hallways. Children again growing up in a world without fear. Many comparisons have been made to epidemics past-cholera, smallpox, yellow fever-none of them perfect. So, let me boil down the lessons of polio to two: There was a lot of ignorance. Let's learn from that. And in the darkest of hours, hope came unexpectedly, powerfully, and with finality. Let's work hard to see that that day comes to pass. Together, we will make a difference for those with HIV and AIDS and for all Americans. Thank you all for what you do. God bless your important work. Thank you on behalf of a grateful government. Note: The President spoke at 11:16 a.m. in the Arlington Ballroom of the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. In his remarks, he referred to Larry Williford, senior vice president of Allstate Insurance Co., and B.J. Stiles, president of the National Leadership Coalition on AIDS. Letter to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Select Committees on Intelligence Submitting a Report on Counternarcotics Intelligence Activities March 30, 1990 Dear Mr. Chairman: The Intelligence Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1990 (Public Law 101-193; 103 Stat. 1711) specified that I submit a report describing how intelligence activities relating to narcotics trafficking can be integrated across the defense, law enforcement, and intelligence communities. The Control and Coordination of Counternarcotics Intelligence Activities report prepared by the Director of Central Intelligence is enclosed for your information. I am pleased with the progress the Department of Defense and the intelligence community are making in the national effort to counter the flow of illegal narcotics, and I request your continued support for this program. Sincerely, George Bush Note: Identical letters were sent to David L. Boren, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Anthony C. Beilenson, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Remarks and an Exchange With The President. Well, today I have the pleasure of welcoming to the White House an extraordinary group of Americans. These distinguished men and women, along with two others who couldn't be with us today, have agreed to serve as the founding directors of the Points of Light Initiative Foundation. I'm looking forward to serving as Honorary Chairman. The founding directors and I share the same vision for this foundation, and the aim of it is to make service to others central to the life and work of every individual, group, and institution in America, from our largest corporations to our smallest neighborhood associations. Drug abuse, illiteracy, inadequate education, homelessness, hunger, environmental decay, and other critical social problems can indeed be solved. In fact, as we demonstrated Monday by naming the 100th daily Point of Light, these problems are already being solved in every corner of the Nation-men and women of all ages and organizations of every conceivable type who are tackling these problems in a direct and consequential way. The growth and magnification of Points of Light must now become an American mission. Today we're not creating a program: we're adding a new dimension to a national movement. Block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, life by life, we can reclaim those living in darkness. And with every American's help, we will. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for being such a significant part of this major national effort. Thank you. Now we go upstairs and have a little lunch. Lithuanian Independence Q. Mr. President, what did you tell Mr. Gorbachev in your message? The President. Well, it's a confidential message, and if I told you what I told him it wouldn't be confidential. [Laughter] Q. Have you heard back from him? Confidential or not? The President. Not yet. But I believe there was some indication, in fact, that the message had been received. But as I mentioned to you all, we try to stay in close touch with world leaders, and this is just one more manifestation of that. But I want to be sure that the Soviets understand our position and understand that we're not trying to make things difficult for Lithuania or the Soviet Union or anybody else. Q. Could you tell us what prompted you to send this message, Mr. President? The President. Just this continual feeling of staying in touch and being sure there's no disconnect because of misinformation. Our views on the question of self-determination and all of that are well-known around the world, but I do not want to risk misunderstanding by failing to communicate. So, that's really what it's all about. Note: The President spoke at noon in the Diplomatic Room at the White House. Message to the Congress Transmitting an Amendment to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea March 30, 1990 To the Congress of the United States: Consistent with the International Navigational Rules Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-75; 33 U.S.C. 1602), I transmit herewith an amendment to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended, which was adopted at London, October 19, 1989. The Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (72 COLREGS) was adopted at London, October 20, 1972, to replace the 1960 Collision Regulations. The 72 COLREGS entered into force July 15, 1977, and there are currently over 100 countries party to the convention. The 72 COLREGS were previously amended in November 1981 and in November 1987 to clarify technical language in the existing regulations. This amendment modifies the language of rule 10(d) that governs the conduct of vessels in an inshore traffic zone of a traffic separation scheme adopted by the International Maritime Organization. The amendment was designed to remove the ambiguity inherent in the words "normal" and "through traffic" as used in the existing text. This ambiguity lent itself to different interpretations by coastal states anxious to limit traffic in inshore traffic zones in order to reduce the risk of pollution from collision or stranding. The new language for rule 10(d) is phrased so that the mariner should have a better understanding of his duties and obligations with regard to the use of inshore traffic zones by ships. Consistent with section 5 of the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 (section 5 of Public Law 96-591; 33 U.S.C. 2073), this proposed amendment has been considered by the Rules of the Road Advisory Council, which has given its concurrence to the amendment. In the absence of a duly enacted law to the contrary, I will proclaim that the amendment will enter into force for the United States of America on April 19, 1991, unless by April 19, 1990, more than onethird of the Contracting Parties have notified the International Maritime Organization of their objection to the amendment. The White House, March 30, 1990. George Bush Nomination of Rear Admiral William J. The President today nominated Rear Adm. William J. Kime, U.S. Coast Guard, to be Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Department of Transportation, for a term of 4 years. He would succeed Adm. Paul A. Yost, who is retiring. Admiral Kime is commander of the 11th Coast Guard District, headquartered in Long Beach, CA. He has served as the commander of the Central California Sector of the U.S. Maritime Defense Zone, Pacific, and as coordinator of the Pacific Region of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Admiral Kime graduated from Baltimore City College in 1951, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1957, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.S., 1964). He is married to the former Valerie Joan Hiddlestone. Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on International Cooperation in the President's Space Exploration Initiative March 30, 1990 The President announced today that the United States would seek an exploratory dialog with Europe, Canada, Japan, the Soviet Union, and other nations on international cooperation in the Space Exploration Initiative. The President's announcement comes as part of a series of policy implementation decisions stemming from his address of July 20, 1989, the 20th anniversary of the Apollo lunar landing. On that historic occasion, the President set the future direction of the U.S. space program by proposing a longterm, continuing commitment to completing Space Station Freedom, returning permanently to the Moon, and sending a manned expedition to the planet Mars. To chart this course, he asked the Vice President to lead the National Space Council in determining, among other things, the feasibility of international cooperation in this endeavor. The Council recently completed a review of potential international cooperation and concluded, in part: The President's Space Exploration Initiative will be of profound significance for all mankind. • International cooperation in this endeavor is feasible and could offer significant benefits to the United States, subject to the satisfaction of national security, foreign policy, scientific, and economic interests. Acting on the recommendations of the Vice President and the National Space Council, the President decided that: • The United States will take a sequential and orderly approach to decisions on involving specific countries consistent with decisions made on the overall Space Exploration Initiative. • The United States will seek an exploratory dialog with Europe, Canada, Japan, the Soviet Union, and other nations as appropriate on international cooperation on the initiative. • The exploratory dialog will focus solely on conceptual possibilities for cooperation. • The dialog will be based on guidelines expeditiously prepared by the National Space Council. The guidelines will be consistent with the National Space Policy, taking due account of U.S. national security, foreign policy, scientific, and economic interests. • The National Space Council will ensure interagency coordination and review during the development of international cooperation on the initiative and provide recommendations to the President as appropriate. These decisions by the President follow on and relate to earlier decisions on the Space Exploration Initiative announced in the White House press release of March 8, 1990. Points of Light Recognition Program The President named the following individuals and institutions as exemplars of his commitment to making community service central to the life and work of every Ameri can. March 24 VYTAL (Volunteer Youth Training and Leadership), of Pittsburgh, PA. VYTAL, a collaborative effort of the Hillman Foundation, the United Way of Allegheny County, and Pittsburgh New Futures, introduces community service into the classroom through curriculum enhancement projects. Outside of school, stu dents may perform community service by participating in the VYTAL Force Club. March 26 Barbara Tomblinson, of Kansas City, MO. Mrs. Tomblinson, once homeless herself, founded New Start/New Life Ministries, a nonprofit organization providing transitional housing assistance for the homeless, counseling services, child care, and transportation services. Mrs. Tomblinson directs this initiative, volunteering 50-60 hours of her time every week. March 27 Michael Garber, of Waterbury, CT. Mr. Garber is a 64-year-old with Down's Syndrome. In 1960 he joined a Boy Scout troop, and recently he was honored as an Eagle Scout, a goal which took him 30 years to achieve. He has worked to form a troop for mentally disabled boys, and throughout his scouting years, he has served as a positive example for his fellow troop members. In addition, Mr. Garber has been a United Way volunteer for many years. Currently, he volunteers 40 hours a week for the American Cancer Society and continues to work as a volunteer at an Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center. March 28 Madison House, of Charlottesville, VA. The staff and student leaders of Madison House coordinate volunteer programs which unite community needs and student interests. The Adopt-AGrandparent program offers local senior citizens companionship and practical help. The Big Sibling program provides a friend and role model to children. Madison House volunteers also serve as tutors for local students. The Holiday Sharing program offers baskets of food and clothing to local needy families. Other Madison House programs include a housing improvement program, a consumer information service, a migrant aid tutoring and recreation program, a recreational therapy initiative, and medical support services. March 29 Rod Gorham, of Scarborough, ME. Mr. Gorham has dedicated his retirement years to enriching the natural sciences curriculum for schoolchildren. For over 3 years, he has been volunteering as a teaching assistant for a sixth grade science class. He leads tours through the Scarborough Marsh, Maine's largest salt marsh, using the marsh as a “real world” science lab to explain the importance of the ecosystem. National Security Affairs; and members of the CIA briefing staff; -the international trans-Antarctica expedition; -former President Jimmy Carter, to discuss the Middle East peace process; -John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the President; In the afternoon, the President hosted a reception on the State Floor of the White House for members of the National Republican Senatorial Committee Senatorial Trust. In the evening, the President attended the National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman's Club Dinner, held in the Indian Treaty Room of the Old Executive Office Building. The President announced his intention to appoint the following individuals to be members of the Independent Commission to Review National Endowment for the Arts Grant Making Procedures. These are new positions. John Thomas Agresto, of New Mexico. Currently, Dr. Agresto serves as president of St. John's College in Santa Fe, NM. He has served as president of the Madison Center, 1989, and Deputy Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, DC, 19851989. Theresa Elmore Behrendt, of New York. Mrs. Behrendt served as the White House Liaison to the Arts and Humanities from 1982 to 1984. Leonard Garment, of the District of Columbia. Currently, Mr. Garment serves as senior partner with the law firm of Dickstein, Shapiro and Morin in Washington, DC. Charles Kinsley McWhorter, of New York. Currently, Mr. McWhorter serves as a consultant in the public affairs department of the AT&T Co. in New York, NY. Mr. McWhorter served as a member of the National Council on the Arts, 1970-1976. March 28 The President met at the White House with: -the Vice President; John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the President; Brent Scowcroft, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; and members of the CIA briefing staff; -congressional leaders; -Secretary of State James A. Baker III; -Representatives C. Christopher Cox, Richard J. Durbin, John Miller, and Bill Sarpalius, to discuss the U.S. policy on Lithuanian independence; -John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the President; -Robert H. Helmick, president of the U.S. Olympic Committee. In the evening, the President telephoned Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, to discuss the situation in Lithuania. March 29 The President met at the White House with: -the Vice President; John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the President; Brent Scowcroft, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; and members of the CIA briefing staff; -Secretary of Education Lauro F. Cavazos, to discuss the Secretary's recent trip to Mexico; -the leadership of the National Commission on AIDS; -John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the President; -Senator Edward Kennedy, to discuss the Senator's recent trip to the Soviet Union. In the afternoon, the President attended the White House Communications Agency service awards ceremony at Bolling Air Force Base, VA. In the evening, the President telephoned Prime Minister Robert Hawke of Australia, to congratulate him on his reelection. The President sent a written message to Chairman Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union, concerning the situation in Lithuania. March 30 The President met at the White House with: -the Vice President; John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the President; Brent Scowcroft, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; and members of the CIA briefing staff; -members of the boards of directors of the Polish and Hungarian Enterprise Funds; |