[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]
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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
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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
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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.
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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.