ACCESSION NUMBER:291842

FILE ID:POL203

1ATE:06/29/93

TITLE:U.S. READY FOR TALKS ON EXPANDED TRADE WITH ARGENTINA (06/29/93)

TEXT:*93062903.POL

U.S. READY FOR TALKS ON EXPANDED TRADE WITH ARGENTINA



(Clinton meets with Menem at White House)  (620)

By Alexander M. Sullivan

USIA White House Correspondent

Washington -- The United States is prepared for immediate discussion of

an expanded trade relationship with Argentina and other South American

nations, President Clinton said June 29.



"My attitude is we ought to get on with it," Clinton declared, asserting he

would base the expanded relationship on the pending North American Free

Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  "We ought to try to increase the volume and the

variety of trade with appropriate countries, just as quickly as possible,"

the president said, but he added that he has no specific timetable in mind.



Clinton commented on international trade during a joint news conference with

Argentine President Menem following their talks at the White House.



Asked when he foresees including Argentina and Chile in a free trade

relationship, Clinton replied, "I would be prepared to discuss immediately

-- with Argentina, with Chile, with other appropriate nations -- the

possibility of expanded trade relations along the NAFTA model.  I have long

thought NAFTA should be the model for embracing all of Latin America's

democracies and free market economies."



Menem said he could not envision talks until the U.S. Congress approves

NAFTA, but he asserted that expanded U.S. trade is a "priority."  Menem

pointed out that Argentina is committed to discussions with the United

States, Mexico and Canada on expanding trade.



Clinton said Menem had briefed him on the patent protection law now under

consideration by the Argentinian parliament.  The two leaders also

discussed agricultural subsidies, and Clinton said he told Menem the United

States had unilaterally cut payments to farmers in 1990, also noting he is

seeking further reductions in this year's budget.  Washington "strongly

supports" the 1992 Blair House accord on reduction of farm subsidies,

Clinton said, adding, "We are with Argentina."



Clinton quipped that as a person raised in a farm area, he was envious of

the fact "that Argentina has the deepest top soil anywhere in the

world...with 20 feet (6 meters) of top soil, he can grow anything and do

well."



Menem said he frequently discusses agricultural subsidies with foreign

leaders and believes European subsidies are "damaging countries like

Argentina."  He pointed out that subsidies now exceed $300,000 million a

year.



Lauding Menem's economic reform efforts, Clinton said he and Menem had

discussed Argentina's democratic reforms and its role in international

peacekeeping.  Menem, he said, "represents a new generation of Latin

American presidents committed to expanding freedom, strengthening democracy

and creating prosperity.  His leadership has been bold, and his

accomplishments truly impressive."



Clinton credited Menem with overcoming crises in recession and

hyper-inflation while slashing tariffs, eliminating budget deficits and

opening up Argentina's economy to world markets.  The president also cited

Argentina's annual economic growth rate of 9 percent.



Clinton said he and Menem had discussed Haiti at great length, asserting, "I

am confident that together we can restore democracy" to that island nation.

 Praising Argentina's role in battling proliferation of weapons of mass

1estruction, he said Menem had "ended a dangerous ballistic missile

program, signed important nuclear non-proliferation agreements, placed

strong controls on the export of sensitive weapons-related material and

technology, and helped to lead the successful international effort to

negotiate the chemical weapons convention."



Argentina, Clinton said, "has been in the forefront of initiatives to

increase the dialogue on security issues in its region.  Its progress and

support for democracy are two reasons why this hemisphere is more secure

and more prosperous today than it was in the past and why it will show the

way to a more prosperous tomorrow."



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