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FOIA Number: 2011-0587-F FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff. Collection/Record Group: Clinton Presidential Records Subgroup/Office of Origin: Press Secretary Series/Staff-Member: Dee Dee Myers Subseries: OA/ID Number: 2922 FolderID: Folder Title: [Press Guidance] - June 17, 1994 Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: S 94 2 11 2 06/17/94 13:15 NSC FRESS OFFC UPPER PRESS 002 NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL 17-Jun-1994 11:12 EDT UNCLASSIFIED MEMORANDUM FOR: SEE BELOW FROM: Angelyn D. Moody (MOODY) SUBJECT: QS&As on Army Women in Combat Proposed Q's and A'S on Army Women in Combat Q: Today's New York Times carries a story about the disagreement between Army Secretary Togo west and senior Army leaders on the plan to open additional Army combat positions to women. Doesn't this constitute a challenge to civilian control of the armed forces? A: While many combat-related positions in the Army, Navy and Air Force were opened to women in an earlier decision by then-Secretary of Defense Les Aspin, the military services have continued to study what additional positions -- including those involved in ground combat -- could also be opened consistent with Aspin's guidelines. The Army is continuing its discussions with all components of its leadership to determine what additional positions can be opened to women. The views of the military leadership of the Services have been taken into account at all stages of these discussions. However, no final recommendations have been made by the Army. O: why doesn't the Administration direct the Department of Defense to open all positions to women? A: The Secretary of Defense, working with the civilian and military leadership of the Services, is charged with determining what combat positions women can safely and effectively fill. AS per the Aspin guidelines, these determinations are based on the likelihood that the position involves (1) engaging the enemy with weapons, (2) being exposed to hostile fire, and (3) a "high probability of direct physical contact with the personnel of a hostile force." The identification of positions will remain an ongoing process within the Department of Defense. Distribution: THE ADMINISTRATION'S FAST TRACK PROPOSAL 6-17-94 The Administration has proposed that the Congress include in the Uruguay Round implementing legislation an extension of the "fast track" procedures for approving trade agreement implementing legislation. We are seeking broad trade agreement authority that would apply to bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements involving the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers. The fast track procedures provide that if the President satisfies certain requirements during the negotiation of a trade agreement, then the Congress will vote on the legislation to implement the agreement on an expedited, no-amendment basis. The Administration's proposal sets forth certain notification and consultation requirements the President must satisfy before, during and after the negotiation of a trade agreement. It allows the House Ways and Means Committee or the Senate Finance Committee to disapprove of the agreement before negotiations start. The proposal also provides that, when submitting the implementing legislation, the President must also provide certain documentation and explanations regarding how the agreement achieves applicable negotiating objectives set out in the legislation. The fast-track mechanism represents a joint undertaking by the President and Congress to accomplish the best possible results for the United States in international trade negotiations. It maximizes the credibility and leverage of the United States in such negotiations, while ensuring early and full involvement of the Congress in the decision making process. The Administration believes the Congress should provide the President with broad trade agreement negotiating authority as part of the Uruguay Round implementing bill if he is to pursue effectively a fundamental goal of his foreign and economic policy -- expanding economic and job growth through opening foreign markets. In the post-Cold War era, trade and economic policy are a central focus of foreign policy. Without trade agreements authority, the President lacks an essential tool for exercising leadership and influencing events in this new environment to the best interest of the United States. 1 06/17/94 13:04 NSC FRESS 0FFC UPPER PRESS 001/011 Rwanda New Developments: NY Times reported White House approval of a plan Wednesday to move 50 M-113 APCs to an Air Force base near Frankfurt, Germany, and begin flying them to Uganda on Sunday. (A Press Backgrounder with NSC, State and DoD representatives took place yesterday at the OEOB.) (IF ASKED ABOUT BURUNDI) We greatly respect the actions of the interim government in Burundi to respond to the tremendous pressures their country has faced in the wake of the recent tragedy in Rwanda, including the flow of refugees across the border. The United States is doing everything possible to ensure the security and stability of Burundi, including the supply of large amounts of humanitarian assistance, financial support for U.N. Human Rights officials and diplomatic support through visits like that of Ambasador David Rawson last week. Points: We have been deeply concerned over the continuing tragedy in Rwanda. We have are providing $68 million in humanitarian assistance for Rwandan refugees, including food, medicine, blankets and other supplies. Our military is flying in three plane loads a day of food into Burundi. O This is by far the lion's share of the humanitarian relief effort. Our efforts have helped to save lives throughout the neighboring countries. We've also sent disaster relief teams into Rwanda to assist the distribution of humanitarian relief there. We share the frustration over the slowness in drawing together an international peacekeeping force. That is why we have been SO involved with the process of getting peacekeepers back into Rwanda. The Vice President's meeting with UN Secretary General Boutros Ghali, OAU Secretary General Salim Salim and Tanzanian President Mwinyi in South Africa on May 10 helped drive this process, leading to a UNSC Resolution less than a week later to authorize 5500 troops. 06/17/94 13:04 NSC FRESS OFFC UPPER PRESS 002/011 BOSNIA New Developments: Level of conflict remains low with general compliance with the cease-fire brokered by Akashi. Contact Group met yesterday in London to further discuss modalities of a territorial settlement. (FYI ONLY: Redman in Sarajevo.) State announcing Christopher travelling to Geneva and Brussels next week. Points Please the parties continue to negotiate; no sense of optimism. Negotiated settlement is only viable way to end the war and human suffering. A closely coordinated approach remains critical. We work closely with the all parties on all aspects of the Bosnia crisis, including diplomatic and military efforts to end the conflict. The President has said that though he supports a lifting of the arms embargo, it is imprudent to do so unilaterally, without the agreement of our NATO allies. We do not yet have the comprehensive settlement we want, but, together with our other European allies and Russia, we accomplished much: humanitarian air drops have saved hundreds of thousands of lives; NATO's enforcement of the no-fly zone over Bosnia has kept the war from escalating into the air; NATO's air strike ultimata have ended the shelling of Sarajevo and Gorazde; our increased diploma ic engagement produced the breakthrough agreement between the Croats and Bosnians. and now the parties are in Geneva to discuss country-wide cessation of hostilities and a comprehensive settlement. Hope talks will proceed. 06/17/94 13:05 NSC FRESS OFFC UPPER PRESS 003/011 HAITI SANCTIONS New Developments Coast Guard rescued 35 Haitians Wednesday off the coast of Haiti from three Haitian vessels. The Haitians were taken to Jamaica for processing aboard ship. We confirmed their arrival the start-up of the Jamaica operation. Since the President's announcement on May 8, there have been 1,949 repatriations. Repatriations may occur next Monday- never on the weekend. The Haitian military and police staged a parade as a show of solidarity and unity. Embassy drawdown of dependents and non-essential personnel continues smoothly. 500 Amcits have left Haiti since enhanced sanctions were announced June 10. There are press reports that Dante Caputo wrote to Boutros-Ghali that Caputo was told by DepSecState Strobe Talbott that the US would not invade Haiti before the end of July. This is not true. Talbott has told neither Caputo nor anyone else that the US will invade Haiti in one month or at any other time. Points The U.S. has worked with the other "Friends of Haiti" to impose steadily tougher sanctions against the Haitian leadership since the 1990 coup. Beginning with the OAS trade embargo extending through targeted sanctions against the military leadership. Last month following a policy review and with our support, the UN imposed sanctions designed to increase pressure on the military to step down. We are determined that Haiti's military leaders must step down so that democracy may be restored and Aristide can return. The President announced Friday two additional steps that will help remove from power the military leaders who control Haiti in order to restore democracy and return Aristide to power: He signed an Executive Order banning private financial transactions between Haiti and the United States and through the United States between Haiti and other countries. This does not apply to humanitarian activities. He directed Secretary of Transportation Pena to instruct all U.S and Haitian air carriers 06/17/94 13:05 NSC FRESS OFFC UPPER PRESS 004/011 to cease scheduled services between our two nations. In order to allow those Americans and others who wish to leave to Haiti to SO in an orderly fashion, this measure will take effect as of June 25. Because of the ban on commercial passenger flights and financial transactions, we are advising Americans not engaged in essential diplomatic or humanitarian work to depart Haiti as early as possible. The US embassy in Haiti is sending home its dependents and a number of its personnel. The Embassy will maintain a reduced staff to ensure it can provide services to American citizens, administer humanitarian aid programs, continue refugee processing, and monitor and report on the situation in Haiti. We are also taking very seriously the issue of enforcement and have made significant and diplomatic progress in ensuring the sanctions work. An eleven-man assessment team is now in the Dominican Republic to determine what future logistical and other support will be needed by the Dominican government to seal its border to Haiti against smuggling of sanctioned goods. Very pleased with the progress of Bill Gray's efforts. We have reached agreement with both Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands on use of facilities on their territory or in their territorial waters for processing Haitian migrants. (We expect to sign the MOU on Friday.) The US naval ship Comfort, and the Ukrainian Vessel Gruziya arrived off the coast of Port Royal, Jamaica. One month from now, we will open a second facility on the Turks and Caicos Islands. (If asked about Aristide's implied endorsement of military intervention: we have not ruled in or out any option, including the military option. We are now focusing on sanctions.) 06/17/94 13:06 NSC FRESS OFFC UPPER PRESS 005/011 Meeting with King Hussein -- The meeting has not been scheduled. President Clinton may meet King Hussein of Jordan next week during the King's private visit to the US. He will express appreciation and support for the King's decision to re-engage in active negotiations with Israel. They will also review regional developments. FYI ONLY: The King may raise the Jordanian economy and the need for international assistance. Given time, the President may also raise Iraq sanctions and the proposal to replace the MIF with another inspections regime. 06/17/94 13:08 NSC FRESS 0FFC UPPER PRESS 006/011 Meeting with the Presidents of Slovakia and Hungary - - President Michal Kovac of the Slovakia and Arpad Gonvz of Hungary are in the United States to receive an award from the Institute for East-West Studies. -- President Clinton wanted to meet with them to continue their discussions from last January and as a sign of general US support for the democratic and economic/market reforms in the Slovak Republic and in Hungary. The meeting will highlight the roles of the two presidents in these reforms. met w/ Visegnets In Pragre 06/17/94 13:06 NSC FRESS OFFC UPPER PRESS 007/011 G-7 Naples Summit Themes A Pivot Summit. We will seek to finish up issues from previcus summits and then move on to set the global economic agenda for the post-Cold War world. Employment. We will seek to build on the success of the President's Detroit Jobs Conference initiative by developing a set of commonly agreed employment principles to guide each G-7 nation's policies. Growth and Trade. We are pushing for a strong endorsement of macroeconomic policies that support sustained world growth, and expect a commitment from our G-7 partners to implement the Uruguay Round by year-end. Russia. In Naples, the G-7 will deepen their partnership with Russia by including President Yeltsin as an equal in the summit political communique. We will commend Russia for progress in economic reform to date. We are exploring the possibilities for further multilateral support through the IMF conditional on Moscow implementing additional reform measures. Ukraine. We will also push for a meaningful economic reform program in Ukraine, and will work for multilateral financial support in direct proportion to the pace of such actions. Additionally, we are seeking an agreement with Ukraine that would shut down Chernobyl in exchange for our help in making other Ukrainian nuclear plants safer. Environment, Population and Debt. A push to follow-up on the Rio Conference agenda is likely. We are examining a possible role for the new World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding issues of trade and the enviornment. The G-7 also will most likely give a very strong endorsement of the upcoming Cairo conference on population. Additionally, we will be discussing ways to further ease the debt burdens of developing nations. Assistance for Democratization. The US has already moved to extend significant aid to South Africa ($200 million this year) and the Middle East peace process ($500 million over 5 years) Our G-7 partners, the IMF, and the World Bank also have offered assistance. We will highlight these efforts as models of the helping hand that we will extend to other countries willing to participate in the historic rise of democracy and market economics. JAPAN As indicated by the President in February, we are seeking neither "managed trade" nor "numerical targets." Rather, we are looking for objective criteria, both quantitative and qualitative, to measure 06/17/94 13:07 NSC FRESS OFFC UPPER PRESS 008/011 progress toward greater openness in the Japanese market. We are pleased that we have been able to restart the Framework Negotiations with Japan. A number of outstanding issues remain, and we are working actively to resolve them. The efforts of working groups in several key sectors - - automobiles and auto parts, insurance, and government procurement -- are particularly noteworthy. [NOTE: We have attempted NOT to make the Naples summit 21 deadline for completing the Framework Negotiations. ] URUGUAY ROUND/GATT We are committed to seeing implementation of the Uruguary Round agreement by year-end. We are working actively with Congress on funding and other issues. We do not believe that any of the current obstacles here are insurmountable. CHINA/MFN -- A decision announcing the extension of MFN for China was recently announced by the President. The Administration will oppose any legislation, including that which may be shortly introduced by Congresswoman Pelosi, that would establish tough trade sanctions against China and undermine this decision. We do not believe that sanctions beyond those the President imposed will pass Congress [and therefore a veto will not be necessary]. China Sanctions: munitions 06/17/94 13:07 NSC FRESS 0FFC UPPER PRESS 009/011 Gore-Chernomyrdin Meetings Vice President Al Gore will host Russian Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdin to a series of meetings June 21-23 in Washington. This will be the third time the two have met (Sept 1-2, 1993, Washington and Dec. 15-16, 1993, Moscow). President Clinton will also meet with Prime Minister Chernomyrdin, June 23. US-RUSSIAN RELATIONS US-Russians relations are on track and in good shape. - - Partnership built by Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin is secure and strong. Russian economic reform continues. It is more important than ever for US to support reform and Yeltsin/Chernomyrdin. : VP's meeting and President's meeting with Yeltsin in Naples are important to continue to forward movement in relationship. GORE-CHERNOMYRDIN COMMISSION Commission responsible for major progress on key issues: Space Cooperation, especially Space Station partnership. Progress in arresting nuclear proliferation (whole spectrum of activities, including reciprocal visits to warhead storage sites and signing agreement to shutdown military plutonium productions reactors. Anticipate significant breakthrough cn private trade and investment deal (see nest page for info on Sakhalin Island oil deal.) Environmental agreement (mostly US technology). 06/17/94 13:08 NSC FRESS 0FFC +++ UPPER PRESS 010/011 US-Russian-Ukrainian M Trilateral Accord We are extremely pleased with the success of the Trilateral accord that President Clinton signed with Presidents Yeltsin and Kravchuk in January. Its implementation is far ahead of schedule: the Ukrainian side had promised to ship 200 warheads to Russian for dismantlement by mid-November of this year. By mid-June, they had already shipped 240 warheads from all three types of weapons deployed in Ukraine: SS-19 and SS-24 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and AS-15 air- launched cruise missiles (ALCMs). Ukraine has agreed to ship all of its warheads before the end of 1996. In return, Russia has agreed to compensate Ukraine for the value of the nuclear materials in the warheads. Ukraine has already received two shipments of fuel rods for its nuclear power plants in compensation from Russia. 06/17/94 13:08 NSC FRESS 0FFC UPPER PRESS 011/011 Business and Investment Opportunities in Russia Economic assistance for Russia and NIS important means to support reform. But in the long run, trade and investment - - not aid - will provide the fuel to make reforms durable. Promoting trade and investment in Russia thus a key priority. Secretary Brown led a successful trade mission to Moscow in March. Took along 28 US CEO's from major firms. Message: America ready to do business with Russia, if Russia will establish environment conducive to doing business. Under Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission, we are working to convince Russian government to lower tariff barriers, quotas, and tax laws that act as disincentives. Message is getting through. Yeltsin decrees of last week indicate realization that climate for investment in Russia needs to be improved. President and VP have also pushed major oil and gas projects. Tremendous potential for resource-rich Russia to earn hard currency using technology and know-how of US firms. Anticipate signing of contract when Chernomyrdin visits next week between Russian government and international consortium (50% share by US firms Marathon & McDermott) to develop offshore oil fields near Sakhalin Island. Total investment estimated to be $10 billion. Signing of this deal of this size important signal to other would be investors. Also blazes the trail for the next mega-project, Texaco development of oil field at Timan Pechora worth more than $2 billion. Many obstacles to completion of deal overcome through direct intervention by President and VP with Yeltsin and Chernomyrdin. 06/17/94 12:20 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 002 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release June 17, 1994 NOTICE TO THE PRESS The State Department's daily briefing will begin at 2:00 pm, Friday, June 17, with a briefing by Robert L. Gallucci, Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs and Chair of the Administration Senior Policy Steering Group on Korea. The regular State Department press briefing will follow. 06/17/94 12:21 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 003 PRM PRESS GUIDANCE June 17, 1994 HAITI: INTERDICTION/PROCESSING OF HAITIAN BOAT PEOPLE Q. Can you provide an update on interdictions and refugee processing of Haitlan boat people? A. INTERDICTIONS THERE WERE NO INTERDICTIONS YESTERDAY, JUNE 16. -- THE LAST INTERDICTION WAS ON JUNE 15, WHEN 35 HAITIAN BOAT PEOPLE WERE INTERDICTED IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS OFF THE COAST OF HAITI. REFUGEE PROCESSING ON THE COMFORT : ON JUNE 16, THE 35 HAITIANS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE USNS COMFORT LOCATED IN KINGSTON HARBOR. THIS IS THE FIRST GROUP OF HAITIAN BOAT PEOPLE TO BE PROCESSED AT THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED PROCESSING FACILITY ON THE COMFORT. OF THE 35, 6 WERE FOUND TO BE REFUGEES AND 29 WERE DETERMINED NOT TO BE REFUGEES. 7 06/17/94 12:21 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 004 PM Press Guidance June 17, 1994 NORTH KOREA: NUCLEAR ISSUE Q. Any readout on former President Carter's meeting with Kim II-Sung? A. -- FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER MET KIM IL-SUNG YESTERDAY AND TODAY. -- PRESIDENT CARTER STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THOSE MEETINGS RESOLVED SEVERAL IMPORTANT ISSUES. -- WE WILL BE CONFIRMING THAT WITH THE NORTH KOREANS IN THE COMING DAYS THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS. Q. Has the U.S. agreed to a third round of high-level talks? A. -- AS WE STATED YESTERDAY, THERE MAY BE A BASIS FOR FURTHER HIGH-LEVEL DISCUSSIONS WITH NORTH KOREA IF NORTH KOREA AGREES TO MAINTAIN THE CONTINUITY OF IAEA SAFEGUARDS AND THE PRESENCE OF IAEA INSPECTORS AT ITS NUCLEAR FACILITIES; DOES NOT ENGAGE IN REPROCESSING FUEL TO OBTAIN PLUTONIUM; AND DOES NOT REFUEL ITS 5 MW REACTOR. 7 06/17/94 12:22 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 005 Q. Has the U.S. dropped reconstructing the North Korean reactor's operating history as a condition for talks? A. -- RECONSTRUCTING THE NORTH KOREAN REACTOR'S OPERATING HISTORY WAS NEVER A CONDITION FOR A THIRD ROUND OF HIGH-LEVEL TALKS. WE HAD SAID THAT NORTH KOREA MUST PRESERVE: THE EVIDENCE OF PAST OPERATING HISTORY BY PRESERVING THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL MEASUREMENT. -- WHEN NORTH KOREA DISCHARGED SPENT FUEL FROM THE REACTOR, ONE METHOD OF RECONSTRUCTING ITS OPERATING HISTORY WAS IRREVOCABLY LOST. THERE ARE OTHER METHODS OF DOING THIS, PARTICULARLY THROUGH SPECIAL INSPECTIONS OF NORTH KOREA'S SUSPECTED NUCLEAR WASTE SITES. THIS IS SOMETHING WE WILL TALK ABOUT IN A THIRD ROUND OF TALKS. -- AFTER THE IAEA CONCLUDED THAT IT COULD NO LONGER CONDUCT FUEL MEASUREMENTS TO RECONSTRUCT THE REACTOR'S OPERATING HISTORY, WE SUSPENDED OUR DIALOGUE WITH NORTH KOREA. WE STATED AT THAT TIME THAT IT WOULD BE UP TO NORTH KOREA TO REESTABLISH A BASIS FOR THAT DIALOGUE. - OUR DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS WITH NORTH KOREA ARE 7 AIMED AT DETERMINING WHETHER A BASIS FOR A DIALOGUE MAY BE REESTABLISHED. 06/17/94 12:22 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 006 Q. Has the U.S. suspended its discussions on sanctions at the UN? A. -- NO. AS WE STATED YESTERDAY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO CONSULT WITH OTHER SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON SANCTIONS WHILE WE SEEK TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A BASIS FOR DIALOGUE WITH NORTH KOREA ON THIS ISSUE. -- WE WOULD PREFER TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER THROUGH DIALOGUE. Q. Did State oppose the Carter trip? A. -- FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER WAS INVITED TO NORTH KOREA AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN. THE STATE DEPARTMENT EXPRESSED NO OPINION ON HIS TRIP. 7 06/17/94 12:22 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 007 Q. What's the latest on North Korea's desire for light water reactors? A. -- IN OUR LAST ROUND OF HIGH-LEVEL TALKS, NORTH KOREA EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO MOVE AWAY FROM GRAPHITE-MODERATED REACTOR TECHNOLOGY TO LIGHT WATER REACTORS. LIGHT WATER REACTORS ARE LESS OF A PROLIFERATION CONCERN THAN GRAPHITE REACTORS. -- WE SAID AT THAT TIME THAT THE U.S. SUPPORTED CONVERSION FROM GRAPHITE TO LIGHT WATER REACTORS AND THAT LIGHT WATER TECHNOLOGY COULD BE ONE OF THE ISSUES DISCUSSED IN A THIRD ROUND OF HIGH-LEVEL TALKS. -- NORTH KOREA HAS CONTINUED TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN LIGHT WATER TECHNOLOGY. IF THERE IS A BASIS FOR A THIRD ROUND, WE COULD FURTHER DISCUSS THIS WITH NORTH KOREA. 06/17/94 12:23 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 008 EAP PRESS GUIDANCE June 17, 1994 NORTH KOREA - MIA ISSUE Q: Is it true that the North Koreans will allow joint U.S.-DPRK teams to search in North Korea for the remains of Americans missing in action from the Korean War? A: ACCORDING TO A CNN BROADCAST. FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER HAS REPORTED THAT DPRK PRESIDENT KIM IL SUNG OFFERED TO PERMIT JOINT U.S.-DPRK TEAMS TO SEARCH FOR KOREAN WAR AMERICAN MIA'S. THERE ALREADY EXISTS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED IN AUGUST 1993 BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMAND (UNC) AND THE NORTH KOREAN PEOPLE'S ARMY WHICH IS AIMED AT REGULARIZING THE MIA REMAINS RECOVERY PROCESS. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE STILL DETAILS TO BE WORKED OUT ON THE WORKING GROUPS CALLED FOR IN THIS AGREEMENT, WE BELIEVE THIS CHANNEL PROVIDES THE BEST HOPE FOR COOPERATION ON THE RECOVERY OF REMAINS OF KOREAN WAR MIA'S. Q: Are you then saying that what Pres. Carter announced is nothing new or sign ? 7 A: + 06/17/94 12:23 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 009 EAP PRESS GUIDANCE June 17, 1994 CHINA: GEPHARDT-PELOSI BILL Q. What Is the Adminstrations's view on the Congressional bill which proposes withdrawal fo some of China's trade privileges? A. -- WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED THE LANGUAGE OF THE GEPHARDT-PELOSI BILL, AND ARE STILL LOOKING AT THE DETAILS OF THIS COMPLICATED BILL. - HOWEVER, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE BILL WOULD PLACE CONDITIONS ON THE EXTENSION OF MFN TREATMENT TO CERTAIN CHINESE PRODUCTS LINKED TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA. - THE PRESIDENT MADE CLEAR IN HIS MAY 26 STATEMENT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS DELINKING HUMAN RIGHTS FROM THE ANNUAL EXTENSION OF MOST FAVORED NATION STATUS FOR CHINA. WE ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO SUPPORT THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY. -- WE WILL OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION AND ANY OTHER ATTEMPTS TO OVERTURN THE PRESIDENT'S POLICY BY LEGISLATING A LINKAGE BETWEEN HUMAN RIGHTS AND MFN. -- WE UNDERSTAND AND SYMPATHIZE WITH THE CONCERNS OF MAJORITY LEADER GEPHARDT AND CONGRESSWOMAN PELOSI. HOWEVER, WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT OUR HUMAN RIGHTS INTERESTS CAN BE SERVED EFFECTIVELY BY THEIR LEGISLATION, 7 06/17/94 12:24 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 010 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release June 17, 1994 06/17/94 GREECE: DEMARCHE TO U.S. Q: Did the Greek Ambassador protest your statement of June 13 regarding the U.S. position on the air space in the Aegean? A: - THE GREEK AMBASSADOR MET ON JUNE 16 WITH EUR PDAS ALEXANDER VERSHBOW. HE EXPRESSED HIS GOVERNMENT'S CONCERN ABOUT OUR STATEMENT ON JUNE 13. AS THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS ALREADY NOTED, THE U.S. AND GREECE HAVE DIFFERING POSITIONS ON HOW NATIONAL AIRSPACE IS DETERMINED. HOWEVER, THE U.S., OF COURSE, DOES NOT CONDONE VIOLATIONS OF NATIONAL AIRSPACE AS COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW AND PRACTICE. 06/17/94 12:24 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 011 EUR PRESS GUIDANCE JUNE 17, 1994 CONTACT GROUP Q: What is the Contact Group doing? Where is Ambassador Redman? Who is he meeting with? Why? A: -- THE CONTACT GROUP HAD PRODUCTIVE MEETINGS IN LONDON AND WILL BE CONTINUING ITS WORK IN THE DAYS AHEAD. -- WE HAVE NOTHING FURTHER TO ADD ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUP AT THIS TIME. ONLY IF ASKED: -- AMBASSADOR REDMAN REMAINS IN EUROPE. 7 06/17/94 12:25 202 647 0244 PA/PRS 012 EUR PRESS GUIDANCE JUNE 17, 1994 BOSNIA: FIGHTING UPDATE Q: What is the fighting situation in Bosnia? Has the cease-fire been violated? A: -- THE CEASE-FIRE IS GENERALLY HOLDING, BUT GOVERNMENT FORCES CONTINUE TO CLASH WITH INSURRECTIONISTS SUPPORTED BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN THE NORTHWESTERN ENCLAVE OF BIHAC (BEE-hahtch). -- NEAR THE CENTRAL BOSNIAN TOWN OF DOBOJ (DOUGH-boy), BOSNIAN SERBS AND GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS EXCHANGED MORTAR AND INFANTRY FIRE.