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Document 599 of 974.

March 30, 2000, Thursday

SECTION: NEWS;Pg. A-1

LENGTH: 1056 words

HEADLINE: Clinton praises OPEC decision, calls for energy conservation

BYLINE: George E. Condon Jr.; COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

BODY:
WASHINGTON -- President Clinton yesterday hailed OPEC's increase in oil production as "good news for our economy and for the American consumer," and called the recent jump in prices at the gas pump "a wake-up call for all of us" to do more on energy conservation.

He also urged American oil companies to make sure their savings are passed on to U.S. motorists.

The president's comments came during an hourlong White House news conference during which he also acknowledged that U.S.-China relations are at a "critical" point, called on Congress to get serious on energy conservation, took aim at the gun lobby, and beamed as a proud father at the increased public visibility of his daughter, Chelsea.

The news conference was ostensibly called to highlight the president's agenda for the final year of his term. But it also served to dramatize that, though he may be a lame duck with only nine months to go, this president doesn't intend to go quietly.

"We want to savor the weeks and months we have ahead in this, our last year," he said during the news conference, which demonstrated anew that even lame ducks can command a large national television audience and media attention whenever they want.

In his opening statement, Clinton said the decision by OPEC -- made under heavy American pressure -- to increase production "should bring lower prices" to U.S. drivers.

This, he said, should "bring relief to hard-pressed truckers in this country who have been especially hard-hit."

But he pressed oil companies to make sure the expected lower costs are passed on to consumers. "Right now, I think the prudent thing is to see how quickly these prices can come down with the increase in production."

He defended his own energy policy, accused Congress of inaction on the subject and mildly tweaked Americans who insist on driving gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles.

"The American people, they want to drive those vehicles," he said. "They like those big vehicles. But if they're going to drive them, we're either going to have to find a way for them to get better mileage or run on alternative fuels over the long run."

That's where Congress comes in, he said.

Asked about Republican charges that he hasn't done enough to wean the country off its reliance on fossil fuels, the president chuckled and replied, "Maybe not, but I've done a lot more than Congress has."

He contended he has "been pleading" with Congress to promote the development of alternative fuels and energy-saving technologies. "I have talked till I was blue in the face about this for years," he said.

With the current price increases, "maybe now, people will be listening more."

He added, "I hope very much that this is a little bit of a wake-up call for all of us and that we can put this on the front burner and get some action."

Much of the East Room news conference dealt with foreign policy, particularly the ramifications of recent presidential elections in Taiwan and Russia, but also including the Middle East peace process, the Chinese leadership and the deteriorating situation in Kosovo.

Repeatedly, Clinton stumped for congressional approval of his request to grant China permanent normal trade status, which would avoid what has become a contentious annual vote granting that status on a year-by-year basis.

"There is no more important long-term international economic or national security issue facing us today," he said. "Congress should pass Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China this spring ... . All the concessions are being made by China in return for entering an open trading system.

"If we do not do this, then the full benefits of all we negotiated will flow to all the other countries in the WTO, but not to the United States. The economic consequences will be bad. The national security consequences will be worse," he warned.

On the day when Chinese officials in Beijing were warning National Security Adviser Sandy Berger that U.S.-Chinese relations are at a "critical juncture," the president agreed.

"They're at a critical stage primarily because of the China WTO decision before the Congress," he said. He also alluded to the tensions raised by the Taiwanese election, where the prospect of independence for Taiwan was raised.

He promised not to abandon the long-standing "one-China" U.S. policy. And he urged Beijing and Taipei to start talking to each other.

"Taiwan's got a lot going for it, and I don't think either one of them need this crisis right now," he said, adding, "This is a big issue. They need to get together, start the dialogue again, and figure out where to go from here."

He also defended his earlier praise for Chinese President Jiang Zemin, calling him "the best" leader for China "given the alternatives."

On other issues, Clinton:

[] Said daughter Chelsea was "quite surprised" by the public focus on her actions last week while accompanying him in South Asia and said he would like her to go on other presidential trips this year.

[] Sidestepped a question on whether British Prime Minister Tony Blair should heed his wife's wishes and take some paternity leave when their baby is born, saying, "I don't want to get in the middle of that."

[] Chided Congress for heeding the NRA and killing gun legislation, but said he is not fazed by criticism from NRA President Charlton Heston. "I still think Charlton Heston is a great actor, and I love his movies."

[] Praised Vice President Al Gore's proposal to shift campaign funding to a tax-deductible "democracy endowment," saying, "I kind of wish I'd thought of it myself." And he defended Gore's ability to tout campaign reform despite the controversies surrounding Democratic fund-raising in 1996.

"I think he's a good messenger," he said. "I think he was showing a little humility, and I think that's always a good thing. We're all flawed in some way or another, but I think that ... he passionately believes this."

[] Pressed Syrian President Hafez Assad to come up with specific proposals to get the Syria-Israel track of Middle East peace talks resumed.

[] Refused to express opinions on the recent spate of fatal shootings of unarmed black men by New York City police.

[] Expressed optimism about newly elected Russian President Vladimir Putin on both economic and foreign policy.

GRAPHIC: 1 PIC; KHUE BUI / Associated Press; Making a point: President Clinton conducted an hourlong news conference yesterday at the White House. He acknowledged that U.S.-China relations are at a "critical" point. (A-14)

LOAD-DATE: April 3, 2000

Document 599 of 974.


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