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Melanne Verveer's Subject Files
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IM MEDIATE
UNCLASSIFIED
WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
file
PAGE 01 OF 02
PRT: FIRST LADY
SIT: ARMSTRONG BEDELL DOBBINS FETIG JOHNSON MOFFETT NATOLI PICCONE PYATT
SIT: NSC
<PREC> IMMEDIATE <CLAS> UNCLASSIFIED <DTG> 042154Z DEC 96
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHIA/USIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9963
INFO RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 1828
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 5511
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 7722
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1191
RUESFB/FBIS ASUNCION PA
UNCLAS LA PAZ 007394
USIA
USIA FOR R/MR, B/VOA/BRL, B/TVP, INFO AR - LDAVIS
STATE FOR ARA/AND
WHITE HOUSE OFFICE FOR OFL
EMBASSIES FOR USIS
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD, US, BL
SUBJECT: MEDIA PLAY ON MRS. CLINTON'S VISIT TO LA PAZ
ON DECEMBER 3 LA PAZ DAILIES GAVE PROMINENT COVERAGE TO
MRS. CLINTON'S ARRIVAL IN LA PAZ AND THE OPENING OF THE
HEMISPHERIC FIRST LADIES' SUMMIT. HEADLINE TREATMENT
FOLLOWS:
1. CENTRIST DAILY "HOY" PUBLISHED FRONT PAGE LARGE
PICTURE OF MRS. SANCHEZ DE LOZADA WITH MRS. CLINTON
UNDER THE HEADLINE "FIRST LADIES SUMMIT STARTS. "HOY"
DEVOTED ITS FULL CENTER PAGES TO BIOGRAPHIES OF THE
FIRST LADIES ATTENDING AND ARTICLES ON THE CONFERENCE
UNDER THE BANNER HEADLINE "SIXTH CONFERENCE OF WIVES OF
LEADERS OF STATES AND GOVERNMENTS BEGINS TODAY."
2. CENTRIST "ULTIMA HORA" GAVE 3/4 OF AN INSIDE PAGE
TO AN ARTICLE ENTITLED "FIRST LADIES INAUGURATE
HISTORIC CONFERENCE TODAY IN LA PAZ.' THE SUBHEAD
READ: "HILLARY CLINTON ARRIVES TODAY IN LA PAZ.'
3. CONSERVATIVE N"EL DIARIO" CARRIED A FRONT PAGE BOX,
ABOVE-THE-FOLD WITH A PICTURE OF MRS. CLINTON AND THE
HEADLINE "FIRST LADIES IN AMERICAN CONFERENCE."
4. PRO-BUSINESS DAILY "LA RAZON" DEVOTED A FULL INSIDE
PAGE TO DIFFERENT ARTICLES ON THE CONFERENCE UNDER THE
GENERAL HEADLINE "THE FIRST LADIES AT THE VI SUMMIT."
UNCLASSIFIED
file Boleva tiy
She visited a market and posed for photographs with children from Villa Fatima.
HILLARY GOT TO KNOW THE FACES OF THE POOR
"I have gotten to know the beauty of your country and the love of its people," said the First Lady
of the USA. She visited the ProSalud medical center. After a visit to the Banco Solidario, she
saw a cobbler's shop and talked to vendors at a market. Today she returns to her country.
Just a few minutes were enough for the first lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton, to win
over the hearts of the few La Paz residents who had the chance to see her up close due to the
overwhelming security detail surrounding her which contrasted with the kindness expressed by
the wife of the US President.
"I am impressed with the beauty of this country and the affection shown me by its people. I
am very happy to be here," she summarized in English during her stay in La Paz.
She spoke to women at the market in Villa Fatima, who are also clients of the Banco Sol, and
she posed for photographs with the children of that highly populated neighborhood for reporters.
Five hours earlier, Clinton had flown over the capital city and admired the Andes mountains
before her airplane landed at El Alto airport, where she was welcomed with the honors due her
position.
Two activities, one star
Hillary Clinton's activities in La Paz began at 10:30 am, when, accompanied by the first lady
of Bolivia, Ximena de Sanchez de Lozada, she visited the ProSalud medical center, which is
financed by USAID and located in Villa de la Cruz, the neighborhood which was the first stop
for the American lawyer.
Surrounded by strict security measures which continued throughout the day, she held
interviews with people who regularly attend the hospital center and exchanged ideas with them
through a translator.
Despite the discrimination suffered by journalists at the hands of the security agents, there
was some access to the brief statements made by Mrs. Clinton. In her comments she expressed
her satisfaction at being in Bolivia and stated that the ProSalud project seeks to care for the
community in which it is located.
"I am very happy to be here. I had already heard about this project, and I wanted to come and
see it myself," said the First Lady of the United States.
Banco Sol
At 12:25 she visited the Banco Solidario, a financial entity dedicated to promoting
microbusinesses; for half an hour she spoke to bank employees and clients.
Upon leaving, she visited the neighborhood, stopping at a cobbler's shop, talking to market
vendors, and speaking for a few minutes to children who had the chance to have their
photographs taken with her.
Kamman
Curtis Kamman, United States Ambassador, stated that the two day visit of the First Lady of
his country is an opportunity to get to know Bolivia better.
IMMEDIATE
UNCLASSIFIED
WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
PAGE 02 OF 02
A PHOTO OF MRS. CLINTON AND ANOTHER OF MRS. SANCHEZ DE
LOZADA SAID IN THEIR CAPTIONS" "HILLARY CLINTON ARRIVES
TODAY IN LA PAZ. DONA XIMENA AWAITS HER." ANOTHER
PAGE CARRIED THE PROFILES OF THE FIRST LADIES.
5. CATHOLIC-CHURCH OWNED, LEFT-LEANING "PRESENCIA"
PUBLISHED ON ITS FRONT PAGE BOTTOM CORNER A PICTURE OF
BRASIL'S FIRST LADY ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT UNDER THE
HEAD "SUMMIT OF FIRST LADIES FROM THE THREE AMERICAS
BEGINS." SUBHEAD READ: "THEY SEEK TO SUPPORT SOCIAL
POLICIES." ON INSIDE PAGES, "PRESENCIA" CARRIED THREE
ARTICLES ON THE CONFERENCE UNDER THE LARGE HEADLINE
"HILLARY CLINTON ARRIVES TODAY WITH A DELEGATION OF 70
PEOPLE."
6. REGIONALIST "PRIMERA PLANA" PUBLISHED AN INSIDE BOX
WITH A PICTURE OF MRS. CLINTON AND ANOTHER OF MRS.
SANCHEZ DE LOZADA UNDER THE HEADLINE "CONFERENCE OF
FIRST LADIES OPENS TODAY IN LA PAZ. PARKERSON
<^SECT>SECTION: 01 OF 01
<^SSN>7394
<MSGID> M2524589
UNCLASSIFIED
File Bolivia
From daily PRESENCIA, Wednesday, 12/4/96 - La Paz, Bolivia
Front Page:
Hillary at the Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government
WOMEN MUST HAVE MORE POWER AND EDUCATION
The children of illiterate mothers are twice as likely to die than those of educated mothers. The
voice and vote of women can make a difference, pointed out the First Lady of the U.S. In
discriminating against women, the talent of half of humankind is pushed aside, said President
Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada.
The first lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton, stated yesterday in her inaugural speech at
the Sixth Conference of Heads of State that in order to reach a balance women must have greater
power and education.
The objectives which the first ladies of over 30 countries have been setting are not simply
"women's matters," because "thanks in part to the agenda established at the Fourth United
Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing, as well as the conferences of this group in
Miami, Asuncion, and in other places, the situation of women is improving in many countries,"
she said.
At the inauguration of the conference, President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada affirmed that
"this is not a charity meeting. Those in attendance must bear in mind that the decisions made at
this meeting will affect the future of coming generations."
(Photograph)
Simpatia. Hillary Clinton, wife of the President of the United States, left behind her a wake of
"simpatia" in her brief contacts with women, youngsters, and children in La Paz, in spite of the
stifling security surrounding her.
Page 3:
(Photograph)
In the streets. Hillary posed for photographs with the children of La Paz.
(Photograph)
With the "landlady" At the Villa Fatima market, through a translator, she talked to a vendor.
The rose in her hand was given to her by a little girl from the neighborhood.
From daily ULTIMA HORA, Wednesday, 12/4/96 - La Paz, Bolivia
Front Page:
"The Most Special and Awaited Visitor Arrived in Bolivia"
HILLARY STOLE THE SUMMIT
(Photograph)
Accompanied by a gigantic retinue and protected by an
impressive security detail, the most important woman of
the most powerful country on the planet arrived in La Paz and became the center of attraction at
the First Ladies' Summit. The Presidents' wives committed themselves to fighting to improve
the living conditions of the peoples of the continent.
Page 2:
"The most important woman of the most powerful country in the world on Bolivian soil"
HILLARY, THE MOST SPECIAL AND MOST AWAITED VISITOR
"It is a pleasure to be visiting Bolivia for the first time," said Bill Clinton's wife, pointing out the
geographical beauty of La Paz and the warmth of its people. As soon as she arrived, she began to
fulfill a tight schedule: she visited two projects financed by USAID located in two less affluent
neighborhoods.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, the wife of the President of the United States and the most awaited
guest at the Sixth Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Americas, being held
since yesterday in La Paz, landed on Bolivian soil, and immediately the difference between her
and the rest of the visitors was noted.
The most important woman of the most powerful country was welcomed by a much more
rigorous display of security than that used for the other visitors.
The First Lady of the US arrived accompanied by the OAS Representative, Harriet Babbitt,
and by Donna McLarty, and her secret service secretary.
Approximately twenty vehicles escorted Clinton from the Airport of El Alto, where she
landed at approximately 7 am, to the Radisson Hotel, where she is staying.
Upon her arrival, the security detail kept the journalists, cameramen and photographers who
had been waiting at the airport since very early in the morning from getting near the wife of the
US President; she was smiling broadly and raised her hand to greet those who had come to
welcome her.
Extraordinary geography
Faced with the avalanche of journalists, those in charge of protocol permitted a brief contact
between Clinton and the press, during which she was able to point out that "flying over the city
of La Paz I was able to see the beauty of the Royal Mountain Range and the extraordinary
geography of this country. I can already feel its warmth and the hospitality of the Bolivian
people of which I have heard so much."
Later she announced that she would be visiting "some of the inspiring Bolivian projects to
improve the situation of women and children," and she thanked everyone for the welcome.
The kind words of the American first lady contrasted with the excessive zeal of the security
agents and the protocol detail. If Clinton did not speak longer with the press it was not because
she did not want to.
After her arrival at the hotel, the first lady immediately began to fulfill a tight schedule after
which she will be returning tomorrow to her country.
Hillary at the market
Clinton went to the Alto Miraflores area, where she visited social projects backed by her
government and later, in spite of the bad weather, she took advantage of the opportunity to see
the vendors at the Villa Fatima market, who benefit from the credits granted by the Banco
Solidario, which works with the support of the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID).
She carried out the entire visit accompanied by the first lady of Bolivia, Ximena Sanchez de
Lozada, who gave this guest special attention.
The wife of the American president also visited an area of the Avenida Periferica of La Paz,
where ProSalud has an office; this is an organization which helps the poor, also with the backing
of the United States.
After visiting the Banco Solidario agency in Villa Fatima, Clinton was greeted by a group of
youngsters who were playing Bolivian music; she later talked to the saleswomen at the market.
Upon seeing a group of children playing, the first lady posed for photographs with them.
From daily ULTIMA HORA, Wednesday, 12/4/96 - La Paz, Bolivia
Page 3:
GONI ASKS THE FIRST LADIES TO WORK TO ERADICATE POVERTY
"This is not a charity meeting," he said
President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada yesterday asked the wives of the heads of state and
government of the Americas, gathered at their 6th Conference, to work to eradicate poverty from
the continent.
"This is not a charity meeting, and those attending it must bear in mind that the decisions
made at this meeting will affect the future of the coming generations," he stated in his welcoming
speech.
"The First Ladies have access to government policies, and must therefore work to eradicate
povery in the region," he added.
The Head of State said that decisions made during the conference will be very important,
because they will affect women, who make up half of humankind, and mothers, who make up the
other half. (sic)
"The First Ladies affect the policies of their countries in the areas of economic, political, and
social development, and they must make every effort to vanquish poverty through good
education and health systems and to create a better destiny for their peoples," said Sanchez de
Lozada.
"It is better to spend money on education than on health, because the children of a mother
who can read and write will not leave school to become child workers and they will not be
exploited in dangerous and demeaning work; moreover, they will have their own small families
who will escape dire poverty."
Discrimination
Sanchez de Lozada stated that women are still relegated and discriminated against in
education, employment, and health, both in the traditional societies of the developed countries as
well as in those of poor countries.
"The discriminatory attitudes are profound and subtle. Not only is half the talent of
humankind repressed: that is also the half charged with caring for the next generation," he
asserted.
"Women make up half of the population, and they are mothers of the other half," he
paraphrased, stressing the importance of the First Ladies' meeting.
file
Bolivian papers hail
Hillary as summit star
Americas' first ladies meet in La Paz
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 5, 1996
The Washington Times
From combined dispatches
Mrs. Clinton was received with
LA PAZ, Bolivia - Hillary Rod-
cheers, flowers and gifts during
ham Clinton awoke yesterday to a
visits to the city's poor and was
politician's dream: two competing
hailed in the press as the star of
newspapers with flattering front-
the show.
page photographs and identical
The La Paz dailies Hoy and UI-
Spanish headlines: "Hillary Steals
tima Hora carried the same head-
the Summit."
line, "Hillary Steals the Summit,"
She was the main attraction at
while La Razon said the U.S. first
the sixth Summit of First Ladies of
lady "gave warmth and received
AP
the Americas in La Paz.
affection from the people."
"I had never been received with
Hillary Rodham Clinton enjoys the
On television and in the papers,
Mrs. Clinton is treated as a celeb-
so much warmth and affection. I
spotlight during the sixth Summit
of First Ladies of the Americas.
rity abroad and applauded for her
am amazed at the Bolivian people,"
focus on women's and children's
Mrs. Clinton said as security
issues. That's the way it was in Bo-
agents struggled to hold back
meeting: "Half of the world's tal-
livia and during President Clin-
women and children who crowded
ent is repressed, and that mar-
ton's recent trip to Australia, the
around her.
ginalized half has the responsibil-
Philippines and Thailand.
In her address Tuesday, Mrs.
ity of raising and caring for future
"She is, of course, the star," a
Clinton defended women's efforts
generations."
Bolivian official gushed yesterday
to reach positions of power and
as Mrs. Clinton was introduced for
called for the lifting of "the veil of
"As someone said, women make
a speech at the summit of spouses
secrecy that for too long has hid-
up half the population and are the
of Western Hemisphere leaders.
den the tragic crime of domestic
mothers of the other half," he
added.
"Hillary, Hillary!" called a La
violence."
Paz woman who fought her way
Bolivian President Gonzalo
The summit of regional first la-
through a crowd to hand the first
Sanchez de Lozada, who next week
dies is scheduled to end tomorrow,
lady a rose during her walk
will hold a regional summit on sus-
but Mrs. Clinton planned to return
through a poor neighborhood.
tainable development, said at the
to Washington today.
Foreign
Another source of opposition to
Mrs. Albright is AIDS activists,
who yesterday began a campaign
to derail her candidacy, citing a
officials
lackluster record on AIDS issues
before the world body.
"Madeleine Albright's record at
the United Nations is abysmal and
a failure. The United States should
cool to
be a leader, but it is not a leader
internationally on AIDS issues,"
said Steve Michael, co-director of
the Washington office of ACT UP,
the AIDS Coalition To Unleash
Albright
Power.
Mrs. Albright, 59, was an early
and enthusiastic supporter of ex-
panding U.N. peacekeeping in So-
State nomination
malia as part of a policy of "asser-
tive multilateralism." She prodded
could come today
Mr. Clinton several times to take
stronger action to halt atrocities in
Bosnia.
The delay as the president mulls
By Warren P. Strobel
personnel choices for a second
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
term has led to speculation among
President Clinton is close to se-
White House aides, most of whom
lecting U.N. Ambassador Mad-
are completely in the dark about
eleine K. Albright as his new sec-
their own future and their bosses'.
retary of state, which would make
Mr. Clinton's deliberations have
her the first woman to serve as the
been so secretive that only one
top U.S. diplomat, administration
copy exists of the personnel
officials said yesterday.
briefing book that Chief of Staff-
White House spokesmen said
designate Erskine Bowles handed
yesterday that Mr. Clinton has
to the president last week, one of-
made no final decisions in his
ficial said.
search for new Cabinet members,
The president was meeting yes-
but there were signs that an an-
terday afternoon with Vice Pres-
nouncement of new top national
ident Al Gore, who, along with Mr.
security aides could come this
Bowles and resigning Chief of
perhaps as early as today.
Staff Leon Panetta are the only
Mr. Clinton has been under in-
ones fully clued in on his thinking.
tense pressure from women's
If the current speculation holds
groups to name a woman to one of
- far from a certainty, given the
the senior Cabinet posts - State,
president's freewheeling decision-
Defense or Treasury - as a re-
making process - Mr. Clinton's
ward for the overwhelming sup-
new national security team would
port women gave him at the ballot
reflect continuity, rather than any
box last month.
fresh departures, in foreign policy.
With Mrs. Albright's name hav-
In a game of musical chairs, Na-
The Washington Times
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1996
ing floated publicly for several
tional Security Adviser Anthony
days as the front-runner to suc-
Lake would move over to head the
ceed Secretary of State Warren
CIA, while his deputy, Samuel
Christopher, it may be difficult for
"Sandy" Berger would move up.
the president to back away now.
CIA Director John M. Deutch is
News of her likely selection was
a prospect for several Cabinet
greeted warmly at the State De-
posts, including the Defense De-
partment and on Capitol Hill,
partment, where retiring Sen. Wil-
where Sen. Jesse Helms, North
liam S. Cohen, Maine Republican,
Carolina Republican and chair-
also is still in the running.
man of the Senate Foreign Rela-
Administration sources said
tions Committee, is not expected
Nancy Soderberg, National Secu-
to oppose her.
rity Council chief of staff, was ex-
She could face tough grilling,
pected to be offered the No. 3 post
however, on the U.S. campaign to
at the State Department, under-
dump U.N. Secretary-General
secretary of state for political af-
Boutros Boutros-Ghali. While Mr.
fairs, serving under Mrs. Al-
Boutros-Ghali is unpopular in
bright.
Congress, the administration's
Miss Soderberg is a former pol-
handling of the issue has left the
icy aide to Sen. Edward M. Ken-
United States isolated in the
nedy, Massachusetts Democrat,
United Nations.
who rose to prominence when she
Many U.N. diplomats believe
advised Mr. Clinton to allow Gerry
her lack of tact and diplomatic
Adams, leader of Sinn Fein, the
skill contributed to that isolation.
political wing of the Irish Repub-
Her emergence as prime candi-
lican Army, to visit the United
date for secretary of state was met
States two years ago.
with consternation by several Eu-
Martin Sieff and Paul Bedard
ropean diplomats and by others at
contributed to this report.
the United Nations.
2/17/96
11:46
202 647 0911
ARA/USOAS
5.
002
File
Bolivia
United States Department of State
United States Permanent Mission to the
Organization of American States
Washington, D. C. 20520
December 16, 1996
UNCLASSIFIED
MEMORANDUM
TO:
D - Strobe Talbott
FROM:
ARA/USOAS - Harriet C. Babbitt HCB
SUBJECT: The First Lady
Hillary's recent trip to Bolivia for the First Ladies'
Conference was a huge success and should serve as part of a
model for an increased schedule of trips to the region and
elsewhere. She asked that I accompany her and finish out her
schedule after her departure on the second day (Madeleine Kunin
played a similar role when Hillary went to last year's
conference in Paraguay).
Hillary has an immediately evident expertise in the issues
addressed (microenterprise, maternal health care, and the like)
and a genuine sensitivity to regional political concerns. She
engaged naturally with the mostly indigenous customers of
health care clinic and microenterprise lender she visited. I
was reminded of her trip in 1992 to the Navajo reservation in
Arizona where the normally reserved chairman (who knew her from
Legal Services Corporation battles together) praised her years
of toil in the vineyards on behalf of native Americans.
In an era where we have few carrots to offer in support of
policy objectives, her trips generate invaluable good will in
support of U.S. policies and the USG in general. She is
received with enormous affection and inspires the kind of media
attention which allows her to get wide coverage for what would
UNCLASSIFIED
12/17/96
11:47
202 647 0911
ARA/USOAS
I.
003
- 2 -
otherwise be back-page issues - -- maternal health care, for
example, is critical to battling Bolivia's poverty and income
disparity, but normally doesn't get a front page story above
the fold.
The second Clinton Administration should work to use
Hillary more broadly. In Latin America she has demonstrated
excellent instincts for how hard she can push to raise the bar
to move the discussion on women's and children's issues. If
she can be persuaded to do so, she could also play a valuable
role on democratization and development issues. Each of these
is key to a successful second stage of reform in Latin America
and is also mirrored in the President's domestic agenda.
Because the Administration is struggling at home with
variations of these same themes -- job creation, improving
living standards across the full spectrum of society -- I
believe they are themes on which Hillary can engage without
sounding intervencionista.
UNCLASSIFIED