    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [November 19, 1993]
    [Pages 2020-2022]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister
    Morihiro Hosokawa of Japan in Seattle
    November 19, 1993

    China

        Q. Mr. President, having accused the Bush administration of ``coddle
    China,'' what is your response to those who are upset about the computer
    sale and other initiatives which you are making to the Chinese?
        The President. That we haven't changed our policy. Our policy is to
    try to engage China but to be very firm with the human rights issues, to
    be very firm on the weapons proliferation issues. But there are 1.2
    billion people in China, and we don't believe we can achieve our
    objectives within the context of complete isolation. And in this case,
    the computer sale for their weather service is something that they could
    get elsewhere if they didn't get it from the United States. I think it
    is an important indication that we are willing to work with them if they
    will reciprocate across a whole broad range of issues involving human
    rights, proliferation, and trade. And of course, in my next meeting I'll
    have a chance to talk about that.

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    Japan

        Q. And sir, what do you expect from the Japanese now? It's been a
    few months since Tokyo----
        The President. Well, first of all, let me say it has been a few
    months, but it's been a remarkable few months for Japan. I want to
    applaud the Prime Minister on his successes in promoting political
    reform. We had a very good meeting already today, and we have many more
    things to discuss.
        I have invited him to the United States, and he has accepted to come
    in early February to continue our discussions on our bilateral economic
    relationships and what we can do to improve them, to deal with the trade
    deficit, and to do a number of other things that we're trying to do. And
    so we're going to have another meeting in early February, and we'll have
    more to say about that then.
        But I've been very impressed, I must say, with the changes that he's
    making in Japan and with so much on his plate with the political issue
    that they still--this government has opened its construction market more
    to us, something that I very much appreciate. And it's an indication
    that we'll be able to make more progress in the months ahead.

    Asian-Pacific Security

        Q. Sir, when you spoke of APEC promoting security for Asia-Pacific
    nations, what did you have in mind? Anything along the lines of what
    NATO does for European security?
        The President. What I meant by that is I think that we all have to
    work together, as we are now, on the issues of concern to us. As you
    know, the United States is very concerned that North Korea not become a
    nuclear power and adhere to the missile technology control regime, I
    mean, the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons issue. And we have worked
    very hard to try to get our inspectors in there through IAEA. And the
    Japanese and the Chinese, I might add, have been very cooperative with
    us and tried very hard to give us good advice, and we consulted
    together. That's the kind of thing I think we have to do more of.

    Japan

        Q. Can we ask the Prime Minister a question, please? Mr. Prime
    Minister, now that you've won your political reforms, do you think it
    will be possible to open up, including the rice market perhaps?
        Prime Minister Hosokawa. First of all, let me say that I haven't
    succeeded in completing my political reform. In the Japanese House of
    Counselors, the situation is more difficult. And let me give you an
    idea. It is something like the difficulty which was faced by the U.S.
    Congress recently with regard to the NAFTA issue. The same level of
    difficulty is facing me in trying to pass political reform in the
    Japanese House of Counselors.
        Now, with regard to the rice issue that you raised, let me point out
    that this is a very serious issue in Japan, and one has to be very
    careful in not getting this rice issue in the way of political reform.
        Now, let me also say that, of course, Japan is ready to make its
    utmost effort to bring about the successful conclusion of the Uruguay
    round. But having said all of this, I will have to continue to make and
    exert my best efforts in order to successfully complete Japanese
    political reform.

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

    APEC and Japan

        Q. Mr. President, do you agree with the Prime Minister on the
    concept of the Asian-Pacific community?
        The President. We have some more talks to hold, but I believe we are
    generally in agreement that we should attempt to use this forum to
    broaden trade and deepen understanding and perhaps to accelerate the
    pace at which we can increase trade and economic growth in the region.
        I must say, this is, I believe, my first opportunity to talk to the
    Japanese press since my United Nations speech. I have been very
    impressed with the work the Prime Minister and the new government have
    done in passing political reform--I know it's not over yet, but it's
    making good progress--and in reaching out to the United States on a
    number of issues. So I'm pleased with the way things are going now and
    very appreciative of the work the Prime Minister is doing.
        Q. Mr. President, is there any difference of the atmosphere of this
    meeting and the former meeting in September with Prime Minister
    Hosokawa?
        The President. With the meeting last Septem-

    [[Page 2022]]

    ber?
        Q. Yes.
        The President. I don't know how to describe it. That was also, I
    thought, a very good meeting. But I have an intense interest in the
    changes that are going on in Japan now, and I am watching them with
    great admiration. As you know, I think, based on what I said when I was
    in Japan for the G-7 meeting, I strongly feel that both our nations have
    a lot of changes to make. And it's always difficult to make change. So I
    think this meeting--there's a lot of feeling that we share a certain
    destiny here--the Prime Minister working on his political reform
    measures, and I've been working on trying to open the trading systems
    through NAFTA. I really very much respect what is going on in Japan.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:14 p.m. in the North Kirkland Cutter
    Room at the Rainier Club. A tape was not available for verification of
    the content of this exchange.