*EPF306 07/19/00
Text: Clinton July 18 Statement on U.S.-Japan Interconnection Rates
(Agreement will reduce regulatory barriers) (140)

Following is the White House text:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Camp David, Maryland)

July 18, 2000

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

This important agreement on interconnection rates will help further reduce regulatory barriers to trade between the United States and Japan. It will level the playing field for America's cutting edge technologies and increase the number of Japanese consumers connected to the Internet. It's a win-win for the United States and Japan and represents an important step as we prepare to discuss the impact of information technology on the global economy at the G7/G8 Summit.

(end text)

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