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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Tony Snow Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Snow, Tony, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1988-1993
OA/ID Number:
13898
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13898-004
Folder Title:
[Press Briefing, 11/14/91]
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G
18
29
2
6
FILED
THE WHITE NO
Office of the Press
tary
PRESS BRIEFING
BY MARLIN FITZWATER
The Briefing Room
November 14, 1991
INDEX
SUBJECT
PAGE
Announcements
The President's Schedule
7-8
Domestic
Economic Policy Council Meeting
President's Economic Package
7
Louisiana Governor's Race
7
Darman Interview
9
9-10
Credit Card Rates/Interest Rates
10-14
Buchanan Candidacy?
11
Civil Rights Bill
11-12
President's Travel Records
12-13
Foreign
Indictment of Libyan Agents
1-7
Recognition of Armenia
8
12:48 P.M. EST
#409-11/14
189 Am diedin
Pan Am 103
out of 259 passengers
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
PRESS BRIEFING
BY MARLIN FITZWATER
The Briefing Room
November 14, 1991
12:08 P.M. EST
returned indictments against two Libyan government intelligence
MR. FITZWATER: A federal grand jury in Washington has
Attorney General Barr, his Scottish counterpart Lord Fraser, and all
agents for the bombing of Pan Am Flight #103. We commend Acting
who worked to solve this terrible act of mass murder. All Americans
to judgment those responsible.
are horrified by the monstrous nature of the Pan Am bombing. We call
We are also aware, however, that the terrorist case
against the Gadhafi regime does not begin or end with the destruction
of Pan Am #103. This consistent pattern of Libyan-inspired terrorism
dates from early in Gadhafi's leadership and cannot be ignored. That
the investigation has come to this conclusion is not a surprise.
We are now actively considering what actions to take.
In the coming days, the President will be consulting closely with
Prime Minister Major and other world leaders to fashion together a
by Gadhafi's government.
cooperative international response to this latest terrorist atrocity
The international community must protect itself from
this uncivilized terrorism. Our prayers go out to the families and
friends of the victims of Pan Am #103. They have suffered much over
the last three years. While nothing can bring back their loved ones
who perished, we can and we do commit ourselves to work to ensure
that justice is done and that everything possible is done to prevent
these acts of terrorism in the future.
I'll take your questions.
Q
Marlin, is military response under consideration?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, we don't rule out any options.
We are considering any number of international responses. The
President has already raised this issue with some foreign leaders and
will be raising it with others in the very near future.
Q
You mean he's talked to some foreign leaders today?
MR. FITZWATER: Not today, but in the days previous.
Q
Do you have a strong sense this was coming?
MR. FITZWATER: That the indictments --
Q
Yes.
MR. FITZWATER: We've known that they were coming, yes.
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#409-11/14
- 2 -
States that you're not 2 going When to you do say anything an international unilaterally response as the United do you mean
has done a number of times before?
very is also issuing MR. indictments FITZWATER: today. Well, Great The French, Britian, of as I understand it,
directly So there are a number of countries who downing of the
French strong aircraft. interest in this matter by virtue of the course, have a
well as terrorism that we have seen against civilian aviation in as
with the or indirectly, but certainly who have an interest are involved dealing
government. other sources that's been associated with the Libyan
Q
take. actions that you say we are now actively considering what The
I meant beyond the indictments, though.
-- Beyond the indictments are you doing anything unilaterally actions to or
of these a response with these other countries. That is the try purpose to
these fashion countries are involved, we want to work with them to
MR. FITZWATER: Well, that's what I said. Because all
discussions that are now underway.
Q
the federal agencies that Pan Am says on file in court in New York
Marlin, what will the Bush administration do about
were largely responsible for this thing? In addition to the
terrorism, they say that the Federal Aviation Agency and others
bomb failed to notify Pan Am and notify others that they expected this
threat in Frankfurt on that day. And also they say the
these drugs from the Middle East to Detroit and Los Angeles and
Enforcement in Agency is at fault because it had a system for bringing Drug
into go through without being inspected and apparently that bomb letting got
that package.
dealt with these matters quite extensively. I would refer you to
MR. FITZWATER: Well, Sarah, the Pan Am #103 Commission
with is indictments against the individuals who carried out this
their report which dealt with these issues. Today what we're dealing
terrorism act. And that, after all, is who the families are
interested in seeing brought to justice and in who we are seeing
been dealt with --
brought to justice. Many of the problems that you raise, Sarah, have
Q
No, they have not. Not at all, and this is on the
charge that Pan Am says, don't sue us -- to the survivors -- sue the
federal government.
MR. FITZWATER: Well, Sarah, I don't know that we need
to argue about it. I refer you to the report. The record is quite
clear of the changes that have taken place in various agencies, in
civil aviation airports around the world and so forth to prevent this
kind of thing. We've all seen upgrading of the various security
devices and techniques for examining luggage and so forth that have
taken place as a result of this. And that record is fairly clear.
This is a new case and a far more pointed matter in terms of the
terrorism. survivors as well as the countries involved in trying to prevent
Q
Can you talk about what are some of the other
options that are under consideration in this coordinated response?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, no, we won't discuss the options.
Obviously, we are talking about the full range of matters that are
available to countries in terms of their authorities, the diplomatic,
civilian, military, across the gamut. But we will not discuss any
specific options.
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#409-11/14
- 3 -
Q
United involved Nations in both the Gulf -- first you had sanctions response was
Marlin, the last international
this? and then armed retaliation. Is that any put model on by for the
speculate on options.
MR. FITZWATER: Once again, I'm just not going to
Q
What does the U.S. government want from Libya?
to carried serve their purpose. We want the people that they
MR. FITZWATER: First of all, we want these indictments
is out this act of terrorism to be brought to justice. indiçate that
through a very precise and clear objective and one we will be pursuing And
all of the legal channels available to us.
anything to do Q with Are #103? you ruling out Syria or Iran now as having had
the #103 victims who have operated under an assumption, as of
the It's difficult because we have enormous sympathy for the families issue. of
MR. FITZWATER: Well, that's a somewhat difficult
rest of us have as well, that there was involvement from many the
this PFLP, which receives Syrian and Iranian support. But in pursuing
that simply found that was not the source, that the source was the Libyans
investigation and pursuing all the leads, the investigators
are named in this indictment.
have any evidence to implicate Syria or Iran. It's still an
Now, the investigation continues, and we simply do not
that investigation. We don't rule out some involvement because of open the
the terrorist activities in that part of the world interact with way
time. each other. But there just is no evidence to implicate them at this
Q
When I asked you about Libya, the last time this
government found concrete evidence of Libyan-inspired terrorism,
Ronald Reagan didn't consult very much with allies, he just went in
having these extensive consultations?
and clobbered them. Is this a departure from the Reagan precedent of
MR. FITZWATER: I don't see any need to compare
situations in the sense that the situation has changed somewhat since
then, we've had more experience with terrorist acts. Most
importantly, we've had this, as I said, not only the #103 shootdown,
we had the UTA plane shot down, the French plane, and other examples
of terrorism that all these countries are dealing with. Certainly
Great Britain has been a leader in forcing this investigation of #103
and in helping, as well as the Scottish authorities. So this is just
a situation in which any number of countries are involved and want to
be involved and rightly should be involved in any kind of response.
Q
Marlin, does the President hold Gadhafi personally
responsible for this?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, as we say here, that we find it
very hard to believe that this could have been carried out without
the active involvement of higher-ups within the government. We
aren't willing at this point to identify individuals, but it is
impossible for us to believe that the government was not involved and
that this is not a case of state-sponsored terrorism.
Q
Marlin, when does Bush plan to act?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, again, there's no timetable.
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#409-11/14
- 4 -
Q
talking about here?
Are you talking about days, hours? What are you
take signal it. whatever action we're going to take, nor when we're want going to to
MR. FITZWATER: No timetable. We would not
Q
they? are under consideration are pretty much all military options, aren't that
And also, realistically speaking, the options
there's a full MR. range FITZWATER: of options I won't that -- comment on any options, but
Q
are there, Marlin?
There aren't many diplomatic actions left to take,
MR. FITZWATER: Well, there are a lot of actions
could be taken, and I'm not going to rule any out. I appreciate that the
intensity of your questioning, but I'm simply not going to speculate.
Q
U.S. had intercepts as proof that -- radio intercepts as proof that
Marlin, after the disco bombing in Germany, the
the Gadhafi regime was, in fact, at the root of the bombing. And you
said this is a call to judgment against the Gadhafi regime, but
you're only saying it's impossible to believe that Gadhafi wasn't
involved. Does the U.S., do the investigators have any other
evidence that directly links the Gadhafi government with this Pan Am
#103 bombing?
MR. FITZWATER: I wouldn't want to go into the evidence
beyond what the Justice Department laid out this morning. They had a
real extensive briefing this morning that went into the evidence and
all the information that we have. And again, I would not try to
point to any individual, but it is clear that the support that was
necessary to carry this out had to come from those higher up in the
government of Gadhafi.
Q
Marlin, when asked a couple minutes ago what we
want of Libya, you said we want to bring these people to justice. If
Libya turns these people over to the United States and Great Britain,
is that enough? Does that negate the need for international action,
or at? is there a further purpose such as punishment that you're looking
MR. FITZWATER: Our purposes are as we have said; that
this is an outrage against humanity that must be dealt with. But to
try to define it in terms of how much more than one act over another
would not serve our purposes. So we pursue these people through the
judicial process. We will pursue government-to-government actions
through our allies and friends around the world. But once again, I
would not want to give any hints as to where we might go.
Q
So if these people are turned over that's not
necessarily the end of it in terms of actions against Libya?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, I said, we have -- we're pursuing
this on any number of fronts. One, of course, is the individuals;
the other, of course, is the government involvement. And that could
take any number of directions.
Q
Do we know with absolute certainty that these two
people are in Libya?
MR. FITZWATER: We believe they are.
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#409-11/14
- 5 -
Q
thus any contact far? officially with the Libyan government and any response
And have we started any sort of -- has there been
moment. take I don't have anything for you on exactly how that's at the to
MR. FITZWATER: Those contacts are being planned
with the Libyan government.
place, but there will be appropriate efforts to make contacts going
Q
list of countries that sponsor terrorism?
As a result of this, could Syria be taken off the
matters. a pattern of terrorist activities involving other issues and other
MR. FITZWATER: No, because Syria is on the list through
Q
with Libya or do we have any diplomatic relations at this time?
Also, just informationally, do we have any trade
MR. FITZWATER: We don't have diplomatic relations, we
don't have trade, we don't have airline flights. I saw someone on
television this morning that suggested canceling those. And we do
not provide U.S. visas to go to Libya.
Q
Beyond Great Britian and France, which are the
countries involved in those consultations and who did the President
talk to -- is that on the phone?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, again, we don't want to specify
who all we'll be talking to because a number of countries may want to
become involved in this or may want to talk to us about it. And so
we'll reserve some effort not to identify who that's going to be.
Q
He was personally on the phone with some leaders
-- Major, Kohl, Mitterrand?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, suffice to say he's talked to
other leaders.
Q
I was just going to ask, did he discuss any of
these issues personally with those leaders when he was in Europe for
the NATO Summit last week?
MR. FITZWATER: He's talked to other leaders.
Okay, let's take a couple more and move on to another
subject.
2
Does that mean he didn't talk at NATO or he did
talk at NATO in these bilaterals?
MR. FITZWATER: It means I'm not saying. It means I'm
saying he talked to other leaders.
Q
Marlin, the spokesmen for the families this morning
on television made it very clear that they are going to be satisfied
with nothing less than a military type revenge. Is this the way Bush
is also thinking?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, we certainly have great sympathy
for the emotional feelings of the families in this matter. They have
been with this for a long time and have pressed this case. The
President has met with them. We certainly share their belief that
justice should be taken and an action should be taken. But the
specific nature of it is one that we just can't respond to at this
time.
MORE
#409-11/14
- 6 -
2
That's same action that the U.S. took against Gadhafi -- he
take the terrorism and this Pan Am #103 bombing that a would
take sponsored if it could be shown that there was a link between he state- would
But did he tell those family members that
what the family members are contending the President in '86? said.
doing. consider action in this case. That is exactly what him are
would seen the stories quoted on saying that the President told seen that and he
MR. FITZWATER: The family members that I have
We are considering action, and I'll leave it at that. we
Q
same kind of military action that was taken in '86.
But he didn't promise them that he would take the
measures, no.
MR. FITZWATER: There's been no reference to specific
Q
Marlin, is there anything that the Gadhafi
government allies? could do at this point to avoid some kind of action by the
MR. FITZWATER: Well, it's impossible for me to comment
on what they might do and so forth. First of all, we have these
indictments. We have a legal process to fulfill, and we would like
them do that. Beyond that, that's a matter for our government to
consider with other governments and then make those decisions.
Q
won't act?
So there's no kind of, if you do this, then we
MR. FITZWATER: We're not laying down any yardsticks
today. These are all issues that we need to discuss.
Q
Was the decision to indict referred to the White
House first, or was it strictly undertaken at Justice?
obviously were informed.
MR. FITZWATER: Strictly undertaken at Justice, but we
Q
The theory about an Iranian connection was based on
the premise that the Iranians wanted to wreak vengeance for the their
airliner that we shot down accidently over the Gulf. What do we
think was the motive for Libya to do this?
MR. FITZWATER: It's always difficult to try to suggest
what the motives for terrorism are. It could have been any number of
things, and it just doesn't -- there's no way to speculate. The fact
is that it's murder that is not justified under any circumstances or
by any murder.
I might just point out that we did investigate the
possibility that PFLP -- that's the Syrian group -- was responsible
for this particular act. And it is clear that in the fall of 1988
the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the general
command, planned a series of terrorist attacks targeted at civilian
aviation. That organization has historically operated from Syria.
In 1988 the PFLP began to receive significant operational support
from Iran.
Nevertheless, our indictments fully reflect that all the
evidence proves the culpability of Libyan officials for this specific
act. The strongest evidence in that regard is the timer in the Pan
Am #103 bomb. It was unquestionably a Libyan timer, a clear Libyan
signature. Those details, of course, have been specified more by the
Justice Department this morning.
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#409-11/14
- 7 -
just have been Q doing Could somebody you rule else's out, handiwork though, that in that? the Libyans may
we investigations know. continue, but there's no way to speculate beyond \and all what
MR. FITZWATER: This investigation continues,
Ready to go on to another subject?
the possibility of terrorist attacks from Libya or other going countries? raise
Q Any concern that this indictment is to
America will bring murderers to justice is one that will not: be
MR. FITZWATER: The indictments and the principle that
diminished by threats of any kind.
Q
Economic Policy Council? We understand that a number of the
What happened yesterday at the meeting of the
tax President's cuts. advisors asked Jack Kemp to keep quiet about his ideas on
MR. FITZWATER: It was primarily an economic review
discussion about it. That's about all there is to say. I won't
meeting that went over the data of the economy, had a very good
discussed the status of the economy.
comment on what one person said to another, but suffice to say they
Or
broadcast his ideas on this issue?
Can you confirm that people did ask Kemp not to
MR. FITZWATER: No, no. I don't know that and,
secondly, I wouldn't comment on what the people say to each other in
meetings anyway.
Q
Would the White House like Kemp to keep his ideas
to himself? Keep from making them SO public?
MR. FITZWATER: Jack's a dynamic leader. He speaks out
on issues, he always has and I expect he always will.
Q
Does the President think that he has now an
economic package in place that will carry out his goals of putting
when? the country back on its feet? Or are new things in the works, and
MR. FITZWATER: Well, first of all, as you all know, the
economic situation is such that we have many people who are suffering
from unemployment and uncertainty about the economy. While the
figures tend to suggest that we are coming out of the recession --
today's figures on inflation were very good -- we are concerned about
any efforts that we can take to stimulate growth in the economy. And
the most encouraging thing, of course, is the passage last night --
not passage, but the agreement on the unemployment benefits extension
bill, which can provide some immediate relief.
The President has ordered the Labor Department to be
ready to issue the checks as soon as they pass the bill. so,
hopefully, we can get them out before Thanksgiving.
On the other longer-range front, we have a growth
package of measures before the Congress now which includes the IRAs,
capital gains tax cuts, tax credits for research and development and
other matters to stimulate long-term growth in the economy.
If your question is about tax cuts, the President's
statement in Rome is the best description of where we stand, and that
is that we always continue to look at these matters, but at the
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#409-11/14
- 8 -
moment continue don't intend to submit anything before the recess. And we
to monitor the economy.
subject, go through the announcements. First of all -- another and the
Let me, at this point before we get into
schedule, and then we'll open it up.
Rose Elder in the Oval Office for her to collect her $5 bet Mrs.
The President met this morning at 7:45 a.m. with
Redskins-Oiler game. When the President played golf with Lee on the
executive director of the Math Statistics Program at Fort Lincoln
couple of weeks ago, he bet with Rose. He lost. She is the wife Elder and a
Elementary School in Northeast Washington. Her program introduces
students to professional athletes and uses sports statistics to
give her that plug as a result of also winning the bet.
stimulate interest in math and reading programs. I promised her I'd
Q Did he write her a check or --
a little free publicity here.
MR. FITZWATER: She got kind of a two for five bucks and
Secondly, the President will meet with Prime Minister
Shamir of Israel next Friday morning, November 22. The Prime
Minister is in the United States on a private visit. We expect their
discussions to focus on the peace process as well as U.S.-Israel
bilateral matters.
&
Is there anything on that? Any plan for more
meetings?
MR. FITZWATER: Don't have any other details, no. It's
just the single meeting.
&
Would you expect the date for the resumption of
bilaterals to be held up pending that meeting, Marlin?
MR. FITZWATER: No, I would not. I don't think they'd
hold it up for that meeting. They're still trying to determine the
time and venue for bilaterals and the multilaterals, but I don't
think they're contingent upon this meeting.
Q
But aren't they close to -- isn't the speculation
centering on November 22 in Washington?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, that's when the Prime Minister is
here. But there's speculation all over the board on the venue. So
we just have to leave it to them to decide.
The President meets with Armenian President Ter-
Petrosian in the Oval Office at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon. We'll have
a photo op at the top of that. And he was inaugurated on Monday.
The President first met him at a Spaso House dinner in Moscow in July
of this year. We expect their discussions to center political and
economic reform underway in Armenia. And we'll have a written
readout after the meeting.
Q
Are we ready to recognize Armenia as a separate
country?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, the republics are in the process
of working out new arrangements among themselves. We believe it is
premature to address the issue of recognizing the independence of the
republics such as Armenia while this process is still continuing.
Our relationships with the republics will be based on the five
principles Secretary Baker enunciated September 4. Those are
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#409-11/14
- 9 -
peaceful self-determination, respect for borders, democratic
practices, human rights, and commitment to international obligations.
President 2:45 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room -- open photo-writing pool. group at
The President meets with an Hispanic education
the will have a brief statement at the top of that meeting And the for
pool on Hispanic education.
vote. the national energy strategy bill to come to the floor for them
allow congressional leaders on energy. The main purpose was to ask to
And he just finished the meeting with Republican
reasons. This is a group that had been holding it up for a variety of a
Q
governor's race on Saturday. Has the White House given
There's been a lot of attention to the Louisiana
consideration to some of the ramifications if David Duke any is elected?
other 49 governors?
For instance, would the White House treat Duke just as it treats the
MR. FITZWATER: We haven't given any detailed
consideration of that. I am certain because of the President's
position strongly held and strongly stated last week about David
Duke, that should he win, there wouldn't be any relationship with the
White House. But in a specific sense in terms of organizations and
so forth, I don't think anybody's focused on that. The polls at this
point are showing Edwards ahead, but we'll just have to wait and see.
Q
Well, if you had, for instance, a dinner for
governors as you do most every year, you would invite him, wouldn't
you? I mean, you wouldn't --
MR. FITZWATER: I don't know. I don't -- I think that's
a -- I don't have any idea.
Q
What does Emily Post say about ex-Nazis?
(Laughter.)
Q
What do your polls say on who's going to win in
Louisiana?
MR. FITZWATER: I would just leave it that we don't see
any relationship, period.
Q Who's going to win?
MR. FITZWATER: I don't know.
Q
Have you given any detailed consideration to Pat
Buchanan running for President?
MR. FITZWATER: I don't know. We already had one
Buchanan. (Laughter.)
2
Last week, OMB Director Darman indicated that the
administration and Republican congressional leaders had agreed to
move forward with a growth package next year that includes middle-
income tax cuts. Was he speaking for the --
MR. FITZWATER: I'm sorry, Paula, I missed the last
sentences. Darman said what?
Q
Darman speaking for the White House when he said
that you have agreed to a growth package next year that includes
middle-income tax cuts.
MR. FITZWATER: That he had agreed to one next year?
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#409-11/14
- 10 -
Q
The White House and Republican
middle-income tax cuts.
leaders had agreed to move forward with one next year congressional that includes
agreed I think with he said we're looking at a growth package next he and said.
MR. FITZWATER: Well, I'm not sure that's what
said Republican leaders to pursue that. But I don't year think we've he
what would be in it.
Q
It was specifically reported --
article?
MR. FITZWATER: You mean the Wall Street Journal
Q
There were two separate interviews --
out things on the side again, is he? (Laughter.)
MR. FITZWATER: Another interview? Darman's slipping
Q
Well, was he speaking for the --
in pursuing a growth package. But other than the issues that are
MR. FITZWATER: I didn't see that, but we're interested
already items. in our growth package, we're not committing to any specific
Q
So that was an inaccurate statement?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, I don't know that he said it. I
haven't seen that. What I saw him say was not the same as that.
Q
The President asked for credit card rates to come
down; the Senate responded with an amendment to put a cap on credit
cards rates. Do you support that?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, the President suggested the range
or the span between the prime and credit card rates was probably more
than it needed to be and asked that companies consider lowering it.
Several have. The AT&T card dropped a full percent. I think some
others are on the verge of doing it as well.
But in terms of the legislative cap, that raises a
slightly different problem in the sense that we do continue to
believe that they have to be responsive to market conditions. And
while we'd like to see them lower them on a voluntary or company-by-
company basis, the imposition of a cap by statute causes a number of
concerns both in the marketplace as well as with companies. There
have been some pretty serious negative reactions in New York this
morning, I'm told. So we don't support that approach.
Q
Would you veto the banking bill if that was
included?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, we'll have to wait and see how the
banking bill comes out. As you know, we have a threatened veto on
the banking bill, but on the other hand, it changes every day. So
it's hard to say exactly what it will look like when we get it and
what our position will be.
Q
How about a credit card bill that had that cap in
it?
MR. FITZWATER: As I say, we'll just have to wait and
see.
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#409-11/14
- 11 -
Q
think interest rates once again, or are they finally at the level should where lower you
Does the administration think the Fed
they should be in order to stimulate the economy?
more interest rate, but we are always happy to see lower interest a
MR. FITZWATER: Well, we don't try to specify: specific
for their money flowing into the economy, people getting funds available rates,
policy or our attitude has not changed.
own uses and for plant and investment expansion. So our
Q
Marlin, the Buchanan -- potential Buchanan
just announcement would indicate and has indicated that the
you think that you're too middle of the road for the conservatives Do to
don't consider George Bush one of them. Is that a conservatives concern?
support you in '92?
MR. FITZWATER: No, we think the conservatives do
support us. They have in the past. The President's policies have
been in line with most conservative philosophies, and we think our
support and strength is very strong in that area.
Q
Marlin, at this point the President has no
opposition in the primaries. Are you bothered by the fact that if he
gets in, suddenly he'll have, if not strong opposition, at least
pretty articulate opposition?
MR. FITZWATER: It's a free country. I know Pat.
Q
Is it not troublesome? Does it not distract the
President in some fashion from focusing on Democrats?
Q
Why does the President think a conservative would
find it necessary to run if he has so adequately addressed the
conservative concerns?
MR. FITZWATER: The bug bites everybody once in a while.
Q
Back to the Kemp situation, will the President
allow Kemp to remain in the Cabinet if he continues publicly to
challenge the administration's economic policies?
MR. FITZWATER: Jack Kemp's doing a fine job; great
American; great leader, doing wonderful housing and urban
development.
Q
No jeopardy of losing his job?
MR. FITZWATER: No.
Q
Marlin, you just said it's a free country; I know
Pat. That begs the question, "and" --
MR. FITZWATER: And?
Q
The bug bite somebody -- (laughter.)
MR. FITZWATER: Yes, that's good. I don't know. I
don't have any other response.
2
Sounds like you guys have been thinking about this
a lot.
MR. FITZWATER: No, I haven't had a chance. I'd have a
better response if I had given it more thought.
2
Do you know when you're going to sign the civil
rights bill?
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MR. FITZWATER: I don't know when we're going to get it.
Q
Oh, you don't have it yet?
know No. I think I heard yesterday that we did not have it. yet, And we?
MR. FITZWATER: I don't think we have it do
about this morning, but I don't believe we have it. I don't
some sign it fairly soon after we get it. We always have to go But through we'll
analysis, but we'll sign it fairly rapidly.
Q
There were also a couple of negative economic
down. reports today of unemployment claims jumping again and retail sales
The President himself has said consumers need to have
greater level of confidence. Yet, as you pointed out, his a
package in today contains nothing that would provide short-term growth relief
President be paying more attention to suggestions like those from
terms of putting money into consumers' pockets. Why shouldn't the
Kemp of having an immediate tax cut that might stimulate demand?
these suggestions and ideas. Right now, the most stimulative
MR. FITZWATER: Well, he is. He's listening to all of
occurrence in the economy of a short-term nature is the drop in
interest rates with the prime now down around 7.5 percent, and
interest rates are falling in other responsive categories as well.
So that's the most immediate kind of response. And then I outined,
of course, the longer-term ones.
But we continue to listen to everybody and the tax cut
issue is one where there are feelings on both sides. There are just
as many people who will tell you don't do that for love nor money,
because it will drive up interest rates and ruin the recovery.
There's a great body of responsible economists and business leaders
who believe that.
Q
Where is Bush on that? Because, as you pointed out
in Rome, the President told us he was ruling out tax cuts, that they
were bad, that they would increase interest rates and, therefore, do
more damage than good. Is he now neutral on this and willing to
consider --
MR. FITZWATER: He said he didn't plan to send up a
package before the recess, that we continue to consider every option
and the whole situation.
Q
Yes, but he said more. He was denouncing tax cuts
as a bad economic idea.
MR. FITZWATER: He said we've had very many advisors who
have told us that, yes. But driving up interest rates is the worst
thing that can happen to long-term prognosis for the economy.
Q
He seemed to share that view. Does he still share
that view today?
MR. FITZWATER: We're still open, Leo. We consider all
options.
Q
Marlin, there was a report yesterday that your
office was going to stop compiling the President's travel records.
Is that correct?
MR. FITZWATER: Well, it's not clear to me what that's
all about. Our office doesn't compile travel records. There is
another office that does that; we'll be glad to get you what
information you want. Apparently, Lynn was putting together some
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that stuff out. for Tom and I don't know what that's all about, but work
You tell us what you want and we'll get it for you. we'll
those trip he's trips. taken, so you can look right in there. Madrid, Rome every -- all
The last book, by the way, the travel book lists
Q
peacekeeping force into Yugoslavia?
from Britain and France and Belgium to send an international
Does the United States support the European idea
MR. FITZWATER: What was your question?
Q
Supposedly Britain, France and Belgium have
Yugoslavia to stop the fighting.
suggested that the U.N. should send a peacekeeping force in
MR. FITZWATER: I don't know.
guidance in here on that?
Do you know anything about that, Roman? Is there
I'm glad you asked that, Mary. (Laughter.) Yes, I have
a very strong and forceful view on that, Mary. (Laughter.)
The President announced in The Hague on November 9 that
the United States will apply sanctions on Yugoslavia comparable to
those of the EC, and that the EC can depend on the U.S. to cosponsor
a new U.N. Security Council resolution on Yugoslavia, looking toward
a possible oil embargo, and that the U.S. will cooperate fully in
efforts to strengthen the arms embargo to Yugoslavia. Our approach
will Community. be to take steps comparable to those taken by the European
That's the extents of our position. That's it.
Q
What has that got to do with troops? Roman?
Q
So at this point, you're not endorsing the idea of
a peacekeeping force?
MR. FITZWATER: This is our position, and I cannot go
beyond it. Maybe Roman is going to go beyond it here.
Q
Does the President have any reaction to Mario
Cuomo's suggestion that he was shirking his responsibilities by not
going to Japan?
MR. FITZWATER: Is Mario looking for a way to get out of
New York, is he?
Q Seriously.
MR. FITZWATER: No.
Q
He's got an op-ed piece in The New York Times today
suggesting that the trip was too important to cancel.
MR. FITZWATER: Mario -- he's got so many problems up
there, he ought to be looking for other places to go.
Q
A shot across the bow.
2
A lot of the proposals circulating on the Hill
would provide tax credits for low- and middle-income people and pay
for it by creating a higher top rate for high income taxpayers. Is
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creating the President a higher opposed top rate to any for targeted high income tax credit -- that was financed by
Rostenkowski those specifics. There are any number of proposals out there on any of the
MR. FITZWATER: We haven't taken a position
mix. plan and several other ones. And they're all in --
of They're all on the table and we'll think about them and the
take any them have any attractive aspects to it. But we don't want see to if
a position on any specific provisions.
Q
with decision Alexander Yakovlev while he's here? And when can we expect a
Is the President or perhaps Scowcroft going to meet
finally on a Soviet aid package?
MR. FITZWATER: General Scowcroft met with him
working on it, but relatively soon.
yesterday, and we don't have a date for an aid package. We're still
Q
So the President won't be seeing him?
MR. FITZWATER: I don't believe SO.
and what's your latest thinking on the Asia trip rescheduling?
Q What's the President going to do for Thanksgiving,
MR. FITZWATER: Thanksgiving, the President's plans are
to go to Camp David. And we are still talking to the countries
point. involved about rescheduling the Asian trip, but no dates at this
Q
Can we rule out an extension of the Pearl Harbor?
MR. FITZWATER: I wouldn't rule anything in or out.
What happens is that each of the countries, they have different
problems. And it's just hard to work out dates. It's like -- well,
I won't say what it's like --
Q
after Christmas?
Is it likely to be just after Christmas, shortly
MR. FITZWATER: I just can't say.
Q
Like the day after?
MR. FITZWATER: We'll let you know as soon as we can for
planning purposes.
Q
Is there any discussion that either President Bush
or Mrs. Bush will go up to Kennebunk to look at the damage and do any
further assessment on the house?
MR. FITZWATER: I don't know whether Mrs. Bush is or
not. You'll have to ask Anna Perez about it. The President doesn't
have any plans to. Obviously, that's the kind of thing he could
decide to do at any point. But there are no plans right now.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END
12:48 P.M. EST
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