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USIA - WHITE HOUSE REPORT (96-06-17)United States Information Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at <gopher://gopher.usia.gov>WHITE HOUSE REPORT, MONDAY, JUNE 17, 1996(Russia, China, Cyprus, Burundi, Manchester, Ella's death)NEWS BRIEFING --Press Secretary Mike McCurry briefed.CLINTON MARKS RUSSIAN ELECTIONThe president told reporters during a photo session that "the Russian people are to be complimented" for conducting an orderly election with "a substantially high turnout ...It is a very significant thing for Russia to have this election. This had never happened before in a thousand years, where they elected a leader."Clinton said he intends to call Russian Federation President Boris Yeltsin "to congratulate him in the election ... the very fact that it (the election) occurred in such a vigorous fashion I think is a real credit to him, as much as any single person in Russia." The president added he looks forward "to the run-off between President Yeltsin and Mr. (Gennadi) Zyuganov. We reaffirm our support for democracy and for market reforms. And we will be watching the development of events with great interest." Earlier, McCurry termed the voting "a milestone for Russian democracy," and said international observers had reported no "major irregularities" in the electoral process. PACT WITH CHINA HAILEDThe president said he is "pleased" by the agreement with China, which he said "will protect intellectual property rights and avoid sanctions and allow us to go forward in ways that will be good for the relationship ... I think this proves that staying involved and engaged with the Chinese through the difficult times as well as the good ones is the right course of action. I am pleased with what's happened."Dr. Laura Tyson, chairman of the National Economic Council, told reporters the "actions by China to enforce ... the February 1994 agreement will avert the imposition of sanctions on $2,000 million in Chinese imports. Those sanctions would have been in neither country's interest." Tyson said the agreement "reflects the president's fundamental approach to trade issues. He has consistently stood firm ... insisting that our products be granted fair access abroad ... President Clinton's policy of engagement with China is working. China's actions in this area confirm the wisdom of our policy of engagement." Tyson said the administration will insist that its trade agreements with China "are fully enforced." The understanding reached in Beijing, she said, means "significant steps forward" on closure of pirate compact disc factories, on seizure of pirated goods, on law enforcement in areas where pirate plants are located, and on creating "concrete measures" to increase U.S. access to Chinese markets for U.S. disc manufacturers. Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor, the former trade representative, recalled that four pirate plans had previously been closed and said 12 other licensed plants have been closed as a result of the new agreement. Three "underground" pirate plants have also been closed. Chinese authorities, he said, will actively investigate the 15 remaining licensed plants for compliance, and imported disc presses will be stopped at the Chinese border. CLINTON SENDS CYPRUS EMISSARYThe president will send his special emissary to Cyprus next month to start talks "on the key issues involved in a comprehensive settlement" of the island's long-running disputes. Special emphasis will be placed on security issues, McCurry said.Clinton expressed hope, during a photo opportunity, that Turkey would resolve its domestic political problems with a "strong government that can effectively enter into agreement with its neighbors." He told a questioner he thinks tension between Greece and Turkey hinders a Cyprus solution, adding, "I think it is a problem generally." The president, recalling past efforts to reduce tension between Ankara and Athens, said he could see "enormous benefits" if the two countries could settle their differences. Clinton met with Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides to reaffirm the "excellent relations" between Cyrpus and the United States, McCurry said. The two leaders, he added, "reviewed the situation on the island and discussed how the United States could help promote prospects for a lasting and peaceful solution." McCurry said Clinton reaffirmed his "personal commitment" to seeking a resolution, adding the efforts of the special emissary, Richard Beattie, will seek "to narrow the differences between the two communities on Cyprus" so that Turkish and Cypriot groups could reach a comprehensive settlement. EX-CONGRESSMAN NAMED AS SPECIAL ENVOY ON BURUNDIClinton has asked a former Michigan congressman, Howard Wolpe, to serve as a special envoy in the Burundi peace negotiations. Wolpe served ten years as chairman of the sub-committee on Africa of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. As a representative of the president and the secretary of state, he will work with Richard Bogosian, special coordinator for Rwanda/Burundi. The White House said Bogosian will continue "working from Washington to coordinate implementation of overall policy toward these two countries."MANCHESTER SHOPPING CENTER BLAST CONDEMNEDClinton said the "viciousness" of the bombing in the Manchester shopping center "deserves universal condemnation." He said he is "deeply outraged" by the blast, which followed telephoned receipt of a code phrase usually associated with the outlawed Irish Republican Army. The June 15 explosion wounded more than 200 civilians.Clinton said he wished the British Government "every success in finding and bringing to justice those responsible" for the injuries. The president's written statement attributed the blast to "men of violence" who "once again tried to dash" the hopes of those working for peace in Ulster. The people of Northern Ireland, he said, have expressed "their deep desire for peace and their commitment to democratic means of resolving their differences ... I want the people to know that the United States will stand with them in their continuing serach for peace." ELLA FITZGERALD MOURNEDIn a written statement, Clinton said he is "deeply saddened" by the death of jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald -- "The First Lady of Song" -- over the weekend. "Ella's phenomenol voice and wonderful phrasing will remain close to the hearts of Americans for generations to come. The jazz world and the nation have suffered a tremendous loss in the passing of someone with so much talent, grace and class." Fitzgerald, 79, died June 15 in Beverly Hills, California, of complications from diabetes and circulatory ailments.From the United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at gopher://gopher.usia.govUnited States Information Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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