DATE=5/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON / CHINA TRADE (L)
NUMBER=2-262525
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton got a public endorsement
from Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan
(today / Thursday), as he began a final drive to win
Congressional approval for permanent, normal U-S trade
status for China. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from
the White House.
TEXT: The U-S central bank chief rarely gets involved
in domestic politics. His appearance alongside the
President underscored the importance the
administration attaches to the China trade measure,
which is due for a decisive vote in the House of
Representatives next week.
The bill would extend permanent, normal U-S trading
status to China in exchange for sweeping new access to
Chinese markets for American goods and services. It
would eliminate what has been an annual debate in
Congress over China's trade and human-rights
practices, and would help open the way to Chinese
membership in the World Trade Organization.
Echoing earlier written testimony to Congress, Mr.
Greenspan said the trade package would reduce
centralized control over the Chinese economy. In the
process, he said, it would be "a far stronger vehicle"
for fostering individual rights in China than any
other alternative that he is aware of:
/// GREENSPAN ACT ///
Further development of China's trading
relationships with the United States and other
industrial countries will work to strengthen the
rule of law within China and to firm its
commitment to economic reform. China's citizens
will come to have greater choice about their
lifestyles and employment, and to enjoy enhanced
access to communication and information from
around the globe.
/// END ACT ///
President Clinton, who last week assembled former
Presidents, secretaries of state and others to endorse
the trade bill, says serious national-security and
economic issues are involved in the debate. He says
congressional approval would "dramatically" increase
the chances for a constructive U-S relationship with
China and a stable Asia:
/// CLINTON ACT ///
If you want to reduce tensions along the Taiwan
Strait, if you want a more stable Asia, if you
want to maximize the chances of avoiding
proliferation of dangerous weapons and a new
arms race, a "yes" is the right vote.
/// END ACT ///
The China trade bill is opposed by U-S organized labor
and others, including some human-rights advocates who
argue that giving up the annual debate in Congress
will cost the United States leverage with Beijing on
rights issues. In response to those concerns, the
administration is backing a parallel bill setting up a
permanent congressional commission to monitor Chinese
human-rights practices.
Despite key committee votes in favor of the trade
measure Wednesday, White House officials insist that a
victory for Mr. Clinton next week is not assured. The
President is to meet individually with undecided House
members over the next new days, and will make a brief
televised address to the nation Sunday evening to seek
public support. (Signed)
NEB/DAG/WTW
18-May-2000 12:26 PM EDT (18-May-2000 1626 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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