Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, February 21, 2000 Volume 36—Number 7 Pages 291–341 Contents

Addresses and Remarks Interviews With the News Media—Continued Funding to make more livable communities, News conference, February 16 (No. 186)— radio remarks—307 311 Georgia, tornado damage—294 Internet security—308 Letters and Messages League of United Latin American Citizens’ Lifetime Achievement Award—293 Presidents’ Day, message—339 National Association for Equal Opportunity in Proclamations Higher Education leadership banquet—328 National Summit on Africa—332 National Consumer Protection Week—291 Radio address—292 To Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Communications to Congress Competition From Imports of Certain Steel Wire Rod—324 Digital computer exports, letter transmitting report—310 Statements by the President Steel wire rod imports, letter transmitting documentation—328 Budget surplus, third consecutive—339 Death of Charles M. Schulz, Jr.—293 Communications to Federal Agencies Northern Ireland peace process—291 Economic Community of West African States, Sudan, school bombing—308 memorandum on assistance—332 Steel wire rod imports, memorandum—326 Supplementary Materials Interviews With the News Media Acts approved by the President—341 Exchange with reporters in the Cabinet Checklist of White House press releases—340 Room—308 Digest of other White House Interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN.com— announcements—339 299 Nominations submitted to the Senate—340

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. Week Ending Friday, February 18, 2000

Statement on Action in the Northern consumers the opportunity to choose from Ireland Peace Process a wide variety of products while saving pre- February 11, 2000 cious time for family and personal interests. As we move into the digital age, the Internet The Good Friday accord, made possible and other information technologies have by the courage of leaders from both of made electronic commerce possible, and on- Northern Ireland’s communities, responded line shopping is opening doors for con- to the people’s overwhelming desire for sumers, established retailers, and small en- peace. It has been sustained by those leaders trepreneurs across the Nation. With these making the tough decisions necessary to keep opportunities, however, come certain risks the process moving forward. I regret that the for home shoppers. Advances in tele- IRA did not give the de Chastelain Commis- communications and marketing technology sion a more timely commitment on arms de- bring new opportunities for unfair, decep- commissioning to maintain the momentum tive, or fraudulent practices that target con- toward full implementation of the accord— sumers where they live. It is now easier than a commitment which reflects the wishes of ever for perpetrators of fraud to reach shop- the vast majority of people both in Ireland pers in their homes; consequently, it is more and in Northern Ireland. important than ever that consumers know At the same time, we have seen real their rights, understand the risks, and know progress in the past few days. This progress to whom they can turn for recourse. is reflected in the most recent report from While there are risks to home shopping, the de Chastelain Commission, which states including unwanted solicitations, ill-advised that the commitment made by the IRA’s rep- purchases, and failure to deliver items pur- resentative ‘‘holds out the real prospect of chased, consumers can protect themselves an agreement which would enable [the Com- against these dangers by taking basic, com- mission] to fulfill the substance of its man- date.’’ I urge all the parties to build on that monsense precautions. Home shoppers progress, remain engaged, and carry through should ascertain the seller’s location and rep- on their responsibilities to work together to utation; give out personal information only achieve the full implementation of the Good if they know who is collecting it, why it is Friday accord. being collected, and how it will be used; and report problems that they cannot resolve NOTE: This item was not received in time for pub- with the vendor. lication in the appropriate issue. In order to protect consumers, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Jus- Proclamation 7272—National tice, the Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Protection Week, 2000 the American Association of Retired Persons, the National Association of Consumer Agen- February 11, 2000 cy Administrators, and the National Associa- By the President of the United States tion of Attorneys General have joined forces of America to inform Americans about their rights as home shoppers, about merchant responsibil- A Proclamation ities, and about how to enjoy safely the bene- Americans have long enjoyed shopping fits of shopping from home. This information from the comfort of their homes. Door-to- is available in writing, by telephone, and on- door sales and mail-order catalogs have given line, helping to educate consumers about 291 292 Feb. 11 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 such issues as how to stop unwanted tele- for millions of families. We’ve greatly ex- marketing or mail-order solicitations and panded preschool and after-school programs. when to provide private information to an We’ve fought to give generous tax credits to on-line business. help the growing numbers of families who I encourage all Americans to take advan- provide care for aging or ailing loved ones tage of this opportunity to learn more about at home. safe shopping from home. By becoming wise This month we’re celebrating the seventh and well-informed consumers, we can reduce anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave the incidence of fraud and deception in the Act, the very first bill I was privileged to sign marketplace. as President. That bill was the product of Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, years of hard work by a large coalition of car- President of the United States of America, ing leaders, many of whom have joined me by virtue of the authority vested in me by here today. They should be very proud of the Constitution and the laws of the United their efforts. States, do hereby proclaim February 14 The family and medical leave law has now through February 20, 2000, as National Con- given more than 20 million Americans the sumer Protection Week. I call upon govern- opportunity to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid ment officials, industry leaders, consumer ad- leave to care for a newborn child or a sick vocates, and the American people to partici- relative or attend to their own serious health pate in programs promoting safe and reliable needs—without fear of losing their jobs. shopping from home and to raise public Everywhere I go, people come up to me and awareness about the dangers of deceptive tell me how much this law has meant to their and fraudulent practices targeting home lives. I’ve heard people say that the time they shoppers. were able to take off to be by their dad’s In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set side in the hospital or bond with a new my hand this eleventh day of February, in daughter at home was the most important the year of our Lord two thousand, and of time they’ve ever spent. the Independence of the United States of Not only has the law been a godsend for America the two hundred and twenty-fourth. families, it’s also been good for business. William J. Clinton Nearly 85 percent of businesses reported that complying with the law required no extra [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, cost. In fact, in many cases it has actually 8:45 a.m., February 15, 2000] helped save them money by cutting down on turnover and reducing the expense of train- NOTE: This proclamation was published in the ing new workers. Federal Register on February 16. This item was not received in time for publication in the appro- But for all the success of this law, we know priate issue. we can and should do more. Today, there are still large numbers of families who need to take leave from work but can’t afford to The President’s Radio Address give up the income. That’s why, 3 months February 12, 2000 ago, Labor Secretary Alexis Herman and I proposed a new rule to give States flexibility Good morning. Today I want to speak with to use their existing unemployment insur- you about the important steps we’re taking ance programs to offer paid leave to new par- to reach one of our Nation’s highest goals, ents. Participation is purely voluntary, but we helping all our people to succeed at work hope States will take advantage of this. Be- and in the most important work of all: caring fore they do, they must determine how it will for their children. affect the soundness of their unemployment For 7 years now, this administration has system. taken action to give families more of the tools Today I am pleased to announce a new they need to balance the difficult demands way we can make it easier for States to take of work and home. We’ve helped to make up this challenge. I’m proposing $20 million child care better, safer, and more affordable in new competitive grants to help develop Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 14 293 and evaluate creative new approaches for On the day that our newspapers print his very providing paid family leave to workers— last ‘‘Peanuts’’ strip, it is especially poignant whether it’s through unemployment insur- that we mourn the passing of Charles Schulz ance, temporary disability programs, or any himself. For 50 years, his keen eye, his good other source. Many States have already rec- and generous heart, and his active brush and ognized the great need for paid leave and pen have given life to the most memorable have begun drafting their own proposals to cast of characters ever to enliven our daily provide it. We hope and believe our grants papers. The hopeful and hapless Charlie will help to speed the way. Brown, the joyful Snoopy, the soulful There are two more steps I believe we Linus—even the ‘‘crabby’’ Lucy—give voice, should take right away. Once again, I asked day after day, to what makes us human. Congress to expand family and medical leave Today, in his final strip, Charles Schulz to give parents time off when they have to writes, ‘‘Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy go to see their children’s teachers or take . . . how can I ever forget them. . . .’’ We them to the doctor. And I asked Congress can say with certainty that we will never for- to extend the benefits of the law to employ- get them, or their creator, or the many gifts ees of smaller companies, so that we can he has given us all. reach another 10 million, American families. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, I want to thank Senator Dodd, who is here Jeannie, and their children. with me today, and Senator Kennedy and Representatives Clay, Woolsey, and Maloney, for their tireless work on behalf of Remarks on Receiving the League of these proposals. With their leadership, I be- United Latin American Citizens’ lieve we will succeed in expanding family and Lifetime Achievement Award medical leave this year. February 14, 2000 I’ve often wondered how my own mother, when she was a young widow, would have Thank you very much, ladies and gentle- been able to go away to train as a nurse if men. Well, thank you, President Rick my grandparents hadn’t been there to take Dovalina. Elvia Morales, thank you very care of me. My mother and I were lucky. much for reminding us of why we’re all here So were many other American families. But working every day. She did a fine job, didn’t none of our families should have to rely on she? I was very proud of her. Thank you. luck alone, and no American should ever I thank the students from Cesar Chavez have to choose between the job they need Public Charter High School for Public Policy and the parent or child they love. If we use for joining us, and their teachers and prin- this moment wisely, we can help to ensure cipal. Thank you all again for being here, and that they’ll never have to make that choice good luck to you. again. I’d like to thank Senator Chuck Robb from Thanks for listening. Virginia and Congressman Silvestre Reyes from Texas for joining us today. Thank you NOTE: The address was recorded at 4:52 p.m. on very much, gentlemen. I want to thank our February 11 in the Oval Office at the White Secretary of Energy, and my dear friend, Bill House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on February Richardson for the wonderful statement that 12. The transcript was made available by the Of- fice of the Press Secretary on February 11 but he made in opening this meeting today. was embargoed for release until the broadcast. I thank all the people of our administration who are here, but I would like to especially acknowledge my Deputy Chief of Staff, Statement on the Death Maria Echaveste; my Assistant to the Presi- of Charles M. Schulz, Jr. dent who deals with all the Governors, may- February 13, 2000 ors, and half the headaches in America, Mickey Ibarra; Administrator of the Small Hillary and I were deeply saddened to Business Administration, Aida Alvarez, learn of the death of Charles M. Schulz, Jr. whom you’ve acknowledged already; Army 294 Feb. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Secretary Louis Caldera, who’s here; the And I just went back to the Rio Grande Val- President of the Overseas Private Investment ley last week. When I went there as Presi- ˜ Corporation, George Munoz; the Chair- dent, I found that I was the first elected woman of the EEOC, Ida Castro; and the President to go to the valley since Dwight Director of the Selective Service Commis- Eisenhower 40 years before. I have been sion, Gil Coronado. And there are other there three times because—partly to help the present and past members of the administra- people there who are doing so well—it’s now tion here. I thank you all. the third fastest growing area in America, population wise, and they’re lifting them- Tornado Damage in Georgia selves up; and partly because I want the rest I have, before I begin—and I know you’ll of America to know about their contributions all forgive me, because they, too, are part and, generally, the important role that of our American family—I have to say that Latinos are going to play in 21st century I am very saddened by the terrible loss of America. life and the other damage which occurred I also want to say that more than any other as a result of the tornadoes which swept person in America, the President accom- Georgia early this morning. And we’re work- plishes nothing on his own and would be ing with the Federal Emergency Manage- nothing without all the people who help. So ment Agency, which is already there and pro- this award really belongs to all the people viding me with regular updates on the situa- in this administration, especially my Hispanic tion. appointees whom I’ve mentioned, and two I know that all Americans join me. Let me who once were here who aren’t anymore, ˜ say, my home State very often had the largest Federico Pena and Henry Cisneros. I thank amount of tornado damage in the country them for what they did. And I’d like to say in any given year, and the loss of life in Geor- a special word of appreciation also to the Vice gia this morning is unusual and terrible. And President, who has done so much, through I ask for your prayers for those people today. the empowerment zone program and in so LULAC Lifetime Achievement Award many other ways, to lift the lives of our Let me also say, I am deeply touched by Hispanic-Americans. And I thank him for this beautiful award. I have always said that that. the President’s job was reward enough, and I would like to thank all the LULAC mem- no one should give the President an award. bers who are here and all the members of And you always have to check your pulse to the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda make sure you’re still living, when you get who are here—and for all you are doing to an award, if you’re in my business. [Laugh- try to help forge unity among the great diver- ter] sity within Hispanic America, something But having said that, I accept it, and I am many Americans don’t know enough about. delighted to have it, because this has been For all the differences of ethnicity, national a lifetime passion of mine. Bill Richardson origin—and occasionally even a difference of talked about the people I met in Texas 28 opinion—Hispanics in this Nation are united years ago. I was born in a little town in south- by common values of faith, family, hard work, west Arkansas which now has one of the Fed- by a common vision of a unified future. eral migrant centers there, because it’s on When I became President 7 years ago, the way that people come up from Mexico America was already a very diverse country, through south Texas and then go all the way not nearly so much as it is today. It was clear up the Mississippi River in their migrant to me then that we had to go beyond the work, all the way to the cherry crop in kind of divide-and-conquer politics which Michigan. had dominated our country for many years; When I went to Texas 28 years ago, in ad- that if we could make a virtue of our diver- dition to meeting impressive people, I always sity—if we could not only tolerate one an- begged to be permitted in my work to go other but celebrate and honor one another— to San Antonio and to the Rio Grande Valley. it would be America’s meal ticket to the Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 14 295 globalized information society of the 21st housing officials might learn their families century. had grown, not realizing the information on And so we have worked for 7 years, as your census forms is totally confidential. president said, for a society in which there Now, if we believe everybody in our Amer- is opportunity for all and responsibility from ican community counts, we’ve got to make all and a community of all Americans. And sure everyone is counted in this year’s cen- it is working. We have the strongest economy sus. It’s important for the Federal invest- we have ever had, with the lowest Hispanic ments that are made in States and commu- unemployment rate in history, as you pointed nities—yes, that’s one reason it’s important. out, a 20-year low in poverty, over 2 million It’s important for the drawing of congres- fewer children in poverty, the lowest welfare sional district lines and the allocation of rep- rates in 30 years, the lowest crime rates in resentation in Congress. But it is also impor- 30 years. We are moving forward. tant because it gives us a picture of where But what I would like to say to all of you America is, and we compare it with where is that in my judgment—and I say that as we were 10 years ago—we can see where a person who is no longer running for any we’re going. office but a person who looks on these chil- I must say, as a public official, I found the dren as America’s children—we have only 1980 and the 1990 Census documents ex- scratched the surface of our potential as a tremely important in showing, among other nation. And we have only scratched the sur- things, the profound impact of education on face of the potential of our young people. income for younger workers. If you compare And we have only scratched the surface of the 1990 Census with the 1980 Census, it what we can do because of our increasing shows you more grippingly than any other diversity. study can how important it is for us to get Therefore, it is more important even than our young people not only out of college but it was 7 years ago when I took office in a time of stagnant economy and social dif- in 1990 through—out of high school—but ficulty and political gridlock. It is more im- through at least 2 years of college if we ex- portant now—now that we know we can do pected them to get jobs with growing in- better, now that we know we’re moving for- comes. ward—that we understand clearly we have And what this 2000 Census will show is only scratched the surface; and that we re- how important it is not only to make 2 years solve to say we have only begun to meet the of college but 4 years of college available to big challenges and seize the big opportunities all the young people in America. These are that are out there for our country and espe- the kinds of things you learn in the census, cially for this generation of young Americans because behind all those numbers there are in the new millennium. real lives and real life stories. And when you I would like to mention some of them but put them all together, you see the patterns begin by saying we have a special opportunity emerge. This is a profoundly important issue. in this year, as we do every 10 years, but If we want to make good decisions about since we just changed centuries it’s particu- where we’re going, we first have to know ex- larly momentous to begin by getting an accu- actly who we are. rate picture of precisely who we are as a na- Now, we have, to try to do better in this tion and what we are becoming. That’s why census, launched a program called ‘‘Census I want to say a few words about the vital in the Schools,’’ that will provide classroom importance of the census in 2000. It begins teachers with lesson plans and other mate- next month. rials to encourage children to tell their par- In the 1990 Census, 8 million children ents to fill out the forms, to include informa- were uncounted—8 million people were un- tion on the whole family, and to make it clear counted, and over a quarter of them were that no one outside the Census Bureau—not children. Parents with limited English often even other Government agencies—can ever failed to include their children on the forms, see the information included on the census or left them out for fear that landlords or forms. If every American knew just those 296 Feb. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 things, I believe more Americans would be There’s something else I want to say. Even counted. though the primary beneficiaries of this en- Today I am glad to announce that over deavor are the young, it is also important that one million classrooms already have com- we do this in a way that takes the benefits mitted to using this ‘‘Census in the Schools’’ of debt reduction and secures Social Security material. More orders are coming in every and Medicare for the time when the baby day. I’m also pleased to announce the Census boomers retire, so that we will not impose Bureau today is launching three new public unbearable burdens on our children and our service announcements to get that message grandchildren. out again that all the census information is When we all retire, those of us in the baby strictly confidential. The announcements fea- boom generation, the people born between ture three of my favorite baseball players— 1946 and 1964, there will only be about two Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, and Ivan people working for every one person drawing Rodriguez. Thank you for doing that. Social Security. It is, therefore, imperative I also want to congratulate Dr. Ken that we begin now—not later, now—to pre- Prewitt, the Census Bureau Director, and his pare for that day. And because we are fortu- staff for their hard work, and to say a special nate enough to have a strong economy, we word of thanks to the Census Monitoring can know, if we do the right things today, Board members I appointed, including Cruz that these children will not have to worry about raising their children because they Bustamante and Gil Casellas. Thank you very can’t afford to do that and take care of their much for what you have done. Thank you, parents. So that’s another very important Gil. thing we have to do. Now, let me just say briefly a few words We have the opportunity to meet the chal- about the other things we have to do if we lenge of the aging of America. And the older want to do more than scratch the surface of I get, the more I see that as a very high- our potential. I just presented my budget to class problem. [Laughter] That is a good the Congress last week. The budget contains problem. But it can only be good if our chil- a lot of new investments, some of which were dren have greater opportunities than we do, mentioned. It also, however, continues to pay not fewer. our debt down. And there’s a lot of con- A couple of other things I would like to troversy about that. Some people are saying, mention that I think are very important— ‘‘Well, isn’t it enough that you got rid of the you were kind enough to say that in 1993 deficit. Why are you paying the debt down?’’ the Congress, by the narrowest of margins, So I want you to know why I hope that passed a big deficit reduction package that all of you will support not only investing more also gave tax relief to 15 million working peo- money in education and in health care and ple—and a lot of them were Latinos— in the environment and in new jobs but also through what is called the earned-income tax paying the debt down. Because if we pay the credit. It is a good program because it basi- debt down, every working family in this cally gives money back, off taxes, to lower country with a home mortgage, a car pay- income working people, particularly with ment, a college loan payment, will have lower children. interest rates. Every struggling small business I have proposed another big expansion of in America will be able to borrow money at that, which would help a lot of Hispanic fami- lower cost to expand. And these children, lies. It would give more money to families when they become adults, will be able to fi- where both the mother and the father are nance whatever they have to finance at a working. It would give lots more money to lower cost than would otherwise be the case families that have more than two children. if we get the Government out of the business You’ve talked about coming from a large fam- of borrowing so there is more there for the ily—I think this is very important. The way private sector and for individual citizens. Just that program works now, it virtually punishes think of it. We could be out of debt for the working families that have more than two first time since 1835. children at home. I think we ought to keep Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 14 297 such families together and reward them and Now, why is that important? Well, you help the parents to succeed. So I hope you heard Elvia’s story. And if I could have any- will help me to expand that. thing come out of this ceremony today, by I hope you will help me to get another the way, it would be her story, not my speech. increase in the minimum wage. And I hope Why? Because think of all the obstacles she that you’ll help me with these education pro- had to overcome—back and forth to Mexico, grams. My budget would give us enough this in Spanish, this in English. You know, funds to give after-school and summer school you hear a lot of people preach about what programs to children in every school that’s our children should learn and how everybody under-performing in the entire country. ought to learn in English, and I believe that That’s a huge, huge advantage. and all that. But they don’t think about the Of all the ethnic groups in America, the practical problems. percentage with the highest—the group with Remember the story this young woman the highest percentage of people without told of her life. She has had a heroic journey, health insurance are Hispanic-Americans. to have a degree from a 4-year institution Over 40 million Americans still have no that’s a fine institution of higher education. health insurance—more than there were in And she did that. Doubtless, she had a lot 1993 when I took office—in 1994, when I of support along the way, as she said. But tried to find a way to provide coverage to it was still—I mean, it took my breath away everyone. to think she’s telling the story of her life. We passed a couple of years ago the Chil- She’s got one more hurdle she has to leap dren’s Health Insurance Program, which over. gave States the ability to insure children who And I’d far rather people remember her came from families who were not poor life story than anything I say today—first, be- enough for Medicaid, but not well enough cause it should inspire these children and off to afford private health insurance. We now have 2 million children in that program. people like them all across America. And sec- We’ll soon have somewhere between 4 mil- ond, because it would remind people, in the lion and 5 million, as we get them all en- Congress and in other places where we have rolled. responsibility, that it’s all very well to tell our The Vice President has made a suggestion young people they should be responsible citi- that I embraced in the State of the Union zens, but when they’re doing the best they to allow all their parents to be enrolled, as can, the rest of us need to pitch in and help well. If we did that, we could insure about them. And we need to give them more sup- 25 percent of all the uninsured people in port. America. And keep in mind, we’re talking I will say again, this is the most sobering about working people here. We’re talking thing—I am glad we continue to be a nation about people that get up every day, for very of immigrants. The largest group of immi- modest earnings, and they pay their taxes. grants still coming to America are people They obey the law. They raise their kids and whose first language is Spanish, although do the best they can, and they cannot afford they are increasingly a diverse lot, as all of health insurance. And with one simple ac- you know. Because so many of our children tion, we could insure 25 percent of the peo- in our schools are first generation immi- ple in America who don’t have health insur- grants, we have the continuing frustrating ance. So I hope you will support that. problem that the dropout rate in high schools And then our Hispanic Education Action is far, far higher among our Hispanic chil- Plan was mentioned earlier. This budget has dren than among any other group. Last year over $800 million more for that, to try to we reached a milestone: for the first time get tutoring and after-school and mentoring ever high school graduation rates of African- programs specifically targeted at Latino chil- Americans was more or less equal to the high dren to help them meet higher standards, to school graduation rate of the white majority. help them finish high school, to help them That’s a great step forward. We should be go to college. proud of that. 298 Feb. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

But the dropout rate among Hispanic chil- of immigrants to teach them English, to dren is still high. Why? A lot of them are teach them civics, to support them. still quitting to go to work to support their And finally, let me say, I want to thank families. An enormous number of others still those of you who are from Puerto Rico who have serious language problems. One of the came up to me today and talked to me about most important things we’ve tried to do in that. I have, ever since I ran for President, the last few years is to make sure all of our been committed to allowing the voteless citi- kids who are in our schools can read inde- zens of Puerto Rico the right to choose for pendently by the end of the third grade. We themselves the ultimate status of the island. have a thousand colleges sending tutors into And again, I have included resources in my the schools now. budget for them to do that, and I ask Con- I noticed Jim Barksdale, a Silicon Valley gress to look at this and to stop walking away executive, the founder of Netscape, put over from this. We cannot—we cannot—continue $100 million into a foundation at the Univer- to pretend that there is any other ultimate sity of Mississippi the other day to do nothing resolution to this and to the difficulties that but teach people to make sure they could continue to arise, other than letting the peo- teach our young people to read—because ple of Puerto Rico decide for themselves. when children get to junior high school or And I have also done what I could to em- middle school, as it’s commonly called now, power the residents of Vieques to decide for and they can’t keep up, a lot of people drop themselves whether the Navy training there out because they’re bored stiff because should end in 2003. We ought to be a good they’re not fluent in the language enough to neighbor, and they ought to be able to de- cide. And we ought to be able to work around keep learning the material. whatever decision they make. So I say to you, remember Elvia’s story. Now, let me just mention one other big It shouldn’t be that hard. She was great, but issue to me. Bill Richardson and Rick it shouldn’t be that hard. We’ve got to do Dovalina were kind enough to refer to all more to keep all our children in school, get the Hispanic-Americans who have served in them out of high school, get them on to col- this administration. And I’m proud of that. lege. That’s what this Hispanic education ef- A big part of them, who cannot be here today fort is all about. because they are otherwise occupied, are And the last point I want to make is, while those whom I have appointed to Federal we’ve seen a big drop in welfare rolls and judgeships. And unlike me, they are not a significant but not nearly large enough drop term-limited. They get to stay a long time. in child poverty, we have to recognize that Almost half my total appointees are women there are still lots of people in places this or minorities. And yet, these appointments economic recovery has left behind. That’s have garnered the highest percentages of top why I want to expand the number of em- ratings from the ABA, the bar association, powerment zones and enterprise commu- in 40 years. nities and give people more incentives to in- Now, one of my frustrations as President vest in them. That’s why I’m trying to pass right now is that I’m having a hard time get- this big new markets initiative, to give Ameri- ting all these candidates processed and voted cans the same incentives to invest in poor on by the Senate. There are three first-rate areas in America they get to invest in poor Hispanic judicial nominees that the Senate areas in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. I has not voted on yet, and I want to call their want people to invest overseas, but we ought names, because I want you to know who they to give them the same incentives to invest are: Judge Julio Fuentes, for the third circuit, in underdeveloped areas right here in the a distinguished civil litigator from Texas; United States and give our people an oppor- Enrique Moreno, a graduate of Harvard and tunity, too. Harvard Law School, well qualified by the So these are some of the things that I hope American Bar Association, has still not been we will do. I hope the Congress will also given a hearing by the Senate Judiciary Com- agree to invest more funds in the education mittee—better qualified academically than Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 14 299 ˜ many, many judges who have been appointed Secretary of Energy Federico Pena; former Sec- by all previous Presidents of both parties; and retary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Judge Richard Paez, for the ninth circuit, he G. Cisneros; and Major League Baseball players is a sitting Federal judge. He has finally been Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants, Derek Jeter, promised a vote in March. But he has been New York Yankees, and Ivan Rodriguez, Texas Rangers. A portion of these remarks could not waiting—listen to this—for 4 years for the be verified because the tape was incomplete. Senate to vote on him. I nominated him 4 years ago. Now, why is that? Because some people Interview With Wolf Blitzer don’t want these folks on the court, but they on CNN.com don’t want you to know they don’t want them February 14, 2000 on the court, because then you may not want them in the Senate. [Laughter] Now, this is 2000 Presidential Election not rocket science; this is what’s going on. Mr. Blitzer. Thank you very much, Lou. So if you don’t want somebody on the court, We are in the Oval Office, here with Presi- but you don’t want the folks back home to dent Clinton. Mr. Clinton, thank you so know you don’t want them on the court, you much for doing this historic, first-ever on- just arrange for there never to be a vote. line news interview with CNN.com. It’s not right. That they think that they’re I just want to set the scene for you and too progressive, they ought to stand up and for our audience. This is not only being put vote them down. But they ought to—it’s time forward on CNN.com and other Internet to stop patronizing people or insulting them users, but also it will be seen simultaneously by playing games with them. Just vote them on CNN and CNN International. Fifteen up or down. They’re entitled to it, and they minutes after we’re completed, there will be can take it. We can all take it. But when good an on-line video that people will be able to people agree to submit themselves for Fed- see, whenever, if they missed it. There will eral service—and they are good people and also be a transcript. They will be able to they are not disqualified by the investigation, stream and see this as it goes on, on the they’re elevated by the investigation, they are Internet. So it’s a historic moment for the entitled to be voted up or down. And I ask new technology. you to help us. I know you’ve been fascinated by this, so Now, again I want to say, I hope that all let’s get right at it. We have some E-mail of you when you leave here will remember questions. First one from Frank Williams in that, even though the President should never Tinley Park, Illinois: Mr. President, under- get awards, I’m tickled to get this one. standably, you’re supporting the Presidential [Laughter] I hope you will remember the candidacy of Vice President Al Gore. But story of Elvia Morales’ life and try to rep- please share your personal political opinions licate it. I hope you’ll remember these chil- of Senator John McCain and Governor dren who came to join us today from the George W. Bush. Cesar Chavez Charter School. And I hope The President. I think I should pass on you will remember that we have just that. I think—I’ve tried to stay out of this scratched the surface of what their lives, and Presidential election. I’m not a candidate, our life as a nation, can be. and I don’t think any headlines that I make Thank you very much. should interfere with the ability of Senator McCain or Governor Bush to make their NOTE: The President spoke at 12:09 p.m. in the point. They’re going to have an election in East Room at the White House. In his remarks, South Carolina, and then they’ll go on to he referred to Enrique (Rick) Dovalina, national other States. And I think that—and at some president, League of United Latin American Citi- zens; Elvia Morales, graduate, California State point it might become appropriate for me University at Sacramento, who shared her story to say something, maybe at the Democratic of growing up as a child of immigrants; Irasema Convention or something, or if they make Salcido, principal and founder, Cesar Chavez Pub- a specific statement about my administration lic Charter High School for Public Policy; former or my record. 300 Feb. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

But I really believe that the American peo- now. There’s a question from one person: ple—this is their year, their time. And I am Are you optimistic, Mr. President, about the going to vote for the Vice President, and I future for Middle East peace? do support him, because I think he’s been The President. Yes, I am. This is—we’re the best Vice President in our history by far. in a little tough patch right now, because a And I think he’s got a good program for the lot of things are going on in the Middle East, American people, and I know him to be a the trouble in Lebanon right now. And we’re good man who will make good decisions. down to the last strokes, if you will. We’re But I just don’t think I should get in the down to the hard decisions. But I believe middle of this Presidential race. It only inter- it is so clearly in the interests of the long- feres with the voters’ ability to draw their term security of Israel and the long-term in- own conclusions. And I trust them; they al- terests of the Palestinians and the Syrians and most always get it right. the Lebanese to have a comprehensive Mr. Blitzer. But you do know Senator peace. And I think we’re so close on the sub- McCain and Governor Bush? stance, that I am optimistic. The President. Sure. Now, it will require courage, and it will Mr. Blitzer. You’ve met them, and you require courage not just by the leaders but have your own opinions of both of them. the people of those countries have to recog- The President. I do, and I follow this nize that you cannot make peace unless campaign closely. I’m interested. It’s the first you’re willing to give as well as to get. But time in over 20 years when I’ve just been they ought to do it, and they ought to do an onlooker, so it’s been fascinating to me it sooner rather than later. I think that the as a citizen. But I don’t think that I should longer you delay something like this, when say anything right now. And I don’t mean you have a moment of opportunity, the more to dodge the gentleman’s question, but I just you put it at risk. But I am basically opti- think that anything I do would only com- mistic. plicate their lives. And they’re making their Mr. Blitzer. You’ve invested a lot of your case to the people, and they’re arguing with personal time and energy in the Israeli-Pales- each other as they should be. And that’s the tinian and the Israeli-Syrian peace process. way it ought to be done right now. Is it time for you, once again, to personally get involved and bring the parties together, Hillary Clinton’s Senate Campaign do something to make sure this opportunity Mr. Blitzer. All right, we have another E- is not lost? mail question from Peggy Brown: Do you The President. Well, I am personally in- find it difficult, Mr. President, watching, lis- volved, even when I’m not in a public way. tening to criticisms of the First Lady as she I’m always on the phone, always working this attempts to capture the Senate seat in New issue. But I think that there will have to be York? some forward progress here in the next few The President. Sure. I mean, of course, weeks, and I’ll do whatever I can to facilitate I do. I now know how she felt all those years. it in whatever way I can. But beyond that, You know, I love her very much, and I I don’t want to say anything right now. We’re think—I know her better than anybody else, working it, and the parties are working it. and I believe she’d be a great public official. And I hope the people of New York will put Internet Security her to work. But if she’s criticized, particu- Mr. Blitzer. Okay. Let’s take another larly if somebody says something I know is question from an E-mail that we received: flatout wrong, it drives me nuts. I want to Do you think, Mr. President, the Federal be able to say, ‘‘Gosh, I wish I could answer Government could do more for Internet se- that one.’’ curity? I know you have a big conference, a big meeting coming up here at the White Middle East Peace Process House tomorrow to deal with this sensitive Mr. Blitzer. All right. We have a chat issue, especially given the hacker problem room that’s going on even as we speak right that we saw in the last few weeks. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 14 301

The President. Well, the short answer to Especially, I would say, we have both the that is, we probably can. And I’m bringing moral obligation and an economic oppor- in a group of people to meet with me tomor- tunity, by increasing investment in the areas row, a lot of people from the high-tech which have been not so helped by the eco- community and from all our Government nomic recovery—in the Indian reservations, agencies. These denial-of-service attacks are the inner-city communities, the rural com- obviously very disturbing, and I think there munities, where there haven’t been a lot of is a way that we can clearly promote security. new jobs. If you get growth there, it is by I think it’s important that the American definition non-inflationary, because you people not overreact to this. That is, we’re get—they haven’t had much. So you can into a whole new world with the Internet, lower the unemployment rate there, and you and whenever we sort of cross another pla- create new businesses, new employees, and teau in our development, there are those who new consumers at the same time. seek to take advantage of it. So this is a replay Mr. Blitzer. Mr. President, there’s an- of things that have happened throughout our other E-mail question that we have: How history, and we’ll figure out how to do it and would you respond to arguments that you go forward. personally have had very little to do with the But I think on balance, no one could dis- economic boom that the country has experi- pute what a great thing the Internet has been enced during your administration? for our country and for the world. There are The President. Well, I would respond by now over 200 million people that use it every asking them to remember what it was like day, about half of them here in the United before we announced and implemented our States. And we just need to keep pushing deficit reduction plan and remember what it. a direct impact that had on interest rates, National Economy on investment, and on the stock market. Mr. Blitzer. And we’re using it right now. The American people deserve the lion’s Let’s take another question from our chat share of the credit. The high-tech commu- room, from our CNN.com chat room: Mr. nity—we’re part of it today—they deserve a President, how will you advise Vice President lot of the credit. High-technology companies Gore to keep this economy growing? employ only 8 percent of our people; they’re The President. Well, I think he’s got a responsible for 30 percent of our growth. The pretty good idea because he’s been here with companies that restructured in the eighties us and has been part of all the decisions that deserve a lot of credit. Everybody who’s kept have been made the last 7 years. But if you our markets open, guaranteeing low inflation look at where we are, the question is—we and more competition, they deserve a lot of have the longest economic expansion in his- credit. tory; how do we keep it going? But nonetheless, we had a completely job- I think we need to remember the fun- less recovery, what some people called a ‘‘tri- damentals. We need to keep the debt being ple dip’’ economy, until we finally said we’re paid down, because that allows people in the going to do something about this deficit. And private sector to borrow money not only to when we did it, it was like breaking a dam, invest in new businesses or in their existing and the interest rates came down, and people business but also to purchase things. So the started being able to get money and investing continuing debt repayment is important. at an unprecedented rate, and the stock mar- Keeping our markets open, to make us com- ket started its upward march. petitive and keep inflation down, is impor- So I think the critical things we did—we tant. Investing in science and technology and had a good fiscal policy; we had a good policy research and in education and training and on the markets; and we had a good policy closing the digital divide to make sure access on investing in technology and in people and to the Internet is available to all Americans, education and training. And I don’t think those are the kinds of things that will keep there’s any question that had we not taken this economy going. that first big bite out of the deficit, then the 302 Feb. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 growth would have been much slower than letting them come back until he had crushed it has been. anybody’s ability to say anything. Mr. Blitzer. Okay. I guess the person ask- So I don’t think that the situations are par- ing this question was also suggesting that the alleled. But I think we have spoken out Republicans in Congress, Alan Greenspan, against the excesses in Chechnya and tried and the Internet economy, all of that com- to get humanitarian aid in there and will con- bined to help you. tinue to try to help the people of Chechnya The President. And I agree with that. I and the legitimate political forces there. agree. I think Chairman Greenspan did a That’s very different from what the para- good job. The main thing he’s done, that I military forces did. They have to bear their think he deserves a lot of credit for, is that share of responsibility for what happened as he has been able to look at the evidence of well. I think some of them actually wanted the new economy and act on the evidence, the Chechnyan civilians attacked because instead of what you might call the old the- they thought it would help improve their po- ology; otherwise he could have killed this re- litical views. covery by raising interest rates too much too frequently in the past. Russia-U.S. Relations I think the Republicans in Congress—not Mr. Blitzer. Okay, we have a followup a one of them voted for the economic plan question from our chat room. Let me read in ’93. But we did have a bipartisan majority it to you as it’s coming in: How can Ameri- in both Houses in ’97 for the Balanced Budg- cans know that America is really at peace et Act, which continued what we were doing. with Russia? And they deserve credit for that. And I have The President. Because we’re neither never—I try never to deny anybody else fighting with them nor on the edge of fight- credit. This is an American achievement, not ing. We’ve detargeted the nuclear weapons just mine. But if we hadn’t taken that first against each other. We are working to secure big bite out of the deficit, I don’t think we’d the nuclear weapons in Russia, to help them be where we are today. destroy nuclear weapons, to help safeguard Situation in Chechnya the materials that remain. And I hope very much that after the next Russian election, Mr. Blitzer. All right, Mr. President, we we’ll be able to make further progress on re- have another question, an E-mail question: ducing the nuclear weapons there that we Why are the Western nations, why have they both hold. not done enough for Chechnya like they did Mr. Blitzer. And Vladimir Putin, the Act- for Kosovo? ing President, is he someone that you can The President. Well, first of all, I don’t deal with? think the situations are parallel. But I think The President. Based on what I have seen the Western nations have spoken out against so far, I think that the United States can do the excesses. We believe—I think I speak for business with this man. I think he’s obviously all the Western leaders; I certainly will speak highly intelligent; he’s highly motivated; he for myself—that Russia had a right to take has strong views. We don’t agree with him on the paramilitary forces who were prac- on everything, but what I have seen of him ticing terrorist tactics but that it was a mis- so far indicates to me that he’s capable of take to adopt the position that, in effect, being a very strong and effective and straight- ruled out negotiations with the elected offi- forward leader. cials in Kosovo, who weren’t part of the ter- rorism, and to adopt tactics that cause a lot of civilian losses without any kind of cor- Taxes and the Internet responding gain. So I think we’ve been pretty Mr. Blitzer. All right, let’s go back to an- clear about that. That’s different from what other issue involving the Internet. This is a happened in Kosovo, where Milosevic basi- question: Mr. President, what role will you cally ran the whole country out based on play in the debate on taxing Internet com- their ethnic origin and had no intention of merce? Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 14 303

The President. Well, we’ve played some don’t have enough connections to a State, role already. I signed a bill last year to have you don’t have the obligation to collect and a 3-year moratorium on any kind of discrimi- remit the sales tax. natory or transactional tax, if you will, on the Keep in mind, the sales taxes do—it’s just commerce on the Internet. I don’t think that that the seller doesn’t have to collect and there should be any access or any other kind remit it. So most of the people I know who of discriminatory taxes, from my point of have Internet businesses are concerned view, ever on the Internet. about trying to make sure they get a sim- The tough question is the whole question plified system, and they know what the drill of what happens to sales that if they were is. Their main concern, however, is not hav- not on the Internet would be subject to State ing access to the Internet itself taxed. And and local sales tax. And the Governors are I’m with them on that. And I’m trying to sup- trying to work through that. I know Governor port the process that now exists to resolve Leavitt has taken a particular interest in the issue of how State taxes, the sales taxes, that—the Governor of Utah. I think that’s can best be collected in the way that’s not something that we have to work through be- too burdensome on the Internet. cause we need—there are whole questions You don’t want to burden the Internet, but about the need for States to simplify their you don’t want to put people who aren’t mak- tax structures, and there are other questions ing sales on it out of business. And we’ve there that have to be resolved. And I think got to find that right balance, and that’s what that’s going to take some time to resolve. we’re working on. But I don’t think we should have access taxes on the Internet or any other kind of Austria discriminatory taxes because this is an impor- tant part of our economy, and we want it Mr. Blitzer. We have another question to grow. I think that for the States and the from our chat room, an international ques- localities, they’re going to have to keep work- tion involving the political situation in Austria ing until they work through what the oper- given the fact that Joerg Haider is now—his ational problems are. party is part of the Austrian Government. Let Mr. Blitzer. Doesn’t that discriminate, me read to you the question: What does the though, against stores—a bookstore, for United States plan to do to make sure that example—— Austria knows that Nazi sympathy will not The President. Of course it does. be accepted? Mr. Blitzer. ——that you have to pay The President. Well, I think we’ve made tax—— it quite clear that we do not support any ex- The President. Absolutely, it does. pression of either sympathy with the Nazis Mr. Blitzer. ——but if you go to Ama- in the past or ultranationalist race-based poli- zon.com you don’t have to pay taxes? tics, anti-immigrant politics in the future. The President. It does, and that’s the ar- That, I think, is equally important here. And gument that the Governors are making and we’ve also tried to stay pretty close to where the argument a lot of the merchants are mak- the European Union has been because, after ing. all, Austria is a part of Europe, and they’ve Mr. Blitzer. Well, where’s your position been very tough in condemning what the on that? Austrians have done here. So I think we’re The President. Well, what I’m trying to on the right track. do is get them together. There are also— There is a delicate balance, however. You the Internet people point out that there are know, Austria is a democracy; this man’s also a lot of complications in the way State party got a certain percentage of the vote. taxes are. And they have on their side the He did it based on appeals that went well weight of Supreme Court law which basically beyond a narrow race-based appeal. And we was made from mail-order sales. The same don’t want to say or do anything that builds argument was made against mail-order sales. his support even further. But I think it ought And the prevailing legal position is that if you to be clear to every Austrian citizen that we 304 Feb. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 in the United States do not approve of his irritant in this? What do you want the Iranian political program or his excessive rhetoric. Government to do on that front? The President. Well, I have been assured Iran-U.S. Relations by the Israelis that they were not spies. And I’ve done quite a bit of work on it. I’m very, Mr. Blitzer. Let’s stay overseas. We have very concerned about this, because people another E-mail question about U.S.-Iranian cannot—it is an irritant. The American Jew- relations: I’d like to know, Mr. President, ish community is very, very concerned about your view on the recent developments of it, and we’ve done a lot of work on it. And Iranian-American relations as we, the Iranian I’m hopeful that justice will be done there youth, are really anxiously following political and that no one will be punished for being developments between the two countries and a spy who isn’t. That’s not a good thing to no doubt willing to finally see a healthy and do. And that, obviously, is a real—it’s one mutually respectful relationship between the of the sticking points. two. But I think that there are other people of The President. Well, that’s what I want. good will who the Iranians recognize are You know, I said several weeks ago now— their friends, who want better relationships maybe a few months ago—that the United with them, who have also talked to them States had not been entirely blameless in the about this, and I’m hoping that it will be past in our relationships with Iran, and that worked out in a satisfactory manner. we wanted a good relationship with Iran, that we did not support and did not condone any- Media Mergers one who would support terrorist actions, and Mr. Blitzer. Okay, Mr. President, I think that we had some difficulties with Iran, but we have another question from our chat we were viewing with interest affairs within room. Let’s see what it is: How can we keep Iran. We wanted the Iranian people to have the media giants from squashing the little a good democracy. We like to see these elec- guy? I guess they might be referring to the tions, and we want to be supportive of better recent merger of our own CNN-Time War- relationships if we can work them out on ner-AOL. What’s your answer to that? ways that are mutually agreeable. The President. Well, I think the main I think that one of the best things we could things to me are—there are two sets of little do for the long-term peace and health of the guys, I guess—the one thing is you don’t Middle East and, indeed, much of the rest want to—and Steve Case has talked about of the world, is to have a constructive part- this for many years, himself—— nership with Iran. And I’m still hoping that Mr. Blitzer. He’s the chairman of AOL. that can materialize. A lot of that is now in The President. The chairman of AOL— the hands of the Iranian people and their that it’s important not to have access choked elections and also the leaders of Iran. Some off. We want all these—if these mergers go of them don’t want that, but I think some through, we want them to lead to greater ac- of them may want that. And I think it’s im- cess to greater options to consumers at more portant that the genuine reformers there not affordable prices. Then the second thing is, be, in effect, weakened because of their will- you want other competitors to be able to get ingness to at least talk to us, because I think into the game. That’s what all the big con- the United States should always remain open troversy was over the antitrust suit involving to a constructive dialog to people of good Microsoft. And that’s handled in the Justice will. Department, strictly apart from the White And I think that the estrangement be- House. So we had no role in that one way tween these two countries is not a good thing. or the other. I think it would be better if we could have And without expressing an opinion on that a relationship. case one way or the other, I think what I Mr. Blitzer. As you know, Mr. President, favor is an American economy where people in this regard, 13 Iranian Jews were accused who have good ideas and new messages they of spying, and they’re being held. Is this an want to get out ought to have some way to Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 14 305 do that, if they can generate a following. So Administration and the community financial that’s what needs to be monitored here. institutions—that’s the best thing we can do Some of this amalgamation I think is inevi- for small business. table, given the possible synergy that could exist, for example, between a company like President’s Legacy AOL and Time Warner, with all of its myriad Mr. Blitzer. We have another question publications and programs and networks. But about the future in our chat room: What will you’ve got to have—there has to be some the history books say about the Clinton Presi- room for people who want to compete, and dency? then there has to be a guarantee that con- The President. Well, I’m not sure, be- sumers will not be choked off and their prices cause that’s for the historians to decide. But hiked and, in fact, they will have more access I think they will say, among other things, that to more programs at more affordable prices. we had a—we came into office with a dif- And I think those are the touchstones that ferent approach that was attuned better to ought to guide Government policy. the changes that were going on in the econ- omy, in the society and in the world, and Small Business that we helped America get through this Mr. Blitzer. All right. Let’s take another enormous period of change and transition— question from our chat room, CNN.com chat in the metaphor I use, to build our bridge room: What will the current and future ad- to the 21st century—and that our country ministrations do to keep small business alive? was stronger when we finished than it was Sort of related to the last question. when we began. I hope that’s what they’ll The President. One of the things that I’m say, and I believe they will. very proud of about this economy—and again, I don’t take total credit for this; this Post-Presidential Plans is part of our prosperity—but in every year Mr. Blitzer. All right, we have a follow- I’ve been President, we’ve set a new record up question from our chat room. Let’s take for starting small businesses—every single a look at that one: Mr. President, what are year. you going to do when you leave office? I think that the Small Business Administra- Which is now less than a year away. You tion has an important role to play. I think probably—are you counting the days? that we have dramatically increased the num- The President. No, not in a negative way. ber of small business loans that we finance, I mean, I’m not eager for them to be over. and we’ve concentrated on women and mi- In fact, one of the problems I have is, I want norities, others who have been traditionally to work even harder now to try to get as denied credit. much done as I can. We have promoted aggressively for the When I leave, I’m going to establish a li- first time what we call community develop- brary and a public policy center. ment financial institutions, where we put Mr. Blitzer. That will be in Little Rock. Federal money into banks to try to help them The President. And that will take a couple make small loans to people who never could years to do. And I’m going to try to maintain have gotten credit before. Just as we do a high level of activity in the areas that I’m around the world, we’re now doing that here. particularly interested in. I’ve spent a lot of And that’s helping. my life working on reconciliation of people We’ve tried to continue to minimize the across racial, religious, and other lines. I’m burden of Government regulations on small very interested in using the power of tech- business. And I think that’s important—to nology, like what we’re doing now, to help keep an entrepreneurial environment in poor countries and poor areas overcome what America, so people can get access to venture would ordinarily take years in economic de- capital if they’ve got an idea and start it. velopment and education. So I think having the right conditions, and I’m very interested in continuing my work then having specific access to capital and to try to convince Americans and the rest technical support through the Small Business of the world that we can beat global warming 306 Feb. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 without shutting down the economy, that it’s this: Mr. President, I have heard that you no longer necessary to use more greenhouse are an avid web surfer and on-line shopper. gases to grow economically. I’m very inter- What are your favorite websites? ested in promoting the concept of public The President. Well, I wouldn’t say I am service among young people and trying to avid. I did do some Christmas shopping for get more young Americans to take some time the first time on-line this year, though. And off to serve in our National Government or I even—I bought some things from the Na- the State and local government. tive American craftspeople up in South Da- Those are four things I’ll do. Basically, I kota, at Pine Ridge, which was really inter- want to try to be a good citizen. America’s esting to me. given me a lot, and more than I could have But I love books, so I like Amazon.com. ever dreamed. I’ve loved being President. And I’m fascinated by eBay, because I like And I feel that I’ve acquired a certain level to swap and trade, and it reminds me of the of experience and knowledge, that I owe that old kind of farmer’s markets and town mar- to my country. And along the way, I hope kets I used to visit when I started out in poli- to write a few books and have a little fun, tics in Arkansas so many years ago. I think too. And I hope I’ll be a member of the Sen- the whole concept of people being able to ate spouses’ club. I’m going to do my best get on-line and sort of trade with each other, to support my wife in every way I can. and almost barter, is utterly fascinating to But I just want to be a good citizen. I want me. to try to put what I’ve learned in a lifetime to use in a way that benefits the people of Issues of the New Millennium America and others around the world who Mr. Blitzer. All right, we have another I care about. question, Mr. President. We only have a little Mr. Blitzer. And you’ll commute between time left. Let’s take this from the chat room: Chappaqua, New York, and Little Rock, sort Mr. President, what is the biggest issue fac- of? ing Americans in the new millennium? The President. Yes, I’ll spend some time The President. Well, I think the most im- in Little Rock for the next couple of years, portant thing that we have to do is to make you know, like I said, getting the facility up. up our minds that we are actually going to And I’ll spend some time with Hillary, as build a more united country out of our diver- much as I possibly can, in New York. And sity and out of our groundbreaking tech- then I’ll probably travel some. And I hope nology and advances in science and tech- we’ll be able to travel some together. It de- nology. That is, I think that if you look around pends on what happens in the next year. the world today, the biggest problems seem But I’m really looking forward to it. I love to be rooted in racial, ethnic, religious strife. this job. I don’t know if I’ll ever do anything If you look at America and how well we fit again that I love the work as much as I love with a positive vision of the 21st century this. John Kennedy described it well. He world and you look at the continuing prob- said, basically, it challenges all your abilities. lems we’ve had here, with these hate crimes, It challenges your mind, your emotions, even for example, the most important thing we your physical strength. But I think that I can could do is get our minds right and get our do a lot of things that will help other people spirits right and realize that we have to learn when I leave here, and I’m going to do my to live with people who are different from best to do that. us. We have to learn to keep our conflicts with them within proper bounds, so that our President’s Favorite Websites common goals override the differences be- Mr. Blitzer. All right, Mr. President, if tween us. you’ll take a look at our chat room, the people If we build one America, that’s the most who are participating in the CNN.com chat, important thing. The American people are they’re participating in huge numbers right so innovative, so creative, and we’re so well- now. Let’s take another question, though, positioned for the future, everything else will from an E-mail person named Seth. He says work out. But if we allow ourselves to fall Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 14 307 into these deep divisions over—including po- surplus in the Social Security tax to the Social litical ones—differences of opinion are Security Trust Fund to do two things: Num- healthy; demonization is destructive and self- ber one, put the life of the Trust Fund out indulgent. And that’s basically what we’ve got to 2050; that will take care of most of the to work on. baby boom generation; and number two, do If we can keep working together enough something about a single woman’s poverty on in creative tension, then everything else will Social Security. Married women’s poverty on work out. I’m confident of it. Social Security, about 5 percent; overall, sen- iors over 65, under 10 percent now. Single Social Security Earning Limits women on Social Security tend to live longer, Mr. Blitzer. All right, Mr. President. We tend to have less money. Their poverty rate have time for one final question. It’s from is somewhere between 18 and 20 percent. Wolf in Washington, DC—that would be me, So I like getting rid of the earnings limita- by prerogative, as the moderator of this dis- tion. It’s the right thing to do. Let’s just do cussion, this on-line interview we’re having: it. But then let’s lengthen the life of the Trust You know the Republicans today in the Fund and do something about the poverty House of Representatives are pushing legis- rate among women who are retired. lation that would remove the limits, ease the Mr. Blitzer. Mr. President, thank you so limits on Social Security recipients as far as much for joining us, from the Oval Office. their earnings after they reach 65 until 70— Always of course, great to be in the Oval Of- a very sensitive subject, affects a lot of people fice, and one day when you’re not in the Oval watching right now, how much money they Office, you’ll probably be excited coming could earn and still be eligible for Social Se- back here as well. curity. Will you work with the Republicans, The President. I will be. I’ll always be support them, in eliminating those caps on excited to come here. And maybe I’ll even earnings? get to do a web chat with you afterward. The President. Absolutely. I’m thrilled by this. I hope this is just the beginning of a NOTE: The interview began at 1:43 p.m. in the signal from them that they’re willing to work Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, on this whole Social Security area. the President referred to Gov. George W. Bush I think we should lift the earnings limit of Texas; President Slobodan Milosevic of the for two reasons. One is, I don’t really think Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Mon- tenegro); Gov. Michael O. Leavitt of Utah; Aus- it’s fair for people—if you’re 65 today in tria’s Freedom Party leader Joerg Haider; and America, your life expectancy is 83. And you Steve Case, chairman and chief executive officer, want to be alert; you want to be physically America Online. A tape was not available for strong. And we know as people stay more verification of the content of this interview. active, they’re going to live better, not just longer. So I don’t think we should penalize them. Radio Remarks on Funding To Make Secondly, I think as the baby boomers re- Communities More Livable tire, it’s going to be important to have a high- February 14, 2000 er percentage of people over 65, if they want to, working. This will be good for our society. Across America, communities are strug- I’m strongly in favor of it. gling to protect precious lands so their chil- If they will send me a bill—what we call dren will have places to play, hike, and enjoy in Washington-speak, a clean bill—that is, the great outdoors. Today I’m announcing doesn’t have a lot of other things unrelated nearly $60 million in new grants to help com- to that littered to it—I will be happy to sign munities in all 50 States create parks, pre- it. serve forests, and save open space. Then the second thing I’d like to urge And the lands legacy initiative in my new them to do is to think about my proposal budget will provide permanent funding so to dedicate the interest savings that we get that communities can conserve additional from paying down the debt because of the lands year after year. 308 Feb. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

NOTE: The President’s remarks were recorded at reduce vulnerabilities in Government com- approximately 5 p.m. on February 11 in the Oval puters and to encourage the private sector Office at the White House for later broadcast, and to do more. the transcript was released by the Office of the We know that we have to keep cyberspace Press Secretary on February 14. These remarks were also made available on the White House open and free. We have to make, at the same Press Office Radio Actuality Line. time, computer networks more secure and resilient, and we have to do more to protect privacy and civil liberties. And we’re here to Statement on the Bombing work together. of a School in Sudan Last month I released a draft plan to help February 14, 2000 do our part to meet these challenges. And in the budget, I asked Congress for $2 billion I am deeply concerned by reports that the for cybersecurity to safeguard Government Government of Sudan bombed a school in networks, to detect attacks, to hire and train the Nuba Mountain region on February 8, more security experts, to increase coopera- killing and wounding many young children. tion with the private sector. I want to jump- It is an outrage that such egregious abuses start this effort by providing $9 million right against innocent Sudanese citizens have be- away to begin some of these key initiatives. come commonplace in the ongoing civil war And so we’ll do what we can. in Sudan, which has claimed over 2 million I understand that many leading industry lives. members, including the companies rep- The United States calls on the Govern- resented here today, have agreed to create ment of Sudan to cease all aerial bombard- a mechanism to share cybersecurity informa- ment and to refrain from any attacks on tion, and I applaud that. I am asking Sec- civilian targets. We also call for full and retary Daley and my Science Adviser, Dr. immediate access for humanitarian organiza- Neal Lane, and Richard Clarke from the tions seeking to provide relief to war-ravaged White House, to work with these companies civilians in Sudan. to accelerate our efforts with the private sec- tor. Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Now, having said that and before we open Technology Industry Leaders and the floor for questions, I’d like to ask Peter Computer Security Experts and an Solvik, who is to my right, the senior vice Exchange With Reporters president and chief information officer of Cisco Systems, to say a few words on behalf February 15, 2000 of the private sector people who are here Internet Security today. The President. The room is smaller than Peter. it looks on television. [Laughter] Usually I [At this point, Mr. Solvik made brief re- don’t get so many of them coming in, except marks.] you guys are—[laughter]. Well, first of all, I want to welcome the The President. Thank you. leaders of the high-tech industry and experts Q. Mr. President, is there such a thing as on computer security to this meeting at the a plan to actually secure the Internet? White House to talk about how to maximize The President. Secretary Daley says there the promise and minimize the risks to the is. [Laughter] Let me say, what we’re going Internet. to try to do today is to talk about what the The disruptions at several websites last Government’s responsibility is for our own week highlight how important the Internet systems and networks, what the private sec- has become to our whole way of life in Amer- tor’s responsibility is, and as I said before, ica and how vulnerabilities at one place on how to talk about having adequate security, the net can create risks for all. Our adminis- how to protect privacy and civil liberties, but tration has been working for years now to also how to keep the Internet open. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 15 309

And keep in mind, one of the reasons this essary to guard against this. And what we thing has worked so well is that it has been really want is for every sector of our economy free of Government regulation. The only to be in the same position. contribution the Government made to the Internet was the early research over 30 years Oil Prices ago, now, I guess, is when it started—’69. Q. Mr. President, oil prices have now risen And there may be more work for us to do above $30 a barrel. Does that increase a need in research here. But I think that, insofar as to do—is there anything you can do about we can, we ought to stay with what brought that? Or are you more sympathetic to argu- us here. ments toward releasing the Strategic Petro- The companies and the sector they rep- leum Reserve? resent in this room are about 8 percent of The President. I think we have to watch our employment. They do represent, as Peter this the next few days. There are going to said, over 30 percent of our growth. And so be some important meetings with the oil pro- the trick is going to be how to do what needs ducing countries in the next few days, and to be done on security and privacy and still we will know more about this in a week or keep it flourishing and growing. 10 days about what the trends are going to But we ought to approach this with deter- be. mination, and we shouldn’t be surprised that But the American people are handling the these things have happened. It’s just a replay price increase pretty well in terms of every of what has always happened whenever aspect of our lives because of increased en- there’s a new way of communicating, a new ergy efficiency, except for home heating oil, way of making money throughout human so- where you have, in the Mid-Atlantic States ciety; there’s always going to be somebody and New England, unfortunately, so many that tries to take advantage of it. And we’ll people still dependent upon a source of heat- figure out how to deal with it and go on. ing which the rest of the country left long Q. Mr. President, one issue involved here ago, and they are unbelievably burdened by is the sharing of information, and there are this. some reports this morning that banks were Now, we’ve released $200 million in conscious of efforts to disable their systems LIHEAP funds so far. We can release more. but did not share that information more But that eases the burden on the poorest of broadly. Can the Government solve that our citizens, but there are a lot of working without forcing industry or business to dis- people on modest incomes that are just get- close information it would rather keep pri- ting killed by this because their reliance on vate? home heating oil. And I have not closed off The President. I think—let me tell you any options. I’m monitoring this on a daily what I know about that, and there may be basis. It’s a deeply troubling thing. something I don’t know, so I will offer that But I think the rest of our country should caution at the outset. The Justice Depart- know—I mean, a lot of people are feeling ment, the FBI had certain information that the pinch, maybe if they drive long distances, they made broadly available, and I think the because the price of gasoline has gone up. banks were in better shape to take advantage But there is a group of Americans, middle of that information than others were. And class and lower middle income Americans, I think one of the purposes of this meeting who have limited disposable incomes, who is to figure what do we do from here forward have no option to heat their homes but home to make sure that everybody is in the same heating oil. They’re the people that are really position. getting hurt. And I hope—and obviously, the But I don’t think that, based on what I poor would be devastated by it, but we’re know now, we should be out there finger- monitoring that daily to make sure we’ve re- pointing at any sector of the economy and leased enough of the Federal funds that we what they didn’t do. I think that they were have that go directly to benefit them. just better organized to engage in informa- And so this is a daily watch, and we’ll just tion sharing and to set up the defenses nec- have to see where we are. And I may have 310 Feb. 15 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 more to say as the days go by. But we should marks, he referred to Richard A. Clarke, Special know more in a week about what the trend Assistant to the President and National Coordi- lines are going to be and what’s going to hap- nator for Transnational Threats, National Security pen to the price of oil over the next few Council. The President also referred to LIHEAP, months. the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Pro- gram. The transcript released by the Office of the Congressional Subpoenas Press Secretary also included the remarks of Peter Q. Mr. President, did the White House Solvik. A tape was not available for verification deny congressional committees access to E- of the content of these remarks. mails it subpoenaed? The President. I believe that we have complied with every request, and there have Letter to Congressional Leaders been thousands. If the American people Transmitting a Report on Actions knew how much of their money we had to on Digital Computer Exports spend complying with requests for paper and E-mails, they might be quite amazed. But February 15, 2000 we certainly have done our best to do that. There has never been an intentional effort Dear llll: to do that, and I think that we are in full In accordance with the provisions of sec- compliance. I believe we are. That’s what Mr. tion 1211(d) of the National Defense Author- Podesta told me right before we came out. ization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law Internet Security 105–85) (the ‘‘Act’’), I hereby notify you of my decision to establish a new level for the Q. Would you entertain one last question, notification procedure for digital computers sir? We’ve always heard for the last 4 or 5 set forth in section 1211(a) of the Act. The years that it was going to take an electronic new level will be 12,500 millions of theo- Pearl Harbor—many of the people around retical operations per second (MTOPS). In this table I’ve interviewed over the last 4 or accordance with the provisions of section 5 years, and they’ve agreed that’s the kind of impact we would need for everybody to 1211(e), I hereby notify you of my decision play together and work together. Is that what to remove Romania from the list of countries happened last week? covered under section 1211(b). I have taken The President. Well, I hope not. [Laugh- this action based on the recommendation of ter] I think it was an alarm. I don’t think the Departments of Defense, Commerce, it was Pearl Harbor. We lost our Pacific Fleet State, and Energy. The enclosed report pro- at Pearl Harbor; I don’t think the analogous vides the rationale supporting these decisions loss was that great. But I think it—— and fulfills the requirements of sections Q. Was it of concern? 1211(d) and (e) of the Act. The President. Look, it’s a source of con- Section 1211(d) provides that any adjust- cern, but I don’t think we should leave here ment to the control level described in section with this vast sense of insecurity. We ought 1211(a) cannot take effect until 180 days to leave here with a sense of confidence that after receipt of this report by the Congress. this is a challenge that was entirely predict- Section 1211(e) provides that any deletion of able. It’s part of the price of the success of a country from the Tier 3 group cannot take the Internet, and we’re all determined to effect until 120 days after the Congress is work together to meet it. And so, yes, we notified. Given the rapid pace of techno- got an alarm, but I wouldn’t say—I wouldn’t logical change in the information technology analogize it to Pearl Harbor. industry, these time periods are too lengthy. We’re all here. We’re going to figure out I hope that we can work together to reduce what to do. But you need to let us work now. both notification periods to 30 days. Such Thank you very much. changes will permit implementation of my NOTE: The President spoke at 11:57 a.m. in the current decision and future changes in a Cabinet Room at the White House. In his re- more timely fashion. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 311

I have directed the Secretary of Com- statement, and then I will take your ques- merce to adjust the level at which an indi- tions. vidual license is required for computer ex- First, let me say that we all know that we’re ports to Tier 3 countries. For sales to military in the midst of the longest and strongest eco- entities, the level will be raised from 6,500 nomic expansion in our history, with nearly MTOPS to 12,500 MTOPS. For sales to civil- 21 million new jobs, unemployment at 4 per- ian end users, the new level will be raised cent, and solid income growth across all in- from 12,300 MTOPS to 20,000 MTOPS. I come groups. have also directed the Secretary of Com- Americans in public service and in the pri- merce to adjust the level at which an indi- vate sector must remember that our success vidual license is required for computer ex- in promoting peace and prosperity is not the ports to Tier 2 countries from 20,000 result of complacency but of our common MTOPS to 33,000 MTOPS. Given antici- commitment to dynamic action rooted in en- pated significant increases in microprocessor during values. If we want to continue to enjoy performance in the near term, the Secre- success, we must continue our commitment taries of Commerce and Defense will review to dynamic action. these levels, as well as the level described There is important work to be done in in section 1211(a), by April 2000, to deter- America this year, and in Washington, DC, mine if further adjustments are necessary at this year. First, we must stay on the path that time. of fiscal discipline that got us to this point. The aforementioned adjustments will take If we stay on that path, we can make Amer- place immediately, with the exception of the ica, in just 13 years, debt-free for the first change to the individual licensing level for military end users in Tier 3, which will coin- time since 1835. Then we can use the bene- cide with the change for the notification pro- fits of debt reduction to preserve two of the visions of the Act, section 1211(a). Both most important guarantees we have made to changes will become effective at the end of the American people, Social Security and the 180-day notification period, unless the Medicare, something that will be a challenge Congress provides for a shorter period. as we see the number of people over 65 dou- I look forward to working cooperatively ble in the next 30 years with the retirement with the Congress on these issues. of the baby boom generation. Sincerely, Specifically, we can make a bipartisan downpayment on Social Security reform by William J. Clinton crediting the interest savings from debt re- duction to the Social Security Trust Fund to NOTE: Identical letters were sent to John W. keep it strong and sound for 50 years, beyond Warner, chairman, and Carl Levin, ranking mem- the lifespan of all but the most fortunate of ber, Senate Committee on Armed Services; Phil the baby boom generation. As a first step to- Gramm, chairman, and Paul S. Sarbanes, ranking ward a comprehensive solution, I believe we member, Senate Committee on Banking, Hous- should do something I called for in my 1999 ing, and Urban Affairs; Floyd Spence, chairman, State of the Union Address, to end the earn- and Ike Skelton, ranking member, House Com- ings limit for Social Security retirees between mittee on Armed Services; and Benjamin A. Gilman, chairman, and Sam Gejdenson, ranking the ages of 65 and 69. member, House Committee on International Re- To strengthen and modernize Medicare, lations. This letter was released by the Office of I propose to implement important reforms the Press Secretary on February 16. and to dedicate more than half the non-So- cial Security surplus to Medicare, over $400 billion, to keep it solvent for another decade, The President’s News Conference past 2025, and to add a voluntary prescription February 16, 2000 drug benefit. I’m pleased Congress is begin- ning to take up this issue, and I ask them The President. Good afternoon. I would to move quickly and to resist the temptation like to cover a couple of topics in an opening to spend large portions of the surplus before 312 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 we have lived up to our commitment to pre- ease the burden on the citizens who are most pare for the undeniable health and financing vulnerable. Still, there are too many families challenges that Medicare will bring. with moderate incomes who have no option We should also move to complete the un- other than heating their homes with oil, and finished business of the last Congress, pass- they need help, too. There is more to do. ing a real Patients’ Bill of Rights, campaign Secretary Richardson is in New England finance reform, hate crimes legislation, an in- today holding a summit with refiners, dis- crease in the minimum wage, and especially, tributors, and major users of home heating commonsense gun safety legislation. oil to determine how Government and indus- Guns in the wrong hands continue to claim try can work together to better meet the too many young lives—lives like those of needs of consumers in the Mid-Atlantic and Andre Wallace and Natasha Marsh, the fine New England States. Today I’m announcing young DC residents who were gunned down additional steps to help families struggling to in front of Natasha’s home last week and pay their heating bills. I directed my Budget were buried just yesterday. We saw it also Office and the Department of Health and in Littleton just a few days ago, with the Human Services to release right now the re- shooting deaths of two teenage students from mainder of this year’s funding for emergency Columbine High School. heating assistance, about $125 million more. Today the Secretary of Housing and Urban This money will be targeted toward the hard- Development, Andrew Cuomo, who is with est hit States, those with the highest usage us today, released the first-ever comprehen- of home heating oil. I will be meeting with sive analysis of gun-related violence in public Governors and Members of Congress in housing in America. The report shows that those States to ask them to use all their au- while crime in public housing is declining, thority to expand the pool of people who re- as it is in the rest of the country, gun-related ceive those funds, making sure that as many crime remains a serious problem there, with people who need the help can get it. residents of public housing more than twice And let me explain what I mean by that. as likely to be victims of gun violence as other Under the present law, States can pay members of our society. More than a million LIHEAP assistance, low income heating as- children and 360,000 seniors live in public sistance to people up to 150 percent of the housing in the United States. They deserve poverty line, the national poverty line, or up to be as safe as the rest of us. Ten months to 60 percent of the median income in their after the tragedy at Columbine, it is long past States. In the States that are most severely time for Congress to pass this commonsense affected, where you have a lot of people who gun safety legislation. live on middle incomes, but particularly if I would also like to address the impact of they have children, are really hurt by an in- rising oil prices on American families. In the crease of 2 or $300 a month in their home Northeast, the impact has been particularly heating bill—are eligible for this assistance harsh because, from the Mid-Atlantic States but don’t presently receive it. So if we pro- to New England, many families still rely on vide more money—if the States really want home heating oil, a source of heating no to see the maximum number of people longer used in the rest of the country. These helped, they have the ability to raise the in- families have been especially hard hit. That come limits of people eligible for that help is a serious concern, especially because the and to structure the help accordingly. winter months have been colder this year We will also be requesting $600 million than in the past few years. in emergency supplemental funding for the Since January we have released $175 mil- LIHEAP program to help more hard-hit lion to help lower income families pay their families through the current crisis, as well heating bills. We have also asked refiners to as to have some money for others who may keep producing at full throttle until the crisis be hard hit later in the year when the hot is past. And we directed the Coast Guard weather sets in. We will send legislation to to expedite deliveries of home heating oil to Congress in the next 10 days, and I hope affected areas. These actions have helped to there will be fast action on it. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 313

Meanwhile, we will continue to work to- peace around the world or the fact that our ward a longer term solution. I’ve asked Sec- party overrode theirs and passed the family retary Richardson to conduct a 60-day study leave, and it’s benefited 20 million people, on converting factories and major users from and it hasn’t hurt the economy. oil to other fuels, which will help to free up So they’ve got a tough job, and I have a future oil supplies for use in heating homes. lot of sympathy with them. And I don’t want Americans have always pulled together to to complicate their problems by saying any help their fellow citizens in times of need. more about them. [Laughter] Over the last 7 years, we’ve stood to help Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press]. the victims of earthquakes in California, of the farm crisis and a 500-year flood in the Moratorium on Capital Punishment Middle West, and again and again and re- cently again this week, the violent storms in Q. Mr. President, there are growing calls the South. Now the families in the Northeast for a national moratorium on capital punish- need our help, too, and we must act. ment, from the American Bar Association to Again I say, the United States did not get Members of Congress. Governor Ryan has to this fortunate moment by inaction and halted executions in Illinois, as you know, be- complacency. We got here by a commitment cause the convictions of 13 people on death to giving the American people the tools and row were overturned. On the other hand, conditions to solve their own problems and Governor Bush said last night that he’s con- continuing to act aggressively and dynami- fident that the 100 people who were put to cally. This must be a year of that kind of death in Texas under his watch were all action. guilty. You’ve had some experience with this. Thank you very much. You signed four death warrants or execution Now, Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press warrants while you were Governor. What’s International], would you like to begin? your feeling about a moratorium on execu- tions? 2000 Presidential Election The President. Well first, I think Gov- Q. Mr. President, you don’t seem to have ernor Ryan did the right thing, and it was any good news on the Northern Ireland and probably a courageous thing to do, because Middle Eastern front, so I thought I’d ask a majority of the American people support you a homefront question. How do you like capital punishment, as do I. But I think that being targeted in the Republican Presidential in Illinois, you had a situation where the ex- campaign? Texas Governor—I have to quote onerations and the executions were about this: Texas Governor Bush told Senator equal in number over the last several years. McCain, quote, ‘‘Whatever you do, don’t So he had a difficult situation, and I think equate my integrity and trustworthiness with he did the right thing. Bill Clinton. That’s about as low as you can And I think that if I were a Governor still, get in the Republican primary.’’ And McCain I would look very closely at the situation in said that he resented being called ‘‘Clinton’’ my State and decide what the facts were. or ‘‘Clinton-like,’’ and a few other things. There are, I think, not those grounds for that What do you say? kind of moratorium under the Federal law The President. Well—[laughter]—I have because of the circumstances under which a couple of observations. One is, you know, people are convicted. Now, we have a dif- they’re playing to an electorate, most of ferent review going on here, a Justice De- whom did not vote for me. And secondly, partment review on the racial impact or I have a lot of sympathy with Governor Bush whether there was one in the death penalty and Senator McCain. I mean, it’s hard for decisions under the Federal law. There are them to figure out what to run on. They can’t 27 people who have been sentenced to death run against the longest economic expansion under Federal law, 20 in the civilian courts in history or the lowest crime rate in 30 years and 7 through the military system. or the lowest welfare rolls in 30 years or the We also are in the process of developing progress America has made in promoting guidelines for clemency applications when an 314 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 individual’s claims of innocence or ques- between India and Pakistan not contained is tioning of the sentence, even though guilt is one of the most significant security threats not a question, can be pressed. And I think, to the interests of the United States in this in an attempt to address the problem you new century and, I might say, a tragic mentioned, I think Senator Leahy has intro- situation. duced some legislation to try to give con- You know, we—I think one of the reasons victed criminal defendants access to DNA we’ve been able to play a meaningful role testing and other things, which might tend in Northern Ireland is we have so many Irish- to disprove their guilt. Americans here. I think one of the reasons So I think all these things need to be we’ve been able to play a meaningful role looked at. The people who support the death in the Middle East is we have a lot of Jewish- penalty, it seems to me, have an especially Americans and a lot of Arab-Americans. I heavy obligation to see that in cases where think we forget that among all the some-200 it is applied, there is no question of whether ethnic groups that we have in our country, the guilt was there. So the only issue that Indian-Americans and Pakistani-Americans is left is whether, philosophically, you think have been among the most successful in it is the right or wrong thing to do. terms of education level and income level. Q. So you would not support a ban? You They have worked and succeeded stunningly would not support suspending it or a morato- well in the United States and, astonishingly rium now? maybe, had good contacts with one another. The President. In the Federal cases, I And I think the United States should be don’t believe it is called for. But as I say, more involved there, even though I think that we do have the review going on in terms of they’ll have to work out this business of Kash- the racial implications of the way it’s been mir between themselves. Unless we were applied, and we also are in the process of asked by both parties to help, we can’t get drawing up guidelines for clemency requests, involved. We’ve been—in every other case which, obviously, would give people an op- we’re involved, it’s because both parties have portunity to raise the question of whether asked us to be involved. there was some doubt about their guilt or But I will make a decision about where innocence. to go and what to do based on what I think But I do think Governor Ryan did the right will further our long-term goals. And I have thing. I think it was a great thing to do. not reached a final decision. Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters]. Yes. President’s Upcoming Visit to South Asia Post-Presidential Legal Issues Q. Mr. President, next month you’re going Q. Mr. President, as you’re well aware, the on a trip to India and Bangladesh but not Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Pro- Pakistan. What can Pakistan’s military rulers fessional Conduct has initiated an investiga- do to get you to reconsider? tion into a complaint regarding statements The President. Well, first of all, I haven’t that you made in testimony before Judge decided whether I’m going to Pakistan or Susan Webber Wright—action that could in- not. I have decided that I am going to India clude disciplinary action, up to and including and Bangladesh, and I will make a decision disbarment. My question, sir, is would you about whether to go based on what I think be willing to surrender your law license to will best serve our long-term interests in non- avoid such a hearing? Or will you fight it, proliferation, in trying to stop, particularly, up to and including availing yourself of a the nuclear arms race and trying to help to public hearing, as you are entitled to under promote stability, democracy, and a resolu- the regulations? tion of the conflict between India and Paki- The President. Well, let me say to you, stan. the reason—and the only reason—I even set- I hope that my trip will serve to highlight tled the lawsuit in the first place was because to Americans the importance of that region I thought that it was wrong for the President to us and the very real danger that a conflict to take an hour, much less a day, much less Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 315 weeks, away from the job of the American would lower the price, and they’d wind up people to deal with anything that could be with the worst of both worlds. If the price a distraction. And I did it only after there stayed up for any period of time, it would was a court ruling that the case had abso- make non-OPEC members who could lutely no merit, which was obvious to every- produce oil more likely to do it, which would body who looked at the facts. further drive the price down. Now, I haven’t changed my position on So I think the OPEC members understand that. As a result, in all the things that have that, and I think that there is an interest in happened subsequently, I have left a lot of stable prices at an acceptable level. And we things unsaid which I might have otherwise have these conversations all along, and I said. And I hope I can continue to do that, think that is clear. And we will see what hap- and that’s what I’m going to do today. I don’t pens on that. But I wouldn’t rule out using think I should be spending my time on this. the Petroleum Reserve. I think I’m working for the American people. Now, the third point I want to make is And I’m going to do my best to adhere to this. You said, do Americans have a right to that. And as a result, I have refrained from cheap gas and cheap heating oil. What I want saying a lot of things I would otherwise have to do, because I think it’s important for our said as an American citizen and as a lawyer. long-term security, is get America in a posi- Yes, go ahead, in the back. tion where the fuel efficiency of our vehicles Oil Prices is so great—or our ability to use alternative- fuel vehicles or dual-use vehicles, biofuels, Q. Mr. President, along the lines of the mixed electric and gasoline-fuel vehicles that heating oil situation or whatever, would you have automatically regenerating batteries— at any point consider—because, perhaps as that our capacity to do that is so great that the prices continue to spike up—would you we will not be reliant on the ups and downs at any point consider that it could have some detrimental effect on the economy? Would of supplies and the increases that might come you consider tapping into the Strategic Petro- in the future would have a much more lim- leum Reserves? And conversely, I’d like to ited impact on us. I would remind you that ask if we as Americans have some kind of these increases have had a much, much more divine right to cheap gasoline and cheap limited impact on the United States than the heating oil? oil price increases of the seventies, for exam- The President. Well, you’ve asked two ple, because we’re so much more energy effi- questions, and let me try to answer them. cient. And I’d like to make, if I might, three points. The final point I would like to make is, Number one, the statute for using the there are all kinds of problems and historical Strategic Petroleum Reserve sets forward the explanations for why the Mid-Atlantic and conditions under which it might be used. New England States are so dependent on And I have not ruled out any action which home heating oil, and no place else is, but I think is in the interest of the American it’s not a good situation. It’s just not. We need people. to examine it. That’s one of the things I asked Number two, I think what is in our interest Secretary Richardson to look at, is look at are stable prices that are not too high but what are the institutional barriers for busi- don’t drop real low, encourage overconsump- nesses and individuals converting away from tion, and then jump way up again. That is, heating oil to heating sources that are more what we need is stable prices that are not commonly used in other places? What are too high but that are also stable. the costs? Are there any Federal actions that I also think that is in the interest of the might be undertaken in concert with the producing countries. Why? Because if prices States or with the private sector to help mini- got so high they weakened—disregard Amer- mize those costs and facilitate a conversion? ica’s economy—other people’s economies, The people on home heating oil are the that would shrink the markets for the pro- most vulnerable people in America by a good ducers. If the economy goes down, that long ways to these radical swings in oil prices. 316 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

And it’s also because they’re delivered essen- mobile. So it’s not like you can wait 5 days, tially by individual businesses who come to go back to the same store where you placed your home and send you a bill. Consumers the order for the gun, and it’s going to be don’t have the option that many of you who there 5 days from now. And the gun shows live in DC have, for example. You can aver- are mobile. I understand what the problem age your electric bills. You can average your is. But there has got to be a solution here utility bills over a period of months. So if that deals with that. Maybe they could park you have a couple of bad months, you can the guns at the local police department or average them out. Those options are not something else. There’s got to be some way available to them either. to deal with this that allows us to have a prac- So I think we have to look long term, in tical law that works. The one thing I will not my judgment, at whether there’s a conver- do is, I will not sign a law which promises sion strategy there that would enable a whole the American people that this is going to different energy future to open up in terms make them safer, and it won’t do it. of home and business energy usage. But I am not hung up—I don’t think we Yes. should be hung up on any of the facts. The facts should be, what is necessary to make Gun Control Legislation us a safer people? What is necessary to save Q. Mr. President, on the topic of gun con- more lives? That should be the only driving trol, as you’re well aware, the central sticking concern. point in the Congress is over this division Yes, go ahead, Jim [Jim Angle, Fox News]. between the Senate and the House over a waiting period for gun sales at gun shows. 2000 Campaign The Senate has endorsed 72 hours. The Q. Mr. President, is a candidate’s past House and a goodly number of Democrats record on abortion fair game in a campaign? endorsed 24 hours. Would you accept a com- The First Lady seems to think it is; the Vice promise in-between, sir, or is that 72-hour President seems to think it isn’t. waiting period so important, you prefer no The President. Oooh. [Laughter] Now, if bill to a compromise? I get into that, then you’ll have me handi- The President. Well, first, I think, to me, capping that debate last night. [Laughter] this is a fact question. There are two benefits Let me just say this. I’ll make a generic to the waiting period. One is, does it really comment about that because I think all of give you an adequate amount of time to you are going to be writing about this. I see, check the records? And two is, should there you know, one candidate says this about the be a cooling-off period if somebody who is other’s record. Then one complains about really hot buys a gun with a bad intent and how the other one interprets his record and might cool down and refrain? all that kind of stuff. I have never seen a If you move away from 72 hours to a short- hard-fought political race where candidates er period, then the question is, since so many did not disagree with their opponent’s char- of these gun shows occur on the weekend, acterization of their record and their posi- will there be access to the records to do the tions. I mean, that’s part of the debate, and check? Will you be able—I mean, to me, in it’s always going to happen. terms of all compromises—at least, I can only And again, I think anything I say to get tell you what I believe—this is not theology. in the middle of that is not—I’m not running This is, what does it take as a practical matter for office, and by and large, I think I to have a bill that works to keep people alive. shouldn’t comment under—there may be a I mean, there’s no question that the Brady few exceptions, but I think basically, the bill has kept a lot of people alive. And there American people are in the drivers’s seat. is, furthermore, no question that there has They’re making this decision. I get to vote not been a huge amount of inconvenience like everybody else, but I’m not a candidate, in the waiting period. and I don’t think I ought to get in the way Now, I know what the argument is. The unless there’s some specific issue related to argument is, well, the gun show people are something I’ve done as President. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 317

Yes. what the end will be. I can only tell you that I think we’re way ahead of where we would Northern Ireland Peace Process have been, and I still think there’s a good Q. Mr. President, may I return to North- chance we’ll get there. ern Ireland, sir? In light of what’s happened Yes, Claire [Claire Shipman, NBC] and this week, wasn’t it a mistake not to ask for then Susan [Susan Page, USA Today]. specific assurances to disarm from the IRA, not Sinn Fein but the IRA, in advance of Al Gore going down the political road and starting a new government? Q. Maybe this will be one of the excep- The President. I think Senator Mitchell tions that you’ll be willing to make. Senator believes, who, you know, negotiated the Bradley has made it a point of late to chal- Good Friday accords, that, like any accords lenge Vice President Gore’s veracity, essen- of that kind, there were compromises in- tially, to cast him as a politician not to be volved that both sides had to accept about trusted. He’s been your Vice President for the other. And I believe he thought he got the last 7 years. Are you offended by those the strongest agreement he could. It was rati- remarks? Certainly there’s nobody in a better fied overwhelmingly by the Irish people, by position than you to speak to his character. both communities in the North and over- The President. Well, my feelings are not whelmingly by the Republic of Ireland. relevant, but I can say this: He has always— It has been honored, to date, in all of its one of the great strengths that he had as Vice specifics, including standing up the govern- President is that he was always brutally hon- mental institutions, although there was a est with me. I mean, he was never afraid to delay of several months in doing that. And disagree with me. And when we had very then the de Chastelain report came out, and tough decisions, very often we’d be in these then after the British Government passed big meetings, and very—you see these— through the Parliament the bill, in effect, sus- when these tough decisions come down— pending the institutions and reasserting con- and I mean this, no offense to any of you; trol over Northern Ireland, the IRA made this is actually a compliment to you—but certain representations which General de when you’ve got seven people in a meeting Chastelain considered quite hopeful. And and some huge decision is on the line and now they’re in a rough spot. you realize that if you make the wrong call, But I don’t think you can Monday-morn- it cannot only be bad for the country, it could ing-quarterback that. I think Senator be very bad for the health of the administra- Mitchell and all the people who were negoti- tion, it’s amazing to see how some people ating it got the best deal they could from guard their words, because they’re so afraid both sides. And I think what we have to rec- that what they say, even though the meeting ognize now is, while this is a very unfortunate is in confidence, will be public. In all those development, a year ago at this time, the tough times, he took a—he decided what he Irish had had no taste of what self-govern- thought was right, and he took a clear and ment was like. They now have had it, and unambiguous stand. And I think the country they like it: positive point number one. is better for it. And I could give you lots of Positive point number two: The IRA has examples. given no indication whatever that they will I mean, when it was an unpopular thing revert to violence. And so that means that to go into Kosovo, he wanted to do it. When they still think, no matter what the rhetoric it was unpopular to go into Bosnia, he wanted says, that all the parties really believe that to do it. When it was unpopular to stand up they ought to find a way to work this out. for freedom in Haiti, he wanted to do it. And I can assure you, virtually every day When only 15 percent of the people thought since I’ve been here, we’ve worked on this. we ought to help Mexico but I knew it could And in the last several days, we’ve been in- hurt our economy, he was right there. And volved on a daily basis, and we’re working I could go on and on. So all I can tell you very hard to work this out. I can’t tell you is that in all my dealings with him, he has 318 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 been candid in the extreme and all anyone Yes, Susan. could ever ask. Now, I’ll say again what I said before: I Possible Involvement in a South Asia have never seen a tough race where people Peace Process fought with each other, where they didn’t Q. Mr. President, I would like to follow have different interpretations of each other’s up on Steve Holland’s question. You said that record and each other’s positions. And then it’s up to India and Pakistan to settle the issue once you disagree with someone’s position of Kashmir and that they have not asked the or someone’s record, then the person will U.S. to help mediate that dispute. If India say, ‘‘I just think you’re mischaracterizing it.’’ and Pakistan both ask the United States to Now, depending on the level of heat and in- get involved to try to help mediate the issue tensity of the campaign, how they say that of Kashmir, would the United States be will- and how they feel about it will go up or down. ing to do that? But this happens in every election. And The President. Absolutely. I would. Why? I think the important thing to remember is, For the same reason we’ve been involved in you’ve basically got four people running for Northern Ireland and the Middle East. Be- President now who are people of accomplish- cause, number one and most importantly, it ment, people who have certain convictions, is a hugely important area of the world. If people who have, I think, pretty clear phi- the tensions between India and Pakistan on losophies and records. And I know that ev- the Indian subcontinent could be resolved, erybody will get hot and mad at everybody it is my opinion, based on my personal expe- else, but, I mean, this is not a bad thing for rience with people from India, people from America, this choice they’ve got. And they’re Pakistan, and people from Bangladesh, that very different. the Indian subcontinent might very well be So America has a good choice. And I think the great success story of the next 50 years. that it’s tough to be in these races, and when You’re talking about people who are basi- you’re not running anymore, you can look cally immensely talented, have a strong work back—everybody can look back on a life in ethic, a deep devotion to their faith and to public life and say, ‘‘There’s one thing I said their families. There is nothing they couldn’t I kind of wish I hadn’t said,’’ or, ‘‘I said that, do. And it is heartbreaking to me to see how and I believe what I said, but I wish I said much they hold each other back by being it in a slightly different way.’’ But by and trapped in yesterday’s conflicts—number large, what’s happening here is just perfectly one. normal, and we shouldn’t get too exercised Number two, like Northern Ireland and by it. the Middle East, this country has been deep- Q. You don’t think Bill Bradley’s charges ly enriched by people from the Indian sub- have been below the belt? continent, and I think we might be, because The President. Well, I don’t agree—I’m of our population, in a position to make a not going to get into characterizing his constructive contribution. But if they don’t charges. You ask me if the Vice President— want us, it won’t be doing any good. We’d I don’t have to fight this campaign for any- just be out there talking into the air. And body. You asked me if the Vice President I’m not in for that. has been perfectly honest and candid with Yes, Mark [Mark Knoller, CBS Radio]. me, and I said, yes, in the extreme. And that’s true, and America’s been well served by it. Post-Presidential Legal Issues That’s all I can say. Q. Mr. President, by your answer earlier My experience is that he is exceedingly to John Roberts [CBS News], did you mean honest and exceedingly straightforward and to say that you or your lawyers would not has taken a lot of tough positions which, since offer a defense to the Committee on Profes- he always, presumably, knew he wanted to sional Conduct? run for President, could have cost him dearly, The President. No, I meant to say I’m and he did it anyway. And I was proud of not going to discuss it any more than I abso- him for doing it. lutely have to because I don’t think I should Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 319 be dealing with it. I should be dealing with There is no such thing as ‘the press.’ ’’ You my job. can’t blame—if you think somebody made Yes, Mara [Mara Liasson, National Public a mistake, you can’t blame everybody else Radio]. for a mistake somebody made. But that’s in a professional context. In a personal context, 2000 Presidential Election it’s even more true. Q. You say you’re not running this year, So my view is that the voters are going but you are casting a shadow over the debate to—this is, as I have said repeatedly, the on the campaign trail. And all of the Presidential election is the world’s greatest candidates—— job interview. And the voters are going to The President. I’d like to think I’m cast- hire someone that they believe, of course, ing a little sunshine over it. [Laughter] I keep is a good person, a strong person, a person trying to build these fellows up, you know. who will be a credit to the office. But they I’m being nice and generous and all that. want to know what in the world are they [Laughter] going to do? How are we going to keep this Q. All of the candidates are running expansion going? How are we going to meet against your behavior and conduct, not just the big challenges facing the country? the Republicans, as Helen mentioned, but And it is, to me, a source of reassurance— all of the candidates. not personal but for my country’s future— The President. Well, if I were running, that so many of the candidates have adopted I’d do that. [Laughter] at least some of the policies that we have Q. But on the other hand, also all of the tried to put in place over the last 7 years, candidates, Republicans and Democrats, do that moved the country away from this big, sound a lot like you when they talk about deep partisan division that dominated Wash- policy. Even the Republicans say they want ington politics for so long. prescription drug coverage for Medicare—— So all I can tell you is, I think—my instinct The President. Yes. is that the voters are going to take the meas- Q. ——and they support a Patients’ Bill ure of these people. They’re going to think: of Rights with the right to sue. And I am Who will be a good President; who will make wondering if you could comment on both as- good decisions; and do I agree with this per- pects of your influence, both the negative, son, in terms of priorities and positions? the fact that everybody seems to be running That’s what I think. I think the implication against your behavior and also, on the other that anybody would be held responsible for side, why everyone seems to sound like you somebody else’s mistake or misconduct is when they discuss policy. just—it’s a real insult to the American peo- The President. First of all, I think, for ple. And they’re not going to do that. That’s the Republicans, it’s probably good politics not in their interest, and it’s not in their na- to do that, because they spent years and years ture. They’re too smart and too good for that. trying to tell everybody how bad I am. Yes. Q. But it’s not just—— The President. So, so—but for every- Normal Trade Relations Status for China body—the public, however—people are real- Q. Mr. President, would you rule out the ly smart, you know, and it’s pretty hard to one-year automatic renewal of China’s nor- convince them that they should hold anyone mal trading status, unless Congress dis- responsible for someone else’s mistake, par- agrees? And do you think that would be a ticularly a personal mistake. I mean, I can’t formula Democrats would find easier to imagine any voter ever doing that. That’s like accept? shooting yourself in the foot. The President. That would be a—I would I even caution people, for example, if not support that because, in order to get somebody says something—one of you says China into the WTO and in order for us to something or prints something or has a story benefit from the terms of the agreement that that we don’t agree with—I tell people all Ambassador Barshefsky and Gene Sperling the time, ‘‘Don’t ever talk about the press. and others made with China, they have to 320 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 get permanent normal trading status. And but just with human nature, is that they are since you asked the question, let me tell you far more likely to be constructive members why I feel so strongly about it. This is not of the international community if they get a political issue for me. This is a huge na- into the WTO and they make these changes tional security issue—for three reasons. than if they don’t. Number one, our biggest trade deficit is And I think it’s quite interesting—one of with China, because China has access to our the things that has really moved me on this, markets and our access to theirs is highly re- since one of the big issues with which we stricted. This trade agreement offers no in- have differences with China is in the repres- creased access to the American markets by sion of political and religious expression, is China but gives us dramatically increased ac- how many of the religious groups that actu- cess to their markets. ally have missions operating in China agree Moreover, it means that we can get access with this. People that have actually worked to their markets without having to transfer there, lived there, and been subject to some technology or agree to do manufacturing in of the repression there agree that what we’re their country, and we retain specific rights, doing is the right thing to do. I think that even once China is in the WTO, on a bilateral a substantial—a majority of opinion in Tai- basis to take action if there is a big surge wan agrees that this is the right thing to do. of imports in some sector into our economy So I’m going to push this as hard as I can. that would throw a lot of people out of work I want to get the earliest possible vote I can. in a short time. And I cannot tell you how important I think So, economically, from agriculture to high- it is. I think that if we didn’t do this, we would tech products to automobiles and all things be regretting it for 20 years. And I think 10 in-between, I think this agreement is a clear years from now, we’ll look back, and no mat- hundred-or-nothing deal for us, if the price ter what decisions China makes, we’ll say the of admission to the WTO is modernizing and only thing we could control is what we did, opening the economy. and what we did was the right, the honorable, Number two, having China in a rule-based and the smart thing to do for America over system increases the likelihood not only that the long run. China will follow the rules of the road in Yes. terms of the international economy but that China will cooperate more in other forums, the United Nations and many other areas— Federal Election Commission to try to help reduce, rather than increase, Q. Both Senator Bradley and Vice Presi- the proliferation of dangerous weapons or dent Gore have condemned your nomination technology, for example. That’s what I be- of Bradley Smith to the FEC. Would you lieve with all my heart. care to take this opportunity to explain ex- Number three, I believe this agreement actly why you’ve nominated this man and to will change China from within more than all say what exactly this says about your own the other economic opening of the last 20 commitment to the campaign finance reform years combined, fairly rapidly, because of the that you said you would support? dramatic increase in access to communica- The President. Well, it doesn’t say any- tions and contact with the outside world that thing about my commitment, although I this agreement portends. think they were right to condemn it, except Now, as I said in the State of the Union that—look at what the law says. The law says, Address, and I tried to say it again when I A, this is a Republican appointment, and B, went over to Switzerland to talk, the truth as a practical matter, the way the appoint- is, I don’t know what choice China will make. ments process works in the Senate, if you I don’t know what path China will take, and want anybody to be confirmed for anything, neither does anyone else. I don’t want to you have to take—and the Republicans in oversell this to the American people in that this case happen to be in the majority—the sense. But what I believe I do know, based majority leader always makes that rec- on all my experience, not only as President ommendation. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 321

Now, I have—I argued with him, as he demonstrate that. And I hope there will be will tell you, for months about this. And there no further doubt about this. The American is a reason they wanted Bradley Smith on people can make their own decision. the FEC. You know, he hates campaign fi- Go ahead. nance reform, Bradley Smith does. He’s writ- ten about it. And he’ll get a 3-year appoint- Hillary Clinton’s Senate Campaign ment now, where it will be one person on the FEC. And I don’t like it, but I decided Q. Mr. President, current polls show that that I should not shut down the whole ap- your wife is virtually tied with her likely chal- pointments process and depart from the lenger, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, when it comes plain intent of the law, which requires that to women voters in New York, and that she it be bipartisan and by all tradition that the is trailing when it comes to white voters. And majority leader make the nomination. by most accounts, women will play a decisive And I think it ought to be instructive for role in this race. Can you address why you the American people, and you ought not to think your wife is having some trouble con- change the subject and confuse them. We necting with women voters, in particular; have a bill, the McCain-Feingold bill before what advice, if any, you’re offering her to the Congress. The administration is for it. help her better connect? And are you playing Both the Democratic candidates for Presi- the role of a senior strategist in her dent are for it, and 100 percent of our caucus campaign? in the Senate and the House are for it, every The President. Well, I’m basically doing last person down to the last man and woman. for her what she’s always done for me. You There is only one reason this is not the law: know, I’m talking to her about whatever she The Republicans are not for it. wants to talk about. I’m giving her my best And ever since I’ve been here—we didn’t ideas. I thought she had a wonderful an- have unanimous support in ’93, but ever nouncement. I was really proud of her. She since ’94, ’95, somewhere in there, we always got up there and said that she understood had a big majority of the Democratic Party she was new to the neighborhood, but she for campaign finance reform and a big major- wasn’t new to the concerns of the people of ity of the Republicans against it, even though New York. And then she said in exact de- some Republicans are for it. But basically, tail—she did what I believe all candidates the big majority of the Republican Party, par- should do—she said, ‘‘Look, if you vote for ticularly in the House and the Senate—I me, here’s what you get. Here’s what I’ll fight don’t mean out in the country; I mean in for. Here’s what I’ll do. Here’s what I’ll fight the House and the Senate—are against this. against. Here’s what I won’t do.’’ That’s why it is not the law of the land. And now the campaign is underway. And That is the ultimate truth. This appoint- I think she’s doing remarkably well, given the ment demonstrates that. It’s the poster unusual nature of the campaign and the for- child—this should be—this is like a big neon midable obstacles out there. And I think now sign, ‘‘Hello, America needs’’—if you care the people will begin to listen and debate, about this issue, you need to know what the and I think she’ll do real well. But I’m very real issue is here. Ever since I’ve been here, proud of her, and I think she’s doing fine. there’s been an attempt to say, ‘‘Oh, a pox But you should not—all I’m doing for her on both their houses. The Democrats don’t is what she did for me. So when she says really care. If they really cared, if the Presi- something, it’s what she believes. And she’s dent really cared, somehow we would have made up her mind what she wants to run this.’’ It is just not true. on, what she wants to be for, and why she What else can we do? Both our Presi- wants to do it. And I was ecstatically happy dential candidates, the White House, and with the way her announcement came out, 100 percent of our Members of Congress are because I just knew it was her. And I just for it. Why hasn’t there been a signing cere- think if—you know, you just go out there and mony? Because they are against it. Now, this make your best shot and hope that it works. man, his writings and his honest convictions But my instinct is, she’ll do right well. 322 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Sarah [Sarah McClendon, McClendon be held accountable for somebody else’s ac- News Service], go ahead. tions. But if you examine the suspension of the powers in Northern Ireland last week, Isolation of the Presidency the British Government was holding Sinn Q. Sir, do you see any way to make the Fein responsible for the IRA not disarming. Presidency a position that is closer to the According to the Good Friday accord, they people? It’s sort of aloof now. And you’re encouraged both sides to encourage disar- a friendly type of man. You must see some mament. Is there any protest on your part means whereby you can bring the Presidency to the British Government for bringing down down to the people more. a democratically elected government—and The President. Well, I think part of what similar to the way you pointed your finger makes the Presidency aloof is that if you show at the IRA in a statement saying that you up for work every day, you don’t have as hoped that there wouldn’t be any backsliding much time to spend with people as you’d after they retracted their previous state- like. I think that—I think technology will ments. help some. I think this web chat I did earlier The President. Well, let me say, first of this week with Wolf Blitzer [Cable News all, I was in constant contact with the Irish Network], where he asked me questions, but and the British Governments, and I think we he also let a lot of other people ask ques- all know what is going on here. The question tions—I thought that was a good way to do is, how can we keep the peace process going; it. I think that—in my first term, I did a lot how can we get the institutions back up; and of these townhall meetings, and I think how can we keep the Unionist Party involved they’re good, although I think they tend to and under the leadership of David Trimble, get turned in a certain way around whatever’s an objective I believe that Sinn Fein strongly breaking in the news at any given time. supports? That is, I believe that they believe I’ve tried to not get too aloof from the peo- that they have to have people they can work ple. I went down to the Rio Grande Valley with in order to make this thing last. the other day. I was the first President since President Eisenhower to go down there, and I have found that my influence is greater I’ve been there three times. And a lot of peo- when I say what I think about most of these ple came out, and I stopped along the street things to the parties themselves but when I and talked to them and visited with them. don’t try to make their jobs any harder by I think that you have to have—I think doing what I say, particularly after the fact. Now, these press conferences helps. I think using our big job now is to get these people back the Internet and finding other ways that ordi- on track. In order to do it, we have to honor nary citizens can ask you questions in the the votes of the people of Northern Ireland; course of your work helps. And I think that we’ve got to stand these institutions back up; you have to find the proper balance of work and then all the parties that said they sup- in Washington and getting out with the folks ported the Good Friday accords and the peo- to do that. ple they represent, who voted in record num- It’s a constant struggle, but my instinct is bers for it, they’ve got to comply. And we’ve that technology will help. I think a lot of you, got to find a way to get this done. for example—I think your jobs are changing And I think that—I know it’s not satisfying because of the way technology works. And to a lot of people; they want me to be there will be ways that you also can help judgmental about everything. And all I can make people in public life less aloof and tell you is, in private I’ve tried to be straight- bring more people into it. It’s going to be forward and clear with them. But I don’t very interesting. want to say anything that would make it even Yes, go ahead. harder to put this thing back together. We’ve got to keep going forward. The most impor- Northern Ireland Peace Process tant thing now is to look about how to go Q. Mr. President, to follow up on what forward and how to get—how to keep the you said before, you said that no one should Unionists in harness and how to find a way Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 323 to comply with all the requirements, includ- people to review it, to answer the questions ing putting those institutions back up. that you ask. Yes. Would I sleep better at night, if it were law? If it would really work, I would. In other Oil Prices words, I am favorably disposed toward it. I Q. Mr. President, back on the rising oil just want—and we just have a review under- prices, Secretary Richardson is beginning a way to analyze the law, how it would work, series of consultations with oil companies. whether it will work, what, if any, practical Do you think that this will have some moder- problems are there. And I am trying to come ating effect on oil prices? to grips with it, and as soon as I do, I’ll be The President. I think that oil prices may glad to state a position. But I want to make well moderate. We’ll have to see about that. it clear—I thought I had made it clear be- But what I think that he wants to do is to fore—I am favorably disposed. make sure that we’ve gotten rid of some of Yes. the bottlenecks. There are plainly some rea- sons that are only indirectly related to the Vieques Island, Puerto Rico general rise in oil prices—that home heating Q. On the issue of Vieques and Puerto oil prices, for example, have gone up so ex- Rico, currently, there is major resistance by plosively. That’s why he went up to Boston religious groups, civic groups, opposition par- first and why the Coast Guard is trying to ties to the agreement reached on Vieques. assure rapid delivery of the oil. There’s continued civil disobedience on Navy So I think that he believes that in his talks lands. This might entail a Waco-style oper- with the oil companies—not necessarily he ation to get these protesters out. Are you will- can talk the oil prices in the aggregate down ing to go all the way with Federal authority but that they may be able to take certain spe- to clear these Federal lands? And as a fol- cific steps which would alleviate some of the lowup, do you believe in your heart that biggest burdens on them. Puerto Rico’s colonial status is the root of Yes. this problem or is related to Puerto Ricans’ Q. [Inaudible]—the oil-producing coun- ambivalence to issues of national security? tries, I believe he’s going to make some con- The President. I think the root of the sultations around the world. problem—I think the root of the problem The President. Yes, I think we’re in reg- is twofold. One is, as the Pentagon has ac- ular touch with them, and they know what knowledged—and they should get credit in our views are. I think that’s all I should say Puerto Rico for doing this. It’s hard to get about that. people in Washington to admit they’re Yes. wrong, including me. We all hate to do it, you know—including you. We all hate to do DNA Testing for Death Row Inmates it. The Pentagon has acknowledged that the Q. Back on an earlier question, the death 1983 agreement was not followed in letter penalty, you mentioned that supporters of and spirit. They have acknowledged that. the death penalty, like yourself, have a spe- That left a bad taste in the mouths of the cial burden to make sure that innocent peo- people of Vieques and of all Puerto Rico. ple are not executed. And you mentioned the Problem two is the unwillingness of the Leahy bill, but you didn’t state a position on Congress to give a legislatively sanctioned that. That would make DNA testing available vote to the people to let them determine the to death row inmates. Is it a good idea? Is status of Puerto Rico. Now, I think those are it workable? Would you sleep better at night the roots of the problem. if it were law? Now, there may be some people there The President. Well, first of all, the rea- who, on any given day, would be, I don’t son I didn’t take a position on it—I tried to know, against the military or would think the make it clear that I am quite favorably dis- military shouldn’t train or whatever. But it’s posed toward it, but I just learned about it clear that if you look at the offer we made— in the last couple of days, and I’ve asked our to begin now to give the western part of the 324 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 island to Puerto Rico; to facilitate transit back Giuliani of New York City; Judge Susan Webber and forth between Vieques and the main is- Wright, U.S. District Court for Arkansas, who pre- land; to do a lot of the other environmental sided over the Paula Jones suit against the Presi- and economic things on the island of dent; and former Senator Bill Bradley. The Presi- Vieques; to have no live fire in the short run dent also referred to LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. here while we’re going through this transition period; to cut the training days in half; and then to let the people decide for themselves with the future of the island is; but to give Proclamation 7273—To Facilitate us a transition period when we don’t have Positive Adjustment to Competition any other place to train—it is a perfectly rea- From Imports of Certain Steel Wire sonable compromise, unless either those first Rod two things are eating at you, so you don’t February 16, 2000 trust anything America or the Pentagon does or unless you’re just philosophically opposed By the President of the United States to America having a military which has to of America train. So I still believe it’s a good agreement. I A Proclamation will continue to work with the Governor, with 1. On July 12, 1999, the United States the Mayor in Vieques, with the authorities, International Trade Commission (USITC) with a view toward trying to work this out. transmitted to the President a report on its I want the people of Puerto Rico to decide investigation under section 202 of the Trade this. You know, I did a message to them. I Act of 1974, as amended (the ‘‘Trade Act’’) wish they could decide their status. If it were (19 U.S.C. 2252), with respect to imports of just up to me, if I could sign an Executive certain steel wire rod provided for in sub- order and let them have a sanctioned elec- headings 7213.91, 7213.99, 7227.20 and tion, I would do it today. And I view this 7227.90.60 of the Harmonized Tariff Sched- compromise as an empowerment of the peo- ule of the United States (HTS). The USITC ple of Puerto Rico and, to that extent, a ratifi- commissioners were equally divided with re- cation of their longstanding grievances. spect to the determination required under But the people of Vieques should be able section 202(b) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. to decide this. And I don’t think that—just 2252(b)) regarding whether such steel wire as I don’t think the Pentagon should impose rod is being imported into the United States it on them, I don’t think the demonstrators in such increased quantities as to be a sub- should stop them from having a vote either. stantial cause of serious injury, or threat of I think they ought to be able to make a judg- serious injury, to the domestic industry pro- ment. ducing a like or directly competitive article. Thank you very much. Thank you. 2. Section 330(d)(1) of the Tariff Act of NOTE: The President’s 186th news conference 1930, as amended (the ‘‘Tariff Act’’) (19 began at 2:25 p.m. in the East Room at the White U.S.C. 1330(d)(1)) provides that when the House. In his remarks, he referred to Nicholas USITC is required to determine under sec- Kunselman and Stephanie Hart, students at Col- tion 202(b) of the Trade Act whether in- umbine High School, Littleton, CO, who were creased imports of an article are a substantial murdered in a Subway sandwich shop on Feb- cause of serious injury, or the threat thereof, ruary 14; Gov. George W. Bush of Texas; Gov. and the commissioners voting are equally di- George H. Ryan of Illinois; former Senator vided with respect to such determination, George J. Mitchell, who chaired the multiparty then the determination agreed upon by ei- talks in Northern Ireland; Gen. John de ther group of commissioners may be consid- Chastelain, Canadian Defense Forces, chair, Independent International Commission on ered by the President as the determination Decommissoning; David Trimble, leader, Ulster of the USITC. Having reviewed the deter- ´ Unionist Party; Gov. Pedro Rossello of Puerto minations of both groups of commissioners, Rico; and Mayor Manuela Santiago of Vieques, I have decided to consider the determination PR. Reporters referred to Mayor Rudolph W. of the group of commissioners voting in the Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 325 affirmative to be the determination of the 6. Except for products of Mexico and of USITC. Canada, which shall all be excluded from this 3. Pursuant to section 311(a) of the North restriction, such tariff-rate quota shall apply American Free Trade Agreement Implemen- to imports of steel wire rod from all coun- tation Act (the ‘‘NAFTA Implementation tries. Pursuant to section 203(a)(1)(A) of the Act’’) (19 U.S.C. 3371(a)), the USITC made Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2253(a)(1)(A)), I have negative findings with respect to imports of further determined that this action will facili- steel wire rod from Mexico and Canada. The tate efforts by the domestic industry to make USITC commissioners voting in the affirma- a positive adjustment to import competition tive also transmitted to the President their and provide greater economic and social ben- recommendations made pursuant to section efits than costs. 202(e) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2252(e)) 7. Section 604 of the Trade Act, as amend- with respect to the action that would address ed (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the President the serious injury or threat thereof to the do- to embody in the HTS the substance of the mestic industry and be most effective in fa- relevant provisions of that Act, and of other cilitating the efforts of the domestic industry acts affecting import treatment, and actions to make a positive adjustment to import com- thereunder, including the removal, modifica- petition. tion, continuance, or imposition of any rate 4. Pursuant to section 203 of the Trade of duty or other import restriction. Act (19 U.S.C. 2253), and after taking into Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, account the considerations specified in sec- President of the United States of America, tion 203(a)(2) of the Trade Act, I have deter- acting under the authority vested in me by mined to implement action of a type de- the Constitution and the laws of the United scribed in section 203(a)(3) and to provide States of America, including but not limited exclusions for enumerated steel wire rod to sections 203 and 604 of the Trade Act, products (‘‘excluded products’’). Pursuant to do proclaim that: section 312(a) of the NAFTA Implementa- (1) In order to establish a tariff-rate quota tion Act (19 U.S.C. 3372(a)), I have deter- on imports of steel wire rod (other than ex- mined that imports of steel wire rod from cluded products), classified in HTS sub- Mexico, considered individually, do not ac- headings 7213.91, 7213.99, 7227.20 and count for a substantial share of total imports 7227.90.60, subchapter III of chapter 99 of and do not contribute importantly to the seri- the HTS is modified as provided in the ous injury, or threat of serious injury, found Annex to this proclamation. by the USITC, and that imports from Can- (2) Such imported steel wire rod that is ada, considered individually, do not con- the product of Mexico or of Canada shall be tribute importantly to such injury or threat. excluded from the tariff-rate quota estab- Accordingly, pursuant to section 312(b) of lished by this proclamation, and such imports the NAFTA Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. shall not be counted toward the tariff-rate 3372(b)), I have excluded steel wire rod the quota limits that trigger the over-quota rates product of Mexico or Canada from the action of duty. I am taking under section 203 of the Trade (3) I hereby suspend, pursuant to section Act. 503(c)(1) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 5. Such action shall take the form of a 2463(c)(1)), duty-free treatment for steel tariff-rate quota on imports of steel wire rod wire rod the product of beneficiary countries (other than excluded products), provided for under the Generalized System of Pref- in HTS subheadings 7213.91, 7213.99, erences (GSP) (Title V of the Trade Act, as 7227.20 and 7227.90.60, imposed for a pe- amended (19 U.S.C. 2461–2467)); pursuant riod of 3 years plus 1 day, with annual in- to section 213(e)(1) of the Caribbean Basin creases in the within-quota quantities and an- Economic Recovery Act, as amended nual reductions in the rate of duty applicable (CBERA) (19 U.S.C. 2703(e)(1)), duty-free to goods entered in excess of those quantities treatment for steel wire rod the product of in the second and third years, as provided beneficiary countries under that Act (19 for in the Annex to this proclamation. U.S.C. 2701–2707), pursuant to section 326 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

204(d)(1) of the Andean Trade Preference (7) Any provisions of previous proclama- Act, as amended (ATPA) (19 U.S.C. tions and Executive orders that are incon- 3203(d)(1)), duty-free treatment for steel sistent with the actions taken in this procla- wire rod the product of beneficiary countries mation are superseded to the extent of such under that Act (19 U.S.C. 3201–3206); and inconsistency. pursuant to section 403(a) of the Trade and (8) The modifications to the HTS made Tariff Act of 1984 (19 U.S.C. 2112 note), by this proclamation, including the Annex duty-free treatment for steel wire rod the hereto, shall be effective with respect to product of Israel under the United States- goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act for consumption, on or after March 1, 2000, of 1985 (the ‘‘IFTA Act’’) (19 U.S.C. 2112 and shall continue in effect as provided in note), to the extent necessary to apply the the Annex to this proclamation, unless such tariff-rate quota to those products, as speci- actions are earlier expressly modified or ter- fied in the Annex to this proclamation. minated. (4) During each of the first three quarters In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set of a quota year, any articles subject to the my hand this sixteenth day of February, in tariff-rate quota that are entered, or with- the year of our Lord two thousand, and of drawn from warehouse for consumption, in the Independence of the United States of excess of one-third of the annual within- America the two hundred and twenty-fourth. quota quantity for that quota year (as speci- William J. Clinton fied in the Annex to this proclamation) shall be subject to the over-quota rate of duty then [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, in effect. During the fourth quarter of a 11:42 a.m., February 17, 2000] quota year, any articles subject to the tariff- NOTE: This proclamation was published in the rate quota that are entered, or withdrawn Federal Register on February 18. from warehouse for consumption, in excess of the remaining quantity of the annual with- in-quota quantity for that quota year shall be Memorandum on Imports subject to the over-quota rate of duty then of Steel Wire Rod in effect. The remaining quantity shall be de- February 16, 2000 termined by subtracting the total quantity of goods entered at the in-quota rate during the Memorandum for the Secretary of the first three quarters of the quota year from Treasury, the United States Trade the annual within-quota quantity for that Representative quota year. Subject: Action Under Section 203 of the (5) Effective at the close of March 1, 2003, Trade Act of 1974 Concerning Steel Wire or at the close of the date which may earlier Rod be proclaimed by the President as the termi- On July 12, 1999, the United States Inter- nation of the import relief set forth in the national Trade Commission (USITC) sub- Annex to this proclamation, the suspension mitted a report to me of its investigation of duty-free treatment under the GSP, the under section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974, CBERA, the ATPA and the IFTA Act shall as amended (the ‘‘Trade Act’’), with respect terminate, unless otherwise provided in such to imports of steel wire rod. The USITC later proclamation, and qualifying goods the commissioners were equally divided in their product of beneficiary countries or of Israel determinations under section 202(b) of the entered under such programs shall again be Trade Act of whether steel wire rod is being eligible for duty-free treatment. imported into the United States in such in- (6) Effective at the close of March 1, 2004, creased quantities as to be a substantial cause or such other date that is one year from the of serious injury or threat of serious injury close of this relief, the U.S. note and tariff to the domestic steel wire rod industry. The provisions established in the Annex to this report also contained negative findings by the proclamation shall be deleted from the HTS. ITC pursuant to section 311(a) of the North Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 327

American Free Trade Agreement Implemen- to the over-quota duty as a result of the pre- tation Act (the ‘‘NAFTA Implementation ceding sentence shall not be counted against Act’’) with respect to imports of steel wire the in-quota quantity for that quota year. In rod from Canada and Mexico. this regard, I instruct the Secretary of the Having reviewed the determinations of Treasury to publish or otherwise make avail- both groups of commissioners, I have de- able on a weekly basis, import statistics that cided pursuant to section 330(d)(1) of the will enable importers to identify the rate at Tariff Act of 1930 to consider the determina- which the in-quota quantity for that quota tion of the group of commissioners voting in year, and the portion of the in-quota quantity the affirmative to be the determination of the allotted to that quarter, is being filled. I fur- USITC. ther instruct the Secretary of the Treasury After taking into account all relevant con- to seek to obtain by March 1, 2000 statistical siderations, including the factors specified in subdivisions in the Harmonized Tariff Sched- section 203(a)(2) of the Trade Act, I have ule for the excluded products (specified in implemented action of a type described in the Annex to the proclamation). The Sec- section 203(a)(3) of that Act. I have deter- retary of the Treasury will monitor imports mined that the most appropriate action is a of the excluded products by country of origin tariff-rate quota on imports of steel wire rod, and imports the product of Mexico and Can- other than enumerated steel wire rod prod- ada throughout the period of this action, and ucts (‘‘excluded products’’), with an increase report to the United States Trade Represent- in currently scheduled rates of duties for im- ative on relevant volumes each quarter dur- ports above the tariff-rate quota level. I have ing the period of this action, or more often proclaimed such action for a period of 3 years as needed, or as the United States Trade and 1 day in order to facilitate efforts by the Representative may request. domestic industry to make a positive adjust- I have further determined, pursuant to ment to import competition. section 312(a) of the NAFTA Implementa- Specifically, I have established a tariff-rate tion Act, that imports of steel wire rod pro- quota for steel wire rod in an amount equal duced in Canada and Mexico do not account to 1.58 million net tons in the first year for a substantial share of total steel wire rod (March 1, 2000 through February 28, 2001), imports or are not contributing importantly an amount that is equivalent to 1998 import to the serious injury or threat of serious in- levels of covered products from the countries jury. Therefore, pursuant to section 312(b) subject to the TRQ plus 2 percent (to ac- of the NAFTA Implementation Act, the safe- count for growth in demand). The tariff-rate guard measure will not apply to imports of quota amount will increase by 2 percent an- steel wire rod that is the product of Canada nually in the second and third years of relief. or Mexico. I have established increased rates of duty for I have determined that the actions de- imports above the tariff-rate quota level: scribed above will facilitate efforts by the do- namely 10 percent ad valorem in the first mestic industry to make a positive adjust- year of relief, 7.5 percent ad valorem in the ment to import competition and provide second year of relief, and 5 percent ad valo- greater economic and social benefits than rem in the third year of relief. In addition, costs. This action will provide the domestic I have provided that during each quarter of industry with necessary temporary relief the first three quarters of a quota year, any from increasing import competition, while articles subject to the tariff-rate quota en- also assuring our trading partners continued tered or withdrawn from warehouse for con- access to the United States market. sumption in excess of one-third of the total Pursuant to section 204 of the Trade Act, within-quota quantity for that quota year the USITC will monitor developments with shall be subject to the over-quota rate of duty respect to the domestic industry, including then in effect. During the fourth quarter of the progress and specific efforts made by a quota year, the tariff-rate quota shall apply workers and firms in the domestic industry as though the preceding sentence did not to make a positive adjustment to import com- have effect, except that any imports subject petition, and will provide to me and to the 328 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Congress a report on the results of its moni- ments; your CEO, my long-time friend Dr. toring no later than the date that is the mid- Henry Ponder; Dr. Earl Richardson, who point of the period during which the action welcomed me to Morgan State not too many I have taken under section 203 of that Act years ago, and then Vice President Gore yes- is in effect. I further instruct the United terday; to Dr. Iris Ish and all the members States Trade Representative to request the of my Board of Advisers on Historically Black USITC pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tar- Colleges and Universities; to my president, iff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. the Arkansas Baptist College president, Dr. 1332(g)) to examine the effects of this action William Keaton, my long-time friend. on both the domestic wire rod industry and I want to also have a special word of ac- the principal users of wire rod in the United knowledgement to your vice president, Dr. States, and to report on the results of its in- Wilma Roscoe. Her daughter, Jena, works in vestigation in conjunction with its report the White House; that’s really why I’m here under section 204(a)(2). tonight, to preserve peace in the family. The United States Trade Representative [Laughter] is authorized and directed to publish this I want to thank all the White House mem- memorandum in the Federal Register. bers who are here: the Director of our Office William J. Clinton of Public Liaison, Mary Beth Cahill; and Ben Johnson, who has done a wonderful job for us. I know he spoke here earlier today. I also Letter to Congressional Leaders would like to thank Catherine LeBlanc, who Transmitting Documentation on is Executive Director of our Initiative on His- Imports of Steel Wire Rod torically Black Colleges and Universities. February 16, 2000 And I congratulate all the alumni award win- ners here tonight. Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) When Dr. McClure was saying his kind I am pleased to provide to the Congress words, what I wanted to say was, I feel like documents called for by section 203(b) of the the luckiest person alive; that at this moment Trade Act of 1974, as amended, pertaining in history, I was fortunate enough to be given to the safeguard action that I proclaimed a chance to serve as President and to focus today on imports of steel wire rod. the attention of the Nation on the future, Sincerely, on some old-fashioned ideas: everybody William J. Clinton counts, everybody ought to have a chance, everybody’s got a role to play, we all do better NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis when we help each other. Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. The work I have done to build one Amer- ica for a new century was a joy every day. Even on the darkest days, the fact that I had Remarks to the National Association this job to do for you and for our children for Equal Opportunity in Higher and our children’s children made this a joy. Education Leadership Banquet And I think of all you have done to make February 16, 2000 the last 7 years possible. Think about what a different country America would be today Thank you very much. Dr. McClure, my had it not been for the institutions all of you mother is up in heaven smiling at that intro- represent. Think about what a different ad- duction. And she’s probably the only person ministration I would have had. We have who heard it who believes every word of it. Alexis Herman, the Secretary of Labor, grad- [Laughter] But I liked it, and I thank you. uate of Xavier. Togo West, the Secretary of [Laughter] Veterans Affairs; Bob Nash—the hardest job I thank you so much, all of you, for wel- in the White House—he handles my appoint- coming me. To your chair-elect, Joann Boyd- ments. I get the credit when they get it, he Scotland, who sat with me for a few mo- takes the blame when they don’t. [Laughter] Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 329

And Judith Winston, who ran our one Amer- create opportunity for every responsible ica initiative when I put my White House American. We now have 30 agencies in our committee together on race. All graduated Government all singing out of the same hym- from Howard. Dr. David Satcher from More- nal, working for you, to help you reach your house; Terry Edmonds, my chief speech- goals and your aspirations. The budget I just writer from Morgan State. submitted to Congress includes almost a 40 But if you think about this economy we percent increase in HBCU funding, includ- have, which is not only the longest expansion ing the new dual degree program Secretary in history but has given us the lowest African- Riley talked about yesterday. American unemployment rate ever recorded I want to ask you now to think beyond and the lowest poverty rate in 20 years and that. In the State of the Union, I said that the lowest female unemployment rate in 40 I thought America should be proud of what years—that would not have happened if it we had done together these last 7 years, but hadn’t been for the educational opportunities not satisfied. There’s a big difference. We provided by the people in this room and their should remember that we got to where we forebears, and you should be very, very proud of that. are as a country with the right vision and I was very glad to be invited to come by the right values and an awful lot of effort— here and to be able to redo our schedule an awful lot of effort. All of you know because so I could come, because I wanted to make of the work you do that the one constant of one simple point to you. Everybody knows the time in which we live is change; that how important your institutions were to 20th there is an inherent dynamism in this mo- century America. I want everybody to know ment, which rewards people who are edu- how important your institutions will be to cated, who work hard, who can think and 21st century America. create, and punishes the sluggards merci- A third of all the undergraduate and ad- lessly. vanced degrees awarded to African-Ameri- And I don’t want to see our country be- cans are awarded by your institutions. I want come a sluggard in 2000 just because we’re America to know that and to know what a feeling good about ourselves. I don’t want vital role you play in building your commu- to see Washington become a sluggard in 2000 nities, nurturing new businesses, and revital- just because there’s an election on the hori- izing neighborhoods, as Howard is doing zon that will occupy the headlines, because here in our hometown of Washington. I want what is rewarded is action. And so I ask you America to know about your enormous con- to help me convince our country and our tributions to research. I want every American Congress that this may be an election year, to know that last November Tennessee State but it’s still got to be an action year. astronomers made the world’s first direct de- We have an action agenda. You know, I tection of a planet orbiting another star. think we can really say—with the HOPE We’ve done what we could to play our role. scholarships, with the direct student loan The Vice President and I have worked hard program, with a million work-study positions, to be good partners to you. I told Earl, Al with the increases in the Pell grants—we’ve Gore was so happy that he got to go to Mor- gan State yesterday because, when I got to opened the doors of at least 2 years of college go to Morgan State to give a commencement now to every American who will work for address, to talk about, of all things, science it. But it’s time to open the doors of college and technology—not him, I got to talk about for 4 years to every American who will work that—he was so jealous. [Laughter] And I for it. just told him, I said, it won’t be long before That’s why we want to raise the Pell grant nobody pulls rank on you anymore, but I’m again. That’s why I want to make college tui- going there. And he got to go yesterday. tion tax deductible up to $10,000, and I want We want people to know what’s going on. to do it in a progressive way so that whether And we want you to be able to define a mis- the family is in the 15 percent income tax sion for the 21st century that will help to bracket or the 28 percent income tax bracket, 330 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 they get a 28 percent tax deduction for col- as low as our unemployment rate is now, lege tuition. This can make a huge difference there is no excuse for any child in America to help children stay in school. living in poverty. And we ought to say as a One of the things that bothers me most goal—we’re going to make sure that we in- is that since 1993 we have a 10 percent in- crease the earned-income tax credit for work- crease in the percentage of our high school ing families; we’re going to make sure that graduates going on to college. A couple years we increase child care support; we’re going ago, for the first time in history, the percent- to do whatever it takes to make sure that age of African-Americans graduating from every parent can succeed at home and work, high school on time was almost identical to and no child is raised in poverty. I want you the white majority. The percentage going on to help me convince the Congress and the to college has significantly increased. But the country that that is the right thing to do. dropout rate is still way too high. The one thing you can play a big role in You wait till this census comes in. And it is making sure we close the digital divide— will give you a profile of the American people it’s okay to clap for that, that’s good. I was and their incomes and their prospects. And so pleased to learn of your new agreement what it will show is just what the 1990 Census with Gateway to empower your students, showed, but more so: people with an edu- your faculty, your alumni with a million af- cation do well, people without an education fordable new computers; to put in place the work harder for less. We’ve got to get these E-commerce tools for improving distance kids into college; we’ve got to keep them in learning, on-line admissions, registration and college. And you have to help us—financially, financial aid. It’s a good company, doing what academically, in every way. I think we ought to do. I have proposed some new college comple- I visited Gateway’s offices in Belfast, tion grants to try to help schools experiment Northern Ireland. I met with all their young with new strategies to keep young people in employees who worked there. They had school within the TRIO program. I know that young people from seven, eight, nine dif- this is a big concern of yours. This is a big ferent countries working in one office there, issue to America. talking all over the world where they were I want you to help me convince the coun- selling these computers. And Ted Waitt and try and the Congress that we ought to bring the people at Gateway have decided that if economic opportunity to every area that they’re trying to bring that kind of oppor- hasn’t seen it. We ought to increase the num- tunity to the rest of the world, they ought ber of empowerment zones under the pro- to be closing the digital divide here at home. gram the Vice President has headed so ably. I applaud them, and I applaud you for work- We ought—in every poor neighborhood in ing with them. We have to do more with that. America—an inner city, a rural area, an In- There is so much we can do to help young dian reservation—we ought to give people people skip a generation of educational and the same tax incentives to invest there that economic development, in terms of time, if we give them to invest overseas, in Latin we close the digital divide. America or Africa or Asia. I’m for helping I ask you to help me persuade the Con- Americans to invest overseas, but we ought gress to give the biggest increase in civil to give them the same incentives to invest rights enforcement in history—we still have in poor areas here, where people are dying actual problems with bigotry and discrimina- to go to work or start businesses or have a tion out there—to enforce the equal pay better future. laws; and to pass hate crimes legislation; to I want you to help me convince the coun- do things that will give us the tools to create try and convince the Congress that there are one America. still a lot people out there in poverty; that Let me just say this briefly in closing. I they ought to have access to jobs and edu- know you all agree with my agenda. I know cation; and that even though we have 2 mil- you do. And I’m grateful for the support lion-plus fewer children in poverty, there are you’ve given us in everything we’ve worked still too many. And as rich as we are now, on through the years together. But the truth Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 16 331 is, you’re feeling pretty good here tonight, This month when we celebrated the long- too. Things are going pretty well at home, est economic expansion in history, I did a aren’t they? Yes, you know some people in little looking into, and thinking about, what trouble, but more people are doing better. was the longest economic expansion until this And so we’re all feeling pretty good. one. You know when it was? Nineteen sixty- The great test of our people in this age one to 1968. Now, I remember what that was is what we do with our good feeling. How like. I remember in the beginning how full many times—anybody that’s over 30 in this of hope we were when President Kennedy audience will identify with this—how many was elected. I remember when President times in your life have you made a mistake, Kennedy was assassinated, how heartbroken not because things were going badly but be- we were, but how we rallied as a country cause things were going well? The whole his- behind President Johnson. tory of the civil rights movement is about All these people that look back at the six- people who were saints under fire; people ties and say American cynicism started when burned crosses in their yards, throw rocks President Kennedy was assassinated are just or bullets through the front window. Stand wrong. That’s not true. This country was up and be counted. March down the street. heartbroken, but we stood up together, and We’re commemorating Selma this year. We we joined hands. And Lyndon Johnson pro- honor these people. But how many times vided great leadership, and he pulled us to- have you made a mistake and failed, and your gether. So in 1964, I’m graduating from high courage and your vision has failed you, not school into an America that was the nearest because you were under duress but because like this America: we had low unemploy- ment, low inflation, high growth. And every- things were going so well you thought there body thought as difficult as the civil rights were no consequences to taking your eye off problems were, they were going to be re- the prize. And I want you to have a good solved in a peaceable manner, with this wiz- time here tonight, but I want you to hear ard in the White House and the votes in Con- me about this. gress, to lawfully give African-Americans I thank you for acknowledging what I’ve what they were constitutionally entitled to. tried to do with you for America. But being And all the while we would win the cold war President should always be honor enough. If against communism, and we would create the nobody ever did another thing for me in my greatest society America had ever known. life, and I spent the rest of my life doing That’s what I believed the night I graduated for other people, I would never catch up, from high school. not ever. So what I want to say to you is, Two years later, we had riots in the streets, take a little time tonight while you’re having a half a million people in Vietnam, the coun- fun at dinner and clapping for the award re- try was beginning to be deeply divided. Two cipients and feeling pretty good about where years after that, I graduated from college in you are and where your institutions are, but this city—2 days after Robert Kennedy was think about what you are going to do with assassinated, 2 months and 4 days after this good fortune and what your country is. Martin Luther King was killed, 5 weeks after You know, you talked about me being a Lyndon Johnson said he couldn’t see his way little boy in Hope. I’m talking to you now clear to run for President again. The streets more as a citizen than as a President. I’m were burning in Washington, DC and the not running for anything, you know. [Laugh- country was broken and divided. And we de- ter] And most days, I’m okay about it. cided a Presidential election on the politics [Laughter] And I think about the young peo- of division, the so-called silent majority. You ple and how I’ve always said, don’t stop remember that? The silent majority was, thinking about tomorrow, keep your eyes on there are two kinds of folks in America, the the future, always have a vision. But I also silent majority and the loud minority, and know that to understand today and tomorrow you’re either us or them. [Laughter] We can you have to have some sense of what yester- laugh about it. But I want you to hear me day was like. now. I’m not running for anything. 332 Feb. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

I have waited 35 years and some months Memorandum on Assistance to the for my country to be in a position again to Economic Community of West build the future of our dreams for all our African States children. We dare not blow this. Every one February 16, 2000 of you who can remember how we felt in those early days of hope—you don’t know Presidential Determination No. 2000–13 whether in your lifetime you’ll get a third chance. America has a second chance to do Memorandum for the Secretary of State it together, to build one America, to give all Subject: Determination on Eligibility of the our kids a good education, to give health care Economic Community of West African to all our people, to lead the world to peace States (ECOWAS) to Be Furnished Defense and freedom, to figure out how to live to- Articles and Services Under the Foreign gether across all the lines that divide us. We Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control have a chance. Act Pursuant to the authority vested in me by And it’s so easy to forget that it requires section 503(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act effort, because things are going well. When of 1961, as amended, and section 3(a)(1) of you go home tonight, before you put your the Arms Export Control Act, I hereby find head on the pillow, just remember where you that the furnishing of defense articles and were, if you’re old as I am or just old enough services to the Economic Community of to remember where you were the last time West African States will strengthen the secu- America thought everything was going to be rity of the United States and promote world all right, more or less automatically—it would peace. be taken care of by then, and how quickly You are directed to report this determina- we lost it all. tion to the Congress and to publish it in the Federal Register. I have waited 35 years. You can take it William J. Clinton where we need to go, in the heart of every boy and girl who wasn’t alive back then; in the spirit as well as the mind. We can do NOTE: This message was released by the Office it, but we’ve got to work at it. of the Press Secretary on February 17.

Thank you, and God bless you. Remarks to the Opening of the National Summit on Africa NOTE: The President spoke at 7:52 p.m. in the International Ballroom at the Washington Hilton February 17, 2000 Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to Wesley C. Thank you very, very much. It’s a wonder- McClure, chair, Joann R.G. Boyd-Scotland, chair- ful thing to be introduced by an old friend. elect, Henry Ponder, president and chief execu- Old friends and people you have appointed tive officer, Earl S. Richardson, secretary, and to office will tell false, good stories about you Wilma Roscoe, vice president, National Associa- tion for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education; every time. [Laughter] Lucile Ish, Vice-Chair, President’s Board of Advi- Africa never had a better friend in America sors on Historically Black Colleges and Univer- than Andrew Young, and I thank him. I want sities; Jena Roscoe, Associate Director, White to say I’m honored to be in the presence House Office of Public Liaison; J. Terry today of so many distinguished Africans. Sec- Edmonds, Assistant to the President and Director retary Salim, thank you for your visionary re- of Speechwriting; and Ted Waitt, chairman and marks and your leadership. President Moi, chief executive officer, Gateway 2000, Inc. thank you for coming to the United States Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 17 333 and for giving me another chance to visit with in a stable and prosperous Africa—though 13 you and for the work we have done together. percent of our oil comes from Africa, and Vice President Abubakar, thank you for what there are 700 million producers and con- you are doing in Nigeria to give that great sumers in sub-Saharan Africa—though that country its true promise at long last. We is important. Africa’s future matters because thank you, sir. the 21st century world has been transformed, I welcome all our distinguished guests and our views and actions must be trans- from Africa: Mrs. Taylor, foreign ministers, formed accordingly. ambassadors. I thank all the Americans who For most of history, the central reality in are here, beginning with Andy’s wife, who international relations was that size and loca- puts up with this relentless travel of his tion matter most. If you were a big country around Africa. Mayor Williams, thank you for or on a trade or invasion route, you mattered. welcoming us to Washington. There are If not, you are marginalized. The average three Members of our Congress here today American child growing up in the past saw representing what I hope will be a stronger African nations as colorful flags and exotic and stronger bipartisan commitment to the names on a map, perhaps read books about future of Africa, Congressman Royce and the wonderful animals and great adventures. Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congress- When colonialism ended, the colors on the woman Sheila Jackson Lee, I thank you for flags were changed and there were more being here. names on the map. But the countries did not I want to thank Leonard Robinson and seem nearer to most Americans. Herschelle Challenor and all the people re- That has all changed now, for the central sponsible for this remarkable conference. reality of our time is globalization. It is tear- Thank you, Noah Samara, and thank you, ing down barriers between nations and peo- Bishop Ricard, for being here. And I want ple. Knowledge, contact, and trade across to say a special word of appreciation to all borders within and between every continent the people in our administration who have are exploding. And all this globalization is worked so hard to give us an Africa policy also, as the barriers come down, making us that we can be proud of, that I hope will more vulnerable to one another’s problems: light up the path for America’s future. to the shock of economic turmoil, to the I know that Secretary Slater has already spread of conflict, to pollution, and, as we spoken here. Our AID Director, Brady have painfully seen, to disease, to terrorists, Anderson, will speak. Our Vice President will to drug traffickers, to criminals who can also be here. You said, Secretary Salim, you hope take advantage of new technologies and future administrations will follow our lead in globalization, the openness of societies and Africa. I know one that would. [Laughter] borders. I want to thank Susan Rice at the State Globalization means we know more about Department, Sandy Berger, Gayle Smith, all one another than ever before. You may see the people in our White House, all the ones the Discovery Channel in Africa. I was think- who have helped us here. ing of that when that little film was on. The Secretary Salim said Africa lacks a strong Discovery Channel followed me to Africa and constituency in the United States. Well, I talked about how they were building commu- open this National Summit on Africa with nications networks in African schools to share a simple message: Africa does matter to the knowledge and information. We can find out United States. within seconds now what the weather is in Of whatever background Americans Nairobi, how a referendum turned out in claim—Leonard Robinson told me when I Zimbabwe, how Cameroon’s indomitable came here, we even have 17 delegates from Lions performed in the latest soccer match. Utah here. There they are, you see? [Laugh- [Laughter] We can go on-line and read the ter] Africa matters, not simply because 30 Addis Tribune, the Mirror of Ghana, the East million Americans trace their heritage to African, or dozens of other African news- Africa—though that is profoundly important; papers. We sit in front of a television and not simply because we have a strong interest watch people in a South African township 334 Feb. 17 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 line up to vote. We also, now, bear witness that are profound, but in the last 2 years we to the slaughter of innocents in Rwanda or have seen thousands of triumphs large and the ravages of AIDS in scores of lands or small. Often they don’t make the headlines the painful coincidence of remarkable because the slow, steady progress of democ- growth and abject poverty in nation after na- racy and prosperity is not the stuff of head- tion. lines. In other words, it is no longer an option But for example, I wish every American for us to choose not to know about the tri- knew that last year the world’s fastest grow- umphs and the trials of the people with ing economy was Mozambique; Botswana whom we share this small planet. Not just was second; Angola fourth. I wish every America and Africa, I would imagine millions American knew that and understood that that of Africans identified with the Muslims of potential is in every African nation. It would Kosovo when they were run out of their make a difference. We must know these country, all of them at one time. We know things about one another. about each other. We can no longer choose People know all about Africa’s conflicts, not to know. We can only choose not to act, but how many know that thousands of Afri- or to act. can soldiers are trying to end those conflicts In this world, we can be indifferent or we as peacekeepers and that Nigeria alone, can make a difference. America must choose, amidst all its difficulties, has spent $10 billion when it comes to Africa, to make a dif- in these peacekeeping efforts? ference. Because we want to live in a world For years, Africa’s wealthiest country, which is not dominated by a division of peo- South Africa, and its most populous, Nigeria, ple who live on the cutting edge of a new cast long, forbidding shadows across the con- economy and others who live on the bare tinent. Last year South Africa’s remarkable edge of survival, we must be involved in Afri- turnaround continued as its people trans- ca. Because we want to broaden global ferred power from one elected President to growth and expand markets for our own peo- another. Nigeria inaugurated a democrat- ple, we must be involved in Africa. Because ically elected President for the first time in we want to build a world in which our secu- decades. It is working to ensure that its rity is not threatened by the spread of armed wealth strengths its people, not their oppres- conflict, in which bitter ethnic and religious sors. These are good news stories. They may differences are resolved by the force of argu- not be in the headlines, but they should be ment, not the force of arms, we must be in- in our hearts and our minds as we think of volved in Africa. Because we want to build the future. a world where terrorists and criminals have No one here, no one in our Government, no place to hide and where those who wish is under any illusions. There is still a lot of harm to ordinary people cannot acquire the work to be done. Hardly anyone disagrees means to do them harm, we must be involved about what is needed: genuine democracy, in Africa. Because we want to build a world good government, open markets, sustained in which we can harness our natural re- investment in education and health and the sources for economic growth without de- environment and, more than anything, wide- stroying the environment, so that future gen- spread peace. All depend, fundamentally and erations will also have the chance to do the first, on African leadership. These things can- same, we must be involved in Africa. not be imported, and they certainly cannot That is why I set out in 1993, at the begin- be imposed from outside. ning of my Presidency, to build new ties be- But we must also face a clear reality, even tween the United States and Africa, why we countries making the right policy choices still had the first White House conference, the have to struggle to deliver for their people. ministerial, and that wonderful trip in the Each African government has to walk down spring of 1998 that I will remember for the its own road to reform and renewal. But it rest of my life. I went to Africa as a friend, is a hard road. And those of us who are in to create a partnership. And we have made a position to do so must do our part to significant progress. There are challenges smooth that road, to remove some of the Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 17 335 larger barriers so that Africa can fully share send me a bill for signature by next month. in the benefits and the responsibilities of [Applause] And I ask every one of you here globalization. who just clapped—and those who didn’t, but I tell the American people all the time, sympathize with the clapped—[laughter]—to and they’re probably tired of hearing it now, contact anyone you know in the United that I have a very simple political philosophy: States Congress and ask them to do this. This everybody counts; everybody has a role to is a job that needs to be done. play; everybody deserves a chance; and we We must also realize the trade alone can- all do better when we help each other. That not conquer poverty or build a partnership is a rule we ought to follow with Africa. we need. For that reason, a second step we There are five steps in particular I believe must take is to continue the work now under- we must take. First, we must build an open way to provide debt relief to African nations world trading system which will benefit Afri- committed to sound policies. Struggling ca alongside every other region in the world. democratic governments should not have to Open markets are indispensable to raising choose between feeding and educating their living standards. From the 1970’s to the children and paying interest on a debt. Last 1990’s, developing countries that chose trade March I suggested a way we could expand grew at least twice as fast as those that chose debt relief for the world’s poorest and most not to open to the world. indebted countries, most of which are Afri- Now, there are some who doubt that the can, and ensure the resources would be used poorest countries will benefit if we continue to improve economic opportunity for ordi- to open markets, but they should ask them- nary African citizens. Our G–7 partners em- selves: What will happen to workers in South braced that plan. Africa and Kenya without the jobs that come Still, I felt we should do more. So in Sep- from selling the fruit of their labors abroad? tember I announced that we would com- What will happen to farmers in Zimbabwe pletely write off all the debts owed to us by and Ghana if protectionist farm subsidies the countries that qualified for the G–7 pro- make it impossible for them to sell beyond gram, as many as 27 African nations in all. their borders? The first countries, including Uganda and Trade must not be a race to the bottom, Mauritania, have begun to receive the bene- whether we’re talking about child labor, fits; Mozambique, Benin, Senegal, and Tan- harsh working conditions, or environmental zania are expected to receive benefits soon. degradation. But neither can we use fear to Mozambique’s debt is expected to go down keep the poorest part of the global commu- by more than $3 billion. The money saved nity stuck at the bottom forever. Africa has will be twice the health budget—twice the already taken important steps, forming re- health budget—in a country where children gional trade blocks like ECOWAS, the East are more likely to die before the age of 5 Africa Community, and SADC. But we can than they are to go on to secondary school. do more. That is why our Overseas Private Last year I asked Congress for $970 mil- Investment Corporation in Africa is working lion for debt relief. Many of you helped to to support 3 times as many business projects persuade our Congress to appropriate a big in 1999 than it did in 1998, to create jobs share of that. Keep in mind, this is a program for Africans and, yes, for Americans as well. religious leaders say is a moral imperative, That is why we are working with African na- and leading economists say is a practical im- tions to develop the institutions to sustain fu- perative. It’s not so often that you get the ture growth, from efficient telecommuni- religious leaders and the economists telling cations to the financial sector. us that good business is good morals. It’s And that is why, as soon as possible, we probably always true, but they don’t say it must enact in our Congress the bipartisan all that often. [Laughter] We must finish the ‘‘African Growth and Opportunity Act.’’ This job this year; we must continue this work to bill has passed in one version in our House provide aggressive debt relief to the coun- and another version in our Senate. I urge tries that are doing the right thing, that will the Congress to resolve the differences and take the money and reinvest it in their people 336 Feb. 17 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 and their future. I ask you, especially the the people that escape it will live longer lives Americans in this audience, if you believe in as African economies grow and strengthen. what brought you here, help us to continue The worst burden in life any adult can bear this important effort. is to see a child die before you. The worst A third step we must take is to give better problem in Africa now is that so many of and deeper support to African education. Lit- these children with AIDS have also already eracy is crucial to economic growth, to lost their parents. We must do something health, to democracy, to securing the bene- about this. In Africa there are companies that fits of globalization. Sub-Saharan Africa has are hiring two employees for every job on the developing world’s lowest school enroll- the assumption that one of them will die. ment rate. In Zambia, over half the school- This is a humanitarian issue, a political issue, children lack a simple notebook. In rural and an economic issue. parts of Tanzania, there is one textbook for Last month Vice President Gore opened every 20 children. That’s why I proposed in the first-ever United Nations Security Coun- our budget to increase by more than 50 per- cil session on health issues, on a health issue, cent the assistance we provide to developing by addressing the AIDS crisis in Africa. I’ve countries to improve basic education, tar- asked Congress for another $100 million to geting areas where child labor is prevalent. fight the epidemic, bringing our total to $325 I ask other nations to join us in this. million. I’ve asked my administration to de- velop a plan for new initiatives to address I’ll never forget the schools I visited on prevention, the financial dimensions of fight- my trip to Africa, the bright lights in the eyes ing AIDS, the needs of those affected, so that of the children, how intelligent they were, we can make it clear to our African partners how eager they were. It is wrong for them that we consider AIDS not just their burden to have to look at maps of nations that no but ours, as well. But even that will not be longer exist, without maps of nations in their enough. own continent that do exist. It is wrong for Recently, Uganda’s Health Minister point- them to be deprived of the same opportuni- ed out that to provide access to currently ties to learn that our young people have here. available treatments to every Ugandan af- If intelligence is equally distributed through- flicted with AIDS would cost $24 billion. The out the human race—and I believe it is— annual budget of Uganda is $2 billion. The then every child in the human race ought solution to this crisis and to other killer dis- to have a chance to develop his or her intel- eases like malaria and TB has to include ef- ligence in every country in the world. fective and expensive vaccines. A fourth step we must take is to fight the Now, there are four major companies in terrible diseases that have afflicted so many the world that develop vaccines, two in the millions of Africans, especially AIDS and also United States and two in Europe. They have TB and malaria. Last year 10 times as many little incentive to make costly investments in people died of AIDS in Africa as were killed developing vaccines for people who cannot in all the continent’s wars combined. It will afford to pay for them. So in my State of soon double child mortality and reduce life the Union Address, I proposed a generous expectancy by 20 years. tax credit that would enable us to say to pri- You all laughed when Andy Young said vate industry, ‘‘If you develop vaccines for that I was going to get out of the Presidency AIDS, malaria, and TB, we will help to pay as a young man. Depending on the day, I for them. So go on and develop them, and sometimes feel young, or I feel that I’m the we’ll save millions of lives.’’ oldest man my age in America. [Laughter] But I have to tell you, my speech—and The life expectancy in this country has gone I don’t want anybody else but me to be re- from 47 to 77 in the 20th century. An Amer- sponsible; my speechwriters were so sen- ican who lives to be 65 has a life expectancy sitive, they didn’t put this in the speech. But in excess of 82 years. AIDS is going to reduce I want to say this: AIDS was a bigger problem the life expectancy in Africa by 20 years. And in the United States a few years ago than even that understates the problem, because it is today. AIDS rates are not going up in Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Feb. 17 337

African countries, all African countries. as a threat rather than a strength and denies They’re actually going down in a couple of basic relief to citizens it claims to represent. African countries. Most of the world’s conflicts pale in com- Now, I know that this is a difficult and plexity before the situation in the Congo. At sensitive issue. I know there are cultural and least seven nations and countless armed religious factors that make it very difficult groups are pitted there against each other to tackle this issue from a preventive point in a desperate struggle that seems to bring of view. We don’t have an AIDS vaccine yet. no one victory, and everyone misery, espe- We have drugs that will help to prevent the cially the innocent people of the Congo. They transmission from pregnant mothers to their deserve a better chance. Secretary Albright children, which I want to be able to give out. has called the Congo struggle Africa’s first We have other drugs that have given people world war. As we search for an end to the with AIDS in our country normal lives, in conflict, let us remember the central lesson terms of their health and the length of their of the First World War: the need for a good lives. I want those to be available. But the peace. If you mess up the peace, you get real answer is to stop people from getting another World War. the HIV virus in the first place. A year ago, I said if the nations of the re- I got to see firsthand some of the things gion reached an agreement that the inter- that were being done in Uganda that were national community could support, I would support a peacekeeping operation in the instrumental in driving down the AIDS rate. Congo. The region has now done so. The Now, I don’t care how hard or delicate or Lusaka cease-fire agreement takes into ac- difficult this is; this is your children’s lives count the sovereignty and territorial integrity we’re talking about. You know, we who are of Congo, the withdrawal of foreign forces, adults, when our children’s lives are at stake, the security of Congo’s neighbors, the need have to get over whatever our hang-ups or for dialog within the nation, and most impor- problems are and go out there and do what tant, the need for the countries within central is necessary to save the lives of our children. Africa to cooperate in managing the region’s And I’ll help you do that, too. That’s not security. It is more than a cease-fire; it is free; that costs money. Systems have to be a blueprint for building peace. Best of all, set up. But we shouldn’t pretend that we can it is a genuinely African solution to an African give injections and work our way out of this. problem. We have to change behavior, attitudes. And There is still fighting in Congo. Peace will it has to be done in an organized, disciplined, not happen overnight. It will require a steady systematic way. And you can do more in less commitment from the parties and the unwav- time for less money in a preventive way, to ering support of the international commu- give the children of Africa their lives back nity. I have told our Congress that America and the nations of Africa their futures back, intends to do its part by supporting the next with an aggressive prevention campaign than phase of the U.N.’s peacekeeping operation anything else. And there is no excuse for not in the Congo, which will send observers to doing it. It has to be done. oversee the implementation of the agree- Finally, let me say there is one more huge ment. obstacle to progress in Africa, that we are We need to think hard about what is at committed to doing our part to overcome. stake here. African countries have taken the We must build on the leadership of Africans lead, not just the countries directly affected, to end the bloody conflicts killing people and either. They are not asking us to solve their killing progress. You know the toll: tens of problems or to deploy our military. All they thousands of young lives lost in the war be- have asked is that we support their own ef- tween Ethiopia and Eritrea; thousands killed forts to build peace and to make it last. We and disfigured at unbelievably young ages in in the United States should be willing to do the civil war that nearly destroyed Sierra this. It is principled and practical. Leone; 2 million killed by famine and war I know—I see the Members of Congress in Sudan, where Government sees diversity here. I say again—I see Congressman Payne, 338 Feb. 17 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Con- struck by what bound people together in gresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressman these places. Royce—we need to stand by the people of In George Washington’s first draft of his Africa who have decided how to solve this Farewell Address, he wrote, ‘‘We may all be most complex and troubling problem. We considered as the children of one common have learned the hard way in the United country.’’ The more I think about States, over decades and decades, that the globalization and the interdependence it costliest peace is far cheaper than the cheap- promises and demands, the more I share that est war. And we need to remember that as sentiment. Now we must think of ourselves we approach our common responsibilities in as children of one common world. If we wish central Africa. to deepen peace and prosperity and democ- Finally, let me say that I intend to continue racy for ourselves, we must wish it also for to work hard on these things for every day the people of Africa. Africa is the cradle of that I am President. For me, the remarkable humanity, but also a big part of humanity’s decade of the 1990’s began with the libera- future. tion symbolized by Nelson Mandela’s first I leave you with this thought: When I think steps from Robben Island. In a few days, I of the troubles of Africa, rooted in tribal dif- will have the opportunity to join by satellite ferences; when I think of the continuing the conference in Tanzania that President troubles in America, across racial lines, root- Mandela is organizing to build peace in ed in the shameful way we brought slaves Burundi. here from West Africa so long ago, and our continuing challenges as we integrate wave A lot of people look at Africa and think, after wave after wave of new immigrants oh, these problems are just too complicated. from new places around the world; I am I look at Africa, and I see the promise of struck by the fact that life’s greatest joy is Africa and think, if the problems are com- our common humanity, and life’s greatest plicated now, think how much worse they’ll curse is our inability to see our common hu- be if we continue to ignore them. manity. Other people grow frustrated by bad news In Africa, life is full of joy and difficulty. and wish only to hear good news. But empty But for too long, the African people have optimism does Africa no more service than lacked for friends and allies to help the joys groundless cynicism. What we need is not overcome the difficulties. The United States empty optimism or groundless cynicism but will be a friend for life. realistic hope. We need to see the promise, Thank you. the beauty, the dreams of Africa. We need to see the problems clear and plain and stop NOTE: The President spoke at 10:50 a.m. at the ignoring the evident responses. We in the Washington Convention Center. In his remarks, United States need to understand that our he referred to master of ceremonies and summit obligations to be good partners with Africa national cochair Andrew Young and his wife, are not because we are certain that every- Carolyn; Salim A. Salim, secretary general, Orga- nization for African Unity; President Daniel T. thing will turn out all right but because it Moi of Kenya; President Olusegun Obasanjo and is important. Because we’re human beings, Vice President Atiku Abubakar of Nigeria; Mayor we can never expect everything to turn out Anthony A. Williams of Washington, DC; Noah all right. Samara, chairman and chief executive officer, Africa is so incredibly diverse. Its people WorldSpace Corp.; Gayle Smith, Director of Afri- speak nearly 3,000 languages. It is not a sin- can Affairs, National Security Council; Minister gle, monolithic place with single, monolithic of Health Crispus W.C.B. Kiyonga of Uganda; truths. A place of many places, each defined former President Nelson Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa; and the following by its own history and aspirations, its own National Summit on Africa officers: national co- successes and failures. I was struck on my chair Bishop John Ricard, board of directors trip to Africa by the differences between members Andrea L. Taylor and Herschelle S. Ghana and Uganda, Botswana, and Senegal, Challenor, and president and chief executive offi- between Capetown and Soweto. I was also cer Leonard H. Robinson, Jr. The President also Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 339 referred to ECOWAS, the Economic Community of exceptional courage and vision in both war of West African States, and SADC, the South Afri- and peace, he helped shape the 13 colonies can Development Community. into a nation dedicated to the values of liberty and justice for all. Statement on a Third Consecutive More than 70 years later, Abraham Lin- Budget Surplus coln sought to reunite Americans behind these same fundamental values. Through the February 18, 2000 extraordinary hardship and sacrifice of the Today we received further evidence that Civil War, he remained devoted to the causes our economic strategy of fiscal discipline is of freedom and equality and to preserving working. When I came into office, the debt our Union. In the waning days of that cruel had quadrupled over the previous 12 years. conflict, he showed remarkable compassion The deficit had reached a record $290 billion and determination in his efforts to bind our and was projected to keep rising as far as nation’s wounds and restore dignity to all our the eye could see. As a result, interest rates people. were high and growth was slow. We have It was within view of our national monu- turned this around with strong deficit reduc- ments to these two great leaders that thou- tion packages in 1993 and 1997 and tough sands of our fellow Americans recently joined choices in each and every budget. As a result, Hillary and me to welcome the first moments we have enjoyed back-to-back budget sur- of the 21st century. The era of unrivaled pluses for the first time in over 40 years. prosperity and peace in which we now live The latest financial numbers from the De- affords us a singular opportunity to reaffirm partment of the Treasury indicate that we the values that guided Washington and Lin- are on track this year to reach a third con- coln and that have shaped our national char- secutive budget surplus. The surplus in the acter and destiny for more than 200 years. first 4 months of this fiscal year was $25 bil- By strengthening our democracy, embracing lion larger than the surplus last year. These equal justice and opportunity, and cele- surpluses will allow us to repay a projected brating our diversity, we can continue to $157 billion in debt this year alone, bringing build the America that they envisioned and the debt reduction over 3 years to nearly strived so hard to achieve. $300 billion. If we maintain our strategy of Best wishes to all for a wonderful celebra- fiscal discipline, we can keep our economy tion. strong and pay down the debt by 2013 for Bill Clinton the first time since Andrew Jackson was President.

Message on the Observance of Digest of Other Presidents’ Day, 2000 White House Announcements February 18, 2000 I am pleased to join all Americans in ob- The following list includes the President’s public serving Presidents’ Day. schedule and other items of general interest an- Today we salute the leadership and nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and not included elsewhere in this issue. achievements of all those who have held America’s highest elected office, and we cele- brate with special pride the rich legacies of February 15 Presidents Washington and Lincoln. In the morning, the President met with As our first President, George Washington President Heydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan in the gave strength and legitimacy to our young Oval Office. democracy while ensuring that the newly The President announced his intention to formed federal government remained ac- appoint Rear Adm. Keith W. Lippert as a countable to the American people. A leader member of the Committee for the Purchase 340 Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

From People Who Are Blind or Severely Dis- Nominations abled. Submitted to the Senate The President announced his intention to appoint Rabbi Irving Greenberg as chair of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. NOTE: No nominations were submitted to the The President announced his intention to Senate during the period covered by this issue. appoint James V. Kimsey to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The President announced his intention to Checklist appoint Salvador Diaz-Verson as a member of White House Press Releases of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation. The following list contains releases of the Office The President declared a major disaster in of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supple- items nor covered by entries in the Digest of ment State and local recovery efforts in the Other White House Announcements. area struck by a severe winter storm on Janu- ary 27–30. Released February 14 The President declared a major disaster in Georgia and ordered Federal aid to supple- Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- ment State and local recovery efforts in the retary Joe Lockhart area struck by severe storms and tornadoes Released February 15 on February 14. Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- retary Joe Lockhart February 16 The President announced his intention to Transcript of a press briefing by Chief of Staff John Podesta, Secretary of Commerce appoint Alice A. Kelikian as a member of the Bill Daley, President of Information Tech- Commission for the Preservation of Amer- nology Association of America Harris Miller, ica’s Heritage Abroad. President of eBay Technologies Maynard The White House announced that the Webb, and Chief Information Officer of President directed Health and Human Serv- Microsoft Howard Schmidt on the Presi- ices Secretary Donna E. Shalala to release dent’s meeting on cyber security. an additional $120 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance emergency funds Fact sheet: Cyber Security Budget Initiatives for States, territories, and tribes due to con- Fact sheet: Strengthening Cyber Security tinuing increases in home heating fuel prices. through Public-Private Partnership Released February 16 February 17 The President declared a major disaster in Statement by the Press Secretary: Federal Alaska and ordered Federal aid to supple- Panel Continuation to Declassify Selected ment State and local recovery efforts in the Historically Valuable Documents area struck by severe winter storms and ava- Statement by the Press Secretary announcing lanches beginning on December 21, 1999, action on Low Income Home Energy Assist- and continuing. ance Program Released February 17 February 18 The President declared a major disaster in Transcript of a press briefing by Deputy Alabama and ordered Federal aid to supple- Press Secretary Jake Siewert and NSC ment State and local recovery efforts in the Spokesman David Leavy area struck by a severe winter storm on Janu- Fact sheet: Solidifying our Partnership with ary 22–29. Africa Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 341

Acts Approved by the President

Approved February 11 Approved February 18

S. 1733 / Public Law 106–171 H.R. 2130 / Public Law 106–172 Electronic Benefit Transfer Interoperability Hillory J. Farias and Samantha Reid Date- and Portability Act of 2000 Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000