3184 Dec. 27 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 have any other speeches, summation speech- Statement on Signing the es planned for other policy areas? Intelligence Authorization The President. I expect I’ll do one on do- Act for Fiscal Year 2001 mestic policy; I’m trying. We’re looking for a venue, and after the first of the year I’ll December 27, 2000 probably do at least one more. Today I have signed into law H.R. 5630, Thank you all very much. the ‘‘Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Q. What about Gray Davis? Year 2001.’’ I am pleased that the Act no Q. Are you going to take reporters on your longer contains the badly flawed provision next househunting trip, Mr. President? that would have made a felony of unauthor- The President. [Laughter] I hope I don’t ized disclosures of classified information, and have to do any more. that was the basis for my veto of a previous Thank you. version of this legislation. I thank the Con- gress for working with me to produce a bill NOTE: The President spoke at 3 p.m. in the Oval that I can sign. Office at the White House. In his remarks, he I appreciate the inclusion of section 308 referred to Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel. concerning the applicability of Federal laws Reporters referred to outgoing Senator John implementing international treaties and Ashcroft, the incoming Bush administration nomi- other international agreements to United nee for Attorney General; and Gov. Gray Davis States intelligence activities. Section 308 ap- of California. The transcript released by the Office plies only to intelligence activities of the of the Press Secretary also included the remarks United States and addresses particular con- of Judge Gregory. cerns regarding the potential application of future United States domestic laws imple- Statement on the Death menting international agreements to other- wise lawful and appropriately authorized in- of Jason Robards telligence activities. This provision does not December 27, 2000 in any way address the proper interpretation of preexisting implementing legislation or Hillary and I were deeply saddened to other United States statutes, nor does it in learn of the death of Jason Robards. An ac- any way address other United States Govern- complished actor, Mr. Robards was a com- ment activities. manding presence on the big screen and a Title VIII of the Act sets forth require- passionate force on the stage. ments governing the declassification and dis- Jason Robards’ numerous accomplish- closure of Japanese Imperial Army records, ments represent the esteem in which his col- as defined by the Act. The executive branch leagues and his fans held him. After winning has previously been declassifying United two Oscars and a Tony award, Hillary and States Government records related to Japa- I had the privilege of honoring Jason’s long nese war crimes under the provisions of the career both in 1997 with a National Medal Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act, Public Law of Arts and again in 1999 with the Kennedy 105–246; consequently, I understand that Center Honors award for his lifetime of con- title VIII does not apply to records under- tribution to American arts and culture. Mr. going declassification pursuant to the Nazi Robards was also a hero in his pre-acting War Crimes Disclosure Act. days. Surviving the attack on Pearl Harbor, Finally, I acknowledge the efforts of the he earned the Navy Cross—the second- Congress to bring about a more capable, se- highest naval decoration. cure, and effective Diplomatic Tele- communications System. I am concerned, Mr. Robards will be missed by all of us however, that the proposed changes for the who cherished him and his work. Our Diplomatic Telecommunications Service thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Lois, Program Office do not yet represent the best and their six children. methods for improving the management of Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 28 3185 this system. As the executive branch imple- legislation to the Congress. I will therefore ments this legislation, I encourage the Con- treat it as precatory. gress to work with the executive branch to This Act demonstrates our commitment to consider alternatives for further improve- providing more support to the aboriginal ments. peoples of this Nation. I am pleased to sign William J. Clinton it into law. The White House, William J. Clinton December 27, 2000. The White House, December 27, 2000. NOTE: H.R. 5630, approved December 27, was assigned Public Law No. 106–567. NOTE: H.R. 5528, approved December 27, was assigned Public Law No. 106–568. Statement on Signing the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act Statement on Signing the Assistance December 27, 2000 for International Malaria Control Act Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. December 27, 2000 5528, the ‘‘Omnibus Indian Advancement Today I am pleased to sign into law S. Act.’’ This Act is the product of lengthy nego- 2943, the ‘‘Assistance for International Ma- tiations among the Congress, my Administra- laria Control Act.’’ In doing so, however, I tion, tribal governments and other interested note that section 405(b) of the Act purports parties. I commend all of the participants in to restrict the President’s constitutional au- these negotiations for their work in pro- thority to appoint ‘‘Officers of the United ducing a bill that will benefit many Indian States’’ by requiring that individuals be ap- communities. pointed to the Pacific Charter Commission This Act emphasizes my Administration’s only ‘‘after consultation’’ with specified mem- commitment to self-determination and self- bers of the Congress and by requiring that governance of American Indian, Alaska Na- not more than four of the appointees ‘‘may tive, and Native Hawaiian people. In par- be affiliated with the same political party.’’ ticular, the Act establishes an American In- Because the work of the Commission may dian Education Foundation to encourage and interfere with the constitutional authority accept private gifts to help further the edu- vested in the President to conduct foreign cation of Indian children attending Bureau affairs, the restrictions in section 405(b) are of Indian Affairs schools in grades K-12; of- constitutionally problematic and I therefore fers increased economic development oppor- construe these restrictions to be precatory tunities for Indian tribes; authorizes new ac- only. tivities to help support and improve tribal governance, including the new Native Na- William J. Clinton tions Institute at the Morris K. Udall Foun- The White House, dation; provides for the settlement of an his- December 27, 2000. toric land case in California; restores and re- establishes the Federal and trust relationship NOTE: S. 2943, approved December 27, was as- to two separate tribal groups; improves hous- signed Public Law No. 106–570. ing assistance to and affordable housing for Native Americans and Native Hawaiians; and includes other benefits and authorities for Interview With the New York Times various American Indian, Alaska Native, and November 30, 2000 Native Hawaiian communities. Section 1104 of this bill raises a constitu- Vietnam and China tional concern insofar as it could be read to Q. Thank you for seeing us. As you prob- interfere with my constitutional authority to ably know, we’re preparing to write this fairly determine when and whether to recommend lengthy series that looks back over the past