pd09ja95 Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Haiti...

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years and years, to go off----

[At this point, the President's microphone failed.]

    So what, I didn't want to give a speech anyway. Hello. [Laughter]

Note: The President spoke at 12:13 p.m. at Adams Field. A tape was not 
available for verification of the content of these remarks.

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Monday, January 9, 1995
 
Volume 31--Number 1
Pages 1-30
 
Week Ending Friday, January 6, 1995
 
Statement on Additional Steps To Prevent Violence at Abortion Clinics

January 2, 1995

    In America, the heart of constitutional government is the rule of 
law. Today, our commitment to the rule of law is being tested by those 
who believe that their opposition to abortion gives them the right to 
commit acts of violence, even murder, against their fellow citizens who 
seek only to exercise their constitutional right to choose or to assist 
others in exercising that right.
    I recognize and respect the range of deeply felt beliefs Americans 
hold on abortion. A continued vigorous debate over abortion is proper. 
Violence against those who hold differing opinions is not.
    Last year Congress passed, and I signed, a law prohibiting violent 
interference with Americans who exercise their rights in this area. 
Because of continued violations of this law and the Constitution, I have 
today instructed the Department of Justice to: (1) direct each United 
States Attorney immediately to head a task force including Federal, 
State, and local law enforcement officials to formulate plans to address 
clinic security for all clinics in their jurisdiction; and (2) direct 
each U.S. Marshal to consult with all clinics in their jurisdiction to 
ensure that the clinics have all the information they need to 
communicate with appropriate Federal, State, and local law enforcement 
officials on a timely basis about potential threats. I have also asked 
the Attorney General to consult with law enforcement officials on any 
further steps that might be taken to address this serious problem.
    I applaud Americans of conscience who differ in their convictions on 
abortion but who stand united in their opposition to violence. As we 
begin a new year, let us all reaffirm our devotion to the rule of law 
and our respect for the diversity of opinion that rule protects.


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Monday, January 9, 1995
 
Volume 31--Number 1
Pages 1-30
 
Week Ending Friday, January 6, 1995
 
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Trade With Bulgaria

December 30, 1994

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)

    On June 3, 1993, I determined and reported to the Congress that 
Bulgaria is in full compliance with the freedom of emigration criteria 
of sections 402 and 409 of the Trade Act of 1974. This action allowed 
for the continuation of most-favored-nation (MFN) status for Bulgaria 
and certain other activities without the requirement of a waiver.
    As required by law, I am submitting an updated Report to Congress 
concerning emigration laws and policies of the Republic of Bulgaria. You 
will find that the report indicates continued Bulgarian compliance with 
U.S. and international standards in the areas of emigration and human 
rights policy.
    Sincerely,
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. 
This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on January 
3, 1995.


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Monday, January 9, 1995
 
Volume 31--Number 1
Pages 1-30
 
Week Ending Friday, January 6, 1995
 
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Iraq

December 30, 1994

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)

    Consistent with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against 
Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1), and as part of my effort to keep the 
Congress fully informed, I am reporting on the status of efforts to 
obtain Iraq's compliance with the resolutions adopted by the U.N. 
Security Council.
    The crisis precipitated in early October when Iraq moved significant 
numbers of ground forces toward its border with Kuwait has been largely 
resolved. Since my last report, Iraqi Republican Guard forces have 
redeployed north of the 32nd parallel, includ- 

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ing some Republican Guard units that were south of the 32nd parallel 
prior to the crisis. Six Iraqi regular army divisions which were located 
in the south prior to the crisis continue to be deployed there. U.S. 
forces deployed to the Gulf in response to Iraq's actions will redeploy 
to the United States over the next several weeks. Some forces--primarily 
aircraft--will remain in the theater to deter further acts of Iraqi 
provocation and aggression. In order to enhance significantly our 
ability to strike at Iraqi tanks south of the 32nd parallel, Kuwait has 
agreed to permit us to base a squadron of 24 Air Force A-10s in Kuwait. 
We also have plans to increase the amount of prepositioned equipment in 
the Gulf which will be sufficient to outfit a division, thereby 
enhancing our ability to rapidly deploy a significantly larger and more 
capable ground force. To this end, Kuwait has agreed to permit the 
prepositioning of additional equipment to complete the armored brigade 
set that is already on the ground in Camp Doha.
    The United Nations Security Council, in Resolution 949 of October 
15, 1994, condemned Iraq's military deployment toward the border with 
Kuwait and demanded that Iraq: 1) immediately withdraw all military 
units recently deployed to southern Iraq; 2) not again use its military 
or any other forces to threaten its neighbors or U.N. operations in 
Iraq; 3) not redeploy to the south those forces to be withdrawn or take 
any other action to enhance its military capacity in southern Iraq; and 
4) cooperate fully with the U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM). In order 
to ensure that Iraq fully understood our intentions, Ambassador Albright 
met with Iraq's UN Ambassador, Nizar Hamdun, and explained in precise 
terms what would constitute an Iraqi violation of Resolution 949. She 
also left no doubt that our response to any such violation would be 
swift and firm.
    This recent episode is yet another indication that Iraq remains 
unwilling to comply with the will of the international community. We 
shall continue to insist that Iraq not threaten its neighbors or 
intimidate the United Nations and that it take steps to ensure that it 
never again possesses weapons of mass destruction. The sanctions will be 
maintained until Iraq complies with all relevant provisions of U.N. 
Security Council resolutions.
    On November 10 the Iraqi government, in an unqualified and 
irrevocable way, recognized the Iraq-Kuwait boundary demarcated by the 
relevant U.N. demarcation commission and the sovereignty, territorial 
integrity, and political independence of the State of Kuwait. This 
action represented a significant victory for the Security Council, which 
has resolved to accept nothing short of full compliance with the demands 
it has placed on Iraq. Although the Security Council welcomed this 
development, it has also made clear that it will follow closely Iraq's 
implementation of its decision and will also continue to keep under 
review Iraq's actions to complete its compliance with all relevant 
Security Council resolutions.
    Iraq has still not complied with Security Council demands to resolve 
the issue of Kuwaiti MIAs, return Kuwaiti property stolen during the 
occupation, and renounce terrorism. Iraq has also not met its 
obligations under resolutions concerning Kuwaiti and third-country 
nationals it detained during the war and has taken no substantive steps 
to cooperate fully with the International Committee of the Red Cross 
(ICRC), beyond agreement to participate in a technical committee being 
organized by the ICRC. Iraq has also failed to comply with resolutions 
calling for the end of repression of segments of its civilian 
population, cooperation with international relief organizations and the 
equitable distribution of humanitarian relief supplies.
    Cooperation by Iraq with the United Nations since 1991 has been 
meager, sporadic, selective and opportunistic. Taken as a whole, Iraq's 
record represents a stunning failure to meet the standard set by the 
Security Council when it set the terms for ending the Gulf War in 
Resolution 687: to assure the world community of its ``peaceful 
intentions.'' The purpose of the drafters of Resolution 687--to ensure 
that Iraq could never again pose a threat to its neighbors or to 
regional peace and security--remains unfulfilled. On November 14 the 
Security Council, for the 22nd time, unanimously decided that existing 
sanctions against Iraq should not be modified.

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    Despite the lack of cooperation from the Government of Iraq, UNSCOM 
and the International Atomic Energy Agency have continued their efforts, 
with the assistance of the United States and other supporting nations, 
to implement a comprehensive and effective monitoring regime for Iraq. 
In consultation with UNSCOM Chairman Ekeus, the U.N. Security General 
reported on October 7 that this regime is ``provisionally operational.'' 
This effort must be carefully designed to ensure that Iraq cannot 
rebuild its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, including a 
convert nuclear program, as it did before the Gulf War, when it claimed 
to be in compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Continued 
vigilance is necessary because we believe that Saddam Hussein is 
committed to rebuilding his WMD capabilities.
    Indeed, significant gaps in accounting for Iraq's past programs for 
WMD continue. There are unresolved issues in each of the four weapons 
categories (nuclear, long-range missile, chemical, and biological). This 
has been particularly true in the chemical and biological weapons areas, 
where Iraq claims to have destroyed large amounts of documentation. 
Therefore, it is extremely important that the monitoring regime be 
effective, comprehensive and sustainable. A program of this magnitude is 
unprecedented and will require continued, substantial assistance for 
UNSCOM from supporting nations. Rigorous and extensive trial and field 
testing will be required before UNSCOM can judge the program's 
effectiveness.
    Of increasing concern is UNSCOM's dire financial situation. Chairman 
Ekeus reports that UNSCOM will have to shut down if funds are not 
forthcoming immediately. Without more cash, UNSCOM will have to begin 
phasing down its operations in December and completely disband by mid-
February 1995. Some countries in the region have agreed to provide 
partial emergency funding. While this may take care of the immediate 
crisis, lack of funding will be a chronic problem.
    Chairman Ekeus has told Iraq that it must establish a clear track 
record of compliance before he can report favorably to the Security 
Council. We strongly endorse Chairman Ekeus' approach and reject any 
attempt to limit UNSCOM's flexibility by the establishment of a 
timetable for determining whether Iraq has complied with Security 
Council Resolution 715.
    The U.N. resolutions regarding Iraq do not prevent the shipment of 
food or medicine to that country. Between January and August of this 
year, the U.N. Sanctions Committee received notifications of $2 billion 
worth of food and $175 million worth of medicine to be shipped to Iraq. 
During the same period, the Committee approved shipments of $2 billion 
worth of other items deemed to be for essential civilian needs. 
Meanwhile, the Government of Iraq has asked the Sanctions Committee for 
permission to import luxury goods such as liquor, video recorders, 
leather jackets, brass beds and expensive automobiles. The Iraqi 
government has continued to maintain a full embargo against its northern 
provinces and has favored its supporters and the military in the 
distribution of humanitarian supplies throughout the country.
    The Iraqi government has refused to sell up to $1.6 billion in oil 
as previously authorized by the Security Council in Resolutions 706 and 
712. Talks between Iraq and the United Nations on implementing these 
resolutions ended unsuccessfully in October 1993. Iraq could use 
proceeds from such sales to purchase foodstuffs, medicines, and 
materials and supplies for essential civilian needs of its population, 
subject to U.N. monitoring of sales and the equitable distribution of 
humanitarian supplies (including to its northern provinces). Iraq's 
refusal to implement Security Council Resolutions 706 and 712 continues 
to cause needless suffering.
    Proceeds from oil sales also would be used to compensate persons 
injured by Iraq's unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait. Of note 
regarding oil sales, the Security Council has engaged in discussions 
with Turkish officials concerning the possible flushing of Iraqi oil now 
in the Turkish pipeline that extends from Iraq through Turkey. The 
objective would be to prevent physical deterioration of the Turkish 
pipeline, which is a unique asset. Such a flushing of the pipeline, if 
conducted in a manner consistent with the U.N. sanctions regime, would 
produce the added

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benefit of financing the import of needed food and medicine into Iraq. 
However, the Government of Iraq has refused to implement the flushing 
because it rejects international monitoring of the distribution of 
humanitarian goods.
    The no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq permit the 
monitoring of Iraq's compliance with Security Council Resolutions 687 
and 688. Over the last three years, the northern no-fly zone has 
deterred Iraq from a major military offensive in the region. In southern 
Iraq, the no-fly zone has stopped Iraq's use of aircraft against its 
population.
    Nonetheless, the Iraqi government continues its harsh campaign 
against its perceived enemies, throughout the country. Baghdad's 
campaign of economic warfare against the people of northern Iraq 
continues. In September, the Iraqi regime cut electrical power to the 
Aqrah/Shirwan districts of Dohuk Governorate. Three hundred fifty 
thousand people in those districts now confront a lack of water, 
sanitation, and hospital services. Approximately one million persons in 
Dohuk Governorate are now reliant on temporary generators for 
electricity, due to such systematic power cut-offs by the Government of 
Iraq. Also in northern Iraq, in the vicinity of Mosul, we are watching 
Iraqi troop movements carefully since Iraq's intentions are still 
unclear. In the south, Iraq's repression of the Shi'a population, and 
specifically the Marsh Arabs, and the implementation of a policy of 
environmental devastation represent a clear intent to target a specific 
area for reprisals without regard to the impact on innocent civilians. 
Further, Iraqi forces still wage a land-based artillery campaign in the 
marshes, and the shelling of marsh villages continues. In the last few 
years, the population of the region, whose marsh culture has remained 
essentially unchanged since 3500 B.C., has been reduced by an estimated 
three-quarters and will soon disappear altogether. The Special 
Rapporteur of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights (UNHRC), Max van der 

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