DATE=5/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA TRADE / POLITICS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262816
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  President Clinton is trying to heal divisions 
in his Democratic Party caused by the recent battle in 
Congress over normalizing U-S trade with China.  A day 
after the Republican-led House (of Representatives) 
handed Mr. Clinton a victory and approved "permanent 
normal trade relations" for Beijing -- a measure 
opposed by many Democrats -- the president focused his 
attention (Thursday) on his party's agenda.  
Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White 
House.

TEXT:  Mr. Clinton hopes to unify his party following 
the bruising battle that led up to Wednesday's House 
passage of "permanent normal trade relations," or 
P-N-T-R, with China.

Party unity is a top priority for Mr. Clinton, since 
he wants to do all he can to help boost Vice President 
Al Gore's chances of succeeding him in the White 
House.

Organized labor, which led the opposition to the China 
trade measure, has threatened to withhold support from 
Mr. Gore in November's election because of the 
president and vice president's support for the 
"P-N-T-R" measure.  Labor unions believe freer trade 
with China will undermine the cause of human rights 
there and result in lost American jobs.

Mr. Clinton acknowledged the concerns, and pledged 
stepped-up efforts to ensure that job losses are kept 
to a minimum.

                  /// CLINTON ACT ///

      What we have to do is to hold as many jobs as we 
      can by doing whatever we can to support the 
      industries that are competitive.  And if people 
      lose their jobs, we believe -- all of us believe 
      -- we ought to spend more money more quickly, to 
      retrain our workers, and to get more investment 
      into areas that lose them.

                  /// END ACT ///

The president has acknowledged trade is a difficult 
issue for organized labor and many Democrats.  But 
with Democratic congressional leaders standing at his 
side, Mr. Clinton said Democrats are on the same page 
on just about every other issue.

                  /// 2ND CLINTON ACT ///

      There is much more that unites us than divides 
      us.

                     /// END ACT ///

Mr. Clinton invited Democratic leaders in Congress to 
the White House to discuss a proposal to help the 
elderly pay for prescription drugs.

Senate Minority leader Tom Daschle suggested the 
battle over trade would not hinder cooperation with 
the president on common agenda issues, like 
prescription drugs.

                  /// DASCHLE ACT ///

      Mr. President, Senate Democrats want to work 
      with you, House Democrats and all our Republican 
      colleagues, to pass a real meaningful affordable 
      Medicare drug plan.  I believe we can do it.

                    /// END ACT ///

Mr. Clinton expressed hope that Republicans would 
continue to work with him on other issues, following 
their support of the China trade deal.  But with 
elections less than six months away, Republicans may 
not want to hand this administration any more 
legislative victories.   (Signed)

NEB/DAT/WTW



25-May-2000 14:02 PM EDT (25-May-2000 1802 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.