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May 25, 1999

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT 5TH ANNUAL WHITE HOUSE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE

                           THE WHITE HOUSE
                    Office of the Press Secretary
                          (Edinburg, Texas)
______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                           May 25, 
1999     
                      REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
     AT 5TH ANNUAL WHITE HOUSE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE
                  University of Texas-Pan American
                          Edinburg, Texas    
1:46 P.M. CDT
	     THE PRESIDENT:  
...................
	     I have to make a statement just for a couple of minutes 
that has no bearing on this conference, but affects all of you as 
Americans.  Today, the House of Representatives Select Committee, led 
by Congressman Christopher Cox of California and Norm Dix of 
Washington, a Republican and a Democrat, is releasing its report on 
China's efforts to obtain sensitive United States military-related 
technology.  We've been working with the committee to make sure that 
the public can have the benefit of the maximum amount of information 
consistent with our national security and law enforcement 
requirements.
	     First, let me say that I am particularly appreciative of 
the careful and bipartisan manner in which the committee did its 
work.  It has made a number of recommendations for actions to 
strengthen our national security protections.  The overwhelming 
majority of those recommendations we agree with and are in the 
process of implementing.  I'd like to say that Secretary Richardson, 
the Secretary of Energy, in particular, is moving aggressively to 
tighten security at our national laboratories.
	     Like many other countries, China seeks to acquire our 
sensitive information and technology.  We have a solemn obligation to 
protect such national security information and we have to do more to 
do it.
	     In February of 1998, I signed an order that put into 
place the most sweeping reorganization ever of counterintelligence in 
our nuclear weapons labs.  Since 1996, we have increased funding for 
counterintelligence from $2.6 million to almost $40 million.  We're 
giving polygraphs to scientists in sensitive areas, having background 
checks on visitors from sensitive countries.  We have strict controls 
on the transfer of sensitive commercial and military technology to 
China -- stricter than for any other countries except those like 
Libya on which we have a total embargo.
	     At the same time, I strongly believe that our continuing 
engagement with China has produced benefits for our national 
security.  For example, China's decision to sign the Comprehensive 
Test Ban Treaty substantially reduces its ability to develop new 
nuclear weapons.  We've persuaded China to end nuclear cooperation 
with Iran and with Pakistan's unsafeguarded nuclear program.  China 
is working with us to help to eliminate North Korea's nuclear program 
and reduce its missile threat.
	     I want to assure you and all the American people that I 
will work very hard with the Congress to protect our national 
security, to implement the recommendations and to continue our policy 
of engagement, because both of them are in the national interest.  
(Applause.)  Thank you.  
...........
               END                      2:05 P.M. CDT