    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [March 20, 2000]
    [Pages 491-494]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 491]]

    The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Sheikh
    Hasina of Bangladesh in Dhaka
    March 20, 2000

        Prime Minister Hasina. Distinguished members of the press, on behalf
    of the Government and the people of Bangladesh, I would like to extend a
    very warm and special welcome to the President of the United States of
    America, His Excellency Mr. Bill Clinton, and distinguished members of
    his delegation. This is the first-ever visit of a U.S. President to
    Bangladesh, and it reflects the warm and friendly ties between our two
    countries, as well as the qualitative formation that has been taking
    place in our relationship.
        Let me also thank President Clinton for his decision to begin his
    tour of South Asia from the soil of Bangladesh. We are truly honored,
    Mr. President.
        At this moment, I recall with gratitude the warm hospitality that
    was extended to me by the President and the First Lady during my brief
    visit to the White House in 1997. I'm proud to say that the father of
    the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, imbued by deep and
    abiding values of freedom, democracy, and equality, achieved for us this
    nation. He laid the foundation of Bangladesh-U.S. relationship.
        We value the relationship. It is a matter of satisfaction that these
    ties have grown substantially. It was, therefore, a singular honor for
    me today to meet President Clinton. He's an outstanding leader and
    statesman of our times. We discussed our bilateral relations and issues
    of common concern, and I am happy to say that our meeting was fruitful
    and productive.
        We reiterated to the President that the Government of Bangladesh
    shares the U.S. commitment to democracy, rule of law, human rights, and
    free-market policy. Like the U.S., Bangladesh also believes in peace,
    security, and in proactive efforts to defuse tension everywhere.
        We appreciate the President's efforts and initiative to bring the
    Middle East closer to a lasting peace and realize the important role
    played by the U.S. in achieving peace in Bosnia, Kosovo, and other
    regions.
        We also discussed our bilateral trade with the U.S., which is our
    number one export market. Nearly $2 billion worth of goods were exported
    to the U.S. in 1998 and '99. In this context, we explained to President
    Clinton the liberal economic policies and programs of the Government,
    and also discussed our proposal for increase of Bangladesh's quota of
    Government exports, as well as duty-free and quota-free access of
    Bangladeshi products to U.S.
        Regarding cooperation in energy, both our countries acknowledge the
    immense potential in this sector and have decided to intensify our
    cooperation. We have initialed two production-sharing agreements with
    Unocal and Pangea. Bangladesh and the U.S. also signed a strategic
    objective agreement, under which the U.S. would provide an amount of
    U.S. dollar, $30 million grant to achieve increased institutional
    capacity to make decisions in clean energy development, improve
    environment, and increase public support for energy sector reform.
        In addition, we thank the President for the agreement signed between
    our two countries for reduction of debt and use of interest for local
    development activities under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of
    1998. This is a good beginning, and we requested the President for
    further action for cancellation of our debt under P.L. 480. A number of
    other agreements have also been finalized where U.S. aid would be
    funding for this in Bangladesh.
        On the question of export of gas, our position remains that after
    fully meeting our domestic requirements and ensuring gas for 50 years
    for use of future generations, the remaining surplus gas will be
    available for export. Similarly, on the question of export of power, we
    maintain that with new gas fields being discovered and developed, we
    must find good use for the gas. We will, therefore, welcome proposals
    that are commercially viable for the export of power, based on our
    natural gas.
        We also apprised President Clinton that Bangladesh could emerge as
    an important center of IT industry in South Asia. Bangladeshi
    programmers, computer engineers, and IT professionals could provide IT
    product services, taking

    [[Page 492]]

    advantages of the time difference between Bangladesh and the U.S. The
    U.S. could also provide necessary technical assistance and institutional
    support to Bangladesh for development of IT industry. This could help
    create employment opportunities for the educated youth of the country.
        We requested the President to expedite the deportation of the
    killers of the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
    We stressed that the killers have terrorist links and that they should
    not be given refuge in the greatest democracy of the world, a country
    that upholds the rule of law. I am touched by President Clinton's
    sympathetic response.
        We requested President Clinton to take steps to regulate the status
    of Bangladeshi nationals living in the U.S. without proper documents.
    I'd like to thank President Clinton for the deep personal interest he
    has taken in the welfare and well-being of the people of Bangladesh. I
    am sure that the President's visit will be a milestone in our
    relationship and serve to highlight the many achievements of Bangladesh
    and enhance its stature and standing in the world community.
        President Clinton extended an invitation to me to visit his great
    country, which I gladly accepted. A date in October this year will be
    worked out for this visit.
        May I now request His Excellency William Jefferson, President of the
    U.S.A., to say a few words now.
        Thank you, and the floor is yours.
        President Clinton.  Thank you very much. Prime Minister, ladies and
    gentlemen, I am proud today to be the first American President to visit
    Bangladesh. But I am quite sure I will not be the last. Though far apart
    geographically, our nations grow closer every day, through expanding
    trade, through the Internet revolution, and through our shared interest
    in building a world more peaceful, more tolerant, more prosperous, and
    more free.
        Twenty-nine years ago this month, against extraordinary obstacles,
    Bangladesh began a lonely fight for existence that did not receive the
    support it deserved from many countries around the world. That struggle
    was led by the Prime Minister's father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose
    passion and commitment united a people.
        Despite many challenges since then, you have come together to build
    a nation that has won the respect of the world. The United States
    admires Bangladesh as a nation proud of its Islamic heritage, proud of
    its unique culture, proud of its commitment to tolerance and democracy,
    and proud of its participation in the world community. We are grateful
    for your leadership in the United States and your courageous example in
    sending peacekeepers to end the conflict in Bosnia and Kosovo. We
    particularly honor Bangladesh as the first nation in South Asia to
    ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Finally, we are grateful for
    the Bangladeshi-Americans who are doing so much to enrich and to enliven
    both our nations.
        Today is only the beginning of a stronger partnership. The Prime
    Minister and I discussed ways to strengthen our economic ties, while
    ensuring that future prosperity is built upon respect for decent labor
    practices, the magnificent natural environment of Bangladesh, and a
    sense of responsibility toward the children who will inherit the future.
        Today I am pleased to announce that our Agency for International
    Development will provide $50 million to Bangladesh and other nations in
    South Asia to harness clean energy resources, reduce air pollution, and
    fight climate change. Bangladesh also will be the very first nation to
    receive funding under a United States program that converts old debt to
    new funding to protect tropical forests.
        I'm also happy to announce that our Agency for International
    Development and Department of Agriculture will provide $97 million in
    food assistance here. And today I'm sending to our Congress the renewal
    of our agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation with Bangladesh.
        Anyone who looks at the map can see that this is a nation of great
    rivers from many sources merging together as they approach the Bay of
    Bengal. Today, from many sources of our different national traditions,
    we meet in Dhaka to build our common future.
        Thank you very much, Prime Minister.
        Prime Minister Hasina.  Thank you.
        President Clinton.  Would you like to call on a journalist, and then
    I will? Should we go to the Americans first or the Bangladeshis first?
    It's your call.

     Visit to Bangladesh

        Q.  Mr. President, what political and economic factors have
    convinced you to undertake your first visit to Bangladesh? And would the
    United States consider favored nation to Bangladesh as

    [[Page 493]]

    a favored nation, when India, Pakistan, and South Asia are engaged in
    nuclear arms threats?
        President Clinton.  Well, first of all, you ask what political and
    economic factors encouraged me to come here. I think this is a nation
    with a very big future. This is a nation that chose to sign and to
    ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; a nation that has used its
    soldiers to go around the world to help others make peace; a nation
    that, I believe, is committed to democracy, with a vigorous level of
    political debate inside this country, as nearly as I can see, and a real
    commitment to the long-term welfare of its children, and one in which we
    feel a great deal of common interest. So to me, this was an easy
    decision to come here. I wanted to come here. And I look forward to a
    longer and richer future between the United States and Bangladesh.
        Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

     Syrian President Hafiz al-Asad

        Q.  Mr. President, there has been a lot of speculation that you'll
    conclude this trip by going to Geneva to meet with President Asad of
    Syria. What is the likelihood of that? And would it be your expectation,
    if that happens, that your meeting would lead to a resumption of the
    Syrian-Israeli talks that were suspended in January?
        President Clinton.  Well, I do intend to do that. When I leave, when
    I conclude my visits in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, I do intend to
    go to Switzerland to meet with President Asad. And we'll just have to
    see what comes out of the talks.
        But we have, now, we've worked very hard with the parties to get the
    Palestinian and Israeli track back going, and they're doing very, very
    well indeed. And I think they have a lot of energy and a real plan for
    the future. And I think this is the next logical step. I don't want to
    unduly raise expectations, but I think that this is an appropriate thing
    for me to do, to try to get this back on track, so that our objectives
    of having a comprehensive peace can go forward.

    Politics in Bangladesh/Bangladeshis in America

        Q. My question is, how do you look at the Bangladesh politics? Thank
    you.
        Q. Mr. President, do you think that--this is your first visit to
    Bangladesh, where people are hard-working and sincere. Do you want to
    make your visit memorable by declaring a general amnesty for
    undocumented citizens of Bangladesh who are living in your country?
        President Clinton. I think you asked about the Bangladeshis living
    in the United States. And I think one of you asked about what I thought
    about your local politics. I think that the less I say about it, the
    better, except it certainly seems to be vigorous. And I hope it will be
    peaceful, because--you may know that I have a few opponents back in the
    United States. We have vigorous political systems; that's what
    democracies are about. But in the end you have to find constructive ways
    to resolve your differences and go on.
        Now, on the Bangladeshis in America, I have done what I could to
    make sure that none were unfairly treated. We have laws that govern
    this. And it is true that we have allowed significant populations from
    places where there were virulent civil wars and they were driven into
    our country because they could not safely remain at home, and then they
    stayed in our country and began to establish families and earn a living,
    and there were--the Congress passed blanket provisions to allow them to
    stay. Other people who come to our country in large numbers are
    basically governed by our more general immigration laws. And there's a
    limit to what I can do. I have already taken some steps there.
        But I said in my opening statement, and I will say again, I think
    our country has been greatly enriched by the presence of Bangladeshis,
    and we have many Bangladeshi-American citizens. One of them is here with
    me today, Osman Siddique, who's our
    Ambassador to Fiji. And so I feel very good about the presence of
    Bangladeshis within the United States. But I have to observe the laws
    that we have.
        Lori [Lori Santos, United Press International].

    Cancellation of Visit to Joypura

        Q.  Sir, can you tell us what security concerns prompted you to
    cancel your trip to the village today? And are you confident it will not
    happen again on this trip, particularly in Pakistan?
        President Clinton.  The answer to the first part of your question
    is, no, I won't, because I don't think I can, I should. But let me--that
    I thought it was very, very important for me to come here. And I think
    it's important for the United States to see its friends and to work for
    a future.

    [[Page 494]]

        I regret that I could not go to the village. And I'm delighted that
    the villagers are coming to see me because it will give me a chance to
    highlight something the American press has heard me talk about many
    times, which is that the whole microcredit movement in the world
    basically began here in Bangladesh with the Grameen Bank nearly 20 years
    ago--maybe more than that now. And the Prime Minister and I talked about
    this.
        I am honored that I will have a chance to see Muhammad Yunus again, to see some of the villagers, and to try to
    highlight the important role that, I believe, microcredit should have
    not only here in Bangladesh but throughout all developing countries in
    the world. The United States, through AID, supports about 2 million
    microcredit loans a year in other places. So I'm delighted I'm going to
    be able to see the people from the village and to support this very,
    very important initiative in which Bangladesh is truly the world's
    leader.
        Q.  Sir, and about the security on the rest of the trip?
        Prime Minister Hasina.  I think we can--we can stop here. Four
    questions already have been asked. And thank you very much. Thank you
    very much. And President, thank you very much.
        President Clinton.  Thank you.

     Note:  The President's 187th news conference began at 1:40 p.m. on the
    front steps outside the Prime Minister's Office. In his remarks, the
    President referred to Muhammad Yunus, founder and managing director,
    Grameen Bank. A tape was not available for verification of the content
    of this news conference.