13 September 1999
Transcript: Clinton September 12 Photo Opportunity Remarks
(U.S., ROK, Japan share interest in stability, growth) (750)
The United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan have a common
interest in stability and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula,
common concerns about events in East Timor, and a commitment to try to
find a common ground on economic issues as the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) meetings and at the upcoming World Trade
Organization (WTO) in Seattle, according to President Clinton.
....
Following is the White House transcript of photo opportunity:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Auckland, New Zealand)
For Immediate Release
September 12, 1999
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT CLINTON,
PRESIDENT KIM OF REPUBLIC OF KOREA,
AND PRIME MINISTER OBUCHI OF JAPAN
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Stamford Plaza Hotel
Auckland, New Zealand
12:02 P.M. (L)
.....
Q: Mr. President, you mentioned earlier that you would support an
international force in East Timor, but you didn't say anything about a
commitment of U.S. troops. Could you give us your thinking on that,
sir?
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Well, the discussions that I have had with Prime
Minister Howard and others, but since Australia would lead this
mission and provide most of the troops, have centered around our
providing some of the things that only we can provide, probably, like
extensive airlift support to bring troops from other countries,
primarily of Asia, into the theater; other logistical support,
intelligence, communications -- some things which would require our
presence in a limited way within the country, within East Timor.
Our people are working that out. General Shelton and our Commander,
our Commander in Chief of the Pacific, Admiral Blair, are working with
the Australians and no final decisions have been made, nor could they
be until I have extensive congressional consultations. I've talked to,
oh, probably eight or ten congressional leaders on this, and the
Secretary of Defense and Mr. Podesta, on my behalf back home, have
talked to many more. But we haven't finalized anything yet.
Keep in mind, the position of the international community at the
moment is that such a force would have to be approved by the United
Nations, which would only happen if Indonesia asked for it. So right
now I think the important thing is to keep the pressure up here to try
to get the Indonesians to fix the problem and, if not, to go on and
ask for help, support from the United Nations.
.....
(end transcript)
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