CLINTON WRAP (L-ONLY)


DATE=9/13/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON WRAP (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253796
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=AUCKLAND
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The Clinton administration is hailing what 
they describe as an easing in tensions in Asia as a 
result of several recent developments.  Correspondent 
Deborah Tate reports from Auckland, New Zealand, where 
President Clinton attended a trade summit.
Text:  U-S officials arrived in Auckland last week 
concerned about Indonesia's reluctance to accept a U-N 
force in East Timor, about North Korea's suspected 
plans to test a ballistic missile soon, and about 
tensions with China over NATO'S bombing of the Chinese 
embassy in Belgrade in May.
They leave Auckland Tuesday with progress on all three 
issues.
The East Timor crisis overshadowed the Asia-Pacific 
summit, as leaders pressed Jakarta to reverse course 
and accept international peacekeepers in East Timor.  
Mr. Clinton suspended military sales and cooperation 
with Indonesia.  
The strategy worked.  Indonesian President B-J Habibie 
announced his acceptance of a U-N force to help 
restore order to East Timor.
On the issue of North Korea, Mr. Clinton huddled with 
South Korean and Japanese leaders Sunday to discuss a 
strategy for dealing with Pyongyang.  They agreed that 
if North Korea sent a signal that it is moving away 
from missile testing, they would consider easing 
sanctions.
A day later, during talks between U-S and North Korean 
officials in Berlin, Pyongyang agreed to suspend such 
testing, and the United States vowed to look into 
reducing sanctions.
And on China, U-S officials declared relations back on 
track following a meeting Saturday between Mr. Clinton 
and his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin.
National Security Advisor Sandy Berger was pleased by 
the developments.
            // BERGER ACTUALITY //
      This has truly been a good week for stability 
      and U-S interests in Asia.  Asia at all times 
      faces challenges, as any large, diverse, dynamic 
      region does.  But we have good reason to feel 
      developments over the past week have moved the 
      region in the right direction.
            // END ACT //
President Clinton takes a break from foreign policy 
Tuesday, when he flies to Queenstown for a day of 
golf.
            /// REST OPT ///
He travels to Christchurch for a meeting Wednesday 
with New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley.  He 
returns to Washington Thursday.   (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/RAE
13-Sep-1999 07:51 AM LOC (13-Sep-1999 1151 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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