[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 46 (Monday, November 21, 1994)]
[Pages 2376-2382]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's News Conference With President Fidel Ramos of the 
Philippines in Manila

November 13, 1994

    President Ramos. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Good evening, ladies and 
gentlemen. Today President Clinton and I took concrete steps towards 
enhancing Philippine-American relations. During our bilateral meeting, I 
expressed my sincere appreciation to President Clinton for the 
substantial participation of the United States Armed Forces in the 
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Leyte landing, 3 weeks ago.
    Our meeting this afternoon enabled us to discuss a wide range of 
issues with direct import on our bilateral relations and the peace and 
stability of the Pacific. I acknowledged our debt of gratitude to 
America's commitment, to America's strength, and to America's keeping 
faith with her ideals and values in such areas as Haiti, the Persian 
Gulf, and the Korean Peninsula.
    We both agreed to build our partnership on the basis of mutual 
respect and mutual benefit, reinforced by our common commitment to 
democracy and the rule of law. Presi- 

[[Page 2377]]

dent Clinton and I recognize the value of enhancing the security and 
stability of the Asia-Pacific region and reiterated our commitment to 
the peaceful resolution of conflicts. We agreed that only under such 
conditions can the full economic growth and prosperity of the Asia-
Pacific region be realized.
    I assured President Clinton that the Philippines will continue to 
support the peacekeeping initiatives of the United States and the United 
Nations, as we have recently manifested in a dispatch to Haiti, upon 
initial contingent of 50 international police monitors, or IPM, from 
this country. And I also congratulated him for the United States role in 
the series of breakthrough agreements for peace and development in the 
Middle East and in the Korean Peninsula which has lifted our hopes for 
its eventual denuclearization.
    I have been assured, in turn, by President Clinton that they will 
encourage a higher level of investments by Americans. I also 
acknowledged his government's support for our bid to attain newly 
industrializing country, or NIC status, by the turn of the century. We 
further agreed to find ways and means to improve our two-way trade.
    The United States continues to be our number one trading partner, 
and we believe that we can greatly expand our trade by the further 
lowering of trade barriers.
    To accelerate trade liberalization, President Clinton and I agreed 
on the urgency of the ratification of the Uruguay round of the General 
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade by member countries. I assured him of the 
Philippines' commitment to trade liberalization and investment 
facilitation, which must be accompanied by conditions of national 
stability and political will.
    We also agreed that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC 
Leaders Summit in Indonesia, will be a landmark forum that will shape 
the future course of the economy of the entire Asia-Pacific area and, 
indeed, of the world. And we both affirmed the value of the Philippines-
U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty, or the MDT, and its contribution to regional 
security and stability. We agreed that our joint exercises, which are 
planned by the Mutual Defense Board, should be continued to ensure the 
interoperability of military units.
    I appreciate President Clinton's effort to help resolve the 
longstanding issue of the claims of Filipino veterans of World War II 
with the United States Government. Even as I acknowledged the concern of 
leading members of the U.S. Congress for the restoration of Filipino 
veterans' rights. I welcome these assurances that the United States will 
work hand in hand with the Philippine Government in helping to promote 
the welfare of Amerasians in the Philippines.
    President Clinton and I renewed our commitment to the protection of 
the environment and the preservation of the world ecological balance.
    And lastly, I reiterated my appreciation for the warm welcome, 
hospitality extended by President Clinton and the American people during 
my visit to the United States last year. We look forward to moving 
Philippines-United States partnership to a higher and more mutually 
beneficial level in the years to come.
    Thank you very much. Salamat.
    President Clinton. Thank you very much. First, let me thank 
President Ramos for the warm welcome that the United States delegation 
has received here in the Philippines.
    We had a very good bilateral discussion in which the President 
expressed the Philippine position and the interest of the Filipino 
people very articulately to me on a very large number of issues.
    I would like to point out in general that over the last 50 years, 
the relationship between the United States and the Philippines has 
changed, has grown, has matured, but we are still very much bound 
together in ways that I think are positive. There are, after all, 
100,000 Americans and more who make their home here permanently, and in 
the United States there are about 1\1/2\ million Americans of Philippine 
ancestry.
    We admire your democracy, and we have especially admired all the 
things which have been done in the last 8 years. We have an important 
security relationship. You heard the President talk about the joint 
exercises. I also was able to inform President Ramos that the United 
States will be able to supply the Philippine armed forces with two C-
130's soon and that we will continue to discuss the possibility of 
shared equipment to

[[Page 2378]]

build up the strength and the security of the Philippine armed forces.
    We talked about regional security in general, and I want to again 
thank publicly President Ramos for the support that he has given to the 
agreement we have reached in cooperation with the South Koreans and the 
Japanese with North Korea, in which North Korea has agreed to become a 
nonnuclear state and to remove that threat of the proliferation of 
weapons of mass destruction. I also thanked President Ramos for the 
participation of the Philippines in our remarkable international 
coalition in Haiti.
    Finally, we discussed our economic relationships. Most of what 
should be said has already been said by President Ramos, but let me say 
that I was deeply impressed when the President came to the United States 
and told me that his new policy was trade, not aid. That's a welcome 
message.
    The United States purchased $5 billion in products from the 
Philippines last year. We are the largest investor here. We like being 
the largest purchaser and the largest investor. This morning, the 
Secretary of State hosted a breakfast which I attended for leading 
American business interests here, and I pledged to the President I would 
do what I could to increase the interest of the American business 
community in investment in the Philippines.
    We both support GATT and hope that both of our legislative bodies 
will ratify it shortly. I am going home when I leave the APEC conference 
to achieve that objective, and I hope we do. I believe we will. And we 
are going to APEC with a view toward continuing to break down the 
barriers to trade and investment.
    The United States will and must remain engaged in the Pacific region 
for security reasons and for economic reasons. One-third of our exports, 
supporting some 2 million American jobs, already go to the Asian-Pacific 
region. This is a very important thing for us. And the fact that we have 
the sort of relationship we do and that both of us are now going to 
Indonesia to try to deepen the idea that we should be working together 
across the vast Pacific to support the prosperity and future of our 
respective peoples is a very important one indeed.
    So for all those reasons, I consider this to be a successful trip. 
And again, I thank the President for his kind hospitality and for his 
frank and open and straightforward way of stating the position of the 
Philippine Government and the Philippine people.
    Thank you.

Philippine-American Military Cooperation

    Q. Good evening, sirs. My question is for President Ramos. Earlier 
today you applauded America's intention to remain engaged in the Asia-
Pacific region. There has been much talk lately of U.S. plans for 
prepositioning war material within the territories of strategically 
located countries, such as the Philippines. Even now, reports indicate 
Manila and Washington are looking at a proposed agreement allowing U.S. 
warships to resupply and to refuel in the Philippines. Given these 
developments, in what direction do you want Philippine-American military 
cooperation to change or to evolve into during your term, or just how 
active a military presence do you want America to have both in the 
Philippines and within ASEAN's territory in the future?
    President Ramos. Thank you.
    First of all, we should distinguish between the floating depot issue 
and the lesser issue of servicing, which includes rewatering, refueling, 
and minor repairs and also rest and recreation. The servicing aspect is 
already being done, and some part of this would be the visits last year 
of a British--of an American ship, plus other ships from other 
countries. We're doing this for them. And the most recent example is the 
visit here in Manila and later on in the Subic area, of the ships that 
went on to participate in the Leyte landings.
    In regard to the so-called floating depots, we really have not seen 
any official proposal in regard to that kind of an arrangement. And we 
will, however, be happy to consider this at the level of the working 
officials, meaning at the level of the mutual defense board. But by no 
means is that a policy right now of the Philippine Government.
    Now, as far as directions that I would like to see the security 
relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. is concerned, I think

[[Page 2379]]

I said that on many occasions during the course of this day--I said we 
would like to be closely related with the U.S. under our U.S.-Philippine 
Mutual Defense Treaty which has been in force since 1951. And under this 
arrangement, we're able to have combined and joint exercises to test the 
interoperability of our military units.
    The Philippines derives a great deal of benefit from this kind of an 
exchange because we get to know what are the new technologies in 
military science. And also, under the treaty, there is a regular 
mechanism for consultation among our highest military officials, 
represented on the part of the U.S. by the commander in chief of the 
Pacific no less, and our chief of staff of the armed forces.
    So we feel that this is a very important relationship, and the 
approach must be based on our commitments under the Philippine-U.S. 
Mutual Defense Treaty.
    Thank you.

Republican Leadership

    Q. I'd like to ask President Clinton--sir, a lot of world leaders 
are wondering about the meaning of Tuesday's elections. As you go into 
APEC and talk with these other world leaders, what will you tell them 
about the Republican takeover of Congress and what that means about the 
strength of your administration and the direction of U.S. foreign 
policy?
    President Clinton. First, I would say that I don't expect it to have 
any impact on our foreign policy. The Republican House and Senate 
leaders--and I spoke, as you know, before I came--they expressed their 
support for this trip and for our policy generally. The foreign policies 
that I have pursued, particularly the mission that I'm on now with 
regard to APEC, have enjoyed broad bipartisan support among centrists in 
both parties. And insofar as they have drawn opposition, they have drawn 
some opposition again from both parties, particularly in the trade area.
    But I believe that the position of the United States is certainly 
just as strong as it ever has been. Beyond that, we do not have a 
parliamentary system. The power vested by the Constitution in the 
President will represent the United States in foreign affairs, 
particularly in areas of this kind, is quite clear.
    But the most important thing is, I'm convinced that what I'm doing 
is in the interest of all the American people without regard to party 
and is supported by leaders of both parties in the United States 
Congress.
    I hope you wear that tie at home sometime when we are having a dark 
day. [Laughter]

Toxic Waste Clean-up

    Q. Good evening. President Clinton, in a hearing at the Philippine 
Senate a few days ago, a group of scientists, citing Pentagon report, 
identified more than 40 sites in Clark and Subic believed to be 
contaminated with hazardous waste. Your Government has offered financial 
assistance and technical support for surveys to check if there are 
environmental damages in both former U.S. military bases. Is your 
Government willing to accept moral as well as financial responsibility 
for cleaning up the bases in case this service proves that there are 
toxic wastes in Clark and Subic?
    President Clinton. First of all, I'd like to point out that when the 
United States left Subic Bay, we spent about $6 million on clean-up, and 
we left 5,000 acres of virgin tropical forest, which was an enormous 
environmental resource for the Philippines. We have, since that time, 
worked very hard to cooperate with the authorities here about what the 
condition of Subic Bay is and each area of the bay. It's a vast area, as 
you know. We will continue to do that and to exchange information and to 
work on it.
    We have no reason to believe at this time that there is a big 
problem that we left untended, first of all. We clearly are not mandated 
under any treaty obligations to do more, but we are concerned. We want 
Subic Bay to be a vast economic resource for the Philippines in a way 
that preserves the environmental heritage of the area.
    We were very pleased and supportive of the agreement signed, I 
believe just today, and witnessed by the Secretary of State, between 
Federal Express and the authorities there to develop the area in a 
responsible way.
    So we're excited by this; we want it to be a very good thing for 
you. We have spent some money there, we have given some important 
environmental resources, and we are

[[Page 2380]]

continuing to work on it. But in the absence of the evidence of some 
serious problem that we left untended. I don't think I can commit at 
this moment to further expenditures. But I can tell you we are 
continuing to work with the Philippine Government on this, and we will 
continue to do so.
    President Ramos. May I just add by way of confirmation, ladies and 
gentlemen, that I brought up the issue during our one-on-one talk with 
President Clinton, and he readily agreed that at the level of the 
technical people and the working people, principally in the departments 
of foreign affairs, environment and natural resources as well as the 
base authorities, that we put all our expertise together about the 
subject, because we have studies on our side, there are records on the 
part of the U.S. Government which have not yet been thoroughly collated, 
so that we will get to the truth of the matter. And while it may not be 
just toxic waste, we may really be talking here about pollutants which 
could have been sourced from many other places in addition to the naval 
forces in Subic. But anyway, we will get a good effort going together. 
Thank you.
    President Clinton. If I could add just one more sentence. President 
Ramos did bring this up and we talked about it in some detail. What I 
would like to say is, on a matter like this, I think it is very 
important not to let the general policy pronouncements or the rhetoric 
outrun the facts we have on the case, so we decided we should focus on 
finding the facts now, and when we find them, deal then with the facts 
as they are.

Cooperation With Republican Leaders

    Q. Mr. President, Newt Gingrich, who is likely to be the next 
Speaker of the House, said the other day that he thought on the many 
things where he believes he represents the vast majority of America 
there will be no compromise. Cooperation, he said, yes; but compromise, 
no. Given this, do you expect to be able to work with Republicans, and 
can you move far enough toward the center to work with them and still 
not alienate the core constituency of your own party and perhaps invite 
a challenger for renomination?
    President Clinton. Well, first of all, I think that any rational 
analysis of our position would say that's where we have been. It was not 
the opposition party, it was the Democrats that reduced the size of the 
Federal Government and reduced the Federal deficit for the first time in 
a very long time, the Democrats that passed a crime bill that had the 
toughest punishments of any crime bill in American history. So I think 
we will be in the center.
    There are several specific things that they have advocated that I 
have long agreed with. To mention just two, I ran on the line-item veto, 
and I ran on welfare reform. And I presented a welfare reform bill to 
the Congress last spring. So I think there will be other areas in which 
we can work together. I am still looking for ways--the Vice President 
and I have had at least three different discussions, two before and once 
since the election, about how we can carry forward our downsizing the 
Federal Government with the reinventing Government initiative. So I 
think there will be many areas in which we can work together.
    Will there be some areas of disagreement? Of course there will. What 
is my standard? My standard is, does it make America stronger or weaker 
to do this? As I said, does it weaken our posture abroad in terms of 
national defense and economic strength? Does it weaken our posture at 
home in terms of building stronger families, better schools, more high-
wage jobs, and safer streets? That is my standard. Insofar as I can work 
with them, I will do my best to do it.
    But my job as President is to make America strong and make the 
working people of the country who voice their frustrations, their 
anxieties, their uncertainties, more secure and make sure their 
children's future is better. That will be what guides me, not the 
politics of the matter but what makes America strong.

Democratic Governments in Asia

    Q. My first question is for President Clinton. The second question 
will be for President Ramos. President Clinton, some political analysts 
read your Manila visit as a statement of support to democracy in view of 
the authoritarian governments of other Eastern countries. Do they read 
you right? If so, what global, and in particular, American interest

[[Page 2381]]

is served by a democratic government in Asia?
    And for President Ramos, are you satisfied with the support you are 
getting from friends like the United States on the path of democracy 
that you have taken?
    President Clinton. I want to make sure--my hearing is not the best; 
I want to make sure that I heard the question right. You asked me what 
American interests were served by the advance of democracy in Asia. Is 
that right?
    Q. Why you chose the Philippines, chose to visit the Philippines of 
all the other countries.
    President Clinton. I chose to come to the Philippines partly because 
of the stunning success and resurgence of democracy here in the last 8 
years. I chose to come here because I thought I ought to be here during 
this period when we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the return 
to freedom of the Philippines. And I came here, frankly, because of the 
relationship I enjoy with your President and my immense admiration for 
him and for what he is trying to do not only in preserving democracy and 
enhancing individual rights but in modernizing the Philippine economy 
and trying to give the people here the kind of prosperity that they 
deserve for their hard work, which is legendary the world over. So those 
are the three reasons that I came here.
    Do I believe that democracy in general advances the cause and the 
interest of the United States? Yes, I do. Democracies are highly 
unlikely to go to war with each other. They are more likely to keep 
their word to each other. They are more likely to see their future 
greatness in terms of developing the human potential of their people 
rather than building walls around their country, either economic walls 
or military walls.
    No democracies are perfect. All democracies have their ups and 
downs. But on balance, the world has been much better served by the 
march of democracy. And the United States is more secure when there are 
more democracies. Our national defense interests are threatened less; 
our economic interests are enhanced more. So that is why I intend to 
continue to push this throughout the world.
    President Ramos. I may just make two points very clear. First of 
all, we are trying to achieve economic and social reform in this country 
under a democratic framework. While this may be a little more time 
consuming and may require a little more patience than other systems, we 
feel we are on the right track. And we are now seeing the initial fruits 
of that devotion to the rule of laws, to people power, and to the 
overall democratic system.
    Secondly, I think no one can ignore the fact that over the last 20 
years, there are now more democracies functioning in Asia-Pacific, our 
region, than there were two decades ago. And so, to me, this is the 
right track. And the Philippines is following precisely that way to its 
political, social, economic, and cultural development.
    Q. Mr. President, it's clear that security and trade will be among 
the issues discussed at the APEC conference, but there is some 
speculation at this point that perhaps human rights will not come up. 
Specifically, do you intend on discussing human rights with China and 
Indonesia?
    President Clinton. Absolutely. Let me make a distinction here 
between the APEC conference itself, the purpose of which by the very 
name of the group is economic cooperation, and the bilateral meetings 
that I will have with the leaders of the individual countries. And in 
both the cases that you mentioned, human rights has been discussed in 
every meeting I've had and will be discussed in these meetings.
    It's an important interest of the United States. We are engaging 
these countries in many, many areas, across a broad range of areas. And 
human rights is too important, particularly now, to pass by us. So it 
will be a point of discussion in those bilateral meetings.
    Press Secretary Myers. That concludes the press conference. Thank 
you very much.
    President Clinton. Thank you.
    President Ramos. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to make 
a small presentation to President Clinton, since he stayed for such a 
short while and could not play golf in our Malacanang Golf Club.

[At this point, President Clinton was presented with a hat.]

[[Page 2382]]

    President Clinton. You owe me a golf game. Thank you.

Note: The President's 79th news conference began at 6:20 p.m. in 
Kalayaan Hall in Malacanang Palace.