TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1993
MR.
CHUGANI:
47
Rostenkowski I think the year
before did not support MFN, but I think last year he went along with the conditions. I don't know what his position is this year.
As chairman, is he supporting the Pelosi
bill or opposing it?
GOVERNOR PATTEN:
No.
I mean, as a matter of
principle I think he is in favor of free trade and in
favor of MFN renewal, but he's one of the most significant
figures in the House of Representatives. He's responsible
in the first place, as you know, for overseeing the
1
discussions on the President's budget, and he will
obviously want to be part of an administration
congressional consensus, I would judge.
MR. CHUGANI : So he's not saying that he's
supporting the Pelosi bill, because his committee has
jurisdiction over that bill.
GOVERNOR FATTEN: I think it's actually because
of the way it's drafted. I'm learning a lot about the
American legislative process rather quickly. I think it's
actually gone to three committees
VOICE: That's right.
GOVERNOR PATTEN:
whereas last year it just
went to one.
As I said to you yesterday, I think the
administration and congressional leaders are looking for a policy which will command as wide support as possible, and
I think there are some issues about which they are
particularly concerned
-
L
ד
weapons proliferation, human
rights, and trade. It's our job to make sure that they
take proper account of the impact on Hong Kong of whatever
policy they come forward with.
/I suspect