ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996 TAG: 9604150057
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
Accusing Congress of impeding his power over foreign affairs, President Clinton vetoed a sweeping measure Friday that would have overhauled U.S. diplomatic agencies and intensified pressures on China.
The bill passed the Senate 52-44 and the House 226-172, not enough to override the veto - the 14th of Clinton's presidency.
``This legislation contains many unacceptable provisions that would undercut U.S. leadership abroad and damage our ability to assure the future security and prosperity of the American people,'' the president said in his written message to Congress.
He also said it would ``unacceptably restrict'' the president's ability to conduct foreign affairs and control state secrets, ``thereby raising serious constitutional concerns.''
The bill, approved in party-line votes, issued a de facto invitation to Taiwan's president, Lee Teng-hui, to visit the United States in defiance of Chinese objections. It also would increase ties to Taiwan, toughen human rights pressure on China, allow for a special envoy to Tibet and set up Radio Free Asia to broadcast into China.
``The ongoing management of our relations with China is one of the central challenges of the United States' foreign policy, but this bill would complicate, not facilitate, that task,'' Clinton said.
Clinton and fellow Democrats also objected to the bill's dismantling of the Agency for International Development, the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, and the U.S. Information Agency.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB