    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [November 4, 1997]
    [Pages 1493-1495]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Senate Action on Fast-Track Trade Legislation and an Exchange
    With Reporters
    November 4, 1997

        The President. Good afternoon. I just wanted to test our stamina in
    the cold this afternoon. [Laughter]
        I am very pleased that the Senate has voted with a very strong
    bipartisan majority to clear the key procedural hurdle to pass trade
    negotiating authority to expand American exports, create American jobs,
    and strengthen American leadership in the world.
        Let me begin by thanking Senator Lott and Senator Daschle for their
    strong leadership and for the powerful arguments they made on behalf of
    fast track and our national interests. Today's

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    vote shows that a bipartisan coalition for American leadership which has
    sustained us throughout this century can help us meet the challenges of
    the next century.
        The case for extending fast track is plain. Our economy is the
    strongest in a generation, growing over 4 percent the last year with
    $125 billion of that coming from exports. The only way to continue to
    increase incomes and create jobs is to tear down more foreign barriers
    to American products and services. Foreign nations already enjoy open
    access to our markets. This legislation will give us the authority to
    increase access to foreign markets, especially in the fastest growing
    regions of the world.
        The world economy is clearly on a fast track. If we don't seize
    these opportunities, our competitors surely will. An ``America last''
    strategy is unacceptable. We have a unique obligation to lead. If we
    fail to lead on trade, our influence will suffer in other areas
    important to our security, undermining the trend toward free markets and
    democracy in other nations, weakening especially our relationships in
    Latin America, damaging cooperation on issues from drug trafficking to
    immigration.
        Now, in addition to this, of course, we should seek to raise labor
    and environmental standards in developing countries and to stop abuses
    like child labor. But this legislation will give us more leverage in
    pressing those goals. We should seek to do much more in helping American
    workers and their families when their jobs are lost because of trade or
    because of technological change, and I will have more to say about that
    tomorrow. But we cannot raise our own living standards or improve labor
    and environmental conditions in other parts of the world by withdrawing.
    What we have to do is to continue to reach out to open more
    opportunities for Americans and to work with other countries to improve
    standards there.
        In the coming days, I look forward to working with Speaker Gingrich
    and Representative Fazio. And I look forward to the same sort of
    determined congressional leadership that has borne fruit today. I call
    upon all the Members of the House, without regard to party, to make the
    choice they know is the right one for America when they vote on Friday.
        Thank you.

    Iraq

        Q. What do you plan to do about Iraq?
        Q. Mr. President, the Iraqis once again--Saddam Hussein, in
    particular, seems to be raising questions about your willingness, your
    administration's willingness to break ranks with other U.N. Security
    Council members and possibly use military force in the face of this
    latest showdown with Iraq. What do you say to Saddam Hussein at this
    point?
        The President. Saddam Hussein should comply with the United Nations
    resolutions and he should allow us to resume the inspections. If he has
    nothing to hide, if he's not trying to develop weapons of mass
    destruction, then he shouldn't care whether Americans or anyone else are
    on the inspection team. This may be just another dodge. The resolution
    is clear, the inspection regime is unambiguous, and we have confidence
    in it, and that's why we participate in it. And that's what he ought to
    do.
        Q. Mr. President--[inaudible]----
        Q. [Inaudible]--his threat to target American flights over Iraq what
    your response would be?
        The President. That would be a big mistake. But the U-2 flights--let
    me say, the U-2 flights, which you reported on extensively in the last
    couple of days, are flights in which we are involved, but they are
    carried out under the authority of the United Nations for a United
    Nations purpose. And we will continue to consult with our allies on
    that.
        But let me say again, the world has an interest, stated in the
    United Nations Security resolution, in preventing Iraq from developing
    weapons of mass destruction. That's what this is all about. There is an
    inspection regime which has clearly been approved by the United Nations.
    And Saddam Hussein must restore respect and opportunity for that
    inspection regime. That's all this is about. And we have to be very firm
    about it.
        Q. Mr. President, what do you plan to do----
        Q. Mr. President, do you believe at this hour that the United States
    is headed toward a military confrontation with Iraq, or is this
    diplomatic mission likely to resolve things?
        The President.  I believe, at this moment, we should do everything
    we can to resolve this diplomatically, and we should reserve judgment.
    This ought to be resolved diplomatically. There is a procedure there,
    and the Iraqis should let it be carried out by the United Nations.
        There was one other question.
        Q. How long will you wait, Mr. President?

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    Assistant Attorney General Nominee

        Q. Mr. President, what do you plan to do to save Bill Lann Lee's
    nomination, and is there anything you can do to overcome Senator Hatch's
    opposition?
        The President.  Well, I'm disappointed in Senator Hatch's statement
    because I think everybody who knows Bill Lee believes he is superbly
    qualified to be head of the Civil Rights Division. The Civil Rights
    Division enforces the laws of the United States against discrimination,
    and we need a strong and nationally recognized leader in that position.
        You know, in his hearing, no one could say anything bad about this
    man. I mean, here he is, the son of Chinese immigrants that's worked his
    heart out all of his life. He's devoted his entire life to fighting for
    equal opportunity and against discrimination. He is superbly qualified.
    And that's what I want to say--how can anybody in good conscience vote
    against him if they believe that our civil rights laws ought to be
    enforced? That is a question that we will be pressing to every Senator
    without regard to party.
        I had thought there was a bipartisan consensus in the United States
    for enforcing the civil rights laws of America. I still believe there is
    in the country, and I think there ought to be in the Senate.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:13 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.