Representative for the Pentagon National Military Command Center, 1967.

Ambassador Ledogar graduated from Fordham University (B.S., 1954; LL.B., 1958). He was born September 14, 1929, in New York, NY. Ambassador Ledogar served in the U.S. Navy, 1949-1952 and 1954– 1960. He is married, has two children, and resides in Vienna, VA.

Nomination of Robert W. Houk To Be Public Printer

November 6, 1989

The President today announced his intention to nominate Robert William Houk to be Public Printer. He would succeed Ralph E. Kennickell, Jr.

Mr. Houk has served in several capacities at UFORMA/SHELBY Business Forms, Inc., including president, 1968-1988; chairman of the board, 1971-1988; and vice president-sales, 1966-1968. Prior to this he served as assistant sales manager for Rotary Manifold Forms Corp. in Detroit, MI, 19571966, and analyst for the Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, MI, 1954–1957.

Mr. Houk graduated from Michigan State University (B.A., 1951). He was born May 13, 1927, in Detroit, MI. Mr. Houk served in the U.S. Army, 1945-1947 and 19521954. He is married, has two children, and resides in Shelby, OH.

Nomination of Barry L. Harris To Be
Deputy Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration
November 6, 1989

The President today announced his intention to nominate Barry Lambert Harris to be Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation. He would succeed Barbara McConnell Barrett.

Mr. Harris has served as the president and chief executive officer of the Alliance Corp. in Portland, ME, and Community Systems, Inc., in Gloucester, MA. Prior to this he was the assistant city manager of

Gloucester, MA; director of community programs for the metropolitan area planning council in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; a documentary writer-producer for WBZ-TV in Boston, MA; and a news writer for WINS radio in New York, NY.

Mr. Harris attended Denison University and Harvard University. He served in the U.S. Army and is currently an officer in the inactive Army Reserve. Mr. Harris was born January 13, 1939, in Cincinnati, OH. He is married, has four children, and resides in Cumberland Foreside, ME, and Ocean Ridge, FL.

The President's News Conference November 7, 1989

Assessment of the Administration's
Performance

Well, good morning. And I'm back again. [Laughter] I just heard you, Brit [Brit Hume, ABC News].

I've got to be careful on these dates. [Laughter] Today is November 7th, and I was elected on November 8th. But it was the second Tuesday. And so, I want to take this Election Day, the anniversary of my own election, to briefly reflect on the last 10 months. I believe that we've had, so far, a successful first year in office. And although we haven't reached the actual anniversary mark, January 20th, it's a good chance to take stock of the situation, particularly as Congress is winding down. There is legislation yet to be passed and certainly opportunities to be developed. But I am very pleased that our administration has come together rapidly with good people, with good ideas, and with a quiet sense of purpose that promises great progress in the years ahead.

Around the world, we've seen the most dramatic moves toward democracy in at least 40 years, as people of one country after another have expressed their yearning for freedom. In Eastern Europe and in Central America and in the Soviet Union, important decisions have been made for freedom or reforms. We've supported those efforts with a substantial aid package to

Poland, trade benefits for Hungary, a bipartisan agreement with Congress on Central America, coordinated international support for Eastern-Europe reforms, special arms control initiatives on chemical weapons and conventional forces in Europe, and then in progress in START [strategic arms reduction] talks. In addition, we've set the timeframe for a summit with the Soviets, and we're on the verge of an informal meeting with President Gorbachev.

One area that has not changed is the underlying strength of the American economy. We have the longest peacetime economic expansion in history-119 million Americans at work, the creation of over 20 million new jobs since 1982. The unemployment rate is only 5.3 percent, a rate that we've not achieved for a full year since 1970. Inflation remains moderate. I'm not happy with it, but it's moderate and appears to be under control. Though the economy is sound, we must make real progress on deficit reduction. Sequestration is a drastic action. But neither the administration nor the Congress must flinch from our obligation to keep this nation's deficit moving down and ultimately reduce the debt. And I am pleased that I've kept my pledge on taxes. Our savings and loan system has been redesigned. The Congress accepted my proposals giving our workers a higher minimum wage and establishing a training wage for the first time. The Brady plan for dealing with the Third World debt has been successfully demonstrated in Mexico and Costa Rica. Many nations' problems remain unsolved, but the Brady plan is widely accepted.

It's in a setting of internal strength that we're poised to deal effectively with external change and to provide new directions for our society. At the education summit and in legislative initiatives on clean air, ethics, educational excellence, violent crime, child care, and our National Drug Strategy, we offer new approaches for improving the quality of our lives. And so, I urge the Congress to move quickly to enact these proposals.

My approach to Congress has been based on a bipartisan effort; I think everybody here knows that. Started off with an effort to work with the leadership in a bipartisan manner. And so, we can reach agreement

on major issues. In the course of our debates, there have sometimes been pointed and somewhat sharp attacks. But I'm going to continue to extend my hand to Congress in seeking solutions to the challenges that we face. I spoke 10 months ago of a kinder and gentler America, and I'm more convinced today than ever that we can shed light in the dark corners of our nation and give hope to the homeless and help to the needy, inspiration to millions of Americans who want to reach out and help their neighbors. And I'm pleased with the progress on this so-called Points of Light Initiative.

These challenges, coupled with our successes to date, have made these first 10 months especially gratifying to me and give me great hope for the future. So, I, on this anniversary of the election, I want to thank the American people on this Election Day for giving me this opportunity to serve. I'm enjoying it. I like the challenge.

And I'll be glad to take questions. American Hostages in Lebanon

Q. Mr. President, the United States is returning $567 million in frozen assets to Iran. It says the action is not related to the plight of the eight Americans held hostage in Lebanon. Nevertheless, in mind with your comments that good will brings good will, do you hope that this will encourage Iran to help win the hostages' release?

The President. Well, as I say, I carry the fate of the hostages with me every single day. So, of course, I hope that Iran will use what influence it has to get these hostages released.

Q. Well, do you think that this could be a catalyst, Mr. Rafsanjani [President of Iran] could

The President. I don't know. It's a very good question, and I don't know the answer to that. We have accounts where they owe American interest money and vice versa. And I'd like to get this underbrush cleaned out now. I think they have made some positive statements, but I don't know whether it will work that way or not. I hope that they will do what they can to influence those who hold these hostages. We're continuing behind the scenes to go follow cer

Eastern-Bloc Reforms

Q. Mr. President, despite your aid packages to Hungary and Poland and so forth, President Carter says you've really been slow on the uptake on the most transforming political events of our time. You have failed to show the leadership. You have failed to put the U.S. ahead of the curve on these things that are happening. And you are going to the summit without any initiatives at all. I mean, this is boasted about. Why don't you have some new ideas of what to talk

The President. Now, Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International], that is not a kinder and gentler way to phrase your question. [Laughter] We have done plenty. And the fact that some critics are out there equating progress with spending more money doesn't bother me in the least. Look at the dynamic changes that are taking place around the world.

Q. Well, this is it.

The President. Well, I'd like to hear some specific suggestions other than triple the spending on every initiative. We are working closely with our allies. We are trying to facilitate the change. I don't hear complaints coming out of our allies or, indeed, out of Hungary or Poland or Eastern Europe. We've got a seasoned team that is evaluating the change. I will have a wonderful opportunity to discuss the change with Mr. Gorbachev. But I can't be all concerned when people jump up and say the answer is to spend more money.

Q. No, that isn't it.

The President. Well, what is their answer?

Q. The perception is that European leaders are leading the way and they're telling you what is really happening and we have been sitting back and letting it all happen without doing anything.

The President. Well, that's the perception of some that aren't quite as familiar with the problem as I am, and it is not the perception of the European leaders. How do I know? Because I just talked last night with the Ambassadors of three countries who had an entirely different perception. Q. Who were they?

Q. Mr. President, on the budget, there is some question as to whether when Congress finally, if it does, sends you the reconciliation, that is to say, the budget-cutting bill-what it will take for you to sign it. Are you prepared to go beyond the agreement that you have reached with the Members of Congress, with the leaders of Congress? Are you going to require a more stringent budget-cutting measure, something equal, for example, to the sequester, the cuts that have already gone into effect in order to satisfy you and get you to sign it?

The President. If we get a clean reconciliation bill-and I'll know that when I see it-I'd be glad to sign such a bill if it gets the kinds of real reductions that we want. I think the range was $14 billion. But if not, why, we have to follow the law. But the Congress knows-I mean, we've been very frank with the leadership as to what must happen if we are to sign such a bill. But if they don't send it down here in clean form, if it's all loaded up with a lot of special projects, I will not sign it. I can't sign it. But I will then do what the law requires and keep in sequester and make the tough decisions that go with that. That isn't easy, but it is real deficit reduction.

Vice President Quayle

Q. Why did you commit to Dan Quayle so early for '92? You're thought to be such a cautious, prudent man. Why did you shut off your options so early?

The President. Because I thought that was a prudent and right thing to do.

Q. Well, all right. Are you saying that Dan Quayle is your choice right now, but

The President. I'm not saying I'm running right now. So, we've got to get back to square one. I mean, that one

Q. Are you?

The President. I'm not saying whether I am or not. [Laughter] So, we're getting way out ahead of where reality is. But I was asked the question, and I answered it open, straight.

Q. Are you saying he's your choice right now, but you leave your options open for

The President. No, I said he's my choice, period.

Chairman Krenz of East Germany

Q. When Egon Krenz first came to power in East Germany, you said it was way too early to say whether he represented more of the same, which seemed to be your sense at the time, or whether he represented the leading edge of further reform. Seeing the dramatic events unfold in East Germany, what is your conclusion about Egon Krenz, his intentions and his directions?

The President. I think it's still too early to sum it up entirely, but some of what he has said about political reform is quite encouraging and really contradicts the very early, I would say, global assessment of the man. In other words, the early predictions were that he's a hard-liner in the mode of Mr. Honecker. And now some of what he is saying is quite different from that. And Mrs. Honecker is not there anymore. [Laughter]

So, you're seeing some changes. You're seeing some changes. Well, she's out as a Minister, and another minister—and you're beginning to see changes that might preview-[laughter]-what are you guys laughing at a new order. So, look, this gets me back almost to Helen's question. Things are happening very fast. The concerted opinion was that this was going to be another hardliner in the mode of Mr. Honecker. Now there are some signs that that's not the case. So, we will watch that very carefully.

Eastern-Bloc Reforms

Q. If I may follow up, Mr. President: Do you feel that things have now gone too far in East Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Soviet Union, for the clock to be turned back-for a Tiananmen Square-type crackdown? And do you feel any need to assist the West Germans in all of this?

The President. Well, the West Germans have not requested assistance. And I am in very close touch with the Federal Chancellor. And I'm most anxious to talk to him when he returns from his first 6-day visit to Poland. I talked to him just very recently, as a matter of fact, about what we're doing. And that's why I stated rather confidently that European leaders don't seem agree-when I answered Helen's question

to

with some of the political criticism I get from Capitol Hill or elsewhere.

What was the first part?

Q. Gone too far?

The President. No, I don't think you can ever say gone too far. I mean, who predicted with certainty what would happen in Tiananmen Square? But I think it's gone too far to set back these fledgling-I don't want to say democracies, but steps towards democracy. I think it's gone too far for that. I don't think you can contain now the people's aspirations for freedom by going back to totalitarianism.

Abortion

Q. Mr. President, a question about your priorities. You mentioned the aid to Poland and Hungary, which has passed the Congress. But that bill also contains some provision for abortion, and you say you will veto the whole bill because of it. You have vetoed programs, budgets for the District of Columbia because of abortion, the HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] budget because of abortion. And some of these vetoes have included programs that you said were your very highest priorities, including drug programs and so forth. Is abortion your very first domestic priority above and beyond everything

The President. No.

Q. Well, how committed are you? Why are you vetoing all these bills?

The President. Because I can't, in good conscience, on this one, suggest that taxpayers' money ought to go to programs that compel abortion. And that has been the problem with the China program. And therefore, I can't do that.

Q. Our money is blocked off.

The President. I can't do it, and I'm sorry. I am not going to change that policy. I am strongly in favor, and always have been, of family planning. I've been out front for family planning for a long time and as a Member of Congress way back there. But I simply cannot support-and I asked the Congress not to try to make me change—a policy where the AID [Agency for International Development] people will tell you it supports compulsory abortion. I am not going to do that.

Q. But the American money is spent away from that.

The President. And there's other things in that bill that I don't like, too, Lesley [Lesley Stahl, CBS News]. This leveraging provision—I mean, should I be told by the Congress that I can't go and ask other countries to support Poland? Should I?

Q. I don't know about the leveraging. What is it?

The President. Well, I do. And that's one of the things that's wrong with it. So, I am concerned. Now, that's kind of a post-Irancontra thing. They're saying you can't go get money for certain things. But in Congress intervening in the President's authority like this-they are asking me to accept things that I'm not going to accept.

Q. May I follow up on the abortion part, though?

The President. How many followups do you get?

Q. This is my followup. In the China family planning program, the American money would not have anything to do with abortion. And also in the DC bill that you vetoed, the Federal money would not go to abortion. You seem to be saying you want to effect the policy beyond the Federal role.

The President. Well, look, there are many issues. And abortion divides. We have room in our party for people that feel one way, pro-life or pro-choice-Democratic Party the same way. I think everyone knows that this is an issue that divides. But you say, Is it the most important issue for me? Absolutely not.

Global Warming

Q. You're probably ready for this one. But you campaigned as an environmentalist. You said you were a strong environmentalist. Yet on the issue of global warming, it seems that the U.S. is being dragged kicking and screaming into trying to address this problem. How do you respond to that?

The President. I respond to it by saying it's not true.

Q. Why are you resisting the moves in this international conference now to limit emissions?

The President. We're just standing off against extremes. We have a unanimous communique out of that global conference.

We have an outstanding environmentalist in Bill Reilly [Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency]. We have an outstanding scientist in Dr. Bromley [Science Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy]. They agree that our approach to all of this is right. And I think this policy of the environment cannot be driven by the ex

tremes.

But I would like to take your question to challenge the United States Congress to go forward on the revisions to the Clean Air Act, on other initiatives that we have supported, instead of sitting back there and carping about it. And if they don't like our way, go ahead and try it, and then add to it in later years. But they sit there and argue back and forth with each other, and nothing happens.

In this global conference, I can tell you, United States science is the best in terms of global warming. And we will be in the lead, as we are now, with our science on global warming. But you can't take a policy and drive it to the extreme and say to every country around the world, You aren't going to grow at all. We've got to use our science to help solve this problem.

Abortion

Q. Mr. President, the gubernatorial campaigns, as you know, in New Jersey and Virginia were dominated by the abortion issue. Some pro-choice Republicans are disturbed with your current position. What advice are you going to give Republican legislative and congressional candidates next year when the Democrats start pounding on them on this issue?

The President. Well, they've already started-those who favor the pro-choice have already started pounding on them, and started certainly pounding on me. But you see, one, I think our party is broad enough to contain differing views on this. And I think the Democratic Party is. You see that out there in practice. Secondly, I don't believe that most voters are single-issue voters. There is no evidence to support that, none at all. Indeed, I hate to talk about polls because I don't believe them when I see ugly things. But I can tell you that that issue ranks about 9th to 14th if