Note: This Electronic Research Collection is an archive site. For the most current information, please visit the
U.S. Department of State
93/08/31 Remarks following meeting with Amb. Jim Jones
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release August 31, 1993
REMARKS BY
SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER
FOLLOWING MEETING WITH
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO MEXICO JIM JONES
Washington, D.C.
August 31, 1993
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Good morning. It's nice to be back in
Washington. I just want to say that the United States is very fortunate
to have a person of Jim Jones' extraordinary caliber and experience to
represent us in Mexico. We are long-time friends, having served
together in the Johnson Administration; and I am particularly pleased
that he is going to be our Ambassador to Mexico.
As he takes up his post, we stand on the verge of an era of new
cooperation between the United States and Mexico that I believe will
benefit both nations. The President and I will be working closely with
Ambassador Jones and others to win approval of the North American Free
Trade Agreement. We are doing this because it is in the overriding
interest of the United States. I am confident and I know that
Ambassador Jones feels as I do that once the debate is joined and the
issues are fully before the American people, Congress will approve
NAFTA.
NAFTA is a good deal for the American economy. Mexico is our fastest
growing major export market. U. S. exports to Mexico now account for an
estimated 700,000 American jobs; and NAFTA will open the Mexican market
even further, increase U. S. exports to Mexico, and create an estimated
200,000 additional jobs by 1995.
For over half a century, every American President, Democratic and
Republican, has stood for close cooperation and more open trade between
the United States and Latin America, particularly Mexico. Now we can
signal to the nations of the entire hemisphere that the United States is
committed to working with them, to expand free trade, and to strengthen
democracy.
NAFTA will also enable us to expand our cooperation with Mexico on a
number of other vital issues, issues ranging from the environment and
labor to narcotics and immigration.
NAFTA really in its approval will demonstrate our strong commitment to
global leadership in matters of trade. It's good economic policy and
it's good foreign policy. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity that
must not be lost.
I'd like to invite Ambassador Jones to make any comments he might like
to make this morning. Jim.
AMBASSADOR JONES: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. It's indeed an honor to
have been selected by you and President Clinton to represent our country
in Mexico.
Long before I had any idea I might be doing this, and when I was running
the stock exchange in New York, I had said that NAFTA is the most
important foreign policy issue this Congress is going to face probably
in this decade. It extends far beyond the trade agreement because it
extends the United States leadership all over the world, particularly
the developing world, which is where the markets are increasing.
I believe it is that important, and I believe because it is in the best
interest of the United States that the Congress will approve this.
I also had the privilege of being chairman of the American Business
Conference these past four years, and these are the hundred fastest
growing companies in the United States. Every one of those companies
supports NAFTA, because they have workers who before had lower-paying
jobs that because of being able to go into the market in Mexico and to
sell their goods and services are now having higher-paying jobs. I
would think when the facts are out, the Congress is not going to say to
those 700,000 workers who have higher-paying jobs because of trade with
Mexico that we are going to take those jobs away from you; and for that
reason and others, I think NAFTA can be and should be approved.
Next week I'll be going to Mexico and doing everything I can to help
cement the partnership relationship between the United States and
Mexico, and it is indeed an honor to serve our country in this way.
Thank you, Mr. Secretary.
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Thank you, Jim.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, as you noted, because of vacation we haven't
had an opportunity to see you for a while. I hope you'll permit us to
ask a few questions on the Middle East peace process, which has taken
an interesting turn in the last few days.
First of all, can you tell us if the United States supports, endorses,
throws its weight behind the agreement that you have been briefed on now
between the Israeli Government and the PLO?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Absolutely. We strongly support the agreement.
I believe it is a conceptual breakthrough. Any suggestion that we don't
support it is utterly without basis.
The United States and Russia, as you know, are the co-sponsors of the
peace process. Our aim is to achieve a peaceful settlement in the
Middle East, and this is a major step in that direction. We've been
working toward that end.
Since I have come into office, I have done what I can to move in that
direction, first through defusing the deportee issue and then taking
other steps in the Middle East to emphasize our role as full partner;
but there comes a time in almost any negotiation -- I have learned this
as both a lawyer and a mediator -- when it's good for the parties to get
together and meet face to face, and that's what's happened here. They
have made what I say is a real conceptual breakthrough, and the United
States is very pleased by this and looks forward to moving that into
reality here in the peace process.
There's a great deal of work to be done, but I want to emphasize the
importance of what has already been done and pay tribute to both of the
parties for having made the progress they have, but also indicate our
appreciation to the Government of Norway, and particularly Foreign
Minister Holst, for having played an important role in hosting the
parties there in Norway and enabling them to make the progress that they
have.
QUESTION: How will it be brought into reality? Will the U.S. have to
sign this in any way? Will the PLO and Israel have to come to
Washington to do that? Will it be done elsewhere? How will it become a
reality?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Well, there are a number of modalities to be
worked out. Indeed, I've been on the telephone over the weekend and
again this morning to work out those modalities. I do think it is
desirable to have it made part of the peace process here under the
sponsorship of the United States and Russia.
I talked to Foreign Minister Kozyrev about that this morning, and we are
working together to try to take those next steps.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, the Palestinians see this as only a step
toward statehood. Opponents have been described as crazy and radical,
but there are serious tens of thousands of people in Israel and
elsewhere concerned that this is a step toward a Palestinian state and
not necessarily a friendly state.
You support the process. Do you support that goal?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: No, I'd have to say that the agreement speaks
for itself on that subject. It is an agreement over the next five-year
period. It spells out a number of steps to be taken during that period.
What happens at the end of that is part of the final status
negotiations. The United States has never supported in those terms that
you mention, but that's really part of the negotiation that's going to
take place.
I would say on that subject, the agreement which is quite complete and
quite explicit speaks for itself as to what's to happen during the five-
year period -- a number of very concrete steps -- but it does not take
the step that you mention.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, do you expect this to be wrapped up in a
couple of days as the Palestinians --
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: It's never very useful to set particular
deadlines. That can create an artificial sense. I think everyone wants
to work as rapidly as we can to formalize this agreement and then begin
to take the many steps that are necessary to carry out the agreement.
There is a great deal of work to be done; and, although the United
States has welcomed the process -- welcomed it very much in Oslo -- we
want to be side by side with the parties, helping them move forward into
the next step. So, John, I don't want to set a particular deadline, but
I do think it is desirable that the agreement be formalized at an early
date.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, you said wanted to move side by side with the
parties. How can you be side by side with the parties without talking
to the PLO?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Well, there are representatives here in
Washington that we've been talking with all through the negotiations.
We're talking to the people that we've been talking with in the past,
and we'll continue to do that. They're meeting here in Washington at
the present time.
QUESTION: But they haven't been involved in negotiating this agreement,
as they will readily tell you -- tell anyone who asks. Is there any
change in the U.S. posture toward dealing with somebody who claims to be
part of this negotiating process?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: There's been no change in our policy with
respect to the PLO at the present time. On the other hand, this is a
rapidly changing environment. We're following developments very
closely. In the past, we have had our concerns; but, as I say, there
are major developments taking place which we'll be following very
carefully.
At the same time, it would be my expectations that those who have been
involved in the negotiating process here will continue to play an
important role in the implementation of the agreement that's been
reached.
QUESTION: Your statement seems to indicate that the United States is
reconsidering its opposition to dealing with the PLO.
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: What I said, John, is that there'd been no
change in our policy at the present time. We have had our concerns in
the past, but there are obviously developments taking place which we're
going to be following very carefully; and that's all I am prepared to
say at the present time.
QUESTION: Will Foreign Minister Kozyrev be coming to Washington soon?
(Multiple Questions)
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: John, for a question.
QUESTION: You didn't answer one of the earlier questions on how --
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Well, when I get multiple questions, it's rather
hard for me, John.
QUESTION: How the United States is prepared to stand behind or help be
a guarantor in some way to this agreement. Are we prepared to write
checks? Is the United States prepared to provide security guarantees?
Where's the U.S. role come in here on those two issues?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Well, the United States is certainly prepared to
continue to carry out our role as a co-sponsor of these agreements.
We're also prepared to continue to play the role of honest broker or
full partner.
With respect to the funding aspects of it, it's clear that the early
empowerment aspects of the agreement will require some funding to be
carried out, and we will be glad to assist in trying to develop
sufficient funds for the Palestinians to carry out their
responsibilities under the agreement.
As far as security guarantees are concerned, on your question as to
that, I don't see that there are any that are called for; but we will be
continuing to work with the parties and trying to play a facilitating
role, enabling them to move forward with the implementation of this
agreement.
QUESTION: Will Minister Kozyrev be coming to Washington to participate
in the finalization, or however you want to characterize it, of this
agreement?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Those are questions that will have to be
developed as we move along here. As I say, the modalities are being
considered quite actively at the present time, but there are a number of
steps to be taken before we reach that point.
Thanks very much. I appreciate it very much.
(# # #)