-
https://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/files/original/34a1962f51bb3e3339aa603df821280c.pdf
5a1a36c538694e1fb1b1cd8975b0b892
PDF Text
Text
THE WHITE HOUSE
O f f i c e o f t h e Press S e c r e t a r y
For Inunediate Release
February 15, 1994
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n has sent a l e t t e r t o d e t a i n e d Burmese
o p p o s i t i o n l e a d e r and Nobel Peace P r i z e l a u r e a t e Aung San Suu K y i
t o o f f e r h i s support f o r her e f f o r t s on b e h a l f o f democracy and
human r i g h t s i n Burma. Congressman B i l l Richardson o f New
Mexico, Deputy M a j o r i t y Whip, was i n v i t e d by Burmese a u t h o r i t i e s
t o meet w i t h Aung San Suu K y i on February 14 and has d e l i v e r e d
t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s l e t t e r t o her. He met w i t h her again today.
Congressman Richardson i s t h e f i r s t person o u t s i d e o f Aung San
Suu Kyi's immediate f a m i l y t o meet w i t h her s i n c e she was p l a c e d
under house a r r e s t i n J u l y 1989.
The U n i t e d S t a t e s urges Burma's m i l i t a r y l e a d e r s t o b u i l d on
t h i s s m a l l s t e p by b e g i n n i n g a d i a l o g u e w i t h Aung San Suu K y i and
moving toward genuine d e m o c r a t i c r e f o r m . The Burmese people made
c l e a r t h e i r d e s i r e f o r an end t o more than t h r e e decades o f
m i l i t a r y r u l e and t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f democratic government i n
t h e 1990 e l e c t i o n s b u t t h e government c o n t i n u e s t o t h w a r t
implementation o f the r e s u l t s .
The P r e s i d e n t regards t h e
c o n t i n u e d d e t e n t i o n o f Aung San Suu K y i and a l l o t h e r p r i s o n e r s
of conscience i n Burma as unacceptable and renews h i s c a l l f o r
t h e i r immediate and u n c o n d i t i o n a l r e l e a s e .
The t e x t o f t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s
attached.
l e t t e r t o Aung San Suu K y i i s
# # #
�THE
W H I T E HOL'SE
W,<,SHINCTON
February 10,
Dear Daw
1994
Aung San Suu K y i ;
Let me t a k e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o express a g a i n my deep concern
about your w e l f a r e and t o applaud your remarkable courage i n
p u r s u i n g human r i g h t s and democracy f o r the people of Burma.
Despite your f o u r and one-half years of d e t e n t i o n , your
d e t e r m i n a t i o n and courage c o n t i n u e t o i n s p i r e f r i e n d s of freedom
around the w o r l d . Recent r e s o l u t i o n s adopted i n the U n i t e d
Nations General Assembly and the U n i t e d N a t i o n s Human R i g h t s
Commission make c l e a r the i n t e r n a t i o n a l community's o u t r a g e over
your c o n t i n u e d d e t e n t i o n as w e l l as t h a t of a l l o t h e r p r i s o n e r s
o f conscience i n Burma.
I a l s o want t o assure you of the U n i t e d S t a t e s ' c o n t i n u i n g
s u p p o r t f o r t h e s t r u g g l e t o promote freedom i n Burma. The 1990
e l e c t i o n s handed your p a r t y an overwhelming mandate from Burma's
people and f i r m l y r e j e c t e d m i l i t a r y r u l e .
O b v i o u s l y , the path
t o d e m o c r a t i c change must be worked o u t by t h e Burmese themselves
who have a s s i g n e d you a key r o l e i n b r i n g i n g about such a
democratic t r a n s i t i o n .
We s t r o n g l y condemn the e f f o r t t o deny
you the r i g h t t o p a r t i c i p a t e f r e e l y i n t h e p o l i t i c a l l i f e of
Burma.
You have my utmost a d m i r a t i o n f o r your s t a n d . L i k e your
courageous f a t h e r , you symbolize the a u t h e n t i c a s p i r a t i o n s
of t h e Burmese people. H i s t o r y i s on t h e s i d e of freedom
t h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d and I remain c o n f i d e n t t h a t your cause
w i l l prevail.
Please a c c e p t my warmest p e r s o n a l r e g a r d s .
Sincerely,
/S/ BILL CLINTON
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Rangoon
Burma
�THE WHITE HOUSE
O f f i c e o f t h e Press S e c r e t a r y
For Immediate Release
February
15, 1994
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n has s e n t a l e t t e r t o d e t a i n e d Burmese
o p p o s i t i o n l e a d e r and Nobel Peace P r i z e l a u r e a t e Aung San Suu K y i
to o f f e r h i s support f o r h e r e f f o r t s on b e h a l f o f democracy and
human r i g h t s i n Burma. Congressman B i l l Richardson o f New
Mexico, Deputy M a j o r i t y Whip, was i n v i t e d by Burmese a u t h o r i t i e s
to meet w i t h Aung San Suu K y i on February 14 and has d e l i v e r e d
the P r e s i d e n t ' s l e t t e r t o h e r . He met w i t h her a g a i n today.
Congressman Richardson i s t h e f i r s t person o u t s i d e o f Aung San
Suu Kyi's immediate f a m i l y t o meet w i t h her s i n c e she was p l a c e d
under house a r r e s t i n J u l y 1989.
The U n i t e d States urges Burma's m i l i t a r y l e a d e r s t o b u i l d on
t h i s s m a l l s t e p by b e g i n n i n g a d i a l o g u e w i t h Aung San Suu K y i and
moving toward genuine d e m o c r a t i c r e f o r m . The Burmese people made
c l e a r t h e i r d e s i r e f o r an end t o more than t h r e e decades o f
m i l i t a r y r u l e and t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f democratic government i n
the 1990 e l e c t i o n s b u t t h e government c o n t i n u e s t o t h w a r t
implementation of the r e s u l t s .
The P r e s i d e n t regards t h e
c o n t i n u e d d e t e n t i o n o f Aung San Suu K y i and a l l o t h e r p r i s o n e r s
of conscience i n Burma as unacceptable and renews h i s c a l l f o r
t h e i r immediate and u n c o n d i t i o n a l r e l e a s e .
The t e x t o f t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s l e t t e r t o Aung San Suu K y i i s
attached.
# # #
�THE WHITE HOLSE
w.\SHi.sGT OS-
February
Dear Daw
10,
1994
Aung San Suu K y i :
Let me take the o p p o r t u n i t y t o express a g a i n my deep concern
about your w e l f a r e and t o applaud your remarkable courage i n
p u r s u i n g human r i g h t s and democracy f o r the people of Burma.
D e s p i t e your f o u r and o n e - h a l f years of d e t e n t i o n , your
d e t e r m i n a t i o n and courage c o n t i n u e t o i n s p i r e f r i e n d s of freedom
around t h e w o r l d .
Recent r e s o l u t i o n s adopted i n the U n i t e d
Nations General Assembly and the U n i t e d N a t i o n s Human Rights
Commission make c l e a r the i n t e r n a t i o n a l community's outrage over
your c o n t i n u e d d e t e n t i o n as w e l l as t h a t of a l l o t h e r p r i s o n e r s
of conscience i n Burma.
I a l s o want t o assure you of the U n i t e d S t a t e s ' c o n t i n u i n g
s u p p o r t f o r t h e s t r u g g l e t o promote freedom i n Burma. The 1990
e l e c t i o n s handed your p a r t y an overwhelming mandate from Burma's
people and f i r m l y r e j e c t e d m i l i t a r y r u l e .
O b v i o u s l y , the path
t o d e m o c r a t i c change must be worked o u t by t h e Burmese themselves
who have a s s i g n e d you a key r o l e i n b r i n g i n g about such a
democratic t r a n s i t i o n .
We s t r o n g l y condemn the e f f o r t t o deny
you t h e r i g h t t o p a r t i c i p a t e f r e e l y i n t h e p o l i t i c a l l i f e of
Burma.
You have my utmost a d m i r a t i o n f o r your s t a n d . L i k e your
courageous f a t h e r , you symbolize the a u t h e n t i c a s p i r a t i o n s
of t h e Burmese people. H i s t o r y i s on t h e s i d e of freedom
t h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d and I remain c o n f i d e n t t h a t your cause
w i l l prevail.
Please accept my warmest p e r s o n a l r e g a r d s .
Sincerely,
/S/ BILL CLINTON
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Rangoon
Burma
�THE WHITE HOUSE
Office Of the Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Secretary
TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1993
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Today, J u l y 20, marks the 4th anniversary o f the a r r e s t and
detention o f Aung San Suu K y i , the courageous Burmese o p p o s i t i o n
leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The overwhelming mandate
won by her p a r t y i n the 1990 e l e c t i o n s remains u n f u l f i l l e d .
This
i s a tragedy f o r Burma and a cause f o r outrage i n t h e
i n t e r n a t i o n a l community.
Despite her i s o l a t i o n , Aung San Suu Kyi i s not f o r g o t t e n . An
authentic voice o f Burmese democracy, she remains a symbol of
hope t o the people of her country who yearn f o r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e
government and an i n s p i r a t i o n t o a l l who are s t r i v i n g f o r freedom
and democracy elsewhere i n Asia and throughout the world.
Today I renew my c a l l t o Burma's m i l i t a r y r u l e r s t o release
u n c o n d i t i o n a l l y Aung San Suu Kyi and a l l other prisoners o f
conscience, t o respect the r e s u l t s of the 1990 e l e c t i o n s and t o
undertake genuine democratic reforms. H i s t o r y i s on the side o f
freedom throughout the world, and I remain confident t h a t t h e
a s p i r a t i o n s o f a l l Burmese people f o r basic human r i g h t s and
representative government w i l l u l t i m a t e l y be f u l f i l l e d .
*
*
*
�THE WHITE HOUSE
O f f i c e Of the Press Secretary
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JT7LY 20,
1993
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Today, J u l y 20, marks the 4th anniversary of the a r r e s t and
detention of Aung San Suu K y i , the courageous Burmese o p p o s i t i o n
leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The overwhelming mandate
won by her p a r t y i n the 1990 e l e c t i o n s remains u n f u l f i l l e d . This
i s a tragedy f o r Burma and a cause f o r outrage i n the
i n t e r n a t i o n a l community.
Despite her i s o l a t i o n , Aung San Suu Kyi i s not f o r g o t t e n . An
authentic voice of Burmese democracy, she remains a symbol of
hope t o the people of her country who yearn f o r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e
government and an i n s p i r a t i o n t o a l l who are s t r i v i n g f o r freedom
and democracy elsewhere i n Asia and throughout the world.
Today I renew my c a l l t o Burma's m i l i t a r y r u l e r s t o release
u n c o n d i t i o n a l l y Aung San Suu Kyi and a l l other prisoners of
conscience, t o respect the r e s u l t s of the 1990 e l e c t i o n s and t o
undertake genuine democratic reforms. H i s t o r y i s on the side of
freedom throughout the world, and I remain confident t h a t the
a s p i r a t i o n s of a l l Burmese people f o r basic human r i g h t s and
representative government w i l l u l t i m a t e l y be f u l f i l l e d .
#
/
#
�THE WHITE HOUSE
O f f i c e o f the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
J u l y 20, 1993
PRESS BRIEFING
BY DEE DEE MYERS
The B r i e f i n g Room
1:10
P.M. EDT
MS. MYERS: On cue, as usual. A b r i e f statement f i r s t .
Today, J u l y 2 0th, marks the f o u r t h anniversary o f the a r r e s t and
detention of Aung San Suu K y i , the courageous Burmese o p p o s i t i o n
leader and Nobel Prize Laureate. The overwhelming mandate won by her
p a r t y i n the 1990 e l e c t i o n s remains u n f u l f i l l e d . This i s a tragedy
f o r Burma and a cause f o r outrage i n the i n t e r n a t i o n a l community.
"Today, I renew my c a l l t o Burma's m i l i t a r y r u l e r s t o
release u n c o n d i t i o n a l l y Aung San Suu KYi and a l l o f t h e i r prisoners
of conscience, t o respect the r e s u l t s o f the 1990 e l e c t i o n s , and t o
undertake genuine democratic reforms." That i s a statement from the
President. We w i l l release a l i t t l e b i t longer t e x t a f t e r t h i s
fabulous event.
Q
When was h i s f i r s t c a l l ?
MS. MYERS: He has p r e v i o u s l y c a l l e d on the Burmese t o
release a l l prisoners o f conscience.
Q
Has he made t h a t same c a l l on China?
MS. MYERS: Always.
A l l prisoners o f conscience around
the world.
Q
Let's t r y again on a question we had t h i s morning.
How does the President f e e l about enshrining h i s p o l i c y on gays i n
the m i l i t a r y i n law?
MS. MYERS: As Senator Nunn said t h i s morning a t the
opening o f the hearing. Congress i s going t o act on t h i s one way or
another. I t h i n k the President accepts t h a t , and Senator Nunn also
said t h a t i f there was consensus, i t would be done i n committee t h i s
week i n the form o f an amendment t o the Defense a p p r o p r i a t i o n b i l l .
I f not, i t might happen on the f l o o r next week.
So f a r . Senator Nunn seems t o have i n d i c a t e d t h a t h i s
amendment w i l l — or the amendment t h a t comes out o f committee w i l l
include the President's new p o l i c y , which the President i s w i l l i n g t o
accept.
Q
Dee Dee, t h a t seems t o go f a r t h e r than what you
were saying t h i s morning. You're saying he accepts t h a t ; t h i s
morning you were saying —
MS. MYERS: This morning I said he wouldn't accept — he
would f i g h t any attempt by Congress t o l e g i s l a t e an o u t r i g h t ban.
Q
I t h i n k you were also saying t h a t he d i d n ' t t h i n k
t h a t i t was necessary t o put anything i n t o law.
MS. MYERS: He obviously issued a p o l i c y d i r e c t i v e , or
Secretary Aspin issued a p o l i c y d i r e c t i v e . Congress i s going t o take
a c t i o n on t h i s ; the President accepts t h a t . We'll w a i t and see what
Congress comes up w i t h through the process.
MORE
#98-07/20
�- 2-
Q
Does he t h i n k t h a t ' s a good idea t o c o d i f y i t ?
MS. MYERS: He accepts i t .
Q
Dee Dee, i s n ' t i t more d i f f i c u l t t o negotiate a
budget agreement w i t h t h i s cloud hanging over Rostenkowski's head?
MS. MYERS: Rostenkowski has been a great a l l y of the
President so f a r on t h i s , and a great proponent of the President's
budget package. We expect t o continue t o work w i t h him and other
members o f Congress.
Q
How can you t o t a l l y ignore the f a c t t h a t the
documents from the c o u r t , from the prosecutors i n d i c a t e t h a t he was,
i n f a c t . Congressman A, embezzling money from the f e d e r a l government?
MS. MYERS: He's the Chairman of the House Ways and
Means Committee. He's going t o continue t o operate i n t h a t capacity.
We're going t o continue t o work w i t h him. The President i s having
lunch w i t h him, as you know, r i g h t now.
We expect t h i s process t o go
forward, and any other questions about the status of t h a t
i n v e s t i g a t i o n y o u ' l l have t o take elsewhere.
Q
Do you f e e l you can work w i t h anybody from the Ways
and Means Committee i f Rostenkowski were not around? I f he had t o
step out under the r u l e s of the House, would t h a t a f f e c t the budget
process, o r i s i t not dependant on what may —
MS. MYERS: That i s a h y p o t h e t i c a l question, and as long
as Rostenkowski i s the Chairman, obviously the President w i l l
continue t o work very c l o s e l y w i t h him.
Q
I s the process dependent on one or two people?
MS. MYERS: I don't t h i n k the process i s necessarily
dependent on any one or two people, but Chairman Rostenkowski
continues t o be a c r i t i c a l and key player i n t h i s process. The
President i s going t o continue t o work w i t h him.
Q
Why d i d he have him i n today?
element t h a t he wants t o push?
I s t h e r e some
MS. MYERS: I t ' s j u s t p a r t of the — as we move i n t o the
conference process, the President i s meeting w i t h a l o t of people.
As you know, yesterday he met w i t h the Chairman of the Budget
Committees; today i t ' s the tax w r i t i n g committees; tomorrow h e ' l l
meet w i t h the Black Caucus and a number of other caucuses throughout
the week.
Q
The President said l a s t week words t o the e f f e c t
t h a t regarding the conference he would give them running room t o do
what they needed t o do, or words t o t h a t e f f e c t . Does h i s having
t h i s meeting today and h i s going t o the H i l l i n d i c a t e t h a t a t t h i s
p o i n t he's going t o take a more aggressive r o l e i n t h i s than he had
p r e v i o u s l y indicated?
MS. MYERS: No, I t h i n k i t ' s h i s i n t e n t i o n t o meet w i t h
a v a r i e t y of members o f Congress, both House and Senate, t o t a l k t o
them about both what he t h i n k s i s important, about what they t h i n k i s
important as we work — I t h i n k t h i s process i s going t o happen
f a i r l y q u i c k l y . I t h i n k the President i s going t o take q u i t e an
a c t i v e r o l e i n i t , and I t h i n k he's going t o be out there
aggressively both working w i t h members o f Congress and working — and
t a l k i n g t o the American people. I don't t h i n k t h a t means he's going
to d i c t a t e a l l of the elements of the plan, but he's going t o be very
a c t i v e l y involved.
MORE
#98-07/20
�- 3-
Q
Well, now, at one p o i n t i t was i n d i c a t e d here t h a t
a broad-based energy tax was one of the p i l l a r s upon which the
President wanted the package t o r e s t , t h a t i t was b a s i c a l l y a
p r i n c i p l e . Am I c o r r e c t i n t h i n k i n g t h a t t h a t has — t h a t stand on
t h a t issue, at l e a s t , has softened t o where he has more f l e x i b i l i t y
than t o have a broad-based energy tax?
MS. MYERS: I t h i n k t h a t as D i r e c t o r Panetta said on
Sunday and I said yesterday, I t h i n k the actual energy tax w i l l
probably be closer and we're moving closer t o the Senate's number.
The exact s t r u c t u r e of t h a t i s something t h a t has yet t o be worked
out. The President said j u s t now at the pool op at lunch t h a t he
expected t h a t there would be some kind of energy tax included i n the
plan.
Q
What i s i t — s e t t i n g t h a t issue aside, what i s i t
t h a t he's going t o be a c t i v e l y pushing f o r other than the $500
b i l l i o n f i g u r e which both sides agree on anyway — what other areas
MS. MYERS: Because of the President's aggressive stand
on t h a t .
Q
Whatever. But the p o i n t i s i f t h a t ' s taken care o f
by the f a c t t h a t there's no disagreement on i t , what i s i t he's going
t o be pushing for? What are the key p r i n c i p l e s he's pushing for?
MS. MYERS: The key p r i n c i p l e s w i l l be t h a t i t has t o be
f a i r , t h a t the bulk of revenue have t o come from the people who d i d
best i n the 1980s from the wealthiest —
Q
But t h a t ' s a l l taken care of i n both b i l l s ,
isn't
it?
MS. MYERS: But i t ' s a p r i n c i p l e t h a t has t o be
maintained, p a r t i c u l a r l y i f you s t a r t t o t i n k e r w i t h the revenue
pieces. The President would also l i k e t o see investments preserved
t h a t w i l l create jobs, investments preserved t h a t w i l l i n v e s t i n
people, job t r a i n i n g , things l i k e EITC — things t h a t move people
from welfare t o work. H e ' l l t a l k a l i t t l e b i t more about t h a t t h i s
afternoon.
But $500 b i l l i o n i n d e f i c i t reduction.
The plan has t o
be f a i r , i t has t o preserve some of h i s investments, and i t has t o
p r o t e c t Social Security.
Q
Would I be c o r r e c t i n t h i n k i n g t h a t the investments
are an area where, because the Senate d i d less than the House, he'd
be working harder i n t h a t area, or what? I t ' s j u s t not c l e a r what
he's doing.
MS. MYERS: Well, I t h i n k t h a t the exact s t r u c t u r e o f
the package i s something t h a t ' s s t i l l being negotiated. The
President would l i k e t o see things l i k e the earned income tax c r e d i t
preserved. He'd l i k e t o see incentives f o r small businesses t o
i n v e s t . He'd l i k e t o see things t h a t w i l l i n v e s t i n the work force
and i n f r a s t r u c t u r e t h a t w i l l help the economy grow i n the long-term.
Q
I s he t e l l i n g them that?
MS. MYERS: I t i s something t h a t they're a c t i v e l y
discussing. I t ' s something he t a l k e d about w i t h Sasser and Sabo
yesterday; something h e ' l l t a l k w i t h Rostenkowski and Moynihan about;
something t h a t h e ' l l t a l k w i t h the caucuses about as they come
through.
MORE
#98-07/20
�- 4-
Q
Apart from those investments, so many of which were
knocked out i n the Senate, a l l t h i s i s vague.
MS. MYERS: I t ' s p a r t of an ongoing conversation. I
mean, the President hasn't said p u b l i c l y yet e x a c t l y which pieces
w i l l be — and c e r t a i n l y Congress hasn't resolved e x a c t l y which
pieces w i l l be there. But I t h i n k —
for
all
Q
How do you know what i t i s t h i s President stands
i n t h i s package t h a t may be i n disagreement i n t h i s conference i f
you're t a l k i n g about are these g e n e r a l i t i e s ?
MS. MYERS: I t h i n k i t ' s very c l e a r and w i l l become
c l e a r e r through t h i s process what the President stands f o r .
Q
Dee Dee —
MS. MYERS: But — l e t me f i n i s h answering h i s question
— $500 b i l l i o n i n d e f i c i t reduction I t h i n k i s something t h a t nobody
thought s i x months ago was possible. I t —
Q
Yes, but they're not i n disagreement about t h a t .
MS. MYERS: Yes, there i s n ' t , but you say t h a t people
don't know what the President stands f o r . This President i s going t o
push through a package t h a t includes $500 b i l l i o n i n d e f i c i t
r e d u c t i o n , t a x increases on the w e a l t h i e s t —
Q
I'm j u s t t a l k i n g about what i s a t issue i n t h i s
conference.
MS. MYERS: And t h a t ' s something t h a t he's i n the
process o f a whole s e r i e s of meetings t o work out the s p e c i f i c
d e t a i l s on the size of any k i n d of a tax — energy t a x increase, and
the s p e c i f i c s i z e of p a r t i c u l a r investments. However, I t h i n k he's
made i t c l e a r t h a t t h i n g s l i k e the earned income t a x c r e d i t ,
empowerment zones, i n c e n t i v e s f o r small business are very important
to him — t h i n g s t h a t h e ' l l f i g h t t o preserve.
Now, the exact size of those I t h i n k i s something t h a t
h e ' l l f i g h t t o preserve. Now, the exact s i z e of those I t h i n k i s
something t h a t has t o be worked out. There's over 500 people t h a t
have t o vote on t h i s , and the President wants t o hear from them. But
I t h i n k he's going t o f i g h t very hard t o maintain the broad o u t l i n e s
of t h i s package, i n c l u d i n g the investments t h a t are important t o him.
Q
Senator Sasser yesterday s a i d i t ' s conceivable t h a t
you could have a $ 4 8 5 - b i l l i o n package and t h a t would s t i l l be the
l a r g e s t d e f i c i t r e d u c t i o n i n h i s t o r y , and you could do t h a t w i t h o u t
an energy t a x i f you r a i s e d the revenue through other means. And one
of the areas he suggested was changing the t h r e s h o l d , perhaps
increasing the t h r e s h o l d or a c t u a l l y lowering the t h r e s h o l d f o r
Social S e c u r i t y p o s s i b l y , o r even reducing the t h r e s h o l d f o r the
b i l l i o n a i r e surtax down t o $2 00,000 as one other o p t i o n . I s the
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n w i l l i n g t o consider a package t h a t i s lower than $500
b i l l i o n , t h a t would s t i l l be the l a r g e s t i n h i s t o r y and not contain
an energy t a x as long as i t meets your e n t e r p r i s e zone, your EITC and
your other expensing provisions?
MS. MYERS: As f o r the $500 b i l l i o n , t h a t i s the t a r g e t .
That i s something t h a t the President has t a l k e d about a l l along.
Now, i f i t was a few b i l l i o n below or a few b i l l i o n above, I t h i n k
t h a t would be acceptable. The House v e r s i o n was j u s t shy of $500
b i l l i o n ; t h a t was acceptable t o the President. The Senate v e r s i o n
was a l i t t l e b i t above t h a t . I n terms of what the President s a i d
today was t h a t i t ' s hard t o make — there are other ways t o r a i s e
revenue. The President selected i n h i s o r i g i n a l package the BTU tax
MORE
#98-07/20
�- 5-
because he thought t h a t t h a t was f a i r . At t h i s p o i n t , there's a
b i l l i o n d i f f e r e n t ways you can reach those goals. I t h i n k the
President's been clear i n how he t h i n k s the best way t o proceed i s .
That's why he proposed an energy tax and hasn't changed h i s p o s i t i o n
on t h a t .
Q
He said i t ' s hard, but not impossible.
MS. MYERS:
ways t o skin a c a t .
I t i s — t h a t ' s clear.
There are a l o t of
Q
By your c a l c u l a t i o n s , how much of an increase i n
the gas t a x would i t take t o get the revenue necessary f o r the
investments t h a t he's supposedly going t o s t i c k by?
MS. MYERS: I can't speak t o the s p e c i f i c numbers. The
Senate, as you know, proposed $22 b i l l i o n o r $23 b i l l i o n t o t a l over
f i v e years. I t h i n k we've made i t clear t h a t we're moving more
toward t h a t number than toward the $ 7 2 - b i l l i o n Btu t a x o r i g i n a l l y
proposed by the President. I t h i n k t h a t through the process, both
the House and Senate i d e n t i f i e d a d d i t i o n a l spending cuts t h a t made i t
less necessary t o r a i s e as much revenue through an energy t a x . I
t h i n k we're looking toward a smaller tax than was passed i n the House
and proposed by the President, but we haven't s e t t l e d on a s p e c i f i c
number.
Q
I s there a cap on the gas t a x , then? Do the
conferees know the President w i l l not accept a gas t a x above t h i s
l e v e l f o r the reason t h a t he i n i t i a l l y gave f o r not wanting a gas t a x
at a l l ?
MS. MYERS: I t h i n k everybody would p r e f e r t o see fewer
taxes i n t h i s package, i n c l u d i n g the President. I mean, one of the
things t h a t he's t a l k e d about throughout t h i s process i s you have t o
have a t l e a s t as many spending cuts as you do new revenues, new
taxes. I don't t h i n k anybody's going t o quibble w i t h you can f i n d a
way t o put t h i s package together w i t h fewer taxes. But i n order t o
preserve the President's investments, i n order t o do the things t h a t
he t h i n k s are necessary t o t u r n the economy around i n the long run,
you do have t o f i n d some new revenue. And the question i s how much;
t h a t ' s what t h i s week i s about.
Q
Dee Dee, yesterday the President f i r e d FBI D i r e c t o r
Sessions because he was accused of misusing an amount of government
funds. Rostenkowski i s accused of misusing i n a c r i m i n a l
i n v e s t i g a t i o n , although he hasn't been charged. But the same —
roughly —
MS. MYERS: But i t ' s kind of a b i g leap there between
accused and charged and convicted.
Q
No, no, there i s n ' t because there were never any
formal l e g a l charges f i l e d against Sessions. Rostenkowski has been
named i n a grand j u r y i n v e s t i g a t i o n . He's been i d e n t i f i e d , l e t ' s say
as Congressman A. Don't you see a l i t t l e b i t of a c o n t r a d i c t i o n
between f i r i n g Sessions f o r misusing government money and saying
Rosti's fine?
MS. MYERS: I t ' s not my place t o determine the g u i l t or
innocence. Judge Sessions was i n v e s t i g a t e d by the O f f i c e o f
Professional R e s p o n s i b i l i t y w i t h i n the J u s t i c e Department. But the
o v e r r i d i n g reason f o r h i s dismissal — the primary reason was both
those charges and the f a c t t h a t he had become i n e f f e c t i v e i n h i s r o l e
f o r a number of reasons. I t h i n k t h a t both the President and
Attorney General Reno made t h a t very c l e a r yesterday.
MORE
#98-07/20
�- 6-
Q
Dee Dee, what does the President say t o Senate
Democrats, l i k e h i s f r i e n d Senator Pryor, who are concerned t h a t w i t h
the smaller energy t a x , i t ' s p o l i t i c a l l y not worth i t t o f i g h t f o r
t h a t a t t h i s p o i n t , and they're i n t e r e s t e d i n maybe f i n d i n g a way t o
j e t t i s o n i t e n t i r e l y . What does he say t o them when they make t h a t
argument?
MS. MYERS: Well, as you know, he t h i n k s very, very
h i g h l y of Senator Pryor and c e r t a i n l y i s w i l l i n g t o l i s t e n t o any
ideas the Senator has.
But as of t h i s p o i n t , the President has not
changed h i s p o s i t i o n .
Q
What i s your p o s i t i o n on going back t o 3 6 percent
corporate r a t e — some needed revenue i n l i e u of something else.
MS. MYERS: Again, the s p e c i f i c d e t a i l s of the package
are s t i l l being worked out and I'm not going t o comment on the
specifics.
Q
Dee Dee, f o r the f i r s t time i n a long time, the
President doesn't have any r e a l headaches on h i s desk. He's cleared
out the FBI — (laughter) —
MS. MYERS: You guys are so bored, i t ' s —
Q
He's cleared out the gay issue f o r now and so on.
One, has the President remarked upon t h i s t r a n s i t i o n ? And secondly,
how does t h i s new s t a t e of a f f a i r s a f f e c t the e f f o r t s i n the weeks
ahead t o get the r e c o n c i l i a t i o n and other measures through?
MS. MYERS: Well, I t h i n k , you know as president you
have t o deal w i t h the number of issues — a v a r i e t y of issues t h a t
come across your desk. I t h i n k the President has done so e f f e c t i v e l y
i n the l a s t several weeks. And I t h i n k everybody i s g r a t e f u l t h a t
we've been able t o clear the decks i n order t o focus l i k e a laser
beam on the economy and on the conference process.
(Laughter.)
Q
Does he remark upon t h i s . Dee Dee?
Q
What's the status of the vacation?
MS. MYERS: No, not i n any kind of s p e c i f i c way.
Q
Vacation?
MS. MYERS: The question i s vacation. No s p e c i f i c plans
y e t , although the l a t t e r h a l f of August i s s t i l l the t a r g e t date.
Q
Dee Dee, back on Sessions f o r a second. With the
new nominee t h a t the President presented — he had t h a t nominee i n
place the day a f t e r Sessions was f i r e d — t h i s , i n the case of past
nominees when there's been an opening, there's been weeks o f
agonizing decision-making, etc, etc. Has the problems t h a t those
nominations created, i s t h a t one of the reasons why a nominee was
chosen so q u i c k l y here w i t h the cut down of t h a t s o r t of p u b l i c
agonizing and leaking and so on?
MS. MYERS: No, I t h i n k t h a t , obviously Judge Sessions'
problems were well-known. I t was not something t h a t happened
overnight as w i t h J u s t i c e White's retirement, f o r example, which i s
something t h a t nobody had expected.
I t happened very e a r l y i n the
President's term. I t h i n k the President c l e a r l y a n t i c i p a t e d t h a t he
may have t o replace the FBI D i r e c t o r ; he had thought about i t ; he
found what he thought was a very strong candidate; had a very good
i n t e r v i e w w i t h him; and chose him. So I t h i n k —
MORE
#98-07/20
�- 7-
Q
But i t ' s reasonable t o say t h a t he waited t o f i r e
Sessions u n t i l he had a p o t e n t i a l nominee t o replace him.
MS. MYERS: I t h i n k t h a t he knew t h a t i t was possible
t h a t he'd have t o replace the FBI D i r e c t o r and had some time t o t h i n k
about i t . And moved forward w i t h the process o f replacing him and
happened t o f i n d somebody e a r l y i n the process who met h i s c r i t e r i a ,
who he thought was a superb choice.
Q
When d i d he s t a r t the search f o r a p o s s i b l e
replacement?
MS. MYERS: Oh, I don't know what the exact date was.
I t was something t h a t ' s been thought about f o r awhile.
Q
You mean f o r weeks, and weeks, and weeks, and weeks
we were t o l d t h a t the President was simply w a i t i n g f o r Janet Reno's
report.
MS. MYERS: I t h i n k t h a t ' s t r u e .
Q
I t wasn't delivered t i l l the l a s t minute. So when
— a t what p o i n t d i d he decide he might have t o replace the FBI
D i r e c t o r i f hadn't been given any evidence one way or the other?
MS. MYERS: From the time t h a t President C l i n t o n took
o f f i c e there was always the p o s s i b i l i t y based on an OPD r e p o r t — OPR
r e p o r t t h a t already existed t h a t there were some problems and t h a t
t h i s was c e r t a i n l y w i t h i n the realm o f p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t he would have
t o appoint a new FBI d i r e c t o r . So, i t was something t h a t was on the
t a b l e . I don't know what the exact date was, when a l i s t was
presented t o the President f o r the f i r s t time, but i t ' s c e r t a i n l y
something t h a t ' s been thought about and w i t h i n the reasonable range
of p o s s i b i l i t y f o r sometime.
Q
I t sounds l i k e he might have been p r e j u d g i n g a
l i t t l e b i t , given t h a t Sessions a l l along maintained h i s innocence.
MS. MYERS: I don't t h i n k so. I t h i n k i t ' s prudent t o
prepare i n a s i t u a t i o n l i k e t h a t where there's a c l e a r p o s s i b i l i t y
t h a t you might have t o make a replacement.
Q
What's the t r i p t o Waldorf about tomorrow?
MS. MYERS: I t ' s small business. The President's going
t o hook up — he's going t o a place c a l l e d Nick's Restaurant
somewhere i n — Nick's Restaurant, and he's going t o hook up — i t i s
i n — do you know what town i t ' s i n — i t ' s somewhere i n Maryland,
reasonably close. We'll have more d e t a i l s on i t l a t e r .
Q
What i s he going t o do out there?
MR. JONES:
Waldorf i s the d e s t i n a t i o n .
MS. MYERS: Oh, Waldorf, Maryland?
Q
What time does he go and how does he go?
Q
That's a topless bar.
MS. MYERS: He's probably d r i v i n g .
The event s t a r t s a t
10:15 a.m.
What's the event?
Q
People dance n i g h t l y a t Nick's.
t h a t ' s the r i g h t place?
MORE
Are you sure
#98-07/20
�- 8-
Q
He's d r i v i n g ?
MS. MYERS: No, I'm never sure.
Q
Driving?
MS. MYERS: Probably. But t h a t could change. To
Waldorf, Maryland, f o r an event where he's going t o hook up
t e l e p h o n i c a l l y w i t h several small businesses t o t a l k about incentives
f o r small business included i n —
Q
I s t h a t videographied?
MS. MYERS:
Q
I don't t h i n k so.
Or j u s t by audio?
MS. MYERS: Just s t r a i g h t audio.
Q
I s he going t o eat there?
MS. MYERS: Probably.
(Laughter.)
Q
Usually does.
Q
How many changes of clothes w i l l he be having i n
the trunk?
MS. MYERS: He might have one i n case he s p i l l s coffee
on h i s s h i r t , which has happened. He then comes back here f o r a CEO
lunch w i t h the Chairman of Small Businesses.
Q
I s t h a t from the r i d i c u l o u s t o the sublime, or the
other way around?
MS. MYERS: That's from the e x c e l l e n t t o the superb.
Q
And then h e ' l l eat again.
MS. MYERS: And then h e ' l l eat lunch. (Laughter.) He
has — don't get me s t a r t e d . Tomorrow morning he has the Black
Caucus a t 8:30 a.m.
Q
For breakfast?
MS. MYERS: For breakfast. (Laughter.) Then he has a
small business event, then the CEO lunch, and then the Conservative
Democratic Forum a t 5:30 p.m.
Q
For tea.
MS. MYERS: For tea.
Q
(Laughter.)
How about Monday's t r i p ?
MS. MYERS: Monday the President w i l l t r a v e l t o Chicago
f o r a conference on — l e t me get the proper name of the event.
Q
I t ' s jobs.
MS. MYERS:
Secretary Reich.
Q
I t ' s a jobs conference sponsored by
How e a r l y i s t h i s going t o occur?
MORE
#98-07/20
�t
- 9-
MS. MYERS: I t ' s a discussion — i t ' s c a l l e d the
Workplace Conference i n Chicago. The President's p a r t s t a r t s a t
11:00 a.m. Central, so we leave here i n the morning. And h e ' l l stay
i n Chicago, h e ' l l do some l o c a l press, h e ' l l host a panel which I'm
sure you a l l w i l l be very excited about. And then he w i l l attend a
DNC fundraiser i n the evening. And then w e ' l l r e t u r n back.
Q
What's i t about?
MS. MYERS: I t ' s a panel t o t a l k about — h e ' l l give
remarks, and then h e ' l l host a panel, t a l k i n g about the workplace —
the changing workplace.
Q
I t ' s c a l l e d a jobs workplace conference?
Conference on jobs?
MS. MYERS: Yes. Conference on the workplace.
Organized by Secretary Reich.
Q
I s i t a r e t u r n t h a t n i g h t . Dee Dee?
MS. MYERS: Yes.
Q
To create jobs, or —
MS. MYERS: To — yes, i t ' s about j o b c r e a t i o n i n the
changing g l o b a l environment. I t h i n k — Secretary Reich sponsors i t .
Q
Senator Sasser yesterday also said t h a t he d i d n ' t
t h i n k i t would r e a l l y make sense f o r the President t o s e l l the
package, a t l e a s t f u l l court press, u n t i l the conference r e p o r t i s
completed i n about a week and a h a l f . So i s t h a t your s t r a t e g y t h a t
once the conference r e p o r t i s done i n t h a t window of a week between
the vote and the conference r e p o r t f o r the President t o r e a l l y go out
and do f u l l court press on the plan?
MS. MYERS: I t h i n k the President i s going t o be very
aggressively t a l k i n g about the features of h i s economic plan,
s t a r t i n g t h i s afternoon when he goes t o the H i l l where he w i l l
address conferees and s t a f f s of the r e l e v a n t committees. Tomorrow
he's doing a small business event. On Thursday, h e ' l l be doing a
high tech event. On Friday h e ' l l do another jobs event. I t h i n k
what he's going t o do i s continue t o t a l k about the b e n e f i t s of h i s
economic plan — what — how the country w i l l change should h i s plan
be enacted. I t h i n k t h a t t h a t w i l l c l e a r l y be stepped up once the
package i s completed and the House and Senate get ready t o vote.
Q
How long i s t h i s lunch scheduled for?
MS. MYERS: Today?
Q
Yes.
MS. MYERS: I t ' s scheduled f o r 90 minutes.
Q
So are they l i k e l y t o d r i v e back t o the H i l l w i t h
him or are they l i k e l y —
MS. MYERS: Unless they have other business t h a t they
need t o get back f o r i t ' s possible.
Q
What time i s he going t o the H i l l ?
MS. MYERS: At 2:30 p.m. — the Cannon Caucus —
Q
I s t h a t open?
MORE
#98-07/20
�- 10 -
MS. MYERS: I t ' s pool, but I'm not sure i f i t ' s the —
j u s t the H i l l pool or i f our pool i s going t o be allowed i n . We're
t r y i n g t o l e t them i n .
Q
He w i l l speak on camera?
MS. MYERS: Yes. The whole t h i n g w i l l be — h i s remarks
w i l l be open t o the pool, I'm j u s t not sure what pool.
Q
What i s the s t a t u s of a NAFTA czar?
MS. MYERS: I t ' s something t h a t ' s i n the works and I
expect t o have an announcement soon, although I'm not sure i t w i l l
happen t h i s week.
Q
That d i d n ' t have anything t o do w i t h Chicago on
Monday and a prominent c i t i z e n s h i p ?
MS. MYERS: No. He's going t o Chicago f o r the jobs
conference.
Q
I'm speaking o f Daley.
I s he i n the running f o r
that?
MS. MYERS: I'm not going t o comment on who may or may
not be i n the running f o r i t , other than t o say we should have an
announcement on i t soon.
Q
Can I get your r e a c t i o n t o the demonstration t h a t ' s
outside here, the a r r e s t o f the people t h a t are opposed t o the
President's p o s i t i o n ?
MS. MYERS: This i s the f i r s t I've heard about i t .
There's a demonstration —
Q
The gay and l e s b i a n —
MS. MYERS: You mean, there's a — out i n f r o n t o f the
White House, a demonstration?
(Laughter.)
Q
V i s i b l e from your window. Dee Dee.
Q
Good slogans. Dee Dee.
MS. MYERS:
People were arrested?
I'm too dedicated t o look out my window.
Q
Yes, they're s i t t i n g out on the sidewalk and
they're being taken away, one by one. Gays and lesbians.
MS. MYERS: I expect t h a t there w i l l be a number o f
demonstrations. I t h i n k t h a t comes w i t h the t e r r i t o r y .
Q
I s the President aware o f the demonstrations
overnight i n Los Angeles?
MS. MYERS: He f o l l o w s the news p r e t t y c a r e f u l l y .
would expect t h a t he's seen i t .
I
Q
Dee Dee, i s the coverage tomorrow i n Maryland — i s
a l l o f i t open or i s some of i t pool, do you know, f o r those o f us
t h i n k i n g about going?
the
specific
MS. MYERS: I don't know.
arrangements.
THE PRESS:
We'll have more d e t a i l s on
Thank you.
END
1:30 P.M. EDT
#98-07/20
�'illiatnJ. Clinton, 1993
Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 I May 19
bcus on the NAFTA
ninistration is deteri General Agreement
e (GATT) Uruguay
iTT is an agreement
) nations to a mutual
ig the global environof these negotiations,
seldng provisions that
ade for American in;tive bilateral dispute
A successful Uruer tariff and nontariff
id products and other
ncreasing cumulative
than $5 trillion and
by more than SI trilirs.
ir Nation's interests
[otiations, the United
ries must provide fisure key political and
ussia and the former
refully targeting this
will not only encour;lobal stabihty, arms
ration, but also help
in which trade witn
ning May 16, 1993, as World Trade Week.
I invite the people of the United States to
join in appropriate observances to reaffirm
the potential of intemational trade for creating prosperity for all.
id prosperous global
Iso hinges on continnefit from the great
ivailable in the highLatin American margrowing regions for
of U.S. companies
leir profit margins
mds of other Amermarket their goods
percent of American
i5 percent of our Na.S. merchandise ex1 $448 billion in 1992,
iminds us of the merimerce and the vast
tt to be explored by
WUliam J. Clinton,
i States of America,
ity vested in me by
e laws of the United
lim the week begin-
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand this nineteenth day of May, in the
year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred
and seventeenth.
William J. Clinton
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register,
10:58 a.m., May 20,1993]
NOTE: This proclamation was published in the
Federal Register on May 21.
Memorandum on Assistance to
Refugees and Victims in Bosnia and
Croatia
May 19.1993
Presidential Determination No. 93-22
Memorandum for the Secretary of State
913
Statement on the Human Rights
Situation in Burma
May
19.1993
I was moved by the stories of individual
suffering I heard this afternoon and am deeply concerned by the tragic human rights situation in Burma, as well as by the continued
detention of Burmese pro-democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under
house arrest since 1989. I strongly urge the
Burmese government to release Aung San
Suu Kyi and all pohtical prisoners, to respect
the results of the .May 1990 elections, and
to commit itself to genuine democratic reforms.
The Burmese people should know that
America stands with them and with others
in the intemational community in the struggle for freedom in Burma.
NOTE: The President issued this statement following a meeting in the Cabinet Room at the White
House with a group of Nobel Peace Prize laureates including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Betty
Williams, and Kara Newell, who had traveled to
Thailand earlier this year to focus intemational
attention on the human rights situation in Burma.
Subject: Determination Pursuant to Section
2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee
Assistance Act of 1962, as Amended
Pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as
amended, 22 U.S.C. 2601(c)(1), I hereby determine that it is important to the national
interest that up to $30,000,000 be made
available from the U.S. Emergency Refugee
and Migration Assistance Fund to meet the
urgent and unexpected needs of refugees and
conflict victims in Bosnia and Croatia. These
funds may be contributed on a multilateral
or bilateral basis, as appropriate, to international and nongovernmental organizations.
You are authorized and directed to inform
the appropriate committees of the Congress
of this determination and the obligation of
funds under this authority and to publish this
memorandum in the Federal Register.
William J. Clinton
Statement on the Death of John
Wilson
May 19.1993
As residents of the District of Columbia,
Hillary and I moum the sudden and tragic
loss of DC City Council Chairman John Wilson. John was a tremendous individual who
devoted his life's work to the empowerment
and benefit of the District's citizens.
We know the love that John had for the
District of Columbia will be remembered
and cherished by all the city's residents as
his service and achievements are profoundly
appreciated.
Hillary and I will keep his wife, Bonnie,
in our prayers.
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Office of Press and Communications - Philip J. “P.J.” Crowley
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Security Council
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
<a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/36076">Collection Finding Aid</a>
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2011-0516-S
Description
An account of the resource
This collection consists of White House press releases from the files of P.J. Crowley. Crowley served as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director of Public Affairs the National Security Council from 1997–1999. The press releases are arranged by subject or, as in the case of the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, by date.
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Extent
The size or duration of the resource.
370 folders in 33 boxes
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Paper
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Burma
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Security Council
Office of Press and Communications
Philip "PJ" Crowley
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2011-0516-S
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
Box 1
<a href="http://catalog.archives.gov/id/7585702"></a>
<a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/36076">Collection Finding Aid</a>
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
7585702
42-t-7585702-20110516s-001-016-2015
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email, and Records Management System
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Adobe Acrobat Document
Medium
The material or physical carrier of the resource.
Preservation-Reproduction-Reference