DATE=3/26/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247235
TITLE=CLINTON / CHINA (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT CHINESE PREMIER ZHU
RONGJI WILL PAY AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES NEXT MONTH
AND MEET PRESIDENT CLINTON APRIL 8TH. TRADE ISSUES WILL BE HIGH
ON THE AGENDA. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE
HOUSE.
TEXT: THE MEETING WILL BE THE HIGHEST-LEVEL U-S/CHINESE DIALOGUE
SINCE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VISIT TO CHINA LAST JUNE.
IT COMES AMID EXPECTATIONS THAT THE TWO COUNTRIES MAY FINALLY BE
CLOSE TO CONCLUDING A LANDMARK TRADE AGREEMENT THAT WOULD CUT
CHINESE TARIFFS ON U-S FARM AND MANUFACTURED GOODS, AND OPEN THE
WAY TO CHINA'S ENTRY INTO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION.
SUCCESSIVE U-S ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE SOUGHT REDUCTIONS OF CHINESE
TRADE BARRIERS AND NEWS REPORTS SAY NEGOTIATORS HOPE TO HAVE A
DRAFT DEAL IN HAND BY THE TIME OF MR. ZHU'S ARRIVAL. HOWEVER
BRIEFING REPORTERS HERE, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART MADE
CLEAR THE WHITE HOUSE WILL NOT BE PRESSURED INTO A DEAL THAT DOES
NOT UPHOLD U-S INTERESTS:
///LOCKHART ACTUALITY///
CHINA ALREADY ENJOYS MUCH OF THE OPENNESS OF THE U-S
MARKET WITHOUT RECIPROCITY. BUT WE NEED A GOOD DEAL. AND
THAT'S WHAT SO MANY PAST ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE WORKED ON
AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON. WE WANT A GOOD DEAL.
WE WON'T TAKE ANYTHING SHORT OF A GOOD DEAL.
///END ACTUALITY///
THE PREMIER'S VISIT COMES AMID CHARGES -- DENIED BY CHINA -- THAT
IT STOLE NUCLEAR WARHEAD SECRETS FROM THE UNITED STATES IN THE
1980'S, AND CONTINUED CONGRESSIONAL CRITICISM OF CHINA'S HUMAN
RIGHTS RECORD.
OFFICIALS HERE SAY BOTH ISSUES ARE LIKELY TO BE DISCUSSED IN MR.
ZHU'S TALKS WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON, ALONG WITH SECURITY ON THE
KOREAN PENINSULA, WEAPONS PROLIFERATION AND THE ASIAN FINANCIAL
CRISIS.
THE CHINESE PREMIER WILL VISIT FIVE U-S CITIES IN ADDITION TO
WASHINGTON AND WILL CHAIR -- WITH VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE -- A
MEETING OF THE U-S/CHINA FORUM ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT.
(SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/JO
26-Mar-99 2:45 PM EST (1945 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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