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Press Statements/Interviews the President - January 20, 1989-December 31, 1989
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470766521
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Press Statements/Interviews the President - January 20, 1989-December 31, 1989
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CF00193-006
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Records of the National Security Council (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Latin American Affairs Directorate Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
2015-0017-S
2015-0017-S
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin: National Security Council
Series:
Latin American Affairs Directorate Files
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Subject Files 1989
OA/ID Number:
CF00193
Folder ID Number:
CF00193-006
Folder Title:
Press Statements/Interviews the President - January 20, 1989-December 31, 1989
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Pres stituts
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 5, 1989
The President today met with Mrs. Violeta Chamorro, publisher of
the Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa. Mrs. Chamorro is in
Washington at the invitation of the National Endowment for
Democracy.
Mrs. Chamorro and La Prensa have become symbols of freedom of
expression and the struggle against tyranny and dictatorship
throughout Latin America, beginning with the struggle against the
Somoza government.
During the meeting, the President expressed his deep regard for
Mrs. Chamorro and of her unceasing efforts to carry on the
tradition of her assassinated husband over the last ten years in
the face of Sandinista harassment and intimidation.
The President told Mrs. Chamorro that he shared her
disappointment and concern that the new media law promulgated by
the Sandinistas does not guarantee the free functioning of the
media and unrestricted political expression. The new law gives
the Ministry of Interior wide latitude for prosecuting and
punishing the media for such ill-defined concepts as violating
"national integrity" and for publishing "injurious, defamatory
and false news." Rather than relaxing existing controls and
increasing freedom of expression, the law is a more systematic
compilation of existing restrictions and sanctions.
The Sandinista media law, as well as the recently approved
electoral law, do not comply with the letter or the spirit of the
Esquipulas and El Salvador agreements signed by Central American
leaders. The President and Mrs. Chamorro expressed their hope
that international leaders would use their influence to persuade
the Sandinistas to fulfill their commitment.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
0
May 5, 1989
MESSAGE BY THE PRESIDENT
Cinco de Mayo, 1989
It is with great pleasure that I join the people of Mexico and
all those of Mexican heritage in the United States in celebrating
Cinco de Mayo.
The historic victory at the Battle of Puebla clearly showed the
unbeatable determination of a people struggling for independence.
Though badly outnumbered by the French, the Mexican people fought
bravely for the freedom of their country. With the beacon of
democracy giving them hope and inspiration, their cause could not
be denied.
Every American immediately identified with that cause and shares
in the pride and happiness Mexicans feel on this day. Our
country is proud of the long-standing friendship that has existed
between the United States and Mexico and prouder still of the
wonderful contributions Mexican Americans have made to our
Nation.
On this special day, I send congratulations and good wishes to
the people of Mexico and to our citizens of Mexican descent. May
we remember in gratitude and admiration the sacrifices your
ancestors made for liberty, and may their brave legacy be a
reminder to us all of the eternal vigilance that freedom demands.
God bless you.
/S/ George Bush
# # #
TOO/ZO
Document No.
2702
File
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
Pres.
statusts
DATE: 04/17/89
----
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: SIGNING CEREMONY/BIPARTISAN ACCORD
SUBJECT:
(04/17 7:00 p.m. Draft 2)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
à
SUNUNU
d
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
d
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
FYI: BS, RMG, GPH, MBD, RPO, PWR, DAP
James W, Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 17, 1989
1033 APR 17 III S: 15
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
CURT SMITH V
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON can
SUBJECT:
SIGNING CEREMONY -- BIPARTISAN ACCORD ON CENTRAL
AMERICA
I. SUMMARY
The attached remarks discuss the legislation, which you are
to sign tomorrow in a Rose Garden ceremony, to implement the
Bipartisan Accord on Central America. About 25 Members of
Congress will be in the audience, along with 80-100
congressional staff, State Department officials, and members
of the public with an interest in Central America.
II. DISCUSSION
The text focuses on our objective in that region -- "a
democratic Nicaragua which does not subvert or threaten its
neighbors" -- and references it to the Esquipulas Accord.
The remarks, in particular, discuss America's continuing aid
to the Nicaraguan Resistance, and challenge the Sandinista
government to uphold its pledges of democracy and freedom.
They also call upon the Soviet Union to help in the peace
process.
(Smith/Simon)
4/17/89; 7 pm
Draft 2
CENT
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: BIPARTISAN ACCORD
ROSE GARDEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1989
2:15 p.m.
Four weeks ago, for the first time in many years, the
President and Congress, the Democratic and Republican leadership
in the House and Senate, spoke with one voice about Central
America.
By signing a Bipartisan Accord on Central America, we joined
hands for the good of that troubled region. And by placing
principle above party, we reaffirmed the cornerstone of America's
foreign policy.
Last week, the Congress passed legislation to implement this
Bipartisan Accord. And, today, I am proud to sign this
legislation.
My friends, you have shown that bipartisanship works. And
I want to thank you for acting quickly, honorably, and in the
national interest.
Our objective in Central America is a democratic Nicaragua
which does not subvert or threaten its neighbors and whose people
enjoy the social and economic fruits of a free society. Our
continued assistance to the Nicaraguan Resistance represents the
commitment of the United States both to support the Esquipulas
((Eh-ski-POO-las)) peace process and to sustain those who
struggle for freedom and democracy.
2
Under the Esquipulas Accord, insurgent forces have the right
to reintegrate into their homeland under safe, democratic
conditions with full civil and political rights. That is the
desire of the Nicaraguan resistance. And we will support it
through concerted diplomatic efforts to reinforce this regional
agreement.
Here, in particular, let me thank the Congress. For by
supporting my request for continued assistance at current levels
through the elections in Nicaragua, scheduled for February 28,
1990, you have reaffirmed the will of this government to ensure
peace and freedom in Central America.
The success of the Central American peace process and the
prospects of national reconciliation in Nicaragua depend on full
and honest Sandinista compliance with their repeated pledges of
democracy and freedom. We have yet to see genuine Sandinista
compliance; thus far, they have refused to negotiate with the
opposition regarding the necessary conditions for fair elections.
It is clear that close international scrutiny and sustained
pressure will be critical to induce Sandinista compliance. It is
also clear that the Soviet Union must match its rhetorical
support for the peace process with concrete action to halt
military aid, to end subversion in the region, and to promote
genuine democracy in Nicaragua.
3
It is fitting to recall what Franklin Roosevelt said when he
addressed the nation in 1940: "Today we seek a moral basis for
peace
It cannot be a lasting peace if the fruit of it is
oppression, or starvation, or cruelty, or human life dominated by
armed camps."
Our accord envisions a democratic Central America, and a
more just and tranquil hemisphere. Above all, it points us
toward the future -- for America, and for the people of Central
America.
So, let us seize the moment. Thank you, and God bless you.
And now, it is my pleasure to sign legislation implementing the
Bipartisan Accord on Central America.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
February 16, 1989
INTERVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT
BY THE OVAL OFFICE POOL
The Oval Office
2:24 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Let me just say, I am going to hand you
all -- or Marlin will provide it later on -- a statement on
Afghanistan. And we support -- I'll just give you a little summary
of it at the outset here -- we support the Afghan efforts to fashion
a stable, broadly-based government, responsive to the needs of the
Afghan people. Throughout the long, dark years of Afghanistan's
occupation, the international community has been steadfast in its
support of the Afghan cause, and this certainly has been true for the
United States.
Our commitment, the commitment of the United States to
the people there will remain, and it will remain firm -- both through
our bilateral humanitarian aid program and through the United Nations
efforts to remove the mines and resettle the refugees and reconstruct
the -- help reconstruct the war-torn economy.
So we would call upon the Soviet Union to refrain from
other forms of interference in Afghan affairs. The Soviet Union has
nothing to fear from the establishment of an independent, nonaligned
Afghanistan. And they do bear a certain special responsibility for
healing the wounds of this war. And I would hope that the Soviet
Union would generously support international efforts to rebuild
Afghanistan.
And there will be a fuller statement on this later on.
Q
Were you hoping also that the rebels would not
conduct a bloodbath once they get in the ascendant and really take
power?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
2
I mean, it's a two-way street, isn't it? In this
magnanimity is there any sense that you would like to convey that
to the rebels, or do you think it's just a one-way street for the
Soviets?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't think a bloodbath is in
anyone's interest. And I think if we had a catalytic role, I would
hope it would be, along with others, working towards reconciliation
and towards a peaceful resolution now to all the problems. There's
been enough of a bloodbath there. And so I think you raise a good
point, Helen, and, yes, I feel strongly that the time for
recrimination is over, the time for bloodbaths is over. And I would
like to see the various factions get together and come up with
recommendations that would lead to a peaceful Afghanistan with no
more bloodbaths.
Q
Mr. President, the Soviet Union is calling for an
immediate cease-fire in Afghanistan and an embargo on arms shipments.
Would you go along with that idea?
THE PRESIDENT: Here's one of the complicating factors on
that call. There is some concern about what we call stockpiling, and
it would not be fair to have tremendous amount of lethal supplies
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- 2 -
left behind and then cut off support for resistance and, thus,
leaving an unacceptable imbalance. And so before one could do
anything other than appeal for peaceful resolution, which I have
done, one needs to know the real facts on this question, this
troublesome question of stockpiling.
Q
So does that mean that you will continue to aid the
rebels?
THE PRESIDENT: That means we will do what we need to do
to see that there is a peaceful resolution to this question, that one
reconciliation. side does not dominate militarily, and we will be encouraging
Q
Mr. President, what is your reaction, sir, to the
action by the Central American countries yesterday that appears to
undermine the standing of the Contras, to say the least, and leave
them in a very vulnerable position? And was your administration, as
has been reported, caught off-guard on that?
THE PRESIDENT: Let me say, Brit, on that one that
there's some positive elements of what's taking place there. There
are also some troublesome elements. Positive because the Nicaraguans
appear to be taking steps in accord with the Esquipulas agreement;
they're talking about national reconciliation and full freedoms,
including complete freedom of the press and free and fair elections
and an end to subversion.
To the degree that rhetoric goes forward and is enacted,
that's good. But there's 90 days now in which to finalize
arrangements. And what's troubling to me is that agreements have
been -- claims like this have been made in the at one time, only
to see those claims repudiated; promises made, promises broken.
And so I think we have to be wary of supporting any
positive elements like commitments to democracy and yet say, wait a
minute, let's be sure that we not leave the resistance standing
alone, leave them twisting out there without fulfillment of the
commitment to democracy on the part of the Sandinistas.
So in terms of being caught off-guard, we are in the
midst of a review of our whole policy there. If you ask me would I
have predicted that the five presidents would have worked out
agreement in this detail at this time, I'd have to tell you that,
having talked to President Azcona, having our Secretary of State deal
with two foreign ministers just recently, I think within the last 10
days, that I wouldn't have said that they'd do exactly what they did
do. But, as I say, there's some positive elements to it and there's
some troublesome elements.
Q
How does that note of caution, sir, translate into
policy and action on your part?
THE PRESIDENT: You mean from the future? Work here in
the next 90 days with the leaders to see that there's not just some
fluffy promises out there, but that there's some teeth in the promise
of democratization. And that is what has to be done. And so we are
going to keep our resolve to have the people of Nicaragua have what
these other countries have there - democracy. And we're talking
about freedom of the press, freedom of elections, freedom of worship.
And it's fine to spell these things out in generalities, but now
let's get down to how we proceed. What does a free and fair election
mean? I want to see some certification of the election process.
But we've got time now, little bit of time now in which
to make very clear that our resolve, our commitment to democracy is
still there.
Q
Mr. President, how do you intend to stand by your
commitment to the resistance? And might that mean a request for
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- 3 -
additional nonlethal aid, at the end of which --
THE PRESIDENT: It could mean that. It could mean that.
But again, I think we've got to work with this process now the best
we can. But I don't think anybody would want to suggest that we
would leave people with no humanitarian aid. I can't imagine anyone
taking that view.
Q
Will you intend to ask Congress to approve of that
aid?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we have some time on that, too.
But I obviously want to know what the status quo is at the time. But
I have every intention of seeing that these people receive
humanitarian support, but how that comes about, we'll just have to
wait and see.
Q
Mr. President, have you been dismayed at all at the
slow pace of filling jobs in the State Department and, of course, in
the Defense Department, elsewhere in your government? Has it slowed
you down at all?
THE PRESIDENT: I worry a little about it, but not
dismayed. The ground rules have changed. I was talking yesterday to
one of our appointees who I will leave the way you like to put it
-- who asked to be remain anonymous. And he told me that to fill
out the forms required 36 hours and the forms are different in
different departments. And part of -- I hope that this new Ethics
Committee that we've got will take a look at this and try to see if
we can't do better. The ground rules have changed from eight years
ago.
And there's one other substantive point here. I don't
worry about it as much as I would have if I were President eight
years ago when we came in on the in the wake of an administration
that I was opposed to and everything. I've come in as President to
build on the record of an administration of which not only I was a
part of, but whose objectives I strongly support. And so the people
that are running that are in these departments now are people who
generally are good people and share my objectives for this country.
So it's not like you're having to worry that your departments are
going to be coming out with a lot of last-minute rules and
regulations that will be an anathema to everything you believe in.
So that's a substantive point. The nature of the
clearance process is a substantive point. But back to your question,
I do worry about it; I am concerned about it, and I'd like to see if
we can't speed the system up in some way. We're getting good people,
we're getting good people to nominate. There used to be a real quick
turnaround on what they call a name check, but now, under the new
procedures, that takes a lot longer. So there's some frustrations.
I don't want to mislead you. But for the reasons that I gave you, I
don't think it's hurting the government. I think our Cabinet
appointments I want to get them done as soon as possible, all of
them.
Q Sir, could we take up a question you said a couple
days ago, why is it that the ethics questions get so complex in
practice and yet were so simple in your campaign language? Why is it
that straightforward questions of accepting outside income now
require a legal opinion?
THE PRESIDENT: Well give me an example of what you mean
straight for about ethics outside income. Maybe I can answer it
by rhetorical question. Take the case of Lou Sullivan, who had
earned a pension from a medical school working not for exorbitant
sums, as the president of a black medical college. And it is now
suggested that if he accepts money from a pension that he earned,
that he is doing something illegal. We have other questions of that
nature. Some people who are interested in being in the government
MORE
PACELLI File
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 31, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN LUNCHEON WITH REPORTERS
The East Room
12:45 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first, let me just say, welcome to
Washington. And I've been traveling some, but I like this much
better you all coming here. And we're delighted that you are
here.
We've got a broad cross section of both print and
broadcast journalists here, and what I really want to do is to take
your questions. I'm delighted that you heard from our drug czar,
Bill Bennett, this morning, and Roger Porter, as well. And I'll be
glad to follow on to any subjects that you have taken up with them.
Our Chief of Staff John Sununu came over here with me -- hey, you
don't get off that easy, Joe. You haven't heard my speech.
(Laughter.)
No, I'm not going to spend a lot of time, but I do want
to indicate that certain important things have taken place at the
outset. We went up with a good budget agreement -- we hope we'll get
an agreement -- a good budget proposal. We've thrown an idea, a plan
out there for the savings and loans, and I think that is an important
thing to have happen. We've introduced a child care initiative in
keeping with the philosophical approach that I talked about in the
campaign parental choice. We've done that one.
We've made a vigorous start in the narcotics area, and I
want to congratulate Bill Bennett, who really -- antinarcotics area
-- hit the ground running. And he has to formulate under the law a
specific plan. But we're not going to wait for that to move forward
in various ways.
Next week, we'll be sending up new legislation on ethics
and education. The ethics guidelines will enable us to sustain an
honesty and integrity in public service. I've been talking some
about my belief in public service -- those not that are in and out on
the political basis, but those who serve in a career basis. And I --
though we have no legislation on that, I want to keep saying how
important I think that is.
We've made -- we recognize that the major problem facing
us is the budget deficit. And Dick Darman is doing a very good job
-- nobody declared our budget dead on arrival, which pleased me very,
very much. Nobody has annointed it, either, in every possible way.
(Laughter.) But nevertheless, we are making progress.
We're -- on the national security-foreign affairs side,
we're going to have a vigorous week next week with President Mubarak
here, Prime Minister Shamir here. And then we're going to have
several of the Central Americans up here very soon. You've seen our
new approach, you might say, on Nicaragua, where we are working with
the Congress, we're together with Congress.
One of my regrets is that we were sending two signals.
We'd have one signal out of the Executive Branch and then another
signal coming out of Capitol Hill. And I think that now we've laid
that to rest and we're going to do what we can to move forward --
help move forward the democracy that I believe the people of
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- 2 -
Nicaragua want and the democracy that they've been denied.
So we've got a big agenda there with forthcoming meetings
on Europe, on the NATO summit coming up at the end of May, and then,
of course, we'll have a big meeting in Paris in July.
So we're going to -- the agenda is full. We're moving
forward on our national security reviews. I remain optimistic about
working with the Soviets, but I've said and I'll repeat to you all,
I'm not going to precipitously move just to be -- just to have some
meeting going on out there. There's a lot happening and when I come
forward with a proposal, I want it to be sound; I want it to have the
full support of the NATO Alliance; and I want it to have a
credibility, and instant credibility that shows our commitment, not
only to enhancing the peace, but to preserving the Alliance and
keeping it strong.
So there's a lot happening out there. I'm just delighted
all of you are here. And now, let's just go to the questions.
Q Mr. President, I was wondering whether you, in the
light of the Alaska oil spill, whether you think the federal
government should take measures in perhaps two areas -- one, to
tighten up the requirements -- the restrictions on alcohol and drug
abuse by the people who are in charge of these ships; and perhaps
more importantly, to ensure that there is a quicker response on the
cleanup efforts?
THE PRESIDENT: I would certainly support constitutional
steps in the former area. I feel that substance abuse is wrong. I
want to see a drug-free workplace, and I would certainly think we
could expand that to reasonable requirements in terms of people who
are fulfilling important functions like taking crude oil through
straits.
I will say it's awful hard to guard against abuse of this
nature when you're making laws. And I think one of the things I
learned from our meeting with our EPA Administrator, and the head of
the Coast Guard, and our able Secretary of Transportation, was that
this strait was pretty wide and that it -- I don't think there is any
way you could plan, as you're making the pipeline, against this kind
of abuse.
But in terms of testing, I do favor that. You noticed I
used the word "constitutional."
What was the second part, Joe?
Q Regarding the cleanup, sir. There's been criticism
in Alaska that, for a number of reasons, that the cleanup didn't
begin
THE PRESIDENT: I think there were some reasons that it
didn't go fast enough, and yes, I think we will have to do everything
we can to see that the federal government, working with the states
and private industry, has as rapid response time as possible. And I
will say I feel very concerned about the environmental damage up
there. When you look at those pristine shores and then see the
threat to the fisheries and certainly the loss of life that's taken
place so far birds and animals -- you have to be concerned about
the environmental damage. And we have a very able Administrator of
EPA, a man with unquestioned credentials in environment. And I
expect that he and his people will learn from this, and then maybe we
can maybe there are things we can do to guarantee quicker cleanup.
Q
Mr. President, Iraq is reported as seriously engaged
in a program to build nuclear warheads and missiles. Does the
prospect of this tiny, sometimes warlike, nation being able to wage
nuclear war does it give you great concern for the future?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, one, I don't want to give
credibility to the reports. Two, I strongly stand against the
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- 6 -
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
& Are you saying then, that at some time private
enterprise will take over NASA's role of the R&D?
THE PRESIDENT: No.
Q
Do you see that coming?
THE PRESIDENT: No, no I don't. But I see NASA making
room for a significant private role in terms of putting things into
space. And I don't sense, at the highest levels of NASA, a total
resistance to this, But I've had a feeling that some involved in the
process, not just in NASA, but along the way, have not been pushing
the concept of privatization -- not being as cooperative as we might.
So I see NASA's role continuing in R&D. And I see it continuing in
its shuttle business, space station business -- that I hope to see
come to fruition. But I just think that we need to support and
applaud those who, in the private sector, have big dreams like David
Hanna has had.
Q Mr. President, you have come under criticism in some
conservative circles due to your policy toward the Nicaraguan
Contras. The fact that apparently you have no plans to request
military aid for the Contras, is that a tacit admission on your part
that the Reagan administration policy which you had a part in for
eight years -- of asking for military aid for the Contras was a
failure in forcing our the Sandinista government or making it make
reforms in Nicaragua?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I think the Reagan policy brought the
Sandinistas to the table. And I think, had there been no pressure,
the Sandinistas would have gone about their merry revolutionary ways,
without keeping their commitment to the Organization of American
States -- a commitment for free press, for freedom of worship --
democratization, if you will. So, I think now we are --- the problem
we had is you go to recommend aid and you have a different foreign
policy set on Capitol Hill. Now we're saying and my own view is,
there was no way, not a snowball's chance in hell of getting a dime
for lethal aid military aid, from Congress. And I think anybody
that's familiar with Congress would acknowledge that.
So what we've done is get together with the Congress --
with strong conservative support, I might say. I'm not suggesting
your question is wrong, because I hear some voices out there hitting
us. But it's not bad. The policy has been well-received. And we're
speaking with one voice and we are going to push for democratization.
And by getting humanitarian aid that goes through this election, I am
hopeful that the Nicaraguans will go forward and do that which they
give rhetorical support for, but that which they've failed to
implement and that means democracy -- free certifiable elections.
And you hear some criticism of Salvador and what's taken
place down there recently. You don't hear it from me because I want
to give Christiani a chance. Those elections were certifiably free.
Democrats and Republicans on our commission going down there and
saying that. So we will treat the Salvadoran winner on his word --
that he wants to continue the democracy that we salute Duarte for
moving forward; that he stands against the extremes. And I think
he's got some big problems with these Marxist-backed guerrillas
coming at him. But we're going to support that, just as we're going
to support the Central American presidents as they now, hopefully,
push Ortega to do that what Ortega should have done long before
now.
Q
Secretary Yeutter and Ambassador Hills, Mr.
President, go to Geneva next week for very important trade
negotiations that I've been told will determine the shape of the U.S.
foreign policy in the next decade and how the world reads it. What
are your expectations from that meeting? Are you optimistic?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, it's hard to say. So far, I've
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- 5 -
THE PRESIDENT: Let me go back. Existing laws, to my
knowledge, are being enforced. I can't think of any new existing law
that's in force that wasn't before.
Q
Okay. On the question of U.S. dependency on foreign
oil, can we reach a point where your administration would take steps
such as an oil import fee or other stances that would help the
domestic oil industry?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, the domestic oil industry is doing
a little better now, the price of crude oil having risen to some $20
or $18 -- I don't know what West Texas crude is today $18.50,
something of that nature. The industry is doing a little better.
The rig count is still very low. I repeat; there is no security for
the United States in further dependency on foreign oil. I have made
proposals that would stimulate domestic production and I'd like to
see the Congress move on those proposals.
And so I but I am not have not changed my view on
the oil import tax.
Q
Mr. President, what do you envision for the role of
education, especially in the fight against drug abuse? Do you see a
blending together of the two?
THE PRESIDENT: I think it is absolutely essential. We
are not going to win the fight against narcotics on the interdiction
front alone. And I think Bill Bennett agrees with me that the demand
side is the place where we've got to do better, and that means
education.
Q Mr. President, we've been hearing about the new Whip
in the House and all we hear is, he's a pretty tough guy. Are you
going to meet the Congressman and are you going to talk to him? I
mean, talk to him about the style that he's known for with respect to
what you have at stake in legislation over there?
THE PRESIDENT: I am absolutely convinced, having known
Newt Gingrich, that we are going to work together very, very well. I
don't think he needs any lectures from me. But he's -- I think that
every congressman that I've talked to since then feels that he'll be
what he said he'd be -- a team player. He's not going to suddenly
become a shrinking violet, but we don't want that. He's going to be
a good leader. And I'm going to work with him and I'm going to work
with him productively. He's got his style and I got mine.
2 Mr. President, a few days ago, a small company out
of Houston called Space Services launched a private rocket. What are
your plans to incorporate private enterprise in space? How is that
going to work with NASA?
THE PRESIDENT: It's going to work that we're going to
encourage it. I've had a feeling and I can't document this --
that there has been some reluctance in some quarters of the
government against privatization, against the commercial aspects of
this. David Hanna, who was the founder, certainly one of the key
honchos in that company, has risked a lot of capital. He's gone out
and done what he believed in. He had one dramatic failure -- and a
lot of people were giving him grief over that -- and he stayed with
it. And he's had a successful launch -- he and Deke Slayton and
others -- and I applaud them.
My role will be to tell the bureaucracy NASA, that we
want to encourage the privatization. NASA has a role that's a
government role and it'll continue to be a government role. But when
you have enterprise like this, I think it is nothing but good for the
United States. And we need alternate ways to put things into space,
and this is good.
Q
Can I just follow that up, Mr. President?
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