[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 12 (Monday, March 27, 2000)]
[Pages 583-586]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of 
Bangladesh in Dhaka, Bangladesh

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 advantages of the

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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

[[Page 585]]

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 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.
    Q.  My question is, how do you look at the Bangladesh politics? 
Thank you.

 Bangladesh Politics/Bangladeshis in America

    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.

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    Lori [Lori Santos, United Press International].

 Cancellation of Joypura Visit

    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. 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.