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May 1999 - Clippings [1]
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286411896
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May 1999 - Clippings [1]
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Records of the First Lady's Office (Clinton Administration)
Alison (Lissa) Muscatine's Press Office Files
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The first day I arrived I heard that 24
THE PRESIDENT
children, infants, had died in the
camp, of exposure, of starvation."
In Germany, Clinton Listens
A woman told of being herded out
by Serbian police who demanded
5,000 German marks from her, then
To Refugee Tales of Misery
1,000. "I had a golden chain, a neck-
lace," she said, "and I said, 'That's
all I have.' And they said, 'We are full'
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
It has been that long since they
INGELHEIM, Germany, May 6
were chased from their villages in
of gold; we just want cash now.
They lie on black metal bunk beds,
Kosovo by Yugoslav forces and near-
The refugees also said they appre-
eight to a room, but they do not sleep.
ly a month since 334 of them were
ciated the visit, thanking Mr.
They are safe now, but night after
airlifted here from a vast tent en-
Schröder profusely for opening Ger-
night these refugees from Kosovo
campment in Macedonia to which
many's doors to them, and lauding
relive the horrors of their homeland.
they had fled.
Mr. Clinton for pressing their cause.
Today they recounted their stories
They make up a fraction of the
One refugee called the war just and
to a special audience that included
10,000 refugees Germany is shelter-
President Clinton, who pledged,
ing now, even as it plans to take in
the leaders noble.
10,000 more. Germany is one of 19
In return, Mr. Clinton told them
"You will go home again," in a mes-
sage meant as much for President
countries giving safe haven to more
not to lose heart. "Don't let yourself
Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia as
than 25,000 refugees of the forced
be broken by this," he said. "Find a
for these refugees created by his
displacement from Kosovo. The
United States announced two weeks
way to be glad that the sun comes up
troops.
ago that it would take in an addition-
in the morning and that you have the
Mr. Clinton and Chancellor Ger-
hard Schröder of Germany sat silent
al 20,000; on Wednesday, 453 of them
people around you you do."
He promised to help track down
for the most part as the misery of the
arrived in New Jersey.
Mr. Clinton and Mr. Schröder told
their missing friends and family and
refugees washed over them.
to establish a registry in the camps
But in a final speech to more than
the refugees that repeating their
and computer terminals here so they
300 of the refugees here, Mr. Clinton
stories would be therapeutic for the
can stay in communication with oth-
assured them: "You have not been
storytellers and it would underscore
ers and keep up to the minute on the
forgotten or abandoned. Mr. Milose-
to the outside world why it was nec-
war.
essary to bring the weight of the
vic has not succeeded in erasing your
The President's pledge that they
strongest military alliance in history
identity from the pages of history,
would go home again, which is as
to bear against the small Serbian
and he will not succeed in erasing
much an aid mission as a military
province of Kosovo.
your presence from the land of your
goal, has become a touchstone of
"People find what has happened to
parents and grandparents."
Administration comments on the
you to be literally almost unbeliev-
These refugees said they were
brutality in Kosovo. Vice President
able," Mr. Clinton told two dozen
beaten and robbed, and their homes
Al Gore, in a speech at Ellis Island on
refugees, who sat with him and Mr.
were set on fire. They saw people
April 21, said the air war would not
Schröder in a small hallway for near-
massacred, their legs cut off. Women
stop until Mr. Milosevic "allows the
ly an hour and a half this morning.
said they smeared mud on their
refugees to return and accepts an
"So the world needs to know the
faces to make themselves as un-
international security force to pro-
truth of Kosovo," Mr. Clinton said.
attractive as possible to discourage
tect all Kosovars."
"And we need to make sure that we
the Serbs from raping them.
Hillary Rodham Clinton greeted
are all strong enough to stay with
"I left my brother in the basement
some of the first Kosovo Albanian
you and to support you until you can
and he had no food," said one wom-
refugees to arrive in the United
go home."
an. Another paid a huge bribe to the
The stories came in a flood. One
States on Wednesday at McGuire Air
Serbian police to get her father out.
Force Base in New Jersey, with the
man, probably in his early 20's, told
same vow.
"It's 42 days," she said, "and I don't
them: "I'm young, but my life is
"We will not let Mr. Milosevic suc-
know what has happened to him."
broken from what I've seen in Blace.
ceed in keeping you out of your
homes," she said. "We will continue
to work to create a peaceful Kosovo
where you can return home as soon
as possible and build your country
again:"
llosovo
The New York Times
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1999
Page 5
19TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright 1999 The Christian Science Publishing Society
The Christian Science Monitor
May 7, 1999, Friday
SECTION: NEWS IN BRIEF; Pg. 24
LENGTH: 500 words
HEADLINE: USA
BYLINE: Compiled By Robert Kilborn and Lance Carden
BODY:
The first Kosovo refugees to arrive in the US were greeted by Hillary Rodham
Clinton, the first lady. They beat her to the punch, however, giving her a
standing ovation when she walked into a gymnasium at Fort Dix, N.J., to welcome
them. "Our hearts and our prayers have been with you," she said. "Now we want to
show you that our hearts and our homes are open to you as well."
The Senate voted 92 to 0 to commend the Rev. Jesse Jackson for winning the
release of three US soldiers captured last month by Yugoslav forces. Five
Republicans - Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois, Jesse Helms of North Carolina, Jeff
Sessions of Alabama, Craig Thomas of Wyoming, and John Warner of Virginia -
refused to vote for or against the measure.
The White House was lax in preventing US missile technology from leaking to
China through commercial-satellite exports, the Senate Intelligence Committee
concluded in a bipartisan report. Concurring with earlier reports from the
Pentagon and a special House committee, the panel said the White House largely
overlooked the potential security risk in its promotion of satellite exports to
China.
The House passed legislation making it more difficult to declare personal
bankruptcy. All 217 Republicans voting on the measure - along with 96 Democrats
- favored the bill. It was opposed by 107 Democrats and independent Bernie
Sanders of Vermont. The Clinton administration has threatened to veto the
measure unless it contains additional consumer protections.
Speaker Dennis Hastert was pressed for a quick vote on campaign-finance reform
by a group of moderate House Republicans who failed to win his commitment for a
vote before September. The GOP House leadership opposes proposed
campaign-finance reforms.
Support for gun control rose sharply in the week after high school shootings in
Colorado, according to polls taken for the Associated Press by ICR of Media, Pa.
In a survey conducted just before the Colorado incident, 47 percent of
respondents said better enforcement of existing weapons laws was the way to
limit gun violence; only 42 percent wanted tougher gun laws. After the
shootings, 51 percent said tougher gun laws would be more effective, and only 39
Local News
The Trentonian
I
Article
http://www.trentonian.com/jrc/papers/Trentonian/FrontPage/TT05064340.hm
Ft. Dix
1460 Prospect St.
Ewing, nj
883 8681 Ma
HRC Kosovar greeting
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Sports
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The Prentonian
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Thurs., May 6, 1999
P. Six Girl
Refugee servicesoffered
* Churches and individuals in New Jersey are offering donated food,
EDUCATION
clothing and toys for Kosovar refugees.
FROM THE
By WAYNE PARRY
GROUND UP
PORT
Associated Press
From shoeboxes of toothpaste, soap and shampoo to a room in a
country farmhouse, New Jerseyans opened their hearts and their homes
yesterday as the first planeload of Kosovo refugees arrived at Fort Dix.
Churches and individuals offered to donate food, clothing and toys for
the families fleeing the fighting in Yugoslavia, and some offered to take
in refugee families.
Diu Shabani, a 26-year-old Albanian from Garfield, went to the
military base in the New Jersey Pinelands to register to sponsor a
refugee family. He and his mother, Sylvania Shabani, 41, also of
Garfield, said they could take in a family of four.
"We have two spare bedrooms," he said eagerly. "We don't want to
cramp them; they've already been cramped."
But despite the offers of help, it will be several days at the earliest
before any of the first refugees to arrive in the United States will be
sent to live with host families. Base officials first plan to meet their
immediate needs, from naps to meals to hot showers, and provide
medical treatment for the most seriously ill, some who have
tuberculosis.
They also have to be registered and issued identification documents
before being released from the fort to host families.
Sister Janet Yurkanin, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton's
refugee and immigration program, said churches and individuals have
been offering help. The offers are being passed along to a central
church office in Washington, D.C.
"One person called to say she'd take a mother with children," Yurkanin
said. "She lives on a farm with sheep and animals and everything, and
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said she'd be glad to share her home with them. People are really
responding to their needs."
About 10 families living near the base volunteered to serve as hosts to
the refugees, she said.
An unexpected bonanza was the 13 Albanian-speaking people who
called, offering to serve as translators for the new arrivals.
Stephanie Schmitter, a spokeswoman for Lutheran Social Ministries,
also said 10 families and churches had volunteered to take in or sponsor
refugees.
"At this point, we're focusing on the church groups, because it's quite an
undertaking to sponsor a family," she said. "I'm also getting people who
are interested in offering to have a family and host them temporarily."
Sister Teresa Gerke, of the Alpha Omega Ministries on the grounds of
Fort Dix, said her organization has been collecting canned goods,
clothing and toys for the refugees for the past several days.
"We have people calling in and asking if they can help," she said.
"Most say they're glad the refugees are coming here."
Members of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Willingboro
assembled what they called "shoe-box ministries," cardboard boxes
with toiletries that the new arrivals will need.
Individual members of Grace Episcopal Church in Pemberton have
been collecting supplies for the refugees.
And the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey plans to assist with
relocation efforts as well by registering families, providing translation
services, and providing snacks and beverages to arriving families.
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NEW YORK TIMES
MAY 6, 1999
VV nitman Aides in Pique at First Lady
By JAMES DAO
fall for such a flimsy excuse Mr. Dänough said.
Aides to Gov. Christine Todd Whitman accused
"It's an extraordinarily transparent bit of political
Hillary Rodham Clinton of trying to avoid sharing
jockeying by an apparent Senate condidate in the
the media limelight yesterday during ceremonies to
state of New York."
greet Kosovar refugees as they arrived at Fort Dix
Mrs. Clinton is said to be chinking of running as a
in New Jersey.
Democrat for the United States Senate in New York
Peter McDonough, a spokesman for the Gover-
next year. Mrs. Whitman. a Republican, has already
nor, said that Mrs. Whitman had wanted to shake
said she plans to run for the Senate New Jersey.
hands with the refugees as they got off a chartered
Julie Mason, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Clinton,
plane at McGuire Air Force Base. But Mr. McDon-
said, "The First Lady:was not Involved in estäblish-
ough said that the First Lady's office vetoed the idea,
ing how the refugees were greeted when they ar.
rived."
contending that it would not be safe for Mrs. Whit-
man to be NO close to the refugees because many of
Mrs. Whitman oventually did get to shake hands
with many of the refugees as the disembarked from
them were thought to be carrying tuberculosis or
buses that had brought them from the Air Force base
other Infectious diseases.
to Fort Dix, where they will be housed. She then
Mr. McDonough scoffed at that explanation,
appeared with the FIRSE Lady Tristder a gymnasium
asserting that Mrs. Clinton simply did not want to
where Mrs. Clinton addressed the refugees.
allow Mrs. Whitman to be first in line greeting the
After the event, Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Whitman
refugees at an event that was getting intense media
exchanged niceties. **She thanked the Governor for
coverage.
being so helpful in setting up the event," said Jayne
"I don't know how stupid they think we are to
Connor, a spokeswornan for Mrs. Whitman.
Local News
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Home
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Thurs., May 6, 1999
Christie works around Hill snub
P. Six Girl
Behind the official American welcome wagon at Fort Dix yesterday
EDUCATION
there was a little elbowing going on between Gov. Christie Whitman
and first lady Hillary Clinton.
FROM THE
GROUND
Clinton, a possible Democratic U.S. Senate candidate for New York,
SPECIAL PORT
apparently wasn't anxious to share the limelight with Whitman, a
Republican who has already declared that she will be running for the
U.S. Senate in New Jersey next year.
During preparations for the arrival of the refugees, Whitman's office
was informed by the first lady's staff that the Kosovars' arrival was an
international affairs event which did not involve the local governor.
Whitman was to join the first lady at a photo op, but would not be
permitted to greet the buses as they arrived.
But the wily governor, armed with toys for the refugee children,
ignored the White House instructions and welcomed about 200 arriving
Kosovars, one of whom recognized her and cheered, "this is the
governor of New Jersey."
-- SHERRY SYLVESTER
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5/6/99 9:29 AM
The Washington Post
A26 THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1999
Refugees
Make U.S.
Landfall
Ethnic Albanians
Arrive in NJ.
By
MICHAEL GRUNWALD
and Liz LEYDEN
Washington Post Staff Writers
FORT DIX, N.J., May 5-Look-
BY MIKE SEGAR-REUTERS
ing haggard but relieved, the first
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton greets ethnic Albanian children who had
wave of ethnic Albanians who had
just arrived in Fort Dix, NJ., from refugee camps in Macedonia.
been driven from their homes in
Kosovo and then herded into camps
in Macedonia arrived today at a
One of the new arrivals, Albert
in camps in Guam and Panama, and
makeshift refugee village in New
Kasumaj, 19, arguably is one of the
to drive those images out of their
best-suited to exercise his new right
mind.
Jersey.
to stay permanently in the United
"I told them to welcome these
The 453 refugees began stepping
States-but he doesn't want to.
onto the tarmac at McGuire Air
people to America the way we
Force Base at 4:20 p.m. after a
He speaks fluent English, he
would have wanted our grandpar-
12-hour flight. Many of the adults
wears blue jeans, he likes watching
ents and great-grandparents to be
and children wore heavy parkas and
Jay Leno on Kosovo television and
welcomed to Ellis Island," Zais said.
wool sweaters in the fierce after-
loves nearly every American movie:
Now the uneasy transition be-
noon sun and carried small shop-
"thrillers, action films, anything."
gins. There were 249 adults, 195
ping bags or nothing at all. Later
Kasumaj wants to take classes in
children and nine infants on the
they were greeted by first lady
computers or electrical engineer-
Tower Air 747 from Macedonia,
Hillary Rodham Clinton and Gov.
ing, the subject he was studying in
most of whom had never flown
Christine Todd Whitman (R) at
Pristina before his family was ex-
before. The in-flight movies were
their new temporary home at the
pelled by Yugoslav forces and their
"Mighty Joe Young" and "The X-
Army reserves training center at
home burned to the ground. He is
Files." Tonight, the refugees re-
Fort Dix. Some jubilantly shouted:
pleased that he is among the first
ceived identification cards and
"Clinton, Clinton" and "U.S.A.,
group of Kosovo refugees to depart
were allowed to go right to sleep.
U.S.A."
the dirty, overcrowded camps in
On Thursday, they will start
The American people are very
Macedonia.
dealing with immigration officials
sad and very angry at what has
But shortly before departing
and settling in. At. Fort Dix, the
happened to you," Clinton told the
from Macedonia, Kasumaj said: "All
refugees will be offered English
refugees. "We will not let Mr.
I think about is coming back to my
classes, free medical assistance,
Milosevic succeed in keeping you
homeland. It will be hard to stay in
psychological counseling, even cul-
out of your homes."
the U.S.A." Still, he said, "It will be
tural orientation classes about driv-
The refugees who fled their
better to go there than anywhere
else. We have to thank the Ameri-
ing, shopping, working and attend-
homes to escape the forces of Yugo-
slav President Slobodan Milosevic
can people."
ing school in this country.
received quick medical checkups,
"The good part is, we are leaving
There will be no pork or alcohol
in the mess halls, out of sensitivity
turkey sandwiches and new cloth-
the camps. The bad part is we are
to Muslim traditions. Red Cross
ing upon their arrival.
even farther away from Kosovo,"
said Arlinda Gashi, 19, another of
officials will be on hand to help the
This is the first phase of Task
Force Open Arms, an effort to
the refugees.
families begin to trace their missing
transport a total of 20,000 such
The refugees will not be allowed
relatives.
refugees to the United States until
to stray off Fort Dix until they are
One problem for officials is try-
they can return to their homes.
ready to leave for good, but as the
ing to accommodate the 50 families
These refugees show the differing
name of the task force suggests,
who are among the new arrivals.
faces of Kosovo. They range from
officials are determined to make
Many of the families are quite
well-educated college students who
them feel at home.
large-the largest includes 28
used to own cell phonès to stooped
To prepare for the refugees, mili-
members. Over the next two to four
grandmothers in head scarves,
tary and civilian officials spent the
weeks, officials will attempt to link
peasant skirts and sandals.
last few days converting Fort Dix
up the refugees with host families.
Officials stressed that the pur-
into a kind of modern-day Ellis
Another group of about 400 refu-
pose of the airlift is not to bring the
Island, with "reception centers,"
gees is expected to arrive Friday,
refugees to this country on a perma-
prayer rooms and banners reading
followed by two more waves next
nent basis.
"Miresevini ne Amerike," Albanian
week.
They can apply for permanent
for "Welcome to America." Brig.
residence in a year if they want, but
Gen. Mitchell Zais, the task force
Correspondent Anne Swardson
most hope to return to Kosovo once
head, told his soldiers to remember
contributed to this report from
NATO can ensure their safety.
the way refugees have been treated
Skopje, Macedonia.
Page 34
69TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright 1999 Chicago Tribune Company
Chicago Tribune
May 6, 1999 Thursday, CHICAGOLAND FINAL EDITION
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 12; ZONE: N
LENGTH: 719 words
HEADLINE: 453 KOSOVO REFUGEES ARRIVE IN U.S.
BYLINE: By Patrick Cole, Tribune Staff Writer.
DATELINE: MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J.
BODY:
The first wave of Kosovo refugees fleeing the squalor and deprivation of
Balkan border camps landed on American soil Wednesday and were greeted by First
Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.
They emerged from the chartered 747 one by one, some smiling, some toting
carry-on luggage and many wearing winter garb despite the 70-degree New Jersey
weather. Some of the 453 refugees appeared tired after a 13-hour flight from
Macedonia, especially the elderly men and the women carrying infants and
children.
Many of the new arrivals waved at air base personnel and local dignitaries
who greeted them with spurts of applause. They then filed into buses that took
them to a private reception at nearby Ft. Dix with Mrs. Clinton and other
Washington dignitaries, including Health and Human Services Secretary Donna
Shalala
"We know that most of all you want to be reunited with friends and family and
to return to your homes and live in peace," the first lady said as she stood
under a banner that read Mirsevini Ne Amerike (Welcome to America).
"This is the goal that the United States and our NATO allies share, and we
will not let Mr. Milosevic succeed in keeping you out of your homes," she said.
Many in the audience broke into enthusiastic applause as her pledge was
translated into Albanian.
"I know you are tired, but you look very good to me," Mrs. Clinton said. "We
want you to hear that the American people are very sad and very angry to see
what happened to you in the last weeks and months. Our hearts and our prayers
have been with you and now we want to show you our homes are open to you too."
After her remarks, she greeted the refugees with handshakes. They chanted
"Clinton! Clinton! Clinton!" and then "USA! USA! USA!"
During May and June, at least 20,000 Kosovo refugees will be brought to Ft.
Dix and other sites at a rate of 2,000 a week, the State Department said.
Page 35
Chicago Tribune, May 6, 1999
An additional 100 Kosovo refugees who have relatives living in the U.S. will
arrive Sunday at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. The State Department and
international organizations are trying to unite the refugees with relatives
already in America.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which helped coordinate the
refugees' reception, prohibited any press or civilian contact with them because
of health concerns, an HHS spokesman said.
Halil Beqiri, a Macedonian native of Albanian descent who has been living in
the New York City area for 15 years, was choked with emotion as he watched the
refugees arrive. It didn't matter that he knew no one on the flight.
"I have come for my people," said Beqiri, 36, wearing a black baseball cap
emblazoned with the Kosovo Liberation Army logo. "I will help them any way I
can. If I have to give half my blood, I will give it."
HHS officials said the refugees rested Wednesday night. On Thursday,
Immigration and Naturalization Service officials will interview them and conduct
security checks on their backgrounds.
The INS then will issue them identification cards and stickers for a housing
assignment, said Joseph Langlois, acting director of the INS' asylum division.
The refugees also will be given physical examinations and offered counseling
services.
Under INS rules, all the Kosovars brought to the U.S. will be granted refugee
status because of the civil war in their native land, in which Serbian troops
are purging ethnic Albanians.
If they choose, they can stay in the U.S. for a year, after which they will
be eligible to apply for permanent-resident status. In five years, they can
apply for U.S. citizenship.
Army officials at Ft. Dix, an Army post about 90 miles south of New York
City, have been working around the clock to construct a temporary living center
for the Kosovars. Officials said they expect most of refugees to stay for two to
four weeks.
Besides beds and basic living facilities, the complex offers a 24-hour health
clinic and International Red Cross assistance for helping the Kosovars find lost
relatives. The facility also includes recreation areas for the children, English
language instruction, briefings on U.S. culture and prayer rooms for Muslims.
The refugees will be offered repayable grants of $350 for their expenses. The
loan will be forgiven if they return to Kosovo once conditions are safer.
WAR IN THE BALKANS.
GRAPHIC: PHOTO GRAPHICPHOTO: A U.S. serviceman at McGuire Air Force Base helps a
Kosovo refugee off a plane Wednesday. She and 452 others arrived from Macedonia.
Reuters photo.; GRAPHIC: THE KOSOVO CRISIS; A summary of developments:;
MILITARY; President Clinton visited Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany to boost
military morale. He later met with the three servicemen freed from Serbian
Page 36
Chicago Tribune, May 6, 1999
captivity by Jesse Jackson. NATO and American military officials said the fatal
crash of an Apache helicopter Wednesday, the second crash of their deployment in
the Balkans, would not affect plans to put the attack aircraft into combat.
Officials said the latest crash may have occurred when the Apache hit a power
line or a bird.; DIPLOMACY; Clinton said he expects to receive a recommendation
soon on whether to release two Serb POWs held by U.S. forces. Defense Secretary
William Cohen said he was inclined to release the men after Red Cross
representatives finish examining them.; NATO chief Gen. Wesley Clark responded
to criticism by his No. 2, retiring Gen. Klaus Naumann, that NATO was hamstrung
by political considerations. "Every military operation has to be governed by the
political ends that it seeks to attain." Clark said. "We did not enter this
operation with an intent to crush Serbia or attack the people of Serbia.";
REFUGEES; UN and U.S. aid agencies are looking to preparations to care for
refugees in the cold of a Balkan winter. Even if a solution to the crisis is
reached soon, authorities anticipate that many ethnic Albanians will refuse to
return to their home province.; The first planeload of Kosovar refugees arrived
in the United States. They were warmly greeted by First Lady Hillary Rodham
Clinton at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.; Madedonian authorities closed
the main Blace border crossing with Yugoslavia and may have turned back
refugees, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: May 6, 1999
Page 31
67TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright 1999 The Washington Post
The Washington Post
May 06, 1999, Thursday, Final Edition
SECTION: A SECTION; Pg. A26
LENGTH: 874 words
HEADLINE: Refugees Make U.S. Landfall; Ethnic Albanians Arrive in N.J.
BYLINE: Michael Grunwald; Liz Leyden, Washington Post Staff Writers
DATELINE: FORT DIX, N.J., May 5
BODY:
Looking haggard but relieved, the first wave of ethnic Albanians who had been
driven from their homes in Kosovo and then herded into camps in Macedonia
arrived today at a makeshift refugee village in New Jersey.
The 453 refugees began stepping onto the tarmac at McGuire Air Force Base at
4:20 p.m. after a 12-hour flight. Many of the adults and children wore heavy
parkas and wool sweaters in the fierce afternoon sun and carried small shopping
bags or nothing at all. Later they were greeted by first lady Hillary Rodham
Clinton and Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (R) at their new temporary home at the
Army reserves training center at Fort Dix. Some jubilantly shouted: "Clinton,
Clinton" and "U.S.A., U.S.A."
"The American people are very sad and very angry at what has happened to
you, Clinton told the refugees. "We will not let Mr. Milosevic succeed in
keeping you out of your homes."
The refugees who fled their homes to escape the forces of Yugoslav President
Slobodan Milosevic received quick medical checkups, turkey sandwiches and new
clothing upon their arrival.
This is the first phase of Task Force Open Arms, an effort to transport a
total of 20,000 such refugees to the United States until they can return to
their homes. These refugees show the differing faces of Kosovo. They range from
well-educated college students who used to own cell phones to stooped
grandmothers in head scarves, peasant skirts and sandals.
Officials stressed that the purpose of the airlift is not to bring the
refugees to this country on a permanent basis.
They can apply for permanent residence in a year if they want, but most hope
to return to Kosovo once NATO can ensure their safety.
One of the new arrivals, Albert Kasumaj, 19, arguably is one of the
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The Washington Post, May 06, 1999
best-suited to exercise his new right to stay permanently in the United States
but he doesn't want to.
He speaks fluent English, he wears blue jeans, he likes watching Jay Leno on
Kosovo television and loves nearly every American movie: "thrillers, action
films, anything."
Kasumaj wants to take classes in computers or electrical engineering, the
subject he was studying in Pristina before his family was expelled by Yugoslav
forces and their home burned to the ground. He is pleased that he is among the
first group of Kosovo refugees to depart the dirty, overcrowded camps in
Macedonia.
But shortly before departing from Macedonia, Kasumaj said: "All I think about
is coming back to my homeland. It will be hard to stay in the U.S.A." Still, he
said, "It will be better to go there than anywhere else. We have to thank the
American people."
"The good part is, we are leaving the camps. The bad part is we are even
farther away from Kosovo," said Arlinda Gashi, 19, another of the refugees.
The refugees will not be allowed to stray off Fort Dix until they are ready
to leave for good, but as the name of the task force suggests, officials are
determined to make them feel at home.
To prepare for the refugees, military and civilian officials spent the last
few days converting Fort Dix into a kind of modern-day Ellis Island, with
"reception centers," prayer rooms and banners reading "Miresevini ne Amerike,"
Albanian for "Welcome to America." Brig. Gen. Mitchell Zais, the task force
head, told his soldiers to remember the way refugees have been treated in camps
in Guam and Panama, and to drive those images out of their mind.
"I told them to welcome these people to America the way we would have wanted
our grandparents and great-grandparents to be welcomed to Ellis Island, Zais
said.
Now the uneasy transition begins. There were 249 adults, 195 children and
nine infants on the Tower Air 747 from Macedonia, most of whom had never flown
before. The in-flight movies were "Mighty Joe Young" and "The X-Files." Tonight,
the refugees received identification cards and were allowed to go right to
sleep.
On Thursday, they will start dealing with immigration officials and settling
in. At Fort Dix, the refugees will be offered English classes, free medical
assistance, psychological counseling, even cultural orientation classes about
driving, shopping, working and attending school in this country.
There will be no pork or alcohol in the mess halls, out of sensitivity to
Muslim traditions. Red Cross officials will be on hand to help the families
begin to trace their missing relatives.
One problem for officials is trying to accommodate the 50 families who are
among the new arrivals. Many of the families are quite large -- the largest
includes 28 members. Over the next two to four weeks, officials will attempt to
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The Washington Post, May 06, 1999
link up the refugees with host families.
Another group of about 400 refugees is expected to arrive Friday, followed by
two more waves next week.
Correspondent Anne Swardson contributed to this report from Skopje,
Macedonia.
An American Welcome: An Air Force serviceman helps an ethnic Albanian
disembark at McGuire Air Force Base in Fort Dix, N.J. Some 453 residents of
Kosovo became the first arrivals in the United States from refugee camps. (Photo
ran on page A01) First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton greets ethnic Albanian
children who had just arrived in Fort Dix, N.J., from refugee camps in
Macedonia.
GRAPHIC: PHC, REUTER/RAY STUBBLEBINE; PH, REUTER/MIKE SEGAR
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: May 06, 1999
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Copyright 1999 News World Communications, Inc.
The Washington Times
May 6, 1999, Thursday, Final Edition
SECTION: PART A; Pg. A1
LENGTH: 906 words
HEADLINE: First refugees from Kosovo arrive in U.S.
BYLINE: August Gribbin; THE WASHINGTON TIMES
DATELINE: FORT DIX, N.J.
BODY:
FORT DIX, N.J. - The first tired, bewildered contingent of refugees from the
"Killing Fields" of Kosovo stepped from a jumbo jet into the spring air of New
Jersey last evening to face an uncertain future and one certainty: They were
safe at last.
The 249 adults, 195 children ages 3 to 18, and nine infants were greeted
briefly by first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton after their charter flight from
Macedonia landed at McGuire Air Force Base.
One official said federal agencies aimed to provide the refugees with a
"welcoming environment, which is comfortable."
The refugees displaced by the war in Yugoslavia had been airborne for 13
hours, during which they watched movies - "The X-Files: Fight the Future" and
"Mighty Joe Young" - and received basic information about what to expect when
their Boeing 747 landed.
The battery of U.S. officials welcoming the ethnic Albanian refugees was
concerned that the newcomers would be overwhelmed by the more than 300 media
representatives bused from nearby Fort Dix to report their arrival. A row of
television cameras 50 yards long awaited the planeload of Kosovars, who seemed
to pay no attention to the media swarm.
Officials also assumed the refugees would be exhausted. So they quickly
checked identification, issued base identification, doled out soap and shampoo,
and hustled them to their assigned dormitories.
The newcomers face two to four weeks of processing that includes medical
checks, counseling and even language classes. They will be cared for the way
"we would have wished our grandparents were treated when they arrived at Ellis
Island years ago" said Brig. Gen. Mitchell V. Zais, who heads the task force
charged with receiving and caring for the refugees.
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The Washington Times, May 6, 1999
The Department of Health and Human Services is coordinating the resettlement
of the refugees and is being aided by the American Red Cross and nine refugee
agencies.
The refugees who landed yesterday are part of two distinct groups of Kosovars
who will be arriving. These people were chosen because the conditions under
which they were living in Macedonian refugee camps were untenable. "They were
conditions that could not be sustained," said Marguerite Hauze, assistant
secretary of state for refugee resettlement.
These refugees have no sponsors in the United States. While some may have
relatives here, they have not yet been located. Ultimately, most must be helped
to find families with whom they can live.
Finding host families will be coordinated by the local agencies. Officials
were careful to explain that it is not possible to drive to Fort Dix, where the
refugees will be living, and take home a needy Kosovar family.'
A group of 100 refugees will be arriving Saturday by commercial flight at New
York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. That group of Kosovars has
relatives residing in the United States. They will be united with their
families upon arrival, and to make that possible, they are now being processed
while in the Macedonian refugee camps.
U.S. officials anticipate that most of the refugees who arrived last evening
will want to return to their homeland. In fact, many have told U.S. officials
that is their intention.
But if they choose to stay in the United States, they will be able to do so.
After a year, they can apply for permanent residency. Meanwhile, efforts will
be made to help them adapt to American society and to get jobs.
Another flight of some 400 "vulnerable" ethnic Albanians is scheduled to
arrive at McGuire Air Force Base tomorrow. Two more flights with approximately
the same number of refugees is scheduled for next week.
To provide facilities for the refugees at Fort Dix, a building containing
open dining facilities for the camp was converted to a medical clinic complete
with cubicles and treatment equipment. A Muslim chaplain from the Army will be
visiting the camp.
Early last month, the United States agreed to accept 20,000 Kosovar refugees.
And at first, it was thought they would be housed at the U.S. Guantanamo Naval
Base in Cuba. The base has, in the past, housed thousands of Cubans and
Haitians seeking asylum in the United States.
Partially explaining that proposal, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
later said that the United States wanted "to show the generosity of spirit of
the American people."
However, the proposal quickly prompted objections. Karen Abu Zayd, the U.S.
representative to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, last month said
sending Kosovar refugees to the United States would establish a "bad precedent."
She declared the refugees "would much prefer to stay in the neighboring
countries near home so they can go home more quickly when it's possible."
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The Washington Times, May 6, 1999
Sen. John Ashcroft, Missouri Republican, said he thought other alternatives
should be investigated. And Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Republican,
pondered the intricacies involved in flying tens of thousands of people to
this country only to return them later.
But as the situation in Serbia has dragged on and the anguish of the expelled
Kosovars has continued with no end in sight, the idea of whisking the displaced
persons to this country has gained support.
Ferrying the refugees back and forth between here and the Balkans is
expensive, Mr. Specter said in a television interview, but he concluded the
"dollars are relatively minor compared to the suffering" the refugees have
experienced.
GRAPHIC: Photos (A, color), A) To safety: Refugees disembark at McGuire Air
Force Base yesterday after a flight from Macedonia.; B) Despite hardships they
have faced, young Kosovar refugees smile upon arrival in the United States
yesterday.; C) Scores of tents make up the Cegrane refugee camp in Macedonia,
home to some 25,000 displaced Kosovars, mostly ethnic Albanians., A&B) By Karen
Ballard/The Washington Times; C) By AP
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
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The New York Times
May 6, 1999, Thursday, Late Edition - Final
SECTION: Section B; Page 1; Column 2; Metropolitan Desk
LENGTH: 1047 words
HEADLINE: Carrying Little but Hope, Albanian Refugees Begin Arriving
BYLINE: By DIANA JEAN SCHEMO
DATELINE: McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J., May 5
BODY:
With their families torn apart and their homes turned to ashes, the first 453
of 20,000 Albanian refugees arrived here from Macedonia today, taking the first
step toward rebuilding their lives away from the battlefield their homeland has
become.
Arriving on a chartered Tower Air 747 jet this afternoon, the refugees, many
of them women, children and old people, were taken to a newly fenced-in section
of the neighboring Fort Dix, where they were expected to remain for three to six
weeks.
As the refugees filed past a receiving line on the runway, what they had
been through could be read in the way they clustered together, and the missing
generations: a young woman walked with an old woman; a man alone carrying an
infant; a mother shepherded a gaggle of children, but no husband; teen-agers
came with their grandparents. Though beginning a new life, they carried no
luggage.
They were welcomed to the gymnasium by Hillary Rodham Clinton. "We know that
your thoughts are thousands of miles away, with families or loved ones who are
in Kosovo or in refugee camps," the First Lady told them. "We will not let Mr.
Milosevic succeed in keeping you out of your home," she said, to the sustained
applause of the newcomers. Above her was stretched a banner. "Mirsevini ne
Amerike," it said: "Welcome to America."
Though the United States had pledged to take in the refugees nearly a month
ago, preparations to receive them here began in earnest only last Friday, after
a renewed exodus from Kosovo brought 200,000 more people flooding into Macedonia
over the last two weeks.
Since then, private contractors, reservists and soldiers have been working
round the clock to outfit Fort Dix with bilingual signs, medical clinics,
dormitories for families of varying sizes and children's playrooms. The
stairwells, with high metal banisters, have been lined with sheets of plexiglass
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The New York Times, May 6, 1999
to prevent little children from falling through the wide spaces, while gates now
surround basement steps, also for safety.
Tonight, officials of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
fingerprinted the newcomers and issued them identity cards, and gave them sweat
suits and toiletries.
In the last 24 hours, some 8,000 Kosovar Albanians fled to Macedonia, said
Marguerite Rivera Houze, Under Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and
Migration. A main refugee camp at Stankovic was operating at triple capacity,
Ms. Houze added. "What we're trying to do is to get people moved out very
quickly," she said.
Under pressure of the new outpouring, the Clinton Administration scrapped
plans to initially restrict the refugees coming here to those with relatives in
the United States willing to sponsor them. Instead, it is accepting refugees
after only a screening in Macedonia, and allowed nonprofit relief agencies to
sponsor them for resettlement.
Ms. Houze said that those arriving here today had suffered neither more nor
less than the hundreds of thousands of other ethnic Albanians who remained
behind.
Perhaps they were just luckier, or more eager. Those arriving today "were the
ones who were already psychologically ready to move," said Roger Winter,
executive director of the Immigration and Refugee Services of America, a private
charity based in Washington.
Among them was one expectant woman who told relief workers she was only seven
months pregnant, and then appeared about to give birth en route to the United
States. "We asked if there was a doctor on the plane," Mr. Winter said. "There
were six." The woman, it turned out, was dehydrated, not in labor.
He said that when the plane touched down here, ending a journey that began in
Skopje 13 hours earlier, the refugeees erupted in cheers and applause.
While here, the refugees will undergo security, medical and immigration
exams, which are usually conducted before refugees ever reach the United States.
Afterward, nine nonprofit organizations that resettle refugees will channel the
newcomers into apartments throughout the United States, said John Fredriksson,
who is overseeing the effort for the Immigration and Refugee Services of
America.
Brig. Gen. Mitchell Zais, head of the Joint Command for Task Force Open Arms,
the military's name for the resettlement effort, said he told soldiers here to
welcome the refugees with sensitivity, in sharp contrast to the treatment that
Cuban refugees had received just a few years ago, when they crammed into
Guantanamo Bay in an effort to force their way to the United States.
"We want to welcome them to America as we would have hoped that so many of
our parents and grandparents were welcomed at Ellis Island,' General Zais said.
A second flight of about 400 Albanian refugees is expected to arrive here
Friday, while 100 Albanians with relatives who have agreed to take them in will
arrive Saturday at Kennedy International Airport. Those coming in on Saturday
Page 20
The New York Times, May 6, 1999
will already have gone through immigration, security and medical reviews in
Macedonia.
Next week, two more planeloads of refugees are due to arrive at Fort Dix.
Ms. Houze said that Washington had promised officials in Macedonia that the
United States would take 2,000 refugees a week from the overcrowded camps. But
with Fort Dix only geared to accommodate up to 3,000 refugees, the United States
Government has opened discussions with officials in Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria
about the possibility of sheltering refugees there, if only temporarily.
Eventually, she said, the Administration would like to conduct immigration,
medical and security screenings of the refugees outside the United States, and
to install them in homes found by nonprofit agencies immediately on their
arrival in the United States.
While refugees' who normally come to the United States have 'to promise to
repay the Government the cost of their transportation, the refugees arriving
today will be given six months after they are formally admitted to repay the
plane fares, about $350 per person, Ms. Houze said. And if they return to
Kosovo, the United States will drop the debt and pay for the flight home.
That wish did not appear to be so farfetched. As Mrs. Clinton left the
gymnasium, the refugees chanted "U.S.A.," and then switched to a new chant.
"Free Kosovo," they called, over and over again.
GRAPHIC: Photos: Refugees from Kosovo who were flown into McGuire Air Force Base
yesterday are to be housed temporarily in barracks at Fort Dix, N.J. (Keith
Meyers/The New York Times) ; Many Kosovars on the first planeload had children
but no husband or father. Some of the 453 wept. Some waved. Soldiers at Fort Dix
were told to act as if the newcomers were their own ancestors at Ellis Island.
(Photographs by James Estrin/The New York Times) (pg. B5)
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
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The New York Times
May 6, 1999, Thursday, Late Edition - Final
SECTION: Section B; Page 5; Column 2; Metropolitan Desk
LENGTH: 320 words
HEADLINE: Whitman Aides in Pique at First Lady
BYLINE: By JAMES DAO
BODY:
Aides to Gov. Christine Todd Whitman accused Hillary Rodham Clinton of trying
to avoid sharing the media limelight yesterday during ceremonies to greet
Kosovar refugees as they arrived at Fort Dix in New Jersey.
Peter McDonough, a spokesman for the Governor, said that Mrs. Whitman had
wanted to shake hands with the refugees as they got off a chartered plane at
McGuire Air Force Base. But Mr. McDonough said that the First Lady's office
vetoed the idea, contending that it would not be safe for Mrs. Whitman to be so
close to the refugees because many of them were thought to be carrying
tuberculosis or other infectious diseases.
Mr. McDonough scoffed at that explanation, asserting that Mrs. Clinton
simply did not want to allow Mrs. Whitman to be first in line greeting the
refugees at an event that was getting intense media coverage.
"I don't know how stupid they think we are to fall for such a flimsy excuse,"
Mr. McDonough said. "It's an extraordinarily transparent bit of political
jockeying by an apparent Senate candidate in the state of New York."
Mrs. Clinton is said to be thinking of running as a Democrat for the United
States Senate in New York next year. Mrs. Whitman, a Republican, has already
said she plans to run for the Senate in New Jersey.
Julie Mason, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Clinton, said, "The First Lady was not
involved in establishing how the refugees were greeted when they arrived."
Mrs. Whitman eventually did get to shake hands with many of the refugees as
they disembarked from buses that had brought them from the Air Force base to
Fort Dix, where they will be housed. She then appeared with the First Lady
inside a gymnasium where Mrs. Clinton addressed the refugees.
After the event, Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Whitman exchanged niceties. "She
thanked the Governor for being so helpful in setting up the event," said Jayne
O'Connor, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Whitman.
Page 17
The New York Times, May 6, 1999
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: May 6, 1999
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The New York Post
May 6, 1999, Thursday
SECTION: Metro; Pg. 004
LENGTH: 811 words
HEADLINE: WELCOME TO FREEDOM, SAYS HILLARY ⑉ KOSOVO REFUGEES GET SHELTER IN N.J.
BYLINE: Neil Graves in Fort Dix, N.J., and William Neuman in New York
BODY:
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday told the first group of 453
Kosovar refugees to arrive in the United States that Americans will open "our
hearts and homes" to them.
"We want you to know the American people have been very sad and very angry
over what they have seen happen to you over the last weeks and months," Clinton
told the refugees - mostly women and children - at their temporary new home at
Fort Dix in southern New Jersey.
"Our hearts and our prayers have been with you, and now we want to show you
our hearts and our homes are open to you, as well."
The ethnic Albanian refugees, including 249 adults, 195 children between the
ages of 3 and 18, and nine infants, landed at McGuire Air Force Base at 4:12
p.m.
Many of them waved as they filed off the chartered Boeing 747 onto the
tarmac, and a small group of military personnel applauded.
Some wore heavy winter clothing in the 70-degree spring weather, and a few
carried bags of the scant belongings that remained to them after the often
brutal escape from their homeland.
Others had nothing but the clothes on their backs.
After the 13-hour flight from Macedonia, they traveled by bus to nearby Fort
Dix - where they will make their temporary homes in a section of barracks at the
old basic training facility known as Doughboy Village.
"The goal here is to provide a welcoming environment which is comfortable,"
said Lavinia Limon, director of the Office of Refugee Settlement for the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
The United States has agreed to take in 20,000 ethnic Albanian refugees
fleeing the war in Kosovo.
Page 14
The New York Post May 6, 1999, Thursday
The first group yesterday were among the most vulnerable in the overflowing
camps in Macedonia, officials said.
The First Lady spoke to the ethnic Albanian refugees in a Fort Dix gym where
a banner in Albanian read: "Mirsevini Ne Amerike," or "Welcome to America."
"We know what you want the most is to be reunited with family and friends and
return to your homes and to be able to live in peace," Clinton said.
"We will not let Mr. Milosevic succeed in keeping you out of your homes," she
said, referring to the Serbian strongman whose troops have carried out a
campaign of ethnic cleansing against the ethnic Albanian population in Kosovo.
The refugees responded with a cheer in English: "Clinton! Clinton! U.S.A.!
U.S.A.! Free Kosovo!"
Many appeared elated to arrive in America but others looked wistful and
apprehensive - with their minds on the agony they'd left behind and the
difficulties of making a new life in a strange land.
"I know they're very scared," said Isuf Hajrizi, who writes for Illyria, an
Albanian-American newspaper in The Bronx.
"They know they're going to be safe, but there's a feeling that they may
never see their homes again."
A pregnant woman on the flight over showed signs of going into labor - but
doctors were able to halt the labor and she had not given birth by last night.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala - who greeted the
refugees with Clinton - said that if the baby had been born on arrival it would
have been "our first new American."
After three to six weeks at Fort Dix officials hope to move the refugees out
to Albanian neighborhoods around New York or in other cities, where they will
live in their own apartments near sponsor families who will try to ease their
transition to life in America.
Halil Beqiri, a Kosçvo-Albanian immigrant who has lived here for 10 years,
was at Fort Dix to welcome the refugees.
He said he hoped to sponsor refugees and was even willing to take in as many
as possible to live in his Staten Island house.
"If my house falls down it will be because so many people are in it, not
because of Milosevic's bombs," he said.
"If I could I'd give them half of my blood," Beqiri said of his newly arrived
countrymen.
Officials say they hope most of the refugees will be able to return home to
Kosovo after the war - but under their refugee status they will all be offered
the opportunity to become permanent U.S. residents.
Page 15
The New York Post May 6, 1999, Thursday
Beqiri said that it's hard to leave the United States once you're here.
"America is very good. Nobody wants to leave," he said. "It's like glue over
here."
Another group of some 400 refugees will arrive in Fort Dix tomorrow.
Most of the refugees the United States has agreed to accept will be staying
with relatives living in this country. On Saturday, the first planeload of these
refugees is due to fly into Kennedy Airport.
GRAPHIC: -TROUPER TROOPS: President Clinton thanks the troops yesterday at
Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. -Reuter
-NEW LIFE: A youngster (above) flashes a peace - or is it victory? - sign as
he arrives at McGuire AFB in Jersey. Hillary Rodham Clinton (right) greets the
families at Fort Dix. -N.Y. Post: Francis Specker (above); pool photo (right)
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
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The Boston Globe
May 6, 1999, Thursday ,City Edition
SECTION: NATIONAL/FOREIGN; Pg. A1
LENGTH: 1128 words
HEADLINE: 453 refugees arrive in start of US airlift;
Crisis in Kosovo
BYLINE: By Charles A. Radin, Globe Staff
BODY:
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. - Shedding thick winter coats and months of fear
and deprivation, 453 refugees from the ethnic strife of the Balkans strode,
shuffled, or were carried onto US soil yesterday. They are the first of 20,000
people from the region expected to arrive in this country over the next three
months.
After a 13-hour journey that began in darkness in the Macedonian capital,
Skopje, the refugees landed at 4:12 p.m. in a chartered Tower Air 747. They
emerged squinting in a hot, bright day, but soon began to smile and wave in
response to the applause of US servicemen and the urgings of photographers.
They came in all ages and sizes. First to deplane were a half-dozen vigorous
men, shoulders squared, who shook hands with US officials lined up along the red
carpet to greet them. Then the flow ceased briefly, as a bulky older woman
struggled to assist a small child down the steep stairs.
A man in traditional white-knit skullcap paused time and again to press his
right hand against his heart and nod in. thanks.
A grandmother in a trenchcoat and Soviet-era shoes herded a gaggle of young
boys. How many were in her charge was impossible to tell, as one family crowded
and merged into the next.
Representatives of the State Department, the Department of Health and Human
Services, and the military greeted the refugees on the tarmac at McGuire. The
refugees then were whisked by bus to neighboring Fort Dix, where, in the
gymnasium converted into a receiving center, they were welcomed to the United
States by Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Also at the receiving center, they were offered cots, boxed dinners, and
play areas for the children while they waited for an initial meeting with
officials of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which issued them
temporary identity cards. Following this, they were assigned to lodgings, shown
Page 8
The Boston Globe, May 6, 1999
around communal areas prepared for prayer and play during their stay at Fort
Dix, and given new clothes, soap, and towels.
The refugees who arrived yesterday are expected to stay at Fort Dix for two
to three weeks, receiving health care, orientation to the United States, and
English lessons while efforts are made to match them with sponsors.
None of the refugees designated for Fort Dix have people lined up in advance
to provide food, clothing and support while they become self-sufficient in the
United States.
Nine residential buildings formerly used as military barracks, two dining
facilities, a medical clinic and a chapel have been prepared for the newcomers.
Another 747 is scheduled to arrive tomorrow afternoon, and two more are due
next week, all carrying refugees with no relatives or other sponsors in the
United States. Refugees who have sponsors are being screened i'n Macedonia and
will go directly to the homes of their hosts without having to pass through Fort
Dix.
Government officials said Fort Dix can now accommodate up to 3,000 refugees
at a time and a military source at the fort said yesterday that an ongoing
project to raze old barracks was suspended last week "until we get this sorted
out."
In a teleconference held yesterday by the US Catholic Conference, a leading
organization in refugee resettlement, Dr. Patricia Maloof said that while
current plans are for 20,000 refugees to come to the United States within two to
three months, "This is a fluid situation." It could change rapidly and speed up
as needed to relieve the crisis in Macedonia, where refugee camps are
overflowing, living conditions deteroriating, and communal tensions rising
rapidly.
US officials confirmed that the speed with which refugees will be brought
here will be influenced by the situation in Macedonia, a neighbor of Kosovo,
which already has taken in about 200,000 refugees. Yesterday, as Macedonia has
done several times before, it closed its border to more.
At Fort Dix, refugees will be required to remain within a fenced and
patrolled area, and members of the public and media wil be able to reach them
only through interviews arranged by government officials. No contact between
media and refugees was allowed yesterday.
"We are looking forward to the challenge of giving some safety and security
to these people who have been desperately lacking it," said Michael Kharfen, a
spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services. "They have been
displaced from their homes, some have been physically abused, they may be
emotionally traumatized."
Kharfen said that Muslim clergy in the area have agreed to assist the
refugees, most of whom are ethnic Albanians whose families are historically
Muslim. He said that there are also Orthodox Christians in the groups, and that
priests are being contacted on their behalf.
Government officials stressed the temporary nature of the shelter at Fort
Page 9
The Boston Globe, May 6, 1999
Dix in particular and in the United States in general, despite the growing
conviction among nongovernmental relief workers that few of the refugees
evacuated to countries far from their homeland will return there.
"We think they will come to the United States, catch their breath, hopefully
we'll resolve this in a short period of time, and they'll return," said
Marguerite Houze, a deputy assistant secretary of state, who runs the US Bureau
of Population, Refugees and Migration.
"The mindset is so determined right now for them to go home," she said.
"It's hard to speculate what their mindset will be in six months or a year from
now. We'll just have to see."
Because the Balkan exiles are being admitted to the United States under
regular refugee regulations, with no special conditions, they all will be
eligible to apply for permanent resident status.
Houze said the influx is not straining the US capacity to accept refugees
because there was already an ongoing refugee program, resettling about 78,000
people a year here, before the Kosovo exodus began. "It happens all the time,"
she said, "Just not this many this fast."
Maloof, the Catholic Conference official, said at least three cases in the
first group of refugees have resettlement possibilities in Greater Boston, but
said she could not elaborate in the number of people involved or their
connections in the area. New York City, Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, and
Arlington, Va., all may receive substantial numbers of refugees, she said.
As the buses carrying the refugees wound their way through Fort Dix,
clusters of servicemen and servicewomen and their families turned out to cheer
and wave.
"I hope this will do their spirits some good," said a young Army officer who
was involved in the preparations. "They must need it. We called over to ask the
Air Force guys if they needed baggage handlers and they said no. These people
have just got what's on their backs."
GRAPHIC: PHOTO, 1. AP PHOTO/Hillary Rodham Clinton greeted refugees arriving at
the processing center at McGuire Air Force Base yesterday.
2. AP PHOTO/Ethnic Albanians disembarked at McGuire Air Force base in New Jersey
after a 13-hour flight, to the United States yesterday.
3. AP PHOTO/Ethnic Albanian refugee Valbona Bytyi, 14, got a hug yesterday from
UNICEF worker Elvana Zhezha at a refugee camp in Kukes, Albania.
4. AP PHOTO/An Air Force serviceman helped a refugee leaving the airplane at
McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey yesterday.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: May 06, 1999
The halependent 14/5/19
HOME NEWS/
/
Children
Hillary Clinton (right) and Cherie Booth meeting Dijana Robaj, a Kosovo refugee, and her baby before speaking at a conference in L
yesterday on how child abuse victims are treated by the legal system. The conference was hosted by the Childline charity Peter Macdi
The Guardian 14/5/99
Children first Hillary and Cherie share platform
Cherie Booth yesterday
that a bill to ease the plight
platform with Hillary Clin-
vorce and time-pressured
criticised a key plank of the
of childwitnesses in court
ton at a ChildLine confer-
domestic lives in the devel-
government's criminal jus-
"could be improved", writes
ence in London. Mrs
oped world to prostitution,
tice reforms, telling the
Clare Dyer. The prime min-
Clinton spoke on issues
and child soldiers
home secretary, Jack Straw,
ister's wife was sharing a
ranging from sex abuse, di-
Photograph: Adam Butler
THE MIRROR, Friday, May 14, 1999
PAGE 3
Kissin' cousins
CHERIE AND HILLARY SHOW THEY ARE WELL-SUITED
so SMART: First ladies both wore trouser suits
so CLOSE: Hillary Clinton and Cherie Blair greet each other like old friends at o London conference yesterday Pictures: KENT GAVIN
FIRST LADIES Cherle Blair and
as "the greatest advocate for children's
By LUCY ROCK
Hillary Clinton yesterday showed off
rights" and listened attentively to her
heartfelt 40 minute speech, her gaze not
the special relationship between
blouse and matching jewellery, provoked
wavering from Hillary's face.
Britain and our American cousins
favourable comparisons with a fellow
Hillary told how too many children were
and their own close friendship.
American yesterday's Mirror pictures of
still abused. neglected and denied basic
Monica Lowinsky looking more frumpy bag
human rights. Today she follows in Cherie's
The pair greeted each other with a kiss
lady than would- be first lady.
footsteps to meet Kosovan refugees in
as they met up in London and proved they
Cherie kept her sty ling simple with &
Macedonia and she urged her audience not
have B lot in common both are intelligent
fitted longer brown jacket, high Nehru style
to forget their plight
women with strongly held views, both
collar and slimline trousers.
Cherie clapped with gusto as she thanked
lawyers, both mothers.
But neither had come to talk about their
Hillary. Then it was down to Esther to thank
Another mutual cause, their concern for
neat bobbed hairdos, perfectly applied
"the two most famous lawyers in the world"
youngsters, brought them together. Their
make- or blood red lipstick.
But not before Cherie had shown her
down to business approach was echoed in
Hillary was there to speak at the request
independence once more, asking the
similar no nonsense trouser suits as they
of Cherie, who got her invite from ChildLine
conference to vote for a resolution calling
arrived in Covent Garden for ChildLine's
head Eather Rantsen when the TV presenter
on the Government to appoint a Minister
Hearing Children's Voices conference.
spotted her under the next door drier at the
for Children. It was passed unanimously.
And Hillary's elegantly tailored black
hairdressers.
No need to tell Tony. Cherie's bound
outfit, brightened up with a green satin
Cherie introduced her White House friend
to have done it already.
And the First Lady lectures Straw
THE Prime Minister's wife lec-
Minister's spouse in a sensitive
in laws to make some of these
tured the Home Secretary last
political area is unprecedented,
measures possible this autumn -
night on legal reforms she
and could lead to embarrass-
but only at the discretion of a
believes he should introduce
ment for the Home Secretary.
judge.
immediately.
Although Mrs Blair has no
Mrs Blair said: 'It is an injustice
Leading QC Cherie Blair said
acknowledged political role, her
and an abuse of rights to expect a
Jack Straw should prevent child
place in Downing Street gives her
child to have the stamina and
witnesses being cross-examined
obvious political clout.
understanding of an adult. We all
by lawyers.
She told the charity's confer-
agree the present system needs
And she said it was time the
ence that Mr Straw should intro-
to be reformed.'
Government appointed an inde-
duce laws to enact the Pigot prin-
She said Mr Straw's Bill was 'a
pendent ombudsman to look
ciples - rules suggested by a
step in the right direction' but
after children's rights.
judge in 1989 that would make it
needed to be improved.
At a conference of the charity
compulsory for children to give
'Since everybody here agrees
ChildLine, she said it was unjust
evidence by video, in private,
that Pigot in 1989 was the right
that children should be bullied by
through intermediaries rather
way forward, what is preventing
adversarial barristers.
than directly to hostile lawyers.
it, ten years later, from being
Cherie Blair: Intervention
The intervention of a Prime
The Home Secretary is bringing
implemented?'
Daly Mail 14/5/99
THE EXPRESS. FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1999
Fair
Hillary Clinton and
Cherie Blair urge
world to respect the
rights of the young
BY IAN GALLAGHER AND DAVID TAYLOR
THE Express today calls on the Government
to appoint a Minister for Children. And the
idea has the backing of both Hillary Clinton
and Cherie Blair.
The First Lady and the Prime Minister's wife
were among delegates at a major conference on
children and the law who voted overwhelmingly
yesterday for the new post, designed to put
youngsters' rights at the heart of the nation's
political agenda.
Both showed their support by raising their hands
when the vote was taken. The Idea was put forward
by Dan Brennan, chairman of the Bar Council. He
told the conference: "Whoever does the job should
monitor and review the way legislation is working
in so far as it affects children.
The move has already won support from dozens
of backbench MPs and the NSPCC. And Esther
Rantzen, chairman of ChildLine, said It was a
positive step. "I think a Government-appoints
commissioner or minister to look after the
interests and welfare of children in Britain is
R wonderful idea."
As the conference heard of the traumatic
experiences child witnesses face in court, a senior
adviser to Home Secretary Jack Straw called for
revolutionary changes in the way trials are
conducted. Lord
Mackenzie, a
former policeman,
said juries should
be told at the start
of child sex abuse
cases about a
defendant's
previous
convictions.
Plans for the
change will be
considered in the
summer when the
Law Commission
publishes its report
on evidence in
criminal
proceedings.
In an emotion-
charged speech,
Mrs Clinton moved
an sudience of 500
to tears as she
SHAKE-UP: Jack Straw
spoke of the global
plight of children suffering in conflicts, at the
hands of abusers, and in our courtrooms. Mrs Blair
called for changes in the legal system which would
end young witnesses' abuse at the hands of
unfeeling lawyers. Signalling the beginning of a
continuing public debate on the rights of the child,
she vowed: "I am not going to rest here today, am
going to take this discussion further. I would like to
see that message going clearly back to the Home
Secretary."
Mrs Clinton, who arrived for the London
conference amid tight security, praised the work of
ChildLine which she said served as a reminder to
all of us about our responsibilities to children. She
said the world was not "listening enough to our
children. The pace of modern life and the
difficulties many families face mean that all too
often we don't have enough time for our children.
When we listen to the cries for help that ChildLin
gets every day we can see how often we adults fail
in our fundamental obligation to respect the rights
of our children.'
Mrs Clinton referred to the shootings at schools
in Dunblane and Denver, telling her audience:
"When such tragedies occur we are reminded that
everything we do pales in comparison to keeping
our children safe. If we take seriously the
THE EXPRESS. FRIDAY, MAY 14. 1999
29
play for our children
First Lady full
of praise for
The Express
THE Express was praised by Mrs
Clinton for sponsoring yesterday's
"hugely important" conference. "I
would very much like to thank The
Express, without whom all this
would not be possible," she said.
The ChildLine conference, the first
of its kind, brought together distin-
guished figures from the legal pro-
fession, the police and child protec-
tion officers.
America's First Lady, Home
Secretary Jack Straw and Cherie
Blair all made keynote speeches.
Mrs Blair also thanked The
Express for sponsoring the event and
said that Editor Rosie Boycott "had
already made a huge difference".
Mr Straw, who spoke on child
issues contained in the Youth Justice
and Criminal Evidence Bill, praised
the paper saying: "I think it is great
that The Express has taken up the
campaign in the sensitive way It has."
Esther Rantzen, who launched
ChildLine, also singled out the news-
paper's coverage, telling delegates
how one feature led to the charity
receiving many letters from parents
describing how they and their chil-
dren had been let down by British
Justice.
After the conference, Mrs Blair
and Mrs Clinton returned to
Downing Street, where they met a
family of three generations who had
WELCOME: Hillary Clinton and Cherle Blair are presented with bouquets at yesterday's ChildLine conference
Pictures: NIGEL WRIGHT
escaped the horrors of Kosovo.
challenges of listening to children then we have to
Mr Brennan told how many children do not believe
ChildLine
ChildLine
change how we think of them. From our
the legal system produces justice. Often, he said,
courtrooms and our police stations to our killing
they face a year-long wait before they get to court
fields and refugee camps, let's do better for
during which time they become increasingly
all our children.
frightened. "Surely as lawyers we can devise a fast
Mrs Clinton spoke movingly of the children
track way that child abuse cases can be dealt with."
crowded on trains out of Kosovo "robbed of their
Mrs Blair, who works as a QC using her maiden
homes, their families and their childhood". She
name Cherie Booth, said: "All of us hear time and
went on: "I know there are many horrible stories
again stories of children saying their experience of
coming out of the Balkans and hope we do not
the court process was as bad if not worse than their
become immune to them."
abuse." She criticised Britain's legal system for "too
The Hearing Children's Voices conference,
often treating children as adults in court".
sponsored by The Express, had earlier heard Mr
"It's bad enough for an adult to take the witness
Straw outline the Government's proposals for
stand so it's not surprising many children feel
improving the way the criminal justice system
suicidal at the thought of it. Some children will
deals with children, promising to case their trauma
have had preparation on what to expect but there
by allowing them to record their evidence in
are many who are unlucky and who will stand
advance on video.
alone in a courtroom in public, facing a hostile
All courtrooms are to be provided with screens
barrister questioning them about things no one
and tougher curbs will be placed on defendants
likes to talk about.'
cross examining children in person. But many
ChildLine chief executive Valerie Howarth said:
delegates said they did not believe the measures go
"We believe children need the informed support of
far enough and urged the Government to end all
the legal profession, the police and child protection
cross-examination of children in sex abuse cases.
agencies to bring about change."
JOINING IN: With Esther Rantzen, Rosie Boycott and Valerle Howarth
THE EXPRESS. THURSDAY MAY 13. 1999
HONOURED: Mrs Clinton at the degree ceremony in Ireland yesterday
Our children
have human
rights too,
says Hillary
BY JULIA LLEWELLYN SMITH
expanded wide enough to include all
the children of the world," Mrs
TOO many children are still
Clinton will tell the London confer-
abused, neglected and denied
ence. "There are still too many chil-
basic human rights, Hillary
dren who are abused and neglected,
Clinton will tell an Express-
denied health care and education.
"There are too many children who
sponsored conference on chil-
are victims of violence and war too
dren and the law today.
many left to fend for themselves on
Mrs Clinton agreed to speak at
the streets, working in inhumane con-
the Hearing Children's Voices confer-
ditions, trafficked like drugs and sold
ence for the charity ChildLine at the
into prostitution.
request of her friend Cherie Blair.
"And through it all; there are still
The two leaders' wives are both
too many children whose suffering
lawyers and devoted mothers, and
we fail to see, to hear and ultimately
share a passionate concern for chil-
to stop."
dren's issues.
The First Lady, who only two years
TV presenter Esther Rantzen per-
ago confessed that she would love to
suaded Mrs Blair to chair the confer-
adopt a child, has made children's
ence during a chance encounter at the
issues her top priority. During her
hairdressers. Despite a head-full of
time at the White House, she has
rollers, Esther could not resist the
championed causes all round the
chance to accost Mrs Blair, who was
world, from teenage pregnancies in
sitting under the next drier.
America to child prostitution in
In her capacity as chairman of
Ukraine.
ChildLine, Esther asked Mrs Blair if
At one point she was thought to be
she would be interested in chairing
considering a high-profile role with
the conference, which tackles the
the United Nations children's organi-
issue of how child-abuse victims can
sations after her husband leaves
be treated better by the legal system.
office, although recently she has been
Mrs Blair in turn suggested con-
under pressure to run for a New York
tacting her friend Mrs Clinton to give
seat in the Senate instead.
the keynote speech. Also speaking
Yesterday Mrs Clinton was granted
will be the Home Secretary Jack
the Freedom of Galway and awarded
Straw. "In spite of our progress on
an honorary doctorate from the
human rights over the last half cen-
National University of Ireland at the
tury, it is unconscionable that the cir-
city in the west of the Irish Republic
cle of human dignity has not been
before going on to Belfast.
16
THE EXPRESS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1999
Suffer little children
Picture posed model
HILE waiting for a court
On Thursday, Hearing Children's
to be, let alone give evidence. They
W
appearance, which can
Voices - a ChildLine summit
were treated as adults by the
take a year or more,
sponsored by The Express and
barristers who cross examined them.
abused children are often
In fact, the prosecution team also
denied therapy because
chaired by Cherle Booth QC will
presented a threat because the
of concerns that this
unite leading legal experts, including
children did not understand what
might corrupt their evidence. When
Hillary Clinton and Home Secretary
was happening.
they arrive in court, they find an un-
The trial came to court twice. At
familiar. archaic environment where
Jack Straw, in a bid to highlight the
the first hearing. the Jury failed to
they fear seeing their abuser, before
gaps in Justice for children. in the
agree while, at the second, the judge
being bullied with adult questions.
third part of our series,
ruled there was insufficient evidence
But sometimes a child is considered
JANE WARREN draws on your letters
for a conviction due to the poor
too young to give evidence at all. In
quality of the children's testimony
these cases, the Crown Prosecution
following an article by ChildLine
But, even when children are
Service (CPS) will often decide to not
founder Esther Rantzee to show how
allowed to use a video link in court, it
even pursue a case because it fears it
the legal system betrays children.
can offer scant protection from brutal
will fail. As a result, the abuser walks
cross-examination. Sisters Rachel
free while the child is left to
sion of this experienced foster carer
and Sarah were 13 and 15 when they
suffer the consequences. Too young to
"one of the people who try to put
gave evidence against their father. He
speak but old enough to be abused.
back the pieces" is: "A child who
was charged with the rape of one
A foster carer in Hereford &
discloses abuse séems to be the loser:
daughter and the indecent assault of
Worcester wrote to tell us about
They lose their family and, because
the other but was found not guilty
David, a five-year-old who was
they have been abused, aren't wanted
after the girls gave evidence through a
sexually abused by his uncle over a
by anyone else.'
video link. Barristers used agg.
long period. "When reported to the
Another carer from Lancashire
ressive tactics and continually
police, they considered David too
wrote about the case of a 14 year-old
insisted the girls were lying
young to give evidence. This little boy
girl and her nine-year-old brother
Rachel says: "The defence bar-
is a very intelligent, articulate child.
who had given evidence against their
rister tried to make me out to be
well able to give evidence in the right
parents, who were charged with 17
the jealous little sister. He read
setting. The abuser has four young
cáses of gross Indecency and Incest.
a letter I'd written to my dad
children of his own. What might he be
"The trial took place in the crown
saying that everyone cared
doing to them?" The pitiful conclu-
court, a rightening place for children
about my sister more and did-
n't matter." The inference
was that Rachel was pro-
voked by Jealousy into fram-
ing her father for abuse.
The barrister came right
YOU'RE AMAZING.
up to the camera and said,
Because it didn't happen' and I
said, 'Well, yes it did', But felt no
one believed me.
According to their solicitor, the
BUPA WILL HELP YOU
case was poorly prepared by the
CPS. No medical or psychological
evidence was presented and hear-
say evidence that their stepsisters
STAY THAT WAY
had also been abused was not
allowed. They learned the verdict
of the case through a messáge left
on their answerphone, while the
FROM JUST £15 A MONTH.
documents relating to the defence
case have never been returned.
INCE then, Rachel's
From just £15 a month, you could enjoy all the benefits of BUPA
S
father has written to her
saying he didn't think his
ChildLise is
assault - an assault for
Hearing
the free
membership including:
which he was found not
Children's
national
guilty was wrong. "He
Voices
for
Cover for prompt, private treatment
said all he was doing was loving
children is
people and he had so much love for
trouble or danger. It provides
Personal attention
his daughters, says Rachel.
to express their desires. A reader
24-haur
conselling
Sarah is similarly confused. "I
from Derby wrote of her year
service, The freephone number
A choice of when and where you want to be treated
don't really know what wanted to
old granddaughter, currently on
for children to call is 0800
come out of It. I did want him to
the "at risk' register in Cam-
For more information about BUPA membership for you and your family.
feel guilty because was telling the
1111. Every day, 15,000
bridgeshire and being forced to live
truth and what he had done was
with her mother, who is married to
attempted calls are made to
simply send the completed coupon to BUPA, FREEPOST KE1566/3
wrong. But didn't want him to go
a convicted sex offender.
ChildLine but lack of funds
Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT2 6BR or phone free on
to prison just because of love,' she
"My daughter is often under the
means that only 3,500 can be
says, eyes spilling with tears.
influence of drugs and drink. They
answered. If you would like to
If courts are failing children in
travel the country introducing the
support its work, you can
0800 600 500
abuse cases, they are performing
child to other known sex offenders
make a donation by calling
liftle better. when it comes to
and paedophiles, who are also reg.
0171-239 1008.
contact and residence battles
ular visitors to the home."
Quoting Ref 3263
where youngsters may have no say
These visits can end in violence
to return her. Social services
in their future. Even if a child
and the girl has witnessed sexual
informed the judge of our fears but
does not want to see a parent, they
acts. Last year, she went to live
our granddaughter was returned
Name (Mr/
can be forced to.
with her grandmother on a police
and we have not heard from her
ChildLine would like to see
protection order: "Two months
since. This child has been through
Address
youngsters being given their own,
later, under threat of losing child
the legal system but has been
independent legal representation
benefit, the mother asked the court
abandoned and betrayed by it.
Postcode
Telephone (Day)
THE WAY FORWARD
Telephone (Evening)
IN BRITAIN, great emphasis
pioneered & fresh approach
selected police officers, not
Date of birth
is placed upon our
to child witnesses, She has
in uniform, work in rooms
adversoria justice system.
established a centre, away
decorated to make them as
Date of birth of eldest to be covered
questioning is
from police stations, where
homely as possible. There is
seen as the only route to
children can go to give their
a playroom where the
Are you an existing BUPA member?
Yes
No
justice but for children, this
statements. friendly,
children are given toys and
is just not appropriate. In
the centre offers a relaxed
books to help them relax."
many European countries,
and therapeutic environment
Needo Care Centre has
You're amazing. We'll help you stay that way.
children are not required to
where a child or victim of
been such a success that
attend court while, in South
sexual assault can lay a
funds have now been
BUPA
Africa, leading lawyer and
complaint," she explains.
allocated to set up similar
lecturer Karen Müller has
"Specially trained and
centres in South Africa.
14
LAW
Ind 11/5/99,
In the name of the child
New legislation
will protect the
young. By
Robert Verkaik
JACK STRAW the Home Secretary,
knows all about how children can get
into trouble with the law. It was just
before Christmas in 1997 when be ac-
companied his son William to Ken-
nington police station after be had
been caughthanding over cannabis
to an undercover reporter.
On Thursday he will be joined by
other parents, including Hillary
Clinton, Cherie Booth and Esther
Rantzen, when all three will be
headlining an international confer-
ence organised by Childline and
aimed at issues involving children
and the law. Mr Straw, who will give
the keynote speech, is not expected
to mention the cannabia incident di-
rectly, although it's thought he may
well be drawing on the experience.
The kind of issues to be tackled by
the conference include "tug of love'
children in divorce cases, the prob-
lems of interviewing young chil
dren and new technology to help
children give evidence in court.
The last fortnight has witnessed
the launch of a number of other
child-law initiatives and child-sup-
port groups. Cherie Booth, who will
be specifically talking about child
abuse and the criminal law at the
Childline conference, is also one of
Hillary Clinton and Cherie Booth will be speaking at an international conference organised by Childline
Reuters
eight QC patrons of the newly es-
tablished Bar committee on the
idence Bill which change the way
High Court judges, tackles number
ished by being deprived of sleep or
are maintained. Carelaw claims:
rights of the child. The committee's
children are dealt with under the
of controversial issues, including
woken up early. Nor can they be
"Once court proceedings are over,
chairman, Jeremy Rosenblatt, says
criminal justice system. Today, ex-
informing children that their social
forced to wear "special clothes"
a young person in care can find it
it aims to raise concerns about chil-
perts on human rights and juvenile
workers are not allowed to wake
However, careworkers may withhold
very difficult to obtain basic infor-
dren who need protection under the
justice will discuss the implications
them up early or punish them by fore-
treats and impose television bans.
mation about their rights."
new Human Rights Act 1998, which
of the proposed changes.
ing them to wear special clothes.
Carelaw, which has been de-
Lawyer Rosaleen Henry, one of
is due to come into force next year.
A Government backed advice ser-
Carelaw also provides informa-
signed with the help of a group of
the leading forces behind Carelaw,
"Concerns range from lesser
vice launched last week by the So-
tion on contraception and abortion.
children who are or have been in
admits: "We are covering range of
breaches of the United Nations
licitors' Family Law Association will
In answer to the question "Can go
care, also tells children that if they
issues, some of which are contro-
convention on the rights of the child
bring information on the law to chil-
on the pill?", the advice service
are not happy with their treatment
versial. But we have not received any
to far greater ones, of children being
dren who are in care. Details of the
says that a doctor can arrange con-
in care they can consult a solicitor.
objections so far." Charities like
sold into slavery, forced into em-
service, called Carelaw, are being
traception for a child under 16 with-
Rosemary Carter, chairman of the
Childline have shown that children
ployment, taken as prostitutes or
made available to schools and social
out informing parents or social
Solicitors' Family Law Association,
need support from the law as well
brides, and forced to take up arms
service departments. It is designed
workers. The website also tells chil-
says: "Providing accurate and in-
as protection from its workings.
as soldiers," says Mr Rosenblatt.
for children in care who have access
dren what punishments the care-
dependent information to young
Carelaw is an example of how di-
The Government is also acting on
to computer. The Internet website,
workers are, and are not, allowed to
people about their rights in care is
rection access can give children
child law, introducing measures in
supported by the Department of
impose. Children who have broken
a good way of ensuring that the high-
more control over decisions made in
the Youth Justice and Criminal Ev-
Health, children's charities and three
the care home's rules cannot be pun-
est standards of local authority care
the name of the I
THE NEW YORK TIMES NEW YORK SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1999
REGION
In Buffalo, Mrs. Clinton Speaks of Child Care and Marriage
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
feeling good about the child care
Mrs. Clinton's books in one hand and
Buffalo. As a result, a small portion
BUFFALO, May 7- In her sev-
you've had for your children?"
a child in the other.
of her trip today was considered po-
enth visit to New York State this
Hands shot up across the sweltering
They burst into loud applause
litical and will be covered by Mr.
year, Hillary Rodham Clinton
gymnasium. They did so again when
when Mrs. Clinton suddenly drifted
LaFalce's political committee, the
donned a cordless microphone today
Mrs. Clinton asked the audience, al-
into a topic that she has tended to
First Lady's aides said. Most of her
to lead a free-flowing discussion with
most all of them women, about prob-
steer clear of in public: the difficul-
three hours in Buffalo was consid-
nearly 600 women about health cov-
lems with health care coverage and
ties of marriage. Responding to a
ered official business and thus will be
erage, child care and, to a swell of
difficulties in collecting child support
question from one woman, the First
financed by the taxpayers.
surprised applause, the difficulties of
from former husbands.
Lady said that the country's leaders
Mrs. Clinton seemed to be getting
keeping a marriage together.
The three-hour visit to upstate
had to "start talking about the im-
the hang of running for office, partic-
The trip today offered Mrs. Clin-
New York afforded Mrs. Clinton an
portance of marriage" and families.
ularly when she offered an effusive
ton, who is considering running for
opportunity to be seen discussing the
"Iknow there are problems," Mrs.
and iconographic tribute to her host
the Senate from New York, and is to
kinds of issues her advisers say
Clinton said, as an expectant still-
city that was almost worthy of Mr.
return to the state on Saturday for
would probably be central to a Sen-
ness fell over the gymnasium. "Mar-
Clinton himself. She spoke warmly of
an awards ceremony at Ellis Island,
ate candidacy with female voters,
riages are hard. They are hard work.
who would be vital to her success.
Buffalo chicken wings and of the
an opportunity to practice the staged
I'd be the first to tell you." She
public forum that has been used to
The women who appeared on Mrs.
smiled tentatively and seemed sur-
city's beautiful avenues.
Clinton's panel today were instruct-
Mrs. Clinton's lack of New York
great effect by President Clinton
prised by the volume of the knowing
during his own political career.
ed "not to dress up, but to come as
applause.
roots is clearly a matter of concern
With a cordless microphone af-
they go to work," Mrs. Clinton said,
This was Mrs. Clinton's seventh
to the First Lady, as she considers a
fixed to her black pants suit, Mrs.
for their talk before the television
trip to New York since Jan. 1. She
race in a field that could well include
Clinton led a panel discussion of five
cameras with the First Lady.
has spent a total of nine days in the
as a Republican opponent Rudolph
women and than wandered the gym-
It was, given its mostly female
state since serious speculation began
W. Giuliani, the Mayor of New York.
nasium at Buffalo State College,
audience and its location in a Demo-
about her potential candidacy for the
She revealed that she spent time in
fielding questions on Federal policies
cratic pocket of upstate New York,
seat being vacated by Daniel Patrick
this part of the state as a child grow-
and their effects on mothers who
as supportive a crowd as Mrs. Clin-
Moynihan. Mrs. Clinton's press sec-
ing up in Chicago.
work outside the home.
ton is likely to find anywhere. The
retary, Marsha Berry, said that Mrs.
"I first came to Buffalo when I
"I'd like a show of hands," she said
women cheered her arrival and al-
Clinton had not visited any state
was a young girl and my family
at the forum on working women or-
most every pronouncement, and
more often this year.
came to Niagara Falls, when I was
ganized by the A.F.L.-C.I.O. "How
lined up across the gymnasium for a
Mrs. Clinton first attended a fund-
about 8 or 9, I suppose, and I have
many of you have had a personal
handshake and an autograph. Many
raiser today, on behalf of Represent-
been back a number of times," she
experience in finding or keeping or
of the women carried a copy of one of
ative John J. LaFalce, Democrat of
said.
THE NEW YORK TIMES METRO SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1999
ASK
A
WORKING
WOMAN
Reuters
Hillary Rodham Clinton discussed topics like health coverage and child care yesterday in Buffalo.
Mrs. Clinton on Child Care and Marriage
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
work outside the home.
audience and its location in a Demo-
BUFFALO, May 7 - In her sev*
"I'd like a show of hands," she said
cratic pocket of upstate New York,
enth visit to New York State this
at the forum on working women or-
as supportive a crowd as Mrs. Clin-
year, Hillary Rodham Clinton
ganized by the A.F.L.-C.I.O. "How
ton would find anywhere. The women
donned a cordless microphone today
many of you have had a personal
cheered her arrival and almost ev-
to lead a free-flowing discussion with
experience in finding or keeping or
ery pronouncement, and lined up in
nearly 600 women about health cov-
feeling good about the child care
the gymnasium for a handshake and
erage, child care and, to a swell of
you've had for your children?"
an autograph. Many held a copy of
Hands shot up across the sweltering
surprised applause, the difficulties of
one of Mrs. Clinton's books in one
gymnasium. They did so again when
hand and a child with the other.
keeping a marriage together.
Mrs. Clinton asked the audience, al-
The trip today offered Mrs. Clin-
They burst into loud applause
most all of them women, about prob-
ton, who is considering running for
when Mrs. Clinton suddenly drifted
lems with health care coverage and
the Senate from New York, and is to
into a topic that she has tended to
difficulties in collecting child support
return to the state on Saturday for
steer clear of in public: the difficul-
from former husbands.
an awards ceremony at Ellis Island,
ties of marriage. Responding to a
The three-hour visit to upstate
an opportunity to practice the staged
question from one woman, the First
New York afforded Mrs. Clinton an
public forum that has been used to
Lady said that the country's leaders
opportunity to be seen discussing the
great effect by President Clinton
had to "start talking about the im-
kinds of issues her advisers say
during his own political career.
portance of marriage" and families.
would be central to a Senate candida-
With a cordless microphone af-
"I know there are problems," Mrs.
cy. The women who appeared on
fixed to her black pants suit, Mrs.
Clinton said, as a stillness fell over
Mrs. Clinton's panel today were told
Clinton led a panel discussion of five
the gymnasium. "Marriages are
"not to dress up, but to come as they
women and than wandered the gym-
hard. They are hard work. I'd be the
go to work," Mrs. Clinton said, for
nasium at Buffalo State College,
first to tell you." She smiled tenta-
their talk before the television cam-
fielding questions on Federal policies
tively and seemed surprised by the
eras with the First Lady.
and their effects on mothers who
It was, given its mostly female
volume of the knowing applause.
This was Mrs. Clinton's seventh
trip to New York since Jan. 1. She
has spent a total of nine days in the
state since serious speculation began
about her potential candidacy for the
seat being vacated by Daniel Patrick
Moynihan. Mrs. Clinton's press sec-
retary, Marsha Berry, said that Mrs.
Clinton had not visited any state
more often this year.
Mrs. Clinton first attended a fund-
raiser today, on behalf of Represent-
ative John J. LaFalce, Democrat of
Buffalo. As a result, a small portion
of her trip today was considered po-
litical and will be covered by Mr.
LaFalce's political committee, the
First Lady's aides said. Most of her
three hours in Buffalo was consid-
ered official business and thus will be
financed by the taxpayers.
Mrs. Clinton seemed to be getting
the hang of running for office, partic-
ularly when she offered an effusive
and iconographic tribute to her host
city that was almost worthy of Mr.
Clinton himself. She spoke warmly of
Buffalo chicken wings and of the
city's beautiful avenues.
Mrs. Clinton's lack of New York
was time to child roots "I the a first growing in is First young clearly this came Lady. part up girl a to in matter She of Chicago. and Buffalo the said my of state she concern when family spent as a I'
came to Niagara Falls, when I was
about 8 or 9, I suppose, and I have
been back a number of times," she
said.
The Buffalo News/Saturday, May 8, 1999
Women: Daughters cut off
from health care on firm's plan
Continued from Page A7
As a single mother and factory
worker. earning $6.36 an hour,
sues for women in the workplace,
Barbara Pieczynski said her daugh-
culminating with a report to a na-
ters, ages 18 and 19, will be de-
tional conference next March.
nied a college education because
the family can't afford it.
On average, women with full-
time jobs earn 25 percent less than
"They have to go to work
men, according to 1997 figures
themselves to pay their bills." she
from the Bureau of Labor Statis-
said. Her daughters are also cut
tics. The AFL-CIO calls for legis-
off from health care under her
lation to even the gap, which some
company's insurance plan at age
economists say is the result of ca-
18, further increasing the pressure
reer choices. Women also depend
to opt for work instead of higher
more than men do on Social Secu-
education.
rity income in retirement.
Nurse Judette Samborski, the
Like Ms. Salter, Vastye Gilles-
fifth participant, said managed
pie is a single mother who rises
care is reducing the quality of the
early each day. But she works as
attention her patients receive as
an AFL-CIO attorney and teaches
well as undercutting her job at
two college courses at night. Her
Buffalo hospital system Kaleida
concern for her two children - a
Health.
kindergartner and a third-grader
Agencies determine who you
- is high-quality, day-long child
see and how much care you get,"
care to accommodate work days
she said. "This ultimately can af-
that sometimes span 15 hours.
fect my job."
"I think I'm a good mom, but
About 850 people attended the
you expect that person (child-care
afternoon event at Buffalo State
worker) to teach some values to
College's Houston Gym, with tick-
your children," she said. "The only
ets distributed by the college and
way you can get that is with ade-
the AFL-CIO. Karen Nussbaum,
quate pay.
head of the AFL-CIO Working
Mary Heaton was also a house-
Women's Department and Murial
keeper once earning $5 an hour,
A. Moore, president of Buffalo
but a training program helped her
State College, also spoke.
get a job as a cable television
"More women are working now
technician with Adelphia Commu-
than ever before, and almost every
nications, tripling her income. The
woman will work for pay" at some
married mother of one spoke in
point in their life, Ms. Nussbaum
support of training programs to lift
said.
working women and their families.
America's 63 million working
"I'd like to see more job train-
women make up 46 percent of the
ing," Mrs. Clinton said. "Not ev-
labor force, according to 1998 fig-
eryone can or wants to go to col-
ures from the Bureau of Labor
lege."
Statistics.
The Sun : Tuesday, April 13, 1999 : Page 5A;
Survey finds
risks frequent
in child care
2 of 3 centers violate
safety rules, officials say
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Two of three
child care facilities surveyed by a
federal consumer safety agency
had safety hazards that put chil-
dren at risk. The problems ranged
from playgrounds without proper
padding to loops on window blind
cords.
The Consumer Product Safety
Commission surveyed 220 facilities,
including centers run by the federal
government, for-profit and non-
profit companies, along with pri-
vate homes that provide child care.
The survey was released yester-
day by first lady Hillary Rodham
Clinton, who visited a local child
care center to highlight parents'
troubles with child care and to ad-
vocate more federal money to help
parents pay for care.
The survey looked for eight haz-
ards that relate to the products
regulated by the commission. The
commission hopes to alert parents
and centers to the potential dan-
gers, said spokesman Russ Rader.
"This is not a 'gotcha' situation
where we're saying these child care
providers are bad," Rader said.
"We're simply pointing out some
safety areas where even the best
parents or child care providers may
not be aware there's a problem."
Two-thirds of the facilities sur-
veyed had at least one of the eight
hazards. Specifically, the survey
found:
At four in 10 facilities, chil-
dren were wearing clothing with
drawstrings around their necks,
which can catch on objects and
strangle a child.
One in four centers had loops
on window blind cords that can
strangle a child.
One in four did not have safe
playground surfacing, meaning if
children fall off playground equip-
ment they could be seriously in-
jured when hitting a hard surface.
Grass, for instance, is too hard a
surface. Each year, there are
90,000 playground-related injuries
each year to children under age 6,
many of which involve falls, the
commission said.
One in five facilities had cribs
with soft bedding, which can suffo-
cate infants. Each year, up to 900
babies who die from Sudden In-
fant Death Syndrome may have
suffocated on soft bedding.
EXCLUSIVE:
CHERIE
AND
HILLARY
JOIN OUR
CALL FOR
MINISTER
TO PROTECT
CHILDREN
FULL STORY:
PAGES 28&29
4
Exp 8/3/99
High-roller Esther pulls off
a double under the dryer
BY TRACY McVEIGH
was unable to resist her
ren's Voices. The two
chance when she found
A CHANCE meeting at
leaders' wives have a lot
herself next to Cherie
the hairdresser's has led
in common. through the
under the dryer.
to TV presenter Esther
law and as mothers, and
She introduced her-
Rantzen teaming up
both are said to care pas-
self and persuaded
with two of the world's
sionately about thil.
Cherie to chair a confer-
dren's issues.
most influential women.
ence in May on how
Cherie Booth, QC, the
The conference aims
child-abuse victims can
Prime Minister's wife,
to inspire ideas about
be better treated by our
and Hillary Clinton,
how courtrooms and
legal system.
lawyer and wife of the
legal proceedings can be
Cherie then suggested
US President, have both
made less intimidating
inviting Hillary and, to
to child victims, who
pledged to back a new
ChildLine's delight, Mrs
often are too overawed
project from Esther's
Clinton accepted an in-
to be good witnesses.
charity ChildLine.
vitation to the brain-
Bedecked in rollers,
ESTHER WRITES
storming legal confer-
the unabashed Esther
EXCLUSIVELY FOR
PERSUADER: Esther
ence, Hearing Child-
THE EXPRESS: PAGE 10
seized the moment
How Cherie Booth and Hillary Clinton came to aid ChildI
N MAY 13, in London,
O
ChildLine is organising a
ground-breaking legal con-
ference, Hearing Children's
Voices. Too often, when the
law intervenes to bring
Help end the
abusers to justice, or to sort out the mess of
a shattered marriage, the adults are at war
and children go unheard.
Over the centuries, we have created a
justice system designed to frighten adults
into telling the truth. Tragically, it fright-
ens many youngsters into silence. It is a
fear that ruins
fact that most child abusers walk the
streets in this country, unpunished, free to
commit their terrible crimes. We at
ChildLine believe change is long overdue
and hope our conference, sponsored by The
Express, will be a major step forward.
Guests of honour will be two of the most
successful and charismatic women in the
children's lives
world, Cherie Booth QC and Hillary
Clinton They have much in common. They
are friends, they are lawyers, but above all,
they care deeply about children and they
things worse. "It was my job to suffer," said
make children's safety an absolute priority.
one child whose father had gone to prison.
It all came about through a lucky meeting
She felt she had destroyed her family, now
in a hairdresser's. I was sitting under a
they had no money, the neighbours knew
dryer when I saw Cherie beside me.
their shame, her mother was hurt. Her fam-
Shamelessly, bedecked with Velcro rollers, I
introduced myself and started to talk to her
By
ily could have been supported through their
ordeal. They were left to struggle alone.
about the plight of children in our justice
system. She responded at once. We invited
Esther
GET letters from men who tell me
her to ChildLine, she saw our counsellors
in action and the idea of the conference
Rantzen
I
they have been wrongly accused,
from mothers who have been wrong.
was born. Not only did she agree to chair it
ly suspected of colluding with the
but she also suggested we invite America's
abuse. I met one family who had
First Lady. To our delight, Hillary Clinton
been told by the CPS that because the
accepted. With these dynamic lawyers on
he terrified the girls into silence. Even-
teenage girl had been so badly injured,
our side, we knew the conference would
tually, they told their mother. The police
mentally and physically, by her stepfather,
attract the world's leading legal authori-
and social services took statements and
she would be unable to give good evidence
ties. The keynote speaker will be the Home
believed them. But the Crown Prosecution
and therefore the case could not go to trial.
Secretary, Jack Straw.
Service decided the younger sister would
Has this happened to you? We need to
Why is this conference necessary? There
never stand up to cross-examination Like
hear from anyone with a child who has
are legal reforms in the pipeline, designed
many very young children who have been
been through the legal process. Did it work
to make children less terrified by court pro-
abused, her case was dropped.
for you? Or did it fail? Please write to me at
cedures. But many of the proposed reforms
A mother rang me a few weeks ago. She
the address below and we will either invite
depend on the court's discretion and there
had discovered that the man she married
you to take part in our conference, or put
are major loopholes they will not touch
was a paedophile and had abused a number
your point forward for debate. Guests will
That is why we need the help of The
of children, including her own. She
include the most distinguished lawyers in
Express readers. We want to invite to our
divorced him but when it came to trying to
the world. By telling them your story, even
conference families who have experienced
prevent him having unsupervised access to
though you and your family have suffered
the legal system first hand and can tell us
them. the lawyers accused her of having a
in the past, you may well be protecting gen-
the failures. I know they exist. Over the
"negative attitude". She is still fighting: if
erations of children in the future.
years since the launch of ChildLine in 1986,
she loses, her children will once again be in
I have heard some horrific stories.
grave danger.
Send your letters to Esther Rantzen, c/o
Two children I know well were abused by
ChildLine hears from thousands of chil
ChildLine, Royal Mail Buildings, Studd St,
an old man who lived next door. He seemed
dren who are being abused but dare not ask
London NI OBR. For details of the conference
kindly and he offered to babysit. For years,
for help. They fear that they will make
call 0171-722 9731.
EXP 8/3/99
MAY 31 '99 13:01 FR SKIP RUTHERFORD
TO MARSHA BERRY
P.07/19
First lady
It's something she hasn't tried be-
might make a better candidate than
fore."
her husband.
But running for office is some-
Hubbell wrote that "what I nev-
Continued from Page 1A
thing Hillary Clinton has consid-
er told anyone was that Hillary had
mode, moving ahead with the ex-
ered before.
actually floated her candidacy"
ploration. But I don't think it's 100
In 1990, when her husband was
past him and other friends.
percent yet," said former Universi-
up for re-election to a fifth term as
Hubbell's view on whether
ty of Arkansas political science
Arkansas governor but admitted he
Hillary Clinton could withstand a
Professor Diane Blair, a close
had no "fire in the belly," Hillary
challenge from a firebrand of an
friend of the first lady.
Clinton privately contemplated
opponent: "Frankly, knowing
In her discussions with Hillary
seeking the office herself.
Hillary, I wasn't worried about that.
Clinton, Blair said the prospective
Her musings about running for
I knew she could dish it out with
Senate campaign has moved from
governor were detailed in Webb
the best of them."
"the impossible to the possible to
Hubbell's 1997 book, Friends in High
Once again, Hillary Clinton is
the not-quite-probable,"
Places: Our Journey from Little Rock
contemplating her potential candi-
But it will likely be several more
to Washington, D.C. Hubbell - the
dacy largely in private. Among
weeks before the first lady makes a
former associate attorney general
those she has turned to for advice
public pronouncement.
who served time on charges stem-
are key members of the president's
Advisers do not expect her to
ming from the Whitewater investi-
political teams from both 1992 and
announce formation of an ex-
gation and is currently awaiting tri-
1996. They include former White
ploratory committee before July.
al on two other indictments -
House deputy chief of staff and
Such a move would allow her to be-
worked with Hillary Clinton at Lit-
New York lawyer Harold Ickes, po-
gin fund raising - and to pay for
tle Rock's Rose Law Firm.
litical consultant Mandy Grunwald
her political trips with campaign
In discussing the 1990 race,
and New York lawyer Susan
funds. Her frequent visits to the
Hubbell wrote that Stephens Inc. ti-
Thomases.
Empire State - generally under-
tans Jack and Witt Stephens had
Democrats are generally pre
written with taxpayer funds in her
suggested that Hillary Clinton
senting a unified face in support 0
role as first lady - have already
begun to draw criticism from New
York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, the
likely Republican candidate.
For most, forming an explorato-
ni committee is a perfunctory step
before officially beginning a cam-
paign. But Hillary Clinton's advis-
ers caution that even if she does
take that step, it doesn't guarantee
she'll actually run.
: "She can't do what most candi-
dates can do because she's a sitting
first lady," said her former press
secretary, Neel Lattimore. "So for
her, an exploratory committee
means just that - an avenue to ex-
plore."
In talking to those familiar with
the first lady's thinking, the word
"methodical" repeatedly crops up
to describe the process she is going
through in weighing whether to
seek the seat being vacated next
year by longtime Democratic Sen.
Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
"It's the $64,000 question," said
Lisa Caputo, the first lady's former
communications director. "She is
clearly taking her time with this,
being methodical and analytical,
which is wise, because ultimately
this is a life decision whether the
Senate is the right venue for her."
; There are those - including an-
other former first lady, Rosalynn
Carter who have maintained that
Hillary Clinton would be diminish-
ing the platform she will have as a
former first lady by seeking a Sen-
ate seat.
Lattimore doesn't think so. "I
don't know if it's a step down. It's a
different step, a different avenue.
MAY 31 '99 13:02 FR SKIP RUTHERFORD
TO MARSHA BERRY
10/19
Clintons plan
to live in NY,
first lady says
BY JANE FULLERTON
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
WASHINGTON - Regardless
of whether she runs for the U.S.
Senate. Hillary Rodham Clinton
made one thing clear last week -
she and her husband will live in
on the same night Little Rock vot-
ers defeated its sales tax issue, Hot
Springs voters approved a bond is-
sue to help reopen Magic Springs
amusement park.
The Hot Springs bond issue,
Huckabee said, "is much more sim-
ilar to this than anything like the
Little Rock package, so I would say
I was more comforted by what Hot
Springs did than I was troubled by
New York once they leave the
White House.
But friends of the first lady were
quick to say that doesn't mean the
Clintons won't be spending time in
what Little Rock did."
the president's home state. After
all. they point out, his presidential
library will be in Little Rock.
"It's fair to say Arkansas will al-
ways be home to the Clintons."
said Lisa Caputo, the first lady's
former communications director.
Hillary Clinton told CBS' Dan
Rather in an interview that aired
Wednesday, "I do plan to live in New
York no matter what I end up doing."
tax increase in the history of Ar-
kansas and to pay for a bond issue
that would outlive the roads. We're
asking people for a short-term
bond issue and no tax increases on
Huckabee brushed aside the
idea that the resounding defeat of
a sales tax proposal in Little Rock,
the state's most populous city, last
week might bode ill for his high-
way bond measure. He noted that
The first lady returned to the top-
again when asked why she was
considering a Senate race in New
York rather than in Illinois where
she grew up or in Arkansas where
she spent most of her adult years.
""I"I never could have predicted
their ballot."
something like this could have OC-
curred. but people came to me and
asked me to consider it," she said.
"Of course, I've been thinking
about and talking to Bill about
living there after we finish in the
White House. I think that both of
us would really enjoy that."
Friends expect the Clintons to
thought this election might be seen
by some as a referendum on Mike
Huckabee, the governor said. "Let
me answer that on election night."
Huckabee said the issues be-
fore voters in this election and
Tucker's proposal bear little re-
"What we're looking at is, we're
semblance.
not raising any taxes, and that's the
key," he said. "(Tucker's] proposal
called people to vote on the largest
have some kind of permanent resi-
dence in Arkansas and to use the
presidential library as a base of
operations.
In addition, the Clintons have
friends and family in Arkansas, in-
cluding the president's stepfather
in Hot Springs and the first lady's
mother in Little Rock.
"It has always been my feeling
that the president would have a
permanent and much-used resi-
dence here," said Diane Blair. a for-
mer University of Arkansas politi-
cal science professor who is close to
the Clintons. "But it also has always
been my assumption that they
would spend a lot time elsewhere.
Nel Lattimore, the first lady's
former press secretary, doesn't
think anyone should take offense
if the Clintons settle in New York.
"What happens is that when they
became president and first lady.
they became president and first
lady for every state."
whatever decision the first lady
more traditional role as first lady
ried about how such a campaign
makes. Even Rep. Nita Lowey, the
and as she gained public support
might interfere with Hillary Clin-
Democratic representative from
during the Monica Lewinsky inves-
ton's duties as first lady. Only 35
New York who would like to run for
tigation and the subsequent im-
percent said that was a concern; 64
the Senate, is deferring to Hillary
peachment proceedings. During
percent said it wasn't an issue.
Clinton, putting her own potential
the early part of her husband's first
Those who know the first lady
campaign plans on hold. But there
term, when she took on the kind of
are glad to see that she's emerging
also are those, including former
policy role that would be required
from the low-profile role she
MAY 31 '99 13:01 FR SKIP RUTHERFORD
New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, who
of a Senate candidate, her popular-
played over the past year as the
are urging the first lady not to run.
ity was decidedly lower.
Lewinsky controversy swirled
The electorate, meanwhile, ap-
When it comes to whether she
around her husband.
pears to be divided.
should run for the Senate, 44 per-
"One of the things I'm most
Nationally, Hillary Clinton is en-
cent are in favor, 47 percent op-
heartened by is the fact that she's
joying some of her highest poll rat-
posed. Various polls in New York
considering it," said Lattimore:
ings, with a 71 percent approval rat-
state matching her against Giuliani
"She could be discouraged from
ing in a CNN/USA Today/Gallup
have produced differing results.
public service after all she's been
survey taken last week.
Sometimes she's ahead; sometimes
through. But this is a chance for her
Notably, those poll numbers
he's ahead.
to put a little shine on an institu-
have moved up as she took on a
But voters don't seem too wor-
tion that's fairly tarnished."
TO MARSHA BERRY
P.08/19
Hillary shows a Faubus-like skill
O
n the day after Wednesday night's
would say that she is a Stepford wife, re-
meeting of the Dan Rather-Hillary
placed by a robot, who always says and does
Clinton Mutual Admiration Society,
John R.
the right thing. Her smile was as phony as
I spent a couple of hours checking the In-
ternet for a news story about the interview
Starr
any that ever graced a face. Her laugh was
as shallow and empty of emotion as an
that CBS had been ballyhooing for three
evening breeze in the Blue Ridge Moun-
days.
tains.
I didn't find such a story. Maybe it was
In the Faubus mode, Hillary talked
because I have a new Internet browser and
the Natural State with a skill learned from
around some questions without attempting
don't know how to look. More likely, it was
one of Bill Clinton's predecessors that will
to answer them. After other questions, she
because 25 minutes of chitchat between
stand her in good stead when she tries to
filibustered so long that when she finally
CBS' aging anchor and a first lady who
deal with New York's disrespectful, con-
shut up, both Rather and viewers had for-
wants to be a senator generated not a shred
tentious and usually biased new media.
gotten the question.
MAY 31 '99 13:05 FR SKIP RUTHERFORD
of news.
Not since reporters were asking Orval E.
Not once did Rather, who once argued
Everything we heard, we had heard be-
Faubus why he ignited the Little Rock in-
with presidents at news conferences, re-
fore. Hillary's explanation that she was stay-
tegration crisis has one politician talked so
spond to one of her obfuscating answers by
ing with her husband, the president, be-
much without saying anything while trying
reminding her that she had not answered
cause the two had formed a deep, personal
to answer a potentially embarrassing ques-
the question. Folks who do boorish things
attachment during 2A years of marriage had
tion.
like that don't get exclusive interviews.
leaked out of the Rather interview a couple
Rather's obsequiousness put to shame
When she talked about the need to turn
of days earlier.
Larry King, the long-time specialist in puff-
this violent country around, I would have
Although I didn't learn anything, the in-
ball questions. In fact, Rather seemed awed
asked what kind of signal is sent about vi-
terview was worth watching. It was the first
by Hillary in a way that Arkansans never
olence when the president abandons diplo-
time Hillary has been so extensively inter-
were. The silly little smirk that he wore
macy and send hundreds of warplanes to
viewed this year. We got our first lengthy
throughout the interview warned that there
pulverize a tiny, poor country because of
look at her at the end of her metamorphosis
was going to be no meat on this turkey.
something its leaders did.
from good old Arkansas girl who both
To his credit, Rather did ask Hillary why
And when she answered that we had to
talked and shot straight to svelte urbanite
she stays with her lying, philandering hus-
do something about suffering in Kosovo, I
who plans to spend her post-White House
band, but he asked it the way a society
would have pointed out that suffering in
years in Gotham City, regardless of whether
writer, not a real reporter, would ask it.
Kosovo has increased a thousand-fold in
she wins the Senate race.
First, he made an inane little speech
the two months since the bombing started.
It was not a pretty sight. Elegantly coifed,
about how much he respected Hillary's pri-
In addition, innocent citizens of Yugoslavia
meticulously made up, looking down her
vacy. Then he apologized for asking a ques-
are suffering a hundred times as much be-
TO MARSHA BERRY
nose at a fellow who once was one of this
tion he had to ask. Finally, instead of asking
cause of the bombing as Kosovars were suf-
country's great reporters, she demonstrat-
for himself, he slid backwards into the
fering from ethnic cleansing before the
ed that there is more of New York in her
question by saying it was one sure to be
bombing started.
than there is of Illinois, where she grew up,
asked by the New York media.
It doesn't matter to a dead man whether
or of Arkansas, where she lived most of her
I do not intend to indicate that there is
a Serb bullet or a NATO bomb kills him.
adult life. She'll fit the Big Apple a lot bet-
any way Rather could have conducted a
ter than the glove fit O.J. Simpson.
real interview with this woman who now
P.15/19
It was also evident to veteran observers
seems as hollow as her husband.
John R. Starr is the farmer managing editor of the
of the Arkansas political scene that she left
If I had not already used the analogy, I
Democrat-Gazette.
First lady 'still thinking' about Senate seat
BY JANE FULLERTON
On the inside
agenda. The irony is that just as
the first lady would subject her-
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
she could be reclaiming a mea-
self to what would undoubtedly be
WASHINGTON - After six
FIRST LADY'S Senate
sure of the normaley and privacy
a bruising political bout in a state
years as a sometimes reticent play-
race part of ambitious
she has publicly yearned for, she
known for its bare-knuckle poli-
er in the center ring of presiden-
planning in White
seems ready to strike out on a po-
tics. And she would be seeking to
tial politics and political contro-
House. Page 11A.
litical career of her own.
join the very institution that con-
versy, Hillary Rodham Clinton ap-
CLINTONS WILL
"I'm still thinking about it," she
vened an impeachment trial
pears poised to go another round.
always call Arkansas
said last week in an interview with
against her husband, where she
After nine trips to New York
home, friends say.
CBS' Dan Rather. "People are still
would have to work with col-
this year - including a one-day
Page 11A.
talking to me about it I've been
leagues who voted to kick him out
MAY 31 '99 13:01 FR SKIP RUTHERFORD
swing last week packed with polit-
very flattered by the people
of office.
ical appearances - the first lady
White House tenure.
who've come to me and asked me
But now those same observers
is by all accounts on the brink of
As she vacations with President
to consider it. And I'm obviously
say they'll be surprised if she
beginning a campaign for the U.S.
Clinton this holiday weekend in
very interested."
doesn't run.
Senate that would perpetuate the
Florida, the topic of the first lady's
Only a few months ago, friends
"She is clearly still in a forward
groundbreaking nature of her
future career tops the first family's
and advisers were skeptical that
See FIRST LADY, Page 10A
TO MARSHA BERRY
P.06/19
No 'no' means 'yes'
for Hill Senate run
Close allies of First Lady Hillary Clinton say they'll
assume she's running for U.S. Senate from New York
unless she says no in the next week or so.
"If you don't hear a 'no,' there's an implicit 'yes,'' a
source close to Mrs. Clinton told The Post. "If she
doesn't say 'no' by early June, the dynamic is that she's
running."
It's the latest in a series
of carefully orchestrated
By DEBORAH ORIN
leaks to suggest the First
Lady - who once chuck-
Washington Bureau Chief
led at the idea of seeking
Sen. Daniel P. Moynihan's
can't float in limbo indefi-
seat - is edging toward
nitely.
her first political race in
The Post last week re-
her own right.
ported that Mrs. Clinton's
Mrs. Clinton is just back
ex-press secretary, Lisa
from a five-day freebie va-
Caputo, is hunting for a
cation on a nature pre-
campaign press secretary
serve-estate in Yulee,
- Caputo no-commented
Fla., where she said she'd
but didn't deny it.
try to make up her mind
And New York magazine
about a Senate race.
says there is talk that this
But there are multiply-
is the week Mrs. Clinton
ing hints that she's edging
will begin personally in-
toward a run as close pal
terviewing people for
Harold Ickes, a New
posts in the campaign
Yorker and ex-deputy
that could pit her against
White House chief-of-
Mayor Giuliani.
staff, lays the ground-
There has been talk that
work.
she's eyeing Westchester
Several allies predict
as a possible residence
and could summer on
Mrs. Clinton could set up
Shelter Island near the
ALMOST IN: Hillary Clinton is said to be looking for
a campaign exploratory
Hamptons or upstate in
staffers for her Senate campaign.
N.Y. Post: Don Halasy
committee to fund her
the Adirondacks - some
trips to New York - nine
Democratic sources say
so far this year - by early
say she hoped to spend
as old friend Mandy Grun-
wealthy friends of the
July.
part of the summer chat-
First Family may buy a
wald, whose baby shower
If Mrs. Clinton takes
ting with upstaters in
Westchester home and
was at the White House
that step, she may effec-
their living rooms.
rent it to her.
and who often defends the
tively sideline Rep. Nita
New York state Demo-
A source close to Mrs.
Lowey (D-Westchester),
cratic Chairwoman Judith
Clinton said several
Clintons on TV; Califor-
the lady in waiting who
Hope last week said Mrs.
media firms are in the
nia-based Bill Carrick;
says she'll run if Mrs.
Clinton called her from
running to do her cam-
David Doak; Bob Shrum
Clinton doesn't but who
Florida on Wednesday to
paign if she runs - such
and David Axelrod.
MONDAY, MAY 31, 1999
THE WASHINGTON POST
Quotable I
New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani (R), contemplating a
Senate race, had some fun at the expense of Hillary Rodham
Clinton, who is looking at the same Senate race. Giuliani, who has
a penchant for dressing in costume-he wore a dress and wig on
"Saturday Night Live"-donned a red Arkansas jacket and cap
and announced he was headed to Little Rock:
"I'm going to say, Tve never lived in Arkansas, I've never
worked in Arkansas, I've never been to Arkansas, but I love
Arkansas, he said to 1,700 supporters at a New York city
fund-raiser. « 'In fact, Ilove it so much I'm going to be running for
the Senate. And do you know how I'm going to prepare for it? I'm
going to come here and take a vacation, in Arkansas.'
THE WASHINGTON POST
MONDAY, MAY 31, 1999
Clintons Face Choices as Vacation Ends
President Weighs Kosovo Policy; First Lady Must Act Soon on Senate Run
By CHARLES Babington
Lockhart said today. In addition to coping
yard.
Washington Post Staff Writer
with major foreign policy decisions, he
Here, however, he never set foot off the
said, the president will outline new Medi-
secluded 7,500-acre White Oak Planta-
YULEE, Fla., May 30-Memorial Day
care proposals in the coming days.
tion. The only glimpse reporters got of
signals the start of a lazy summer for
This week will focus largely on military
him was on Thursday, when he came to
some, but for President Clinton it spells
themes. The president lays a wreath and
the compound's gate to read a brief state-
the end of an unusually cloistered vaca-
makes a Memorial Day speech at Arling-
ment about Milosevic for the TV cameras.
tion and the countdown to two major de-
ton Cemetery on Monday. On Wednesday
He took no questions but quickly dis-
cisions: whether his wife will run for the
he delivers the commencement address at
appeared back into the wildlife preserve
Senate and how to deal with Slobodan Mi-
the Air Force Academy in Colorado, a
that features rhinos, lions and tigers plus
losevic's Serbian forces that remain in Ko-
likely venue for remarks on Kosovo and
a nine-hole golf course where he played
sovo despite 10 weeks of NATO
other military issues.
several rounds with local pros.
airstrikes.
But the biggest showdown on the Bal-
Staffers offered few details on how
After barely showing his face during
kans may occur in mid-June, when Clin-
much time the Clintons spent together, al-
the first couple's five-day vacation, which
ton embarks on an eight-day trip to Eu-
though Lockhart said the president
ended here tonight, the usually gregari-
rope. Built around the June 18-20
cooked dinner for his wife the first night
ous president plunges back into a busy
summit in Cologne of the so-called
here. The president brought five books
schedule, including a major trip to Eu-
Group of 8-the seven major industri-
with him, and Hillary Clinton spent at
rope. There and at home he will face
alized nations plus Russia-the trip os-
least some of her time telephoning New
growing pressures to explain what the al-
tensibly will focus on economic matters.
York Democratic Party activists.
lies will do if Yugoslav troops continue to
But Kosovo appears destined to dom-
Lockhart said the president had no out-
absorb the bombing in Yugoslavia.
inate it, given the increasing divisions
side visitors until Saturday, when several
Meanwhile, Hillary Rodham Clinton
within NATO over whether to ease the
Democratic advisers and strategists be-
cannot wait much longer to state officially
bombing, remain on course or introduce
gan arriving for today's private session on
whether she will seek the open Senate
ground forces.
the centrist political approach dubbed the
seat from New York in 2000.
The summit will include NATO's most
"Third Way."
Next Thursday features the types of
hawkish leader-British Prime Minister
They included Al From, head of! the
events likely to focus the attention of the
Tony Blair-as well as Russian President
Democratic Leadership Council; White
White House and the public on these two
Boris Yeltsin, who has demanded that
House domestic policy adviser Bruce
decisions. The president is scheduled to
NATO stop the airstrikes, ominously
Reed; White House communications ad-
meet that afternoon with his military ad-
warning of dangerous breaches in East-
viser Sidney Blumenthal; former White
visory panel, the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
West relations. Clinton also plans to visit
House communications director Donald
which is struggling with the question of
Geneva, Paris, Bonn and Slovenia, and
A. Baer; Rep. Calvin M. Dooley (D-
when and whether to send ground troops
aides say he may add a tour of a refugee
Calif.); presidential pollster Mark Penn;
into Kosovo. A few hours later he and his
camp for ethnic Albanians driven from
Alfred A. Checchi, former board chair-
wife will host a White House reception
Kosovo.
man of Northwest Airlines and former
for graduates of Wellesley College, where
With time ticking down on big deci-
California Senate candidate; David Milli-
alumna Hillary Clinton surely will be the
sions, the Clintons spent a remarkably
band, a top adviser to Blair; Anthony Gid-
center of attention.
quiet, low-key vacation here. The garru-
dens, director of the London School of
"The vacation for him was about get-
lous president usually ventures out for
Economics; Will Marshall, president of
ting some rest, recharging the batteries,
golf, shopping or handshaking when he
the Progressive Policy Institute; and Bob
because we've got several big weeks
vacations, as he did three months ago in
Burkett, a California lawyer and Demo-
thead," White House press secretary Joe
Utah and last summer in Martha's Vine-
cratic fund-raiser.
The Washington Times
MONDAY, MAY 31, 1999
First family really gets away from it all
By Bill Sammon
Previous Clinton trips were eventful
White House Press Secretary
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Joe Lockhart insisted that Mr
Clinton, whose 1996 campaign re-
President Clinton returned to
agents to scramble to keep up with
gave rise to rumors that his some-
ceived illegal contributions from
Washington last night after an un-
their hyperkinetic boss, boredom
times strained relationship with
China, did not time his vacation, St.
usually low-key vacation in which
was the culprit that cut short Mr.
his wife was on the mend. The un-
as to be out of town when the Cop
e managed to stay in one place for
Clinton's three-day ski trip with
official reason for the vacation, ac-
report hit.
ive days without succumbing to
daughter Chelsea and first lady
cording to White House aides, was
The president's last public as
poredom or the siren's call of world
Hillary Rodham Clinton.
for the Clintons to decide whether
before beginning his Florida vaça
events.
The president's abrupt decision
she should run for the New York
tion was to briefly address the es
Aides who have grown accus-
to return to Washington a day ear-
Senate seat being vacated by retir-
pionage scandal during a speech,
tomed to their boss's penchant for
lier than scheduled prompted
ing Democrat Daniel Patrick
Texas on Tuesday.
NO
interrupting vacations to handle
widespread speculation that the
Moynihan.
He took no questions on the con
crises marveled that the president
first couple were experiencing
But with aides to Mrs. Clinton
troversy, leaving that task to offi
never once left the grounds of the
marital difficulties. Mr. Clinton
insisting she was already 90 per-
cials back in Washington, includ
exclusive White Oak Plantation in
said he wanted to go home early
cent certain to run, the vacation
ing Energy Secretary Bill Rich
northern Florida. The only public
"so we can get a better night's
may have been more of a strategy
ardson.
sighting of Mr. Clinton came on
sleep."
session on how - not whether
There are plenty of innocent ex
Thursday, when he appeared for
The president's impatience to
to enter the rough and tumble
planations for Mr. Clinton's new
six minutes at the plantation's gate
return to the White House was on
world of New York politics.
found sabbatical serenity. Asid
to read a statement lauding the in-
display again early this month,
Mr. Clinton, who recently an-
from the Cox report and th
dictment of Yugoslav President
when he scrapped a scheduled day
gered Vice President Al Gore by
Milosevic indictment, no major de
Slobodan Milosevic for war
of golf in Las Vegas that would
injecting himself into Mr. Gore's
velopments emerged to compel a
crimes.
have provided the only relaxation
presidential campaign, is nonethe-
official presidential response.
Asked by a reporter whether he
in an otherwise grueling fund-
less expected to play a major role
Then there was the sheer vast
was having a good time, the pres-
raising swing through the West.
in advising his wife on political
ness and uniqueness of the Whit
ident replied: "Oh, yeah. We need
There were no pressing matters on
strategy.
Oak Plantation. Encompassih
it."
the president's plate back in Wash-
Republicans have accused the
7,500 acres in both northern Floi
Mr. Clinton's decision to stay put
ington that afternoon.
president of intentionally laying
ida and southern Georgia, th
in Florida was in sharp contrast to
An abbreviation of the Florida
low during his Florida vacation in
sprawling getaway has apparentl
his September vacation on Mar-
getaway seemed unlikely from the
order to shield himself from the
reawakened the president's pas
tha's Vineyard, which he inter-
outset, however, because the pres-
controversy raging in Washington
sion for golf. It also contains
rupted in order to return to Wash-
ident and first lady agreed in ad-
over last week's release of the Cox
550-acre wildlife preserve, 0
ington and announce the bombing
vance to speak at a symposium
report on Chinese espionage in the
which Mr. Clinton was able to vie
of suspected terrorist bases. Al-
scheduled for the last day of the
United States. The White House
more endangered species of Bi
though he flew back to Martha's
vacation. Sponsored by the Pro-
received a copy of the report in
game than on a trip to Africa ea
Vineyard afterward, he quickly de-
gressive Foundation, yesterday's
January and worked closely with
lier in his administration.
parted again to apologize for lying
symposium brought together
Congress in scheduling its public
Perhaps inspired by the beaut
about his affair with Monica
scholars, civic leaders and busi-
release.
of his surroundings, Mr. Clintó
Lewinsky at a hastily arranged
ness owners to discuss "The Poli-
The Cox report is named for
decided on Saturday to give hi
speech in Worcester, Mass.
tics of the Third Way," a school of
Rep. Christopher Cox, California
weekly radio address which ha
While foreign and domestic
thought embraced by centrist
Republican, who chaired a special
focused recently on such weight
troubles made mincemeat of the
Democrats.
congressional committee that in-
topics as the war against Yugo
president's September vacation,
Last week, the relative tran-
vestigated China's efforts to steal
slavia - to the virtues of clea
forcing aides and Secret Service
quility of Mr. Clinton's getaway
U.S. nuclear secrets.
beaches.
Newsweek.com: Periscope
http://www.newsweek.com/nw-srv/printed/us/dept/ps/ps_1.htm
Newsweek.com
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'Cover-Up'
online
The dispute over last year's U.S.
Partners:
cruise missile attack on a Sudanese
washingtonpost.com
pharmaceutical plant may soon be
headed for a U.S. court.
ENCYCLOP/EDIA BRITANNICA
NEWSWEEK has learned that
Saleh Idris, the Saudi owner of the
At the bombed-out plant (Enric Marti-AP)
The Britannica Internet Guide
plant, will soon file a lawsuit demanding $30 million in
compensation for the destruction of his property. Idris will claim the
Search
Clinton administration is engaged in a "cover-up" to conceal the fact
that U.S. planes bombed the wrong target. Last August, Clinton
called the factory a "terrorist-related" facility with ties to Osama bin
Departments
Laden, the Saudi exile allegedly responsible for the attacks on two
Periscope
U.S. embassies in East Africa. U.S. officials later said they'd found
Conventional
traces of chemical agents in a soil sample from the plant. Idris
Wisdom
denies ties to bin Laden. "I want to clear my name," he told
Cyberscope
My Turn
NEWSWEEK. The Feds last month released $24 million of Idris's
Letters
frozen bank accounts. But a White House official said, "We stand
Perspectives
by our findings that led to the strike in the first place."
Newsmakers
The Last Word
HILLARY
by George F. Will
Listen for the Sound of Silence
Nation
International
Fresh from a Florida vacation, Hillary Clinton heads for New York
City this week. She'll give a commencement address at City College
Business
and attend a fund-raiser for Rep. Carolyn Maloney. But friends say
Science & Technology
the First Lady won't announce that she's running for the Senate.
Society
What they're listening for is the sound of silence. "If she doesn't say
Arts & Entertainment
an absolute 'no', then it's an implicit 'yes'," says an adviser. Mrs.
Clinton is keenly aware that she can't stall much longer without
International Edition
dashing Democratic hopes of keeping the seat. She's just
Special Issues
soul-searching now, friends say. Bill's been in favor of the race
from the start and Chelsea gave her all-important thumbs up over
spring break.
Barring a firm no, Mrs. Clinton is likely to wait until at least late
June to announce the formation of an exploratory committee. The
reason? She'll be out of the country most of the month, traveling to
the Mideast and accompanying the president to the G-8 summit in
Europe. Meanwhile, she's been phoning Democrats all over the
state, boning up on New York issues and trying to ensure that local
pols say nice things about her if she runs. Her advisers are also
talking to retiring Sen. Pat Moynihan's staffers, in search of a New
York pro to join her campaign. Reports suggest the Clintons are
scouting property in Westchester County. But during a campaign,
friends say, she would use the White House as home base and could
commute to a rented or borrowed pad in New York state.
1 of 2
5/31/99 5:30 PM
THE
NEW YORKER
THE TALK OF THE TOWN
COMMENT
the First Lady visiting the New York Post
paign, on the ground of gender solidarity.
editorial board, or sharing a podium with
On the other hand, a Clinton-Giuliani
Six more years?
Al Sharpton. The more we fantasize
Senate race might prove tiresome. The
about this race, the more it feels like a
Mayor can be tiresome all by himself.
H
ILLARY
government subsidy for wayward jour-
The First Lady is not noted for her easy-
RODHAM
nalists. Consider the alternative: mean-
going bonhomie. This would not be a
CLINTON'S
dering through Iowa with Al Gore,
charm-off. There is also a fair amount of
drift toward a race for
stumping with Steve Forbes in New
Clinton Fatigue abroad in the land. In a
United States senator from New York
Hampshire? No contest.
poll last month, seventy-four per cent of
in the year 2000 is at once astonish-
There is also the thematically volup-
the respondents said they were fed up
ing, exhilarating, and deeply weird. Her
tuous prospect of watching Bill Clinton
with all the problems associated with the
prospective candidacy-the Washington
join Bob Dole in the humble ranks of po-
Clinton White House. At this point, the
Post said last week that she is all but
litical spouses-or perhaps not so hum-
self-involved Clintons seem like teen-
certain to run-invites an impish, not
ble. The President's back-seat-driving
agers finally going off to college. Do we
quite sober response. It raises all sorts of
tendencies have already been demon-
really want them to stay around for six
naughty, nihilistic questions: Why on
strated by his public kibbitzing, via the
more years?
earth is she doing this? Why is she doing
Times, in the campaign of his other life
A Hillary Clinton candidacy would
this to us? Is she doing it as the obvious
partner, the Vice-President. (He admit-
mean that we'd be forced to relive all the
next step in a lifetime of devoted public
ted to being worried that Gore had been
tribulations of the recent past, this time
service or are we witnessing a particularly
stumbling a bit.) Dole, meanwhile, has
from the First Lady's point of view-and
grisly episode in the world's most over-
announced, also via the Times, that he is
not just the requisite revisitation of her
analyzed marital melodrama? Does it
commodities-trading
mean that he'll be spending a lot of time
and billing records but
around here, too?
also a never-ending
One can see Mrs. Clinton as a senator.
string of embarrassing
She knows the issues. She speaks well. She
questions: Would you
has a senatorial sense of personal in-
have keelhauled Lani
evitability. She is probably more qualified
Guinier? How would
for high office than many of the profes-
you have voted on wel-
sional wrestlers and radio talk-show hosts
fare reform? A chirteen-
entering the lists across America these
hundred-page health-
days. (It is, by the way, far more diffi-
insurance-reform bill-
cult to see the operatic and peremptory
what were you think-
Rudolph Giuliani spending six years as
ing? And the horrible,
one tiny vote among a hundred.) But one
inevitable "How did you
can also wonder whether the First Lady
feel" questions. (Poor
came to this career move rationally or in a
Al Gore. He could find
moment of ire, announcing to her hus-
himself running for
band, "Listen, Bub, I've spent the last
Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rudolph Giuliani
President and competing
twenty-five years going to watermelon
tempted to contribute to one of Eliza-
with a Senate campaign that would
festivals, smiling like a mummy, and
beth Dole's opponents in the Republican
constantly remind the public of all the
making a fool of myself over you. From
Presidential campaign. Indeed, the recent
things that were loathsome about the
now on, I set the agenda. Even if I decide
interventions of Messrs. Clinton and Dole
Administration in which he served.)
ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
to do something as preposterous as-
may represent a real breakthrough in
Perhaps the greatest challenge Mrs.
as run for the Senate from New York!"
public life-the liberation of the long-
Clinton will face, should she decide to
A Clinton-Giuliani race would be de-
suffering political spouse. Donna Han-
run, is the fact that she seems, in the end,
lightfully gaudy and excessive, of course.
over, the semi-estranged wife of the Mayor,
a pretty normal person, and New Yorkers
Imagine the debates. Imagine the nega-
can now plausibly announce her inten-
are not overimpressed by normality. Dur-
tive advertising, on both sides. Imagine
tion to contribute to Mrs. Clinton's cam-
ing the past decade, there has been a de-
32
THE NEW YORKER, MAY 31, 1999
lightful run of elected eccentrics-Cuo-
squiggles, the meaning of which was
sion of Random House. Sandwiched be-
mos and Koches, D'Amatos and Moyni-
known only to Whitehead and Russell.
tween "An American Dilemma," by
hans. These are people who tend to yell
In order to carry out their chosen task-
Gunnar Myrdal, and "The Mismeasure
back when they're yelled at; sometimes
the derivation of the entire corpus of
of Man," by Stephen Jay Gould, White-
they even yell first. They are fast and
mathematics from a single set of axioms,
head and Russell's gargantuan work had
funny and neurotic and contentious
using formal logic-the two philosophers
finally achieved a status whose paradox
and-openly, publicly-vulnerable.
had been forced to invent an entirely new
would surely have appealed to them: a
Which is to say that they represent New
language. "I imagine no human being
must-read book that is, for all intents and
York as it imagines itself to be. It will be
will ever read it through," Russell con-
purposes, unreadable.
interesting to see if Hillary Rodham
fided to a friend. C.U.P. was equally un-
The last complete edition of "Prin-
Clinton can meet this perverse and
enthusiastic. It refused to print the book
cipia Mathematica" was published, by
endearing standard.
-JOE KLEIN
unless Russell and Whitehead paid
C.U.P., in the early sixties, and it is hard
part of the cost of publication, which
to find. (Amazon.com offers it at five
prompted Russell to remark, "We thus
hundred and sixty-five dollars, but warns
INK
earned minus fifty pounds each for ten
that delivery may take four to six weeks.)
years' work."
An abridged edition, covering Volume I of
The most influential book never read.
Russell's estimate of the size of his
the original, is still in print, but it reaches
and Whitehead's potential audience
only as far as Theorem 56; Whitehead
COME ninety
proved unduly pessimistic, but just slightly.
and Russell didn't stop until they reached
years ago, two
"I used to know of only six people who
Theorem 375. Even professional logi-
bright sparks from
had read the later parts of the book,"
cians rarely work their way through the
Cambridge Uni-
he wrote in the nineteen-fifties. "Three
whole thing. "People don't need to read
versity, Alfred North Whitehead and
of them were Poles, subsequently (I
it because the important things in it
Bertrand Russell, delivered a two-thou-
believe) liquidated by Hitler. The other
have been done more clearly elsewhere,"
sand-five-hundred-page manuscript to
three were Texans." It came as something
Hartry Field, a mathematical philosopher
their editors at Cambridge University
of a surprise, then, when, earlier this
at New York University, said last week.
Press. The monstrous tome, too heavy to
month, "Principia Mathematica" surfaced
Some people involved with the
be carried comfortably by one man, was
at No. 23 on a list of the century's hun-
Modern Library list were mystified by
entitled "Principia Mathematica," and
dred greatest nonfiction books, which
the inclusion of Russell and White-
much of it was taken up by strange
was compiled by Modern Library, a divi-
head. "I have no idea how 'Principia
Mathematica' got on the list," Arthur
Schlesinger, Jr., one of a thirteen-member
THE GROUND FLOOR
panel that chose the books, said last
week. "I doubt whether very many of the
judges have read the three volumes."
Even Stephen Jay Gould, the sole scien-
tist on the panel, said that he had little to
do with "Principia"s selection. "I've read
large parts of it, but I haven't read it
all. Does anyone read it in its entirety?"
Apparently, they do. "I have the works
here on my shelf," Charles Johnson, the
author of "Middle Passage" and four
other
other works of fiction, said from his of-
fice at the University of Washington,
where he teaches creative writing. John-
son, who has a master's degree in philos-
ophy, was one of the judges who champi-
oned "Principia." "It is important for the
same reason that all great philosophy
books are great," he added. "It is reason-
BILLY & JIMMY'S
ing at its finest."
TECHNOLOGY STOCKS
Not at its most durable, though. In
1931, Kurt Gödel, an Austrian mathe-
25$ A SHARE
matical genius, proved that what Russell
and Whitehead had set out to do couldn't
be done. Gödel's famous "incompleteness
theorems," which have withstood nearly
seventy years of inspection, say that within
any logical system there are true state-
ments that cannot be proved. Logic, even
MAY 31, 1999 NEWSWEEK
CAMPAIGN 2000
petbagger". a Senate seat in 1964.
The more intriguing question is how her
The Potholes of New York
candidacy would mesh-orinterfere-with
the campaign of her putative ally in the
White House, Al Gore. "The implications
for Gore are very serious," former New
How would the First Lady's run for the Senate
York governor Mario Cuomo told NEWS-
WEEK. "She has to think very hard on this is-
mesh with-or mangle-Gore's own campaign?
sue." She would upstage her party's presi-
dential candidate in a critical state, but there
are also some potential benefits to the pair-
By HOWARD FINEMAN
ing. "Anything that generates excitement
HE'S MADE THE CALLS HAROLD
among Democrats is good for us," said Dem-
S
Ickes told her to make-all 200 of
ocratic polltaker Harrison Hickman. Being
them. She's made eight trips in and
outshone is not so terrible if it draws the
around New York state, with another
GOP's fire away from Gore. "And it'll give
one this week. She's been to Ireland recent-
the president something to do," said another
ly, will soon visit Israel, and the joke in the
Democratic insider. "If you're Gore, do you
city is that Italy can't be far behind. She has
want Clinton calling The New York Times
talked to the consultants she wants to han-
about your campaign or Hillary's?"
dle her, the moneymen who want to help
Even so, Gore aides made it clear early
her, the organizers who want to turn out the
on that they weren't thrilled with the idea
unions, blacks and liberals. This week
of her candidacy. She will compete not
|Hillary Rodham Clinton checks off the next
only for attention but for money and fund-
big item on her yellow legal pad. On a Flori-
raisers' precious time. She won't be avail-
da vacation with her husband and daughter,
able to campaign nationwide on his be-
she ask if they can think of one good reason
half. Her candidacy could resuscitate all
she shouldn't run for the Senate from New
the sex-and-money-scandal stories that
York. They aren't likely to find one.
Gore would rather forget. And as she tries
It appears that we are about to see some-
to excite her New York base, she may
thing new in American politics: a de facto
Check it out: All eyes on the Empire State
force Gore to answer for her liberalism.
national ticket featuring a First Lady and a
Hillary, for her part, has no choice but to
vice president, each laying claim to the
Mayor Rudy Giuliani in test matches, but
openly embrace Gore's candidacy, even
boss's legacy. While she could still back
the two now run neck and neck in polls.
though his lone challenger for the Demo-
away, sources tell NEWSWEEK that she will
Giuliani could enjoy something close to
cratic nomination-Bill Bradley-could
almost certainly form an "exploratory com-
unity in the state's fractious Republican
be more appealing to her own core sup-
mittee" this decision that would
Party. Gov. George Pataki, NEWSWEEK
port. "How do you separate yourself from
all but guarantee a campaign launch by fall.
has learned, will soon announce that he
Gore?" asks Cuomo.
"She's gone from Tell me why?' to Tell me
won't challenge Giuliani for the GOP
Hillary has been in this place before.
why not?" said one of her closest advisers.
Senate nomination. Still, the prospect
Exactly a quarter century ago she had to
"It's as close to a done deal as you can get,"
of a tough race isn't dissuading Clinton.
choose whether to go home to Chicago and
said another.
She knows that Democrats are on her
launch a legal practice or go to Arkansas
Nobody's promised Hillary a Rose Gar-
side, and so is history. No New York City
and cast her fate with Bill Clinton. Then,
den. Indeed, the spring bloom has already
mayor has been elected to statewide of-
she deferred to another man's political ca-
faded from her prospective candidacy.
fice since 1868, and Robert Kennedy-
reer. She isn't likely to do so again.
She began far ahead of New York City
another First Family member called a "car-
With GREGORY BEALS in New York
PAGE A8 / FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1999 **
The Washington Times
Inside Politics
Compiled by Greg Pierce
Could this be a sign?
First lady Hillary Rodham
Clinton is taking her time to de-
cide about running for the Senate
in New York. But if she does,
there is one thing she won't have
to do when she announces - - grab
an Internet address for her cam-
paign.
The first lady appears to be op-
erating www.hillaryclinton.com.
When users tap into the site, it
whisks them to her White House
Web page. The Web site
"www.clinton2000.com." also is
taken. It says "under construc-
tion" (in four languages) but it
doesn't say by whom.
THE Washington Post
FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1999
THE RELIABLE SOURCE
Clinton
Vacation, Day
2: At the White
Oak Plantation
Helper Hillary
in Yulee, Fla.,
President and
Here's more on the burning question posed last
Hillary Rodham
week by Rosalynn Carter: Who has more clout-a
Clinton mostly
first lady or a senator? A couple of weeks ago,
stayed out of
Hillary Rodham Clinton visited an apparel factory
sight, reports
in Stip, Macedonia, and heard from supervisor
The Post's
Charles
Stojance Georgiev that workers were fearful of
Babington. The
losing their jobs because, given the Balkan war,
president went
Liz Claiborne Inc. was cutting its orders for
on a quick
dressy jackets and other items to virtually
safari and got
nothing. As soon as she got home, the first lady
an eyeful of
phoned Liz Claiborne Chairman Paul Charron to
some of the
ask why. Result: Charron has now promised the
exotic wildlife
factory a long-term deal for 4,000 units a week.
in residence,
but the White
House press
corps got only
the briefest
glimpse of him.
Sporting a navy blazer and yellow tie, he
showed up at the compound gate to read a
statement about Slobodan Milosevic, then
answered a single question-about whether
he's enjoying his holiday. "Oh yeah, we need
it," he said. Later, White House Press
Secretary Joe Lockhart revealed that Clinton
cooked dinner Wednesday for his wife. And
what did Chef Clinton prepare? "I don't
know-food," Lockhart replied.
FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1999 *
The Washington Times
Miss Reno, looking for a scapegoat of her own,
yesterday fingered the top G-man. She blames
FBI Director Louis Freeh for not telling her two
years ago about an inter-
nal Justice Department
Pruden on
disagreement over
whether to put a tap on
Politics
the telephone of the nu-
clear weapons scientist
By Wesley Pruden
suspected of spying for
China.
"Where there is some-
A curious gallantry
thing serious, where
[Mr.] Freeh disagrees
at the White House
with the findings [of Jus-
tice officials], I think that
Pity the Democrats. They're running short of
it should be discussed at
scapegoats.
Janet Reno
my level," she says. "I
They don't want to blame the man who stepped
was not briefed on the details."
aside to enable the Chinese to steal our nuclear
Her aides pleaded with her to tell Sen. Richard
secrets. Besides, he only did it to pay off a cam-
Shelby of Alabama, the Republican chairman of
paign contributor. Don't all the pols do that?
the Senate intelligence committee, and Sen. Rob-
So the president's defenders are looking for
ert Torricelli of New Jersey, a Democrat who
someone smaller (if not shorter), weaker, less in-
usually takes up the nearest cudgel to defend the
timidating. Someone who can't hit back.
president when new allegations of misbehavior
This makes Janet Reno, a spinster with Parkin-
are lodged (which is often), to butt out.
son's disease, a perfect candidate to take the fall.
She knew about the internal disagreement over
They understand that Bill Clinton has no particu-
the wiretap, she says, but, "I assumed since I did
lar love for her, he having had to take her in the
not hear again from the FBI that it was resolved
first place because Hillary thought she would
to their satisfaction."
make a neat (and harmless) attorney general.
Blaming Louis Freeh is odd, because Miss
Sandy Berger ought to be the people's choice to
Reno has been oblivious to Mr. Freeh's judgment
take the fall. He was a trade lawyer before sign-
in the past. He begged her to accept the recom-
ing on as a wiper on the SS Titanic, and no doubt
mendation that a special prosecutor be appointed
expects to make a bigger bundle in the China
to investigate how the president and Al Gore
trade after he leaves the White House, even if he
raised campaign contributions in '96, when they
leaves the White House feet first. But there's no
vacuumed everyone in sight, from Buddhist nuns
gallantry at this White House. We all know what
and Indonesian bankers to the generals of the
the president thinks of women: the only position
Chinese People's Liberation Army, until there
open to women in Mr. Clinton's world, to borrow
wasn't a spare rial, piaster or dong left in Asia.
from the late Rap Brown's assignment for women
She told him to get lost.
in the civil-rights movement of the '60s, is the
But we're supposed to believe that none of this
horizontal position.
is serious, which is why the president and his
We've seen the writing on the wall for Miss
yeggs are not taking it seriously. Mr. Clinton, no
Reno for weeks. Al Franken, the comic whose
doubt weary from bombing embassies, refugee
stale material cracks 'em up at the White House
columns and hospitals in Yugoslavia, has taken
and who (he says) works out of there when he's in
Miss Hillary to a fine old plantation in Yulee,
town, retailed a howler at Miss Reno's expense at
Fla., there to relax, sip mint juleps in the after-
the recent dinner of the White House Press Pho-
noon sun and spend evenings around a campfire,
tographers Association. "The Democratic Na-
singing of "Old Black Joe" and the "Old Folks at
tional Committee is coming up with a novel way
Home."
to raise money," he said. "For $50,000 you can get
Miss Hillary is expecting to get a little advice
a waltz with the first lady. For $25,000, you can
from the politician-in-chief before she decides, fi-
dance a tango with Tipper. And for $25, the at-
nally, whether to run for the U.S. Senate in New
torney general will come to your table and do a
York. Her poll numbers are slipping, and Rudy
lap dance." He seemed surprised when the pho-
Giuliani sounds now like he might enjoy the race.
tographers greeted this bon mot with groans,
He put on a University of Arkansas warm-up
hisses and boos. It's too bad there isn't a Mr.
jacket and a Razorbacks cap this week to an-
Reno, or at least a big brother. That kind of vul-
nounce that despite the fact that he had never
gar behavior at a lady's expense ought to be paid
lived in Arkansas, worked in Arkansas or voted in
for with a good country lickin' (and if he were an
Arkansas he thinks he might go to Arkansas to
authentic Arkansas man the president would ad-
run for the U.S. Senate. He sounds like a man
minister it himself).
who doesn't want Hillary to make New York a
scapegoat in the way the Clintons have made Ar-
kansas their scapegoat. Who can blame him?
We can't wait.
Wesley Pruden is editor in chief of The Times
Thursday, May 27, 1999
National Journal's CongressDailyAM
As She Plans To Set Up
Exploratory Panel In N.Y.
FIRST Lady Hillary Rodham Clin-
ton intends to forma U.S. Senate
exploratory committee. New York
state's Democratic Party chief said
Wednesday
She seems very exuberant and
very excited, Judith Hope told the
Associated Press. "Her commitment
seems to be increasing toward this
National
Hope said Clinton told her she
wants to spend part of this summer
visiting families in upstate New
York. She said Clinton called. her
Wednesday morning from Florida,
where she is vacationing with the
president, to ask for help in setting
up this summer's visits.
Clinton isæyeing the seat being
vacated next year by Democratic
Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Clinton told her she planned to
to do a lot of first lady things" after
hercurrent vacation, Hope said, and
that if she is still leaning in the direc-
tion that she seems to be. which is to-
ward making the race, she would ex-
pect to be creating an exploratory
committee'in late lune or early July
NEW YORK POST, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1999
Keeping 'tabs' on Hillary
IF Hillary Rodham Clinton opts for the
money by entering the private sector,
rather than by running for the Senate or
being a U.N. commissioner, she might
end up working as a corporate counsel
for her old pal Roger Altman, the former
treasury secretary, at his Evercore Capi-
tal Partners.
Ironically, Evercore is the Wall Street
investment-banking company that re-
ently acquired Star and the National
inquirer, two tabloids that have made
ne Clintons' life hell for so many years.
Getting back to her tentative Senate
un, she would have to step down as
'irst Lady (how do you do that - di-
orce Bill?) to campaign effectively in
Jew York. That would make a mockery
f the couple's original boast of "Two for
he price of one" and give us one for the
price of two.
CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY ARENT ENOUGH TO BECOME A U.S. SENATOR,
HILLARY ALSO NEEDS TO RAISE MONEY TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN
* THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1999 / PAGE A3
The Washington Times
Poll casts pall on Hillary Senate bid
By Liz Trotta
First lady no longer seen as shoo-in
denied Mr. Gigante's account.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Mrs. Clinton is expected to an-
nounce the formation of an ex-
NEW YORK - Hillary Rodham
the president's past to Mrs. Clin-
A Zogby International poll re-
ploratory committee when she re-
Clinton did the town at a typical
ton's political future.
leased this week indicated that Mr.
turns next week from a Florida
round of galas and fund-raisers on
Her comments echo the di-
Giuliani would defeat Mrs. Clinton
vacation. The committee is ex-
her ninth visit to New York this
lemma of many Democrats who,
if the race were held today by 49.3
pected to reimburse the federal
year, but beneath the glitz and
although they continue publicly to
percent to 43.7 percent. The mayor
government for some of the ex-
glamour, there is a growing un-
welcome Mrs. Clinton on her fre-
did especially well upstate and in
penses she incurs on her New York
easiness among rank-and-file
quent visits to this state as she
the suburbs against the first lady,
trips. Mrs. Clinton's critics have al-
Democrats that the first lady
musters financial and moral sup-
while Mrs. Clinton led in New York
ready pointed out that the taxpay-
would not be a shoo-in for the
port for a run, privately admit they
City.
ers are footing the bill for what
state's open Senate seat.
have lost enthusiasm for another
Clinton in public office.
Although she has made no of-
they describe as campaign trips.
Polls indicating that she has lost
ficial announcement that she will
support appeared this week just as
Mrs. Clintons plans continue to
Her husband's scandals account
Mrs. Clinton appeared to edge
seek the seat of retiring Demo-
be a hot subject with the New York
for a large part of the resistance to
closer to making a formal an-
cratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moyni-
media. One caller to a radio show
Mrs. Clinton's Senate bid.
nouncement on her candidacy and
han next year, Mrs. Clinton's re-
on the subject said Mrs. Clinton's
revealed that she intends to live in
A tougher obstacle for Mrs.
cent statements have led many to
"exploratory committee" should
New York after her husband leaves
Clinton - the fact that she is an
believe that she will indeed be in
be used to "find Buffalo."
the White House.
outsider, not from New York - is
the race.
As she swept into a black-tie din-
already being raised by two likely
On her visits here, Mrs. Clinton
The speculation got a boost this
opponents in a Senate race: Re-
always plays to friendly audiences
ner at Lincoln Center Monday eve-
week when the Staten Island
publican Mayor Rudolph W. Giuli-
peppered with Democratic Party
ning, a well-heeled matron volun-
Democratic Party chairman said
teered ruefully to another guest
ani and Rep. Rick A. Lazio of Long
celebrities. In a strange turn of po-
Mrs. Clinton had told him she
that she could not cast her vote for
Island, whom the mayor could face
litical positioning on Monday, one
plans to run for the Senate seat.
Mrs. Clinton if she ran in the New
in a Republican primary.
of Mrs. Clinton's stops included a
Robert Gigante said he asked her
$1,000-a-head fund-raising dinner
York Senate race.
The mayor, who has not offi-
at Monday's fund-raiser if she was
for Rep. Nita M. Lowey, who con-
"Bill Clinton has a lot of talent -
cially announced his candidacy,
running and Mrs. Clinton an-
tinues to say she will run for the
but it was wasted. It's very tragic,"
continues to joke about running for
swered "yes." But Harold Ickes, an
Senate on the Democratic ticket if
she added, linking her opinion of
the Senate from Arkansas.
adviser to the first lady, yesterday
Mrs. Clinton decides against it.
Thursday, May 27, 1999
National Journal's CongressDailyAM
As She Plans To Set Up
Exploratory Panel In N.Y.
FIRST LADY Hillary Rodham Clin-
ton intends to form a U.S. Senate
exploratory committee, New York
state's Democratic Party chief said
Wednesday.
"She seems very exuberant and
very excited," Judith Hope told the
Associated Press. "Her commitment
seems to be increasing toward this.
Hope said Clinton told her she
wants to spend part of this summer
visiting families in upstate New
York. She said Clinton called her
Wednesday morning from Florida,
where she is vacationing with the
president, to ask for help in setting
up this summer's visits.
Clinton is eyeing the seat being
vacated next year by Democratic
Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
Clinton told her she planned to
"to do a lot of first lady things" after
her current vacation, Hope said, "and
that if she is still leaning in the direc-
tion that she seems to be, which is to-
ward making the race, she would ex-
pect to be creating an exploratory
committee in late June or early July."
Political Memo
A Clinton Candidacy Divides Democrats
By RICHARD L. BERKE
unprecedented numbers. And that
that he discussed the subject with
WASHINGTON, May 26 Former
only helps Al Gore in a key state. I
Mrs. Clinton the other day and as-
Gov. Mario M. Cuomo of New York
don't see how it can be bad."
sured her of his support.
says the best thing for Vice Presi-
But the elder Mr. Cuomo, like
"Al and Tipper are totally support-
dent Al Gore's campaign for Presi-
many other Democrats, rejects the
ive of whatever Hillary decides," Mr.
dent would be if Hillary Rodham
argument that Mr. Gore would need
Coelho said. "And I personally talked
Clinton stays put and does not run for
help in a reliably Democratic state
to Hillary after I decided to take this
the Senate from New York.
like New York.
race and told her that I was 100
But his son Andrew M. Cuomo, the
"Some I bump into say it wouldn't
percent supportive both financially
Secretary of Housing and Urban De-
be so bad if Hillary ran - it would
and personally. It will galvanize New
velopment, says the best thing for
help us in New York," he said. "I
York for us. It will create a rush."
Mr. Gore's campaign would be if
said, 'Look, if you need help in New
Mr. Coelho stopped short, howev-
Mrs. Clinton trades the White House
York, the race is over.''
er, of actually encouraging Mrs. Clin-
for a house in Westchester County
If Mrs. Clinton forgoes a Senate
ton to run. "We don't want to be seen
and runs for the Senate.
run, he said, she could also help Mr.
pushing her into it because this is a
The dueling Cuomos mirror a larg-
Gore's sagging poll support among
very personal decision," he said.
er, public quarrel that is increasingly
women. Summing up how she could
Marla Romash, a longtime adviser
consuming prominent Democrats
help the Vice President, Mr. Cuomo
to Mr. Gore, dismissed the assort-
who want Mr. Gore to succeed Presi-
ment of scenarios being played out
dent Clinton: If Mrs. Clinton contin-
about how a Clinton run would play
ues to hurtle toward a campaign for
for Mr. Gore. "People are concocting
the Senate seat of Daniel Patrick
Reading tea leaves
all these complicated plots," Ms. Ro-
Moynihan, who is retiring, will that
mash said. "It will mean this. It will
undermine Mr. Gore's own quest for
in a New York
mean that. I just don't buy it."
the White House?
Others who are close to Mr. Gore
While there is no organized "stop
Hillary" move afoot, Democrats who
Senate race and its
are not so nonchalant. Martin Peretz,
the editor of The New Republic who
oppose Mrs. Clinton's candidacy ex-
effect on Gore.
was an instructor of Mr. Gore at
press fears that it could have several
Harvard in the 1960's and has been a
detrimental effects for Mr. Gore: It
booster of him ever since, suggested
would deprive the Vice President of
that Mrs. Clinton would drain atten-
a popular, politically nimble First
added: "The charm. The persuasion.
tion on issues away from the Vice
Lady stumping on his behalf in bat-
The raising of money."
President.
tleground states; it would force Mr.
Andrew Cuomo seems to be re-
"My fear is not that she would
Gore to compete with Mrs. Clinton
flecting the spin of the week from
upstage him in New York," Mr. Per-
for donations and public appear-
members of the Gore camp: That
etz said, "but that she would become
ances that could give them the spot-
they are not fearful of a Clinton
light; it would diminish any excite-
the standing reference point."
candidacy. Although some have pri-
ment over a Gore candidacy, and it
He said that more people would
could reopen skeletons of the Clinton
vately groused about the prospect,
have spoken out against Mrs. Clin-
Mr. Gore's campaign aides - intent
ton's running but they did not want to
era just as Mr. Gore was trying to
strike out on his own.
on not making any waves with the
antagonize her. "In private talk,"
"She could be a great articulator
First Couple - insist that Mrs. Clin-
Mr. Peretz said, "a lot of people don't
ton is the least of their worries.
want her to run."
for Gore," the elder Mr. Cuomo said
a telephone interview this week.
The view among some Gore inti-
The current issue of Mr. Peretz's
mates is this: Even if a Clinton cam-
"She could lend to the campaign a
magazine leaves little doubt about its
flash and a pizazz. Gore himself
paign complicates things for Mr.
institutional aversion to a Clinton
could afford some supplementation
Gore, there is nothing they can do to
Senate candidacy. The cover head-
of those elements. In a national cam-
stop her. So why object - and risk
line: "The Wrong Race. Why a Sen-
paign for Gore, she could travel the
her ire? Both Mrs. Clinton and Mr.
ate Run Would Be Bad for Hillary
whole United States of America con-
Gore, while never particularly close
and Worse for the Democrats."
stantly, appearing everywhere that
personally, have always been public-
So who has the best advice?
it counts the most."
ly respectful of one another.
Cuomo the father or Cuomo the son?
Critiquing Mr. Gore's campaign
One close associate of Mr. Gore
"I have very assiduously stayed
skills, Mr. Cuomo said Mrs. Clinton
said of the Vice President's top ad-
out of Andrew's life," Mario Cuomo
would be a counterweight to the Vice
visers: "They're worried that it will
said. "He's much better than I am at
President's "hyper caution in the
drain money and resources from
most things political."
reading of his texts," his "aversion
Gore. But they're resigned to the fact
But ultimately, he said, Mrs. Clin-
to error" and his "relentless solem-
that she's running. So they're saying,
ton has to make the political analy-
nity.'
'Let's buck up and let's go.'
sis. "Hillary has to decide," he said.
"He's terribly concerned about
"Listen, they don't want Hillary
"It's more than loyalty; it's their
making a mistake," Mr. Cuomo said.
upset at them."
legacy, too. They don't want to see
"That is a virtue until it comes to
Tony Coelho, Mr. Gore's new cam-
Gore go down because that means
delivering rhetoric. He doesn't have
paign chairman, said in an interview
something about the Clintons."
it there."
The nature of the Vice Presidency,
Mr. Cuomo said, could not help but
diminish Mr. Gore. "The real Gore in
a casual setting or plain off the
record is much more impressive
than Vice President Al Gore in a blue
suit," he said.
Other Democrats argue that Mrs.
Clinton's candidacy would be a plus
for Mr. Gore. They have fewer points
to tick off than the naysayers, but
they say she would excite voters to
turn out and back Mr. Gore. Some
Gore supporters say they want Mrs.
THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1999
Clinton to win because they view her
as the only hope of retaining a Demo-
crat in Mr. Moynihan's seat, which
would be vital to the party's efforts
to regain control of the Senate and
important to Mr. Gore should he be-
come President.
"My instinct is that she will excite
the heck out of New York State," said
the younger Mr. Cuomo, who is a
close adviser to Mr. Gore. "She'll
bring Democrats out in unprecedent-
ed numbers and excite women in
2
Thursday, May 27, 1999
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
USA
Clinton versus Giuliani: Where the money will go
"She'll also be able to pull from women's
The field isn't set yet,
groups and organizations," says Paul
IONAL
UNION
Kesten, a political consultant with Irenecs
but New Yorkers are already
Inc. in South Salem, N.Y.
thinking about whom they
B
UT Mr. Kesten says Clinton may
will give their money to.
have a hard time getting money from
NG
wealthy businessmen because her
By Ron Scherer
agenda is not considered pro-business.
Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
That certainly holds true for banker
NEW YORK - Every day. Clark Halstead gets
Leonard Harlan. Mr. Harlan says he "ab-
reminders in the mail: Elections are just
solutely will not" give money to Clinton. He
around the corner and a host of
cites her dealings years ago in the futures
politicians would love to have his money.
markets and the sudden appearance of
lost records in a White House attic.
There's a senatorial race in New Jersey,
Clinton will also have to counter com-
and New York politicos are raising war
chests to run for mayor. But these days,
plaints that she's a "carpetbagger," a term
when talk turns to politics in New York
that Halstead uses when he says why he is
City, the subject inevitably comes to the po-
unlikely to contribute money to her.
tential battle between city Mayor Rudolph
State Republicans are also not shy
Giuliani and first lady Hillary Rodham
about attacking Clinton as an outsider.
Clinton for one of the state's Senate seats.
Rep. Rick Lazio (R) says Clinton needs an
Mrs. Clinton cannot raise money until
exploratory committee "to find Elmira."
she sets up an exploratory committee,
STUART RAMSON/AP
MARTY LEDERHANDLER/AP
If he runs, Giuliani may also have to
which she is expected to do soon. But peo-
WILL THEY RUN? Hillary Rodham Clinton (I.) has made nine trips to New York and says she will announce soon whether she will
work hard to raise money. He may. get
ple like Mr. Halstead - who runs a local
run for an open New York Senate seat. New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (r.) is trying to shore up support among labor unions.
some money from the Republican Party,
real-estate company - are now thinking
which would like to pick up a seat. But in
about who will get their coveted money.
so sharply defined enough and identified
raised $1 million for a Senate campaign -
spent S24 million and lost to Sen. Charles
his last race for mayor Giuliani received
It's a question of unestimable impor-
with certain philosophies they would draw
if Clinton backs out. Clinton was on hand
Schumer (D), who spent $17 million.
money from labor unions that are not
tance. If the Clinton-Giuliani contest OC-
people and contributions from around the
as a "draw" for the well-heeled crowd.
"It's hard to imagine a Clinton-Giuliani
likely to support him in a Senate bid. In
curs, it will likely be tight and hard-fought
country," says Paul Hendrie of the Center
On Tuesday night, Mayor Giuliani
race any less expensive," says Mr. Hendrie.
addition, he may not have the total support
- money could be the determining factor.
for Responsive Politics in Washington.
raised over $1 million at a birthday bash
If Clinton runs, she's not expected to
of state Republicans. "Rudy has a lot of
And with two of the most powerful fund-
This week is an example how much
that cost contributors $1,000 per person.
have trouble raising money. She will be
skirmishes in his own jurisdiction," says
raisers in the US eyeing each other, experts
money is available. On Monday night, US
The push is on to get money early be-
able to count on her husband, a legendary
Lee Miringoff of the Marist Institute for
say there will be lots of money to be had.
Rep. Nita Lowey, a Democrat who repre-
cause the race is expected to be very costly.
fund-raiser, and she can tap traditionally
Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-
"In the case of both candidates. they are
sents New York's Westchester County,
Last year, former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato (R)
Democratic sources such as labor unions.
Wednesday, May 26, 1999
The Sun
A Clinton Senate run
smacks of contempt
for first lady role
By JACK W. GERMOND
in for the long haul. But why New
AND JULES WITCOVER
York? If she's going to be a carpet-
bagger, running in a state where
W
ASHINGTON - Back in
she hasn't lived, there are plenty of
1992, when his family's sin-
others that fit that description.
gle-minded ambition was
The first lady would not, to be
to gain the White House, Bill Clin-
sure, be the first nonresident
ton advertised his wife, Hillary, as
elected to the Senate. In New York
a kind of political bonus for the
itself, Robert Kennedy ran and
country. If the voters elected him,
won a Senate seat there in 1964 af-
he pointed out, they would be get-
ter a lifetime of residence and as-
ting "two for the price of one."
sociation with Massachusetts.
Soon after his election, he ap-
But he quit his government job, as
pointed her to be the driving force
attorney general, before seeking
in perhaps the only truly bold do-
that seat. How does a first lady
mestic initiative of his presidency,
quit that job, short of divorcing
the campaign for universal health
the president?
coverage. She ran it imperiously
On the most obvious level, her
and in the end the ambitious and
candidacy will set tongues wag-
worthy effort failed, shot down by
ging across the country that there
the insurance industry and its
might be more than political am-
mostly Republican allies.
bition in her desire to put consid-
Since then, Mrs. Clinton, while
erable distance between herself
not quite settling into the tradi-
and the president. But the bottom
tional first lady role of the woman
behind the man, has occupied her-
line is, she's got a pretty good job
right now. How does she justify
self with somewhat lower-profile
activities.
this move, other than by acknowl-
She has done so while suffering
edging blind personal ambition?
under the burden not only of hav-
She has, certainly, the right to
ing a publicly proclaimed unfaith-
run for whatever public office she
ful husband, but also staunchly
chooses. But leaving the impres-
defending him as the victim of, in
sion that she can't wait to get on
her famous phrase, "a vast right-
to something that will better dem-
wing conspiracy" to drive him
onstrate her political influence in
from office.
her own right smacks of contempt
All this has been quite a full
for a role in American politics that
plate, for an ordinary woman any-
has always been respected, even
way. But Mrs. Clinton quite obvi-
revered, by the public.
ously is not an ordinary woman.
Still holding the most influential
Jack W. Germond and Jules
role accorded to any U.S. woman
Witcover write from the Washing-
for another 20 months, she is cast-
ton Bureau.
ing a covetous eye on a U.S. Sen-
ate seat in New York.
So we have the prospect, if she
does run, of Mrs. Clinton spending
the next year and a half trying to
keep two balls in the air. She
Bergerisms
would continue being first lady of
the land, presumably a nonparti-
san position while at the same
Okay, fall back to Plan B:
time being a partisan candidate.
Draft Hillary!
At a minimum, the arrange-
ment would be a king-sized head-
A congressional committee
ache for the green-eyeshade types
overcame partisanship to pro-
at the White House and her cam-
duce a deep, impartial and fair
paign committee, who would be
analysis of Chinese espionage
obliged by law to separate out the
in this country. And you
cost of her travel and other ex-
thought it couldn't be done.
penses in the first role from those
incurred in the second.
Officer Volpe betrayed good
But more important is this
cops everywhere. Those who
question: What's her rush? The
testified against him did not.
Senate will still be there when her
husband leaves public office.
Maryland is so enlightened,
A Senate seat from New York
it even offers escape therapy in
presumably won't be open again
the prisons.
for some time after 2000, what
with newly elected Democratic
Sen. Charles Schumer likely to dig
Adviser Denies Hillary Clinton Running For Senate
REUTERS 5.24 p.m. ET (2125 GMT) May 26, 1999
AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. - A top political adviser to Hillary Rodham Clinton
denied Wednesday that she told a New York state Democratic leader that she
had made up her mind to run for a Senate seat.
The adviser, former White House deputy chief of staff Harold Ickes, said in a
telephone interview from Washington that he had talked to Mrs. Clinton Tuesday
about the comments from Robert Gigante, chairman of the Staten Island
Democratic Party.
"First of all, she has no recollection of saying what Gigante says he said. I think
there is a good-faith misunderstanding, and most importantly, she hasn't decided
whether she's going to run or not. I've known Hillary Rodham Clinton for 25
years, and she doesn't blurt things out," Ickes said.
Gigante told the CBS News' "This Morning" program that Mrs. Clinton confided
her plans to him during a fund-raiser in New York Monday for Rep. Nita Lowey,
the Democrat who would run or the Senate seat if Mrs. Clinton did not.
"I just said to her, 'Do you have any good news for the people of Staten Island?'
She said 'yes.' And I said, 'Does that mean you're going to run?' And she said,
'yes.' And I said, well, we're ready to work. And she said, T'm going to need a
lot of help," Gigante said.
The first lady's spokeswoman, Marsha Berry, said in response: "People tend to
hear what they want to hear."
Gigante defended his version of the story, saying that both he and his wife heard
the first lady confirm she would run.
"Obviously this wasn't meant to be an announcement. I have no doubt she's
running. Whether it was a slip, I don't know. But you can't put the toothpaste
back into the tube," Gigante told Reuters in a telephone interview from his Staten
Island office.
He said the reaction he has seen from Staten Island voters has been positive.
"People here are just delighted," he said.
The first lady's friends and advisers say she is strongly leaning toward running for
the seat being vacated by the retiring Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
She and President Clinton are spending the rest of the week in northeastern
Florida for some vacation and to give Mrs. Clinton some time to ponder whether
to make her own first political run for office.
Advisers says she is likely to form an exploratory committee in late June or in
early July to raise money to pay for her frequent trips to New York.
"I think it's fair to say these next two weeks are a very critical two weeks. If she
doesn't say 'no' in very early June, it's an implicit 'yes' and you'll see (formation of)
an exploratory committee," one adviser said.
There has been speculation for months on whether the first lady will run for a
Senate seat. New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is expected to win the
Republican Party's nomination.
White House spokesman Joe Lockhart, while not commenting on the first lady's
political plans, said that Tuesday night the president night called Ken Zebrowski,
who lost a hotly contested race for the New York state senate in Rockland
County, N.Y.. Mrs. Clinton had campaigned for Zebrowski.
[email protected]
© 1999, News America Digital Publishing, Inc. d/b/a Fox News Online.
All rights reserved. Fox News is a registered trademark of 20th Century Fox Film Corp.
© Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved
N.Y. Dem says Mrs. Clinton said she is running; her camp denies
2.49 p.m. ET (1849 GMT) May 26, 1999
NEW YORK (AP) - A Democratic Party county chairman says he knows the
answer to the big question in New York politics: Will Hillary Rodham Clinton
run?
Robert Gigante, Staten Island party chairman, said Tuesday that Mrs. Clinton has
decided to run for the Senate from New York. Gigante said Mrs. Clinton told
him so at a New York City fund-raiser Monday night.
However, Mrs. Clinton's top adviser denied the first lady told Gigante any such
thing.
Gigante said he and his wife were making small talk with Mrs. Clinton when he
brought up the subject.
"I ended by saying, 'Do you have any good news for Staten Island,' and she said,
'Yes," Gigante reported. "Does that mean that you're running?' And she said,
"Yes."
Asked about the exchange, Mrs. Clinton's adviser Harold Ickes said that
according to Mrs. Clinton, the first lady told Gigante that she is thinking it over
and hasn't decided yet.
The Senate seat is being vacated next year by Democrat Daniel Patrick
Moynihan. New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is among the Republicans thinking
of entering the race.
Mrs. Clinton is on vacation with President Clinton in Florida for the rest of the
week. After she returns, advisers expect her to either rule out a Senate race or
announce formation of an exploratory committee.
[email protected]
© 1999, News America Digital Publishing, Inc. d/b/a Fox News Online.
All rights reserved. Fox News is a registered trademark of 20th Century Fox Film Corp.
Adviser Denies Hillary Clinton Running For Senate
REUTERS 5.24 p.m. ET (2125 GMT) May 26, 1999
AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. - A top political adviser to Hillary Rodham Clinton
denied Wednesday that she told a New York state Democratic leader that she
had made up her mind to run for a Senate seat.
The adviser, former White House deputy chief of staff Harold Ickes, said in a
telephone interview from Washington that he had talked to Mrs. Clinton Tuesday
about the comments from Robert Gigante, chairman of the Staten Island
Democratic Party.
"First of all, she has no recollection of saying what Gigante says he said. I think
there is a good-faith misunderstanding, and most importantly, she hasn't decided
whether she's going to run or not. I've known Hillary Rodham Clinton for 25
years, and she doesn't blurt things out," Ickes said.
Gigante told the CBS News' "This Morning" program that Mrs. Clinton confided
her plans to him during a fund-raiser in New York Monday for Rep. Nita Lowey,
the Democrat who would run or the Senate seat if Mrs. Clinton did not.
"I just said to her, 'Do you have any good news for the people of Staten Island?'
She said 'yes.' And I said, 'Does that mean you're going to run?' And she said,
'yes.' And I said, well, we're ready to work. And she said, 'I'm going to need a
lot of help," Gigante said.
The first lady's spokeswoman, Marsha Berry, said in response: "People tend to
hear what they want to hear."
Gigante defended his version of the story, saying that both he and his wife heard
the first lady confirm she would run.
"Obviously this wasn't meant to be an announcement. I have no doubt she's
running. Whether it was a slip, I don't know. But you can't put the toothpaste
back into the tube," Gigante told Reuters in a telephone interview from his Staten
Island office.
He said the reaction he has seen from Staten Island voters has been positive.
"People here are just delighted," he said.
The first lady's friends and advisers say she is strongly leaning toward running for
the seat being vacated by the retiring Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
She and President Clinton are spending the rest of the week in northeastern
Florida for some vacation and to give Mrs. Clinton some time to ponder whether
to make her own first political run for office.