    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [April 10, 1995]
    [Pages 515-516]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and
    Rescissions for the Department of Defense to Preserve and Enhance
    Military Readiness Act of 1995
    April 10, 1995

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 889, an Act ``Making emergency
    supplemental appropriations and rescissions to preserve and enhance the
    military readiness of the Department of Defense for the fiscal year
    ending September 30, 1995, and for other purposes.''
        I commend the Congress for its action on my request to replenish the
    Department of Defense for funds used to perform contingency operations
    in the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti, and elsewhere. These funds
    are required to ensure that our forces are provided the resources they
    need to continue their superb performance.
        I also commend the Congress for recognizing that to maintain peace
    in today's world, we must continue our investments in a number of key
    nonmilitary programs. I commend the Congress for making certain that the
    United States is able to fulfill its promise to the Russians that is
    linked to their removal of troops from the Baltics. The Nunn-Lugar
    program was also spared from reductions that would seriously impair its
    effectiveness. In addition to enabling continued progress in dismantling
    the weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union, the Nunn-
    Lugar program helps ensure that personnel in the strategic rocket forces
    of the former Soviet Union do not become a source of instability.
        Although funding for debt forgiveness linked to the historic peace
    agreement between Jordan and Israel was removed from this bill, it
    remains urgent that the Congress pass debt relief for Jordan as part of
    legislation that can be signed into law. This agreement has improved
    prospects for overall peace in the region markedly, and I urge the
    Congress to support this American promise.
        Regrettably, rescissions will reduce some of my Administration's
    technology priorities, which serve as a foundation for America's future
    competitiveness and national security. Nevertheless, reductions in this
    Act are less than those in earlier versions of the bill. The Technology
    Reinvestment Project (TRP), Advanced Technology Program (ATP), and
    National Information Infrastructure grants program will remain vital
    components of my Administration's technology-related initiatives.
        Despite my Administration's objections, the Act contains a provision
    that will rescind $1.5 million for listing threatened and endangered
    species and determining critical habitats needed for the recovery of
    such species, while imposing a moratorium until the end of this fiscal
    year on the remaining funds. As a result, these provisions will impair
    the Administration's ability to proceed on its recently announced
    package of reform principles and consequently, our ability to respond to
    the needs and concerns of private landowners.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    April 10, 1995.

    Note: H.R. 889, approved April 10, was assigned Public Law No. 104-6.

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