[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 40 (Monday, October 10, 1994)]
[Pages 1950-1955]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
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The President's News Conference With President Mandela of South Africa
October 5, 1994
President Clinton. Ladies and gentlemen, for the last 2 days,
President Mandela and I, joined by the American people, have celebrated
freedom and democracy in South Africa. We also have begun to assume our
historic opportunity to join with the people of South Africa to ensure
that their new democracy grows stronger.
Since before President Mandela's election, the United States has
played an aggressive role in helping South Africa to shape its
democratic future. We supported that historic balloting with $35 million
in aid. Following the elections we reaffirmed our commitment with a
$600-million trade and investment package. In the 5 months since then,
we have already delivered $220 million of that package. Americans have
always invested, and will invest more, in private capital in South
Africa to help that country's economy grow.
We have moved forward on a range of issues, and let me just mention
a few of the new initiatives within our aid program. First, we will form
a joint binational commission to promote cooperation between our
nations. Vice President Gore will lead this commission, along with
Deputy President Mbeki. This is important to America. Russia is the only
other country with which we have such a commission. The commission will
give a high-level boost to projects involving energy, education, and
development.
Second, to help heal the legacies of apartheid, American loans will
be used to guarantee nearly a half-billion dollars of new housing in
South Africa. We will also contribute $50 million to help bring
electricity to the townships and $30 million to support basic health
care. We are taking several actions to help advance President Mandela's
goal of expanding trade and investment. The Overseas Private Investment
Corporation is launching its second $75-million fund to promote
investment in South Africa.
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Commerce Secretary Ron Brown has created, with his South African
counterpart, the U.S.-South Africa Business Development Committee. It
will seek to expand the $4-billion trade which already exists between
our countries. We will also promote private-sector participation in a
conference the South Africans are hosting in early 1995 to support the
nation's pragmatic program for reconstruction and development.
Mr. President, yesterday you asked for our geniuses to help to build
your land. Today I can tell you we're going to send you some of our
best. The Peace Corps will establish a presence in South Africa next
year, and we are prepared to help you to develop through Peace Corps
volunteers small enterprises, to train nurses and teachers, to create
South Africa's own volunteer corps.
President Mandela and I also discussed other issues, ranging from
educational exchange programs promoted by the USIA, to rural development
and school lunch programs developed with the leadership of Secretary
Espy, to cooperation in the battle against drug trafficking under the
leadership of our Drug Policy Director Lee Brown, who's just returned
from South Africa, to building roads and highways, to energy projects
which Secretary O'Leary is working on.
President Mandela and I discussed, finally, the broader problems of
southern Africa. I salute President Mandela not only for the remarkable
work he has done within his own country, his leadership has also been
instrumental in resolving crises in Mozambique and Lesotho. He's played
a vital role in trying to solve the conflict in Angola, as well.
To help the entire region, we're establishing a $100-million
development fund for all of southern Africa. I'm happy to welcome today
to the White House Ambassadors from 10 of those countries. And I'm also
pleased to announce that Ambassador Andrew Young, who has long worked to
improve conditions in the region, has agreed to chair this fund.
The new South Africa, with Nelson Mandela's wise leadership, has won
the fight for freedom. Now it stands at the crossroads of hope. The
problems it has inherited, the old and deep wounds of apartheid, are not
small ones. But President Mandela, you can be certain that the United
States will continue to do everything in our power to support the new
nation you and your South African people have created and now seek so
strongly to build. After a half century of struggle, you've proved to
people on every continent that justice and reconciliation can prevail.
In a world where too many tear down, you and the South African
people have proved that there are those who build up and create. You
have shown us the way, and we look forward, sir, to walking down the
road with you.
President Mandela. It would be remiss of me to use this opportunity
to express my gratitude and that of my delegation for the hospitality
that has been extended to us during our visit to the United States. I
think I missed out the word ``not''. [Laughter] I should have said it
would be remiss of me not to use this opportunity--[laughter]--to
express my gratitude and that of my delegation for the hospitality that
has been extended to us during our visit to the United States.
I hope journalists will report the second version of my statement.
[Laughter]
A special note of thanks should go to my good friend, Bill Clinton.
The level of engagement by the United States in South Africa is largely
attributable to the personal interest that Bill Clinton and his
administration have in ensuring that Africa does not become a forgotten
continent. The recently organized White House Conference on Africa is
evidence of this. We are particularly appreciative of the sensitivity
and willingness to assist that has been shown by the Clinton
administration.
Powerful leaders with a common touch are in great demand in the
world today. President Clinton is one of these. It goes without saying
that a great deal has happened in the world, and particularly in South
Africa, in the 15 months since I last had the occasion of addressing
remarks to the media after meeting President Clinton here at the White
House.
During that earlier meeting, President Clinton and I agreed on the
importance of underpinning the political changes that occurred in South
Africa with economic recon-
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struction. The government of national unity has to demonstrate to our
communities disadvantaged by apartheid that democracy has tangible
economic as well a political benefits. We can only accomplish this by
improving the material well-being of our disadvantaged communities
through economic growth and the promotion of increased trade and
investment.
You will no doubt have noticed that this has been a recurring theme
during my visit here. In this regard, I am highly appreciative of
efforts by President Clinton to encourage American trade with and
investment in South Africa and for the support that has been pledged for
our reconstruction and redevelopment program.
Success will not only underpin the consolidation of democracy in
South Africa, but will also enable South Africa to play its role as the
powerhouse of the South African region in a mutually beneficial
partnership with our South African Development Community neighbors.
South Africa, and no doubt our neighbors too, welcome continued U.S.
engagement in the region. The announcement that the United States
Government-sponsored South Africa Enterprise Development Fund will
promote small to medium sized business enterprises throughout the region
is tangible evidence of this. I believe that the whole South African
region, and Africa, in general, can also benefit from these efforts.
South Africa's transition to democracy has created an historic
opportunity for South Africa to play its rightful role for the first
time on the world stage. Resuming our place in the international arena
has been a challenging experience, none more so than rejoining world and
regional bodies promoting world peace, democracy, and human rights, and
participating in humanitarian relief operations in Africa, the most
recent being Rwanda. The United States, and indeed, all countries that
participated in making the efforts in Rwanda a success are to be
commended. This helped to avert a human tragedy.
We attach significance to the crucial role that the United States
can play in the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide. South
Africa will undoubtedly be called upon to participate in United Nations
peacekeeping missions. We will not be found wanting within the
constraints imposed by budgetary and other considerations.
In addition to humanitarian aid, another area which warrants further
consideration by the South African Government is the provision of such
nonmilitary assistance as is monetary. There is already a great deal of
commonality in the goals and interests of South Africa and the United
States, ranging from the promotion of human rights and the strengthening
of democracy, to the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Coupled with active U.S. engagement in South Africa, this partnership
can only grow from strength with strength.
There are many areas in which practical relations are unfolding,
such as joint and structured efforts to mobilize funds for investments
in and trade with South Africa, cooperation in dealing with
environmental issues, increased aid to South Africa in the context of
our reconstruction and development program, and lastly assistance by the
United States in restructuring the judicial system in South Africa as
part of broader efforts to strengthen democracy and deepen the culture
of human rights.
I thank you.
President Clinton. Let me say, if I might, before the question, we
would like to alternate between American and South African journalists.
And so President Mandela will call on the next journalist. So those of
you from South Africa, or representing South Africa media outlets, we
will hear from you next. And then we'll alternate back and forth.
Haiti
Q. I believe you both share an interest in Haiti, and I'd like to
ask you about that. Increasingly, American officials say that they
expect General Cedras and his chief of staff to leave Haiti by October
15th. General Cedras says that he's not going to leave. Why are American
officials so confident that they will leave? And will American troops
make life unpleasant for them if they stay?
President Clinton. Well, let me say, first of all, I have left that
question to the Haitians to resolve, as you know. The important thing
for the American people is that the situation with great difficulty has
remained calm over-
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all, that Parliament has reopened and is considering amnesty and other
things, that the mayor of Port-au-Prince, Evans Paul, has come back to
his responsibilities after years of hiding, that we've turned the lights
back on in Cap-Haitien and there's more electricity available in Port-
au-Prince, that almost 1,500 refugees have left Guantanamo and gone back
to Haiti. President Aristide now has a transition office--I remember
those--in Port-au-Prince. And General Shelton and our military people
there, I think, have done a superb job under difficult circumstances.
They are working through that. The political questions in large measure
involve what the Haitians decide themselves. I was very, very impressed
with President Aristide's most recent speech, and I'm very committed to
continuing on the course we're on.
That's all I know to say. I feel very good about where we're going.
I think we'll wind up in a good place if we just stay steady and realize
that our young men and women down there are doing a terrific job under
difficult circumstances. Their work is certainly not free of danger, but
you have to give them credit I think, so far, for the work they have
done.
Mr. President--President Mandela, would you like to call on one of
the South African journalists?
President Mandela. Yes.
Trade
Q. President Mandela, did you ask President Clinton if he would lift
U.S. restrictions on trade with South Africa, in particular the denial
order on the Rooivalk helicopter deal?
President Mandela. Well, we have discussed this matter both with Mr.
Clinton alone and also with his delegation. The President has shown a
great deal of sensitivity towards this question, and he has undertaken
to do what he can to resolve this problem. I have confidence that if he
has a chance to assist in this regard, he will do so.
President Clinton. Jill [Jill Dougherty, Cable News Network].
Haiti
Q. Mr. President, President Aristide reportedly is resisting signing
an agreement that would define the status of U.S. troops and what their
mission is in Haiti. Is that the case, and does this create a danger
that the mission could be ill-defined or spread farther than it should?
President Clinton. Well, no agreement has yet been signed. But I
wouldn't let that concern you too much. We think the mission is clearly
defined in terms of scope and time. We always knew there would have to
be some flexibility in the early weeks until we got the police monitors
in and until we began to retrain people to assume police and military
roles, and that the nature of the mission would depend upon three
things: to what extent the police were willing to stay at their posts
and observe the rules of professional encounter; second, to what extent
things beyond our control would occur; and third, how quickly we could
get the training programs up and going.
So there has been--there has had to be some flexibility there. But
essentially, we are on the same mission that we went there with. We're
going to stay with that mission, and we're going to complete it, turn it
over to the U.N., and bring our people home. And whether and exactly how
we work out an understanding with President Aristide, particularly after
he reassumes authority, I think will be something that will not present
insurmountable obstacles. And I feel comfortable that the American
people will be comfortable with the definition of the mission just as it
is, and I'm not particularly worried about that.
Mr. President.
President Mandela. Can I make an appeal that in view of the interest
in this question, could we deal with it if any South African journalist
would like to put the question so that we can put it at rest for the
purpose of this press conference.
Yes.
Q. President Mandela, President Clinton apparently asked you in the
past to perhaps send South African troops to help in the police efforts
in Haiti. Have you made a decision to send South African troops to
Haiti? Will they be part of the peacekeeping mission?
President Mandela. Our attitude on this question is that the
operation, which is essentially a United Nations operation although it
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has been carried out at this stage by American troops, that operation is
intended to restore democracy in that country, a worthy objective which
we fully support.
Secondly, without in any way prescribing to the leadership of Haiti,
we sincerely hope that they will realize the crucial importance of
national reconciliation and to heal the wounds of the past by involving
all the parties which may have been at cross purposes with one another.
Now, as far as our own participation is concerned, we regard this,
as I say, as an operation of the United Nations of which we are a part.
But we are busy discussing the matter. And we are keen to act and not
unilaterally as South Africa; we are keen to act collectively as a
region, especially because we have a tradition which we have to change
of our country having been involved in the military destabilization of
our neighboring states and economic sabotage. If we're involved in an
operation anywhere in the world, we would like this to be a collective
decision from our region. And therefore, we are now busy with
consultations on this question----
President Clinton. Rita [Rita Braver, CBS News].
President Mandela. ----and will come back to the President in due
course.
President Clinton. Thank you, sir.
GATT
Q. President Clinton, while you have been meeting with President
Mandela, it looks like there's been another hangup in GATT. It seems to
be once again slowed down. Do you still have the confidence that you had
last week when we talked to you that this will go through? And why do
you think you're having so much trouble with it?
President Clinton. The people that are holding it up now are people
who have always supported the GATT. Let me just say that, first of all,
I won't know until sometime tonight--I think they're going to have a
vote or at least consider having a vote on the rule in the House on the
GATT. I've never come to the end of a full congressional session before,
so for all I know this often happens.
But there's still time for Congress to act on this, for the House to
act on GATT, for the Senate to act on lobby reform, on the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act, on the Superfund legislation, which has the
support of everybody from the chemical companies to the Sierra Club.
There is no one against it anymore. It's an important piece of
legislation. I can't imagine why it shouldn't pass. So I'm hopeful that
it will.
The GATT--it has always been a bipartisan issue. It's a huge job-
gainer for America, just like NAFTA was, except more so over the long
run. And it's the biggest world tax cut in history. It's over a $700
billion tax cut. So I think, as we get closer to it, I would expect the
people who have always supported it to support it, and there to be a
majority support for it. We'll continue to push it.
Q. President Mandela, a question for you and then a question to
President Clinton. First of all, we understand that you might be meeting
President Aristide or deposed President Aristide tomorrow. If that is
happening, how will that change South Africa's stand towards what you
have just described as consultation at the moment about Haiti?
And secondly, President Clinton, when are you coming to South
Africa?
Haiti
President Mandela. Well, the consultations that we are having are
not going to be directly affected by my meeting with President Aristide.
I do not know, of course, what he is going to raise with me, but I know
what I am going to say to him. [Laughter] And so it is premature for me
to answer your question fully. We will be going back to South Africa--if
I don't meet you after this meeting, I'll brief you fully as to what the
President will say to me. [Laughter]
President Clinton. Let me say, first of all--I'll answer the other
question, but first of all, I am personally very grateful to President
Mandela for making time in what has been an unbelievably busy schedule
to see President Aristide. The most important thing South Africa can do
for Haiti has been accomplished by President Mandela coming to the
United States at this historic moment, and then on top of that, agreeing
to meet with President Aristide. Why? Because here is President Mandela
and here is President Mandela's delegation. And the Haitian people will
see that you can bring a country
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where there have been deep, even bloody divisions together and work
together in a spirit of freedom, reconciliation, democracy, and mutual
respect. It must be very encouraging to President Aristide; it also
should be very encouraging to those who have opposed him.
So this is--I assure you that this was not planned or calibrated in
terms of the action the United States took there. But as it happens,
this is a very good thing for the cause of democracy in Haiti.
Secondly, the President, as you know, has invited me to South Africa
very publicly and also privately. I would like very much to go. I hope I
can go there. I have made no final commitments on travel outside the
United States for next year, so I can't announce a commitment now, but I
would like to do it very much. We're proud of our association with your
country, and we hope we can do more.
Thank you very much.
President Mandela. Can I just add that I have met President Aristide
twice, and I have discovered that he has a very serious weakness, which
I intend to exploit to the full: He is a man who can think. He is
flexible. He is broadminded. And I have no doubt that if I put a
reasonable argument with him, I am unlikely to come out with empty
hands. That I can say to you.
President Clinton. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Note: The President's 72d news conference began at 3:43 p.m. on the
South Lawn at the White House.