Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Monday, December 21, 1998 Volume 34ÐNumber 51 Pages 2471±2507 1 VerDate 21-DEC-98 09:37 Dec 23, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 W:\DISC\P51DE4.000 TXED02 PsN: TXED02 Contents Addresses to the Nation Joint Statements Iraq, announcing military strikesÐ2494 Joint United States-European Union Statement on Chapter IV New Transatlantic Addresses and Remarks Agenda DialoguesÐ2505 United States-European Union Declaration on See also Meetings With Foreign Leaders the Middle East Peace ProcessÐ2504 Gaza United States-European Union Joint Luncheon hosted by Chairman Arafat in Statement on Cooperation in the Western Gaza CityÐ2486 BalkansÐ2502 Palestinian National Council and other United States-European Union Statement on Palestinian organizations in Gaza CityÐ Cooperation in the Global EconomyÐ2503 2487 Meetings With Foreign Leaders Iraq, military strikesÐ2497 European Union leadersÐ2502, 2503, 2504, Israel 2505 Arrival ceremony in Tel AvivÐ2472 Israel Dinner hosted by Prime Minister President WeizmanÐ2472, 2478 Netanyahu in JerusalemÐ2483 Prime Minister NetanyahuÐ2472, 2473, Menorah lighting in JerusalemÐ2478 2479, 2483 People of Israel in JerusalemÐ2479 Palestinian Authority, Chairman ArafatÐ2485, Radio addressÐ2471 2486, 2487 Special Olympics dinnerÐ2500, 2501 Proclamations Trilateral discussions at Erez CrossingÐ2492 Wright Brothers DayÐ2499 Executive Orders Statements by the President Crime ratesÐ2479 Half-Day Closing of Executive Departments Deaths and Agencies of the Federal Government A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr.Ð2494 on Thursday, December 24, 1998Ð2500 Lawton ChilesÐ2472 Morris UdallÐ2479 Interviews With the News Media Puerto Rico, status referendumÐ2492 Exchanges with reporters Supplementary Materials Erez Crossing, IsraelÐ2492 Acts approved by the PresidentÐ2507 Gaza City, GazaÐ2485 Checklist of White House press releasesÐ Oval OfficeÐ2497 2506 News Conference With Prime Minister Digest of other White House Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Israel, December announcementsÐ2505 13 (No. 167)Ð2473 Nominations submitted to the SenateÐ2506 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. 2 VerDate 21-DEC-98 09:37 Dec 23, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 W:\DISC\P51DE4.000 TXED02 PsN: TXED02 Week Ending Friday, December 18, 1998 The President's Radio Address Africa, Russia, and all over the world. I December 12, 1998 signed legislation to speed farm program pay- ments to farmers, who need the money now Good morning. This month, as Americans to start planting for next spring. And I called begin to prepare for winter, our Nation's on the Congress to take action to help farm- farmers begin to prepare for the spring plant- ers survive this year's one-two punch from ing ahead. But this year has been very hard Mother Nature and the marketplace. on farmersÐfor some, the hardest in nearly I am pleased to say that this October, as two decadesÐand many are strained to the part of our balanced budget, I signed legisla- breaking point. Today I want to talk about tion that included a $6 billion plan for farm- what we're doing to help America's farmers ers in need. This November we started put- weather these hard times and to build a ting the plan into action, with nearly $3 bil- stronger safety net to protect them for years lion in income assistance to farmers who have to come. seen their profits wither as crop prices fell. We're living in a remarkable time of pros- Today I am pleased to announce the next perity and even greater promise for our fu- major step to ease the crisis on our farms, ture. Our economy is the strongest in a gen- nearly $21¤2 billion in emergency aid for eration, with more than 17 million new jobs, farmers who have lost crops and livestock. family incomes rising, the lowest unemploy- But with too many farm families still in ment in nearly 30 years, the lowest inflation danger of losing their land, and with crop in more than 30 years, the smallest percent- prices still far too low, we know we must do age of people on welfare in 29 years, and more to strengthen the safety net for our Na- the highest homeownership in history. tion's farmers. Government has an important America's farmers have helped to build role to play in meeting this challenge, but this new prosperity, but far too many of our it's not something Government can do alone. farming communities are not reaping its ben- Ultimately, America's farmers will keep efits. Flood and drought and crop disease have wiped out entire harvests in some parts America's farms growing strong. of the country. Plummeting prices here at We know that no one can fully predict the home and collapsing markets in Asia have changing weather or changing prices, but threatened the livelihood of some farming every farmer knows that crop insurance is communities. one of the best ways to protect against the Wherever we live and whatever work we worst risks of farming. In good times, crop do, every American has a stake in the insurance gives farming families the security strength of rural America. America's farmers they need to thrive and grow. And in hard are the backbone of our economy and the times, crop insurance can mean the dif- lifeblood of our land. Our farming families ference between a spring planting and a stand for the values that have kept our Nation spring sale of the family farm. But far too strong for over 220 years: hard work, faith many farmers don't have crop insurance at and family, perseverance, and patience. We all or only buy the bare minimum, not can't afford to let them fail. enough to withstand a really devastating year. Last summer we took action to ease the We need to do more to enable family farm- immediate crisis on our farms. We began ers to fully protect themselves in hard times. buying millions of tons of wheat and other That's why I am pleased to announce the food to ease the burden of dropping prices funds we're releasing include $400 million here at home and to feed hungry people in in new incentives for farmers to buy crop 2471 VerDate 21-DEC-98 09:38 Dec 23, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P51DE4.014 TXED02 PsN: TXED02 2472 Dec. 12 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 insurance. We'll give farmers a one-time pre- Remarks at the Arrival Ceremony in mium discount of up to 35 percent when they Tel Aviv, Israel expand their crop insurance, and that will give our farming families greater security and December 13, 1998 more peace of mind. President and Mrs. Weizman, Prime Min- Together, these steps will help thousands ister and Mrs. Netanyahu, first of all, on be- of farmers around our country to recover half of my family and our entire delegation, from this difficult time and plant a seed of I would like to thank you for coming out here hope for the future, not only for stronger at this very late hour to welcome us. Hillary farms but for a stronger America in the 21st and Chelsea and I and all the Americans have century. been looking forward to this trip. I am de- Thanks for listening. lighted to be back in Israel. As President Weizman said, this is the NOTE: The address was recorded at 7:30 p.m. on fourth time I have come here as President December 11 in the Roosevelt Room at the White to reaffirm America's unbreakable ties to House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on December Israel, to reaffirm our unshakable commit- 12. The transcript was made available by the Of- ment to Israel's security, and this time to ful- fice of the Press Secretary on December 11 but fill the pledge I made at the Wye talks to was embargoed for release until the broadcast. speak with the people of Israel and the Pal- estinians about the benefits of peace and to stand by you as you take risks for a just, last- Statement on the Death of Lawton ing, and secure peace. The United States will Chiles walk this road with Israel every step of the way. December 12, 1998 Peacemaking has opened historic opportu- Hillary and I were deeply saddened to nities to Israel, but each step forward has been tempered with pain and understand- learn of the death of Governor Lawton able feelings of ambivalence when questions Chiles. Lawton Chiles was a close friend of arise as to whether agreements are being im- mine for many years.