Message-Id: <3.0.32.19971201104154.00a76678@popact.org>
Date: Mon, 01 Dec 1997 10:41:57 -0500
To: ppn@csf.colorado.edu
From: Richard Cincotta <cincotta@popact.org>
Subject: Signing of Foreign Operations Bill
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>                            THE WHITE HOUSE
>
>                     Office of the Press Secretary
>________________________________________________________________________
>For Immediate Release                                  November 26, 1997
>
>
>STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
>
>
>    Today I have signed into law H.R. 2159, the "Foreign Operations, 
>Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1998."
>
>    I am pleased that the Act contains funding for many key 
>international affairs programs at or near the amounts requested.  The 
>Act contains vital funding and other needed authorities in support of 
>the Middle East peace process.  It also provides for contributions to 
>the multilateral development banks, including a down payment on the 
>clearance of arrears, notably to the International Development 
>Association; assistance to Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, as 
>well as New Independent States of the former Soviet Union; 
>international narcotics control; development assistance; and migration 
>and refugee assistance.  I am also very pleased that the Congress has 
>fully funded my request of $222 million for the Peace Corps.
>
>    In addition, I commend the Congress for funding international 
>family planning programs without the misguided "Mexico City" 
>restrictions.  My Administration continues to oppose these 
>restrictions, which would deny funding to the most experienced and 
>qualified family planning and maternal-child health care providers.  
>I am also pleased that the Congress has reduced the number of other 
>restrictions on assistance, such as earmarks, that have hampered my 
>ability to carry out U.S. foreign policy.
>
>    I deeply regret that the Congress did not include funding for the 
>International Monetary Fund's New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB) program. 
>The NAB is needed to ensure that sufficient resources are available to 
>respond to monetary crises in a world of rapidly expanding trade and 
>finance.  Recent events in southeast Asia only underscore the threat of 
>shocks to the global financial system and the need for a strong and 
>responsive IMF.  The decision by the Congress not to provide this 
>authority is irresponsible.  I call on the Congress to provide funding 
>for the NAB, and my Administration stands ready to work with the 
>Congress to overcome obstacles to funding this important program.
>
>    My Administration is concerned that Russia's new law on religion 
>be implemented in a manner that is consistent with international 
>obligations and that fully respects religious freedom.  We are watching 
>carefully to assess Russian implementation of this law.  At the same 
>time, my Administration continues to oppose legislating limits on 
>assistance, especially without the possibility of a presidential 
>waiver.  American assistance to Russia, including to the Russian 
>government, serves important U.S. interests.  Technical assistance 
>that promotes tax reform and aids in removing obstacles to investment 
>and assistance in nuclear reactor safety are two good examples.
>
>    While H.R. 2159 does contain a national security waiver related to 
>Russian assistance to the Iranian missile program, my Administration 
>still opposes in principle legislating limits on assistance to the 
>Russian government because this assistance serves U.S. interests.  The 
>United States is conducting critical discussions with Russia on missile 
>technology aid to Iran, and legislated assistance cutoffs could harm 
>this process.
>
>    This Act contains several provisions that raise constitutional 
>concerns, such as requirements that the United States take particular 
>positions in international organizations.  I will apply these and 
>other provisions in the Act consistent with my constitutional 
>responsibilities.
>
>
>
>
>      WILLIAM J. CLINTON
>
>
>
>      THE WHITE HOUSE,
>      November 26, 1997.