    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [November 22, 1993]
    [Page 2046]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 2046]]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Fidel Ramos
    of the Philippines
    November 22, 1993

    American Airlines Strike

        Q. Mr. President, are you willing to intervene in the American
    Airlines strike?
        The President. Well, I'm concerned about it. I've asked the
    Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Labor to look at the
    situation, and we're looking into it now. But I don't want to raise any
    false signals. We're looking into it, we're examining it, and we're
    looking at all the options. No decision has been made.

    Congressional Priorities

        Q. Mr. President, what are your priorities now if Congress wraps up
    before they head home?
        The President. Well, as they head home here, I hope the House will
    pass campaign finance reform today. And I still have a little hope that
    they can work out their differences over the Brady bill and give it to
    the American people for a Thanksgiving present. I would like that very
    much.

    Deficit Reduction Proposal

        Q. What about the Penny-Kasich----
        The President. Well, as you know, I think that's a mistake. I think
    if it were to pass, if it were to actually become law, it would imperil
    health care. It would raise the prospect of further defense cuts, which
    are very unwise. It also sort of heads off the disciplined approach we
    had planned for next year with the entitlements commission and with the
    further budget cuts that are scheduled anyway that we still have to
    make. So I think it would be a mistake.
        Q. Were you surprised----

    North Korea

        Q. Have you ruled out a preemptive strike in North Korea?
        The President. I have nothing to say other than what I said at the
    APEC meeting about that. We're working hard on that issue, and I've
    consulted with the South Koreans and with the Japanese and with the
    Chinese at the APEC meeting extensively about that issue.

    Handgun Control Legislation

        Q. Were you surprised that the Brady bill got a new lease on life?
    And you thought it would happen?
        The President. I mean, I think that those who were filibustering it
    really considered where they were and where the American people were,
    and they were out of harmony with the American people. The American
    people want us to act on crime. They want us to do something about
    violence. They want us to move forward. And the Brady bill is symbolic
    of the serious effort to move forward. And so I was very pleased. I
    appreciate the fact that the filibuster was abandoned.

    [At this point, one group of reporters left the room, and another group
    entered.]

    Philippines

        Q. Mr. President, what in the Philippines interests you?
        The President. Well, just about everything that goes on in the
    Philippines interests me. Our country and the Philippines have a long
    and deep friendship that goes back many decades. And I was very
    impressed with the leadership that President Ramos showed at the APEC
    meeting in Seattle and the vision he demonstrated about the importance
    of our remaining partners in the Asian-Pacific region in the years
    ahead. So I'm looking forward to having the chance today to talk to him
    about what the two of us can do together to strengthen our partnership.

    Note: The exchange began at 1:15 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.