[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 20 (Monday, May 24, 1993)]
[Pages 908-909]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With 
Archbishop Desmond Tutu

 May 19, 1993

Angola

    The President. It's an honor for me to welcome Bishop Tutu here. As 
every American knows he has been a real leader in the fight for 
democracy and for an end to apartheid in South Africa. Almost a decade 
ago he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. And I want to assure 
him here today that the United States remains committed to the creation 
of a nonracial democracy in South Africa.

    I also want to discuss a decision that I know has been very 
important to Bishop Tutu and to other leaders for democracy and human 
rights in Africa. Today I am pleased to announce the United States 
recognition of the Government of Angola. This decision reflects the high 
priority that our administration places on democracy.

    In 1992, after years of bitter civil war, the people of Angola held 
a multiparty election that the United States, the United Nations, and 
others monitored and considered free and fair. Since taking office on 
January 20th, I have tried to use the possibility of United States 
recognition as a leverage towards promoting an end to the civil war and 
hostilities and hopefully the participation of all relevant political 
groups in the Government of Angola.

    Sadly, the party that lost the election, UNITA, resumed the fighting 
before the electoral process could even be completed. And UNITA has now 
refused to sign the peace agreement currently on the table. The Angolan 
Government, by contrast, has agreed to sign that peace agreement, has 
sworn in a democratically elected national assembly, and has offered 
participation by UNITA at all levels of government.

    Today we recognize those achievements by recognizing the Government 
of the Republic of Angola. It is my hope that UNITA will accept a 
negotiated settlement and that it will

[[Page 909]]

be part of this government. I intend to continue working closely with 
the Government of Angola and with UNITA to achieve a lasting peace 
settlement and a vibrant democracy there. I hope the efforts of the 
United States have been helpful. I am confident that the Government of 
Angola has more than earned the recognition that the United States 
extends today.

    Q. Mr. President, human rights sources are--how do you plan to 
approach the occupation of East Timor by Indonesia, sir? Could you 
elaborate on that--how do you plan to approach the problem of the East 
Timor?

    The President. I don't want to talk about it today. We have 
discussed it, and we may have more to say about it later.

    The Vice President. I think just before your question Bishop Tutu 
was about to say something.

    Archbishop Tutu. Well, I just want to say how deeply thrilled I am 
at the President's announcement, because I have been speaking with the 
Assistant Secretary of State and Assistant Secretary for Africa 
yesterday and said, I couldn't understand how the United States could 
not recognize a government that was democratically elected. And they 
were very cagey in their responses. And I am really over the moon in a 
sense because I was going to raise this issue with the President in my 
capacity as President of the All Africa Conference of Churches in our 
appeal to the administration to reward democracy. And this is happening, 
and I am certain it will help the process in our continent where not all 
countries have had a good record on human rights. And I am very, very 
thrilled. If my complexion was different you would probably see better. 
[Laughter]

    Q. ----what message are you going to--the President about South 
Africa--the situation in South Africa today?

    Archbishop Tutu. Well, I haven't yet spoken. I would have hoped we 
would do that and talk with you afterwards because, I mean, I don't 
think it is fair to say, I am going to say to the President--and I 
haven't said it yet.

White House Travel Office

    Q. Mr. President, can we ask you if you feel you were fair in 
summarily dismissing some employees of this Government of long-standing 
without a hearing and leaving the impression perhaps that they may have 
committed criminal acts?

    The President. I don't know. I'll have to refer to the Chief of 
Staff about that.

    Q. We're speaking about the Travel Office, sir.

    The President. I know. All I know about it is that I was told that 
the people who were in charge of administering in the White House found 
serious problems there and thought there was no alternative. I'll have 
to refer to them for any other questions. That is literally all I know 
about it. I know nothing else about it.

Note: The President spoke at 3:37 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. Archbishop Tutu referred to George Moose, Assistant Secretary of 
State for Africa. A tape was not available for verification of the 
content of this exchange.