. Chelsea loves Ireland. Chelsea loved Ireland Some people are comparing George before I ever got involved in all of this. She Bush to you, saying that he has the same type inaudible was reading Irish historical novels when she of—[ ]. Do you see that in him? The President. was a kid. Well, I think he’s, you Q. Would she go to grad school there? know, trying to build good will, which I think The President. I don’t know. But if she is important. And maybe the last few years did, it would be fine with me. It would give have bled enough poison out of the system me an excuse to go back. where it will be possible. And I think the But I think the Irish will do fine with this. Democrats, anyway, are more generally in- They will just have to work through it. I don’t clined toward working—you know, we basi- think people should be too judgmental or cally believe in Government. We believe in alarmist because this is an experience they’re the possibility of doing things. And so I think dealing with that the Americans had to begin that the Democrats will give him a honey- dealing with at the turn of the century when moon and an opportunity to get his feet on we had our big wave of immigrants, or even the ground and pass some of his program before, when the Chinese came to build the and do some things. And I think they ought railroad, and the British dealt with, in the to. middle of this century, the last century, up through the 1960’s and the early seventies. Discussions With Queen Elizabeth II And they’re dealing with it. Q. Can I ask you about the visit with the You know, so you will have some of this Queen? You were saying earlier that you ac- stuff happen. It’s terrible and regrettable, but tually discussed a little bit of politics. they will absorb them. And I think it will The President. Yes. She’s very careful, be quite amazing 10 years from now to go you know. She observes strictly the British there and see all these people with different tradition of not making policy statements. colored skin quoting Yeats’ poetry. But she’s a highly intelligent woman who knows a lot about the world. She has traveled President’s Future Plans a lot. She has fulfilled her responsibilities, Q. Mr. President, did this trip, and the I think, enormously well, and I always mar- fact that there is now a President-elect, ce- vel, when we meet, at what a keen judge she ment your thoughts about your own future is of human events. I think she’s a very im- any more? pressive person. I like her very much. The President. Not really. I’m thinking Q. Did you have tea? about it. I need to get a little sleep here. The President. We had tea. We had prop- I’ve worked pretty hard for the last 8 years, er tea, yes. Actually, I had a little coffee, but for the last 27 years, and I’m going to just— Hillary had tea. I want to try to be a useful citizen. But I A reporter presented the President with a will—I’ve got to build that library. I’ve got [ souvenir. a lot of things to do. ] Q. So, you’re tired. Does that mean that Q. Last time I went to Ireland with Hil- this is your last foreign trip? You don’t have lary, she liked that. that look about you, sir? The President. Yes, we do like this. Q. We could do this all the way to North Q. And because you won’t be having this, Korea. I think you deserve a little memory of your The President. I don’t have anything to time. [Laughter] say about that now. [Laughter] I can’t com- The President. Believe it or not, I don’t ment on that. have one of these. 3090 Dec. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Q. You can keep the limo and play with Dred Scott case that even a freed slave that— that, you know, up on the desk. I mean a slave that escaped to a free State The President. What I need is an auto- was still property. mated tape of ‘‘Hail to the Chief’’ so I know So, the Supreme Court—people can make when I’m going into a room that I won’t be their judgments there. No one looking back lost. [Laughter] This is great. Thank you. on history would say that every decision they have made is right. We could all find ones Supreme Court we agree and disagree with. But the principle Q. Mr. President, you said in your state- of judicial review is very important in this ment this morning that the Vice President country, and therefore we must all accept the spoke for a lot of people who disagreed with decisions we don’t agree with. the Supreme Court decision. Is there a Q. Justice Stevens, in his dissent, said the way—— one loser here is—I’m paraphrasing, obvi- The President. But accept it. I agree with ously—the belief of Americans in a non- both the things he said. He said it just right. political unbiased nature of the Court. [In- Is there a way what? audible] Is that what he said? Q. Do you think, though, there is the sense The President. I just don’t want to com- that the Court was political or is—and that ment on it. I don’t think—I can serve no pur- is bad for the country that the Court ever pose by commenting on it. If I did, I would got involved in deciding the election? not be honoring what Vice President Gore The President. I think that the statements said he wanted us to do in his speech and of the Vice President and the President-elect what President-elect Bush said he was trying should stand on their own, and at this time to establish in the country. I should not say anything about it. I think There will be time enough to comment it’s just—I don’t think I should comment on on it. And a lot of law professors and other it now. people who understand the history of the Q. You said on Saturday that in order to Constitution will comment on it. And the bestow legitimacy on the President-elect, the American people will read it and discuss it. Supreme Court should allow the vote. Do And at some future time, it might be appro- you not feel that same way now? priate for me to put down somewhere my The President. No, I said I disagree with thoughts about it. But I don’t think it’s right, the Court decision, but I accept it. The right now. I think that this is a period when we of judicial review established by John Mar- ought to let—get the country going forward shall in Marbury against Madison, then in- and give the President-elect a chance to put volving review of executive actions of the his transition in order. That’s what’s best for President, has been extended to every other the country, and I want to honor that. aspect of our law wherever there is a Federal question involved. Favorite Visit to Ireland And somebody has to make the final call. Q. What was your favorite trip to Ireland? And the American people obviously make The President. My favorite trip to Ire- their judgments about it. And the Court, as land? It’s very hard. But the first time I you know, often had different positions than went—I loved ’98. I loved Limerick. You they do now, that we’ve been through a lot know, that was great when we went there. of, you know, a lot of cycles of this. Remem- Q. Not to mention Ballybunion? ber, the Supreme Court struck down all the The President. Not to mention New Deal legislation until 1937. Then they Ballybunion, yes, which I missed because of turned around, and they changed. Bosnia. You remember, in ’95, I had to go Plessy v. Ferguson was the law until the see our troops off in Germany. I think I went Warren Court came along and basically re- to Ramstein in Germany. deemed the promise of the Civil War and But in ’95 it was like a dam breaking. You the 13th and 14th and 15th amendments. Be- know, the emotion, the feeling for peace. fore Abraham Lincoln and the war and the Keep in mind, things were much more un- amendments, the Supreme Court said in the certain then. We had a good cease-fire, but Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 14 3091 we were still 3 years away from the Good to die. His leg was horribly wounded, and Friday accord, or 21⁄2 years. It was the end they were afraid to carry him. And they were of ’95 when I went, and then the spring of trying to make a quick getaway. So they ’98 was the Good Friday accord. But you dumped him on this tiny island in the Ae- know, I never will forget being in Derry, gean, which was just basically rock and shrub. turning on the Christmas lights in Belfast And he didn’t die, and his leg never fully with—who was singing there? healed. It just sort of became a stump. Q. Van Morrison. And for 10 years, he was alone on the is- The President. Van Morrison was singing land. He became this sort of wild feral crea- there, and then I went to Derry, and Phil ture, just hair everywhere and his stump leg. Coulter sang ‘‘The Town I Love So Well’’ And Odysseus got a message for the gods— in the square with all the people filling the Ulysses did—that Philoctetes was alive and square, and then that street that goes up the that he had to have him to win the final battle hill behind it as far as you could see. I mean, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place, of the Trojan War with the famous Trojan you know. I mean, I just can’t—and then we Horse. went to Dublin. There were over 100,000 So, he—Ulysses devised this ruse to try people in the streets in front of Trinity. We to con him back into the deal. He took a set up on the bank, you know, in front of very nice young man with him on a boat, the Bank of Ireland building—it was just and they found this island, and he sent the amazing; there were a lot of interesting peo- young guy up to see him. And he had some ple—and quoted Seamus Heaney’s poem, line he put on him about—he figured out you know, from the ‘‘Cure of Troy,’’ for there was something wrong; this didn’t make which the next year I took a phrase and made sense; this guy appears after 10 years. it the title of the book I put out in ’96. So finally Ulysses kind of fessed up, went And when I got to Dublin, Seamus came up and said, ‘‘I left you. I shouldn’t have. over to the Ambassador’s residence and had I’m sorry, but we need you. Will you come?’’ handwritten out the section of the poem that And he forgives him, and he comes. He gets I quoted. It’s what the chorus says, ‘‘History his magic bow, and he limps down to the says don’t hope on this side of the grave. But boat, and they go off, and they win the Trojan once in a lifetime the longed-for tidal wave War. of justice can rise up, and hope and history So, it’s a story about how this guy is living rhyme. Believe in miracles and cures and alone on this God-forsaken rock while his leg healing wells.’’ I have it on the wall in my never heals, and yet somehow what hap- private office on the second floor, and I look pened to him over those 10 years, he just at it every day. gives it up. And he goes on. And when he And so he wrote it out in his hand, and is leaving, as he is pulling out of the—you then at the end he said, ‘‘To President Clinton: It was a fortunate wind that blew know, away from the island, the three of you here,’’ and that line is also from the them in the boat—Philoctetes looks back at ‘‘Cure of Troy,’’ which I would have every the island and says, ‘‘It was a fortunate wind person involved in any of these kinds of that blew me here.’’ things read. But he somehow, in that 10 years, just It’s only about 90 pages long, and it’s a purged his soul. I mean, it’s really—all the play written in the form of a Greek tragedy things Seamus ever wrote for the peace proc- so that the chorus speaks for the collective ess in Northern Ireland and for people strug- wisdom of the people. It’s a play about gling with tribal wars in Africa or any of these Philoctetes, who was a Greek warrior with conflicts, or people that are still mad at each Ulysses. He had the magic bow, and when- other—you know, when I got to Washington, ever the Greeks have Philoctetes in the Tro- there were Members of Congress still mad jan Wars, they always won. They never lost at each other over things that happened in a battle when he was there. the 1970’s, literally, still mad. And you know, And they were in a battle, and he was badly there were times when I felt like a pinata wounded. And they thought he was certain in somebody else’s ballgame. 3092 Dec. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

So you know, when I read this—I remem- The President. No, I think they will still ber I read it one night in the Presidential have arguments. I just don’t think they will guest residence in Cairo. I had been carrying ever let it slip the tracks. it around with me, and you know, my body Q. Do you think that the policing and de- clock was all messed up and I couldn’t sleep. commissioning—[inaudible]—have some So Hillary went to sleep, and I just sat up kind of common ground—[inaudible]? and read it. And I thought, ‘‘Wow, this is The President. I think they’re moving on really—I wish I could just get everybody to them. Whether they will be resolved or not, read this.’’ I don’t know. But the main thing is, I think Q. Cario was—[inaudible]. every time you do something that really The President. Well, whenever—one of builds confidence and mutual trust, at least the times I was in Cairo. The one thing about if they think—both sides think that they want me, I have a reputation for having a good to make it, you know, then it’s—you increase memory, but it’s totally shot. I literally—I re- the likelihood of success one way or the member things that we did now, and I can’t other. And the time deadlines don’t matter remember what year we did them. And if so much. I’m going to write my memoirs, I’m going I’m more concerned about, you know, giv- to have to get all these young people that ing that sense again to the Middle East. We work for me to come in and sort of fill in had that sense for a while, and then Rabin the blanks. got killed, and then we had those two terrible So much has happened in such a com- terrorist incidents, and the whole Middle pressed way. On a deal like this, you know, East rallied around the Israelis at Sharm al- maybe I get 3 hours of sleep a night. I just Sheikh, totally unprecedented, never hap- can’t remember things, or I remember pened before. things, but I don’t remember exactly when And then there was this sense of possibility they happened. again. And then, even with all the difficulties Q. Why did an Irish playwright write a they had with the Netanyahu government, Greek tragedy? the differences of opinion wound up pro- The President. I think that he believed ducing the Wye accords. It was 9 days and that it was a simple, clear way to capture nights, and it was sort of like the last person some timeless wisdom that would speak to standing won the argument, but it was—they Ireland and maybe to others in the same po- did it. There was a sense of it. That’s what sition. they need again. They need a sense that, you It’s really an astonishing work, you know, know, the direction is right, and it’s going because if you read it—if you didn’t know to work. anything about it, you would think, is this Q. [Inaudible]—some Israelis suggest that some play of Aeschylus I missed when I was you will go back there and give it one more in Greek Literature 101 or something? shot. The President. I don’t want to comment on that either. I don’t want to comment on Northern Ireland Peace Process that or North Korea, because all these things Q. Before you leave office, do you think are very delicate. The less I say, the better that there will be a sense of permanency— it is for them and for whatever I can do and [inaudible]? for the next President. The President. That’s what I was trying Q. Were you surprised by Prime Minister to say in the beginning. I think that it’s creep- Barak’s resignation—[inaudible]? ing in. And I think that the psychological im- The President. Well, sort of, but you pact of this visit, more than anything else, know it’s—it’s all been written about. Every- was designed to help create that. But I think body knows kind of what’s going on. I think there will be rough spots along the road. I he decided that he wanted to bring some fi- think there will be arguments back and forth. nality to it. He wanted to have some dead- Q. Do you think there will be—[inaudi- line, some election, whether either his course ble]? will be ratified or something will happen. I Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 14 3093 think it was—it’s bold move. We will have The President. I don’t know. I loved so to see how it works. many of them. I loved that trip to India. I Q. [Inaudible]—mentioned that Jim Baker loved my trip to China. I loved the—the Afri- being back on the scene—remembered that ca trip was amazing. There was a Guinean he was the one that uttered that you were woman—you were standing there on the working on ‘‘Gulliver’s Travels’’ in 1996, re- street today; you were there with me—when garding your work in Northern Ireland. Do we were walking down, you know, on you think he owes you an apology for that Portobello Road. Did you see that woman statement? come up to me and say, Aproba, aproba, The President. I don’t know. I don’t make aproba? That’s the Guinean word for wel- judgments about—I think when it comes to come. I said, ‘‘Were you there?’’ She said, apologies, you ought to save your judgments ‘‘I was there. I was there in the square.’’ It for yourself—to whom should you apologize, was so touching. It was wonderful. and let other people make those decisions. I think it’s really important that the United I think that, look, nobody is right about ev- States have a sort of 21st century view of erything. He is an immensely talented man. what really counts in the world. I think that And I think the course is right, now. And Africa has to count for us. I think that Latin I think the fact that I’m leaving the scene America has to count for us. I think Presi- is not—won’t be significant. I just don’t think dent-elect Bush, I think, will be very, very they will let it go. good in Latin America. Q. Do you think Hillary will take up where One of the things that I noticed about him you left off in Washington? that I liked, during all the years when I The President. Well, she will be a Sen- fought the Republicans in Congress and in ator, not President, but I think that she will California over immigration issues, he never be passionately interested in the Irish ques- got over there with them. And it’s probably tion, and she is kind of like me. Although, unlike me, she has no Irish relatives. Her the only issue on which Texas Republicans people are English and Welsh, but she is very are more liberal or less conservative than familiar with Great Britain. She made all my California Republicans. And it’s because of trips there, and I think she will be a very the whole history and culture of the Rio positive force. Grande Valley, which I love very much. And of course, we’ve got that huge Irish I went down there 30 years ago, and I’ve crowd in New York. They were the people always loved it. I think I was the first Presi- that really introduced me to the Irish dent in 50 years, almost, to go down there issues—the New York Irish and Bruce Mor- as President. And I have been three times rison from New Haven, who had been a to the Rio Grande Valley. And you can’t un- friend of Hillary’s and mine since we went derstand how Texans feel about immigration to law school together, and the late Paul if you’ve never spent any time in the Rio O’Dwyer and his son—Niall O’Dowd, that Grande Valley and understand how it works whole crowd. for them. It’s a whole different deal. Q. [Inaudible]—the Irish Echo. And he will be very comfortable. He will The President. The Irish Echo, yes. They be good with Mexico. And I think it will lead were there at the beginning, my first meeting him to an interest in not only in the big coun- in 1991. We had that little meeting, you tries of South America but, I would hope, know. And I thought, you know, it makes a the small countries of Central America too. lot of sense to me. I will do something on But I expect he will be quite successful in this. I will pander to her. I don’t mind. I building on the outreach we’ve done in the will give her the pander. Hey, I’m leaving. Latin American countries. I’ll pander. [Laughter] It’s going to be important. That’s the point I was tying to make today in my speech at Favorite Visit Outside Ireland Warwick. As the world becomes more inter- Q. What was your favorite trip outside of dependent, pursuing our interests involves Ireland? more than great power politics. 3094 Dec. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

It’s like in the Middle East. Now, I think Statement on the 2000 Monitoring pursuing our interests involves having a good the Future Survey relationship with the Saudis and, insofar as we can, the other oil producers, except for December 14, 2000 Iraq, where I just don’t think—I think they’re Today’s 2000 Monitoring the Future Sur- still unreconstructed. vey confirms that we are making real But it also involves caring about the Pal- progress in our fight against youth drug and estinians. Life is more than money and tobacco use. The Department of Health and power. And ideas are power, and emotions Human Services (HHS) study released by are power. I have tried to reconcile the legiti- Secretary Donna Shalala and Office of Na- mate desires of both the Israelis and the Pal- estinians. We didn’t succeed yet, but we— tional Drug Control Policy Director Barry I think that in the end, if we want Israel to McCaffrey shows teen cigarette use falling be fully secure and at peace in the Middle sharply across all grades surveyed. The per- East, the Palestinian question has to be re- centage of teenagers reporting cigarette use solved in a way that enables them, actually, in the past month dropped by nearly 10 per- not only to live but to actually start, you cent among high school seniors, and over 15 know, having a successful economy and a percent among eighth graders. The study also functioning society. shows that efforts to change student attitudes I’ve got to go. It’s been interesting. on tobacco are having a positive impact: More teens now believe that smoking carries I can’t really say I had a favorite trip be- cause all of them, you know, I can remember risks, while fewer report that cigarettes are too many things about them all. readily available. This year also marks the fourth in a row that overall teenage use of Thank you. illicit drugs has remained stable or declined. In particular, the data shows a significant NOTE: The President spoke at 2:55 p.m. e.s.t drop in cocaine use among high school sen- aboard Air Force One en route from the United iors and heroin use among eighth graders in Kingdom to Andrews Air Force Base, MD. In his 2000. In combination with the National remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Tony Blair Household and PRIDE surveys this year, and former Prime Minister John Major of the United Kingdom; First Minister David Trimble these results demonstrate a continuing down- of Northern Ireland; musicians Van Morrison and ward trend in overall youth drug use. Phil Coulter; former Prime Minister Benyamin Today’s research shows that the efforts of Netanyahu of Israel; and Niall O’Dowd, publisher, the Clinton/Gore administration have put us The Irish Voice. on the right track to give our children safer, healthier futures. Vice President Gore and I have fought hard to reverse the dangerous Statement on the Release of youth smoking trends we saw throughout the Edmond Pope earlier part of the 1990’s. We worked to raise December 14, 2000 the price of tobacco to keep it out of the hands of children and urged States to do I welcome today’s release of Edmond their part by implementing effective, com- Pope after 8 months of detention in Russia prehensive tobacco control and prevention and appreciate President Putin’s decision to approaches. My administration also devel- pardon Mr. Pope. oped the first nationwide plan to protect chil- Mr. Pope’s ordeal was unjustified. It is for- dren from the dangers of tobacco, and I have tunate that humanitarian considerations pre- continued to call on Congress to take further vailed in the end. steps, including passing legislation to approve I admire the impressive support Mr. Pope FDA’s authority to implement this plan. received from his wife and family and from Meanwhile, our National Youth Anti-Drug Congressman John Peterson of Pennsylvania Media Campaign and other initiatives have and other Members of Congress. I commend helped to change attitudes and steer children their tireless efforts on hisbehalf. away from illegal drugs. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 15 3095

These efforts have made a difference, but The creative vision, ingenuity, and indomi- we cannot afford to let up in this fight. To- table spirit that sparked the Wright Brothers’ day’s results also show emerging threats, such achievement still power our Nation’s aviation as increased Ecstasy use, while also remind- accomplishments today. Air travel is a vital ing us that the overall levels of youth drug, part of life in America, and people across the tobacco, and alcohol use remain unaccept- country depend on our air transportation sys- ably high. I urge the next Congress to sup- tem to link them with one another and to port these proven efforts to give our children sustain our growing economy. Last year the safe and healthy futures that they de- alone, U.S. airlines safely transported almost serve. 700 million passengers on 13 million flights. The gift of flight has immeasurably strengthened our Nation and enriched the Proclamation—Wright Brothers lives of people around the world. It is only Day, 2000 fitting that we should remember on Decem- December 14, 2000 ber 17 the two visionary Americans whose scientific curiosity, independent thinking, By the President of the United States and technical genius began a new era that of America has taken us to the threshold of space and beyond.The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 17, 1963 (77 Stat. 402; A Proclamation 36 U.S.C. 143), has designated December 17 In 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright were of each year as ‘‘Wright Brothers Day’’ and poised on the brink of one of history’s most has authorized and requested the President remarkable advances. For years, the two to issue annually a proclamation inviting the brothers had been mesmerized by the prin- people of the United States to observe that ciple of flight and had studied birds to under- day with appropriate ceremonies and activi- stand how these fascinating creatures rose, ties. fell, and darted through the air. The Wright Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, Brothers’ studies affirmed what they had President of the United States of America, long believed: that powered, controlled do hereby proclaim December 17, 2000, as human flight was possible. After much re- Wright Brothers Day. search and experimentation and many trials In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set and failures, the brothers tested their proto- my hand this fourteenth day of December, type biplane on the windy dunes of Kitty in the year of our Lord two thousand, and Hawk, North Carolina. On December 17, of the Independence of the United States of their efforts were rewarded and their dream America the two hundred and twenty-fifth. realized when the Wright Flyer rose through the air, soaring for 12 seconds and traveling William J. Clinton 120 feet. While it took humanity thousands of years NOTE: At the time of publication, this proclama- to reach that pivotal moment, we have tion had not been received by the Office of the achieved stunning advances in aviation in the Federal Register for assignment of a proclamation past century alone. Less than 25 years after number. the Wright Brothers’ inaugural flight, Charles Lindbergh conquered the Atlantic Ocean flying nonstop aboard The Spirit of Remarks at a Special Olympics St. Louis; in less than 50 years, Chuck Yeager Dinner broke the sound barrier; and in less than 70 December 15, 2000 years, the United States reached the heavens and landed two men on the Moon. Today, Thank you, Senator. Trying to get in prac- we continue to explore the frontiers of space tice, guys. I want to thank Victor and Katy as the International Space Station orbits the and Barry and all the Special Olympics global Earth. messengers. Let’s give them all a big hand 3096 Dec. 15 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 again. [Applause] Actually, I don’t know to ask for everything I can. I want one more whether I want to thank Victor or not. I un- song. derstand that the very first time you played Merry Christmas, everybody. golf, you hit a ball 250 yards. And I want to know the secret before we go any further NOTE: The President spoke at 12:11 a.m. in a pa- with this friendship of ours. vilion on the South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Special Olympics I also want to thank our friend Jamie Lee Global Messengers Victor Stewart, Texas, Katy Curtis, who has been a great master of cere- Wilson, Georgia, and Barry Cairns, Jr., United monies and has walked us all through this Kingdom; actress Jamie Lee Curtis; and Eunice tonight. Let’s give her a big hand—[ap- Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olym- plause]—and all the wonderful performers pics, and her husband, Sergeant Shriver. who have graced this stage tonight because they believe in Special Olympics. Hillary and I have been proud supporters of Special Videotape Remarks on the Shutdown Olympics for many, many years, and we’re of the Chernobyl Nuclear proud to be part of this very special evening. Powerplant Special Olympics is a program of sports, December 15, 2000 training, and competition, but ultimately it’s a strong statement of optimism about human President Kuchma, honored guests, peo- life. It says that every human being can learn ple of Ukraine, today is a great day for Ukraine and for the world. and grow and contribute to the society we On April 26, 1986, reactor number four all share. It casts a spotlight on the dignity at the Chernobyl nuclear powerplant suf- of human life and the beauty of the human fered a runaway chain reaction, causing the soul. worst nuclear disaster in history. That hor- Special Olympics teaches us that when rible destruction has offered us lessons not people with disabilities gain skill and con- only in nuclear technology but also in people fidence, we all win from their abilities. When and governments. For when governments are Special Olympic athletes from America meet arrogant and unaccountable, they will impose their counterparts from places like China and unacceptable risks on the health and safety Botswana, people all over the world are en- of their people. riched. And in this century, we have just After the disaster, the outspoken father of begun. If we help Special Olympics establish the Soviet atomic program, Dr. Andrei global networks for families, create new Sakharov, declared that the safe use of nu- health programs for athletes, and open new clear technology demands open discussions opportunity for 2 million athletes around the and informed citizens. So it is fitting that world, every one of us will be better off. while a Communist government of the Special Olympics began as a small flicker U.S.S.R. built the unsafe plant, a free and in the heart of one remarkable woman, Eu- independent Ukraine is shutting it down. It nice Kennedy Shriver. We miss her tonight, is also fitting to recall that the very event and we thank Sarge and her whole family that exposed the weakness of the Soviet sys- for being here. Special Olympics enters a tem revealed the courage and valor of the new century, not a small flicker but a burst- Ukrainian people. ing flame of pride and a beacon of inspiration Fourteen years ago Ukrainians took heroic for every one of us. steps to contain the danger and protect their So tonight we celebrate what has been ac- people. Today, we see that same commit- complished, and even more, we look forward ment, as Ukraine, with the cooperation of the to the future with determination and con- United States, the G–7, and the EU, fulfills fidence. And now, I want all of our artists its historic decision to shut down the to get a big hand. They’re back on the stage, Chernobyl nuclear powerplant forever. This and they’re going to sing us—you know, I is a triumph for the common good. It is what only have just a few days left—[laughter]— is possible when free, democratic nations so I’m going to take every opportunity I can pursue common goals. As President Kuchma Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 15 3097 noted some years ago, after Ukrainian cos- a precedent for the treatment of other gray monaut Leonid Kadenyk joined American as- market goods. tronauts on the space shuttle, ‘‘Not even the sky is the limit to Ukrainian-U.S. coopera- tion.’’ Statement on Action Against America will stand with Ukraine as you International Crime fight for a free and prosperous future. We December 15, 2000 will support Ukraine’s efforts to take your rightful place among the nations of Europe The growing reach of international crime and alongside the world’s free market de- poses threats to American citizens and Amer- mocracies. ican interests, both at home and abroad. Ille- As you open your economy, strengthen the gal activity from terrorism to trafficking in rule of law, and protect a free press, you are arms, drugs, or humans violates our values both attacking the ills that led to the and threatens our safety. Intellectual prop- Chernobyl disaster and building a future erty theft, financial fraud, and corruption also where the children of Ukraine can live their can endanger our prosperity and undercut dreams. America is on your side. We wish public confidence in democracy and free you Godspeed. markets around the world. Slava Ukrayini. To confront these challenges, today I am pleased to announce several important initia- tives in our ongoing efforts to combat inter- NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 1:15 p.m. in Room 459 in the Dwight D. Eisenhower national crime. Executive Office Building, and his remarks were First, we are releasing a comprehensive videotaped for later broadcast in Ukraine. In his International Crime Threat Assessment, pre- remarks, he referred to President Leonid Kuchma pared at my direction, as part of our Inter- of Ukraine. A tape was not available for national Crime Control Strategy adopted in verification of the content of these remarks. May, 1998. The new assessment highlights the global dimensions of international crime and the ways this pervasive problem threat- Statement on International Trade ens U.S. interests. This broader under- Commission Action Against Gray standing is necessary if we, together with our Market Cigarettes international partners, are to strengthen our December 15, 2000 response to this global problem. Second, earlier this week in Palermo, Italy, Today I am allowing the U.S. International the United States joined many other coun- Trade Commission’s exclusion order and tries in signing the United Nations Conven- cease and desist order regarding certain tion on Transnational Organized Crime, Brown & Williamson cigarettes (ITC Case along with two supplementary protocols on Number 337–TA–424) to stand. Together migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. with the legislation (Public Law 106–476) By harmonizing criminal laws and promoting that I signed on November 9, 2000, these increased cooperation, the new convention orders will ensure that no so-called gray mar- and its protocols will enable the international ket cigarettes are imported into the United community to better combat international or- States—including not only the two brands ganized crime. covered under the ITC orders but all brands Third, the Departments of State and Jus- of gray market cigarettes as provided in the tice are establishing a Migrant Smuggling November legislation. In the same way that and Trafficking in Persons Coordination the report language for the November legis- Center. The Center will integrate and im- lation made clear that it was in no way in- prove our efforts to counter these distinct but tended to alter current policies with respect related global crime problems. The Center to other gray market goods, I want to make also will promote and assist increased efforts clear that my allowing these orders to take by foreign governments and international or- effect should not be interpreted as setting ganizations to combat these problems. 3098 Dec. 15 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

The United States is strongly committed Digest of Other to strengthening our international crime con- White House Announcements trol programs to achieve a world of greater safety, prosperity, and justice. We urge the international community to join us in en- The following list includes the President’s public hancing our common efforts to advance these schedule and other items of general interest an- common aims. nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and not included elsewhere in this issue.

Memorandum on Funding for December 10 Emergency Refugee and Migration In the evening, the President had a tele- Assistance phone conversation with Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel concerning the Middle December 15, 2000 East peace process and the Prime Minister’s Presidential Determination No. 2001–05 resignation. December 11 Memorandum for the Secretary of State In the evening, the President and Hillary and Chelsea Clinton traveled to Dublin, Ire- Subject: Presidential Determination land, arriving the following morning. Pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as December 12 Amended In the morning, the President met with President Mary McAleese of Ireland in the Pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Migra- Drawing Room of the President’s House. tion and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as Later, he met with Prime Minister Bertie amended, 22 U.S.C. 2601(c)(1), I hereby de- Ahern of Ireland in the Prime Minister’s Of- termine that it is important to the national fice. In the afternoon, the President and Hil- interest that up to $33 million be made avail- lary and Chelsea Clinton traveled to Dun- able from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and dalk, Ireland, and in the evening, they trav- Migration Assistance Fund to meet the unex- eled to Belfast, Northern Ireland. pected urgent refugee and migration needs, The President announced his intention to including those of refugees, displaced per- appoint Evan S. Dobelle as a member of the sons, conflict victims, and other persons at Board for International Food and Agricul- risk, due to crises in Guinea, the Democratic tural Development. Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, the The President announced his intention to North Caucasus, Serbia, and the Middle appoint Bob Armstrong, William Debuys, East. These funds may be used, as appro- Karen Durkovich, Palemon A. Martinez, Ste- priate, to provide contributions to inter- phen D. Stoddard, Thomas W. Swetnam, and national, governmental, and nongovern- David R. Yepa as members of the Valles mental organizations. I understand that you Caldera Trust. will be forwarding a separate request to meet The President announced his intention to requirements for refugee assistance in Bosnia appoint Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., as a member and Croatia. of the White House Commission on Com- You are authorized and directed to inform plementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. the appropriate committees of the Congress December 13 of this determination and the use of funds In the morning, the President met with under this authority, and to arrange for the First Minister David Trimble and Deputy publication of this determination in the Fed- First Minister Seamus Mallon of Northern eral Register. Ireland in the Members Dining Room of the Stormont Parliament Building. Later, he had William J. Clinton separate meetings with Prime Minister Tony Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 3099

Blair of the United Kingdom and leaders of Islam A. Siddiqui, the Ulster Unionist Party, Sinn Fein, and the of California, to be Under Secretary of Agri- Social Democratic and Labour Party. culture for Marketing and Regulatory Pro- In the afternoon, the President and Hillary grams, vice Michael V. Dunn. and Chelsea Clinton traveled to North Ayles- bury, England. During the day, the President Sarah McCracken Fox, also had separate telephone conversations of New York, to be a member of the Occupa- with Vice President Gore and President-elect tional Safety and Health Review Commission George W. Bush. for a term expiring April 27, 2005, vice Stuart The President declared a major disaster in E. Weisberg, term expired. Wyoming and ordered Federal aid to supple- ment State and local recovery efforts in the Julie E. Samuels, area struck by severe winter storms on Octo- of Virginia, to be Director of the National ber 31 and continuing through November 20. Institute of Justice, vice Jeremy Travis, re- signed. December 14 In the morning, the President and Hillary Withdrawn December 15 Clinton traveled to London, where they had an audience with Her Majesty Queen Eliza- Stuart E. Weisberg, beth II of England in the Queen’s Audience of Maryland, to be a member of the Occupa- Room at Buckingham Palace. In the after- tional Safety and Health Review Commission noon, the President and Hillary Clinton trav- for a term expiring April 27, 2005, which was eled to Coventry, England, and later, they sent to the Senate on February 3, 2000. returned to Washington, DC. The President announced the recipients of Stuart E. Weisberg, the National Medal of Arts and the National of Maryland, to be a member of the Occupa- Humanities Medal, which will be presented tional Safety and Health Review Commission at a ceremony on December 20 at D.A.R. for a term expiring April 27, 2005, which was Constitution Hall. sent to the Senate on May 11, 1999. December 15 The President announced the appoint- ment of Richard L. Friedman as Chair and member of the National Capital Planning Checklist Commission. of White House Press Releases

The following list contains releases of the Office of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as Nominations items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Submitted to the Senate Other White House Announcements.

The following list does not include promotions of Released December 9 members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- Transcript of a press briefing by National eign Service officers. Economic Council Director Gene Sperling and Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Martin Baily on the national economy Submitted December 15 Released December 11 Edwin A. Levine, of Florida, to be an Assistant Administrator Announcement: Official Delegation Accom- of the Environmental Protection Agency, panying the President to Ireland, Northern vice David Gardiner, resigned. Ireland, and England 3100 Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Released December 12 Fact sheet: Migrant Smuggling and Traf- Transcript of a press readout by National Se- ficking in Persons Coordination Center curity Adviser Samuel Berger on the Presi- Fact sheet: Progress in Efforts To Combat dent’s visit to Ireland International Crime Statement by the Press Secretary on Sec- Fact sheet: International Crime Threat As- retary of Energy Bill Richardson’s upcoming sessment travel to Kiev, Ukraine, to represent the U.S. at a ceremony marking the closure of the Chernobyl nuclear powerplant Released December 13 Acts Approved Citation for the Presidential Citizens Medal by the President awarded posthumously to David B. Hermelin Released December 14 Approved December 8 * Announcement: President Clinton An- nounces Year 2000 Recipients of National H.J. Res. 128 / Public Law 106–540 Medal of Arts and National Humanities Making further continuing appropriations for Medal the fiscal year 2001, and for other purposes

Released December 15 Approved December 11 Transcript of a press briefing by NSC Na- tional Coordinator for Security Infrastructure S. 2796 / Public Law 106–541 Protection and Counterterrorism Richard Water Resources Development Act of 2000 Clarke, Assistant Secretary of State for Inter- national Narcotics and Law Enforcement H.J. Res. 129 / Public Law 106–542 Rand Beers, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Making further continuing appropriations for the Treasury for Enforcement Joseph Myers, the fiscal year 2001, and for other purposes and NSC International Crime Group Direc- tor Fred Rosa on the International Crime *This law was not received in time for publica- Threat Assessment tion in the appropriate issue.