[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
[June 26, 1998]
[Page 1062]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1062]]


Exchange With Reporters in the Village of Xiahe, China
June 26, 1998

    Q. Good morning, sir.

Human Rights

    Q. Mr. President, the Chinese arrested a couple of dissidents, one 
apparently for intending to do an interview with an American journalist. 
I wonder, does such action make it more difficult for you to make the 
case to the American people that your policy of engagement is improving 
the lot of the Chinese people, is improving the human rights situation?
    The President. No. I found the reports disturbing, and I've asked 
Ambassador Sasser to raise it with the 
Chinese authorities. And if true, they represent not China at its best 
and not China looking forward but looking backward.
    One of the reasons that I came here was to discuss both privately 
and publicly issues of personal freedom. So I think it's very important 
for me to do that. But I think it makes the case--it makes it all the 
more important that we continue to work with the Chinese and to engage 
them.

Taiwan

    Q. There have been some suggestions that you're going to sort of 
accept the Chinese insistence that during the press conference, that 
you're going to sort of declare the United States decision not 
supporting Taiwan independence, not supporting Taiwan's bid for the 
United Nations, and not supporting one China/one Taiwan but two Chinas. 
Is it going to happen?
    The President. Well, first of all, you should come to the press 
conference to see what happens. But our position with regard to Taiwan 
is embodied in the three communiques and in the Taiwan Relations Act and 
in the facts of our relationship over the years. So I think it's obvious 
that there will be no change in our position one way or the other on 
this trip.

Susan McDougal's Release From Prison

    Q. Mr. President, on a domestic matter, Mr. President, are you happy 
with the Susan McDougal--Mr. President, are you happy for Susan 
McDougal? Do you feel----
    The President. Well, I'm concerned about her health, and I hope that 
she gets better now. I think it's a--I hope that the judge's decision puts her in a position where she can get 
over her pain and her difficulty.

Supreme Court Decision on the Line Item Veto

    Q. Sir, the line item veto, sir, was struck down. What do you think 
about that?
    The President. I'm disappointed. I think that having it has made it 
much easier to control spending, and I think that--and control special 
interest tax breaks. And so I hope very much that the Congress will not 
use this decision to move away from the path of fiscal discipline that 
we have followed the last 5 years that has gotten us to our present 
state of economic prosperity. I think it would be a mistake.
    Thank you.

Note: The exchange began at 10:35 a.m. in the village. In his remarks, 
the President referred to Susan McDougal, Whitewater investigation 
figure, and U.S. District Judge George Howard, Jr.