    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [April 8, 1997]
    [Pages 405-411]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Jean Chretien of
    Canada
    April 8, 1997

        President Clinton. Good afternoon. Let me say again that it is a
    very great pleasure for me to welcome Prime Minister Chretien to the
    White House. It's an especially important day in his life, because this
    is the 34th anniversary of Jean Chretien's first election to the
    Canadian Parliament. In the years since, he has held virtually every
    high office in the Canadian Government. He has traveled to Washington on
    countless missions. But this is his first official visit as Prime
    Minister, and I'm delighted that he's here.
        It's fair to say that there has never been a relationship between
    two nations like the one that exists today between the United States and
    Canada. We have the most comprehensive ties of any two nations on Earth.
    Every day, our Governments work together to improve the lives of our
    people in ways no one could have imagined just a few years ago. We trade
    goods and services on an unprecedented scale and share ties of
    friendship that are unique.
        We've worked hard today and made progress on important issues. We
    discussed our common efforts to create an open and more competitive
    trading system throughout our hemisphere. The benefits of this effort
    will be tremendous. Since NAFTA took effect, trade between our nations
    has grown by more than 40 percent, a remarkable achievement for what was
    already the world's preeminent trade partnership. United States exports
    to Canada have grown over $133 million and now support more than 1\1/2\
    million jobs in our Nation. As partners in the Summit of the Americas
    process, our efforts to expand trade in our hemisphere not only increase
    prosperity, they also reinforce democratic values, which have made such
    extraordinary progress in the Americas in our time.
        Today we've made concrete progress on key issues involving our two
    nations. We've agreed on new measures to crack down on criminals who use
    cross-border fraudulent telemarketing schemes to prey on the elderly and
    others. We're stepping up our cooperation to stop those who would abduct
    children and transport them across our borders. We agreed to modernize
    our border crossing so that by the year 2000, 22 pairs of towns will be
    equipped with remote video systems and new technologies to give them 24-
    hour service, and residents won't have to drive hours out of their way
    to the next border crossing. We're streamlining import and export
    processing, cutting freight costs, reducing truck backups.
        We're working together to protect, clean, and manage the natural
    heritage we share. Twenty-five years ago, our nations signed the Great
    Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which has helped to revive the ecosystem
    of the Great Lakes Basin. Yesterday, Minister Marchi and EPA
    Administrator Browner signed an agreement to work for the virtual
    elimination of toxic pollutants in the Great Lakes. This unprecedented
    environmental effort will involve the public and private sectors at all
    levels. There are some other areas, like Pacific salmon fisheries, where
    further progress is needed. But we're working on it.
        Beyond our borders, we discussed the preparations for the July NATO
    summit in Madrid, where the Atlantic alliance will take a major step
    toward creating security for the 21st century.
        I also want to salute the Prime Minister for his government's
    determination to support peace in Bosnia and Central Africa and other
    troubled places of the globe and especially for his nation's steadfast
    engagement in Haiti. Canada's efforts to help democracy put down strong
    roots in Haiti will long be remembered as a hallmark of the commitment
    to principle of the Canadian people.
        Our work together spans the globe. It reaches into the heavens. I'm
    pleased that the Prime Minister has brought with him today a model of
    the remarkable 11-foot Canada Hand that will be used to build the
    international space station. I have personally seen it in its full size,
    Mr. Prime Minister, and it is a dramatic and important contribution.
    This instrument will perform delicate assembly work essential for the
    space station's construction. And I thank you and your Cabinet for
    voting last month to fund this important project.

    [[Page 406]]

        Soon, Canada and the United States will be joined at the elbow in
    space, and that is a perfect symbol of the cooperation between our
    nations. Here on Earth, this cooperation has been a beacon of hope for
    countries on every continent. Today we've made that light brighter by
    reaffirming the ties between our nations and carrying forward our work
    together.
        Mr. Prime Minister, I thank you, your government, and all of Canada
    for your dedication to this extraordinary partnership.
        Prime Minister Chretien. Thank you, Mr. President. As I said
    earlier, I'm delighted to be in Washington, and I'm very satisfied and
    pleased with the discussions we had this morning. They were very frank,
    friendly, and very productive.
        We are neighbors who work together, and I think we're working quite
    well. The President and I discussed our partnership in the economy, the
    environment, fisheries, in managing our border, in space, and in
    promoting world peace.
        As you all know, our economies are performing very well, and that
    means more jobs and growth. Our trading relationship is the largest in
    the world. It's a real success story. And it is an example to the world.
    As you said, our trade has increased since 1993 by more than 40 percent,
    and most of our trade is problem-free. And when we have problems, we sit
    down and we work them out. Yesterday we announced a series of
    environmental agreements. We want to ensure that our citizens breathe
    clean air and drink clean water. Today we are announcing new ways to
    improve our shared border, all that based on the agreement that we
    signed 2 years ago on open sky.
        But what is very important is our cooperation on peace and security.
    [Inaudible]--with the partnership we have had in Haiti and in Bosnia. We
    are in agreement on NATO enlargement. We all agree on U.N. renewal, and
    it's very important that this problem be resolved.
        Once again, our cooperation is extending beyond the globe itself
    with the new Canada Hand, the next generation of Canada Arm. This gave a
    new meaning, Mr. President, to the term ``hands across the border,'' and
    it's a symbol of our relationship as we enter a new century. By lending
    a hand to the American space program, we will be creating new jobs and
    opportunities in Canada in the high-tech sector of the future.
        Sometimes our approaches are different. Sometimes in foreign policy,
    it's a matter of different means of achieving common goals; sometimes it
    is because our national interests are different. But we approach these
    differences with the honesty and mutual respect that a relationship like
    ours deserves. But the areas that bring us together are much greater
    than those that divide us. Working together, we are creating jobs,
    opportunities, and prosperity for the people in both countries, and we
    are setting an example of international cooperation for the world.

    [At this point, Prime Minister Chretien repeated a portion of his
    remarks in French.]

        And I would like to say that the Canadian people are very proud to
    be your neighbor. We have been able to work together, and we will do
    that in the future because together we can achieve a lot. And for you,
    Mr. President, as I said earlier, it's extremely important to carry on
    the leadership that you have shown in the last years because the United
    States is now the biggest and almost the unique power, compared to the
    situation that existed a few years ago. And I salute your leadership.
    And I know that you face some difficult problems, but you'll always have
    Canada on your side because we are both for peace around the world and
    prosperity around the world.
        And thank you very much for your kind reception. And it has been
    fantastic so far. And the weather is well-organized. In Canada, I say
    that it is a federal responsibility. I don't know if it is the case
    here, but you've done a good job on that, Mr. President. [Laughter]
        President Clinton. Thank you.
        Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International]?

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Mr. President, you seem to have struck out in getting the Mideast
    peace talks back on track at this moment. Does the U.S. lack any
    diplomatic leverage with Israel despite 50 years of assistance and
    support? And where do you go from here?
        President Clinton. Well, first of all, I wouldn't assume that, based
    on the comments that have been made so far. Where I go from here is that
    we're waiting for the Palestinian delegation to come in. We're going to
    review the ground that we went over with Prime Minister

    [[Page 407]]

    Netanyahu, and we're going to do our best to get this thing going again.
        There are clearly two preconditions: One is zero tolerance for
    terror; the other is a genuine commitment to build confidence and to
    make progress and to do the things required by the Oslo agreement. And
    the parties are going to have to decide whether they're willing to let
    the peace process go forward.
        We are prepared to do whatever we can, but I would not conclude from
    the fact that I'm giving very noncommittal answers that I think there's
    no chance that we'll get it going again. I think that there is a fairly
    decent chance that we can, but I think it's important now not to say
    things which will undermine whatever prospect we have of success later.
        In the end, it still depends on what it always has depended on, and
    that is the parties taking responsibilities to take the risks for peace.

    President's Relationship With Prime Minister Chretien

    [The following question was asked in French and translated. Prime
    Minister Chretien answered in French and then repeated his answer in
    English.]

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, the nice words you had with President Clinton
    plus what you said last night at the White House, would they reassure us
    in thinking that your relationship with President Clinton is as good or
    even better than that of your predecessor--Brian Mulroney had with
    Presidents Reagan and Bush?
        Prime Minister Chretien. Perhaps I should translate; there will be
    an interest in English, I guess. [Laughter]
        Yes, we are good friends. The President and I, we are politicians
    since a few years. [Laughter] And we can share a lot of debate together
    and spent a good time together last night talking about the problems of
    the world and a bit about the political problems that we all face on a
    daily basis. He gave me advice. I gave him advice. And it's free, so no
    problem. [Laughter]
        It's a good relation, but he knows that we will disagree. And I'm--
    and I know that he will disagree with me. But we have shown that it is
    possible to tackle a problem at a time. And today we realize that the
    number of the problems that exist between United States and Canada today
    are very small, very few. And we explain each other, but sometimes our
    national interests are not the same. But I have to tell you that he's a
    good guy, and I enjoy to be with him. [Laughter]
        President Clinton. Let me say, the biggest threat to our friendship
    is this injury of mine because it has precluded our indulging our mutual
    passion for golf. I don't think that--I don't know if any two world
    leaders have played golf together more than we have, but we meant to
    break a record, and I've had to take a 6-month respite. But I'll be back
    in the arena before long.
        Anybody else? Mr. Hunt [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

    Terrorist Attack in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

        Q. Mr. President, are you asking Canada to extradite the Saudi man
    who is being held in Ottawa and is suspected of being involved in the
    bombing of the U.S. barracks in Saudi Arabia? Is the Prime Minister
    agreeable to doing that?
        President Clinton. Well, let me say we have discussed this. It's
    being handled in accordance with Canadian law. But I believe the FBI put
    out a statement about it today, and we are fully satisfied with our
    cooperation with Canada at this point, and I think we have to let the
    Canadian legal process play itself out.

    Canadian Unity

        Q. Mr. President, you came out strongly in favor of Canadian unity
    during the last Quebec referendum campaign. Can the Prime Minister count
    on your support again, given the fact that in all likelihood there will
    be another Quebec referendum in your second term?
        President Clinton. Well, the United States--it's not just my
    position; we have long felt that our relationship with a united Canada
    was a good thing and that people of different cultures and backgrounds
    live together in peace and harmony with still some decent respect for
    their differences in both our two countries. And I would be--I haven't
    changed my view about that, and I haven't changed my relationship with
    the Prime Minister, so I don't know what else to tell you. My feelings
    have not changed.
        Mr. Bloom, [David Bloom, NBC] you're new here. Maybe we ought to let
    you get a question here. Welcome.

    [[Page 408]]

    Affirmative Action

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, today a California
    Federal appeals court upheld Proposition 209. If the State proceeds with
    dismantling affirmative action programs, will that help or hinder
    efforts to ease racial tensions in America?
        President Clinton. Well, I believe if States are precluded from
    trying to take appropriate steps that are not quotas and that do not
    give unqualified people a chance to participate in whatever it is--the
    economic or educational life--but do recognize the disadvantages people
    have experienced, I think that will be a mistake. And I think we'll all
    have to regroup and find new ways to achieve the same objective.
        I think--as you know, my position on affirmative action is that a
    lot of the things that we had been doing should be changed. I've worked
    hard to do that at the national level. But my formulation of ``mend it,
    don't end it'' I still think is the best thing for America. And so--and
    that's what I said in California during the election that people
    disagreed with me. But I think that we will see that, for example,
    universities are better, more vital places if they are racially and
    ethnically diverse. I believe that. And I think that it ought to be a
    legitimate thing for any university to be able to seek an appropriate
    amount of diversity among people who are otherwise qualified to be
    there.

    Cuba

        Q. Mr. President, on the Helms-Burton issue, Canada has insisted
    that its policy of engaging Fidel Castro is more effective than your
    policy of isolating the dictator. Have you seen any evidence that
    Canada's policy is paying off when it comes to human rights and jailed
    prisoners?
        President Clinton.  No, but neither one of us has succeeded yet. I
    mean, the evidence doesn't--since there hasn't been appreciable change
    in the Cuban regime, neither of our policies can claim success. But this
    is an area where I think we have an honest political disagreement. The
    Prime Minister characterized it earlier: We have the same objectives; we
    differ about how to pursue it. And since neither one of us has
    succeeded, we really can't know.

    Russia and NATO Expansion

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, a number of experts at Harvard and elsewhere
    in the world say that the risk is increasing every day of nuclear
    leakage or nuclear smuggling out of Russia, which conceivably could lead
    to a nuclear terrorist attack somewhere in North America. In view of
    that mounting risk, wouldn't it be better to postpone NATO enlargement
    for a couple of years, continue with the Partnership For Peace, and make
    sure that denuclearization has taken full root in Russia with START II
    and START III?
        Prime Minister Chretien. I don't think that you can link the two. I
    think that the expansion of NATO is something that is on the table since
    a long time, because when those countries decided to become democracy-
    and market-oriented, we told them that we were to accept them in NATO.
    And we have to deliver on the word we gave to them, and I compliment the
    President for the work he has done on that. He has had--he approached
    Mr. Yeltsin in a very practical way, in a very firm way, but in an
    understanding way, and we're very hopeful that NATO will be expanded
    this summer.
        President Clinton. I'd also like to comment on that, because I
    believe that Russia has a big interest in preserving the security of its
    nuclear stockpiles, and they have worked with us in good faith hard now
    for years to try to dismantle the nuclear arsenals. One of the important
    agreements we've made here to try to get the START III agreement in
    force was also to make sure that we were actually destroying the weapons
    as well as dismantling them, and we have been working since I've been
    here very hard in a mutual and cooperative way with the Russians to
    ensure the security of those nuclear materials.
        Yes, as long as they're in existence, I suppose there is some risk
    that someone will try to pilfer them. We've had instances of that before
    in the last few years, but if we work at it and we work together with
    them, I think we're likely to succeed. But I do not believe that the
    Russians have any greater desire than we do to see any of this material
    stolen or put into the hands of the wrong people. I think they have a
    deep, vested interest in them.

    Canadian Unity

        Q. In meetings yesterday with President Clinton, have you called
    attention to the international situation, and have you talked about the
    national unity issue? Has Mr. Clinton asked questions about it, and what
    were your general observations on the topic?

    [[Page 409]]

    [The Prime Minister answered the question in French, and a translation
    was not provided.]

        Q. Mr. President----
        President Clinton. Gene [Gene Gibbons, Reuters].

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Mr. President, in his election campaign, Prime Minister Netanyahu
    was very critical of the Oslo accords. At one point, I believe he
    described them as a knife in the back of Israel. And since then, he has
    taken a number of preemptive actions that have created a series of
    crises in the peace process. How does that square with your statement
    that one of the requirements is a genuine commitment to build confidence
    in the peace process?
        President Clinton. I have so far not disclosed anything that has
    passed between us, but I will say that both--because he said it
    publicly--the Prime Minister has said repeatedly publicly, and said
    again to me when he was here, that even though he did not agree with
    everything about Oslo, he felt that the Israeli Government was bound by
    it, and he thought that he ought to honor it. And that's been his public
    statement, and I believe it remains his position.

    Free Trade in the Americas

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, in light of all of the discussion and talk
    about free trade and the possibility of expanding free trade, did you
    ever think you would be this comfortable as a free trader?
        Prime Minister Chretien. Yes. [Laughter] Because one of my problems
    at the time, I was afraid that the free trade agreements with the United
    States were to be a series of bilateral agreements, one with Canada, a
    bilateral with Mexico, a bilateral with something else. And I thought
    that we had to have a system where it will engage at the same time many
    countries to have a kind of counterweight to the might of the United
    States. And if we were to be alone, it was to be difficult.
        And at that time, I was afraid that they--they worked to be the hub
    and make deals with everybody. Now that we have the concept of NAFTA,
    and now that we're looking and I hope that the President will convince
    the Congress to proceed on the fast track for Chile because we want to
    have by the year 2005 all the Americas together. And it's urgent that we
    move, because some are getting impatient in South America.
        For example, MERCOSUR is working very well, and they are lobbied
    very strongly by the Europeans. And I would rather have them in the
    Americas than to be oriented elsewhere. So it's why I believe--and I
    will mention that to the leaders in the Congress this afternoon and in
    the Senate--that it's urgent to have a fast track to carry on to the
    commitment that we made in December '94 in Miami.
        President Clinton. Let me say, I think it's very important that the
    Prime Minister has said this here in the United States and intends to
    continue and follow through with it. I am very concerned that we have
    not passed fast-track authority in this country. I think we have to do
    it. It's clear that expanding trade will strengthen democracy in Latin
    America and will strengthen our hand in the second fastest growing area
    of the world.
        Last year, the MERCOSUR countries in South America did more business
    with Europe than the United States for the first time, simply because we
    have not had as aggressive a posture as we need. We had better go on and
    complete the work of the Summit of the Americas and create a free trade
    agreement area of the Americas if we expect to succeed.
        Wolf, [Wolf Blitzer, CNN] and then I'll answer Sarah's [Sarah
    McClendon, McClendon News Service] question.
        Relax, Sarah, I'm going to call on you.

    Alleged DNC Access to Intelligence Information

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. There's a report, as you probably
    noticed in the Washington Post today, not only suggesting that there's
    an allegation of improper, unethical behavior on the part of the White
    House and the Democratic Party but perhaps even a crime, a violation of
    national security, that sensitive intelligence information was perhaps
    illegally passed on to the Democratic National Committee in order to
    prevent a fundraiser from getting someone into a dinner with you in
    1995. I wonder if you've looked into that allegation, if you could tell
    us if there's any merit to it?
        President Clinton. Well, this morning the Counsel's office held a
    series of conversations, which to the present time do not reveal any
    basis for believing that any sensitive information was improperly
    transmitted to the DNC. But because it's nonetheless a serious
    allegation, I

    [[Page 410]]

    met with my Counsel this morning, and I asked him to give me some advice
    about what next steps should be taken to look into it further. But based
    on the conversations so far, there's--we have no basis to believe that
    it was done.
        Prime Minister Chretien. Yes, in the back there.

    Arms Sales and Illegal Immigration

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister--[inaudible]--about the United States trying
    to sell arms to Latin American countries like Chile? And I have a second
    question for President Clinton. What's your response to the--
    [inaudible]--of Mexico and other Latin American countries about the
    change in the immigration law in the United States?
        Prime Minister Chretien. Is it to you or to me?
        President Clinton. They want to know--I think he--you want to know
    if he objects to the sale of arms to Chile by the United States?
        Q. Yes.
        Prime Minister Chretien. I don't know what kind of arms you're
    talking about. This is a problem with--every government has an army, and
    they have to have equipment. We buy equipment for our army, too, so I
    don't know if there is some materials that should not be sold. No
    problems have been mentioned to me in that possibility of United States
    selling arms to Chile.
        President Clinton. Let me just respond to both those questions.
    First of all, the United States policy is to reduce tensions between our
    Latin American allies. We've worked very hard, for example, on the
    border dispute between Peru and Ecuador and even sent our soldiers there
    to help to resolve the matter in a way that was mutually agreeable to
    both parties.
        And we have made no final decision about what to do with regard to
    arms sales to any country. But all the militaries there have to continue
    to modernize their forces. So the question is, you want to help the
    modernization process in a way that will not spark an arms race. That's
    how the line has to be drawn.
        With regard to the immigration law, the immigration law--I think the
    fears of the most extreme consequences have been exaggerated. But the
    law is tougher on illegal immigration and tries to speed up the process
    by which people who come to this country illegally leave. We have very
    high immigration quotas. We take a lot of immigrants in every year. I
    have strongly supported that, and I have strongly opposed attempts to
    discriminate against legal immigrants. But for all the people who wait
    their turn and come into this country legally, I think that they, too,
    are entitled to an immigration system that has as much as integrity as
    possible, which means we should be fair and generous to our legal
    immigrants and treat them in a fair way, but we should not countenance
    illegal immigration, and we should reduce it however we can within the
    limits of our law and constitution.
        John [John Donvan, ABC News]?
        Q. Mr. President----

    1996 Campaign Financing

        Q. Mr. President, there's a perception that, as a result of all the
    questions and anguished debate about the campaign finance issue, that
    your administration is in some areas of--other areas of government
    becoming somewhat bogged down. For example, it is said to be a factor in
    the delay in appointing ambassadors. It is said to have made the
    administration less sure-footed in its dealings with China. How accurate
    is this perception?
        President Clinton. Oh, I disagree with that. I can't comment on what
    others are concentrating on or doing, but what I'm working on is how to
    balance the budget, how to get my education program through and get the
    national standards movement going all the way to success, how to
    complete the business of welfare reform. And dealing specifically with
    the Vice President's trip to China, he did and said exactly what he
    should have done and said, and he would have done it anyway in exactly
    the way that he did. So I just disagree with that.
        With regard to the appointments process, the appointments process
    generally is always more political when you have the President of one
    party and the Senate of another. I don't think there's any question
    about that. But we're working very hard. We spent--I spent a lot of time
    on the ambassadors in the last 10 days, on both the career and the
    noncareer ambassadorial posts. And with the Secretary of State, the
    National Security Adviser, the Vice President, we've signed off on a
    large number. And we're trying to finish the process so we can send a
    great big group to the Senate and they can all be considered at one
    time.
        So the work of this White House is going right on and will continue
    to go right on.

    [[Page 411]]

        Q. Mr. President----

    Middle East Peace Process

    [The following question was asked in French and translated. Prime
    Minister Chretien answered in French, and then repeated his answer in
    English.]

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, have you and President Clinton talked about
    the situation--the peace process in the Middle East? And did you discuss
    about your position, about the new settlements by Israel?
        Prime Minister Chretien. We have discussed, yes, the Middle East
    problem with the President. I agree with the President that only
    cooperation between the Israelis and the Palestinians will permit a
    solution to the problem. We consider that building new settlements in
    places that were not contemplated by preexisting agreements cannot be
    supported, because there will be a difficulty to achieve peace.
        President Clinton. Sarah, what were you going to ask?

    Cross-Border Drug Trafficking

        Q. Sir, this is a question for both of you. The records show that
    there are far more drugs coming over the border from Canada into the
    United States now than ever before. Can you look into that and maybe do
    something about it, both of you?
        Prime Minister Chretien. It's more trade. [Laughter]
        Q. More drugs coming in from Canada to the United States.
        President Clinton. More drugs, she said.
        Prime Minister Chretien. More drugs--I heard ``trucks.'' [Laughter]
    I'm sorry.
        President Clinton. I'm glad we clarified that, or otherwise he'd
    have to delay calling the election. [Laughter]
        Prime Minister Chretien. But we discussed the problem, and we have a
    good collaboration between the two groups who enforce the laws in Canada
    and in the United States. And of course, we're preoccupied by the level
    of drug trafficking in North America, and we are working as close as
    possible with the administration to control this problem because, of
    course, it's very devastating socially in both our countries.
        President Clinton. One of the important things we did as a part of
    this meeting was to take steps to deepen our law enforcement cooperation
    generally. This is a difficult problem, but the only answer is to more
    closely cooperate and do the best we can and make the best use we can of
    our officials and our technology.
        Thank you all very much.

    Note: The President's 140th news conference began at 1:31 p.m. in the
    Rose Garden at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Minister
    of Environment Sergio Marchi of Canada. Prime Minister Chretien referred
    to President Boris Yeltsin of Russia.