
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 22, 1990                   TAG: 9006220283
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: BILL BYRD LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

WILDER DEFENDS TRIPS, PLANS MORE MISSIONS

On the eve of perhaps his most important out-of-state political expedition to date, Gov. Douglas Wilder on Thursday vigorously defended his travels and said he planned overseas missions to Eastern Europe and the Middle East in 1991.

Suggestions that he is not paying enough attention to state problems are "rather callous," Wilder said at an impromptu news conference. "I give Virginia 18 hours a day, seven days a week. . . . My agenda is still to do all the things I've been elected to do."

Wilder's official duties, however, have not prevented him from making numerous out-of-state trips, including a visit earlier this month to New Hampshire, site of the first 1992 presidential primary.

Wilder leaves today for a three-day political tour of Iowa, which holds a crucial Democratic presidential caucus in February 1992.

Wilder's office on this week also said he may meet with South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela in Washington, D.C., next week.

The governor said some of the out-of-state trips, such as a March jaunt to California, were designed to promote Virginia industry and business. Virginians should be flattered by the invitations he is receiving from around the country, Wilder insisted.

"It's been a long time since Virginia has been considered at the national level," said Wilder, whose aspirations for national office have been the subject of widespread speculation. "It's to Virginia's credit that people around the country are asking us to come."

Wilder met with reporters while welcoming Saudi Arabian ambassador Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz to the Capitol. Wilder said he planned at least one overseas trip next year, including a visit to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, including Israel.

He also will visit several Eastern European nations next year, possibly on a different trip, and plans visits to Japan, Taiwan and other Pacific Rim nations at some point during his term, he said.

Wilder said his office had been flooded with invitations from foreign governments. At least three African nations - Tunisia, Uganda and Nigeria - have invited him to visit, he said.

During the appearance with Prince Bandar, Wilder largely steered clear of the controversy over creation of a Palestinian homeland in territory occupied by Israel.

In a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee last week, Wilder appeared to take a pro-Israeli stance, criticizing President Bush for maintaining a dialogue with the Palestine Liberation Organization. Bush canceled the dialogue this week, citing the PLO's refusal to disavow an abortive terrorist raid on Israeli civilian targets.

Prince Bandar told reporters the Arab world has poorly presented the case for a Palestinian homeland. "I've always said we have a good case and lousy lawyers, and the Israelis have a lousy case and good lawyers," the Saudi ambassador said.

"He's in a better position to describe the clients and lawyers than I," Wilder replied.

by CNB