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promise back to your homelands, always remembering the words of the Greek national anthem: "Now as ever valor prizing/Hail, all hail sweet Liberty!"

And what a splendid place Washington is for you to meet. Here in his hometown, you can proudly tell the story of your GreekAmerican predecessor, Constantino Brumidi-Brumidi, the Michelangelo of the U.S. Capitol. More than 100 years ago, Brumidi produced those eloquent friezes showing scenes from American history and said with reverence: "My one ambition is that I may live long enough to make beautiful the Capitol of the one country on Earth in which there is liberty."

In Washington, you can rejoice in the magnificence of your Cathedral of St. Sophia. When I was Vice President, I used to live just down the road from Hagia Sophia: the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom. How impressive is its rich Byzantine style; how moving the sight of its candlelit icons and those astonishing mosaics. It must have been a place of rare beauty much like this that, back in the 10th century, inspired the envoys of Prince Vladimir to bring your Orthodox faith to Kiev. For they said that, upon their first glimpse inside an Orthodox church in Constantinople: "We knew not whether we were in heaven or on Earth."

Your All Holiness, you are today trying to bring the peace of heaven to this earthly life. Your global vision is one of hope, hope for what we can do with and for your 250 million spiritual children, so many of whom have lived in the chilled darkness of religious persecution. The world rejoices that the new freedoms of the past year mean that your Orthodox followers in so many lands are now once again able to follow freely and openly the road of holy light.

We celebrate the dawn of hope for these people, particularly those for whom you speak in Eastern Europe. We also celebrate the tremendous strength of spirit which has sustained them through these generations of repression, spirit like that of the 50 million Russian Orthodox believers who still dream of the day when they can worship openly in their faith which is, after all, 930 years older than communism itself. We

know with certainty that day will come because, as a persecutor of Orthodoxy admitted: "Religion is like a nail. The harder you hit it, the deeper it goes into the wood." But while the events of this past year have been a glorious beginning, there is still much to do-because peace is more than just the absence of war.

As we continue the struggle for liberty for all, our way will be lit with the inner radiance of pastoral pilgrims of peace like Your All Holiness. I've often spoken of hope as a Thousand Points of Light ablaze in the black sky, and so, I was struck by this conference's theme: "Walk as children of light." I noticed how this first began in Ephesians: "For you were once darkness but now you are light."

Eastern Europe was once in dark bondage and now begins to see by the pale glow of a new dawn. It's like your own Easter midnight service. As the priest calls, "Come and receive the light," he brings a candle, I'm told, from the altar into the unbroken blackness of the church. And then he passes the flame to each worshiper's own individual candle until the church is ablaze with flickering lights proudly shining together to defeat the dark.

Your All Holiness, you are that candle. Your faithful here and around the world are that congregation which takes the light of your vision and spreads it through all lands. I was touched to hear that, during this trip, you will be walking across the Peace Bridge that links our great country, the United States, and Canada. And really, if you think about it, what a wonderful symbol of what all individuals and nations must do: build peace bridges that link-not separate-nations, and then walk upon those bridges to meet others halfway in order to celebrate our similarities, not to battle our differ

ences.

Together, we ask your prayers, Your All Holiness, that God will guide us in our efforts for peace and that the wide arms of faith and forgiveness will one day soon embrace a world with justice and compassion for all.

God bless you, Your All Holiness, and God bless every one of you gathered here

tonight. Barbara and I were honored to be your guests. Thank you very, very much.

Note: The President spoke at 7:40 p.m. in the Sheraton Ballroom at the Sheraton Washington Hotel. In his remarks, the President jokingly referred to Ted Koppel, of ABC News, as Peter Jennings, also of ABC News. The President also referred to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I, His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, and John Brademas, president of New York University. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.

Executive Order 12719-President's
Commission on the Federal
Appointment Process
July 11, 1990

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, including section 203 of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-194), and in order to establish an advisory commission to study the best means of simplifying the Presidential appointment process, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Establishment. (a) There is hereby established the "President's Commission on the Federal Appointment Process" ("Commission"). The Commission shall comprise 14 members from among officers and employees of the three branches of the Federal Government. Eight members shall be appointed by the President, two members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, two members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, one member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment.

(b) The President shall select a Chairman for the Commission from among the eight members that he appoints.

(c) The Chairman shall select a Federal employee to serve as Executive Director for the Commission.

Sec. 2. Functions. (a) The Commission shall advise the President on the best means of simplifying the Presidential appointment process through reducing the number and complexity of forms to be completed by Presidential nominees. The Commission shall give special attention to: (i) achieving coordination between forms required in the executive branch clearance process and forms required by Senate Committees for confirmation hearings; and (ii) identification of opportunities for the Office of Government Ethics to simplify the SF-278 Executive Financial Disclosure Report and its instructions, pursuant to the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as amended.

(b) The Commission, through its Chairman, shall present its report to the President no later than 90 days after its first meeting.

Sec. 3. Administration. (a) The heads of executive agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide the Chairman of the Commission with such information concerning the Presidential appointment process as the Chairman deems required for the purpose of carrying out the Commission's func

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Message to the Congress Transmitting a
Report on Hungarian Emigration
Policy

July 13, 1990

To the Congress of the United States:

In October 1989 I determined and reported to the Congress that Hungary meets the emigration criteria of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974. This determination allowed for the continuation of Hungary's most favored nation (MFN) status without the requirement of an annual waiver.

As required by law, I am submitting a formal report to the Congress concerning emigration laws and policies of the Republic of Hungary. You will find that the report certifies continued Hungarian compliance with U.S. and international standards in the areas of emigration and human rights policy.

The White House, July 13, 1990.

George Bush

Message to the Congress Reporting on the Economic Sanctions Against Libya July 13, 1990

To the Congress of the United States:

1. I hereby report to the Congress on developments since my last report of January 25, 1990, concerning the national emergency with respect to Libya that was declared in Executive Order No. 12543 of January 7, 1986. This report is submitted pursuant to section 401(c) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c); section 204(c) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1703(c) ("IEEPA"); and section 505(c) of the International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1985, 22 U.S.C. 2349aa-9(c).

2. Since my last report on January 25, 1990, there have been no amendments to the Libyan Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 550 (the "Regulations"), administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("FAC") of the Department of the Treasury. Additionally, since January 25, 1990, there

have been no amendments or changes to orders of the Department of Commerce or the Department of Transportation implementing aspects of Executive Order No. 12543 relating to exports from the United States and air transportation, respectively.

3. During the current 6-month period, FAC has issued a limited number of specific licenses to individuals and corporations to permit them to engage in activities that would otherwise be prohibited by the Regulations. Under FAC licensing procedures, 15 individuals registered to travel to or remain in Libya with Libyan immediate family members. Fifteen licensing decisions were made authorizing or prohibiting transactions in connection with Libya. The most significant licensing activity since the last report was the authorization of U.S. involvement in a U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization program to eradicate the screw worm, an infestation that threatened both humans and animals in North Africa.

4. Various enforcement actions mentioned in previous reports continue to be pursued. In February 1990, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, Sealed Air Corporation and two of its former corporate officers each received criminal sentences for engaging in shipments of rust inhibitor chemicals to Libya in violation of the Regulations. The corporation was fined $500,000, the maximum penalty permitted for a violation of IEEPA. A senior vice president of the firm was fined $100,000 and was ordered to perform 400 hours of community service. A general manager was fined $40,000 and was ordered to perform 200 hours of community

service.

In April 1990, FAC closed the offices of a Libyan student group for failure to abide by the terms of its FAC license. All tangible property of the organization and all bank accounts of the organization were blocked. The student group has since elected a new board of directors and has agreed to renew its licensed contractual arrangements for outside monitoring of financial transactions and to obtain funds from Libya in order to resume its operation in accordance with FAC licensing requirements.

5. The expenses incurred by the Federal Government in the period from January 25,

1990, through June 1, 1990, that are directly attributable to the exercise of powers and authorities conferred by the declaration of the Libyan national emergency are estimated at $442,541. Personnel costs were largely centered in the Department of the Treasury (particularly in the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Customs Service, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, and the Office of the General Counsel), the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the Federal Reserve Board, and the National Security Council. 6. The policies and actions of the Government of Libya continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. I shall continue to exercise the powers at my disposal to apply economic sanctions against Libya as long as these measures are appropriate and will continue to report periodically to the Congress on significant developments as required by law.

The White House, July 13, 1990.

George Bush

Message to the Congress Transmitting the Annual Report on Nuclear Nonproliferation

July 13, 1990

To the Congress of the United States:

I have reviewed the activities of the United States Government departments and agencies during calendar year 1989 related to preventing nuclear proliferation, and I am pleased to submit my annual report pursuant to section 601(a) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-242, 22 U.S.C. 3281(a)).

As the report demonstrates, the United States continued its efforts during 1989 to prevent the spread of nuclear explosives to additional countries. This is an important element of our overall national security policy, which seeks to reduce the risk of war and increase international stability. I

want to build on the positive achievements cited in this report and to work with the Congress toward our common goal: a safer and more secure future for all mankind. George Bush

The White House, July 13, 1990.

Statement on Congressional Action on the Americans With Disabilities Act July 13, 1990

I am delighted that Congress has now approved the conference report on the Americans with Disabilities Act. I am looking forward with great pleasure to signing this important civil rights legislation. This is a great day in the history of our country because for the first time Americans with disabilities will enjoy full civil rights protection with respect to employment, transportation, places of public accommodation, public services, and communications. Further, it is proof that individual rights can be given full and necessary protection without undue regulatory burdens. In this month of the 214th anniversary of the independence of our nation, this legislation will serve as a declaration of independence for millions of persons with disabilities in this country.

Remarks on the Proposed Balanced Budget Amendment and an Exchange With Reporters

July 13, 1990

The President. Let me just say before I leave here that on Tuesday the House is going to vote on a balanced budget amendment. And if enacted, that would halt the steady buildup of the national debt. I think it will bring much-needed discipline to the process, discipline on the executive branch, discipline on the legislative branch, on the Congress of the United States.

We've had one surplus in 30 years. And 30 State legislatures-more than that-have

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Q. How practical is it, Mr. President?

The President. Phase it in and it will be very practical, and it will work. And it ought to be tried. We've tried a lot of other things, and it hasn't worked. And we hear a lot about controlling spending, and then we see bills up there-we're going $4 billion over the President's request in 1 day. Turn around and that's what happens. So, I'd like to give this a shot, and I think the country would like to give it a shot.

Q. When you can't meet Gramm-Rudman in 1 year, sir, how can you reach zero? The President. We're not going to reach it in 1 year.

Q. Has the budget bogged down? Civil Rights Legislation

Q. Are you feeling optimistic about the civil rights compromise now, after Sununu's letter?

The President. Well, we're trying very hard on that.

Do I get credit for a full press conference here? Otherwise, I'm leaving.

Q. Half credit on it.

Q. We'll give you credit.

Federal Budget Negotiations

Q. How about tax increase revenues? Have you decided

The President. The budget process? I think they're working in seriousness as of today, and I've vowed to stay out of it. I notice others are positioning themselves on what they will or won't accept. I made a deal with the leadership that I wouldn't do that, and I'm going to keep my pledge as long as I can. I may be the only one in town doing that, but

Q. Have you gotten closer to a package on taxes?

The President. I think-well, I don't know, Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International]. That's a good-and I can't tell you. Sometimes I think our negotiators-Brady, Darman, and Sununu-are optimistic, and sometimes they come back with a little less optimism. But I hope that this statement today will be supportive of the process, and I hope that what I've suggested will happen because I think in the long-run that's what's required to keep our fiscal house in order.

Civil Rights Legislation

Q. Where do things stand on civil rights? The President. Negotiations going on. John Sununu was back today and had a fairly, I would say, reasonably optimistic proposal. My position on that one remains clear: I want to sign a civil rights bill; I will not sign a quota bill. And that's about where we are, but I think it's looking encouraging. I saw [Senator] Ted Kennedy down here yesterday and had a chance to share my views with him once again. And he's been working, I would say, quite cooperatively with us the Republican side, under Senator Hatch-most cooperative. So, as I leave here for the weekend, I hope I'm right in saying that it looks like we can work something out on that. I want to do it. Federal Budget Negotiations

Q. Can you say, sir, if in fact the administration has signed on for the need for about $25 billion in tax revenues as part of this overall package?

The President. No. I've said I wasn't going to discuss the specifics of the negotiations. And I really think I-I know it's not too specific, but I really feel I ought to keep my share of the bargain on that. I see a lot of speculation and a lot of people saying what we will or won't do or what they will or won't do-Republicans and Democratsand, look, I understand that. But I gave my commitment to the leadership-Republican and Democrat-in the House, and I'm going to stay with that. And at some point, I may have to go out and say, Look, this is all we can do, or here's where we go. But I'm not going to do that now.

Q. Is your commitment

The President. I'm going to try.

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