    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 23 (Monday, June 12, 2000)]
    [Pages 1316-1317]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Ernesto
    Zedillo of Mexico

    June 9, 2000

    Mexican Economy

        Q.  President Clinton, do you want to say something about the
    Mexican economy? How do you see the development of the last 5\1/2\ years
    under President Zedillo?
        President Clinton.  I think President Zedillo has done a truly
    remarkable job. Mexico has had 5 years of growth, in excess of 5 percent
    a year, after the very difficult financial crisis in '94. And I think
    it's a real tribute to him and to the people he put on his team, as well
    as to the hard work and industry of the people of Mexico.
        But I hope the partnership that we have enjoyed together after NAFTA
    and through the crisis has played some role. But I think the great
    credit goes to the President and his team and the people of Mexico.

    Mexican Election

        Q.  What do you think about the Mexican election?
        President Clinton.  I think the Mexican people will vote and make
    their own decision. It's interesting to observe. It's just like this
    election. I'm just an observer now. I'm not running for anything.

     [At this point, a question was asked and answered in Spanish, and no
    translation was provided.]

    Organization of American States

        Q.  [Inaudible]--just failed to get the support of the Latin
    American countries to get the OAS as a mediator in Peru. What do you
    think could be the role of the OAS supervising elections in Latin
    America without the support of key countries like Mexico?
        President Clinton.  Well, I think the real question that we all have
    to come to terms with is, what is the right thing to do now? And that's
    what we've been discussing. But over the long run, I think that the OAS
    still has a good future and a critical future. And I don't think there's
    any difference between the United States and Mexico in our determination
    to do whatever we can to keep democracy strong throughout the region.
        And so we talked about it today, and it's a difficult problem. But I
    think the trend is good. You can't look back on the last 20 years and
    not believe that. And so we'll need some mechanism to monitor these
    elections and to be involved in an ongoing basis, and I think the OAS
    still has a pretty good future.
        Thank you.

     Note:  The exchange began at 2:45 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.

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