[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 37 (Monday, September 20, 1999)]
[Pages 1747-1751]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Jennifer Shipley of 
New Zealand in Christchurch

September 15, 1999

    Prime Minister Shipley. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to report 
that we have held very successful talks this afternoon in Christchurch. 
These talks have ranged over many issues, regional issues--urgent 
regional issues--international issues and, of course, bilateral issues. 
I view them as extraordinarily satisfactory from New Zealand's point of 
view.
    For me, President Clinton's visit to New Zealand has been an 
opportunity for this region to make real progress on pressing 
international issues. This afternoon we were able to discuss the matter 
of East Timor, and I was able to thank the President for his leadership 
while in this country in helping to mobilize international support and 
opinion for restoring order and relieving the humanitarian crisis that 
exists in Timor. The plight of the displaced people in Timor has and is 
at the uppermost part of our minds at this time.
    New Zealand is making urgent preparations to contribute our defense 
force capability and personnel to the U.N. force in East Timor. We 
appreciated the opportunity this afternoon to review the most recent 
developments in New York, and the President was able to give us his most 
recent advice.
    I would also like to take this opportunity while we're here to 
publicly say how much we appreciate the leadership role that Australia 
is playing at this present time in evacuating the refugees from East 
Timor and also for providing such a major contribution to the U.N. 
force.
    New Zealand's Navy and Air Force are already on hand, working with 
the Australians. The New Zealand Cabinet will hold a special meeting 
tomorrow afternoon to review the latest developments and also to 
consider how and when we will deploy our troops to the area, if 
requested by the U.N. I've also asked that Parliament be called together 
on Friday, so that this important matter can be discussed.
    In our discussions with the President, we were able to consider 
where our current position on defense force personnel and our defense 
relationship was up to. I valued the opportunity for that discussion to 
take place, and I believe that good progress has been made.
    We reviewed the outlook for global trade. I think we felt that there 
was a real satisfaction in the achievements that the APEC meeting this 
week were able to make. There has been a clear sign that there is a 
commitment from the APEC region to see the launch of a highly successful 
WTO round, and the Auckland Challenge laid down the challenge to the 
rest of the world to come to the talks in Seattle with something 
decisive and clear to put on the table.
    As you are aware, APEC represents half of the world's population and 
half of the world's economy. New Zealand particularly values free and 
open trade, and we believe that strong markets are the most able way in 
which we can deliver a social dividend to the people within our 
respective economies.
    Mr. President, we wish you well in the preparations for the WTO 
round. It is a very important next step in achieving free and open trade 
globally, and many people depend on success being achieved in these 
talks.
    Finally, on the bilateral issue, I believe that the relationship 
between the New Zealand Government and the U.S. is in very good heart. 
There are so many shared values which see us working together across 
such areas of

[[Page 1748]]

the environment, world trade, peacekeeping, and, of course, the 
promotion of human rights.
    We also remain committed to working closely together on any trade 
matters between us that have some difficulties, such as the safeguard 
action on our lamb exports to the U.S. via the mechanism that's 
available to us through the WTO. That is, of course, how good friends 
should work these things through, and that is how it will remain in New 
Zealand.
    Mr. President, it's been a real pleasure and a privilege to have you 
in our country. Your own warmth has won the hearts of most New 
Zealanders, and we want to thank you for your leadership on policy 
issues that have seen very effective steps forward this week on pressing 
international issues of our time.
    I now invite you to make some comments.
    President Clinton. Thank you, Prime Minister. Let me begin by 
thanking you, your Government, and the people of New Zealand for the 
wonderful welcome that I and my family and our entire delegation have 
received. I also am very grateful for the tremendous leadership that you 
gave to the APEC summit. It was quite a success, and, I think, thanks in 
no small measure to your efforts.
    As you mentioned, we have a lot of shared values, and I believe that 
the world is moving toward a consensus around freer and more open trade 
but coupled with policies that leave no one behind, that invest in the 
education and health care and empowerment of people, that protect the 
economy while growing the environment, that promote democracy and human 
rights.
    As we see, however, in East Timor, there's one thing to say that 
there is such consensus and quite another to turn it into reality. We 
are working together to address the urgent and difficult tasks there. 
The people are still vulnerable to attack. Many have fled their homes; 
many are short of food, not only those who have left the country but 
those who are displaced within East Timor.
    As all of you know, the Security Council is now moving on a 
resolution that would provide a strong mandate for an effective 
international security force. I expect it to be approved. Meanwhile, we 
continue to receive reports of violence and intimidation, which 
Indonesia has a responsibility to prevent. And also, Indonesia has a 
responsibility to allow relief organizations access to the refugees now.
    Now, we know that this international peacekeeping force will face 
some stiff challenges. But we have affirmed together that we will meet 
those challenges. With our support, the people of East Timor can have 
the independence and the democracy they have voted for. By fostering 
stability there and in helping Indonesia to resume its progress in 
undergoing the profound transitions at work there, we can make our whole 
community of nations more secure.
    Let me say I'm very proud that the United States and New Zealand 
will be standing together to defend freedom and human rights once again. 
We will participate together in the force. As I told the Prime Minister 
earlier, based on our experience elsewhere, I think it is quite 
important that Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the other 
countries that will be participating, prepare through joint exercises 
that will help us to get ready to do what has to be done together in 
East Timor.
    On trade, in addition to what the Prime Minister has said about 
APEC, which we have said over and over and over again, which is that 
we're pleased with the agenda we embraced and we hope it will be 
embraced at the WTO ministerial in Seattle, I also want to say that I'm 
very excited that the whole world will soon benefit from the leadership 
of New Zealand's Mike Moore at the WTO.
    If we can keep pushing for freer and more open trade, if we can make 
that embrace at the WTO ministerial, once again we will see in the 
example of New Zealand how a small country can lead by the power of its 
example.
    Again, Madam Prime Minister, thank you for your hospitality, your 
leadership, and for all that your country is doing to build a better 
world. Thank you.
    Prime Minister Shipley. There are to be a couple of questions either 
side, and we'll take them side by side.

[[Page 1749]]

New Zealand-U.S. Military Exercises

    Q. Mr. President, could I just ask you, is there any possibility of 
the United States allowing the resumption of military exercises with New 
Zealand, given that we're currently barred from those? And if not, isn't 
that an anomaly when New Zealand works so closely with the United States 
in areas such as Iraq and the Gulf and also in East Timor?
    President Clinton. Well, I think we should do exercises in the 
specific context of East Timor. That's what I just said. And we will 
do--if I have anything to say about it, we will, along with the 
Australians and others have joint exercises as part of our preparation 
for East Timor.
    Q. What about other military exercises?
    President Clinton. I would deal with them on a case by case basis.
    Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

Hurricane Floyd

    Q. Mr. President, you spoke earlier today about Floyd being one of 
the most serious hurricanes ever to threaten the United States. You've 
been briefed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Can you tell us 
what they've told you and what everybody can expect? And sir, are you 
satisfied that Federal and State agencies have done everything possible 
in the way of mobilizing personnel and equipment?
    President Clinton. Well, I think we've done everything we know to 
do. Let me say, I just got off the phone with Dan Goldin, our NASA 
Administrator, and we were going over all that has been done in the 
event Floyd strikes Cape Canaveral. And as I'm sure you all know now, 
there are essentially two problems that literally threaten our space 
program. One is that we have our space shuttles in those big silos that 
are protected, and they're built to withstand 125 miles an hour winds. 
Right now, Floyd is coming in at about 145 miles an hour. Even if they 
withstand, which I think there's a good chance they will, the other 
thing we had to worry about is the flooding. We can get several feet of 
floodwaters in the Cape Canaveral area. And the NASA people have been 
working furiously to lift everything they can possibly lift as high as 
they can possibly lift it.
    As you know, a lot of individual citizens have been boarding up 
their homes. There have been a lot of relocation, a lot of evacuation. 
We have granted preemptive emergency declarations, which is virtually 
unheard of. I think it was absolutely the right thing to do. The 
Governors of Florida and Georgia were strongly for it; I think South 
Carolina will join.
    All I can tell you now, Terry, is I think we have to wait and see 
what happens. We have taken every step that I am aware of we can take. I 
had a long talk with the Vice President and James Lee Witt today; 
they're on top of it.
    The key will be, I think, when this storm hits--and it won't be long 
now--where does it come in? Will it come in as far south as Cape 
Canaveral and move up, or will it hit further north? How long will it 
last? And we'll just have to keep working, and things may occur as it 
goes on. But I think there's been a truly extraordinary effort to 
prepare for this by State and local and national officials. We've worked 
together; we've done the best we could.

Situation in East Timor

    Q. Mr. President, in relation to East Timor, in order to make sure 
this is not another Rwanda, how can we shortcut negotiations in New York 
to make sure humanitarian aid gets to East Timor immediately?
    President Clinton. Well, let me say, I think we're moving as fast as 
possible. And the Prime Minister and I talked--we would like to see the 
first contingent of troops there in a matter of a couple of days, as 
soon as the resolution passes. And we think that will happen tomorrow, 
New York time.
    You know, we know the Australians are ready to go. We can be ready 
to go, and we have airlift, and we can bring in others who have made 
their commitments. So I don't think you have to worry about it. Also--I 
don't mean there won't be more people killed and more terrible things 
happen, but what happened in Rwanda was--first, there won't be another 
100 days, and not everybody has a machete. So there may be some terrible 
things happen, but we are moving as fast as we can.

[[Page 1750]]

    Now, the other thing I would say, though, to make the point you 
made, it's not just a question of stopping the violence--we've got to 
get the NGO's and others in there who can provide humanitarian relief to 
people who are within the country. There are a lot of displaced persons 
who did not leave East Timor. And we know it, we know what we have to 
do. All I can tell you is, we'll do the best we can.
    Lori [Lori Santos, United Press International].
    Q. Sir, you said that Indonesia had the responsibility to prevent 
the systematic killing. What would you like to see them do, and why 
haven't they stepped up to the plate?
    President Clinton. Well, the why--frankly, I don't think we're going 
to know that for a while, until we get the people on the ground, and 
people begin to talk. You know, it's not clear whether some elements of 
the military were encouraging what has happened or whether they felt 
they couldn't stop it. It's not clear what the designs were. There are a 
lot of things about that we don't know. A few days ago I stopped 
worrying about why and started worrying about how to change it. So, I 
don't know.
    What I would like them to do, now that they have asked the United 
Nations to come in, is simply to stop the most egregious forms of 
violence and let the NGO's in to provide humanitarian relief right now. 
Within--it may become a moot point within 72 to 96 hours. But in 2 or 3 
days, a lot of people could die, and they don't have to die if they work 
with us.
    Prime Minister Shipley. From the New Zealand side.

New Zealand-U.S. Trade

    Q. Mr. President, we know that the United States are the champions 
of free trade, and yet, recently tariffs were put on our lamb imports to 
the United States. How do you equate one with the other? And can you 
give us your views on P5?
    President Clinton. Yes. First, we are a champion of free trade. 
During the recent Asian financial crisis, when we lost huge agricultural 
and other markets, we kept our markets open and sustained the largest 
trade deficits in our history, while we were running the largest budget 
surpluses in our history, two things which don't normally go together.
    I said in the meeting that during this period we bought 10 times as 
much steel from Japan and Russia as all of Europe did.
    Now, I think you understand, in the American system, we have an 
International Trade Commission. People can bring complaints before it. 
The Commission makes a ruling. They made a recommendation. After they 
made a recommendation for some action in the case of the lamb, the Prime 
Minister called me; I called her back. She expressed some--obviously, 
the concerns of New Zealand. I did as much as I could to take those into 
account, including calling for a 3- rather than a 4-year period of 
action and saying that I would review it in the middle of the timeframe. 
So I believe what I did was WTO-consistent, and I believe that what I 
did was appropriate, given the recommendation I was made under our laws, 
just like I think you have a perfect right to appeal the decision. And 
if I were in your position, that's exactly what I'd do.
    Q. And your view on P5?
    President Clinton. On P5, I think it's a very interesting idea. I 
have asked the Prime Minister to give me 10 to 14 days to go home, talk 
to all of our people about it, have a chance to think it through. I had 
hoped to have a well-formulated position by the time I got here. But as 
you know, all of us have been completely swamped by developments in East 
Timor, and we honestly haven't had the time to work it through. So I 
told her I'd get back to her in a couple of weeks, and I will.
    Prime Minister Shipley. Can I just comment on the issue of lamb, 
briefly, before the next question? Perhaps the last question needs to be 
taken. We have fed the President as much fine New Zealand lamb as we 
could possibly fit in. And--[laughter]----
    President Clinton. And I've eaten it all. Not so much as a scrap has 
escaped my attention. [Laughter]
    Prime Minister Shipley. This is an issue that New Zealand felt 
keenly. The WTO is the right forum. We will pursue that actively. But it 
does not spill over into what we view as not only a very valuable market 
for New

[[Page 1751]]

Zealand agricultural exports but also a very warm relationship.

China-U.S. Trade

    Q. [Inaudible]--WTO, are the U.S.-China trade talks proving more 
difficult than you had hoped? When and where will the next round of 
talks take place? And are you disappointed that there hasn't been a 
breakthrough?
    President Clinton. Well, first of all, I think, on balance, this has 
been quite a good week for the United States in Asia, in the Asia-
Pacific region. I did have a good meeting with President Jiang; we 
talked about things other than trade. One of our common interests, North 
Korea and avoiding the missile launch, appears to be headed in the right 
direction. We had progress in East Timor, and with the Prime Minister's 
leadership, we made the right commitments here at APEC. So I think this 
is good.
    Now, on the Chinese-WTO talks, we have reengaged, and each side will 
now do whatever it thinks is right. You know, I don't totally control 
the timetable there, but I'm neither optimistic nor pessimistic about 
it. I am satisfied that we have reengaged, and we will do the best we 
can to just deal with this on the merits. We only had one or two issues 
before us when we couldn't quite get there in Washington. I still think 
it would be a better thing for China and a better thing for the world if 
they were in the WTO, but that is, of course, ultimately a decision that 
they have to make, not me. But we're talking; we're working; and I feel 
good about it.
    Prime Minister Shipley. Thank you very much.

Note: The President's 180th news conference began at 3:30 p.m. in the 
courtyard at the Sign of the Takahe, a historic landmark and restaurant. 
In his remarks, he referred to Mike Moore, Director General, World Trade 
Organization; Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida; Gov. Roy Barnes of Georgia; and 
President Jiang Zemin of China. The President also referred to P5, 
Pacific 5, a proposed free trade area, which would include Australia, 
Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States. A tape was not 
available for verification of the content of this news conference.