DATE=10/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239810
TITLE=CLINTON VETO / INDIA-PAK (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A PLAN TO EXEMPT FOOD CREDITS FROM U-S ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS ON INDIA AND PAKISTAN THAT WERE IMPOSED AFTER THE TWO
NATIONS CONDUCTED NUCLEAR TESTS WILL BE KILLED, BUT MAY BE
REVIVED WHEN THE CONGRESS SENDS THE PRESIDENT AN OMNIBUS SPENDING
BILL. V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE EXPLAINS.
TEXT: IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, MR. CLINTON ANNOUNCED HIS
INTENTION TO VETO A FOUR BILLION DOLLAR AID PACKAGE FOR AMERICAN
FARMERS BECAUSE IT FALLS FAR SHORT OF THE NEARLY EIGHT BILLION
DOLLARS HE HAD REQUESTED.
THE PRESIDENT SAID THE PACKAGE DOES NOT DO ENOUGH TO HELP
FARMERS, WHO HE SAID, ARE SUFFERING THE WORST AGRICULTURE CRISIS
IN A DECADE -- BROUGHT ON BY SEVERE FLOODS, DROUGHT AND CROP
DISEASE.
THE SENATE APPROVED THE BILL TUESDAY AND SENT IT TO THE
PRESIDENT. THE HOUSE PASSED IT FRIDAY.
BESIDES OFFERING DIRECT AID TO FARMERS, THE MEASURE ALSO CALLS
FOR A ONE-YEAR WAIVER OF U-S AGRICULTURAL EXPORT CREDITS TO
PAKISTAN AND INDIA.
PAKISTAN IS AMONG THE TOP CUSTOMERS FOR U-S WHEAT, AND IT RELIES
HEAVILY ON EXPORT CREDIT GUARANTEES TO MAKE ITS PURCHASES.
ALTHOUGH THE REPUBLICAN-LED CONGRESS DENOUNCED THE NUCLEAR TESTS
CONDUCTED BY NEW DELHI AND ISLAMABAD LAST MAY, LAWMAKERS WENT
ALONG WITH THE SANCTIONS WAIVER TO SHOW THEIR SENSITIVITY TO
THEIR INFLUENTIAL FARM CONSTITUENTS AHEAD OF NEXT MONTH'S
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS.
MR. CLINTON HAS ALSO EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE WAIVER.
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT SAID IF THE PRESIDENT MAKES
GOOD ON HIS VETO THREAT, LAWMAKERS WOULD ATTACH THE FARM MEASURE
TO AN OMNIBUS SPENDING BILL TO BE SENT TO MR. CLINTON LATER THIS
WEEK THAT WOULD INCLUDE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES. IT
IS LIKELY THE WAIVER WOULD BE INCLUDED. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/PT
06-Oct-98 8:27 PM EDT (0027 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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