[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[January 1, 1992]
[Pages 1-2]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]




[[Page 1]]

Exchange With Reporters in Sydney, Australia

January 1, 1992
    The President. I wish all the people of Australia, too, a very happy 
New Year.

Australia-U.S. Relations

    Q. Mr. President, do you think you will be able to get some kind of 
concession on wheat? The Australians are upset about that.
    The President. I don't think it's a question of concession. What we 
do is tell them our problems, and they are very frank with us. That's 
how you can tell a good friend; that's how you can tell an ally, when 
they lay it right out on the table. They have some difficulties with 
what we call the EEP. I understand those. I hope they understand that 
legislation was not aimed at Australia. But if they don't, they will by 
the time I get through.
    Q. No change, then?
    The President. So what we're going to do is talk to them openly, as 
friends do with each other, and move this relationship forward, although 
it's pretty far forward now. It's strong.
    You all are too young, except for one or two gray heads around here, 
but I remember the Battle of the Coral Sea. I wasn't quite in it. I was 
almost 18; I think the following month I went into the service. But the 
emotion that Americans with the memory have is the same as Australians 
with the memory have.
    There's a guy had an American flag up, out on the point, and there 
was a neat story about him in today's paper. So I called him up this 
morning. I did not detect any hangover from New Year's Eve--[laughter]--
being a doctor, he is. And I asked him to come over to the hotel, which 
he'll do, Dr. Marsden. I don't know the man. But I can tell you, I think 
I speak for all Americans when I say how wonderful it was to see the 
Stars and Stripes flying along the shore as we were here to celebrate 
New Year's.
    And I say that, I cite it only as one manifestation of a friendship 
that I know exists. You drive along the street and see these guys 
tearing out of the pubs, offering up a Foster's, and wishing you well--
you know it's real. So, that's what I'm going to concentrate on today.

Trade Issues

    Q. Mr. President, will there be no concessions then, sir, on foreign 
subsidies?
    The President. We're not talking concessions; we're talking about 
eliminating differences where possible.
    Q. Can't the Japanese tell you the same things then, if you tell the 
Australians, though, it's not possible?
    The President. We're in--wait until we get to Japan, and we'll talk 
about that.
    Q. Isn't there a little irony in that, sir?

New Year's Resolutions

    Q. Did you make any New Year's resolutions?
    The President. New Year's resolution? Always for peace; certainly 
this year, with Americans hurting, our economy sluggish, for prosperity 
at home. I think of the people that don't have it so good back there. 
But I also am confident that they will. I believe that with what we're 
going to be proposing, plus what this economy will do anyway, it's going 
to be all right. But while people are hurting like that, I mean, my 
first resolution has to be for the well-being of the American people.
    Q. Any personal New Year's resolutions?
    The President. Oh, yes.
    Q. More jogging, more----
    The President. Well, a little speedier. I'm not going to increase 
it. Two miles; I want to do it a little faster so the secret branch, the 
Secret Service here in Australia, will report into their bosses a little 
more proficiency. I'd like to catch a few more fish,

[[Page 2]]

and I don't get a chance to do it here although this is a sportsman's 
paradise. Keep up with sports. Our family does it; I believe in it.
    I'll tell you something. You're from here; I think these people know 
it. We are blessed with family, with kids that come home, and with the 
loyalty and strength that one gets when one is in public life from sons 
and a daughter. And so, I don't have to ask for any more there. But if I 
were, I would simply say, ``Keep it strong, Lord, because we're going 
into a hell of a year over there.'' It's politics; it's politics from 
tomorrow on. And it isn't very pleasant.
    Q. Welcome to Australia.
    Q. What about getting reelected? Is that one of your resolutions?
    The President. I'm very confident about that because we've got a lot 
to do. But I'm confident of it, and I'm confident that if I do my job 
right the American people will support me.

President's Schedule

    Q. Will you play golf with Bob Hawke?
    The President. Well, I think that's unfortunately been wiped out. 
I've got my sticks, but I don't think I'm going to get a chance to play. 
He's an avid golfer, an avid sportsman, but I'm not sure it's on the 
schedule. I don't think we'll be able to do that because this is the 
holiday. We're taking a rather restful day here today; go down to 
Canberra and have some fun there. But then I think it's work, work, 
work. So I'll have to save it. But I was looking forward to getting a 
little of that Australian money.
    Well, we'll see you guys.

                    Note: The President spoke at 8:20 a.m. while jogging 
                        through Scots College in Sydney, Australia, 
                        where he arrived on December 31, 1991. In his 
                        remarks, he referred to the U.S. Department of 
                        Agriculture Export Enhancement Program (EEP) and 
                        Robert Hawke, former Prime Minister of 
                        Australia.