*EPF201 02/29/00
White House Report, Tuesday, February 29, 2000
(China, Mideast peace process, Austria, Cuba) (1000)

President Clinton answered several foreign policy questions in a question and answer session February 29 following a domestic event on the South Lawn of the White House.

CLINTON COMMENTS ON CHINA'S WHITE PAPER

Asked whether he thinks a vote in the U.S. Congress on granting China permanent normal trading status is slipping away (or becoming less likely) because China in its White Paper made demands on Taiwan, Clinton said: "Well, no, I don't think it's slipping away. I think the White Paper contains some fairly inflammatory language which caused me, once again, to say that we have had the same policy for 20 years now. We believe in one China but it has to be resolved peacefully. And we are adamantly opposed to any sort of force.

"The White Paper also contains some specific suggestions, however, about how a dialogue might be opened. And I understand that this is the political season over there as well. They're having a presidential election in Taiwan. And I have noticed not only in this election in America but in previous ones, sometimes things are said in political seasons that might not be said at other times. I'm sure you've noticed that as well.

"I don't mean to trivialize this. It is very important that everyone understand how strongly the United States views our long-standing policy. We accept one China. We believe there must be cross-strait dialogue and we believe there must be no violence of any kind. But I do not sense that this vote is slipping away."

U.S. WORKING "HARDER THAN EVER" ON MIDDLE EAST PEACE, CLINTON SAYS

Asked if he were giving up (or "throwing in the towel") on the Middle East peace process, Clinton said "First of all, I am not throwing in the towel." He said U.S. Special Middle East Coordinator Dennis Ross "is coming home (from the area) to consult with me to see where we are. We've made some important headway. We've still got some stumbling blocks there. We're working harder than ever. I'm doing what I think is most likely to succeed this year in securing dramatic advances with the Palestinians and with Syria and with Lebanon. And I'm doing the best I can on it, just as I have been for seven years.

"But it would be a great mistake to over read the significance of his coming home. He's coming home because we need to talk about where we are now and where we're going. But there is no throwing in the towel here."

A reporter, noting that Clinton had a little more than 10 months left in his Presidency, asked him if he were prepared to turn over the search for peace in the Middle East to his successor.

Clinton responded: "Well, if we haven't gotten it done, I will. But keep in mind, the Israelis and the others -- the Palestinians have committed to resolve their issues by the middle of September. That's their common commitment. And neither one of them have given up on that deadline.

"And secondly, I think that on the Syrian track, given how hard it was to get it started, and how close, I believe, they are on the substance of it -- I don't think there is as much difference there as is commonly assumed -- I think it is more likely that we'll have success, if we have it this year, than if we put it off.

"But they're not operating on my timetable. They're operating on theirs. And I'm doing what I can to help to get them get the job done as quickly as possible."

U.S. TAKES WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE ON HAIDER RESIGNATION

Asked if the February 28 resignation of Joerg Haider as the leader of Austria's Freedom Party really makes a difference to Austria since the Freedom Party is still in the Austrian Government, Clinton responded:

"Well, I think the answer to your question is: I don't know if it makes a difference or not. It might, it might not. The EU (European Union) has put out a very cautionary statement this morning, and obviously they're closer to it than we are. I think the important thing is that the party reject the kind of intolerance that we fear has been a part of it.

"And I think the EU statement is a pretty good capturing of how we all feel right now."

State Department spokesman Jamie Rubin, in a statement, said "if Joerg Haider's resignation leaves the Freedom Party better able to work with (Austrian) Chancellor Schuessel in meeting the standards the Austrian government set for itself in the preamble to the coalition agreement, we will see this as a positive step.

"We will continue to closely watch the actions of the new Austrian government. We will react swiftly and firmly to any statements or actions suggesting sympathy with Nazi-era policies, or that express racism, xenophobia or anti-Semitism," the State Department statement said.

EXPULSION OF CUBAN DIPLOMAT APPROPRIATE, CLINTON SAYS

The expulsion from the United States of Jose Imperatori, a Cuban diplomat, was handled in the correct way, Clinton said in answer to a question.

"My belief is that that matter was handled in the appropriate way, in the way that countries always handle such matters with diplomats. There is no difference in the way we've handled that than the way we've handled many other cases, not just in my Administration, but long before. And I don't think I should say more about it than that," Clinton said.

The Cuban diplomat in the late evening of February 26, a week after being declared persona non grata, was escorted by the FBI to a plane at National Airport and expelled from the United States for not voluntarily departing by the appointed time in the early afternoon.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)
NNNN