ACCESSION NUMBER:305806
FILE ID:POL505
DATE:10/01/93
TITLE:WHITE HOUSE REPORT, FRIDAY OCTOBER 1 (10/01/93)
TEXT:*93100105.POL
WHITE HOUSE REPORT, FRIDAY OCTOBER 1

(India/earthquake, Yeltsin letter)  (310)
NEWS BRIEFING -- Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers discussed the following
topics:

CONDOLENCES OFFERED ON EARTHQUAKE IN INDIA
President Clinton sent a telegram to Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha
Roa offering condolences on the September 30 earthquake which rocked
southwestern India reportedly leaving as many as 16,000 persons dead.

Myers said the federal organizations which deal with aid responses to
overseas disasters would discuss what assets would be available, should
India request help in dealing with the earthquake aftermath.

Clinton said in his telegram that he "was saddened to hear of the recent
earthquake in western India.  My heart goes out to the victims of the
devastation, and to those left homeless.  I am confident that the efforts
of your government and the courage and resilience of the Indian people will
succeed in mitigating the worst effects of the disaster.  I wish your
country a quick recovery."

YELTSIN LETTER STUDIED
Myers told a questioner that Clinton has received a letter from Russian
President Boris Yeltsin, but she declined to discuss its content.

According to news reports, Yeltsin objected to membership in the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization by Eastern European nations.

Answering questions, Myers acknowledged that such membership is something
that "is being discussed in the administration, something that we talk to
our allies about and something that will be discussed at the NATO
conference early next year.  We're looking at it."

Asked if Yeltsin's letter had objected to membership, she replied, "I don't
want to discuss the contents of the letter, but it is something that is
1nder discussion within the administration and among our allies, and
certainly  something that will come up at the NATO conference."

As to whether Russian opposition would be considered "significant," she
said, "I'm sure it will be discussed."

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