[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[June 3, 1994]
[Pages 1021-1022]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on the Economy and an Exchange With Reporters in Rome
June 3, 1994

    The President. As all of you know, we got some good news from the 
homefront today. The unemployment rate has dropped almost a half a point 
to 6 percent. We now know that over 3.3 million new jobs have come into 
the economy in the last 16 months. The economy is creating jobs at 7 
times the rate of the previous 4 years. I think this is most of all a 
tribute to the American people, but clearly supports the wisdom of the 
economic strategy we have been following: a determined effort to bring 
the deficit down, to get investment in education and training and new 
technologies up, to expand trade.
    We have to stay on this course. We have to pass this new budget. We 
have to keep going. This is the thing which will enable us to do the 
other kinds of reform and renewals that we need to do in America. I am 
very, very encouraged.

[[Page 1022]]

    And again, I want to say how much I appreciate the work that was 
done by the Congress last year in passing this tough economic program. 
There is no question that it spurred an enormous percentage of this 
activity. And I am very pleased by it.

North Korea

    Q. Mr. President, have you spoken to Boris Yeltsin about the 
situation in North Korea?
    The President. No, I have not talked to President Yeltsin or 
President Kim, but I will today. And I don't think I should--I have 
nothing to add to what I said yesterday except to tell you that I will 
talk to them, and after I do I'll be glad to----
    Q. Do you support his proposal for an international conference on 
the situation?
    The President. I don't want to say anything about President Yeltsin 
or President Kim until I talk to them today. I have to talk----
    Q. [Inaudible]--say something about the United Nations, whether you 
think the United Nations is up on this. It has not done a very good job 
in Bosnia and other parts of the world. Are the allies strong enough to 
stand up to this regime?
    The President. I have nothing to add to what I've already said about 
it right now.
    Thank you.

Nettuno Memorial Ceremony

    Q. How do you feel about this morning's ceremonies, Mr. President? 
Could you chat about that for a moment?
    The President. I was very proud. I was very proud, and I was 
terribly moved by what the veterans and their family members said after 
the ceremony. There were so many who felt that for the first time in 50 
years our country and the world had recognized the importance of the 
Italian campaign and the massive sacrifices that were made there. It was 
very moving, and I was very proud.
    Q. Did you think about your father, Mr. President? I know you 
mentioned----
    The President. Yes, I did.

Note: The President spoke at 3:45 p.m. at the U.S. Embassy.