[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 42 (Monday, October 19, 1998)]
[Page 2027]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Senate Action on the ``International Religious Freedom Act 
of 1998''

October 9, 1998

    I welcome today's strong bipartisan Senate passage, and the 
anticipated passage in the House of Representatives, of the 
``International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.''
    I have made the promotion of religious freedom a priority of my 
Presidency and an integral part of our foreign policy through, among 
other efforts, the creation of the Advisory Committee on Religious 
Freedom Abroad and my appointment last June of our special 
representative on international religious freedom.
    The ``International Religious Freedom Act of 1998'' is a welcome and 
responsible addition to our ongoing efforts. Its principled, measured 
approach rightly emphasizes effective remedies over broad, symbolic 
gestures.
    I also wish to applaud the bipartisan, cooperative approach that 
helped achieve this legislation, in particular the leadership of 
Senators Nickles, Lieberman, Hagel, Biden, Feinstein, and Specter and 
Representative Clement. I'd also like to pay tribute at this time to 
Representative Frank Wolf, whose longstanding and devoted advocacy for 
this issue has been an inspiration to those of us so determined to 
promote religious freedom abroad.
    This legislation is not directed against any one country or 
religious faith. Indeed, this act will serve to promote the religious 
freedom of people of all backgrounds, whether Muslim, Christian, Jewish, 
Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, or any other faith. I look forward to signing 
this act.

Note: This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.