*EPF103 05/07/01
White House Report, May 7: China, Bahrain, Macedonia, Energy
(Press Secretary's morning and afternoon briefings) (1150)
FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON HEADED TO CHINA
Former President Bill Clinton, on his way to China, is not traveling as an emissary of the Bush administration, White House Press Secretary Fleischer told reporters May 7.
"President Clinton is going as a private citizen. He did talk to (National Security Advisor) Condoleezza Rice prior to his departure, as typical of traveling presidents, no matter what regions they go to, but especially when they go to regions that are a little more sensitive, as China is at this time. And the position of the White House is he's going as a private citizen, and the White House has raised no objections to President Clinton's travel," Fleischer said.
FLIGHTS OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer declined to comment on news reports that an Air Force plane May 7 flew the first U.S. reconnaissance flight off China's coast since the April 1 collision between a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane and a Chinese military jet.
But Fleischer noted that the administration's position has been that the surveillance efforts preserve peace in the region.
"It has always been the position of the United States that it is our prerogative and right to fly in international airspace, to preserve the peace by flying reconnaissance missions. But I'm not going to entertain any questions about any specific missions we may or may not have flown," the Press Secretary said in response to a question.
The U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane is still at a Chinese military base on the island of Hainan, where it made an emergency landing April 1.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on weekend television news programs that he believed China would allow the United States to get the Navy plane back, adding that it appeared the plane could be repaired sufficiently on Hainan to fly it out. "We'll know later this week,"" he said on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday.
BUSH MEETS AT WHITE HOUSE WITH AMIR OF BAHRAIN
President Bush met in the Oval Office May 7 with Amir Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, followed by luncheon together.
Following their talks in the Oval Office, Bush and the Amir held a brief joint appearance with reporters in the Rose Garden.
"We're really grateful for your leadership," said Bush. "It's such an honor to welcome you here."
"He has made a big difference in his own country," Bush said. "He believes in human rights and he believes in the full participation of the people of his land."
The Amir responded that the relationship between Bahrain and the United States has lasted more than 100 years and "I think we'll keep that one."
Bahrain houses the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.
The Amir said he was confident that the United States would help the Middle East peace process. "I'm sure America will do a great thing and move forward in all fields, for the stability and security, mainly of my region, the (Persian) Gulf region," he said.
White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters that Bush, "as he emphasized today in his meeting with the Amir of Bahrain, is determined to continue his efforts to bring about a peace in the Middle East, and his position will continue to be that of a facilitator, helping the parties come together so that peace can be achieved."
WHITE HOUSE SUPPORTS MACEDONIA'S EFFORTS AGAINST EXTREMISTS
President Bush "supports the efforts of the government of Macedonia to fight the extremists who have brought the violence to the region," White House press secretary Fleischer said.
Bush met last week with Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski at the White House.
Asked if Bush at that meeting gave the Macedonian leader "a green light" to the attacks against the Albanian extremists, Fleischer made clear that "the escalation of the violence in Macedonia began prior to President Trajkovski's visit to the United States. And the President made clear in his remarks that he believed that the ultimate solution would be a political solution. That's what the President said to President Trajkovski when they met."
But, Fleischer added, President Bush "is very concerned about extremists operating in Macedonia who are threatening the peace in the region. And the President wants to make certain that President Trajkovski is able to focus his efforts on the extremists and protect the civilians."
Asked if this means that the government of Macedonia has the support of the United States government in their most recent offenses against the rebels, Fleischer said: "As I just indicated, to the degree that the President supports the efforts of the government of Macedonia to fight the extremists who have brought the violence to the region, the President has made clear to President Trajkovski who, himself, said that he is dedicated to making certain that we can protect the civilians. But you do want to take a look at the chronology on that, because one of the biggest killings took place prior to his arriving here."
President Bush "wants to make certain that Macedonia is able to take the action they need to combat a problem that has been created by the extremists," said Fleischer.
BUSH ADMINISTRATION SOON TO UNVEIL ITS NATIONAL ENERGY PLAN
The Bush administration soon will unveil a "comprehensive" national energy plan, that includes steps to find more energy supply domestically and also includes conservation steps, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters.
"There are a variety of factors which go into keeping America's energy free and flowing," he said, "and it involves supply, it involves infrastructure, it involves conservation, it involves protecting the environment."
Asked about rising gas prices in the United States, Fleischer said Bush "is very concerned" about this. "He's very concerned about the impact that it's having on Americans, particularly, lower income Americans, who need their vehicles to drive to get to work and to enjoy their family lives. And that's one of the reasons the President is pushing so strongly for a comprehensive energy policy, and also for a tax cut, so he can get money into the hands of people who are being hit by rising gas prices."
But Fleischer made clear that Bush is "going to resist short-term, quick fixes," to the energy problem. He wants the focus to be on the long-term solutions to a problem "that's been very long in the making," the Press Secretary said.
"And in the case of energy, that's a focus on how to conserve energy, conserve fuel, develop more resources, have better infrastructures so that electricity can move across transmission grids and natural gas can move across pipelines" in a manner "that lowers costs on a full-time basis for the consumer."
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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