    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [June 27, 1997]
    [Pages 840-841]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister
    John Howard of Australia
    June 27, 1997

    Greenhouse Gas Emissions

        Q. Sir, do you have any sympathy for Australia's position on
    greenhouse gas emissions?
        President Clinton. The Prime Minister was just expressing sympathy
    with ours. [Laughter] We're going to talk about it today. I think we
    have to do something. I think it's a serious problem. But we've all got
    to--you know, what you want is everybody making a good effort. We don't
    want to falsely compare one person's circumstance to another. We've got
    from now to Kyoto to find a solution; I think we will.
        Q. Sir, is differentiation the answer?
        President Clinton. I want to make sure I know what I am answering
    when I give an answer.
        Q. Different targets for different countries, sir, is that the
    answer?
        President Clinton. I don't want to say yet; I want to have time to
    look through this and make a judgment.
        Q. Do you think Australia and the U.S. can meet on this, then?
        President Clinton. I certainly hope so. I hope we can all meet in
    Kyoto on it. It's what I'm working for.
        Q. [Inaudible]--on the developing nations?
        Q. Will you be discussing China today and U.S. engagement in the
    region?
        President Clinton. Just a minute. I think the developing nations
    should be part of it. And I think that--we believe we can demonstrate
    that the developing nations can continue to grow their economies rapidly
    and still adopt responsible, sustainable development policies. That's
    what's behind our Export-Import Bank loan policy. It's what's behind
    what Mr. Wolfensohn is doing at the World Bank. We can get there.
        What did you say about Asia?

    U.S. Engagement in Asia

        Q. Will you be discussing the U.S. engagement in Asia?
        President Clinton. Absolutely, a lot.

    Greenhouse Gas Emissions

        Q. Mr. Howard, do you think you can talk the President around?
        Prime Minister Howard. Well, I don't think it's a question of
    talking around. I think the Australian position is quite well known. We
    want to play a part; we don't expect a free ride. But we've argued for
    some kind of differentiation, because different countries are in
    different situations. And the concern Australia had was that the Group
    of Eight meeting in Denver might have preempted the outcome of the Kyoto
    Summit. And that clearly is not happening. And I get a lot of
    encouragement from the remarks that were made by the President yesterday
    in New York. And I think that is the basis of an understanding. I'd like
    to see Australia and the United States work together on it. We have a
    concern about domestic jobs, and I'm sure the United States does, too.

    Note: The exchange began at approximately 1:20 p.m. in the Rose Garden
    at the White House. A tape was not available for verification of the
    content of this exchange.

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