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Press Conference No. 30 of the President of the United States
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Press Conference No. 30 of the President of the United States
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Digitized from Box 24 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
PRESS CONFERENCE NO. 30
of the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
9:13 A.M. CST
April 10, 1976
Saturday
In the International Ballroom
At the Fairmont Hotel
Dallas, Texas
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Won't you all sit
down, please.
We had a great day in Texas yesterday. One regret,
I wish I could have stayed and watched the Rangers win that
ball game last night. It must have been a real fine game,
11 innings, excellent. You all loved it in Texas, didn't
you?
Yes?
QUESTION: Welcome to Texas, Mr. President. The
Dallas Fort-Worth Sigma Delta Chi is ~leased to have a chance
to ask you a few questions.
The first question is, last night you spoke
about stopping the flow of illegal drugs across the Mexican
border. What is your Administration doing to stop the flow
of illegal immigrants across the Mexican border?
THE PRESIDENT: First, in the budget I submitted
for fiscal year 1977, we have increased the funds or will
make available more personnel to work with local authorities.
I have discussed the problem with the President of Mexico,
President Echeverria.
The top legal authorities in this country have
continued their work with the authorities on a comparable
level in Mexico. It is a very serious matter, and we are
doing our utmost in every way possible to prevent the flow
of illegal aliens into the United States.
Yes, sir?
QUESTION: Mr. President, a few weeks ago Deputy
Secretary of Defense Bill Clements was in Dallas, and at
a press conference he was asked a question about the Panama
Canal negotiations. He said that there is a possibility
that those negotiations might result in a partnership
between the United States and Panama in the operation and
defense of that canal. Is there such a possibility?
MORE
(ver)
Page 2
THE PRESIDENT: I think it is premature to come
to any conclusion as to what might be the final resolution
of the longstanding differences between the United States
and Panama. Three Presidents have had representatives
negotiating on this very controversial issue.
I can simply say -- and say it very emphatically --
that the United States will never give up its defense
rights to the Panama Canal and will never give up its
operational rights as far as Panama is concerned. Since
there is no resolution today, I don't think I should
prejudge any detailed final settlement in this conflict
or controversy.
I can assure everybody in the United States that
we will protect defense and operational responsibilities
as far as the Panama Canal is concerned.
QUESTION: Mr. President, if requested, will you
commute the sentences of or pardon any other Watergate
conspirators?
THE PRESIDENT: I would expect that all requests
for pardon or any other action would come through the normal
channels, through the Pardon Attorney in the Department of
Justice. It would be inappropriate for me to make any
comment because none of those requests have come to me
through the proper authorities. Until and unless they do,
it is inadvisable for me to make any conclusion one way or
another.
QUESTION: Mr. President, in view of the hightened
tension in the Middle East, especially with the Soviet-
backed penetration of Syria into Lebanon and increased
activity of the PLO, do you think your policy of curtailing
defense funds fromIsrael is expedient or do you plan to
re-examine that policy with regard to restoration of the
$550 million in interim funds? Also, what is our Government
going to do to prevent the Syrian-Soviet takeover of
Lebanon?
THE PRESIDENT: First, let me set the record
straight. In the fiscal year 1976 budget for foreign aid, I
recommended $1.5 billion for military assistance for Israel,
half of which would be forgiven, which means half of it is
a grant -- not a sale or loan -- and in addition I recommended
$700 million in economic aid and assistance to Israel for
a total of $2.2 billion for Israel in a 12-month period.
MORE
Page 3
Number two, for fiscal year 1977 I recommended
$1 billion in military aid and assistance for Israel,
again half of which would be forgiven. I recommended, as
I recall, $600 million in economic aid and assistance for
Israel for a 12-month period, which means over a 27-month
period I recommended to the Congress $2.5 billion in
military assistance, half of which would be forgiven, and
something over $1 billion in economic aid for Israel.
All of my technical advisers in the Executive
Branch of the Government tell me that those funds are ample
for military as well as economic assistance for Israel.
Now, the Congress, on a tentative basis, has
added another $500 million for military assistance. My
technical advisers tell me that this is unneeded, unnecessary
for the security and survival of Israel.
I think what I have proposed is fully adequate
to meet any challenge that Israel might have for its
security and survival.
On the second question, our policy in Lebanon,
which relates to the whole Middle East, is number one, to
achieve a cease-fire and a permanent cease-fire; number
two, to accomplish a political setttlement of a very
complicated and controversial problem in Lebanon; number
three, we are urging every party, those within the Middle
East and others, to have restraint until we can achieve a
political settlement.
I don't believe that there has been any rash
action by any party so far, and we certainly will use our
maximum diplomatic influence to make certain that doesn't
happen.
MORE
Page 4
QUESTION: Mr. President, don't you consider what
is happening there in the past week, with all the killing going
on, and we know this is backed by Soviet arms, don't you
consider this aheightened thing, and don't you consider that rash
military action, and if, Syria does take over and Israel is faced
with another border with a hostile force, don't you think in view
of all this that perhaps you should reconsider your judgment,
your previous judgments?
THE PRESIDENT: You are presenting the worst
possible case. We do not expect that to take place or
transpire, and we are maximizing our efforts to prevent it to
preclude it. And I don't think it will happen.
Therefore, the military recommendations of $2.5 billion
for Israel is fully adequate to meet the circumstances we
think will take place.
QUESTION: Mr. President, just a few weeks ago in
this very hotel Secretary Kissinger said that we will no longer
tolerate any further Cuban intervention abroad.
And I am wondering just how far you are committed to
back up that threat, especially in the view that there are now
some 20 Russian combat pilots in Cuba?
THE PRESIDENT: Let me say that the statement
made by Secretary Kissinger, in effect, is my statement. I
believe that, and he was carrying out what I have personally
said myself.
Number two, over a longer period of time, there
have been Soviet pilots in Cuba. We don't believe that there is
any significant change in that situation today from the past,
and we certainly will be alert to recognize any change if one does
occur, and we would object if there was any significant change.
QUESTION: Mr. Ford, several Members of the Congressional
Black Caucus and other black political leaders have said that
they will not endorse a Presidential candidate right now because
they are not addressing themselves to the specific needs of
Black Americans; i.e. unemployment, welfare and things like that.
What will you do to get the Black American vote, and
just how important is that vote to you?
THE PRESIDENT: I want the votes to the maximum
degree possible of all elements of our society.
I don't believe that one should make a specific appeal
to any segment of our society for a vote on the basis of what I
promise.
MORE
Page 5
It is my aim and objective, it has been, it is
and it will be, to have a program that meets the needs of all
segments of our society.
I recognize that there are certain interests that
one group or another may have. In the case of blacks, the
minority economic assistance program.
We have done well in that. We have done very well
in trying to provide summer youth employment. I recommended
the maximum possible under the law, and that has a particular
impact on minority youth because they have the highest rate of
unemployment.
So what we try to do is to recognize a problem that
affects all of our citizens. If it affects one group more than
another, and we get an answer, it, in my opinion, is the right
approach.
But to offer as a specific program to a particular
group in order to get their votes, I don't think that is the
way a candidate for the Presidency should operate. I don't
intend to do that.
QUESTION: Mr. President, this is a question about
John Connally, milk mustache or not, Mr. Connally would
definitely be an asset to you, especially in Texas now and
later as a running mate.
If he does not support you in the campaign, will this
automatically erase him as a running mate possibility?
THE PRESIDENT: John Connally has made a decision
which was his decision, as I understand it, not to support any
of the two Republican candidates in the primary.
I respect his judgments. John Connally is a very
close personal friend of mine. I have great respect for his
record in public office and his record as a citizen of the
State of Texas. I wouldn't think that his failure to support me
would in anyway whatsoever prejudice any opportunity to serve in
my Administration for the next four years.
QUESTION: Mr. President, in view of your remarks last
night concerning drug traffic across the borders of Texas and
Mexico and the increased Government pressure and crackdown
on pushers especially, will there be any utilization of the
so-called "Shaffer Commission Report", the President's Commission
on Marijuana and Dangerous Drugs and a re-evaluation
of what you consider dangerous drugs and dangerous drug traffic,
i.e., with regard to the decriminalization or legalization of
marijuana?
THE PRESIDENT: I do not believe in the decriminalization
of marijuana. I have said that many, many times. There is
no conclusive evidence that I have seen. Much research has been
under taken. I see no preponderance of the evidence which indicates
to me that marijuana doesn't have an adverse potential impact on
American's health. Until there is that kind of evidence, I
strongly believe, I am against the decriminalization of marijuana.
MORE
Page 6
QUESTION: Mr. President, before coming to Texas
you indicated that you felt you were coming as the underdog.
How do you feel you will leave?
THE PRESIDENT: I am greatly encouraged, but I
still think we are the underdog. I am getting more
optimistic because we have .had a great response since we
have been in Texas yesterday, and the response today so
far has been equally good.
We have a fine leader of our organization in
Senator John Tower. We have a wonderful group of volunteer
workers. I think we have the right policies, not only for
Texas, but for the country, so as we move closer and closer
to that very crucial primary, I think we will do increasingly
better, and we might surprise some people.
QUESTION: Mr. President, you said that you
have the right policies for Texas. Your signing of an
energy bill has not been popular in Texas. How are you
justifying this to the Texas oil industry?
THE PRESIDENT: I think a little history might
be helpful. In January of 1975 in the State of the Union Message
I came out wholeheartedly for the deregulation of oil, as
well as the deregulation of natural gas.
As a matter of fact, I said that Congress should
authorize the deregulation of oil by April 1, 1975.
Unfortunately, the Congress did not follow my recommendations
of better than a year ago. After laboring long, from
January through most of December, the Congress sent me a
bill that included four of the 13 energy proposals that
I recommended in a mix of good and bad in the remainder of
the legislation.
As I analyzed the pros and cons, it seemed to
me that the best choice for me under those circumstances
was to sign the bill and to try to get the Congress to do
what I had recommended in January, which was not only
the deregulation of oil, but the deregulation of natural
gas.
I think we are making headway. We have .had some
disappointments, but my firm personal 'conviction today is
what I recommended to the Congress in January of 1975.
QUESTION: Mr. President, the House committee
report released last week indicated that the Administration
underestimated the proposed budget by nearly $8 billion.
Would you comment on-this, and also tell us in light of.
election vear pressures, how hard you will fight and how
far you will go to hold down Federal spending?
MORE
Page 7
THE PRESIDENT: That is a matter of judgment.
The several budget committees made their own calculations
as to what expenditures ought to be. I strongly disagree
with the increased expenditures that those budget committees
are proposing. The $394.4 billion spending recommendation
that I proposed I believe today is the right one, and I
regret that the Congress has recommended or the two
committees in the Congress have recommended additional
spending.
I don't think it is necessary. As I have said
many times in the last 19 months, I have vetoed 47
billsand 39 of those have been sustained, and we have saved
the taxpayers $13 billion. If the Congress sends down
in the coming months additional bills for overspending, I
will continue to veto them again, again and again.
I think the Congress is wrong. We don't need that
extra spending.
QUESTION: Mr. President, in view of your answer
a few minutes ago about the black vote and whether you
would try and achieve this or not, in view of the fact that
many political candidates who have either ignored the possi-
bility of blacks actually putting them in office or not,
is it correct to assume that you either don't care about
the black vote or you feel that the black vote will have
no weight during this Presidential election?
THE PRESIDENT: I would like as many supporters
in the black community as possible. I have always had
it in my own Congressional race. I have always believed
that the black community should play a meaningful part in
an election. I intend to do what I can in presenting
the broad programs I have recommended and I believe they
will help and assist all minorities.
But, to go out and offer a particular piece of
legislation for any segment of our society in order to
get them to vote for me I think is the wrong approach for
a Presidential candidate. I want help, and assistance,
from the black community, but I don't intend to
sacrifice my overall approach, which I think is in the
best interest of the United States.
OUESTION: Mr. President, yesterday you took your
hard line stance again on heroin traffic here in this
country, and there has been some talk among Texas represen-
tatives that some budget allocations for immigration agents along
the Texas-Mexican border could be cut back a little bit,
necessitating a drop in the number of agents guarding the
border.
MORE
Page 8
I think you are aware there has been a larger
amount of heroin traffic coming across from Mexico.
Would you be in favor of increasing the budget for immigra-
tion agents to watch the border?
THE PRESIDENT: As I said last night, 80 or 90
percent of the heroin that comes into the United States
comes across our Southern borders. We have proposed that
there be a beefing up of our total Federal law enforcement
efforts in this area in order to meet this challenge.
Now, if we find at any point that more people are
needed or more money is required to meet this problem, I
will be very, very anxious to suggest additional appro-
priations, but it has to be shown as a matter of need.
I think based on the facts that were presented
to me in November and December of last year, when we put
the budget together, that what we recommended was adequate,
fully adequate. But, if the circumstances prove otherwise,
of course I would recommend the additional funds, if needed.
QUESTION: Mr. President, have you and Governor
Connally had any conversations or talks about the possi-
bility of his being your runningmate or taking a high
Cabinet post?
THE PRESIDENT: We, in our very delightful
dinner at the White House about a week ago, covered a wide
range of matters, including politics, but I don't think I
should divulge a personal conversation between my good
friend and myself. It was a very broad discussion.
MORE
Page 9
QUESTION: Mr. President, while Rogers Morton was in
Fort Worth this past week, he predicted that you would
probably talk to a wide range of top Republicans before choosing
your running mate, is that correct?
THE PRESIDENT: I think it is the obligation of a
Presidential candidate to encourage recommendations from
all segments of our party and in Kansas City and perhaps before
I will certainly solicit such recommendations from people in
the party from all over the country.
QUESTION: Mr. President, when Ronald Reagan was
in Dallas earlier this week, he reiterated his concerns about
Eastern Europe.
Last Friday, you reiterated this country's support
or responsiveness, I believe you said as responsibly as is possible
to the aspirations for autonomy of Eastern Europe.
How far would your Administration go in the event
of an uprising such as in Hungary in the '50s and Czechoslovakia
in the '60s?
THE PRESIDENT: The Helsinki agreements provided that
we would support all peaceful means of individuals or nations
achieving their freedom. I don't believe the United States should
say we are going to war if certain things happen in Eastern Europe.
I think we ought to work with individuals and with
countries to make sure that their freedom and their independence
is achieved and maintained, but to say the United States would
take military action under certain circumstances is not the
proper attitude for a President of the United States to take at
a time when we are at peace.
We ought to encourage individuals and national freedom
and independence, but I don't think we should rattle our sabre.
I think we ought to work within the overall context rather than to
say we will do something in a military sense.
QUESTION: Mr. Reagan is rattling his sabre?
THE PRESIDENT: I wouldn't want to judge that. I can
only speak authoritatively about my own policies, which I have
tried to in response to your question.
QUESTION: Mr. President, in your speech last night,
you alluded to the progress that has been made in treatment and
rehabilitiation of drug abusers and said that you plan to step
up those programs. In this city today, drug treatment programs
are operating in excess of their capacity, and in some cases
even putting addicts on waiting lists.
Can you give us a more specific idea what improvements
in those programs you will propose and when?
MORE
Page 10
THE PRESIDENT: In the budget for Fiscal Year 1977, we
increased the amount of money for the treatment programs where the
Federal Government has a responsibility.
On the basis of the recommendations that came to me
from the authorities in the Executive Branch, the money was
increased, there will be an added number of treatment opportunities.
If there is a need for specific help here in Dallas,
either under the LEAA program or any other Federal program, we
will do our utmost to be helpful.
QUESTION: Mr. President, a couple of campaign
questions. One, in view of what has been made public thus far in
the Callaway affair, do you believe he acted too hastily in
leaving your campaign?
Secondly, in the Texas primary, I believe your
Texas campaign Chairman, Senator Tower, has been quoted as
saying unless Mr. Reagan gains at least 75 percent of the Texas
primary vote or delegates that he should drop out of the race.
Do you agree with that?
THE PRESIDENT: First, the action taken by Bo Callaway
was his initiative. He said that although he expected to be
totally cleared, he felt that the possibility of Senate hearings,
the added news media discussion of his circumstances would
injure my campaign.
On the basis of his request, I accepted his resignation.
I think he did, under the circumstances, what was right and
I applaud and I thank him for his unselfishness in these
circumstances.
Number two, as I said, we are doing our utmost to do
well here in Texas, and I think we are going to do increasingly
better. I think it is premature for me to make any recommendation:
to former Governor Reagan, that is a decision for him to make.
So I am not going to, under any circumstances, advise him. That
is his choice, not mine.
QUESTION: Can you estimate a percentage in the
primary?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I don't play the numbers game.
MORE
Page 11
QUESTION: You talked about cooperation from the
Mexican Government in stopping the hard drug flow. What are you
doing to get similar cooperation from that Government in
stopping the abuse of U. S. citizens in the Mexican prisons?
THE PRESIDENT: We, of course, expect every foreign
government to work with us in the protection of the rights
of American citizens. Ve have, through the proper channels
in this case, indicated our deep concern for the protection
of the rights of American citizens in Mexico.
On the other hand, we repeatedly tell Americans who
go to other countries that they have to live up to the laws
of those countries. It's a two-way street. We don't condone
violence in this country in violation of our laws, and I don't
think we should condone violence in other countries in
violation of their laws.
But I can assure you that through proper channels, we
have indicated very strongly that the legitimate rights of all
Americans in those countries should be fully protected, and
we will continue that policy.
QUESTION: Mr. President, since we are running out
of questioners, may I ask you two questions? One is, have
you seen "All the President's Men", and if so, what do you
think of it?
The second question is, what you think of kiss-and-tell
Secretary of State? (Laughter)
THE PRESIDENT: I have not seen "All of the President's
Men". I have been a little busy, so I just haven't seen it, and as
far as I know, I have no plans to see it, but I don't quite
understand the second question.
MORE
Page 12
OUESTION: I think itmight have reference to the
Secretary of State's enjoying parties and things like that
and enjoying the limelight.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary of State, I know
from personal contact with him, works about 14 hours, a
day, if not more, and if he wants to have some relaxation,
I think that is a personal choice on his part, and as
long as he does the job and does it well, which he is
doing, I am not going to make any comment about a couple
of hours a day where he relaxes and enjoys himself. That
is his choice.
QUESTION: Mr. President, it has been reported
that former President Nixon's report to you on his trip
to China had very little useful substance, is that correct?
THE PRESIDENT: It was very interesting; it
was very useful. I read it not once but several times. I
was glad to get it. As I said, it was interesting and
useful. We will have to wait and see how some of his
comments relate to what has happened or may happen in
China. But, other than that, I don't think I should
comment.
QUESTION: Both you and Governor Reagan
apaprently consider yourselves underdogs in Texas. Who
is the favorite?
THE PRESIDENT: I thought from everything I have
read that Governor Reagan came into Texas with the
anticipation and expectation that he would win a substantial
majority of the delegates here. That is what I read from
his campaign managers or other people involved in his
campaign.
I looked at the amount of time that he will be
spending here, so I believe he anticipates a substantial
campaign. He said he was going to all 24 Congressional
districts, that he was going to maximize his efforts. As
far as I could tell from the press statements, he thinks
he is a favorite, or his people do.
We recognize that we came down here as an under-
dog, but underdogs often win, and we are sure going to
try.
QUESTION: Mr. President, why do you consider
yourself an underdog?
MORE
Page 13
THE PRESIDENT: That is a good question because
the policies that I have followed for the country as a
whole have benefitted I think Texas, as well as the rest
of the country. Economic conditions are good in Texas,
and they are getting better, and they will get even better.
I have strongly supported a very up-to-date
modern unsurpassed military capability, and Texas has a
great many military installations, so that policy on my
part ought to be fully supported by people in Texas.
But, from what I understand, in the Republican
primary there is a situation where we might be an underdog.
I am confident that after getting nominated in Kansas
City against whoever the Democrats nominate, we will do
very well in Texas in November.
THE PRESS: Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Itis
nice to see you, and we expect to have another good day in
Texas.
END
(AT 9:49 A.M. CST)