Home > 2000 Presidential Documents > pd06mr00 Statement on Emergency Assistance to Fishing Communities...pd06mr00 Statement on Emergency Assistance to Fishing Communities...
Week Ending Friday, March 3, 2000
Notice--Continuation of the National Emergency Relating to Cuba and of
the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and
Movement of Vessels
February 25, 2000
On March 1, 1996, by Proclamation 6867, I declared a national
emergency to address the disturbance or threatened disturbance of
international relations caused by the February 24, 1996, destruction by
the Government of Cuba of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft
in international airspace north of Cuba. In July 1996 and on subsequent
occasions, the Government of Cuba stated its intent to forcefully defend
its sovereignty against any U.S.-registered vessels or aircraft that
might enter Cuban territorial waters or airspace while involved in a
memorial flotilla and peaceful protest. Since these events, the
Government of Cuba has not demonstrated that it will refrain from the
future use of reckless and excessive force against U.S. vessels or
aircraft that may engage in memorial activities or peaceful protest
north of Cuba. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing the
national emergency with respect to Cuba and the emergency authority
relating to the regulation of the anchorage and movement of vessels set
out in Proclamation 6867.
This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and
transmitted to the Congress.
William J. Clinton
The White House,
February 25, 2000.
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., February 28,
2000]
Note: This notice was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
February 25, and it was published in the Federal Register on February
29. This item was not received in time for publication in the
appropriate issue.
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Monday, March 6, 2000
Volume 36--Number 9
Pages 393-451
Week Ending Friday, March 3, 2000
Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Notice on Continuation of
the National Emergency With Respect to Cuba
February 25, 2000
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d))
provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless,
prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President
publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice
stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the
anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent the
enclosed notice to the Federal Register for publication, stating that
the emergency declared with respect to the Government of Cuba's
destruction of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft in
international airspace north of Cuba on February 24, 1996, is to
continue in effect beyond March 1, 2000.
Sincerely,
William J. Clinton
Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate.
This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate
issue.
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Monday, March 6, 2000
Volume 36--Number 9
Pages 393-451
Week Ending Friday, March 3, 2000
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Further Deployment of United States
Forces to East Timor
February 25, 2000
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
On October 8, 1999, I reported to the Congress, consistent with the
War Powers Resolution, the deployment of a limited number of U.S.
military forces to East Timor to provide support to the multinational
force (INTERFET) peacekeeping mission in East Timor. This force,
established by the United
[[Page 395]]
Nations Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter, was to
restore peace and security in East Timor, protect and support the United
Nations Mission in East Timor, and, within force capabilities,
facilitate humanitarian assistance operations. The U.S. support to the
multinational force was limited to planning and staff, communications,
intelligence, and logistics.
This multinational force was formally replaced in East Timor on
February 23, 2000, by the United Nations Transitional Administration in
East Timor (UNTAET). Consequently, the U.S. personnel who were the
subject of my October 8 report have redeployed from East Timor. The
UNTAET, which was established by Security Council Resolution 1272, has a
mandate that includes maintaining law and order throughout East Timor,
establishing an effective administration, ensuring the coordination and
delivery of humanitarian assistance, and supporting capacity-building
for self-government. To implement this plan, the Security Council
authorized UNTAET to deploy up to 8,950 military personnel, 200 military
observers, and 1,640 civilian police.
The U.S. military contribution to UNTAET is small. The United States
has agreed to provide three military observers and one judge advocate;
these personnel serve in the United Nations pursuant to the United
Nations Participation Act (Public Law 79-264) and will operate under
U.N. operational control.
Nonetheless, because the United States has a strong national
security interest in promoting regional security and supporting East
Timor's transition to independence, the United States will maintain a
credible and visible presence in East Timor. The United Nations also
supports a continued U.S. presence in East Timor and has indicated that
East Timor would benefit greatly from U.S. military deployments to and
engagement activities in East Timor. As a result, I have authorized the
deployment of a support group (USGET), consisting of approximately 30
U.S. personnel, to facilitate and coordinate U.S. military activities in
East Timor. Personnel assigned to USGET will operate under U.S. command
and control and rules of engagement. In addition, I have authorized a
rotational presence of U.S. forces to be achieved through temporary
deployments, including periodic ship visits, to East Timor during which
U.S. forces will conduct humanitarian and assistance activities
throughout East Timor. These rotational presence operations will provide
peacetime exercise opportunities for U.S. forces in East Timor, allow
for a flexible and visible U.S. force presence independent of UNTAET,
and provide humanitarian and civic assistance to East Timor's citizens
in critical areas.
The first rotational presence operation, involving the USS BONHOMME
RICHARD amphibious group, her embarked helicopters, and the 15th Marine
Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), commenced in East Timor
on February 23, 2000. These forces are operating under U.S. command and
control and rules of engagement.
At this point, our rotational presence operations are envisioned to
continue through the summer of 2000. It is likely that future rotational
presence operations will include rotation of naval assets, embarked
aircraft, and small light engineer units. Certain of these forces,
including those of the BONHOMME RICHARD, will be equipped with the
normal complement of defensive weapons. The duration of our support
depends upon the course of events in East Timor. It is, however, our
objective to redeploy USGET and reduce rotational presence operations as
circumstances permit.
I have taken this action pursuant to my constitutional authority to
conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief
Executive. I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the
Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution. I
appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.
Sincerely,
William J. Clinton
Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
House of Representatives, and Strom Thurmond, President pro tempore of
the Senate. This item was not received in time for publication in the
appropriate issue.
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Monday, March 6, 2000
Volume 36--Number 9
Pages 393-451
Week Ending Friday, March 3, 2000
The President's Radio Address
February 26, 2000
Good morning. Last month, in my State of the Union Address, I called
on Congress to help us launch a 21st century revolution in education,
guided by our faith that every child can learn. This morning I'm
announcing new steps to do just that--to provide tools for States and
local communities to turn around their worst performing schools or shut
them down.
If our Nation is going to make the most of the promise of the new
economy, we must help every American make the most of their God-given
potential. But students can't aim high in schools that perform low.
Every child deserves a high-quality education.
Over the last 7 years we've followed a commonsense reform strategy:
Invest more in our schools and demand more in return. I'm proud that our
administration has enacted the largest investments in education in three
decades, while, at the same time, working hard for higher standards,
greater accountability, and extra help so that all children can meet
those high standards.
It's working. Across our Nation, reading and math scores are on the
rise. But in spite of this progress, too many schools in our poorest
neighborhoods still fail to offer a quality education, and too few of
these failing schools ever get enough help to turn around.
That's why I challenged Congress last year to pass my plan to
establish a new school accountability fund to help States and local
communities to fix failing schools. Together, we enacted a landmark
initiative to provide $134 million to States and school districts this
year alone. Today I'm releasing official guidelines to ensure that these
funds are invested in what works.
We're taking two unprecedented steps. First, under our plan
districts and States will soon receive money dedicated entirely to
turning around failing schools. This accountability fund will enable
districts to take firm measures, putting in a tougher curriculum,
helping teachers get the skills and training they need, and if
necessary, closing down a failing school and reopening it under new
management or as a public charter school.
Second, my plan also expands public school choice. For the first
time ever, we'll require that districts give students in a chronically
failing school the option to transfer to a better performing public
school.
We know accountability works because that's what the experience of
local communities tells us. Two years ago, for example, North Carolina
drew up a list of the State's 15 worst performing schools and sent
assistance teams to each school. Just a year later, reading and math
scores shot up and 14 of those 15 schools improved their performance
enough to be taken off the list. I've been to schools all over our
country that are achieving in the very same way.
Ultimately, of course, it's up to States and local communities to
take the reins and turn around a failing school, but the Federal
Government must play a key role by granting more flexibility, demanding
more accountability, and investing more in education. With today's
action, we're declaring as a nation that we will not fail our children
by tolerating failing schools. We must do more.
In our budget for the coming year, I'm doubling the size of the
accountability fund to $250 million and doubling our support for after-
school and summer school programs, so that every child in a low
performing school has the opportunity to participate. I ask Congress to
do its part and make these vital investments.
Again, I also ask Congress to pass my ``Education Accountability
Act,'' which will make our schools even more focused on results. We must
stay on track to hiring 100,000 high-quality teachers to reduce class
size in the early grades. We must fulfill our commitment to build and
modernize public schools. And we must invest in efforts to mentor
disadvantaged students to help them understand that if they learn what
they need to learn, they can all now go on to college.
This entire strategy is rooted in fundamental values: Everyone
counts; everyone deserves a chance; everyone has a role to play; and we
all do better when we help each other.
Fixing a failing school isn't easy, but communities are proving
every day that it can be done. So we must continue to invest more
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and demand more. We owe it to our children and to our future.
Thanks for listening.
Note: The address was recorded at 3:37 p.m. on February 25 in the Oval
Office at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on February 26.
The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary
on February 25 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast.
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[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
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[Page 397-398]
Monday, March 6, 2000
Volume 36--Number 9
Pages 393-451
Week Ending Friday, March 3, 2000
Remarks to the National Governors' Association Dinner
February 27, 2000
The President. Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. We will follow
our custom tonight, which means that Governor Leavitt and I will give
toasts, after which there will be no more duties, and we'll have a good
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