    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [April 9, 1991]
    [Pages 349-350]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to Business Leaders on Fast Track Authority Extension
    April 9, 1991

        The President. At the outset of this meeting I just want to thank
    all the business leaders for being here. And I particularly want to
    thank Ambassadors Brock and Strauss. This fight for a free-trade
    agreement--the Fast Track extension--it protects the Uruguay round; it
    protects our Enterprise for the Americas Initiative; it protects the
    North American trade pact that we seek, agreement with Mexico. And it is
    very, very important. And I want to pledge to this nonpartisan group
    that I will do everything I can possibly do, working with the Congress,
    to get this Fast Track authority passed.
        And it is in our interest. The point I made to President Salinas of
    Mexico, for whom I have great respect, is that it is in the interest of
    the United States of America. I also happen to believe it will benefit
    Mexico.
        Similarly, everybody around this table has taken a leadership role
    in the Uruguay round, and that one is critical. We simply cannot fail to
    go forward with the negotiations. I will be doing everything I can, and
    I want to ask everybody here to do all that you can, with the various
    Members of Congress. I think when they understand this that we will
    carry the day.
        There are some questions that we have to answer, questions that have
    been raised by supporters. Chairman Rostenkowski raised some questions.
    They're good questions. I think there are very good answers for them.
    But I would repeat what I said to a group in Houston, yesterday it was:
    This isn't a partisan matter. The Democratic leader in the Senate, the
    Speaker, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee are strongly
    supporting this. And a lot of Republicans are. Some Republicans have
    reservations; some Democrats have reservations.
        So, what we want to do is to approach this without--[inaudible]--in
    mind and get the job done. And I believe we can do it. I really am
    confident we can, but I don't want to see this much horsepower gathered
    without asking you earnestly to do the very best you can on the Hill
    because that's where the action is and that's where the answer should be
    finally decreed. But I think we're going to win it.
        Ambassador Brock. So do I.
        Q. Mr. President, can Iraq be persuaded to accept the refugees----
        The President. It doesn't have anything to do with Fast Track. I
    want to talk about Fast Track today, and we'll have no more press
    conferences today because as I mentioned to an earlier group we've had
    four in the last 3 days, and that's unfair to the press. [Laughter]
    Maybe four in the last 4 days--something like that.

    [[Page 350]]

                        Note: The President spoke at 1:21 p.m. in the
                            Cabinet Room at the White House. In his remarks,
                            he referred to William E. Brock and Robert S.
                            Strauss, former U.S. Trade Representatives;
                            President Carlos Salinas de Gortari of Mexico;
                            Dan Rostenkowski, chairman of the House Ways and
                            Means Committee; George J. Mitchell, Senate
                            majority leader; and Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of
                            the House of Representatives.