WHITE HOUSE REPORT, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998
USIA
USIS Washington File
23 January 1998
WHITE HOUSE REPORT, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1998
(State of the Union, Carter visit, Thai Finance Minister,
Netanyahu/Arafat, Iraq, Clinton/intern) (1090)
White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry briefed the press at early
morning and early afternoon sessions.
CLINTON MEETS WITH HIS CABINET ON STATE OF UNION
Clinton has received a draft of the State of the Union Speech he will
deliver before a Joint Session of Congress the evening of January 27,
McCurry said. It's a major speech that sets the work plan agenda for
the year ahead, and presents the President's thinking to Congress and
before the American people, McCurry said.
Clinton met with his Cabinet the morning of January 23 to go over the
speech and discuss each Cabinet Department's priorities for the coming
year, McCurry said. The President began the meeting by telling the
Cabinet members to keep focused on their important work for the
American people and not let themselves be distracted by the
allegations against him, which he says are completely untrue.
"He started off by saying: Look, I know a lot of you are wondering
about this matter. I think it's very important for me to stay focused
on the work that I'm doing, and for you all to stay focused on the
work that you're doing. And I'm going to be fine, and you will be too,
and let's all hang in there," McCurry said.
CARTER VISITS WITH CLINTON AT WHITE HOUSE
Former President Jimmy Carter met with President Clinton at the White
House the afternoon of January 23. He had asked for the meeting to
talk to the President about recent travels he's had in Africa and
China, McCurry said. Carter travels "very often" McCurry explained, in
connection with the work the Carter Center does in Atlanta.
He "has done a magnificent amount of work" through the Carter Center
at conflict resolution and at bringing together people who are facing
turmoil in different parts of the world, McCurry said. He has been
especially active in Africa, and was just recently there. With
President Clinton's trip in March to Africa, that we just recently
announced, this is a good opportunity for the two Presidents to
discuss Africa. "I believe, if I'm not mistaken," McCurry said, "that
former President Carter has been in China, too, and I imagine that the
President will want to consult with him and ask his thoughts on
U.S.-China relations."
THAILAND'S FINANCE MINISTER VISITS WHITE HOUSE
Thailand's Finance Minister Tharin Nimmanhemin met at the White House
January 23 with President Clinton's National Security Advisor Samuel
"Sandy" Berger for about fifteen minutes and then the two visited for
about five minutes with President Clinton in the Oval Office, McCurry
said.
They discussed the continuing, ongoing conversations about the
regional economic stability in Asia, and the Treasury Department's
announcement that there will be a global finance ministers meeting at
an undetermined date sometime this year, McCurry said.
The Thai Finance Minister has been in Washington meeting with Treasury
officials, among other people, McCurry said.
MCCURRY COMMENTS ON NETANYAHU, ARAFAT MEETINGS AT WHITE HOUSE
Asked if Clinton's expectations were fulfilled in terms of what was
accomplished with the separate meetings Clinton held this week at the
White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and
Palestinian Authority Chairman, Yasser Arafat, McCurry said:
"Well, I think you heard me, prior to the meetings, describe the
expectations as being rather low. The President feels fairly confident
that he got both of these leaders to focus in on some of the specific
choices they are going to have to make if they are going to bridge the
considerable distance between them on issues like security measures
for the state of Israel; like further redeployment from areas in the
West Bank; like the accelerated Final Status negotiations for the
issues that the parties have identified between them; and like the
issue of settlements and the future of settlements in the West Bank
territory -- territories."
"I think, based on the work we've done, we feel like progress is there
to be made if these parties can wrestle with and make the critical
decisions they now need to make.
McCurry also reminded reporters that Palestinian Authority Chairman
Arafat was scheduled to get together the evening of January 23 for a
last meeting with Secretary of State Albright before departing
Washington.
MCCURRY COMMENTS ON NEXT STEPS REGARDING IRAQ
Asked to comment on what is going to happen next regarding the
standoff with Iraq, now that U.N. chief weapons inspector, Richard
Butler, has reported to the Security Council on his trip to Baghdad.
"I think this is the day," as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Bill Richardson "has already indicated, to very carefully contemplate
the next steps that must be pursued. We clearly will do that both
within and outside the Security Council," McCurry said.
"Mr. Butler's report is probably done by now, so they're probably now
considering his report and judging what the most direct and most
immediate response and the most appropriate response should be. The
United States is prepared, both within the Security Council and, as I
say, outside the Security Council to begin to pursue next steps."
Asked if the possible next steps include military action by U.S.
military forces, McCurry said: "I think that we have been very careful
not to rule in or rule out future options; but the diplomatic solution
that we prefer has so far failed to yield the results we expect."
CLINTON/INTERN
"The President clearly wants to address this matter in greater
detail," McCurry said, in response to a great number of questions on
reports that Clinton had an alleged affair with a former White House
intern and then lied to federal prosecutors about it.
Asked if there is debate in the White House among Clinton's lawyers,
who are urging caution before Clinton speaks on this to the American
people, and his polical advisors who want him to speak soon to the
American people, McCurry said "There are two very real issues that
arise at this moment. The President clearly wants to address this
matter in greater detail but we have to do so in a way that is
thorough, that anticipates additional questions, and is consistent
with our obligation to cooperate with the Independent Counsel."
McCurry called "ridiculous" media reports that there is infighting on
this issue among Clinton's advisors. Those reports "are just not
true," he said.
"We are all of the get it done, but get it done right school" of
thought.