(16 Feb 2000) English/Nat
U-S President Bill Clinton has offered to help mediate between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.
Clinton made the remarks at his first formal news conference of the year.
The President covered a wide range of foreign policy topics, including the Northern Ireland peace process, as well as China's desire to be a member of the World Trade Organization.
U-S President Bill Clinton said he has not ruled out a stop in Pakistan during his visit to South Asia next month.
During a White House press conference, Clinton said he would base his decision on what was in the best interest of the U-S.
Pakistan's military ruler has urged Clinton not to bypass his country, saying a visit would go a long way toward easing tensions with India and resolving their long-standing conflict over the Kashmir region.
Clinton indicated on Wednesday that he is open to helping mediate between Pakistan and India.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think the United States should be more involved there, even though I think that they'll have to work out this business of Kashmir between themselves. Unless we're asked by both parties to help, we can't get involved. In every other case, we've been involved because both parties have asked us to be involved. But I will make a decision about where to go and what to do, based on what I think will further our long-term goals and I have not reached a final decision."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President
Clinton also comments on the latest political crisis in Northern Ireland.
He said that despite the heated rhetoric, he believes the deadlock can be broken.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think what we have to recognize now is, while this is a very unfortunate development, a year ago at this time the Irish had had no taste of what self-government was like. They now have had it and they like it - positive point number one. Positive point number two, the I-R-A has given no indication whatsoever that they will revert to violence and so that means they still think, no matter what the rhetoric says, that all the parties really believe that they ought to find a way to work this out."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President
Clinton reiterated his belief that China should be allowed into the World Trade Organisation.
He said it would have a positive effect on the communist nation and he said China's admission would also be good for the U-S.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Our biggest trade deficit is with China because China has access to our markets and our access to theirs is highly restricted. This trade agreement offers no increased access to the American markets by China, but gives us dramatically increased access to their markets. Moreover, it means we can get access to their markets without having to transfer technology or agree to do manufacturing in their country. And we retain specific rights, even once China's in the W-T-O, on a bilateral basis to take action if there is a big surge of imports in some sector into our economy that would throw a lot of people out of work in a short time."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President
On the domestic front, Clinton announced that he's releasing what's left of this year's federal heating assistance money to help low-income families in the Northeast.
The release of 125 (m) million dollars is in response to complaints of high oil prices in the region.
Clinton also called on Congress to approve his gun-safety legislation.
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