XN000022-1993-05-04 — Page 61

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